Herbalism, Imposter Syndrome & Plant Connection | Sam Roberts & Renée Camila

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.

In this episode of The Herbalist Hour, I sit down with herbalist, teacher, and long-time community mentor Betzy Bancroft to explore the heart, craft, and deep science behind her new book Herbal Pharmacy: The Science and Magic of Preparing and Administering Plant Medicine. Betzy has been teaching herbal medicine making for more than three decades. She co-founded the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, mentors clinical interns, presents at the Vermont NOFA Winter Conference, and serves on the advisory board of United Plant Savers. She also teaches and leads plant walks at the legendary Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary, where she lives just down the road. This conversation dives into the practical, the philosophical, and the magical sides of making plant medicine — from water and oils, to home apothecaries, to the evolving spiral of students becoming teachers. What We Talk About 🌿 Tips for leading an inspiring, grounded plant walk 🌿 Advice for herbalists writing their own informational books 🌿 A rich discussion of the water chapter and her reverence for water 🌿 Why oils and fats are both essential and misunderstood in herbalism 🌿 How she chooses fresh vs. dried plant material for tinctures 🌿 How to make homemade vinegar 🌿 Practical tips for building or expanding your home apothecary 🌿 And whole lot more! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES BOOK: Herbal Pharmacy | BUY THE BOOK Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism | VTHerbCenter.org Sage Mountain | SageMountain.com United Plant Savers | UnitedPlantSavers.org 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.

This episode is brought to you by FOOD GENIUS A year-long mentorship from Asia Dorsey + Justin Robinson for folks craving a deeper relationship with food, ancestry, and embodied wellbeing. LEARN MORE & REGISTER In this clip from The Herbalist Hour episode 59, Asia Dorsey shares the story behind the West African dish Red Red — a vibrant meal made with red palm oil, black-eyed peas, peppers, and plantains. Asia reflects on her time living in Ghana, learning directly from local food traditions, and how that experience reshaped her relationship with ancestral foods. She also speaks about the deep nutritional and cultural importance of red palm oil and why preserving traditional foodways matters. The conversation touches on diaspora cooking, sourcing ingredients with integrity, and reconnecting with the culinary wisdom of our ancestors. Watch the full episode of The Herbalist Hour to hear more of this conversation with Asia Dorsey and Karina DesRoses. If you'd like to learn more from Asia, be sure to check out her Food Genius mentorship program. Enrolling now! LEARN MORE & REGISTER DISCLAIMER The information in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by your physician or other medical professionals. Always consult a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are nursing, pregnant, or have any medical condition.

This episode is brought to you by FOOD GENIUS A year-long mentorship from Asia Dorsey + Justin Robinson for folks craving a deeper relationship with food, ancestry, and embodied wellbeing. LEARN MORE & REGISTER In this episode of the HerbRally Podcast we're joined by herbalist Asia Dorsey. She answers 10 questions, as the title suggests.  You'll learn: How she balances traditional herbal knowledge with modern science Her thoughts on the regulation of herbalists When she felt qualified to call herself an herbalist How to know how potent your herbal concoctions are How to keep joints healthy as we age And a whole lot more! There are so many takeaways in this one. Big thanks to Asia for taking the time to answer all of these questions! If you'd like to learn more from Asia, be sure to check out her Food Genius mentorship program. Enrolling now! LEARN MORE & REGISTER DISCLAIMER The information in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by your physician or other medical professionals. Always consult a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are nursing, pregnant, or have any medical condition.

This episode is brought to you by FOOD GENIUS A year-long mentorship from Asia Dorsey + Justin Robinson for folks craving a deeper relationship with food, ancestry, and embodied wellbeing. LEARN MORE & REGISTER Herbalist and author Patricia Kyritsi Howell joins Mason and co-host Rosalee de la Forêt to talk about the brand-new second edition of Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians.  Patricia shares how decades of walking the mountains have deepened her relationships with plants like bloodroot, sarsaparilla, and sassafras, weaving folk history with practical clinical insight. We also touch on her decision to self-publish, the creative freedom it allowed, and why preserving authentic herbal voices matters now more than ever. If you love Appalachian plants, plant stories, and thoughtful herbal conversations, this episode is for you. RESOURCES & LINKS Website | PatriciaKyritsiHowell.com BOOK | Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians Wild Crete Trip | LEARN MORE & REGISTER Rosalee's Website | HerbsWithRosalee.com WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE 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.