Ep. 172: The Very Merry Mushrooms - Mycology for All Ages, Learning through Play (feat. Tess Lassman)
Mar 14, 2024
auto_awesome
Exploring mycology education, urban revitalization in Detroit, and engaging kids with fungi. From self-publishing a mushroom book to microdosing psilocybin, the podcast covers a range of fascinating topics. Dive into foraging for fungi, the intersection of technology and nature education, and the significance of lion's mane mushroom in new motherhood.
Empowering communities with mushroom cultivation skills for economic opportunities and food security.
Exploring psilocybin for mental health benefits, including potential research on psilocybin degradation in breast milk.
Promoting environmental awareness through a children's book on mycology and documenting local fungi with iNaturalist app.
Deep dives
Fungi Freights Evolution and Community Impact
Fungi Freights, a grassroots startup in Detroit, has flourished despite the challenges. Tess Burzinski shares the organization's journey of hosting workshops, educational events, and collaborating with other grassroots groups. Partnerships with the Arboretum of Detroit have led to connecting vacant green spaces, promoting biodiversity and community engagement.
Mushroom Cultivation Workshops and Educational Initiatives
Fungi Freights' freight container serves as a hub for workshops ranging from Mycology 101 to advanced cultivation courses. The primary goal is to empower the community with mushroom cultivation skills for economic opportunities and food security. Workshops include hands-on experiences using easily accessible materials like straw, coffee waste, and cardboard.
Psilocybin Advocacy and Research Initiatives
Tess's involvement in novel integrated health focuses on psilocybin for mental health. Collaborating with professionals and researchers, including Alan Rockefeller, they aim to explore topics like microdosing psilocybin for postpartum depression. Tess plans to conduct research, using HPLC to analyze psilocybin degradation in breast milk, aiming to provide valuable data for mothers.
Educational Children's Book and Family Involvement
Alongside her father, Tess authored a children's book titled 'The Very Merry Mushroom', blending Dr. Seuss-like charm with important mycology lessons for kids. The self-published book emphasizes fun and nature connection, intending to foster environmental awareness and appreciation for fungi among children.
Family Foraging Adventures and Citizen Science Exploration
Tess's move to a wooded area near Detroit has sparked foraging adventures enriched by the surrounding forest's biodiversity. Using the iNaturalist app, Tess documents local fungi, inspiring others to explore and appreciate nature's wonders. She encourages citizen science participation, emphasizing observation and documentation as valuable tools for understanding local ecosystems.