Chokes and Consciousness

About Chokes and Consciousness

A sports podcast dedicated to the engagement and elevation of Women’s mma and grappling. Michaela, former collegiate athlete, current mma fighter, and jiu jitsu practitioner. Deja, former collegiate athlete, and current jiu jitsu practitioner. Both Michaela and Deja have a love for women’s sports and a passion to continue ascending the voices of women within the mma and grappling world. Come listen and have fun with us!

Publisher

Deja Jackson

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

24 Jul 2024

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

76 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Beyond the Mask

   Libra Season, Halloween Costumes, and the Face We Show the World Deja and Michaela kick off Libra season with a playful check-in as Sho Nuff and Spider-Man, which turns into a real conversation about aggression, balance, and how this season pushes people to reveal more of their true selves. They also cover Halloween plans, local nightlife, upcoming jiu-jitsu, UFC, and MMA events, and reflect more broadly on masks, authenticity, and speaking up. Timestamps 00:00 - Back for Libra season and October energy02:58 - Feeling the season shift and the pressure to keep flowing05:11 - Halloween costumes and playing a character again06:59 - Theater kids, background roles, and embracing fun as adults08:52 - Spider-Man costume struggles after open mat10:03 - Millennial versus Gen Z nightlife habits12:19 - Lawrence nightlife, VIP sections, and who gets in15:23 - Topic setup: the mask versus the face17:41 - Michaela’s Cedar Rapids competition details19:08 - Returning to competition after a year of injuries23:22 - Nogi Worlds prices and upcoming tournament schedule26:50 - Venus retrograde, the Libra new moon, and Pluto moving direct28:36 - Mercury retrograde, emotional instincts, and the full moon in Taurus33:08 - UFC recap: Natalia Silva versus Wang Kong36:30 - Sleeper card finishes and Bobby Green getting dropped repeatedly40:12 - Why women’s MMA needs better depth and better promotion44:18 - Dana White interviews and UFC promotion problems47:18 - Kayla Harrison, Amanda Nunes, and concerns about the upcoming fight50:54 - LL Cool J training jiu jitsu and Jonah Hill’s ego problem55:04 - Lauren’s growth and the difference between humble and hot-shit energy56:53 - No-Gi Pans and local fight cards coming up59:05 - Mask versus face: what parts of yourself are getting airtime63:55 - Going back to childhood art and realizing who you already were66:32 - What version of yourself are you ready to stop being?68:39 - Work masks, fake environments, and authenticity70:58 - Protect your peace and stop taking other people’s energy72:00 - Closing quote: find out who you are and do it on purpose

2. 

   14 Sept 2026

   Falling into Claymation

   Deja and Michaela return after a short break to catch up on life, celebrate Michaela’s engagement, and talk through a season of change. They move from astrology and fall transitions into a bigger conversation about slowing down, rest, and how internal growth matters more than constant motion. They also cover recent combat sports news, including UFC, boxing, ADCC, and the ongoing cultural issues in jiu-jitsu. They highlight that if the world feels chaotic, the answer may be less rushing and more intentional silence. Timestamps 00:00 - Back after a month of life updates01:26 - Virgo season, Libra gang, and birthday shout-outs04:14 - Alaska trip, cabin life, and bear country05:35 - Engagement in Alaska and the ring needing resizing07:08 - “If we only have four years left”08:20 - AI whistleblower fears and the pace of tech11:39 - Where is all this tech taking us?13:14 - Supplies, shortages, and surviving together15:57 - Surveillance, smart TVs, and 198421:01 - Rage showing up in driving and daily life24:04 - Jiu-jitsu promotions and black belt shout-outs30:30 - Seminar structure, silence drills, and smooth instruction35:20 - Women’s open mat dates announced36:41 - Virgo and Libra season reading42:05 - UFC fight recap and Alexa Grasso’s win46:46 - Women’s bantamweight being depleted50:12 - UFC Noche card and matchup recap51:40 - Tom Aspinall’s injury and heavyweight uncertainty63:46 - Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn and Dana White in boxing68:13 - Dana White collecting talent across combat sports69:02 - ADCC highlights and Helena’s dominance72:02 - The brawl, Gordon Ryan, and biting in competition77:52 - UFC BJJ moving to Fight Pass78:28 - Claymation, fall, and the pressure to keep moving81:29 - Rest as part of training and life86:28 - Slowing down is not falling behind97:11 - Moving in intentional silence101:23 - Alan Watts on language, convention, and perception105:28 - Food, music, art, and the soul of culture

3. 

   17 Aug 2026

   Groovin into Virgo

   In this episode, Michaela and Deja explore a wide range of topics, including the transition from Leo season to Virgo season, food safety, the state of education, survival skills, and current environmental events. They share personal stories, insights on cosmic transitions, and practical advice for navigating modern challenges. Deja and Michaela explore the significance of staying present and appreciating the moment, especially in the context of sports, personal growth, and life's transitions. They discuss recent UFC fights, women's sports, and the importance of intentionality and organization as we move into Virgo season. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:35 Personal Updates and Weekend Activities53:06 Discussion on UFC fight highlights and retirements54:50 Analysis of McKenzie Dern's dominant win58:04 Gillian Robertson’s fight struggles and coaching critique01:00:27 Dean Thomas retires as a cornerman01:02:36 Women's divisions and upcoming fights01:09:55 Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Gary fight insights01:13:36 UFC monopolization and upcoming events01:17:29 The challenge of endurance and training in MMA01:22:16 Women's sports highlights and upcoming World Cup01:25:32 The cosmic exit and transitioning into Virgo season01:38:50 Closing thoughts and mindful reflection01:45:38 Inspirational quote by Martha Graham

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

4,657,779,628

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

42

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

32