The Elder Tree Podcast The Elder Tree

Today's interview is a great discussion with Cat Green from Everyday Empowered. Cat is a home herbalist and grassroots community herbal organiser and educator. She's passionate about making it easy -and normal - for people to make simple, effective herbal remedies at home.

She believes home herbalism is all about reclaiming our capacity to care for ourselves and our families, as well as reconnecting more deeply with the earth. Through Everyday Empowered, she offers a wide range of practical ways for people to learn about herbs - HerbFest, monthly workshops through the Herb Folk group, DIY Herbal Remedy Kits and online courses in collaboration with Heidi Merika (for more about Heidi Merika check out interview #9).



In this episode, Cat Green and Tatiana Dawn discuss subtropical herbalism. They explore the challenges and considerations of growing and harvesting plants in subtropical climates, as well as the importance of sourcing medicine locally. They also touch on the topics of ancestral connections to plants, the impact of colonization on herbal medicine, and the need for responsible and ethical practices in working with native plants.



The conversation emphasizes the importance of building relationships with plants and working with what grows abundantly in each specific region. The conversation explores the challenges and strategies of growing herbs in subtropical climates. The speakers discuss the need for trial and error to determine which plants grow best in different seasons and microclimates. They also touch on the importance of understanding tropical conditions and the specific issues that arise in these climates. The conversation highlights the need for a deeper connection with plants and the land, as well as the importance of community and knowledge sharing in herbal medicine.



Cat and Tatiana also discuss the upcoming Herb Fest, a community gathering focused on herbs and herbal medicine.





*SHOW NOTES*

Herbfest 18th June 2023:

https://everydayempowered.com.au/herbfest/



You can learn more about Cat, her upcoming offerings, HERBFEST, check out her blog posts and buy her herbal starter kits ⁠here⁠.

Or follow Cat on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠ to keep up to date with all of her offerings.



Check out a previous episode of the Elder Tree, where Cat was interviewed by Tatiana Dawn, founder of the Elder Tree:

⁠Episode 33: Building a Culture of Collaboration in the Herbal Community



She was also more recently interviewed by Jessyca Bosscha on the self-care with herbs segment:

Episode 48: Self care as a dynamic, seasonal, everyday practice





**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Genna Pyewacket is a naturopath and herbalist with a special interest in functional medicine. Training in Canada as a teen under the guidance of a traditional herbalist, she continued her studies formally in Australia studying at Nature Care College in Sydney, where she graduated in 2004 with an Advance Diploma of Naturopathy and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (UNE), followed by an Advance Diploma of Homeopathy in 2011 (Endeavour College).

Her naturopathic practice has shifted focus from the clinic to the kitchen over the last six years with her business, Pyewackets Traditional. Her focus there is on fermented fruit and herb preserves known as shrubs, apple cider vinegar tinctures and tonics, as well as bitters. With her drinks, she hopes to help improve the health and nutrition of her customers, as well as their relationship to every day kitchen medicine and plants . She lives in Lismore New South Wales with her family. 

During our chat, Genna shares how as part of her environmental activism in her early teens, she found herself on a herb walk, immersed in the medicine of the old growth forests. This was such a lightbulb moment that from then on, she was determined to learn more and started studying herbal medicine at only 17 years old,  with a local herbal elder- which led to an apprenticeship when she finished school and further learning with renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

Genna shares her journey from Canada to Australia to further her studies in herbal medicine and the evolution of her connection with the plants. 

She shares her passion for shrubs and their historical significance as a preservation method for fruit and herbs. Being lucky enough to live in the Northern Rivers with an abundance of local produce at her fingertips, Genna paints a picture of her adventures across the countryside picking up surplus citrus, herbs hanging out the windows of her little car…

We chat about what’s growing in Genna’s garden and she shares a little known use for that common sub-tropical fruit tree, the paw paw…(hint, it’s not the fruit!)

Genna shares some of the ways women can tune into their self care needs by observing changes to their cycle and we agree that this can be a really tangible way to see the impact of self care practices. Entering the season of peri-menopause has shifted her nervous system in different ways and Genna shares a herb that she has found to be a wonderful ally at this time…

We talk about different constitutional types and how having an awareness of our own constitution can influence the how, when and why of our self care.

Genna describes what she sees as the two most important ingredients for seeing the long term benefits of self care by telling a beautiful story about the lasting impact of the waves or moving water on a stone or rock…

We finish our chat with a gorgeous image of Genna in the lavender fields of the south of France with the fragrance of one of her favourite herbs wafting over her…



**CONNECT**

Pyewackets Traditional https://pyewacketstraditional.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pyewacketstraditional/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/PyewacketsTraditional/



**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.

What does it mean to be witch? Why is this word so terrifying? And does being a herbalist automatically make you a witch? Join Stephanie Hazel and Nila Chandra as they discuss all things witchy.



If witchcraft calls you, you should definitely work 1:1 with Nila, who can provide private teaching, tarot readings and also consult with you to co-create a powerfully effective ritual for a specific purpose, from rites of passage, clearing curses and other magical strains, to entering into relationship with land. Contact her on readingsritesremedies@gmail.com 



You can follow Nila on instagram here.



We mentioned a BBC miniseries 'Witch'. Listen here.



**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

Do you want to support us as a valued Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to help our podcast and healing sanctuary grow? For only $2 per week, you'll have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities ⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Sally Fields is a fifth-generation farmer from a long line of farmers, gardeners, and animal keepers. She cut her teeth in the Brigalow Belah scrub of Southwest Queensland on the family property “Mirri Mirri” in Barunggam country. On her pony Dolly and a big red quad, Sally learnt to hunt, muster sheep and cattle, and roam the land. It was here, in her parents' footsteps, that she cultivated a deep love of the country and its critters.

Studying a Rural Science degree, Sally tracked into a career in agronomy. Consulting and farming in many countries and enterprises.  The past five years have seen her project managing Healthy Farming Futures, where she empowered farmers through workshops, conferences, field days and mentoring for improved land outcomes. 

Sally now heads up the Atherton Tablelands Integrated Collaboration (ATIC)  as project director for Sustainable Table and the Office of the Great Barrier Reef (OGBR). 

We discuss soil health and cover cropping, the Mulungu herb for better sleep and how she is bridging permaculture and traditional land-based enterprises towards regenerative farming by showcasing farmers on their journey with peer-to-peer knowledge transfer.

Connect and Show note links below!



**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

Do you want to support us as a valued Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to help our podcast and healing sanctuary grow? For only $2 per week, you'll have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ !

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.



CONNECT:


www.naturalfieldssolutions.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-fields/

SHOW NOTES:


ATIC Sustainable Table Project and newsletter for event invites: https://www.sustainabletable.org.au/projects/cairns-atherton-tablelands


Land To Market Regenerative Agriculture Certification: https://www.landtomarket.com/
Mulungu Erythrina mulungu: https://www.happyherbshop.com.au/collections/herb-mulungu

In today's episode I interview Hollie Wildethorn, a Psychotherapist, Clinical Counsellor, Coach and womens mysteries facilitator, who resides on Walbunja Yuin land in Braidwood, NSW.



Hollie provides many inspirational offerings through her business, the Institute for Self Crafting, and her mission is to support people who know life can be so much more; to craft the best self-version so far. Hollie is the first person that I have interviewed that isnt a herbal educator, but she hold a special space for herbal education. She runs the incredible Wise Womens Gathering near Wise Mans Ferry, which is being held in just over 5 weeks, on the 16th-19th May.



The Wise Women's Gathering is an educational conference that focuses on herbalism, holistic living, women's mysteries, and cultivating community. It provides a space for practitioners and non-practitioners alike to deepen their knowledge and connection with the earth. The gathering emphasizes inclusivity and creating a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees.



The presence of herbs is a central theme, as it is a space for traditional wisdom to be shared and passed down. Mentorship and collaboration are also important aspects, with experienced practitioners partnering with younger or less experienced practitioners to co-create workshops. The gathering fosters a sense of community through shared meals, check-ins, and an open mic night where attendees can showcase their talents and be witnessed by their community.



For anyone that hasn't heard of this unique gathering, I highly recommend jumping online and checking it out- there are links in the shownotes. Stephanie Hazel and I are both going down to Sydney for the gathering this year and we are running a 3 hour preconference presentation together. I am also running a 90 minute presentation about Motherwort and I also have the honour of being on a discussion panel at the gathering. I have attended this gathering once before, about 6 years ago and I highly reccomend it.



In this interview, Hollie discusses her role in the Wise Women's Gathering and the various offerings she presents at the event. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and creating a sense of belonging for all attendees. Holly also shares her work as a therapist, counselor, and coach, specializing in trauma and anxiety. She offers retreats, circles, and online courses focused on women's empowerment and connection to the land. Additionally, Holly provides professional supervision for health practitioners and women's mysteries facilitators, promoting trauma-informed care and collaboration. She encourages practitioners to share their knowledge and wisdom beyond their individual practices.



Hollie's website:

https://www.instituteforselfcrafting.com/hollie



Find Hollie on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/hollie.wildethorn/





**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theeldertree.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and donate to the crowdfunding campaign ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠asktheeldertree@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The intro and outro song is "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing for the Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Today I chat with Emma Caller, a naturopath and nutritionist who can thank her Italian heritage for teaching her how food can nourish us. She loves treating itchy babies and nervous kids as well as any skin condition. Emma has a clinic near Coffs Harbour NSW, where she is never not accompanied by her black and white cat Cookie Custard

Some of Emma’s earliest memories as a child are steeped in plant medicine- instinctively reaching for plants to heal during games of ‘Doctors and Nurses’.

She knew she wanted to be a Naturopath from when she was 5 years old, after having a flower essence prescribed for nightmares and witnessing their magic.

For Emma, plant medicine is also really based on food. Her Sicilian heritage is steeped in food- culinary herbs like oregano, parsley, thyme and garlic regularly making their way into meals.

In her naturopathic practice today where she loves working with families of young children, Emma helps her clients to make nourishing food choices by providing delicious and healthy tips and recipes.

Flower essences also form a big part of Emma’s practice and she talks about how sItting down and having good conversations to help connect people with the right flower essence helps to effect deep change. 

We talk about the relationship that we encourage clients to develop with the plants to help encourage lasting change when working with plant medicines.

During our chat, Emma talks about the importance of knowing our own self worth, when it’s often instinctual to prioritise everyone else's well being first.

We chat about the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic self care and the benefits of investing in a balance of the two.

Emma shares a special weekly ritual she enjoys with her family-  shopping at her local farmers market, connecting with the food and the growers and using the produce she gathers to create nourishing meals for the week ahead. Her green frittata recipe sounds divine, be sure to listen in so you don’t miss it!



**CONNECT**

You can connect with Emma here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmacallernaturopathy

(scroll down her page to find her Green Frittata recipe)



**THE ELDER TREE TROVE PATREON COMMUNITY**

You can join our Patreon ⁠here⁠ and gain a deeper connection to our podcast. Pay only $2 per week to have access to bonus and often exclusive resources and opportunities- plus support the Elder tree at the same time! 

To find out more about The Elder Tree visit the website at www.theeldertree.org and donate to the crowdfunding campaign here.

You can also follow The Elder Tree on Facebook and Instagram and sign up to the newsletter.

Find out more about this podcast and the presenters here. Get in touch with The Elder Tree at:  asktheeldertree@gmail.com

The intro and outro song is "Sing for the Earth" and was kindly donated by Chad Wilkins.  You can find Chad's music here and here.