HerbRally

In this episode of The Herbalist Hour, I sit down with herbalists Sam Roberts and Renée Camila from Now and Then Herb School. We explore what it really means to trust yourself as an herbalist, especially in a world where imposter syndrome runs deep. Sam and Renée share how building intimate relationships with plants can shift your confidence, your practice, and your understanding of what it means to "know" something. We also talk about their origin story as collaborators and educators, the philosophy behind Now and Then Herb School, and how they approach teaching herbalism through connection, experience, and community. From low-dose "spirit medicine" to working with mystery herbs, this conversation covers a wide range of topics while staying grounded in one core idea: relationship. If you've ever doubted yourself on your plant path, this one's for you. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES Now & Then Herb School | NowAndThenHerbSchool.com Instagram | @nowandthenherbschool KPFA | KPFA.org Herbal Highway Archives | GO TO THE ARCHIVES If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow plant person. 🌿Grab FREE Herbal Resources Sign up for the HerbRally newsletter and get instant access to a 91-page Botanical Anthology sampler—plus a bundle of herbal freebies. 👉 Get the freebies | HerbalFreebies.com Want to join us live for future interviews? Become a HerbRally Schoolhouse member: HerbRally Schoolhouse | HerbRally.com/Schoolhouse Use coupon code SCHOOLHOUSE30 for your first 30 days free! ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

In this episode of The Herbalist Hour, I'm joined by herbalist Laura Madeline, with guest co-host Rosalee de la Forêt. Laura shares her journey from nursing to herbalism, following an intuitive calling that completely changed her path. We talk about bioregional Ayurveda, working with the seasons, growing herbs, and what it's like running an herbal nursery and CSA. We also explore her work supporting mothers, her Backyard Harvest project, and how plants can guide us back into relationship with the land. Laura also asked me to share her resources page, a thoughtfully curated collection of trusted tools, teachers, and support for herbalism, holistic healing, ancestral food as medicine, and the childbearing continuum. It's meant to help cut through misinformation and connect you with reliable, community-rooted support. 🔗 CHECK OUT THE RESOURCES WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES Laura's website | BackyardHarvestHerbal.com Laura on Instagram | @backyardharvestherbal Rosalee's website | HerbsWithRosalee.com If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow plant person. 🌿Grab FREE Herbal Resources Sign up for the HerbRally newsletter and get instant access to a 91-page Botanical Anthology sampler—plus a bundle of herbal freebies. 👉 Get the freebies | HerbalFreebies.com Want to join us live for future interviews? Become a HerbRally Schoolhouse member: HerbRally Schoolhouse | HerbRally.com/Schoolhouse Use coupon code SCHOOLHOUSE30 for your first 30 days free! ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

🌿 Get 15% off your first order with Kokora Use code HERBRALLY15 at KokoraLife.com In this episode of The Herbalist Hour, I sit down with herbalist and founder of Kokora, Ric Scalzo. Many of you may know Ric as the co-founder of Gaia Herbs, but today we focus on his newest venture and the deeper philosophy behind it. Ric shares how Kokora's products go from farm to bottle, rooted in regenerative organic agriculture and a commitment to true herbal integrity. We explore the difference between regenerative and organic practices, the role of bioferments and bamboo biochar in soil health, and how these approaches influence the quality of herbal medicine. We also dive into some of Kokora's formulations, including their turmeric capsules, 5 mushroom blend, and regenerative stress support formula, along with what Ric personally reaches for most often. Along the way, Ric reflects on his early days in herbalism, what inspired him to start again after decades of success with Gaia, and how the herbal industry has evolved over time. He also shares insights for aspiring herbal entrepreneurs, lessons learned from launching Kokora, and the influence of Blue Zones and nature-based living on his work and daily life. If you're interested in regenerative agriculture, herbal quality, or the long view of building a life in herbalism, this is a great one. WATCH ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES Kokora | KokoraLife.com Kokora on Instagram | @kokoralife Ric on Instagram | @ricscalzo If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow plant person. 🌿Grab FREE Herbal Resources Sign up for the HerbRally newsletter and get instant access to a 91-page Botanical Anthology sampler—plus a bundle of herbal freebies. 👉 Get the freebies | HerbalFreebies.com Want to join us live for future interviews? Become a HerbRally Schoolhouse member: HerbRally Schoolhouse | HerbRally.com/Schoolhouse Use coupon code SCHOOLHOUSE30 for your first 30 days free! ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

In this episode, meet the organizers behind the Wild Indigo Herb Fest and get a behind-the-scenes look at how this one-of-a-kind herbal gathering came to life. From a rainy sugar shack in Northeast Ohio to the rolling hills of Kentucky, this festival is rooted in connection, community, and a shared love of the plants. The Wild Indigo team has woven together their favorite elements of herbal conferences to create something truly special. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 🌿 Featuring keynote speakers Linda Black Elk and Marc Williams, along with a diverse lineup of herbalists, teachers, and community voices. Expect: • Inspiring classes and plant walks • A vibrant vendor marketplace • Local food, music, and art • Camping (or glamping!) under the stars • A welcoming space for families, including Kids Fest • Real connection with fellow plant people Whether you're brand new to herbalism or deep on the path, this is a chance to learn, share, and gather in a meaningful way. Join us June 12–14, 2026 at Terrapin Hill Farm, Harrodsburg, KY. 👉 Learn more and grab your tickets

In this special keynote episode, we're sharing The Life-Saving Magic of Herbing It Up with herbalist, educator, and community leader Lottie Spady, recorded live at the 2025 Great Lakes Herb Faire. In this powerful and heartfelt talk, Lottie shares how her journey into herbalism transformed not only her physical health, but also her sense of purpose, community, and connection to the natural world. Through her story, we're reminded of the deep, life-changing potential of building relationships with plants as true allies. Huge thanks to Lottie for granting permission to share this keynote, and to Anna and the entire Great Lakes Herb Faire team for so generously providing the recording. If this talk resonates with you, be sure to check out everything the Great Lakes Herb Faire has to offer… Learn more about the Faire | GreatLakesHerbFaire.com The Faire offers recordings from past events (including this keynote), with dozens of classes available from over the years. Most are available individually, or as part of larger bundles. You can BROWSE THE RECORDINGS HERE. And be sure to check out Lottie's work with Earthseed Detroit, where she focuses on community herbalism, education, and accessible wellness: Earthseed Detroit | EarthseedDetroit.com Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy this inspiring keynote from Lottie Spady. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

In this special episode of The Herbalist Hour, Rosalee de la Forêt turns the tables on HerbRally founder and longtime host Mason Hutchison for a wide-ranging, heartfelt conversation about rebuilding, community, and the person behind the podcast. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE What starts as a "comeback episode" becomes something deeper: a reflection on major life transitions, self-care, friendship, fatherhood, herbal practice, and the many passions that make Mason who he is. Along the way, Rosalee guides the conversation while surprise video questions and messages from fellow herbalists appear throughout the episode. Mason shares stories about nourishing herbal infusions, movement, movies, basketball, ping pong, and meaningful plant relationships — along with reflections on the herbal community that has shaped his life and work. This episode is funny, vulnerable, and full of heart — a reminder that herbalism is not just about plants, but about people, connection, and the communities that carry us through. A big thank you to the many herbalists and friends who took the time to record surprise video questions and messages for this episode. Your kind words and support truly meant a lot. I didn't cry at all. HerbRally has always been about connecting plant people, and this moment was a beautiful reminder of just how generous and supportive this community can be. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to Rosalee de la Forêt for hosting this special episode and guiding the conversation with such care and thoughtfulness. TOPICS COVERED • The story behind HerbRally and Mason's role as a community connector • Life transitions, rebuilding after divorce, and moving back to Oregon • Cultivating relationships during times of change (Asia Dorsey's question) • Strength training and "movement snacks" with Samantha Butts • Avoiding overwhelm and building habits one small step at a time • Nourishing herbal infusions and two decades of infusion practice • Plant relationships, including Pedicularis groenlandica (elephant's head) • Finding joy through basketball, movies, and ping pong • "Compliments as medicine" and learning to receive praise • Surprise video tributes from herbalists and friends • What's next for HerbRally, Folk Methodology, and upcoming projects LINKS & RESOURCES HerbRally | https://herbrally.com Rosalee de la Forêt | http://www.herbswithrosalee.com Folk Methodology | https://folkmethodology.com Herb Mentor Radio (LearningHerbs) | https://learningherbs.com Columbines School of Botanical Studies | https://botanicalstudies.net Asia Dorsey | http://www.bonesbugsandbotany.com/ Petty Herbalist Podcast | https://www.pettyherbalist.com Jess Starwood | https://jstarwood.com/ BOOK: I Am The Land, These Are My People | https://amzn.to/4lI1M7y Samantha Butts | https://www.instagram.com/samanthabutts_/ Torin Frost | https://www.youtube.com/@torinfrostofficial HerbRally Schoolhouse | https://herbrally.com/schoolhouse ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.