Woods & Wilds: The Podcast Woods & Wilds Podcast

Ethnobiologist Marc Williams has taught hundreds of classes to thousands of people about plants, humans, other life forms and their interface. His training includes a B.A. in Environmental Studies/Sustainable Agriculture from Warren Wilson College with a minor in Business and a M.A. in Appalachian Studies/Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University with a minor in Planning/Geography. He has over 20 years of experience working at various restaurants, farms, and travels throughout 30 countries in Central/North/South America, Europe and all 50 states in the USA. More information can be found at www.botanyeveryday.com."

Marsha Almodovar is a mother, painter, novice writer, and activist. She currently works for a local Asheville non-profit. She’s facilitated racial equity and inclusion training for local area nonprofits and businesses. Marsha is a mixed-medium painter. She uses her art to highlight social justice issues. Currently, she’s publishing a Spanish-language children's book. Marsha has served on numerous boards and commissions that speak to her personal mission of art and inclusion. Marsha is a 2023 Impact Award recipient from Tzedek Social Justice Fund. The award goes to people engaged in deep change or community healing work in Asheville using the wisdom they gained from navigating systems of oppression.

Lockie Hunter holds an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston and has taught creative writing at Warren Wilson College. She serves as curator of the long-running Juniper Bends Reading Series Reading series and co-producer of the poetry and prose radio program Wordplay on 103.3 FM in Asheville. Her words have appeared in publications including The North Carolina Review, The Baltimore Review, Quarter After Eight, Hiram Poetry Review, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Slipstream, Brevity, Gulf Stream Literary Magazine, Arts & Opinion, New Plains Review and others. Lockie has received scholarships/grants from The North Carolina Arts Council and the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Her essays have been nominated for Best of the Net Awards and the John Burroughs Nature Essay Award.

Puerto Rico born. Northeast raised. Mari is a fiercely independent free spirit. She strives to inspire that same level of self-determination for others. Especially women of color. Mari has a BA in Environmental Studies & Education from Prescott College in Arizona. That prepared her for a life of social and environmental impact. It also prepared her to be an educator, inside and outside the classroom. Mari is on a personal journey to decolonize her mind. To heal from the internalized harm that systems of oppression have conditioned her to take on. She’s leaning deeper into her imperfections. She's finding compassion for herself and others. Mari immerses herself in the natural world, when possible. There she finds nurturing, grounding, and a deep sense of purpose.

Sha'Air Hawkins, artistically known as ShadowWRK, is an accomplished music producer, songwriter, and performer hailing from North Carolina with deep-rooted Jamaican heritage. With an unwavering passion for infusing joy into her compositions, Sha'Air uses the power of melody and narrative to craft musical experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. Her artistry not only reflects her own cultural journey but also serves as an inspiring call for others to harness their creative potential. Through her music, Sha'Air Hawkins weaves a tapestry of emotions, cultures, and stories, inviting listeners to embark on a transformative and uplifting musical voyage.

Tiffany Flunory-DE’Bellott has a passion for education advocacy, climate justice, and community organizing. She has a BA in Psychology. Tiffany’s focus has been on diversity, equity, and inclusion work: facilitating racial equity circles and other grassroots movements. She’s a board member of the Human Relations Commission of Asheville, YMI Cultural Center, COTHINK, and LEAF Global. She says, “It is my goal to ensure a better future for our children and families, through holding accountable and challenging systems of oppression, racism, and the false narrative of white supremacy.” Tiffany is proud that her two daughters, Sapphire and Pearl, are also committed to civic engagement and community service.