Inspired by folk tales and horror themes Jess Lavin uses her writing to explore fear, emotion and the bias we can feel where they intersect.

The internet has been bubbling with discussions of Etsy witches - spells that can get you a date, a job, a 'glow up', or anything you have your mind on. I'd like to buy one of these spells and see if the proposed affect happens - I'd also like to talk to some users/witches themselves about the belief in them.

In 2008, Wall Street crashed. (This is relevant, stay with me) In September 2008, all hope was lost, and the financial crisis reached its summit. This had begun in 2007, slowly, then all at once. Mass unemployment, skyrocketing house prices, and generally a financial world that was now unrecognisable, and one that here in 2026 we can agree has never truly healed.