Getting Personal with Plant Medicine

Diana Krach
  • 4.5 (2)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Getting Personal with Plant Medicine is where we explore personal journeys through different plants, different voices, and different ways of having conversations.

  1. 2d ago

    The Reality of Kratom Advocacy: DC Briefings and Industry Challenges

    Christopher Deaney of Christopher's Organic Botanicals joins Diana to unpack the complexities of activism. He paints a picture of what it feels like to meet legislators and have them actually listen, and how rewarding it can be to break through the barriers of skepticism. But meeting those legislators can be draining, especially when you have a chronic pain and other disabilities, and Christopher gets honest about the challenges while also reinforcing his commitment to making kratom accessible to everyone.  Subscribe to our Substack for updates

    37 min

  2. May 28

    Chronic Pain Relief and Culinary Curiosity: How Plant Medicine Helps This Podcaster

    Sabrina Thomas, AKA Mary Jane of Mary Jane N Munchies, joins Diana to talk about how her journey with plant medicine began as a child. Her family has a history of using plants for wellness, but it wasn't until her teen years that a doctor's suggestion resulted in cannabis experimentation.  Her cohost shares a culinary passion, which is one of the reasons their podcast focuses on the savory and sweet sides of cannabis consumption, focusing on balancing flavors and cannabinoids. Education, paired with advocacy and accessibility, also drives their messaging. Thomas talks about how representation matters for disabled and Black women, and how MJNM tries to be that media illustration.  She also gives Diana advice on how to make the best infused butter, which is an important tool in the wellness belt for those who can't smoke.  Check out the MJNM new merch line: www.mjnmstash.store Subscribe to our Substack for updates

    31 min

  3. May 15

    Red for Bed, White for Flight? Decoding Kratom Leaf Colors and Effects

    Hosts Diana Krach and Christopher Deaney (of Christopher's Organic Botanicals) discuss the complexities of kratom leaf colors, clarifying the effects beyond the simple adage "red for bed, white for flight, green for in between". The conversation explains that red strains are generally more relaxing due to lower mitragynine, while green and white offer more energy, but the final effect is highly dependent on individual physiology and dosage (less for energy, more for relaxation). They reveal that strain colors are often determined by the drying and curing processes, blending, and supplier naming (e.g., Maeng Da) rather than the original leaf vein color. Christopher Deaney stresses the importance of high-quality, mature, wild-harvested kratom and offers advice for new users, including starting with red, mixing different colors for balance, and rotating strains weekly to prevent dependency. The episode concludes with a call to action for users to speak up and share their stories to fight local kratom bans. Important links: Christopher's Organic Botanicals Subscribe to our Substack for updates

    41 min

  4. Apr 30

    Cannabis, Culinary Wellness, and Crushing Stereotypes

    This episode of Getting Personal with Plant Medicine features Q (Qudsiyah, a.k.a. Queemie) of the Mary Jane N Munchies podcast. Q discusses her journey with plant medicine, which began after developing Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and photosensitive epilepsy in her late teens, leading to seizures, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. She found that cannabis helped reduce her symptoms by 70-80% and is essential for her functionality as a chef and content creator. Q integrates wellness through food, incorporating anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric and rosemary, as well as dandelion and citrus for system support, into her diet. She and her co-host created Mary Jane N Munchies after meeting at a culinary program, combining their passion for cannabis and food, reflecting their shared identities as chronically disabled chefs. Q also addresses the stereotype of cannabis users as lazy, demonstrating her ability through 15 hour work days, and highlights the challenges Black content creators face in the industry regarding professional support and censorship. She directs listeners to support the self-funded podcast via all streaming platforms, their $1.99 Spotify subscription, and merchandise on their website. Subscribe to our Substack for updates

    42 min

  5. Apr 13

    Tea Blends for Mental Well-Being

    Mayakia (Maya) Anderson of Rooted Vines joins Diana to talk about tea blends that benefit mental well-being. She also talks about the creation of The Tea House community on the Skool platform. Important links: Christopher's Organic Botanicals Subscribe to our Substack for updates

    48 min

  6. Mar 30

    Valerian Root: From Nervous Stomach to Dreamwork

    Diana is joined by Tashiana Reaves, clinical herbalist, to discuss the many applications of valerian root. They also talk about the personal side of the plant, as Tashiana goes into her story and how it helped her. The discussion is followed by a Christopher's Corner, where he also highlights the valerian products offered by Christopher's Organic Botanicals.  Subscribe to our Substack for updates

    31 min

  7. Mar 16

    Melody Woolf's Fight for Kratom and Mobility

    Melody Woolf joins Diana to talk about her remarkable journey with kratom. Because of the transformation that gave her a real quality of life, Melody became a tireless activist, regularly contributing to legislative reform. In this episode, Melody unpacks the complexities of activism and highlights the need for more advocates.  Important links: Christopher's Organic Botanicals Subscribe to our Substack for updates

    30 min

  8. Feb 25

    Understanding Kava's Subtle Effects and Global Culture

    Diana is joined by Douglas La Rose, executive director of Kava Coalition, to talk about how kava and the culture of kava bars are changing the ways people socialize. Having visited 50 kava bars all around the world, he has a deep understanding of the social culture. He also talks about how the Kava Coalition works to educate and advocate in every way possible, and why that is so important for plant medicine users.  Important links: Christopher's Organic Botanicals  Subscribe to our Substack for updates

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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Getting Personal with Plant Medicine is where we explore personal journeys through different plants, different voices, and different ways of having conversations.

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