Flora Funga Podcast

KK the Plant Biologist with a Thirst for Mycology

Let's get down N nerdy with plants and fungi on Flora Funga Podcast. I'm all about bridging the gap between plants, fungi, and humans. Come listen to the underrated nerdy topics of flora and funga. Everything's connected above and below ground. Feel free to contact me at www.florafungapodcast.com/contact

  1. 2d ago

    237: They Turn Restaurant Trash Into Food?! Compost Olympics happening October 10, 2026

    Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a Review Get ready to laugh, learn, and rethink what you call “waste.” 🌱♻️ In this episode of the Flora Funga Podcast, KK sits down with Aaron and Elliot from Brainplate Grows to explore their hilariously unconventional approach to composting, urban farming, and building a more resilient food system in Madison, Wisconsin. We dive into how they collect roughly 800 pounds of food scraps each week from local restaurants and transform them into living soil, their Bucket Farm Friends initiative bringing accessible grow kits into the community, the surprisingly fascinating world of soil microbes, and why bitter melon deserves way more attention. We also talk about hyperlocal food systems, turning unused urban spaces into places to grow food, creating stronger communities through biodiversity and mutual aid, and their wonderfully chaotic Compost Olympics happening October 10 at Troy Farm. Beneath all the jokes is a powerful idea: waste doesn’t have to be waste, healthy ecosystems depend on cooperation, and small local actions can create much bigger change. All Links happening on Florafungapodcast.com Drink before drinking. Drink responsibly, for an easier tomorrow I got a new phone number to text in with any questions, comments, or photos! 727-477-5974 Zbiotics: "FLORAFUNGA"Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next dayCalm & CollectedTry my Flora Funga Calm & Collected Extract. Lemon balm, Reishi, Ashwagandha--a great way to sleep!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs  Flora Funga: Calm & Collected Tincture — Flora Funga Podcast GoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening  $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me: Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Patreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10" Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day ...

  2. Oct 1

    236: InPerson--Inside WNY Fungi Fest: Mushrooms, Music, Saunas & a 38° Plunge

    Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a Review Flora Funga Podcast at the Western New York Fungi Festival for a weekend packed with mushrooms, community, wellness, music, and plenty of unexpected adventures. KK explores unique fungi products, learns about training dogs to hunt for truffles, catches up with Dennis Walker of Mycopreneur, experiences mushroom comedy and laughing yoga, and connects with Fungi Flows for some freestyle energy. Things get even more interesting when a relaxing mobile sauna session turns into KK facing one of her biggest enemies—a freezing cold plunge. Between workshops, vendors, late-night sound baths under the full moon, and KK's own presentation about pursuing your passions, this episode captures the wonderfully weird, intimate, and inspiring community that makes mushroom festivals so special.  Drink before drinking. Drink responsibly, for an easier tomorrow I got a new phone number to text in with any questions, comments, or photos! 727-477-5974 Support the show Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs  Flora Funga: Calm & Collected Tincture — Flora Funga Podcast GoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening  $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me: Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Patreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10" Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day ...

  3. Sep 23

    235: Longest Mushroom EVENT--Ojai Mushroom Summit with Omar Dasco-Uribe

    Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a Review KK sits down with Omar to dive into the vision behind the Ojai Mushroom Summit, happening October 11–18, 2026 in Ojai, California. The week-long gathering brings together fungi, fermentation, regenerative agriculture, food, art, music, wellness, and community through workshops, talks, films, culinary experiences, cultivation classes, myco-filtration demonstrations, live performances, vendor gatherings, and hands-on experiences throughout the Ojai Valley.  Check out the official Ojai Mushroom Summit page or view the full schedule and grab tickets on Humanitix. Programming includes a Master Chef Koji class, microdosing discussions, mycelium-material workshops, mushroom cultivation, cactus education, mushroom-and-koji dining experiences, myco-filtration, podcast conversations, and community gatherings.  Several events take place at Topa Institute, while Saturday features an educational portal at the historic Ojai Playhouse along with the downtown Mushroom Block Party, food pop-ups, and an unofficial after-party.  Friday evening also brings music and movement with The Listening Garden following a hands-on mycofiltration workshop.  Sunday closes the celebration with yoga, an herb and mushroom walk, From the Hood to the Woods, and the Greater Goods Gathering, featuring live music, education, food, vendors, and community connection at Topa.  Beyond the summit, Omar shares the personal journey that led him from cooking and foraging into mycology and eventually to co-founding Ohms Collective, where fungi, food, sustainability, and community come together.  This episode is a look at what can happen when mycology, creativity, regenerative living, education, and community all collide in one beautiful valley. Drink before drinking. Drink responsibly, for an easier tomorrow I got a new phone number to text in with any questions, comments, or photos! 727-477-5974 Support the show Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs  Flora Funga: Calm & Collected Tincture — Flora Funga Podcast GoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening  $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me: Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Patreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10" Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day ...

  4. Sep 16

    234: Rooted in Wellness--Lions Mane Chocolate

    Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a Review Richard Capalbo the Founder of Rooted Fox Wellness, a wellness company focused on functional mushrooms. He makes a Lion's Mane Functional Chocolate and Lion's Mane Functional Capsules- supporting Mood, Focus, Memory, and Cognitive Function. He founded the company along his wellness journey after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis about 10 years ago. Rooted Fox Wellness is grounded in years of working with functional mushrooms and real-world use, our third-party tested products are designed to be effortless, enjoyable, and effective. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Rooted Fox Wellness Drink before drinking. Drink responsibly, for an easier tomorrow I got a new phone number to text in with any questions, comments, or photos! 727-477-5974 Support the show Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs  Flora Funga: Calm & Collected Tincture — Flora Funga Podcast GoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening  $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me: Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Patreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10" Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day ...

  5. Sep 9

    233: INPERSON: RYZE vs MUD\WTR — WORTH THE HYPE?

    Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a Review Are mushroom coffees actually worth the hype—or are we just paying $40+ for fancy dirt water?  In this episode of Flora Funga Podcast, KK and Karleen put two of the biggest names in functional mushroom drinks head-to-head: RYZE Mushroom Coffee and MUD\WTR Matcha.  We taste-test both, compare caffeine and mushroom content, dig into RYZE's six-mushroom blend versus MUD\WTR's chaga, reishi, lion's mane and cordyceps blend, and talk about the surprisingly important differences between whole mushroom powder, mycelium, fruiting bodies and mushroom extracts. We also get into why ingredient sourcing and third-party testing matter, whether you'd be better off adding mushroom extracts to coffee you already love, and even how you can make mushroom teas and dual extracts at home.  After plenty of questionable smells, earthy sips and brutally honest ratings, RYZE lands around a 6/10 while MUD\WTR Matcha takes the win at roughly 8–8.5/10. We also shout out Everyday Dose, Laird Superfood, Christopher Hobbs' mushroom extraction teachings and Schedule 35 along the way. If you've been staring at mushroom coffee in Target wondering whether it's actually worth your money, this one's for you. Things mentioned in this episode: RYZE Mushroom Coffee — RYZE Superfoods  MUD\WTR Matcha — MUD\WTR Matcha Everyday Dose — Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee  Laird Superfood — the other mushroom/superfood coffee brand discussed — Laird Superfood  Christopher Hobbs — mushroom extraction and dried-tea resources — Christopher Hobbs' Mushroom & Herbal Extraction Handouts Schedule 35 — Schedule 35 "FLORAFUNGA" Drink before drinking. Drink responsibly, for an easier tomorrow I got a new phone number to text in with any questions, comments, or photos! 727-477-5974 Support the show Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs  Flora Funga: Calm & Collected Tincture — Flora Funga Podcast GoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening  $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me: Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Patreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10" Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day ...

  6. Aug 26

    231:INPERSON--Telluride Mushroom Festival 2026 RECAP

    Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a Review In this episode of the Flora Funga Podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my unforgettable weekend at the Telluride Mushroom Festival. From landing in Colorado and making the long drive into the mountains, to waking up to unreal views, exploring mushroom-themed restaurants, catching live music and lectures, foraging for boletes and porcini, riding the gondola into town, and throwing an absolutely wild house party, this trip was one for the books. I spent most of the weekend connecting with an amazing crew of mushroom lovers, cooking up fresh finds, dancing, exploring the festival, and really just allowing myself to have fun and enjoy the community. A huge thank you to Mycology Mike for helping me get a festival ticket, Rob and everyone who made me feel at home in Telluride, and especially Schedule 35 for sponsoring my adventure and helping make this entire trip possible. This year was very different from my last Telluride experience, but my goal was simple: have fun, make meaningful connections, and enjoy every second of it—and that’s exactly what I did. So now I have to ask: who’s coming to Telluride with me next year? Today’s episode is supported by Schedule 35. As always, please do your own research, know your local laws, and make informed choices that are right for you. This is adult-oriented content, and nothing we share here is medical advice or a recommendation to use any substance. Schedule 35 is part of the larger conversation happening around mushrooms, plant medicine, and changing cultural perspectives. For listeners in places where their products are legal and appropriate, you can learn more through Schedule 35 and use code FLORAFUNGA for 15% off. I got a new phone number to text in with any questions, comments, or photos! 727-477-5974 Support the show Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs  Flora Funga: Calm & Collected Tincture — Flora Funga Podcast GoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening  $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me: Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Patreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10" Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day ...

  7. Aug 19

    230: Want S’more Mushrooms? Meet Mush-Melo

    Ask Flora Funga Podcast anything OR Leave a Review In this episode of the Flora Funga Podcast, KK sits down with Brice Parker, founder of Mush-Melo, to explore how he turned the nostalgic experience of roasting marshmallows around a campfire into a creative way to enjoy functional mushrooms. Brice shares the inspiration behind Mush-melo, the challenges of formulating mushroom-infused marshmallows, and the brand’s three blends—including daytime marshmallows with lion’s mane and gotu kola, nighttime marshmallows with reishi and damiana, and a five-mushroom longevity blend featuring turkey tail, cordyceps, chaga, shiitake, and maitake. They also discuss clean ingredients, mushroom extracts, future seasonal flavors and marshmallow-based products, the importance of getting outside and connecting with nature, and Mush-Melo's efforts to give back through programs supporting forests and tree planting. Plus, Brice fires up an actual campfire during the interview and makes a functional mushroom s’more on camera—so this is definitely an episode worth watching on YouTube! The very first World Mushroom Forum is bringing together mushroom lovers, researchers, growers, educators, and fungal nerds from around the world to connect, share ideas, and grow the community. 🍄🌎 Grab your ticket at dandelion.events/e/worldmushroomforum and use code FLORAFUNG10 for 10% off! Today’s episode is supported by Schedule 35. As always, please do your own research, know your local laws, and make informed choices that are right for you. This is adult-oriented content, and nothing we share here is medical advice or a recommendation to use any substance. Schedule 35 is part of the larger conversation happening around mushrooms, plant medicine, and changing cultural perspectives. For listeners in places where their products are legal and appropriate, you can learn more through Schedule 35 and use code FLORAFUNGA for 15% off. Drink before drinking. Drink responsibly, for an easier tomorrow I got a new phone number to text in with any questions, comments, or photos! 727-477-5974 Support the show Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs  Flora Funga: Calm & Collected Tincture — Flora Funga Podcast GoFundME If you like the podcast please think of donating to Keep the show happening  $keenie19 on Cash App Follow my other social media sites to interact and engage with me: Email me to be on the podcast or inperson Interview: floraandfungapodcast@gmail.com Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Patreon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zbiotics: "FLORA10" Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day ...

4.6
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Let's get down N nerdy with plants and fungi on Flora Funga Podcast. I'm all about bridging the gap between plants, fungi, and humans. Come listen to the underrated nerdy topics of flora and funga. Everything's connected above and below ground. Feel free to contact me at www.florafungapodcast.com/contact

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