Earth Speak with Natalie Ross and Friends

Mariana Mae shares about sitting at the feet of indigenous elder women who create with clay around the world. Mariana Mae is an artist and visionary native to Coyoacan, DF, Mexico. She used to offer her work under the wingspan of Easy To Breathe in the Valley of Ojai, California. We think you'll love Mariana's way of gentleness, softness, and beauty in the world as she does big work in a radically different way than the mainstream. This episode was recorded in 2020. As of 2026, you can connect with her at https://www.instagram.com/_marianamae/ In this episode, we talk about: Receiving the messages of the earth through the elements Discerning between external noise and your internal truth The medicine of culture shock from moving internationally as a kid Overcoming shyness and finding your voice through creative expression How Mariana first found the magic of clay at age 7 Growing up in a Catholic household and then leaving religion Going back to the womb of the mother, listening to the elements, and being guided by elders in temazcal (sweatlodge) Walking softly with beauty as a way of life Harvesting and processing clay in the traditional way in Morocco with an elder How trusting her gut prepared her for unexpectedly documenting an indigenous potter in the Amazon Communicating across languages using the sounds of how clay speaks Links Sign up for Earth Speak's email newsletter at www.earthspeak.love Mariana Mae's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_marianamae/ Our theme music is "It's Easier" by Scarlet Crow http://www.scarletcrow.org and "Meeting Again" by Emily Sprague https://mlesprg.info.

Natalie shares how somatic experiencing changed her life, how she learned to market within a somatic framework, and how she helps clients learn to do the same.  As a guest on Luis Mojica's podcast, Holistic Life Navigation, she shares her story of coming out of a lifelong functional freeze. She gives voice to often misunderstood experiences that lead people to be called lazy, when they're actually in a debilitating trauma response. You can connect with Luis at https://www.holisticlifenavigation.com and listen to his podcast on any podcast app. It's called Holistic Life Navigation. If you want to stay in touch with Earth Speak, sign up for our newsletter at https://www.earthspeak.love. We're not active on social media, so this is the only way to stay in touch with us. And you can get in touch with me, Natalie, and learn more about what I offer at https://www.natalie.net.

Natalie Ross shares about Celtic folklore and traditions around the winter solstice and holidays. You'll hear about: Folklore of the ancient goddess, the Cailleach The Celtic practice of saining with herbal smoke Seasonal traditions and rituals that were co-opted by the church Indigenous people of the lands we call Britain, Ireland, and Scotland Newgrange, an ancient and sacred burial mound The meaning of yule and purpose of yule logs Evergreens in Celtic rituals, and how the Christmas tree came to be How the church painted the old gods as malevolent and satanic Samhain as the Celtic new year Why destructive forces of winter are necessary for an abundant growing season Links: Connect with us and get on our newsetter at https://www.earthspeak.love Connect with Natalie at https://www.natalie.net  

Christi Johnson on moving from NYC to upstate New York as an artist who grew up in Florida. When textile artist Christi Johnson and I spoke in 2018, she shared her story of moving from the city to the country, and it really inspired me. I love how honest she was about how it wasn't all glamorous and easy. But it was worth it. Fast forward to now, Dec 2025, and I would never have guessed that I'd be going through a similar story! I recently listened to this episode again for my own personal inspiration, and it holds a timeless message about finding your way to places that nourish your deeper needs. In this conversation we also get into: How naturally dyed textiles and embroidery support healing Christi's ancestral connection to textiles Overcoming fear of sharing her thoughts and work publicly Adornment as self-expression and talismanic protection When this episode was first published, Christi created a special guide for our listeners about magic sewing and embroidery. Since then that guide grew into a full-blown published book called Mystical Stitches! And now she has a second book called The Art of Embroidery Design. Christi has so many free and low-cost resources on her website, mixedcolor.net, so if you're interested in sewing, stitching, or magical embroidery, definitely take a look. She has a pocket altar zine in her workshop section about crafting a sacred space of tiny talisman that you can carry with you. Christi also has a podcast called Stitch Wish Radio, which you'll definitely enjoy if you liked this episode. And we brought her back for a second interview on the podcast a few years ago about stitching magic making through talismanic embroidery. All of this is linked in the show notes. Thanks and enjoy this episode! Links Earth Speak newsletter  https://www.earthspeak.love Christi Johnson's gorgeous website, where you can sign up for her newsletter, take workshops, and enjoy so many free resources, like her embroidery portal which teaches you how to stitch, for free https://www.mixedcolor.net/ Pocket Altar Zine https://www.mixedcolor.net/altar-in-your-pocket Stitch Wish Radio podcast https://www.mixedcolor.net/podcast Instagram @christijay https://www.instagram.com/christijay/ Christi's other interview on the Earth Speak podcast on weaving symbolism into magic making with talismanic embroidery https://open.spotify.com/episode/2IzQC2Z4vBtIbrBq7nYTCk?si=494f790e0e5f4420

Herbalist Joe Hollis shares his story about getting out of the system of capitalism and into a more direct relationship with the Earth over his last 50 years, where he made paradise, not money. What follows is an interview with herbalist Joe Hollis of Mountain Gardens in the land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, outside of Asheville, North Carolina. I was so fortunate to interview him in person in October 2021, just two years before his passing at age 81.  The year after this interview, a devastating fire burned down his extensive library of both books and herbs. Then, in 2024, Hurricane Helene brought landslides that completely changed the land he tended.  However, there are still people keeping his legacy alive, tending to the gardens, rebuilding the library, and recovering from the landslides. If you want to support them, go to mountaingardensherbs.com, and that link is in the show notes as well.  Links Watch the video of this interview https://youtu.be/ApO-64L6zmI?si=n7j9PuSXfbNmVeHS Mountain Gardens https://www.mountaingardensherbs.com Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians https://www.ebci.gov Connect with Natalie Ross https://www.natalie.net Sign up for the Earth Speak email list at https://www.earthspeak.love        

Temperance is challenging to talk about because it goes against society's decree that growth and accumulation of riches are necessary for survival in the modern world. Temperance protects against deficiency and excess.  Temperance mediates extremes, bringing opposing sides towards a more balanced and dynamic center.  Temperance says more is not always better, yet we need not be without.  Temperance helps us attune to the safety and abundance of enough. Temperance is one of my favorite Tarot cards, and it aligns with my favorite somatic tool called titration, so when Cecily Sailer asked me to be on her podcast to discuss the Temperance Tarot card, I said YES! This episode was originally published on Cecily's podcast, called Your Creative & Magical Life, and it is republished here with her permission. We talk about: How witches were given a negative image during the enclosure of the commons The weirdness of having to learn how to feel safe enough to feel safe on one's trauma healing journey Not blaming ourselves for so-called shortcomings that are actually caused by systemic oppression How Temperance plays into healing trauma at a nervous system level Tending to one's aliveness despite living in an age of chaos and collapse Again and again I touch on how we're operating within a system that wants us to believe that it's our fault that we can't win at an impossible game, and how temperance can help alleviate some of the suffering that comes from these internalized beliefs. Links: Cecily's podcast: Your Creative & Magical Life - https://yourcreativeandmagicallife.buzzsprout.com Cecily's website, email list, and offerings: www.typewritertarot.com Natalie's website, email list, and offerings: www.natalie.net Earth Speak website and email list: www.earthspeak.love

After years of being on hiatus, co-founders Natalie Ross and Shawna Cason have decided to start publishing episodes again. Listen to find out more! Sign up for the Earth Speak email list at www.earthspeak.love.

Poet, adventure guide and ecstatic earth worshiper Jacqueline Suskin shares about poetry and cultivating relationships with the earth and all its inhabitants. You'll also hear about: Using poetry as a channel for the earth How connected we all are even though we feel alone How the power of making things up is our strongest magic as humans ***** Jacqueline Suskin is a self-proclaimed ecstatic earth worshiper, the author of eight published books, all of which center around the earth and its bounty. Currently, she's focused on bringing her nature poetry curriculum into classrooms around the country and her new book "A Year in Practice – Seasonal Rituals and Prompts to Awaken Cycles of Creative Expression" is available at all major booksellers.  This episode was recorded in July 2021 during her time as artist in residence at Folklife farm in Bayside California.    In this episode, we talk about: Jacqueline's calling to make poetry more accessible and help people open the door to its transformative possibilities How poetry's ability to condense deep concepts and quickly take us to the heart of the matter is the perfect medium for our era's shorter attention spans Reminding people that we are part of the earth and that to forget this connection is to forget ourselves The delight that is possible when we align with the senses How deep relationship with anyone or anything involves connecting and communicating on a sensory level beyond language The importance of releasing the pressure to have a certain outcome and just responding to whatever the moment requires How agenda, outcome and productivity are overvalued by our society at the expense of witnessing and spaciousness Magic not having to look a certain way  How establishing relationships with the natural elements can allow one to be more spontaneous and less prescribed with their rituals Jacqueline's experience running an artist residency  How things can change overnight when we keep showing up in openness and presence, but the amount of time, space, and attention it takes to keep at it can be hard Stewarding a sense of self to become more connected with our stories, wounds and joy How healing yourself heals everything else – it's literally all you can do Witnessing the shift as we return to more traditional ecological knowledge The importance of lying down and letting the earth hold you The power of vulnerability  Poetry as a mindset and not just written words on a page The institution of poetry vs the spirit of poetry The importance of continuing to be open and following the signs in your life Earth Speak Links: Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Become an Earth Speak Sponsor and reach more of the people you're meant to serve www.earthspeak.love/sponsor  Support the Earth Speak Podcast and purchase our t-shirt  Support Earth Speak and make a donation   Get the secret episodes at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret Guest Links: Learn more about Jacqueline's offerings at www.jacquelinesuskin.com Connect with Jacqueline on Instagram @jsuskin  Connect with Jacqueline on Substack https://substack.com/@jsuskin  Check out Jacqueline's book A Year in Practice References: Episode 102 || Jacqueline Suskin Native Land https://native-land.ca/   Folk Life Farm Bill Thompson Poem Store Bruce Nauman Journal of a Novel by John Steinbeck The returning of Tuluwat Island Land Back Movement Shawna's registry Natalie's website Noticing with Natalie Podcast The AuDHD Flourishing podcast Enter The Portal podcast Rooted Business podcast   ► Leave us a written review on iTunes, and get shouted out on the show! Theme music is "It's Easier" by Scarlet Crow http://www.scarletcrow.org/ and "Meeting Again" by Emily Sprague  https://mlesprg.info/ ► Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Follow Earth Speak on Instagram and tag us when you share @earthspeak https://www.instagram.com/earthspeak

Soul tender and doula Trudy Titilayo shares about coming into relationship with her ancestors as they help her guide souls through the spiral of life and death.  You'll also hear about: Being called into relationship with the ancestors Moving from being the Witness into being the Teacher Doulaing as more than just supporting the birthing process Teaching our daughters choice ***** Trudy Titilayo is a witness to Life's longing for itself. A humble steward of this sacred journey through birth, breath, death and rebirth, in honor of our Ancestors and the next seven generations.    In this episode, we talk about: Ancestral calls to the spiral road Trudy's relationship with her grandmother  Witnessing and connecting the dots of memory The reciprocal gifts Trudy has both given and received within the Earth Speak Collective Learning to show up for oneself and finding one's voice Going through the pandemic as a chrysalis moment The power of sitting (and dancing) with the ancestors without expectation or knowing why The journey of becoming a doula including Trudy's own birth story Birth and death as our most vulnerable moments The damage that being separated from our ancestral land causes not only ourselves, but future generations Trudy's pilgrimage to her ancestral lands Big news from Shawna Trudy's experiences recognising the death transition and holding her family through the portals of life The subtlety of signs and learning to trust the call How the work Trudy has done towards liberating herself has impacted her daughters Giving yourself permission to claim all of yourself Doulaing identity   Earth Speak Links: Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Become an Earth Speak Sponsor and reach more of the people you're meant to serve www.earthspeak.love/sponsor  Support the Earth Speak Podcast and purchase our t-shirt  Support Earth Speak and make a donation  Get the secret episodes at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret Guest Links: Learn more about Trudy's offerings at https://trulysacredcircles.com Connect with Trudy on Instagram @trulysacredcircles References: Native Land https://native-land.ca/   Pharoah Ramses III  Kemetic Yoga Natalie channels Daisy Ifá Revivalist Pentecostal church Psilocybin mushrooms Doula Dr Daniel Foor Kemet Nile River Valley Maroons VBAC LSD Mother Teresa   ► Leave us a written review on iTunes, and get shouted out on the show! Theme music is "It's Easier" by Scarlet Crow http://www.scarletcrow.org/ and "Meeting Again" by Emily Sprague  https://mlesprg.info/ ► Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective ► Follow Earth Speak on Instagram and tag us when you share @earthspeak https://www.instagram.com/earthspeak

Poet and educator Jacqueline Suskin shares about watching the ways humans choose to nurture their connection with the land and its cycles. You'll also hear about: How creative expression is the practice of life Moving through the immensity of eco grief to use it as creative fuel How loving the earth is loving ourselves ***** Jacqueline Suskin is a self-proclaimed ecstatic earth worshiper, the author of eight published books, all of which center around the earth and its bounty. Currently, she's focused on bringing her nature poetry curriculum into classrooms around the country and her next book "A Year in Practice – Seasonal Rituals and Prompts to Awaken Cycles of Creative Expression" is available at all major booksellers.     In this episode, we talk about: Rewriting beliefs around urban spaces lacking connection with nature Finding the right level of human connection to help uncared for land flourish How the conversation around land stewardship is more complicated than just planting a bunch of trees Honoring decay How we don't have to reinvent the wheel The younger generation having so much to say (about the earth) How allowing people the time and space to dream and explore will allow them to connect with the earth  Going beyond duality to allow both hope and hopelessness to exist simultaneously How we can't have awe without attunement to despair and grief How we have the power to change everything in this moment How cultivating trust in the now can help us soothe our despair and expand our trust in the future Jacqueline's new book A Year in Practice Remembering the cycles that are already in us to align with the rhythms that exist in the world The difficulty of transitions The grief of loosing the familiarity of the way we know the seasons The connection between imagination and intuition How supporting the community is a pathway to combat our isolation How practicing relationship involves showing up for it no matter who or what we are in relationship with   Earth Speak Links: Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Become an Earth Speak Sponsor and reach more of the people you're meant to serve www.earthspeak.love/sponsor  Support the Earth Speak Podcast and purchase our t-shirt  Support Earth Speak and make a donation   Get the secret episodes at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret Guest Links: Learn more about Jacqueline's offerings at www.jacquelinesuskin.com Connect with Jacqueline on Instagram @jsuskin  Connect with Jacqueline on Substack https://substack.com/@jsuskin  Check out Jacqueline's book A Year in Practice References: Native Land https://native-land.ca/   A brief history of Detroit Poem Forest Australia Folk Life Farm Inside Out Literary Arts Detroit Poem Store   ► Leave us a written review on iTunes, and get shouted out on the show! Theme music is "It's Easier" by Scarlet Crow http://www.scarletcrow.org/ and "Meeting Again" by Emily Sprague  https://mlesprg.info/ ► Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Follow Earth Speak on Instagram and tag us when you share @earthspeak https://www.instagram.com/earthspeak