Herbal Radio

Happy holiday season to all our plant-enthusiast listeners! For this episode of Herbal Radio, we’ll be shaking things up a bit from the usual herbal adventure we find ourselves embarking on each week. Today, in acknowledgment of the Buy Nothing Day movement, we sit down with our President & Owner, Shawn Donnille. Shawn and Thomas will dissect the traditions behind Black Friday, and shed light on the consequences surrounding the mass-consumerism culture that we all find ourselves living in today. Whilst many large corporations are gearing up for some of their biggest sales of the year, Mountain Rose Herbs has other plans. Each year, we’ve marked our own Black Friday tradition by celebrating Buy Nothing Day. In making this stand, we are joining tens of thousands of people in 65 nations for an international day of protest against mass consumerism and the throw-away culture that accompanies it. The Buy Nothing Movement has been growing since 1992 as overconsumption continues to consume our precious natural resources faster than we can replace them, putting our planet in real jeopardy. If you visit our website today, you will see that our entire website is blacked out in protest of Black Friday. Instead, we hope you will spend the day with your family and friends, sharing acts of kindness, starting that craft project you’ve been putting off, listening to this podcast, or better yet, all of the above! This is a day to reach for the meaning in our lives instead of stuff, and we thank you all for being part of the solution alongside us. So please, do not shop with us today Friday, November 24. Shawn Donnille first became involved with Mountain Rose Herbs as a passionate young idealist with a fervent desire to change the world. He was the town’s notorious rabble-rouser, always petitioning for mandatory labeling on genetically modified food crops, encouraging people to support a strong conservation ethic, fighting for the protection of endangered or threatened species, and the protection and enhancement of our riparian areas. When Mountain Rose Herbs came into his life, Shawn saw it as an opportunity to change the way business is conducted on this planet. To this day, the revolutionary business principles that Shawn initiated have been used as a successful model by countless other organizations around the world. Shawn became co-owner of the company in 2001, and since then he has initiated several bold and daring changes, most notably the eradication of all conventionally grown products from our product line, introducing the first line of fair trade certified medicinal herbs in the United States, implementing the design and deployment of our web presence, launching our zero waste program, our charitable giving program, and so much more! Now, Shawn proudly holds the title of our President & Owner, and he currently oversees all behind-the-scenes aspects of Mountain Rose Herbs that keep our herbal-ship afloat. In addition to this, he is intimately connected with developing all of our sustainability initiatives to further enhance and propel bold ideas that are being shared with numerous other corporations, non-profits, state agencies, and civic groups as a working model for success. "All of our environmental issues can be connected to the embarrassing way that business abuses this planet. My objective is to stop this destructive pattern by offering an alternative modality and sharing that modality with others so we can all lead the change necessary to heal the planet" Learn more about the organizations and initiatives mentioned in this episode: The Cornucopia Institute  Letter from the Founder of Patagonia - Yvon Chouinard  Mountain Rose Herbs Blog - Buy Nothing Day: A Stand Against Throw-Away Culture   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

For this week’s plant adventure on Herbal Radio, we sit down with the President of Native Botanical Inc., Edward Fletcher. We had the opportunity to learn about Ed’s many intriguing life journeys that led him to his wide-spread successes throughout the herbal community today. We’ll dive into Ed’s upbringing, where his family founded the first nature preserve in North Carolina in the early 1900s, a memorable moment shared with his grandmother when he encountered his first taste of medicinal plant wisdom, and Ed’s passion for ethical cultivation practices of the American ginseng plant.   On top of his work as the President and COO at Native Botanicals Inc., Ed has also been a proud presenter at the AHPA’s Botanical Congress for just shy of 5 years. His expertise on proper cultivation and propagation practices was key to the creation of AHPA’s Good Stewardship Brochures. These valuable resources share conservation statuses and harvesting guidelines for a few of Mother Nature's at-risk botanicals. Learn more about this week's featured guest:  Edward J. Fletcher is the President and COO of Native Botanicals, Inc.. He has been in the botanical business and made his livelihood with plants for all of his adult life. He learned about plants from the roots up, propagating and growing native American wildflowers in his family’s 4th generation ornamental nursery business, Gardens of The Blue Ridge. He joined Wilcox Natural Products, and as Cultivation Manager where he developed and managed the cultivation program overseeing nearly 4,000 hectares in 8 different countries of medicinal species. He continued this work as the Chief Operating Officer of Strategic Sourcing, Inc’s Botanical Division for 15 years.   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Follow on Twitter Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

Mimi Prunella Hernandez is an herbalist, and author of the National Geographic Herbal. For over a decade, Mimi has served as the executive director of the American Herbalists Guild, where she has worked tirelessly to ensure that herbalists have a strong professional community to support their work. In 2023, Mimireceived a Botanical Excellence Award from the American Botanical Council. Jiling and Mimi discuss: What inspired “The National Geographic Herbal” Mimi’s favorite writing spot(s)… including her chicken coop! Mimi’s top writing rituals “Getting the call” from National Geographic The surprising plant that became the 100th herb of the book Visit Mimi Prunella Hernandez at: ThePonderland.com Instagram @MimiPrunellaHernandez Facebook @MimiPrunellaHerbal Order “The National Geographic Herbal” at: Penguin Random House Amazon Barnes & Noble Disney … or wherever you purchase your books About Jiling: Jiling Lin is a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac) and herbalist in Ventura, CA. Visit Jiling at JilingLin.com, Instagram @LinJiling, and Facebook @JilingLAc. Get her free Nourishing Life (養生) template, Five Phases (五行) outline, or sign up for her newsletter here.   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

Today’s Herbal Radio episode features Mason Hutchison, a true rising star in the herbalism community and the founder of HerbRally. Mason grew up in Eugene, OR and held the title of Event Coordinator on the Mountain Rose Herbs Marketing Team for over a decade. His contributions and dedication to the herbalism community has left an everlasting impact on Mountain Rose Herbs, and Mason is considered one of the best success stories in our company history. Listen in for a wholesome conversation between Mason and our EVP/host, Thomas Dick, as they dive into Mason’s beginnings as a budding plant-lover, and how that his passion for herbalism and entrepreneurial spirit blossomed into his successes in present day.   Mason Hutchison is the founder of HerbRally, an herbal community hub that promotes herbalism education and events. He is also the host of "The Herbalist Hour", a podcast and YouTube series where he interviews a diverse array of plant people. Mason is a husband, proud father, avid chess, basketball and ping pong player, spring water gatherer, and an enthusiast in the art of frugal nutrition. Find out more about Mason Hutchison and HerbRally here: The HerbRally website Instagram @HerbRally Facebook @HerbRally The HerbRally Podcast   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

On this week’s episode of Herbal Radio, we had the honor of interviewing one of the greatest living herbalists and world-blended practitioners, Margi Flint. With Margi’s 40+ years of experience in herbal medicine, she shares her wisdom on honoring the life force within plants, rather than taking advantage of what plants can offer us. Margi dives into her beginnings as a wild-spirited girl who frequented the forest in her hometown backyard of Weston, MA, and how lightning strikes seem to be a uniquely common theme in her life!  After an early-age diagnosis where she was told her life expectancy would continue for a mere year and half, Margi began exploring dance, energy work, and prioritizing her health. This exploration brought her to the front steps of the herbal community, where she found her purpose within bridging the gap between herbal and western medicine. Margi Flint RH, B. Sc. is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild ~ Herbal Mentor, is on staff at Pacific Rim College in British Columbia, was an Adjunct Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine 1994-1970, North Shore Community College 2003 -2008 and continues to lecture at Bastyr University and Mass College of Pharmacy for their undergraduate programs. She lectures at herbal symposiums as well as medical institutions around the States and internationally. Margi will be teaching a class hosted by the Four Seasons Herbal Guild on Reading the Body in Spokane, WA on October 28th-29th. Please visit the Four Seasons Herbal Guild website to discover more details on this class. Visit Margi's integrative herbal practice, EarthSong Herbals here!   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Follow on Twitter Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

Robin Rose Bennett is a storyteller, writer, and herbalist, offering classes in Herbal Medicine and EarthSpirit Teachings since 1986 at herb conferences, festivals, medical schools, and most joyously, outside with the plants. She is the author of Healing Magic: A Green Witch Guidebook to Conscious Living, The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life, and A Green Witch's Pocket Book of Wisdom: Big Little Life Tips. Jiling and Robin Rose discuss: What is a “green witch,” and how Robin Rose got dubbed the “Green Witch of New York” Rituals for autumn equinox, Samhain, and other seasonal celebrations for this autumnal time of year Robin Rose’s newest book, A Green Witch's Pocket Book of Wisdom: Big Little Life Tips Robin Rose’s favorite practices for connecting with the plant world on a consistent basis Asking expansive questions Visit Robin Rose Bennett at: RobinRoseBennett.com RobinRoseBennettBooks.com Facebook @WiseWomanHealingWays Instagram @RobinRoseBennett YouTube @RobinRoseBennett Jiling Lin is a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac) and herbalist in Ventura, CA. Visit Jiling at JilingLin.com, Instagram @LinJiling, and Facebook @JilingLAc. Get her free Nourishing Life (養生) template, Five Phases (五行) outline, or sign up for her newsletter here.   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Follow on Twitter Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

In this week's Herbal Radio episode, we recount our enthralling and informative conversation with the bilingual-bicultural holistic practitioner, Patricia Cortez. Patricia sits down with Thomas in his studio and looks back on her childhood in El Salvador, her maternal grandmother’s role as a “Spiritist” in her community, and the history of Día de Muertos. We hope you enjoy this touching podcast full of storytelling, wisdom, and a deep heart.   Patricia Cortez is a bilingual-bicultural holistic practitioner at Eugene Reiki Healing. Mayan-Pipil is her maternal lineage and Aztec-Chorris her paternal lineage. She was trained by Mamá Trini, her maternal grandmother who was a “Spiritist” -the one who talks to Spirits, in the healing arts and in indigenous practices. She is a Sacred Fire tender and performs Sacred Fire Ceremonies on behalf of this community. She graduated from Portland State University as a Clinical Social Worker in 2005 and worked as a mental health clinician for over 15 years. She is currently an Adjourn Professor in Latinx Family and Culture at Pacific University and Administrative Program Coordinator at the Trauma Healing Project a nonprofit organization in town. She leads a small private practice offering Reiki, Energy Medicine, Abdominal Massage, Sound Treatment and other healing arts; for the past 8 years she has offered classes and workshops on Indigenous and Reiki Practices, Self-Healing, Ancestral Healing, Mayan Calendar, Healing of Earth, Reconciliation of Feminine & Masculine, Toltec Numerology, Dream Implantation, Working with Weather Beings and Energies in English and Spanish. She performs Womb Ceremony and works with Invisible Realms, Sacred Fire, the Moon, Copal, Weather Beings and Cacao. You can find Patricia here: www.eugenereikihealing.com Read Patricia's blog "Copal: A Healer, Protector, & Guide for Dia de Muertos" here.  Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Follow on Twitter Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

There may be no better person that embodies the vision of “Plant Stories” like herbal troubadour and Appalachian naturalist, Doug Elliot. A gifted storyteller, Doug recites both wisdom and whimsical through spoken word and song. We’ve compiled some of our favorite songs that Doug has recorded with us and are releasing them together, in this delightful and heart-warming episode. Our host, Thomas, gives a brief introduction in between Doug’s sets, offering context for each of the four botanical tales & tunes.  Today’s episode also comes with a special visual bonus! We had the pleasure of visiting with Doug in the summer of 2022 at his Appalachian homestead. Click here to see some of the photos of Doug in his element.  Visit the links below to watch the videos of Doug’s storytelling serenades on our YouTube channel: Dandelion Tips, Tales, & Tunes Life Lessons Through a Song About an Apple Rural Riddles & Blackberry Boogie A Sweet Strawberry Tale & Tune Want to hear more from Doug? Give “Interviews on Herbal Radio | Featuring Doug Elliot” a listen! Visit Doug Elliot’s website here Doug Elliot is a naturalist, herbalist, storyteller, basket maker, back-country guide, philosopher, and harmonica wizard. For many years made his living as a traveling herbalist, gathering and selling herbs, teas, and remedies. He has spent a great deal of time with traditional country folk and indigenous people, learning their stories, folklore and traditional ways of relating to the natural world. In recent years he has performed and presented programs at festivals, museums, botanical gardens, nature centers and schools from Canada to the Caribbean. He has been a featured storyteller at the National Storytelling Festival. He has lectured and performed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and conducted workshops for the Smithsonian Institution. He has led ranger training sessions for the National Park Service and guided people on wilderness experiences from down-east Maine to the Florida Everglades. He was named harmonica champion at Fiddler’s Grove Festival in Union Grove, N.C. He is the author of five books, many articles in regional and national magazines, has recorded a number of award winning albums of stories and songs, and is occasionally seen on PBS-TV, and the History and National Geographic Channels. In recent years, he has received a variety of honors. The National Storytelling Network (the largest storytelling membership organization in the world) inducted him into their Circle of Excellence for “exceptional commitment and exemplary contribution to the art of storytelling.” The International Herb Association presented him with the Otto Richter Award honoring his work with herbs and useful wild plants. The National Association for Interpretation (the professional organization of park rangers, naturalists, museum curators, etc.) gave him the Master Front Line Interpreter Award for his “mastery of interpretive techniques, program development, and design of creative projects” celebrating the natural world and our human connection to nature.  Elliot’s passion for the natural world developed in early childhood roaming the woods and waters around his home. His dad used to say, “That boy knows what’s under every rock between here and town.” He still roams the woods today. He has traveled from the Canadian North to the Central American jungles studying plant and animal life and seeking out the traditional wisdom of people with intimate connections to the natural world. And he still looks under rocks. These days he uncovers more than just a few strange critters; he brings to light the human connection to this vibrant world of which we are a part. Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

Accessible herbal education, community outreach, and learning how can we better share herbal medicine are core values of ours at Mountain Rose Herbs. Discussing these topics led us to our guest this week, Tree Knowlton. Tree is one of the coordinators of Herbalists Without Borders Eugene chapter, graduate of Columbines School of Botanical Studies, master medicine maker, urban homesteader, and adored community member. Listen as we delve into the magic of one of Tree’s beloved elixirs, the paths she took to be where she is at today, and the ways in which Herbalists Without Borders Eugene operates within our local community. Tree Knowlton is an herbalist, urban homesteader, sustainable landscape architect, and coordinator of the regional grassroots chapter of Herbalists Without Borders International, Herbalists Without Borders Eugene. A longtime resident of Eugene, Tree dedicates much of her time to community-based activism and recently, her adorable and playful puppy.   Herbalists Without Borders Eugene is a regional grassroots chapter of Herbalists Without Borders International, coordinating and operating within its values, mission, and vision. Visit Herbalists Without Borders Eugene here. Visit Herbalists Without Borders International here. Visit our Events Calendar here for the schedule of upcoming classes with Herbalists Without Borders Eugene at the Mountain Rose Herbs Annex. Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Follow on Twitter Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

We are deeply thankful for today’s interview with co-founder of Holistic Divine Innovations and founder of the Ridgecrest Community Garden and Herbal Zen Garden, Tyrone Ledford. This inspiring conversation centers around Tyrone’s life growing up in Compton, California, his experiences growing food, his development of the Ridgecrest Community Garden and Herbal Zen Garden, as well as his life’s other meaningful pursuits. Holistic Divine Innovations was one of five Grants4Plants winners in 2021 whose organizational mission is to show innovative, holistic ways of living by teaching self-sustainability through gardening and agriculture, herbalism, and maintaining one’s connection to nature. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do! Tyrone Ledford, a native from Compton, CA received his Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Fullerton in Child & Adolescent Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. He later received his Master’s Degree from Pacific Oaks College in Human Development/Social Change. Tyrone has almost 15 years of experience in teaching early childhood education and is currently a full-time child development professor for Cerro Coso Community College. Tyrone’s background also consists of working in mental health intensive services as a family specialist. Tyrone is an author of the Child, Family, and Community Open Resource Textbook that is used throughout community colleges in California. Tyrone, who is the co-founder of Holistic Divine Innovations, founded and organized the Ridgecrest Community Garden and Herbal Zen Garden. Tyrone has been gardening intentionally for 10 years, and grows a combination of fruits, vegetables, and herbs for both culinary and healing power. Tyrone’s experience extends as far as growing herbs to create his own teas, and tinctures, and educating communities on how to grow their own food and how to use plants for its nutritional value and medicinal properties. Tyrone’s goal is to introduce individuals to the natural resources our earth provides, and to increase fresh organic food resources throughout communities. Tyrone hopes to help you create a sustainable garden because he believes health is wealth. Visit Holistic Divine Innovations here. Visit the Ridgecrest Community Garden Facebook page here. Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Follow on Twitter Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com