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Plant Cunning Podcast

Plant Cunning Podcast

By Plant Cunning Podcast

Plant Resilience. Plants Wisdom. Plant Plants. This podcast, hosted by Isaac Hill and A.C. Stauble brings together a network of people wise to the ways of plants, fungi and the natural world to explore the Mysteries of Nature. We invite herbalists, farmers, mages, fungi experts, community organizers and all kinds of other interesting people to the microphone to share their wisdom and experiences with us. We like to bridge different worlds, make connections, inspire and at times, have our minds blown by our amazing guests. Enjoy!
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Currently playing episode

Ep19: Stephanie Rose Bird on Hoodoo and Her Path

Plant Cunning Podcast Feb 10, 2021

00:00
01:04:09
Ep.147: Dana O'Driscoll on Land Healing

Ep.147: Dana O'Driscoll on Land Healing

Dana returns to talk about her new book "Land Healing: Physical, Metaphysical and Ritual Practices for Healing the Earth", and we get into some very practical tips on helping to heal the earth: refugia gardens, rituals, communication and much more. We also get into a fun discussion on personalizing rituals like the "Sphere of Protection", how it differs from the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, and nerd out on ritual magic. #animism #ceremonialmagic #ritualmagic #ecospirituality #ritual #naturerituals #healingtheearth #earthenergy #landhealing

Mar 27, 202401:21:02
Ep. 146: Spring Forecast with ZamboniFunk: Aries Ingress, Eclipses, Jupiter-Uranus

Ep. 146: Spring Forecast with ZamboniFunk: Aries Ingress, Eclipses, Jupiter-Uranus

Zamboni is back to break down the spring quarter astro-weather for us. We check out the Aries Ingress chart, look into the lunar eclipse on the 25th of March, the Great American Solar Eclipse of April 8th, the Jupiter Uranus conjunction, Jupiter moving into Gemini, and much more. There is a lot going on this quarter, and even just teasing out the implications of the Great Eclipse could be an episode, so I hope you enjoy it!


#astrology #eclipse #ariesseason #ariesingress #springforecast #astrologicalforecast #astrologypodcast

Mar 20, 202401:32:05
Ep. 145: Denise Alvarado on Rootwork, Voodoo and Marie Laveau

Ep. 145: Denise Alvarado on Rootwork, Voodoo and Marie Laveau

In this episode we sit down with rootworker, healer, author and teacher Denise Alvarado about her new book "Marie Laveau's Voodoo Grimoire", talk about rootwork, New Orleans Voodoo, hoodoo, and dispel myths about who Marie Laveau was.

"Having grown up steeped in the rich cultural milieu of New Orleans, Louisiana, I've dedicated over four decades of my life to exploring indigenous healing traditions both personally and academically. My passion continues to be the preservation of the folkways of my culture of origin, and to the documentation of African, Black, and indigenous resistance fighters, and the study of quality of life in Native American populations.


​My journey as a tradition keeper and healer began when I was five years old on a Mississippi bayou where my aunt introduced me to the mysteries of Spiritualism. In addition, my Catholic Creole culture of origin informs my work. To be Creole in New Orle­ans means our blood derives from Spanish, French, Indigenous, and African ancestry, or some admixture within, and with that comes the traditions of our ancestors. From their rich mélange of food, music, culture, and religions, we can find healing modalities and magickal works designed for empowered, resilient, and resourceful living. My goal has been to bring these forms of healing and empowerment to others for the benefit of our planetary family.

I am a proud member of the American Anthropological Association, the Association of Indigenous Anthropologists, and the Association of Latina/o & Latinx Anthropologists. After serving on the editorial board for the Journal for Social and Behavioral Sciences, I brought those academic skills and experience to Hoodoo & Conjure Quarterly, The Journal of American Rootwork, Gumbo Ya Ya, and the Hoodoo Almanacs. My journey has led me to pen over twenty books, including "Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits and Hoodoo Saints," "The Magic of Marie Laveau," and my latest work, "The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire."

Having been nurtured by my parents as an artist since birth, my ritual art has graced television screens in shows like National Geographic's Taboo, the Originals, and Blue Bloods. My work, whether in art or writing, echoes my roles as a rootworker, tradition-keeper, spiritual artisan, and guardian of the sacred wisdom of Southern folk magick and folkways."


#hoodoo #voodoo #conjure #rootwork #magicalherbalism

Mar 13, 202455:13
Ep.143: Bill Meridian on Eclipses, Financial Astrology and Uranian Planets

Ep.143: Bill Meridian on Eclipses, Financial Astrology and Uranian Planets

In this episode we take a deep dive into financial astrology and eclipse paths with esteemed astrologer Bill Meridian. We talk about his groundbreaking work "The Predictive Power of Eclipse Paths" where he builds on the research of astrologers Lorne Edward Johndro and Charles Jayne. You can find his work at https://billmeridian.com/ Bill Meridian is a respected astrologer known for his expertise in financial astrology. Born in 1953, in the United States, Meridian has dedicated over four decades to the study and practice of astrology. Meridian gained prominence for his groundbreaking work in applying astrological principles to financial markets, a discipline known as "astro-economics." He has authored influential books such as "Planetary Stock Trading" and "The Predictive Power of Eclipse Paths," offering investors and traders unique insights into market trends and investment strategies. In addition to his contributions to financial astrology, Meridian is skilled in traditional astrological techniques, including horary and mundane astrology. He has conducted consultations worldwide, assisting individuals in gaining clarity on various aspects of their lives. Through his writing, consulting, and teaching engagements, Bill Meridian continues to be a respected figure in the astrological community, admired for his expertise, accuracy, and dedication to advancing the field. #eclipse #podcast #solareclipse #eclipseseason #eclipses #astrology #astrologer #uranian #predictiveastrology

Mar 06, 202401:07:14
Ep. 142: Dr. Faith Mitchell on Hoodoo Medicine

Ep. 142: Dr. Faith Mitchell on Hoodoo Medicine

In this episode we speak with Dr. Faith Mitchell about her groundbreaking study of Gullah/Geechee plant medicine "Hoodoo Medicine", and about the plants, people, and magic of the Sea Islands. You can find her at: https://www.drfaithmitchell.com/ "I am blessed to have grown up close to the land and to be descended from people who over the generations never lost that connection. When I was a child, Black people were not writing about nature, so I turned to the rich wisdom of my American Indian ancestors. They were my first source of knowledge about healing plants. Then, when I was in college, I visited a Gullah/Geechee community for the first time and had the life changing experience of living with Black people whose lives were grounded in the rhythms and beauty of the Low Country. The natural world was an integral part of their history, stories, cuisine, and healing ways. It’s my honor to preserve some of their deep knowledge in Hoodoo Medicine. When I first visited the Sea Islands very few people on Wadmalaw Island, where I lived, had telephones, cars, or even running water. I was stunned to come upon backwoods settlements that had changed very little in decades. But above all I was affected by the rich, fertile beauty of the Islands and by the strength and integrity of the families I met. I soon discovered that the Sea Islands were as abundant in folk culture—ghost stories, animal tales, the Gullah/Geechee language itself—as they were in animal and plant life. However, the islands were already in transition, and it was clear that the Gullah/Geechee culture was under threat. These first experiences among the Gullah/Geechee people led me to a lifelong interest in African American history and culture, and a commitment to health and progressive social issues. I have a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley and am currently a Fellow at the Urban Institute in Washington DC. I blog on health-related topics. My supernatural thriller based on Geechee/Gullah history and customs is The Book of Secrets, Part 1. " #hoodoo #plantmedicine #herbalism #herbalists #herbalmagic #magick #folkmagic #conjure #rootwork #rootworker

Feb 28, 202452:24
Ep. 142: John Michael Greer on the Five Tibetan Rites and the Golden Age of American Occultism

Ep. 142: John Michael Greer on the Five Tibetan Rites and the Golden Age of American Occultism

In this episode we interview John Michael Greer about his new book "The Secret of the Five Rites", where he delves into the hidden teachings of the popular form of exercise. We delve into the book it comes from, "The Eye of Revelation", the dangers of Kundalini awakening, the subtle energy body, how esoteric knowledge diffuses, changes and transforms over time and through cultures, the roots of the Tree of Life, the Golden Age of American occultism, and the strains of esotericism that fed it. Some of the figures we talk about include: Manly P. Hall, George Winslow Plummer, Aleister Crowley, Gerald Gardner, The Fox Sisters, Max Heindel, Paul Foster Case, Yogananda, John Dee, William Lilly, and many more. #esoteric #esotericknowledge #magick #podcast #occult #occultism #ocultpodcast #rosicrucian #spiritualism #americanhistory #kundalini #kundaliniyoga #kundaliniawakening #energybody #subtleenergy

Feb 21, 202401:01:59
Ep.141: The Ars Notoria with Matthias Castle

Ep.141: The Ars Notoria with Matthias Castle

In this episode we speak with Ars Notoria translator Matthias castle about this intriguing work of medieval angelic magic focused on obtaining knowledge and wisdom. Where did it come from? What does it do? Can you use it to learn Organic Chemistry? What is "angel water"? These and many more questions are answered.


The 13th-century magical treatise Ars Notoria offers a secret account of the angel Pamphilius revealing the sacred magic to King Solomon by which he gained his famed wisdom and learning, thereby expanding upon the biblical narrative in which Solomon received a vision of God. Solomon’s writings were transmitted to the first-century philosopher, Apollonius of Tyana, who provided a commentary entitled the Golden Flowers (Flores Aurei), which is contained within Ars Notoria.
The magical text presents a complete system of angelic magic consisting of prayers addressed to angels, using figures called notae, for the purpose of acquiring scholastic and heavenly knowledge. Due to its rising popularity among university students, the magical ritual was reworked time and again, producing five treatises, dating from the 13th to 15th centuries; The Work of Works (Opus Operum), the Book of Flowers of Heavenly Teaching composed by the French Benedictine monk named John of Morigny, The Short Art (Ars Brevis), the abridged version attributed to Thomas of Toledo, and The Pauline Art (Ars Paulina), thereby establishing an entire notorial art tradition.
In this new and complete translation of Ars Notoria, based on Julien Veronese’s critical Latin edition, translator Matthias Castle presents the classic magical text, both short and long versions, including four of the later treatises. Castle explains how these theurgic ritual practices were performed, giving special attention to all the original pictorial figures (notae), and how the art of memory relates to angelic magic. Providing practical instruction, extensive commentary, and in-depth background research and annotations, Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon is an essential sourcebook on angelic magic for scholar and magician alike. #solomonicmagic #solomonicmagick #grimoire #magick #ceremonialmagic #ceremonialmagick #angels #angelicmagic #medievalmagic #astrologicalmagic #occult #occultism #esotericbooks #esoteric #esotericism

Feb 07, 202449:49
Ep. 140: Earth Wisdom from a Green Witch with Robin Rose Bennett

Ep. 140: Earth Wisdom from a Green Witch with Robin Rose Bennett

In this episode we go deep with herbalist, author and green witch Robin Rose Bennett on grief, meaning, the power of the story, Rose, Artemesia, White Pine, Cedar, and much more!

Robin Rose Bennett is a story-teller, writer, herbalist and green witch. She shares Earth wisdom with gratitude for the magic and mystery of the web of life. She is the author of A Green Witch’s Pocket Book of Wisdom - Big Little Life Tips, Healing Magic- A Green Witch Guidebook to Conscious Living and The Gift of Healing Herbs - Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life, and the forthcoming A Young Green Witch’s Guide to Plant Magic - Rituals and Recipes from Nature.



#herbalism #podcast #herbal #herbalife #herbalmedicine #greenwitch #wtich #magick #plantcunningpodcast #spiritualpodcast


Jan 31, 202401:23:32
Ep. 139: Ben Falk's Wood Stove Wizardry on the Resilient Farm and Homestead

Ep. 139: Ben Falk's Wood Stove Wizardry on the Resilient Farm and Homestead

In this episode we talk about getting the most out of your woodstove - cooking, baking, hot water, and more. Ben compares rocket mass heaters and masonry stoves to high-efficiency wood stoves, and shares why he uses a wood stove, how he cuts all the wood he needs for a year, manages his woodlot, and shares some wisdom gleaned from over two decades of permaculture homesteading.

Check out Ben's workshop on wood stoves here: 2023 Wood Heating Intensive — Whole Systems Design And the new edition of his book The Resilient Farm and Homestead, Revised and Expanded Edition: 20 Years of Permaculture and Whole Systems Design can be found where ever books are sold!

Ben developed Whole Systems Design, LLC as a land-based response to biological and cultural extinction and the increasing separation between people and elemental things. Life as a designer, builder, ecologist, tree-tender, and backcountry traveler continually informs Ben’s integrative approach to developing landscapes and buildings. His home landscape and the WSD studio site in Vermont's Mad River Valley serve as a proving ground for the regenerative land developments featured in the projects of Whole Systems Design. Ben studied architecture and landscape architecture at the graduate level and holds a master’s degree in land-use planning and design. He has conducted more than 650 site development and land inspection consultations across the US and abroad, and has facilitated dozens of courses on property selection, permaculture design, and resilient systems. He has given keynote addresses and presented dozens of workshops at venues ranging from Bioneers to the Omega Institute. Ben is the author of the award-winning book The Resilient Farm and Homestead (Chelsea Green, 2013) and serves as an Advisory Council for the international regeneration group Ecosystem Restoration Camps.

Jan 24, 202457:18
Ep. 138: Sara L. Mastros on Solomon the Magician-King, his Planetary Pentacles, and Dreamwork

Ep. 138: Sara L. Mastros on Solomon the Magician-King, his Planetary Pentacles, and Dreamwork

Today we interview Sara Mastros ( @SaraMastros  ) on her new book "The Sorcery of Solomon: A Guide to the 44 pentacles of the Magician King" from Red Wheel Weiser ( @redwheelweiserbooks366  ) Sara Mastros, author of Orphic Hymns Grimoire, The Big Book of Magical Incense, and The Sorcery of Solomon: A Guide to the 44 Pentacles of the Magician King, is Pittsburgh's leading Witch for Hire. She teaches tarot, witchcraft, Greek and Near Eastern mythology, Pan-Levantine folk magic, and practical sorcery online and at festivals all over the east coast. She’s also a co-owner of the Fool’s Dog family of tarot, lenormand, and oracle apps! You can check in on her courses and lessons at WitchLessons.com, sign up for her newsletter at MastrosZealot.com, or follow all her witchy shenanigans on facebook at Facebook.com/Sara.Mastros The Key of Solomon is a family of closely related historic grimoires legendarily attributed to Solomon, the biblical Magician King. Most famously, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers’s 1889 English edition presented forty-four Hebrew seals, commonly called the “planetary pentacles.” However, it offered very little guidance for how to work with them. Sara L. Mastros, a leading teacher and practitioner of magic, translates and interprets each of these pentacles and presents practical methods for working with their magical powers, creating a clear, accessible user’s guide. #pentacles #sorcery #magic #magicpodcast #spiritualpodcast #podcast #solomon #solomonic #pentaclesofsolomon #magick #dream #dreaminterpretation #dreaming #keyofsolomon

Jan 10, 202401:27:15
Ep. 137: Small Magics and New Year Intentions with Byron Ballard

Ep. 137: Small Magics and New Year Intentions with Byron Ballard

In this episode we have a pleasant chat with the Village Witch of Asheville, NC, Byron Ballard herself about her new book Small Magics: Practical Secrets from an Appalachian Village Witch published by Llewellyn in 2023, and her new new book coming out this year. We talk about our intentions for 2024, plants we're excited about growing, places we plant on travelling to, and much more!


#podcast #plantcunningpodcast #appalachian #hoodoo #smallmagic #llewellyn #folkmagic #newyear #newyearresolutions

Jan 03, 202458:50
Ep.136: Paul Rezendes and the Wild Within

Ep.136: Paul Rezendes and the Wild Within

Find Paul at: https://www.paulrezendes.com/ Paul is recognized as one of the country’s leading animal tracking experts. Many of his students have gone on to write their own books, established their own nature schools, and have contributed greatly to the growth of tracking as sound citizen science in North America. Paul and Paulette retired from teaching in early 2004 to devote their energies full time to their stock and fine art photography business. Concurrently with teaching tracking through the nature school, Paul also established himself in the world of nature photography, amassing a library of over 100,000 images. In between teaching engagements, he traveled by van to photograph wildlife and their habitats as often as possible. Eventually the woods, fields, rivers, lakes, mountains and seashores drew Paul more strongly in the direction of landscape photography than wildlife. #awakening #selfrealization #spiritualpath #spirituality #selfinquiry #nonduality #podcast

Dec 27, 202301:16:05
Ep. 135: 2024 Year Ahead and Winter Quarter Astrological Forecast with ZamboniFunk

Ep. 135: 2024 Year Ahead and Winter Quarter Astrological Forecast with ZamboniFunk

Join us and ZamboniFunk ( @zambonifunk  ) and our new puppy Persimmon for a sneak peek at the astrology of 2024, with a focus on the winter quarter. We've got #pluto going in and out and back in for the final time into #aquarius and we talk about the importance of that 0* Aquarius point. We talk about the epic solar #eclipse on April 8th, and the implications thereof, about how this is a #mars year big time, and what this year is leading up to. #astrology #astrologypodcast #podcast #forecast #astrologyforecast #2024 #yearahead #plantcunningpodcast

Dec 20, 202301:40:48
Ep. 134: 2023 Year in Review Duocast

Ep. 134: 2023 Year in Review Duocast

Isaac an AC go over their year, from tasting tropical fruits in South Florida, studying Vedic astrology, going to the Rainbow Gathering, and the successful launch of the Plant Cunning Conference.

Dec 14, 202340:03
Ep. 133: Priya Kale on Amma and Chiron

Ep. 133: Priya Kale on Amma and Chiron

Find Priya at: https://cosmicdiaries.com/ Born in Mumbai, in a lineage of Vedic astrologers, Priya Kale is a NYC based Western astrologer with a worldwide clientele and readership, in professional practice since 2006. Her horoscopes and work have been published in various outlets including Cosmopolitan, Astroguide for Vice Media, Astrology.com, Horoscope.com, Astologyzone, Yahoo! Australia, CondeNast Traveller, Moonology and here at Cosmic Diaries. She has also spoken at various major Astrology Conferences, in the US and internationally, and is working on her book on Chiron, based on 15 years of research and experience. She is currently also studying Jyotish in the Sri Achyutananda Parampara, and Ayurveda, meditation, Vedic studies under the guidance of ther Guru, Amma Karunmayi. #chiron #astrology #podcast #amma

Dec 06, 202358:00
Ep.132: Christina Stapley on the History of Herbalism

Ep.132: Christina Stapley on the History of Herbalism

Christina Stapley ( Medical Herbalist Christina Stapley | Herbalist Workshops & Books) has grown more than 300 herbs, for over 45 years. Her third of an acre teaching garden in Hampshire was featured on television on numerous occasions, most recently she had appeared on Autumnwatch and the Antiques Road Trip, and was popular with visiting groups inspired by her talks. Her herbal practice has encouraged a growing enthusiasm for work in preventive medicine through herbs, diet and lifestyle. This has led to writing both Interactive and Essentials courses on Ageing Successfully, available by email. Now retired as a practitioner, she currently teaches the History of Western Herbal Medicine, Pharmacognosy and Materia Medica for the School of Herbal Medicine in Bridgwater. Christina has written three books on growing and using herbs, Herbwise Naturally, Herbcraft Naturally and Herb Sufficient. Each work is supremely practical with many recipes and background information. Her children’s book The Lemonade Tree for ages 2-6 years is about the animals and birds in the herb garden. Her more recent books on trees in herbal medicine have added experience abroad to a life in herbs. Her new book, A History of Plant Medicine Western Herbal Medicine from the Ancient Greeks to Modern Day is to be released by Aeon Books in late November 2024. #herbalism #history #herbalist #herbalmedicine #podcast #plantmedicine

Nov 22, 202301:14:17
Ep. 131: Dr. Jennifer Lisa Vest on Medical Intuition, Finding your Purpose, and the Ethical Psychic

Ep. 131: Dr. Jennifer Lisa Vest on Medical Intuition, Finding your Purpose, and the Ethical Psychic

Find Dr. Vest at http://www.drjenniferlisavest.com/ @spiritteacher on IG "I come from a long line of seers. My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother on the maternal line and my grandfather and great-grandmother on the paternal side all had the gift of sight. As an infant, my great-grandmother Lula-Mae, identified me as the one who had carried the gift into the next generation and began training me as a child. Born with the gifts of clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, and mediumship, I was able to develop these gifts through long study and practice at the hands of many teachers. I studied informally with women several healers in the Jamaican Revivalist and Trinidadian Shango traditions (including Mother Joyce, Sister Nelson, Mother Barrett, Queenie, Sister Grant, Mother Mavis, Mother Vilola, Mother Wright, Mother Robinson and others) and was trained as a Firekeeper in the Native American sweatlodge by Pheonix. I also studied with veteran mediums and healers at Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp in Cassadga, Florida where I took classes in psychic development, mediumship, healing, and trance for five years with such teachers as Maeda Jones, M.A., Mary Rose Gray, RN. Marie Wilson-Gates, Joan Piper, and Suzanne DeWees, PhD, among others. I became a Reiki Master under a Reiki Master, Marie Gates an have also taken classes in Pranic Healing, Transformational Hypnosis, and other modalities. I also spent ten years undergoing past life regressions in order to develop an understanding of the impact past lives have on current lives. I am a former professor of Cross-Cultural Philosophy where my areas of specialization were African and Native American philosophy. My PHD is in Ethnic Studies/Indigenous Philosophy from UC Berkeley. I have several publications on topics in philosophy, social justice, and poetry. As a mixed blood Of Haitian, Seminole, German, and Norwegian heritage, I combine what I have learned from African, Caribbean, and Native American spiritist traditions, and Euro-American Spiritualist traditions into what I practice. In all that I do I am guided by Spirit and I do my best to be a pure vessel and a hollow bone." #reiki #herbalism #plantcunningpodcast #herbalist #herbalmedicine #medicalintuition #medicalintuitive #psychicprotection #psychic #spiritualist #spirtuality #medium #clairvoyance #podcast

Nov 08, 202301:22:02
Ep. 130: All My Wild Mothers with Victoria Bennett

Ep. 130: All My Wild Mothers with Victoria Bennett

Victoria Bennett, @beewyld, Home (victoriabennett.me) was born in 1971, the youngest of six children. She lived in various places before moving to Cumbria in 1997, where she lived until very recently. After leaving school at 16, she returned to education as a mature student and gained her Masters in Creative Writing from Lancaster University in 2002. She is a recipient of the Northern Debut Award, the Mother’s Milk Writing Prize for non-fiction, and the Andrew Waterhouse Award and the Northern Promise Award for poetry. Her writing was longlisted for the Penguin WriteNow programme and the inaugural Nan Shepherd Prize for underrepresented voices.

Her most recent poetry pamphlet, To Start The Year From Its Quiet Centre, was published by Indigo Dreams in 2020. 

In 1999, she founded Wild Women Press, to provide a creative platform for women in her community, and is the curator of the #Wild WomanWeb project, an inclusive online project focusing on nature, connection and creativity featuring wild women from around the world. 

She lives with genetic illness, diagnosed in later life, including Haemochromatosis, a genetic metabolic disorder which leads to a toxic accumulation of iron in the body, and one of the Ehlers Danlos Syndromes (EDS), a hereditary connective tissue disorder. Her unruly genes continue to rebel and she is well on her way to completing her genetic illness bingo card. 

When not juggling genetic illness, writing and full-time care, she can be found where the wild weeds grow. 

All My Wild Mothers is her debut memoir.

Nov 01, 202349:24
Ep. 129: Kirsten Hartvig on Food as Medicine

Ep. 129: Kirsten Hartvig on Food as Medicine

Get 20% off Kirsten's book "Food as Medicine" by using the code "FM20" (valid until Nov 30th) at https://health.aeonbooks.co.uk/ and https://health.aeonbooks.com/ (which is dedicated to North America)


Kirsten Hartvig ND is a registered naturopath, medical herbalist, nutritionist, vegan, and the author of 14 books on natural health. She is in private practice in Forest Row. She also runs the Healing Garden at Emerson College in Forest Row and is curator of the Biodynamic Botanic Garden @ Emerson College. She also teaches materia medica on the Heartwood Herbal Medicine online professional course, and the YouTube Channel Herb Hunters.The Healing Garden is a physic garden within the 22-acre botanic garden focusing on native and medicinal plants.Kirsten was born in Denmark, but came to the UK in 1986 and spent the next 6 years studying herbal medicine and naturopathy at the School of Herbal Medicine and the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy. After qualifying, she went into private practice, taught nutrition and dietetics at the European School of Osteopathy in Maidstone, and wrote a nutrition course for the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine.In 1996 she set up a small naturopathic retreat in the French Pyrenees and ran it for a decade together with her husband, Dr Nic Rowley. While they lived in the mountains, they also wrote several books about their experiences, notably You Are What You Eat, Ten Days To Better Health, Energy Juices, Energy Foods, and The Detox Box.Nic and Kirsten later lived in Denmark, where they set up a private practice in Skanderborg. During the time in Denmark, Kirsten also became involved with the political aspects of natural health, and became a member of the Danish Health Authority's Council for Alternative Medicine. Kirsten has also written the best-selling Healthy Diet Calorie Counter, The Big Book of Quick and Healthy Recipes, The Complete Guide to Nutritional Health and Eat for Immunity, and since returning to Sussex she has written Healing Berries and Healing Spices.

Oct 25, 202301:13:57
Ep. 128: Jason Miller on Protection & Reversal Magic, Hecate and Meditation

Ep. 128: Jason Miller on Protection & Reversal Magic, Hecate and Meditation

You can find Jason Miller at Strategic Sorcery | Jason says: "

I have devoted 30 years to studying practical magic in its many forms.

I have written five books including the now classic Protection and Reversal Magick.

I teach  a number of courses online including the Strategic Sorcery Training CourseThe Black School of St Cyprian, and The Sorcery of Hekate.

I’ve belonged to a few groups, traveled to a few magical places, and been initiated into this and that, none of which is very important.

What is important is that I can do magic that actually works. More to the point, my students tell me I teach them magic that works. Maybe I can teach YOU too."



Oct 18, 202301:27:03
Ep. 127: S.M. Harlow on Tea as Magical Craft

Ep. 127: S.M. Harlow on Tea as Magical Craft

S.M. Harlow discovered her love of romantic fiction and the wildcraft over two decades ago. Her calling for the craft began when she was a young girl at eleven, among the trees and the wind. She found great peace and connection with herbs and how they brought magick into the everyday mundane. Tea was a gift given to her by a Master, who taught her how spirituality and healing is found within its brewed depths.
Romantic fiction was a turning point in Harlow's teens, setting the imagination free and ablaze. It set her off towards expressing her creative fantasies on paper.
As a writer for both Romance and Tea Witchery, S.M. Harlow hopes to give the world the same passion and inspiration that was so humbly bestowed upon her.
When she is not writing, Harlow is studying to become a Doctor of Traditional Naturopathy.

Oct 11, 202353:15
Ep. 126: Meghan Rhodes on Organoleptics and the Seven Tastes
Oct 04, 202301:17:39
Ep.125: Taryn Forrelli on Traditional Medicinals, Quality Supplements and the Global Herb Trade

Ep.125: Taryn Forrelli on Traditional Medicinals, Quality Supplements and the Global Herb Trade

Taryn Forrelli is a Naturopathic Doctor and the Chief Science Officer for the leading botanical wellness company, Traditional Medicinals. She is a wealth of information on all things holistic wellness, natural medicine, and herbs, with a passion for science, innovation, and formulation. She has spent nearly twenty years working in the natural product industry including roles at New Chapter and OLLY where she commercialized science-backed dietary supplements, functional foods, and plant-based products that have disrupted the industry.


Sep 20, 202355:14
Ep.124: Norio Kushi on The Cosmic Joke, What it Means to be Human, and a Macrobiotic Childhood

Ep.124: Norio Kushi on The Cosmic Joke, What it Means to be Human, and a Macrobiotic Childhood

Get tickets for the Plant Cunning Conference here: Plant Cunning Conference – September 9-10, 2023

Find Norio here: Norio Kushi


"Throughout his life Norio Kushi followed his passion for wheels: he bicycled up to 90 miles a day as a child, drove a taxi in Boston, started a bus company in Vermont, and pursued a career driving a big rig throughout North America. While driving his truck, Norio stopped thinking for more than two weeks. Through this experience, Norio realized that the “self” we think we are does not exist. The “self” exists only in our thinking, in our internal dialogue, and is the single source of all human suffering. By recognizing the illusion of the self, Norio awakened to complete peace and unconditional love, a natural state that is humanity’s true nature. Norio now shares the insights into the human tapestry into which we’re born and how one may naturally and effortlessly experience our true nature."

Aug 23, 202301:14:31
Ep.123: Plant Communication with Jen Frey

Ep.123: Plant Communication with Jen Frey

Get tickets for the Plant Cunning Conference: www.plantcunningconference.com Find Jen at: https://www.brigidsway.com/ Jen Frey is a Healer, Mentor, Earth Advocate and Voice of the Plants. She is the Founder of Heart Springs Sanctuary, where she helps people deepen their connection with Nature through Plant communication. With over 20 years of experience with Plant essences, energy work, and herbal practices her private consultations and Plant based protocols are known for helping clients through emotional life transitions, physical health crises, and chronic pain conditions.

Aug 16, 202357:50
Ep.122: Claudia Keel on Herbal Education, Community, and Hanging Out Your Shingle

Ep.122: Claudia Keel on Herbal Education, Community, and Hanging Out Your Shingle

TICKETS FOR THE PLANT CUNNING CONFERENCE: www.plantcunningconference.com Arborvitae School of Traditional Herbalism: https://www.arborvitaeny.com/ Claudia is a clinical herbalist and flower essence therapist with an additional specialty in food and nutrition therapy. She has a private practice in Germantown NY (Columbia county) and in Manhattan, NY since 1999. Claudia also teaches regularly about herbs, flower essences and traditional foods in practitioner study groups, workshops and conferences and offers private mentoring for clinical practice.

Aug 09, 202358:51
Ep.121: Olga Tzogas on Mycology, Culinary Mushrooms and Greece

Ep.121: Olga Tzogas on Mycology, Culinary Mushrooms and Greece

Plant Cunning Conference: https://plantcunningconference.com/ New Moon Mycology Summit: https://www.themyceliumunderground.com/nmms Smugtown Mushrooms: https://www.smugtownmushrooms.com/ In 2011, Smugtown Mushrooms was established because there was a need for mushrooms & growing supplies, workshops, events & community based science in her area. While learning more & embracing the never-ending, unlocked potential mushrooms & fungi have to help heal both people, planet & soul. Olga teaches workshops throughout the continent about wild mushroom identification, medicinal mushrooms, biology, and mushroom cultivation. She was a core organizer for the 2016 Radical Mycology Convergence and the MycoSymbiotics Festival from 2015-17. In 2018, Olga help co-create the New Moon Mycology Summit, a justice-focused, mycology centered event, linking many disciplines extending throughout the living world.

Aug 02, 202353:28
Ep.120: Barbara Wilkinson and the Herb Society, UK

Ep.120: Barbara Wilkinson and the Herb Society, UK

EARLY BIRD TICKETS FOR THE PLANT CUNNING CONFERENCE END JULY 28th! (find them here: https://buildwithmaple.notion.site/Plant-Cunning-Conference-Sept-9-10-2023-b7b505f1d48b414ebc02e7eb75ea54b0 ) Find Barbara and the Herb Society UK here: https://herbsociety.org.uk/ Barbara is a third-generation herbalist and runs The Springfield Clinic of Natural Healing in Cheshire. She is an advocate of cultivating the use of plants in everyday life and keen to empower people with the confidence to embrace food as medicine. She qualified as a Consultant Medical Herbalist in 2012, becoming a member of the Unified Register of Herbal Practitioners, and the College of Medicine and Integrated Health. As well as running her own practice, Barbara has been a Trustee for The Herb Society since 2014 and has appeared as a guest speaker at numerous events and conferences. She has had an allotment for over 28 years, where she grows both food and medicine.

Jul 26, 202354:23
Ep.119: Astrological Magic and Medical Talismans with Brandon Michael

Ep.119: Astrological Magic and Medical Talismans with Brandon Michael

Last chance for Plant Cunning Conference Early Bird tickets: https://buildwithmaple.notion.site/Plant-Cunning-Conference-Sept-9-10-2023-b7b505f1d48b414ebc02e7eb75ea54b0


Find Brandon at http://cosmicartifacts.com/

Jul 19, 202301:07:14
Ep.118: Salicrow on Psychic Development, Speaking with Spirits, Plant Devas and Earth Energies

Ep.118: Salicrow on Psychic Development, Speaking with Spirits, Plant Devas and Earth Energies

Find Salicrow here: https://www.salicrow.com/ Her new book is "Spirit Speaker: A Medium's Guide to Death and Dying", available most places. Last chance for Early Bird tickets for the Plant Cunning Conference here: https://buildwithmaple.notion.site/Plant-Cunning-Conference-Sept-9-10-2023-b7b505f1d48b414ebc02e7eb75ea54b0 In this episode we speak with psychic, medium and author Salicrow about growing up psychic, honoring and communicating with the spirits of the dead, working with land spirits, devas and earth energies, and a big picture look at the future. #psychicmedium #psychic #ancestors #occult #magic #landspirits #devas

Jul 05, 202301:10:33
Ep.117: Mychal Bryan on Mastering Traditional Astrology

Ep.117: Mychal Bryan on Mastering Traditional Astrology

Get your Early Bird tickets to the Plant Cunning Conference here: https://buildwithmaple.notion.site/Plant-Cunning-Conference-Sept-9-10-2023-b7b505f1d48b414ebc02e7eb75ea54b0 Find Mychal at: https://oraculosastrology.com/ In this episode we talk with Mychal about traditional western, tropical astrology. How he taught himself and learned from the best, why practice makes perfect, why planets are more important than signs, why he uses Regiomontanus house system, and much more!


#astrology, #traditionalastrology, #medicalastrology, #plantcunning

Jun 28, 202301:07:39
Ep. 116: Lucy Jones on Integrating Western and Tibetan Herbalism, Respecting Plants, and Mistletoe
Jun 21, 202301:14:21
Ep. 115: Ken Asmus on Growing Plants Yourself, the Nursery Business, Drive-By Botany, Wild Plums and Breeding "Wild Chicken" American Chestnuts

Ep. 115: Ken Asmus on Growing Plants Yourself, the Nursery Business, Drive-By Botany, Wild Plums and Breeding "Wild Chicken" American Chestnuts

Plant Cunning Conference Info: https://buildwithmaple.notion.site/Plant-Cunning-Conference-Sept-9-10-2023-b7b505f1d48b414ebc02e7eb75ea54b0 In this episode we interview Ken Asmus of the legendary Oikos Tree Crops. Find him here: https://oikostreecrops.com/

Jun 07, 202301:22:11
Ep. 114: Humoral Herbalism with Stephen Taylor

Ep. 114: Humoral Herbalism with Stephen Taylor

Early Bird tickets to the Plant Cunning Conference available now: https://buildwithmaple.notion.site/Plant-Cunning-Conference-Sept-9-10-2023-b7b505f1d48b414ebc02e7eb75ea54b0 Use the code HH20 to get 20% off Stephen's book! at https://www.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/the-humoral-herbal-a-practical-guide-to-the-western-energetic-system-of-health-lifestyle-and-herbs/93719/ Herbalist Stephen Taylor regales us with stories and wisdom regarding the West's traditional system of energetics!

May 24, 202301:04:29
Ep.113: Kate Gilday on Herbalism, Ticks, and Woodland Flower Essences

Ep.113: Kate Gilday on Herbalism, Ticks, and Woodland Flower Essences

Flower essences, lyme disease, herbal medicine, tick protocol, and the herbal scene with Kate Gilday Find Kate at: https://woodlandessence.com/ Early Bird tickets for the in person Plant Cunning Podcast drop next week, May 23rd, so follow us on FB, IG or sign up for our email list at info at plantcunning dot com to catch the link.

May 17, 202301:08:34
Ep.112: Nick Cavanaugh on Collectively Owned Apothecaries

Ep.112: Nick Cavanaugh on Collectively Owned Apothecaries

In this episode we speak with herbalist Nick Cavanaugh about Burlington VT based Rail Yard Apothecary, which is a worker-owned co-op. There are a lot of benefits to structuring a business this way, as well as obstacles, and we talk about them all. You can find them here: https://www.railyardapothecary.com/

May 03, 202351:45
Ep.111: Camille Freeman on Becoming A Better Practitioner

Ep.111: Camille Freeman on Becoming A Better Practitioner

Find Camille at: https://www.camillefreeman.com/ Link to Pam Montgomery's class: https://www.wakeuptonature.com/co-creative-partnership-with-nature/?affiliate=plantcunning In this episode we have an amazing conversation with herbalist, nutritionist and mentor Camille Freeman about how to simplify your recommendations to be more effective, how to stand out and start getting referrals as an up-and-coming practitioner, the importance of a group of peers and mentors, and much more!

Apr 26, 202301:15:54
Ep.110: Howard Charing on Amazonian Angels and Pablo Amaringo

Ep.110: Howard Charing on Amazonian Angels and Pablo Amaringo

In this episode we speak with author and visionary artist Howard Charing about the amazing Pablo Amaringo, about communicating with plants, what angels are, and some of the interesting encounters he's had with the spirit world. Find him at: https://www.hgcharing.com/

Apr 12, 202355:58
Ep.109: Eric Toensmeier on Trees with Edible Leaves

Ep.109: Eric Toensmeier on Trees with Edible Leaves

You can find "Trees with Edible Leaves" free here: https://perennialagriculture.institute/2023/01/10/trees-with-edible-leaves-pais-latest-publication/ And Eric's website is: http://www.perennialsolutions.org/

In this episode we speak with permaculturist, plant geek, and author Eric Toensmeier about some of the amazing trees with edible leaves that are grown throughout the world, why tree leaves are so nutritious, and the best way to manage them for productivity, such as coppicing and pollarding.



#permaculture, #foodforest #perennialvegetables



Apr 05, 202301:10:02
Ep.108: Walking the Land with Eileen Nauman
Mar 29, 202301:01:39
Ep.107: Kaitlin Smith on Storied Grounds and GaiaHub

Ep.107: Kaitlin Smith on Storied Grounds and GaiaHub

In this episode we talk with herbalist, scholar, writer and multidisciplinary educator Kaitlin Smith about the importance of stories in connecting with place, and GaiaHub, a digital tool for tracking and connecting with earth knowledge. The tool uses Notion, an amazing software that combines word documents with databases and is a great tool for project management. We explore how herbalists can use the GaiaHub for tracking their apothecary recipes and what is in stock, keeping their materia medica plant knowledge, client information and booking, and tracking whatever classes they may be taking or teaching themselves. It's pretty comprehensive and pretty amazing, but if you aren't going to use it we dive into the details around the 30:00 minute mark. You can find her at: https://www.storiedgrounds.com/about

Mar 22, 202301:10:58
Ep.106: Kira Sutherland on Medical Astrology, Homeopathy and Natural Cycles

Ep.106: Kira Sutherland on Medical Astrology, Homeopathy and Natural Cycles

In this episode we speak with naturopath, herbalist, medical astrologer and educator Kira Sutherland of (who you can find at https://www.astrologyofhealth.com/ ) about how she uses medical astrology in her work as a naturopath and herbalist, about homeopathy and flower essences, and about how to tap into our own natural cycles to optimize our health.

Mar 08, 202301:00:31
Ep.105: Freedom Cole on Ayurveda and Astrology

Ep.105: Freedom Cole on Ayurveda and Astrology

Find Freedom at https://www.scienceoflight.net/ ! 

 In this episode we talk about Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, why it's is so important for the practice of Ayurveda, about remediation, planetary charity, the nature of karma, and the relationship between deities and planetary archetypes.


#Ayurveda #Astrology #Vedic Astrology #Jyotish

Mar 01, 202301:53:30
Ep.104: Lisa Fazio on Italian Folk Magic & Medicine, Plants, Place, & Community

Ep.104: Lisa Fazio on Italian Folk Magic & Medicine, Plants, Place, & Community

In this episode we speak with Central New York herbalist Lisa Fazio about place, lineage, community, and Italian folk magic and medicine. You can find her at https://therootcircle.com/



#Italianfolkmedicine #Italianfolkmagic #Herbalism

Feb 15, 202301:03:22
Ep.103: Ben Falk on Seaberries, Homesteading, Permaculture and the Future

Ep.103: Ben Falk on Seaberries, Homesteading, Permaculture and the Future

Honored to have permaculturist Ben Falk at  @wholesystems  on the show to talk about the amazing Hippophae rhamnoides (Seaberry/Sea Buckthorn), homesteading after 15 years, permaculture and what he thinks of an energy decent future.

Feb 01, 202301:19:14
Ep.102: Earth Energies with John Michael Greer

Ep.102: Earth Energies with John Michael Greer

Stone circles, the Secret of Solomon's Temple, ley lines, feng shui, radionics, cosmiculture pipes - in this episode we explore earth energies with John Michael Greer, and spill some secrets for how to grow a gangbusters garden.

Jan 18, 202301:05:27
Ep.101: MattyB on Indigenous Microorganism (IMO) Research

Ep.101: MattyB on Indigenous Microorganism (IMO) Research

In this episode we speak with aspiring farmer and researcher Mattie B on his work looking in to how Indigenous Microorganism (IMO) in Korean Natural Farming work, and how they compare to other soil amendments such as compost, mycogrow and others. Check out his work here: https://unadillacommunityfarm.org/imo/


This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number FNE22-001. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Jan 04, 202355:45
Ep.100: 2023 Year Ahead Astrological Forecast with Zamboni Funk

Ep.100: 2023 Year Ahead Astrological Forecast with Zamboni Funk

It's out 100th episode!!! Thanks for liking, subscribing, and commenting! In this episode we look at the upcoming year ahead astrological forecast with  @zambonifunk . We talk about asking the right questions, about the cardinal ingresses, about Mars in Gemini, Saturn going into Pisces, Pluto into Aquarius, the nodes moving into the Libra-Aries axis, Venus in Capricorn, and Mercury retrogrades in earth signs.



#astrology #2023 #forecast 

Dec 28, 202202:30:49
Ep.99: Winter Solstice Special with Byron Ballard

Ep.99: Winter Solstice Special with Byron Ballard

In this episode, we bring the village witch of Asheville, North Carolina herself, Byron Ballard, back on the show! We have a wonderful time chatting with Byron, and explore all sorts of topics. Grab a cup of tea and join us!

Dec 21, 202201:39:10
Ep.98: Rosalee De La Foret on Podcasting, and Herbs Healing Respiratory Infections, Colds and Flus

Ep.98: Rosalee De La Foret on Podcasting, and Herbs Healing Respiratory Infections, Colds and Flus

In this episode we have the honor of speaking with  @HerbsWithRosalee  about herbalism, podcasting and help with healing upper respiratory infections! Check her out at: https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/

Dec 14, 202201:10:31