Superstitious beliefs shape daily life more than most people admit. Armand DiMele and Linda Vanella, LCSW-R, trace how the evil eye, magical thinking, and protective rituals across cultures all stem from the same root: a childhood conviction that our minds and actions hold mysterious power over the world around us.
Why do we party hard, eat grapes, burn dolls, and bang pots at midnight? Armand traces New Year customs from ancient Babylon and Rome through modern celebrations in Korea, Colombia, Taiwan, and beyond, weaving in listener calls about Puerto Rican, Black American, and other personal traditions.
Is luck real, or is it a story we tell ourselves? Armand DiMele argues that so-called unlucky people are often too anxious and narrowly focused to notice opportunities passing by, while exploring how privilege, discipline, attitude, and genuine chance all get confused with luck. Callers share their struggles with lifelong bad luck, revealing the link between perceived misfortune and depression.
Why do so many people skip the 13th floor? Armand DiMele traces the hidden origins of common superstitions, from the Last Supper to Roman gazing pools, and argues that superstitions often serve those in power by shaping behavior. Callers share family traditions spanning the West Indies, Ireland, and Santeria.
