Forager's Radio

This episode feature's my interview with Luke McLaughlin, the owner/instructor of the Holistic Survival School and three time contestant on the popular survival show, Naked and Afraid.

This interview is truly insightful and inspiring as we delved into introspective topics such as uncovering our human mortality, hunting as a spiritual practice, and how us humans are hardwired to live in community.

If you've been yearning to learn how you can get started in forging your own ancestral life way and live a life rooted in nature, this one's for you! 

Topics Covered:

1.  How Can Hunting Be A Spiritual Practice?
2.  How Capitalism Serves As A Distraction From Mortality 
3.  Domestication- Good Or Bad?
4.  Does Bacteria Rule The World? (Funny Conspiracy Theory)
5.  The Biological Norms Of Humans
6.  Wild Foods vs. Domesticated 
7.  The Hardwiring Of Humans
8.  Pulling The Thread- An Easy Approach To Learning Ancestral Life Ways
9.  Rites Of Passage
10.  Luke's Holistic Survival School
11.  Luke's Experience On Naked & Afraid

Resources:
-The Holistic Survival School
-Deep Remembering, Luke's Rewilding Immersion Course.
-Luke's Instagram Page

Today we explore the intersection of nature, health, and astrology with Sitara Taddeo. Based in Las Vegas, Sitara is a practicing intuition coach and professional science researcher.  Using her deep understanding of astrology and mindfulness, Sitara is able to interpret the stars and provide a roadmap for people seeking to improve their mental emotional wellbeing and progress on a journey of spiritual development. 

Topics Covered:

• The Origins of the Zodiac
• The 12 Sun Signs and Astrological Archetypes
• Sun, Rising, and Moon Signs Explained
• The Planet's Effect On Your  Astrological Chart
• The 4 Elements In Astrology 
• Cardinal, Fixed, & Mutable Signs
• Significance of the Saturn Return

Episode Resources:

• Sitara's Instagram
• Work With Sitara

This week's episode features a ''myco-entertaining'' conversation with the founders of Florida Mushroom Company. Pat, Jesse, and Deeley are on a mission to bring gourmet and medicinal mushrooms to their friends, family, and community in the sunshine state.

They open up about the founding of their company and where they're headed. Along the way we dive into a host of fun topics related to mycology, foraging, and mushroom cultivation.

Topics Covered:

• How Florida Mushroom Co Was Founded
• Kennet Square Mushroom Festival
• Becoming A Mushroom Entrepreneur
• The World Of Gourmet Mushrooms
• Mycophobic Vs Mycophilic Societies 
• Creating A Vertically Integrated Mushroom Company
• Fungal Intelligence & Medicinal Compounds
• Florida Mushroom Co's Mission & Future 

Episode Resources:

-Florida Mushroom Company
- @flmushroomco

This week on Forager's Radio, I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Adam Haritan of Learn Your Land.

For the past eight years, Adam has cultivated an exceptional Youtube Channel dedicated to educating people on the wonders of nature. Furthermore, he eloquently expresses the importance of establishing a fulfilling connection with your local natural landscapes. With over 500,000 subscribers, Adam's Youtube channel serves as a plentiful source of information and inspiration for foragers, nature enthusiasts, and conservationists alike.

Topics Covered:

• Why Should People Learn Our Land?
• The Truth About Commercial Mushroom Products
• What Caused "The Shroom Boom?"/ Why Is Fungi So Fascinating? 
• Fungi As An Accessible Entry Point  To Connecting With Nature
• The Spirituality Of Hunting
• Adam's New Project of Studying Ecosystems
• The Serpentine Barrens of Pennsylvania
• Adam's Online Course Offerings
• The Importance of Nature Mentors
• The Endeavor Of Being A Genuine Educator
• A Deep Look Into Current Land Conservation 
• Connecting Foraging To Land Conservation
• Love, The Glue Of Life And Nature
• Rewilding Your Lawn
• Chicken Of The Woods: Delicious Or Disgusting?

Episode Resources 

• Learn Your Land Youtube Channel
• Learn Your Land Website
• Learn Your Land Instagram Page

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Seren Hawley of Hedgerow Healing. As a native of Wales in the UK, Seren shares her wealth of knowledge surrounding Celtic traditions and the deep secrets of the natural world they contain.  In this episode we get to learn about Seren's experiences  that inspired her to share these traditions and how to firmly root yourself in a nature-based spiritual practice.

Topics Covered:

• Growing Up In The New Age Traveller Scene of The UK
• Celtic Regions & Broad History
• Druids, The Spiritual Teachers of the Celtic People
• Rewilding & The Reemergence of Traditional Life Ways
• The Great Pagan Revival
•  The Autumn Equinox As A Time To Reflect
• The Celtic Tree Alphabet
• The Emergence of Fairies In Indigenous Cultures
• The Wheel Of The Year
• Foraging Wild Herbs in Wales
• Making Elderberry Syrup
• Food Foraging Laws & Best Practices of the UK

Episode Resources:

• Seren Hawley On Instagram- @hedgerow_healing

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Devin Hilty of Mind Over Mycology. Devin has extraordinary skills in the world of mushroom identification, photography, and discovering new species. In our conversation, he shares his knowledge, techniques, and stories around discovering controversial mushrooms in unexpected places.

Topics Covered:

• Wild Mushroom As A Sustainable Food Source
• Resources & Techniques For Identifying Wild Mushrooms
• Photographing Microscopic Slime Molds
• Exploring Connectedness Through Mycelium
• Contributing To Citizen's Science & Mycoblitz 2023
• How Mushroom Sometimes Find US (Forager's Intuition)
• Finding Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata In A Camp Playground
• Tips On Finding & Identifying Cordyceps Militaris
• Nutrient Transfer Between Tress Through Mycelium
• Chicken Of The Woods, Delicious Or Gross?

Episode Resources:
Devin Hilty- Mind Over Mycology

 Have you ever wondered, what are the easiest mushrooms to grow at home?

Like so many people becoming more interested in mycology and self-reliance, I sat down with my best friend and co-founder, Brian Davis, to learn both beginner and expert methods for growing mushrooms right in your own home.

After of only a few minutes into our conversation, I realized that dialing in your own method and cultivating mushrooms for personal use is so much easier than I thought. What's more, Brian explains the various levels of entry into the world of mushroom growing.

For those with little time or knowledge of mushrooms, purchasing a pre-made mushroom grow kit might be the most fun and beginner friendly option to enjoy cultivated mushrooms.

For those looking for a more scientific approach, Brian explains how to grow  oyster mushrooms at home from a starter culture. From the culture, you can inoculate a mushroom spawn for the mycelium to become activated and later expand them to a substrate. From there, you are only one step away from harvesting mushroom fruiting bodies and cooking them up in your favorite dish!

On this week's episode of Forager's Radio, I'm joined by licensed social worker and founder of Fire Moon Medicines, Katrina dela Cruz.

Together we delve into the importance of time spent in nature as a foundational pillar in every health journey. As descendants of wild humans, our bodies are hardwired to soak up the sun, plant our bare feet onto the earth, and take in big breaths of fresh air.

Katrina shares her experiences of how something so simple as spending time in nature can help improve the mind, body, and spirit. Katrina also shares personal stories from her fully indigenous Philippine roots and ways she incorporates alternative healing modalities into her social working practices.

Happy listening,
Neil Thenier

Episode Resources:
Fire Moon Medicines On Instagram
Fire Moon Medicines Website

On this week's episode of Forager's Radio we are exploring the health benefits of Codrydecps mushrooms and how to grow them with Val King of Impending Doom Relief. 

After studying with some of the best mushroom cultivators in the US, Val has had lots of success with producing cordyceps mushrooms at scale and sharing them with their local communities.

Val explains what some of the specific challenges are with cultivating cordyceps and how to work around them. They also dive deep into their amazing medicinal potential.

If you're interested in how you can start growing your own Cordyceps or how you can use them to help kick your bad caffein habit, this episode is for you!

If you're looking for a top quality Cordyceps extract that uses Val's very own Cordyceps mushrooms, check out our Forager's Kingdom Cordyceps Extract for more info.

Happy listening,
Neil Thenier

Episode Resources
Impending Doom Relief Website
Val's Instagram

On this week's episode of Forager's Radio, I'm joined by Eric White, founder of The Heampstead Farm and member of Pennsylvania's Hemp Fiber Cooperative.

Eric has been working vigorously on creating The Pocono's premier local CSA farm. There, him and his team not only supply their members with local organic produce, but they also grow industrial grade hemp that will be processed and utilized as hempcrete.

Never heard of hempcrete?!

That's okay, Eric explains how it acts an amazing carbon sequester and a sustainable building material.  Most recently, Eric and his team have retrofitted their old farm houses with hempcrete insulation. Not only is it sustinable, but it also prevents common household problems like water leakage and mold.

Listen to the full episode to get the full scoop and much more.

Happy listening,

-Neil Thenier

Episode Resources:
-The Hempstead on Instagram
-The Hempstead Farm

This week on Forager's Radio, guest Aldi Kent and I unpack the hot topic of micro-dosing with psilocybin mushrooms.

Aldi is cofounder of a Mexican based company called Musashi that specializes in micro-dosing consulting and offers neurotransmitter supporting supplements that help enhance the micro-dosing experience.

Aldi and I achieved our goal of providing safe information on this topic but also were very pleased in how our conversation morphed into so much more.

For those seeking information on micro-dosing with psilocybin, more often than not, their search was inspired by research and anecdotal experiences of these magical mushrooms helping improve people's anxiety disorders, addictions, or helping create a deeper sense of connection to life.

Aldi and open up about our experiences with psilocybin and how they helped shaped our spiritual journeys and continue to inspire connection with nature and community.

Happy listening!

Stay wild,
-Neil

On this week's episode of Forager's Radio, get ready to unleash your mushroom third eye! Guest, Brando Farr shares his intuitive experiences as forager and how time spent in nature opens the door to become more sensitive and in tune with the natural world.

Brando also explains how science intersects with the metaphysical by outlining his experience working with Jim Fuller, scientist and mushroom chef.  Together, they are breaking a long standing rule of thumb where wild mushrooms should never be boiled. But, based on Jim's work, you might want to consider the opposite. Brando explains in our conversation.

Happy listening!

Stay Wild.

-Neil Thenier

Epsiode Resources:

-Connect With Brando On Instagram
-Wilder Medicine On Instagram
-Jim Fuller On Instagram

On this week's episode of Wild Kingdom Radio, I'm joined by Hilary Boynton, the Head of Nutrition Services at the Manzanita School and author of the Heal Your Gut Cookbook.

In our conversation we discuss the importance of a high nutrient diet for kids and teens to help minimize their chances of developing degenerative diseases. They are after all, our future!

Apart from high nutrition, exposure to the elements also sets up our younger generations for success. Time spent in nature helps support brain development, mobility, and can lead to spiritual development.

As the Head of Nutrition Services of the Manzanita School in Topanga Canyon, CA, Hilary shares her expertise on what motivates children to eat healthy and how individuals and families can be an inspiring part of the process.

Happy Listening,

Neil Thenier

Resources:
The Manzanita School
Heal Your Gut Cookbook
School Of Lunch
Hilary's Instagram

On this week's episode of Wild Kingdom Radio, we're joined by Shannon Mulligan-Mayernick as she shares her extensive knowledge of wild, cultivated, and invasive herbs.

She, along with her husband Matt, started Mayernik Kitchen five years ago. In their in person herbal shop and online store, they offer almost 100 different herbal products and run classes, workshops, and apprenticeships for individuals looking to learn more on the topic and receive hands on experience.

 While delving into a huge practice such as herbalism can be overwhelming, Shannon and I breakdown the information into digestible categories that won't send your head spinning. Shannon shares her top three favorite herbs that everyone should use (lion's mane is one of them!) plus, her favorite extraction methods for easily obtaining their benefits.

Like so many of our guests, Shannon and Matt are also believers in the importance of bolstering strong communities. By listening this this episode, you'll hear how they work with local foragers, individuals, and cultivators to help educate and inspire herbal seekers everywhere.

Happy listening!
-Neil Thenier

Resources:
-Mayernik Kitchen Website: https://www.mayernikkitchen.com/
-Mayernik Kitchen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayernikkitchen/

On this episode of Wild Kingdom Radio, I have the immense pleasure of speaking with Ashley Walsh, president and founder of Pocono Organics.

Pocono Organics is the world's first and largest regenerative hemp farm. Hemp isn't all they grow! Ashley and her team specialize in growing regenerative organic certified crops that are grown nutrient rich soil. Their methods are constantly replenishing and enhancing soil microorganisms rather than depleting them like in conventional farming. 

At their Pocono Organics Cafe, you can pick up all their deliciously grown produce, hemp products, and mushroom grow kits, a true gem for anyone seeking to live a healthy lifestyle.

Beyond the amazingness that is Pocono Organics, Ashely also dives deep into the principles of regenerative farming and explains why hemp is amazing at carbon sequestering. For anyone looking to learn more about local farming or that wants quality information on hemp and CBD, this episode has tons to take away.

Happy listening and stay wild!

-Neil Thenier

Episode Resources:

-Forager's Kingdom- Energy Bundle
-Pocono Organics Website
-Pocono Organic's Instagram Page
-The Rodale Institute 

On this episode of Wild Kingdom Radio, I have the pleasure of speaking with Andre Burgess and Saeid Mushtagh from Canadian Pine Pollen Co. Andre and Burgess go in depth about the amazing health benefits of pine pollen and how it can help increase levels of free testosterone, keep your androgenic hormones balanced, and provide robust immune support.

Have you heard about pine pollen before but not sure if you should try a tincture or powder? Not to worry, Andre and Saeid do a great job in outlining which is right for you. If you also thought pine pollen was just for men, think again! As a naturopathic doctor, Saeid explains how he's used pine pollen in his medical practice and how it can help women overcome conditions like menopause and andropause.

For all you nature lovers out there, this isn't just a technical discussion on the health benefits of pine pollen. Andre and Saeid also share their incredible stories of what life is like in the deep wilderness harvesting one of nature's most trickiest wild foods. One thing that brought them to the forefront if wild pine pollen harvesting was their desire to connect with nature and free themselves from the hustle and bustle of city life.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this episode on my all time favorite wild food.

Stay wild,
Neil

Episode Resources:
-Forager's Kingdom Pine Pollen Products
-Canadian Pine Pollen Company Website- 10% off
-Canadian Pine Pollen Co.- Instagram
-The 5 Health Benefits of Pine Pollen Article by Neil Thenier

Food. Medicine. Community.

Three words that define each other and are all something we need to be healthy happy humans. On this week's episode of Wild Kingdom Radio, guest Jess Starwood unpacks these three important words and offers insight on how to cultivate them.

Jess shares her unique experiences as a mentor and guide to so many in her in person classes and has wonderfully illustrated her superb knowledge of wild foods, herbs, and mushrooms in the books she has authored. As a committee member of NAMA's culinary division, Jess's ability to turn wild edibles into delectable cuisines is extraordinary.

We hope you enjoy this episode and feel inspired to connect with and create your own communities as much as I am thanks to Jess.

Thanks for listening. Stay Wild!
-Neil Thenier


Episode Resources:
-Forager's Kingdm- Deep Sleep Bundle
-Jess Starwood Website
-Jess's Book- Mushroom Wanderland
- Jess on Instagram
- North American Mycological Association

On this week's episode of Wild Kingdom Radio we have the privilege of exploring the wild world of foraging, sustainable entrepreneurship, and cultivating meaningful connections with nature with our guest, Andy Conner of Foraged Market.

Andy and his team are on a unique mission to transform our local food systems by connecting foragers around the country with eco-friendly consumers, restaurants, and organic markets. Their online platform is not only bringing wild foods to the forefront of e-commerce but are also educating their community on the importance of sustainability, wild food cuisine, and living with nature in a meaningful fulfilling way.

We hope you enjoy the episode as Andy and I get to geek out about our love for nature, food, and wildness.

Thanks for listening, stay wild!
-Neil Thenier


Episode Resources

-Wild Kingdom Extracts
-Andy Conner on Instagram
-Foraged Market
-Foraged Market on Instagram
-Foraged Market on TikTok