The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained
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Mary and Emma Talk About Halloween: Less Waste, More Fun! (Reprise)
23 oktober 2026 · 28 min
Join Mary and Emma as they discuss a slow living Halloween, the second largest consumer season in the US. From the ancient traditions of the Celtic Samhain celebrations, to the modern day spook fest that dominates this time of year, you'll hear how you can embrace the special beauty and magic of nature during this time, letting go of much of the waste and frenzy but keeping all of the fun! Lees meer
Things Mentioned:
Candy Alternatives
The Scariest Thing About Halloween is the Plastic Waste
National Retail Federation Prediction for Halloween Spending in 2022
About Lady Farmer:
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Original music by John Kingsley. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network.
Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
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Ep.241: Food Communion: Rethinking What We Throw Away with Daniela Ochoa Gonzalez
25 september 2026 · 1 uur 21 min
It's the autumnal equinox as we record this one — rain all afternoon, a first cup of hot tea for the season, the kind of cozy day that makes you want to slow down and pay attention. Fitting, since Mary and Emma open this episode by pausing to say hello properly: a reintroduction, for anyone new to the podcast, of who they are and why they've kept this conversation going for years, even as the pace has slowed to something more sustainable than weekly. Lees meer
Then Mary sits down with Daniela Ochoa Gonzalez, a food systems circularity advocate who's spent more than fifteen years turning zero-waste ideas into real programs — from a green-barter pilot she built in her hometown in Michoacán, Mexico, to her current work here in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve. Daniela's story moves through Cornell, a favela-inspired recycling exchange in Curitiba, Brazil, and a front-row seat to just how much food — avocados especially — travels a long, tender distance before it ever reaches an American kitchen counter.
This conversation lands just ahead of Food Waste Prevention Week, and it's full of the kind of practical, no-guilt wisdom Daniela calls "food communion" — not just what we eat, but what we do with what's left over. Expect real numbers, real hacks, and a genuinely moving reframe of a habit most of us do without thinking twice.
In this episode:
Mary and Emma's reintroduction to the podcast — where Lady Farmer and The Good Dirt have been, and why the podcast has settled into a monthly rhythm
Daniela's path from international relations and conflict resolution studies to food systems circularity, by way of Cornell, the Pan American Health Organization, and a green-barter pilot she built in Michoacán, Mexico
The Curitiba, Brazil program that inspired her work: exchanging recyclables for fresh produce in low-income communities
What "food systems circularity" means — from soil to plate to what happens after
The scale of avocado waste moving through the DMV region, and …
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Ep. 240: The Future of Food with Jill Demers (Part 2)
21 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 5 min
A few weeks ago, we sat down with Jill Demers and couldn't stop talking...so, we came back for part 2! Lees meer
In this episode, we dig into the economics of small farming in America, and why the deck has been stacked against it for decades. Jill lays out the numbers plainly — most small farms operate at a loss, propped up by off-farm income, in a system that was never designed to sustain them. We talk about commodity crops, genetically modified seed, the vertical integration of the food industry, and what "get big or get out" actually did to the farms that used to feed us directly.
But this isn't a doom-and-gloom conversation. Jill's real subject is reconnection, what she calls "farm hospitality," and what we'd call remembering something our bodies never really forgot. Because underneath all of it is the same idea Jill's been chasing for over twenty years: food is our deepest connection to nature, and the fracture in that relationship is costing us more than we realize...in our health, our communities, and our sense of belonging to the land under our feet.
In this episode:
Why 86% of U.S. farms are classified as "small" — and why most of them lose money every year
How the "get big or get out" model took hold after WWII, and what it replaced
What a commodity crop actually is (and why that field of corn you're driving past isn't headed to anyone's dinner table)
The vertical integration of seed, chemical inputs, and distribution — and why it locks small farmers out
Genetically modified corn, glyphosate, and what it means for our gut health
Jill's concept of "farm hospitality" as a way to reconnect people to their food — and why many farmers resist it
The disappearance of farmland to development and, increasingly, to solar leases
Food deserts and systemic inequity on reservation land in Montana
Why Jill encourages people to "start at the top of the food chain" (and what that means)
The cultural narrative that food should be cheap — and why that narrative is doing …
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239. Returning to Our Birthright Relationship with Nature: A Conversation with Julie Brams
17 juli 2026 · 1 uur 8 min
Our guest today on this week's episode is Julie Brams — an earth-centered psychotherapist, certified forest therapy guide, meditation teacher, and the author of The Nature-Embedded Mind: How the Way We Think Can Heal Our Planet and Ourselves. Julie states that her work is in helping restore the human mind to its rightful place within the living world. She is also co-founder of Elemental, an earth-centered learning community helping participants heal the division between humans and the rest of nature. This is a rich, unhurried conversation — the kind you might want to take on a walk, or sit with under a tree. We hope it meets you right where you are. Lees meer
In This Episode
Julie's path from 34 years as a licensed marriage and family therapist into earth-centered psychotherapy and forest therapy guiding
Why she moved away from the term "ecopsychology" to "earth-centered" and "re-rooting."
The idea of "the rest of nature" — and how this small language shift addresses the human/nature divide
How Western civilization's model of extraction and domination differs from cultures built on kinship and reciprocity
The historical roots of mind/body/earth separation — from ancient Greek philosophy through Descartes and the Enlightenment
Why our bodies "cannot be separate from Earth" — from the air we exchange with plants to the physiological toll of space travel
Gloria Steinem's phrase "linked, not ranked" as an alternative to hierarchy
The story of The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight and the moment it reshaped Julie's thinking about sustainability
What forest therapy actually looks like in practice — and Julie's own humbling first encounter with a tree
A story about a jumping spider that became an unexpected lesson in love versus ownership
Reflections on grief, reciprocity, and the idea that the more-than-human world may be missing us as much as we miss it
Language, indigenous wisdom, and the book Sand Talk as a guide to non-divisive ways of thinking
Why unlearning this d…
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Encore: A History and Reflection on Emancipation with Tony Cohen
19 juni 2026 · 47 min
This episode initially aired on June 19th, 2021 Lees meer
We have a special bonus episode for you this week in celebration of our newest national holiday-- Juneteenth! Mary and Emma reunite with author, historian and farmer Tony Cohen for an exploration into the history of Juneteenth and the holiday’s complex folklore and origins. Tony takes us back in time to examine how this monumental declaration of freedom spread in a variety of ways depending on the geographic, economic and social landscape of the time.
Mary, Emma and Tony pause to reflect upon what freedom means and looks like in the modern era and why society continues to resist a hard look at injustice. Tony points to how altering behavior can feel like giving up our own freedoms and comforts and reminds us that the fair trade movement has deeply historic roots. He also reflects upon the transition from enslavement to the tenant farming system and points to how that system affects us still today. The trio grapples with some hard truths about freedom itself and acknowledges the work still left to be done.
Tony shares how he celebrates Juneteenth at Button Farm and rejoices in community as he reflects upon the precious ability to gather and take new found enthusiasm into the world.
Let’s get into the episode:
1:30 - Emma introduces this week’s special episode
3:00 - Tony Cohen on the history of Juneteenth
15:00 - The transition into freedom
20:00 - The shift to “waged” labor and the evolution of slavery
28:00 - Fair trade
31:00 - Local emancipation
41:00 - Celebrating Juneteenth
42:30 - The happenings at Button Farm
48:00 - Creating Community
Things Mentioned:
Button Farm
Oprah’s visit
The Menare Foundation
HipCamp - Camp at Button Farm
Anthony Cohen
The Good Dirt - Episode 31
The AG Reserve - Montgomery County
The Underground railroad in Montgomery County, Maryland: A history and driving guide
Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday
Lift Every Voice and Sing
DC Emancipation Day
Montgomery County…
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238. Food As Our Deepest Connection to Nature with Jill Demers of ReWild Ranch
6 juni 2026 · 1 uur 12 min
Jill Demers is the founder of ReWild Ranch in Montana, a one-of-a-kind regenerative farm, wellness destination, and educational space, rooted in the one question she's been asking for over two decades: Why are Americans so disconnected from their food — and at what cost? As a regenerative farmer and certified nutrition therapy practitioner, Jill has built ReWild as an answer to that question — a place where the farm is the center point, and guests leave changed in ways that they will never forget. Lees meer
This conversation is rich, wide-ranging, and deeply resonant with everything Lady Farmer stands for. It's also the kind of talk that makes you want to go outside and put your hands in the dirt.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
Mary's return to growing her own vegetables — tomatoes, seeds, and all — as she and Emma transition away from their longtime CSA
Emma's reflections on joining a new CSA and what food rhythms look like in a young family
Jill's origin story: childhood memories of fresh-shucked corn, a lifelong obsession with food and ecology, and graduate school research on the Dust Bowl
What ReWild Ranch is — a regenerative farm, glamping destination, and women's retreat space in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana
The three ways guests can experience ReWild, from passive glamping to immersive hands-on workshops and women's retreats
How Jill's son Alder's autism diagnosis became the catalyst for her deep dive into nutrition therapy — and how dietary and lifestyle changes led to the eventual loss of his clinical diagnosis
The Dust Bowl: what caused it, what it revealed about soil health and industrial agriculture, and why Jill argues we may be living through something even more catastrophic today
Glyphosate, the gut microbiome, and the parallel between soil health and human health
The "60 harvests" statistic — where it comes from and what it means for the future of food
Why Jill believes feeding the world is not America's job — and what a "checkerboard" mo…
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237. Composting as a Cultural Shift with Ben Parry of Compost Crew
8 mei 2026 · 55 min
This week, in honor of International Compost Awareness Week, we're joined by Ben Parry, CEO of Compost Crew — a small but mighty business in the DC metropolitan area helping thousands of households and businesses turn their food waste into something good for the soil. Ben's story is a quiet revolution in itself: a journey from renewable energy to regenerative soil, from powering the grid to feeding the ground beneath our feet. Lees meer
In this conversation, we dig into how composting is transforming what we throw away into a vital resource, the very real challenges of scaling community-based systems, and what it takes at the household, neighborhood, and policy level to shift our cultural relationship with food waste. Ben shares Compost Crew's growth from a small food-scrap hauler with a handful of customers to a regional force serving thousands of homes, the partnerships with local farms that bring composting full circle, and his vision for a future where dropping your food scraps into a compost bin is as ordinary as not littering on the highway.
It's a hopeful, grounded conversation about the patient work of building better systems one bucket, one alley, one farm at a time.
Main topics covered:
The evolution of composting in the Washington, DC metro area
The role of systemic infrastructure and community engagement in waste recycling
Strategies to overcome perceived barriers to food scrap composting
The importance of local, transparent food systems and grassroots momentum
Future developments in composting technology and policy
In this episode:
Ben introduces Compost Crew and its mission to keep food waste out of the landfill
The story of DC's curbside composting pilot and the ambitious plans to expand it citywide
Why systemic infrastructure and visibility matter when it comes to building participation
How social perception, education, and regulation shape compost adoption
The Compost Outpost model — bringing composting to local farms like One Acre Farm in Dick…
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236. Earth First Gardening with Melanie Cotillo of Lazy Dirt Wildflower Farm
24 april 2026 · 1 uur 14 min
Spring has a way of pulling us back to the soil — and this season, Mary sat down with someone who has made the health of the soil and the well being of the pollinators and wildlife in her local ecosystem her first priority. Melanie Cutillo is the self-described Plant Wrangler in Chief at Lazy Dirt Wildflower Farm in Mexico, New York, a backyard nursery nestled just east of Lake Ontario, where she grows native and wildflower plants entirely without plastic, peat, or synthetic inputs of any kind. Lees meer
It was a cold January morning walk to the mailbox and a chance encounter with a dried circle of New England aster in the snow that sent Melanie on a quest to grow native plants. The result is a farm, a philosophy, and a way of tending the earth that she calls "Earth First Gardening."
This conversation is for every gardener who has ever come home from the nursery with a carload of beauty and a pile of plastic waste—wondering if there's a better way.
Melanie and Mary talk about what it really means to be not just a gardener, but a guardian of the earth’s abundance. Whether you have many acres or simply a front porch, a city window or a community garden plot, this episode will remind you that what matters is how we tend to the land we have.
In this episode, Mary and Melanie talk about:
What makes Lazy Dirt Wildflower Farm different from a conventional nursery — small scale, field-grown plants, zero plastic, and a focus on local ecotype native species
The January morning that started it all: a circle of New England aster in the snow and a pair of tracks that changed everything
Why Melanie ditched plastic entirely — and how a 10-by-25-foot barn full of collected pots finally pushed her over the edge
The alternatives she found and invented: soil blocking, wool pots, burlap wrapping, and growing in native soil without bagged amendments or peat
Why avoiding peat matters and what's lost when we use it: carbon sequestration, living soil, and a non-renewable resource extracted…
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235. The Cost of Slow Living: How to Align Your Values Without Burning Out
3 april 2026 · 1 uur
What happens when a listener writes in with the very questions your community is wrestling with? You invite her on the show. Lees meer
Emily Hillman has spent 14 years in the fashion industry — from the artisan workrooms of Midtown Manhattan to the fast fashion corporate world. After purchasing a 19th-century farmhouse in rural New Jersey and becoming a mother, she found that her priorities had quietly shifted. Finding herself at a crossroads, Emily reached out to Mary and Emma, not looking for all the answers so much as a grounded, honest conversation. .
This is The Good Dirt's first interview back after a hiatus. Here we’re talking about the real tension so many of us feel: I want to live more simply, more slowly, more intentionally — but how do I actually do that in the life I'm already living?
If you've ever felt the push and pull between the values you hold and the demands of the world you live in, this episode will speak to you.
In this episode, we cover:
Emily's journey from Vermont roots to New York City fashion workrooms — and what she learned firsthand about the difference between artisan craftsmanship and fast fashion production
The "painful catch-22" of slow living: wanting a simpler life that costs money, while earning less because you're stepping back from the corporate grind
Why removing moral judgment from your daily purchasing decisions can actually free you to make more sustainable choices
Practical, accessible approaches to buying secondhand clothing for kids (and why our audience is already well ahead of the curve)
The economics of slow food: buying in bulk, finding local sources, joining a CSA, and why embracing constraints actually sparks creativity
Composting as one of the most powerful individual acts for the planet — and tips for making it work even in bear country
How small, cumulative changes add up — and why you're probably further along than you think
Book recommendations: Redefining Rich by Shannon Hayes, The Artist's Way by Julia Ca…
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Mary & Emma: Rethinking Slow Living
20 maart 2026 · 28 min
Mary and Emma return to the podcast after over a six-month hiatus, reflecting on the evolution of Lady Farmer as a brand and their own experiences within it. They discuss how the cultural context around sustainability has shifted, how they don't want to present themselves as experts or frame sustainability in moral terms, and how systemic forces limit individual impact even as daily habits still matter. They aim to focus more on finding meaning, creativity, and defining “the good life". They share personal updates (babies! work! gardening!) and discuss plans for how they want to continue to unfold into The Good Dirt and the Lady Farmer project. Lees meer
00:00 Welcome Back Check In
01:11 Meet Mary And Emma
02:12 Lady Farmer Origin Story
04:16 Slow Living Then And Now
08:17 Beyond Individual Responsibility
10:37 Morality Free Sustainability
13:24 Decluttering And Landfill Guilt
15:34 Meaning Emotions And The Good Life
17:16 Creativity Work And Money
19:52 Grandma Life And Restorative Gardening
21:13 Reopening The Marketplace
25:52 Listener Requests And Wrap Up
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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234. A Conversation with Janna Hockenjos of Earth Friends —and an Announcement!
22 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 14 min
In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Emma and Mary welcome back Janna Hockenjos, founder of We Are Earth Friends, an environmental education organization designed for children ages 3-8. Jana discusses the program’s impact on young learners' understanding of the interconnectedness of all of life on our planet and provides an update on the progress and expansion of the program. She also offers insights from the suburban food forest project. that she and her husband have been cultivating over the last few years. Lees meer
In addition, Emma and Mary make the announcement that the podcast will take a sabbatical until next year to allow time for rest and the development of new ideas. In the meantime, they will be continuing with articles, ideas and inspiration in The ALMANAC, the online newsletter and community of Lady Farmer. See the Substack link below!
00:00 Reflecting on Slow Living Amidst Chaos
00:30 Embracing the Present Moment
01:35 Nature's Simple Joys
02:27 Recording Together and Taking a Sabbatical
04:10 Podcast Evolution and Future Plans
08:13 Introducing Jana and Earth Friends
12:25 Jana's Journey and Environmental Education
15:19 Earth Friends Curriculum and Impact
32:14 Making Environmental Education Accessible
36:33 Challenges in Implementing Earth Friends in Schools
37:04 Making Earth Friends Accessible to All
38:57 Homeschool Groups and Marketing Strategies
41:22 The Importance of Patience and Letting Go
42:00 Personal Reflections and Yoga Insights
51:23 Suburban Food Forest Project
54:09 The Healing Power of Growing Your Own Food
01:06:03 The Significance of Good Soil
01:10:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Original music by John Ki…
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Encore: Creating a Backyard Microfarm with Leah Webb, Author of "The 7 Step Homestead"
15 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 4 min
This episode was originally published on August 18th, 2023 Lees meer
In this episode we're talking to Leah Webb, author of The Seven Step Homestead about how to turn any yard into a primary food source with vegetables, fruits, chickens, pollinator plants and medicinal herbs. A mother of two children with unique medical needs, Leah utilizes food grown in her own backyard garden as an important part of her children's integrative care. She sees herself as a solutions-based Family Food and Garden Coach, with a goal of guiding families in making small yet impactful steps towards sourcing their own nutrition and achieving long term dietary, cooking, and gardening goals. She is also the author of The Grain-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Family Cookbook. In this conversation, we delve into the challenges and benefits of growing and preparing nutrient dense food, and the practicalities of creating your own microfarm in the space you already have. If you are one of many with a goal to connect with the land and create more independence from the industrial food system, Leah can guide you through, step-by-step.
Topics Discussed
• A Stormy Week in the DC Area
• Leah's Background in Nutrition Education and Her Path to Creating a Microfarm in her own Backyard.
• Being a Mom to Kids with Unique Medical Needs and the Role of Gardening and Home Grown Food in their Integrative Care.
• Learning the Basics of Gardening for Food
• Eating Home Grown Vegetables
• Food Preservation
• Convenience Foods
• Priorities & Food
• Investing in Homesteading
• Start Small for the Long Haul
• Which Plants to Start With
• Planting Charts
• Using, Measuring, and Creating Compost
• The Difference Between Homesteading and Gardening
• Homesteading , Self Sufficiency and Community
• Finding an Alternative to the Industrial Food Industry
• Consumer Awareness of Food
• Regenerative Growing Practices
Episode Resources:
•"The Grain-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Family Cookbook: Simple and Delicious Rec…
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233. Embracing Our Medicine: A Conversation with Two Spirit Sister Madison Murphy Barney
8 augustus 2025 · 55 min
In this episode, Madison Murphy Barney, a two-Spirit Hoopa and Shoshone sister, author, doula, and public health storyteller, discusses the significance of the two-Spirit identity, historical roles, and the importance of maintaining cultural traditions. Madison delves into personal experiences growing up in North Dakota, the impact of indigenous boarding schools, and the generational transmission of pride and cultural knowledge. She also talks about the nature of stewardship, reconnecting with one's ancestry, and practical ways to slow down and embrace a more connected, mindful lifestyle. Highlighting the importance of personal and collective healing, Madison's insights offer deep wisdom and helpful guidance on how to engage with land, personal identity, and community. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction to Madison Murphy Barney
04:01 Understanding Two-Spirit Identity
05:11 Historical Context and Personal Background
07:35 Family Heritage and Cultural Pride
11:17 Impact of Residential Schools
14:55 Journey to Vermont and Community Building
18:22 Stewarding the Land and Personal Growth
21:59 The Role of Humans in Healing the Earth
23:40 Madison's Upcoming Book and Its Themes
25:33 Final Reflections on Connection and Responsibility
30:44 Exploring the Concept of 'Away'
30:55 Connecting with Our Own Medicine
34:42 Practical Steps to Reconnect with Ancestral Wisdom
39:36 Astrology and Past Lives
43:20 Navigating Challenging Times on Earth
47:04 The Importance of Slowing Down
50:46 Offerings and Final Thoughts
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer.
The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network.
🌿…
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Our Fermented Lives: Bridging the Gap Between Modern People and Historic Food with Julia Skinner of Root Kitchens
1 augustus 2025 · 58 min
This is an ENCORE EPISODE, originally published on August 5, 2022 Lees meer
In this episode, Mary and Emma are talking to Julia Skinner of Root: Historic Food for the Modern World. Root was born from Julia's deep love for community and a belief in the power of food to tell stories, connect us to place and to each other, and to build a bridge to the past.
Julia's work is all about food, history, food stories, where it comes from and the people behind it. She loves fostering connections with other people and with the earth around us. Julia is especially interested in learning and teaching about fermentation, demonstrating to people the ease and accessibility of preparing delicious and healthy food using this ancient and powerful food preservation technique.
Topics Covered:
Exploring historic cookbooks
Julia’s discovery of historical cooking traditions
Types of fermentation she has explored
How to start fermenting
The growing popularity of traditional foods
Shifting food interests during the pandemic
Food Access
Milk Kefir
Food as medicine
Resources Mentioned:
Julia's website--Root Kitchens
Our Fermented Lives. by Julia Skinner
The English Housewife by Gervase Markham
The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz
Free99Fridge, Atlanta
Umi Feeds
Goodr
Sowans Celtic Porridge
The Fermentation School
Son-Mat --(Korean) Hand taste, the unique quality and taste food has from an individual's touch, care, and experience; the way food tastes different when made by different people, often used to describe the taste of mom's cooking.
Connect with Julia:
Root Kitchens Website: https://root-kitchens.com/
@rootkitchens on Instagram
Julia's Books, Classes and Courses
Root Kitchens Newsletter on Substack
About Lady Farmer:
Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
J…
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232. The Year of the Dress: Growing and Crafting Linen from Scratch with Eve Schaub
25 juli 2025 · 52 min
In this episode, Mary is talking with Eve Schaub, an internationally published author and humorist. Known for her year-long experiments, such as 'Year of No Sugar' and 'Year of No Clutter,' Eve’s latest endeavor is 'The Year of the Dress,' where she attempts to grow, harvest, spin, and weave flax into a wearable linen dress in her backyard. The conversation covers the challenges of growing flax, the environmental impact of fast fashion, and the importance of community and sustainability in textile production. Listen to Eve’s inspiring journey towards slow living and sustainable crafting, and learn about resources such as Fibershed and the Pennsylvania Flax Project that support local textile production. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction to Big Ideas and Projects
00:33 Guest Introduction: Eve Shaw
01:07 Personal Projects and Sustainable Gardening
04:30 Long-Term Planning and Sustainability
05:52 Eve Shaw's Year-Long Experiments
08:02 The Year of the Dress: Growing a Linen Dress
11:42 Challenges and Inspirations in Sustainable Fashion
21:32 Community and Resources for Flax Growing
29:18 Overcoming Initial Challenges in Sustainable Clothing
32:10 The Thrill of Thrift Shopping
35:06 The Spirituality of Handmade Items
37:02 Starting the Flax Growing Journey
41:05 Learning and Experimenting with Flax
46:15 Community and Resources for Sustainable Living
RESOURCES:
Eve O Schaub Website and Books
Cindy Conner, Homegrown Flax and Cotton Website and Book
Fibershed
Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
PA Flax Project
Chesapeake Fibershed
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer.
The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the C…
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Seeking Real Solutions to Plastic Pollution with Smruti Aravind of The Story of Stuff
18 juli 2025 · 1 uur 4 min
This is an ENCORE EPISODE, originally published on July 7, 2023 Lees meer
In this episode, Emma and Mary sit down to talk to Smruti Aravind, who oversees fundraising, donor communications, and grants at the Story of Stuff Project. Smruti brings over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, with an emphasis on digital storytelling and network-building to drive systemic change. Prior to joining the Story of Stuff, she led communications at Faith in Action East Bay, a federation of the largest faith-based organizing network in the U.S. Smruti shares about her work and her perspective on creating meaningful social impact, as well as the campaign work that Story of Stuff is doing in order to create policy change. She introduces the Bottle Bill project as well as the Reuse Revolution, and why burning plastic is not the solution that you may believe it to be. Smruti also touches on what other countries are doing to deal with their waste, the impact on The Global South, and how we can all flex our citizen muscles and advocate for plastic reduction laws to be codified.
Topics Discussed
•Smruti's Work in the Nonprofit Sector
•How the Story of Stuff Came to Be
•Using the Power of Media to Influence Policy Change
•Content Creation & Advocacy
•The Story of Microbeads & The Story of Plastic
•Founder Annie Leonard's Inspiration for the Documentary
•Increasing BIPOC Voices in the Search of a Solution
•Systems Thinking for the General Public
•The Break Free From Plastic Movement Treaty
•How Millennials and Gender Z Approach Environmental Activism
•Shifting From Individual Responsibility to Systemic Change
•Real Solutions vs. False Solutions
•The Great Pacific Plastic Patch
•Why Burning Plastic & Buying Plastic Clothes Doesn't Work
•Stopping the Tap with Campaign Work: The Bottle Bill & The Reuse Revolution
•What Other Countries Are Doing
•The Impact of Waste on the Global South
•Flexing Our Citizen Muscles
•What Corporations are Able to Change
•Moving to Florida …
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231. Exploring Ancestral Diets: A Conversation with Dr. Bill Schindler, Author of Eat Like a Human
11 juli 2025 · 1 uur 32 min
In this episode, Dr. Bill Schindler discusses the impact of modern diets on health and the importance of ancestral dietary practices. He shares the journey of the Modern Stone Age Kitchen, a restaurant dedicated to using ancestral approaches to make nutritious and sustainable food accessible, and his family's personal evolution in food preparation and consumption. Dr. Schindler also highlights the significance of seasonal eating, shares fascinating stories from his global travels to learn traditional food practices, and provides practical advice for people looking to improve their health and relationship with food. He emphasizes the necessity of flexibility in diets, understanding cultural and emotional connections to food, and making small, manageable shifts towards more nourishing eating habits. Lees meer
00:00 The Best Diet Myth
00:27 Seasonal Eating Made Easy
04:34 Introducing Dr. Bill Schindler
07:19 Understanding Ancestral Foods
17:52 The Impact of Technological Revolutions on Diet
18:37 The Cold Chain Revolution
26:02 Personal Journey and Aha Moments
43:31 The Birth of the Sourdough Bread Company
49:11 The Reluctant Restaurant Owners
50:25 Struggles of Homemade Nourishment
52:26 Community and Outreach
53:52 The Food Lab and Educational Programs
55:31 Documenting Indigenous Food Practices
57:56 Traditional Cheese Making in Norway
01:01:34 Exploring Manioc Processing in the Amazon
01:04:38 Adventures in Kenya: The Ash Yogurt Story
01:14:35 Embracing Slow Living and Health Tracking
01:17:52 The Philosophy of Good Dirt
01:19:15 Advice for the Average Family
01:26:33 Celebrating Birthdays with Healthy Desserts
01:30:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Resources:
Bill Schindler's Website modernstoneage.com
Eat Like a Human: Nourishing Foods and Ancient Ways of Cooking to Revolutionize Your Health by Dr. Bill Schindler
Fire the Spark that Ignited Human Evolution by Francis D Burton
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
The Worst Mistake in the Histor…
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Trash Talk: The Truth About Compostables with Lauren Olson of WorldCentric
4 juli 2025 · 1 uur
This is an ENCORE EPISODE, originally published on July 9, 2021 Lees meer
In this week’s episode, Mary and Emma dive deep into the world of plastic consumption and waste management with Lauren Olson, a Zero Waste Manager at World Centric, exploring the world of compostables and the use of plastic in our daily lives. The discussion covers several aspects of the topic, including the difficulties of “zero-waste," how plastic sneaks into our homes even when we are consciously trying to avoid it, and all the ways in which existing systems make it difficult to create true sustainability in our homes.
Lauren explains the science behind bioplastics, as well as the difference between industrial vs home compostables. She also shares how to determine genuinely compostable products and helps us imagine a cradle to cradle world where waste equals food for the earth, and not the other way around!
Mary and Emma ask the vital questions, what can we do to work through this monumentally large plastic problem, and is it really possible to achieve the ultimate goal of a zero-waste economy? Lauren gives practical tips for individual action, while encouraging all of us to use our voices as paying consumers to demand change from the top down.
1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about plastic problem solving!
10:30 - World Centric
Let’s get into the episode:
11:30 - Introducing Lauren & the world of World Centric
16:30 - Is zero waste really achievable?
22:00 - Bioplastics
30:00 - Landfills as coffins for waste
35:00 - What can we do?
36:00 - Greenwashing
43:00 - Facing this massive issue
50:00 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?
USE CODE: "thegooddirt" for 10% off online at World Centric. Valid for 30 days.
Things Mentioned:
World Centric
The Ecology Center
Nature Works
Polystyrene
BPI
Compost Manufacturers Alliance (CAM)
ASTM 6400 or 6868
Findacomposter.com
World Centric’s Giving Program
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https:…
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230. Embracing the Seasonal Cycles of Life & Women's Wisdom with Corinna Wood
27 juni 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
In this episode, Corinna Wood, a visionary teacher of women's wisdom, discusses her thirty year career with herbalism, teaching, and community building--all while embracing an earth-based, woman-centered approach to women's inner growth and healing. Corinna reflects on her early influences in herbal medicine and wise woman ways, her experiences founding the Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference, her contributions to herbal medicine through Red Moon Herbs and her current work supporting women on their own healing journeys. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction to Radical Self-Care
00:30 Catching Up with Emma
01:13 The Evolution of Air Conditioning
03:08 Reflecting on Hot Summers
05:32 The Impact of Climate Change
05:57 The History of Freezers and Ice
08:20 Appreciating Agricultural Workers
08:56 Introducing Corinna Wood
10:31 Corinna's Journey into Herbal Medicine
17:12 Founding the Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference
23:09 Memorable Moments at the Conference
27:15 The Wise Woman Needs Wheel
29:14 Teaching Tools for Inner Growth
30:04 Introduction to the Wise Woman Needs Wheel
31:55 Seasonal Needs and Human Connection
38:30 Rituals and Herbal Practices
42:59 The Journey of Red Moon Herbs
47:29 Current Programs and Teachings
51:13 Addressing the 'Not Enough' Belief
55:18 Healing Through Earth-Based Practices
01:00:57 Embracing Slow Living and Cycles
01:06:17 Final Thoughts and Resources
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer.
The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network.
🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:
• Wendy Gray
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: ht…
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ENCORE: Seeking the Wisdom of the Earth with Maria Rodale, Author of Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden
20 juni 2025 · 53 min
This episode was originally published on June 23, 2023 Lees meer
Meet Maria Rodale, an author and advocate for organic regenerative farming. An explorer in search of the mysteries of the universe, Maria is the author of "Love Nature Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden", "Organic Manifesto", "Scratch", and is the author of a children's book series called written by the under the pen name "Mrs. Peanuckle". Her book "Love Nature Magic" was featured as a part of the a recent selection for the Lady Farmer book club, so it was truly an honor to get to talk with her on The Good Dirt. Together, Mary, Emma, and Maria discuss her new book, her family legacy in the world of regenerative agriculture, as well as her evolution from a CEO to (in her own words) a “crazy gardener.” Maria is truly a voice for the power and magic of nature and a guide for all of us seeking to rekindle a meaningful connection to the earth.
Maria is the former CEO and Chairman of Rodale Inc, and has served on multiple nonprofit boards including the Rodale Institute, Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project, and the Pennsylvania Federal Reserve Advisory council. She has received awards for her lifetime of service and activism, including the National Audubon Rachel Carson Award and the United Nations Population Fund’s Award for the Health and Dignity of Woman Everywhere.
Topics Discussed
• Growing up on as 3rd Generation Farmer at the Rodale Institute
• The Farming Systems Trial
• Moving Out at 18 to Becoming CEO: Family Loss & Legacy
• The Implosion of the Publishing Industry
• Following Her Nose: How Maria Found Writing
• The Making of "Love Nature Magic"
• What is a Shamanic Journey?
• Dealing with Mugwort in Gardens
• Decolonizing Our Relationship with Nature
• A Garden's Desire to be Wild
• Why the Biggest Changes Come from a Change in Behavior
• Being Open to Hearing Nature's Message
• Changing the Future by Modeling What Could Be Over What Is
• Recovering from a Stroke
…
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Juneteenth: A History and Reflection on Emancipation with Tony Cohen (ENCORE)
19 juni 2025 · 43 min
This bonus episode originally aired on June 19th, 2021 Lees meer
We have a special bonus episode for you this week in celebration of our newest national holiday-- Juneteenth! Mary and Emma reunite with author, historian and farmer Tony Cohen for an exploration into the history of Juneteenth and the holiday’s complex folklore and origins. Tony takes us back in time to examine how this monumental declaration of freedom spread in a variety of ways depending on the geographic, economic and social landscape of the time.
Mary, Emma and Tony pause to reflect upon what freedom means and looks like in the modern era and why society continues to resist a hard look at injustice. Tony points to how altering behavior can feel like giving up our own freedoms and comforts and reminds us that the fair trade movement has deeply historic roots. He also reflects upon the transition from enslavement to the tenant farming system and points to how that system affects us still today. The trio grapples with some hard truths about freedom itself and acknowledges the work still left to be done.
Tony shares how he celebrates Juneteenth at Button Farm and rejoices in community as he reflects upon the precious ability to gather and take new found enthusiasm into the world.
Let’s get into the episode:
1:30 - Emma introduces this week’s special episode
3:00 - Tony Cohen on the history of Juneteenth
15:00 - The transition into freedom
20:00 - The shift to “waged” labor and the evolution of slavery
28:00 - Fair trade
31:00 - Local emancipation
41:00 - Celebrating Juneteenth
42:30 - The happenings at Button Farm
48:00 - Creating Community
Things Mentioned:
Button Farm
Oprah’s visit
The Menare Foundation
HipCamp - Camp at Button Farm
Anthony Cohen
The Good Dirt - Episode 31
The AG Reserve - Montgomery County
The Underground railroad in Montgomery County, Maryland: A history and driving guide
Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday
Lift Every Voice and Sing
DC Emancipation Day
Montgomery…
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Encore: Curiosity, Creativity and Community with Eva Kosmas Flores
13 juni 2025 · 1 uur
This episode was originally published on June 25th, 2021 Lees meer
This week, Mary and Emma have a wonderful conversation with photographer, chef, cookbook author, educator and entrepreneur turned homesteader, Eva Kosmas Flores. Eva shares her journey to the slow living lifestyle, led by an ancestral pull and deep familial ties that have guided her back to a connection with home, the garden, food, family and community. Always leading with curiosity, Eva talks about her new adventures as a homesteader and what she’s learning from the land.
Throughout the episode, Mary, Emma and Eva talk about the pursuit of the creative life and how to make it work, native species, permaculture gardening and the complexity of our forest ecosystems. They also discuss their sustainable home projects, creating beautiful and enduring interiors, and the complicated decisions involved in the process. Eva reminds us that real life is an intersection of all the things we love, and we have permission to pursue all the parts of ourselves.
1:25 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk berries!
5:00 - Eva Kosmas Flores
Let’s get into the episode:
6:20 - Eva introduces herself
15:50 - Finding and creating a homestead
21:00 - Forestry and restoring the soil
22:30 - The importance of native species
29:00 - Breaking ground
33:00 - A sustainable home
39:30 - Timeless, natural interiors
52:00 - Loving lots of things
57:30 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?
Things Mentioned:
Eva Kosmas Flores
Adventures In Cooking
First We Eat
https://www.firstweeat.co
Adventures in Chicken
The Hidden Life of Trees
The National Scenic Area
Simplicity by Nancy Braithwaite
The Nature of Home by Jeffery Dungan
Braiding Sweetgrass
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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229. Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees with Leah Rampy and Beth Norcross
6 juni 2025 · 1 uur 14 min
In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, we delve into the profound connections between spirituality, ecology, and our natural world with Leah Rampy and Beth Norcross, co-authors of 'Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees.' The discussion explores how trees can teach us about relationships, gratitude, reciprocity, and resilience. The authors share personal experiences and practices for deepening our connection to nature and discuss the importance of understanding and preserving our natural ecosystems. They also touch on the environmental and emotional impacts of deforestation, the significance of native versus invasive species, and how small personal actions can contribute to ecological and spiritual wellbeing. The episode invites listeners to slow down, observe, and embrace a deeper harmony with the natural world. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction to the Hidden World Beneath Our Feet
00:31 Welcoming June and Embracing Slow Living
02:49 Introducing Leah Rampy and Beth Norcross
04:17 Beth Norcross: From Politics to Spiritual Ecology
06:10 Leah Rampy: A Journey of Ecology and Spirituality
07:04 The Spiritual Wisdom of Trees Course and Book
11:58 The Importance of Connection and Kinship with Nature
19:20 Language and Reciprocity in Our Relationship with Nature
38:53 Introduction to Personal Reflections
39:52 Shifting Perspectives on Invasive Species
47:31 The Complexity of Tree Replacement
51:20 Understanding Tree Sentience
54:48 The Concept of Teacher Trees
58:50 Reflections on Slow Living
01:03:45 The Importance of Good Dirt
01:09:07 Final Thoughts and Hope for the Future
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer.
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Encore: Seeking Sustainability in Life, Work and Flowers with Bex Partridge of Botanical Tales
30 mei 2025 · 1 uur 9 min
This episode was originally published on June 2, 2022 Lees meer
Despite her life being as busy as ever, Bex Partridge tells us about the ways it feels full of better, more fulfilling things since she made the shift from a corporate job to working as a full-time flower farmer and floral designer. Bex is the founder of Botanical Tales, a dried flower installation business based in Devon, England, where she provides beautiful, low-waste floral designs to her community from her own garden. Since moving to Devon, her family has enjoyed being part of a close-knit community which supports local makers and growers. She encourages listeners to trust the process as they seek to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle, and to remember that we are not separate from nature - we all come from the good dirt.
Topics Covered:
Planting by the Moon
The Winding Road of the Lady Farmer Lifestyle
Floral Artistry and Dried Flowers
The Benefits of Local Flowers
Floral Design and the Wedding Industry
World Events as Catalysts for Paradigm Shifts
Rethinking Slow Living as “Full Living”
Our Interconnectedness with Nature
Resources Mentioned:
Bex’s First Book: Everlastings
Bex’s Upcoming Book (Available for Pre-Order): Flowers Forever
Wilding by Isabella Tree
Guest Info:
Bex's Instagram: @botanical_tales
Botanicaltales.com
Patreon
Follow Us:
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026
Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Read less
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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228. Adventures of a Bad Naturalist with Paula Whyman
23 mei 2025 · 1 uur 5 min
This episode delves into the journey of Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. Paula discusses her transformation from a nature enthusiast to a dedicated ecological restorer. The conversation touches on the diverse challenges and rewarding experiences of managing invasive species, the necessity of well-considered ecological interventions, and the intricate balance required to support native plants and wildlife. Through her personal anecdotes and expert insights, Paula illustrates the importance of connecting with nature right where you are and the impact of slow, deliberate efforts in ecological restoration. Lees meer
00:00 Discovering Nature Close to Home
01:30 Traveling with a Baby: Tips and Experiences
04:19 Gardening Adventures and Native Landscaping
05:29 The Irony of Mowing Less
07:54 Introducing Paula Wyman and Her Book
09:35 Paula Whyman's Journey to Becoming a 'Bad Naturalist'
10:34 Challenges and Rewards of Land Restoration
24:46 The Importance of Native Plants and Ecological Balance
33:55 Invasive Species Statistics
35:09 Tree of Heaven: A Persistent Problem
39:10 Spotted Lantern Fly Invasion
40:15 The Origin and Spread of Tree of Heaven
42:49 Autumn Olive: A Regrettable Introduction
45:45 Challenges with Multiflora Rose
48:20 The Importance of Native Plants
50:13 Creating Habitats for Declining Bird Species
52:07 The Concept of Slow Living
01:00:08 The Good Dirt: Restoring Soil Health
01:01:04 Ongoing Projects and Future Plans
01:03:06 Final Thoughts and Resources
Resources:
Paula Whyman's Website
Bad Naturalist
Wilding by Isabella Tree
Nature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to …
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Encore: Attainable Sustainability the 80/20 Way with Stephanie Miller
16 mei 2025 · 1 uur 7 min
This episode was originally published on May 6, 2022 Lees meer
Learn about individual actions you can take to mitigate climate change and make sustainability attainable for everyone, with Stephanie Miller, author of Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way and founder of Zero Waste in DC. Stephanie left her job as a climate change specialist for the World Bank in order to simplify her own life, confront the disconnect she felt between her life and her work, and to take personal steps toward sustainability. She now empowers others in her community to examine their waste practices and connect with local resources for low-waste living.
Stephanie recognizes how paralyzing it can be to think about climate change, and encourages listeners to focus on what she calls the “magic three”: focus on food, ditching plastic, and recycling right, growing more confident and conscious with each choice. The joy and connection that result from low-waste living are paradigm shifting in themselves.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
The 80/20 Way - Perfection is not the answer
Sustainability in Food Choices
The greenwashing of “plant-based.”
Sustainable meat production vs standard industrial CAFO operations
The problem of food waste
Purge Plastic / Easy Alternatives
Recycle Right/ the problem of “Wish-Cycling”
The community-building aspect of cultivating a more sustainable lifestyle
Finding joy in sustainable living
Resources Mentioned:
Stephanie’s Book: Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way
Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises
Connect with Stephanie Miller:
Zero Waste in DC
Instagram @zerowasteindc
Follow Lady Farmer:
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Original music by John Kingsley, @jkingsley1026
Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is…
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227. Exploring Nature Based Land Care with Edwina von Gal
9 mei 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
This episode delves into the evolving art of ecological gardening and landscaping with Edwina von Gal, founder of the Perfect Earth Project. Edwina shares her journey from traditional landscape design to championing nature-based solutions, recounting her 'aha' moment with chemical-free gardening. The conversation broadens to discuss the cultural shifts in gardening aesthetics and the move towards living lands. Key topics include challenges and strategies for managing meadows and various invasive plants without chemicals, and the importance of community and professional education in ecological landscaping. Edwina also highlights upcoming events and resources offered by the Perfect Earth Project to support ecological land care. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction to Gardening Philosophy
01:36 Exciting Symposium on Invasive Plants at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
02:36 Understanding Restorative Landscaping
06:14 Meet Edwina von Gal: Landscape Designer
09:07 The Evolution of Gardening Practices
13:05 Challenges and Realizations in Eco-Friendly Gardening
16:39 Rewilding and Partnering with Nature
29:25 Closing the Loop: Sustainable Gardening Practices
34:48 Sustainable Seaweed Harvesting
35:15 The Importance of Natural Leaf Decomposition
36:23 Understanding Land Succession
37:11 Maintaining Open Spaces
39:10 Managing Invasive Species
39:42 Effective Mugwort Control Techniques
42:39 Event Announcement: Managing Meadows Symposium
46:17 Perfect Earth Project Initiatives
50:58 The Therapeutic Value of Gardening
53:07 Embracing Slow Gardening
55:28 Cultural Expectations and Natural Gardens
59:01 The Future of Sustainable Landscaping
The Perfect Earth Project
Doug Tallamy
Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy
Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees by Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy
Wilding: Returning Nature to our Farm by Isabella Tree
We Are the Ark by Mary Reynolds
Bad Naturalist by Paula Whyman
Carbon: The Book of LIfe by Paul Hawken
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Encore: The Slow Living Shift- From Striving to Savoring with Fiber Farmer Lisa Mitchell
2 mei 2025 · 1 uur 6 min
This episode was originally aired on May 13th, 2022. Visit A Fiber Life for shop and updates! Lees meer
Fiber farmer Lisa Mitchell encourages listeners to embrace a beginner’s mindset and connect to the earth through handwork and making as she tells us the story of her major life shift, from striving for success as an art therapist in the suburbs, to slow living on a guanaco farm in the Pacific Northwest. Guanacos, the undomesticated ancestors of the alpaca, produce a unique and high-quality wool, but are often challenging to work with, and are not commonly farmed in the United States. In the absence of mentors and educational resources, Lisa and her husband set about spending significant time learning how to care for these special animals through experience, trial, and error, resulting in a fiber farm producing the highest quality wool on the market. Lisa seeks to “live with her hands” as she creates, and to practice making as an act of love - for the animals she lives alongside, for other people, and for the earth.
Topics Covered:
Seeking a different life
Guanacos and Guanaco Wool
Learning to Work with Natural Fibers
Working with Natural Dye
Embracing Beginner’s Mind
Creating as an Act of Love
Connecting with Reality Through Hand Work
Guest Info:
Lisa Mitchell's Website and Online Store/ A Fiber Life
Instagram: @afiberlife
Podcast
Follow Us:
Our Website: ladyfarmer.com
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
The Lady Farmer ALMANAC on Substack
Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026
Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Read less
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
P…
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226 Fashion Revolution Week: A Conversation with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
25 april 2025 · 42 min
In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Mary & Emma discuss Fashion Revolution Week and its significance, referencing the Rana Plaza disaster as a catalyst for the movement. Lees meer
The episode features Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who discusses the impact of fast fashion on the environment, her advocacy for slow fashion, and the creation of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus. Chellie delves into her personal journey from local government to Congress, highlighting her efforts in sustainable and organic farming. The conversation explores bipartisan efforts to address environmental issues, the importance of soil health, and Pingree’s ongoing initiatives to promote sustainable practices in fashion and agriculture.
00:00 Introduction to Fashion Waste
01:30 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast
01:35 Fashion Revolution Week
02:33 Lady Farmer's Journey
03:49 Introducing Shelly Pingree
06:40 Shelly Pingree’s Background
15:08 The Slow Fashion Movement
22:03 The Role of Congressional Caucuses
28:30 Bipartisanship in Sustainable Policies
34:05 Shelly Pingree’s Farm and Regenerative Practices
37:46 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
Foxfire
The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing
DC Climate Week-April 28th-May 2nd, 2025
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Original music by John Kingsley.
Editing and podcast production by Mary & Emma Kingsley
The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network.
🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:
• Wendy Gray
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Encore: The Role of Activism in the Fashion Revolution with Elizabeth Cline
18 april 2025 · 52 min
This episode was originally published on April 23, 2021 Lees meer
For updates on Elizabeth Cline's advocacy and policy work since this episode was recorded, go to her website at www.elizabethclinebooks.com
Our guest this week is Elizabeth Cline, a New York-based author, journalist, and expert on consumer culture, fast fashion, sustainability and labor rights in the apparel industry. She is the author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, which was published in 2012, and which laid the foundation for the modern global ethical and sustainable fashion movement. Her most recent book, The Conscious Closet, published in 2019, describes how consumers can transform the apparel industry and change the world for the better by making more informed decisions about what they wear every day. In this episode, Elizabeth inspires slow fashion enthusiasts to move beyond the response of merely modifying their purchasing decisions, to come together with other individuals in the wider community to impact policy change through social activism. Elizabeth discusses campaigns such as Pay Up Fashion for direct relief for garment workers that have not been paid by American companies during the pandemic, and the Garment Workers Protection Act that will provide minimum wage for garment workers in California. Elizabeth encourages consumers to embrace their civic right in bringing the malpractices and inequities of the fashion industry to light, holding brands accountable for their unethical practices and therefore affecting real change in this broken system.
1:30 - It’s Fashion Revolution week!
10:00 - Elizabeth introduces herself
11:00 - Has there been much change in the last two decades in the fashion industry?
20:00 - Why are corporations not paying their factories?
28:00 - The problems in your own closet
38:00 - The PayUp Campaign
42:00 - What does The Good Dirt mean to you?
50:00 - How Farmers in West Texas inspired Elizabeth
Things Mentioned:
Fashion Revolution
Ove…
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225. Redefining Rich with Shannon Hayes: Embracing Slow Living and Life-Serving Economies
11 april 2025 · 56 min
What if the life you're already living is richer than you think? Lees meer
Shannon Hayes has spent decades asking — and answering — that question. A farmer, author, chef, and mother running three-generation Sap Bush Hollow Farm in the northern Catskill Mountains of New York, Shannon is the kind of person who makes you feel both deeply seen and quietly challenged. In this conversation, she joins Mary & Emma to talk about her book Redefining Rich — a book both of them listened to on Audible and have been recommending ever since — and the ideas within it that have genuinely changed the way they think about work, money, and what a good life actually looks like.
This episode is about more than finances. It's about unlearning the story we've been told about what success is supposed to feel like, and building something more honest in its place — something that honors the soil, the people in your circle, and the quiet, irreplaceable texture of your daily life.
Whether you're in the thick of the working-mom juggle, questioning whether your career aligns with your values, or simply trying to figure out what enough looks like for you — this one will stay with you.
In this episode, we cover:
What Redefining Rich is really about — and why Mary & Emma keep coming back to it
The "quality of life statement": what it is, why Shannon and her husband have used it as a compass for every major decision, and why Mary & Emma haven't written theirs down yet (but are inspired to)
Non-monetary income: the radical idea that time, autonomy, homegrown food, and childcare reciprocity are all forms of wealth
Why employment is actually the most expensive form of income — and how self-employment changes the math entirely
The life-serving economy vs. the extractive economy, and what it looks like to build something circular and regenerative
Shannon's honest, sometimes painful retrospective on writing Radical Homemakers — the hate mail, the co-opting of her words, the anxiety, and what she learned a…
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Encore: Agroecology, Apples and Sustainable Systems with Horticultural Historian Eliza Greenman
4 april 2025 · 1 uur 11 min
This episode was originally aired March 25, 2022 Lees meer
Join this "fruitful" and enlightening conversation with tree crops specialist, horticultural historian and agroforestry practitioner Eliza Greenman as she explains the evolution of the apple, horticultural tree crop history and shares her love for fruit exploring. A creator of niche products, Eliza is passionate owner of charcuterie company, HogTree, and is working towards the goal of creating orchard systems that function symbiotically with livestock to replace costly livestock feed. After a time pruning apple trees on an island off the coast of Maine, paired with her time abroad in Germany in apprenticeship with an apple grower and a formative research trip to Asia, the homeland of fruits and nuts, Eliza found her calling and became single- mindedly obsessed with apples. Now she is an advocate for natural wildlife practices and indigenous systems, stressing the importance of eating in season and shying away from global commodities. The conversation includes various types of fruit and nut trees such as pawpaws, mulberry trees, hickory walnuts, acorns, autumn olive and the infamous Bradford Pear, exploring all the ways these beautiful gifts can be nurtured and enjoyed.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
Agroforestry
Agroecology
Permaculture
Food Forests
Perennials
Fruit and Nut Trees
Bradford Pear
Red Delicious
Fire Blight
Heart Rot
Pollarding
Autumn Olive
Silvopasture agroforestry
Resources Mentioned:
US Apple - Lobbying
Back River Market
“Of New York” Series - Catalog of Fruit Varieties
The National Soil Fertility League
North American Fruit Explorers - NAFEX
John Bunker, Fedco Trees
Francis Fenton
Silvopasture is the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. These systems are intensively managed for both forest products and forage, providing both short- and lon…
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224. Decluttering that Works For You with Dana White of "A Slob Comes Clean"
28 maart 2025 · 1 uur 5 min
In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Mary & Emma discuss the common struggles of clutter and its impact on daily life with special guest Dana K. White, author of 'Decluttering at the Speed of Life.' Dana shares her unique five-step decluttering method tailored for creative minds who often find themselves overwhelmed by clutter. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's personal clutter threshold, the distinction between organizing and decluttering, and the mental freedom gained from consistent decluttering habits. Dana also discusses the emotional challenges tied to sentimentality and inherited items, offering practical, guilt-free strategies for managing household clutter. Tune in to learn actionable steps for creating a more functional and joyful living space. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Clutter
01:29 Excitement for Today's Episode
02:06 The Impact of Clutter on Life
05:04 Introducing Dana White
06:12 Dana's Journey to Decluttering
12:26 The No Mess Decluttering Process
17:59 Emotional Challenges of Decluttering
26:48 Finding Your Clutter Threshold
30:53 Sustainable Decluttering Practices
35:08 Maintaining a Functional Home
35:27 The Five-Minute Pickup Strategy
36:06 Understanding Clutter Thresholds
37:12 Effective Decluttering Techniques
38:14 Dealing with Sentimental Items
41:25 The Container Concept
51:16 Sustainability and Slow Living
58:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.
🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:
• Wendy Gray
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Encore: Paul Hawken on Carbon, Climate and Connection
21 maart 2025 · 54 min
This episode was originally aired April 26, 2024 Lees meer
In this conversation with best selling author and activist Paul Hawken, we discuss the reframing of our relationship with nature by moving away from the concept of "othering" ourselves, and more towards the integration of our interconnectedness. Paul speaks of the cultural disconnect, the role of language in shaping our perception of the environment, and how crucial it is to engage directly with the natural world. Hawken's vast experience, including starting the first natural food company (Erewhon) in the U.S. and working with Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his involvement in founding Regeneration and NEXUS, are all a result of a lifetime of pursuing solutions to our climate crisis. He shares how he views carbon and climate change through a lens of interconnectedness and flow rather than as isolated problems. He also talks about his upcoming book, 'Carbon, the Book of Life,' the significance of soil regeneration, societal shifts and the connection between joy and sustainability as well as the power of individual and community action in the face of environmental challenges.
🌿 This episode is sponsored by Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fertilizer. Use code GOODDIRT at checkout for 5% off your order for products from the ocean to set your plants in motion 🌊
Topics Discussed
· Opening Reflections: Embracing Nature and Conversations on Disconnection
· Insights from Paul Hawken: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and Nature
· Organic Food Pioneer
· Finding Your Environmental Voice
· Exploring the Language of Nature and Indigenous Wisdom
· The Power of Language in Healing Our Relationship with the Planet
· Redefining Success and the Essence of Soil
· The Transformation of Soil and Agriculture
· Ultra Processed Food
· Soil's Organism and Its Impact on Plant Health
· The Haber-Bosch Process
· Exploring Soil Acoustics and Its Significance
· The Power of Community and Individual Action
· Reconnecting with Nature …
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223. Rethinking Carbon: An Enlightening Conversation with Paul Hawken
14 maart 2025 · 1 uur 4 min
In this episode of the Good Dirt Podcast, hosts Emma and Mary return from winter break with a special interview featuring repeat guest Paul Hawken, the acclaimed environmentalist, author, and activist. They discuss Hawken's new book, 'Carbon, the Book of Life,' which explores the multifaceted role of carbon in our universe, challenging the prevailing view of carbon as merely a climatic culprit. Hawken shares his profound insights on the interconnectedness of all life and how shifting our perception of carbon can foster a deeper understanding of our relationship with where we live. Key themes include the limitations of current climate messaging, the emotional and intellectual journey of understanding carbon, and the need for a holistic approach to resolving environmental crises. Lees meer
📖 Preorder Carbon:The Book of Life → Click here (Available in the U.S. on March 18, 2025)
00:00 Introduction to Carbon and Climate Messaging
01:50 Welcome Back to Good Dirt Podcast
03:56 Introducing Paul Hawken and His New Book
06:29 Paul Hawken on the Inspiration Behind His Work
07:37 The Role of Carbon in Climate Change
12:48 Challenges in Climate Messaging
17:21 The Interconnectedness of Life and Carbon
24:06 Stories of Connection in the Natural World
29:29 Elephant Mourning Rituals
29:45 The Intelligence of Animals
30:20 Understanding Our Place in the World
31:41 The Interconnectedness of Trees
33:33 Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Awareness
35:59 The Role of Science in Rediscovering Nature
46:35 AI and Environmental Impact
54:01 The Importance of Grief and Heartbreak
01:00:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Books/Articles
Bill McKibben/ Global Warming's Terrifying New Math
Lawrence Anthony/ The Elephant Whisperer
Frans De Waal/ Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
Karen Bakker/ The Sounds of Life
Zoe Schlanger/ The LIght Eaters
Suzanne Simard/ Finding the Mother Tree
Dara McAnulty/ Diary of a Young Naturalist
Ed Conway/ Material World
📖 Pr…
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131. Rewilding Our Way Home to Ourselves with Hillarie Maddox of Black Girl Country Living
7 maart 2025 · 1 uur 10 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on March 3rd, 2023 Lees meer
This week we are talking to writer, creator and self proclaimed life-long learner, Hillarie Maddox, founder of Black Girl, Country Living. Hillarie preaches the idea that slow living in a lifestyle anyone can live, and focuses her encouragement specifically on the BIPOC community. She climbed the big tech corporate ladder, then ditched the city for slow living and finding her love of nature, and she found herself in the process.
Topics discussed
How Hillarie and her family went from city to rural living
What was the new way of being that Hillarie discovered?
When you live in an urban environment, many things are made "invisible"
A feeling of disconnection might lead to excess consumerism
Seeking a slower and more sustainable lifestyle is like peeling an onion
How a vision board helped Hillarie and her husband make the shift
The shift to slow living does not always mean a move to the country
Hillarie speaks to her intention and mission on the land, beginning with gardening
Hillarie's gardening experience and desire to share the knowledge
Rewilding workshops launching next year, helping particularly bipoc people develop a relationship with nature
Hillarie talks about the slow living movement and what that means for people of color
The value of mentors and community in this lifestyle
Hillarie's family connection to the original Homesteading Act
The changes of agriculture in America in the last century
Wendall Berry, The Unsettling of America
Hillarie explains what "rewilding" means to her
The indigenous people of the region where Hillarie now lives
The biggest challenges and rewards of this lifestyle shift for Hillarie's family
Connect with Hillarie Maddox
Website: Black Girl Country Living
Instagram
About Lady Farmer:
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicem…
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An Ecological Civilization for All with Andrew Schwartz of EcoCiv
28 februari 2025 · 1 uur 2 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 07/22/22. Lees meer
What does it mean for humans to live sustainably on the earth? Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of The Institute for Ecological Civilization, a non-profit promoting long-term solutions for the wellbeing of people and the planet, helps us pull apart that question. Andrew is also the Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies and Assistant Professor of Process and Comparative Theology at Claremont School of Theology. In this conversation, we’re talking about fundamental shifts in many of our most basic assumptions about our relationship with each other and the environment, and the role each of us plays in the way forward towards a worldwide, life-supporting community.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
How Andrew came to his interest in ecology through religion
How The Institute for Ecological Civilization came into being
Explanation of The Institute for Ecological Civilization and its mission
The Centrality of the Human Experience
Genesis as a directive for the human role in the web of creation
Deep Ecology
Are we fighting for human survival or earth's survival?
EcoCiv partners and programs
Where are the solutions? Does change happen from within the system, outside the system or from the top down?
Who is getting it right? Who do we support?
Resources Mentioned:
Rose of Sharon Sacred Harp Hymn 254
Don Shiva
David Corton
Jeremy Lent
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Aspen Institute
Philip Clayton
John Cobb
What is Ecological Civilization by Andrew Schwartz and Philip Clayton
Claremont School of Theology
Willamette University
Water for South Sudan
Wellbeing Economy Alliance
Connect with Andrew and the Institute for Ecological Civilization:
EcoCiv website: https://ecociv.org/
On Instagram @ec…
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145. Reclaiming Our Food from Field to Kitchen with CSA Farmer Mo Moutoux of Moutoux Orchard
21 februari 2025 · 1 uur 14 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired in June, 2023 Lees meer
Emma and Mary are back from Emma's wedding, and they are spreading the joy with The Good Dirt. This episode features Maureen "Mo" Moutoux of Moutoux Orchards in Purcellville, VA. Mo has a Masters Degree in Anthropology, and farms with her husband Rob Moutoux, a 3rd generation farmer at Moutoux Orchards. They currently live on the family farmland with their two children, continuing the over 50 year legacy of the Moutoux family. In 2011, they opened their first CSA program, growing vegetables for dozens of family members (including Mary's household), and it has continued to grow each year. Their mission is to feed wholesome and nutrient-dense farm food to their community, because good food comes from good dirt. Mo shares her journey to becoming a farmer and reclaiming food from field to kitchen. She also discusses what a CSA is, how it has evolved over the years to reduce waste while providing a living wage for her family and team members, and the benefits of eating locally for both nutritional value and the environment as a whole.
Topics Discussed
• Slow Living Consult
• Journey to Becoming a Farmer
• Anthropology & Farming
• Creating a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program
• Investing in Your Local Farmers
• Sustainable & Regenerative Growing Methods
• How Systems Favor Multinational Corporations over Local Growers
• Romanticization of Farm Life vs. Reality of Running an Farm
• Commodity Farming vs. Sustainable Farming
• Reclaiming Food from Field to Kitchen
• The Food Offered in a CSA
• The Exploitation Behind the Cost of Affordability at Supermarkets
• Removing Guilt Around “Perfect” Sustainable Practices
• Food and Livestock Throughout the Seasons
• Reducing Waste in a CSA Program
• Transparency of Cost
• Pesticides, Choosing Not to Be USDA Organic Certified, and Outsourcing For Specific Products
• Preser…
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"Lawns into Meadows" with Author Owen Wormser on Regenerative Landscaping
14 februari 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 7/21/23. Lees meer
Did you know that in this country, we have an area totaling the size of Washington State that is mowed lawns? Our guest is Owen Wormser, author of Lawns Into Meadows, who helps to weave people and the natural world back together through his work building regenerative landscapes. In this conversation, we discuss how meadows offer a compelling solution in a world where lawns have an enormous detrimental impact on our ecology and have wreaked havoc on our natural ecosystems. Owen was born and raised off the grid in rural Maine, surrounded by the natural world, with nature being his greatest teacher. Influenced by his study of horticulture, permaculture, organic agriculture, and ecology, Lawns Into Meadows is a how-to guide on growing your own wildflowers and native grasses. Owen offers approachable, simple steps for anyone and everyone to create sustainable and regenerative landscapes, starting with even a few square feet of land.
Topics Discussed
• Connection to the Natural World
• Building Low-Maintenance Ecologically Focused Landscapes
• How Lawns Are Damaging the Planet
• Growing Up in Rural Maine & Off the Grid
• Living a Simple Life in a World We've Made Difficult
• Convenience & Its Impact on Lifestyle
• What Counts Toward a Life Full of Satisfaction, Abundance, and Fulfillment?
• Applying Academic Knowledge to Real World Practice
• Why We Want to Turn Laws into Meadows
• What Makes a Meadow a Meadow
• Dealing with Home Owner Associations
• Humans are Traditionalist
• Lawns & Status
• Steps to Start & Maintain a Meadow
• What to Plant in a Meadow
• The Lifelong Learning Process of Healing the Earth
• How Stillness Sustains Us
• Plants as Our Birthright
Episode Resources:
•If You Stop Mowing This May, Will Your Lawn Become a Meadow?
•Owen Wormser Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
•Lawns Into Meadows:…
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130. It Starts in the Kitchen: Sustainable Living with Anne-Marie Bonneau of Zero Waste Chef
7 februari 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return in the spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 2/24/23. Lees meer
Our guest today is someone who began her plastic-free journey in her kitchen, and has now become the renowned Zero Waste Chef, Anne-Marie Bonneau! Starting as a Zero Plastic Chef, she took the next step in her sustainability journey and became the Zero Waste Chef working towards producing zero waste in her own kitchen and inspiring others to do the same. She talks about how to shop differently, buy differently, and cook differently to reduce waste in the kitchen!
Topics Discussed:
Hugelkultur
Anne Marie’s transition to plastic free
Beginning tips for zero waste
Zero Waste as a goal
Anne Marie’s rhythm with food prep
Fighting Food waste
The idea of convenience contributing to waste
Zero waste can be simple
The attention economy informs our perception of what we can do
Thneeds (from The Lorax by Dr. Suess)
The Good Ancestor
Is there hope for conscious consumerism?
Greta Thunberg
The slow food movement began in Italy
Alton Brown baked beans
Connect with Anne-Marie Bonneau
Instagram: @zerowastechef
Website
Anne-Marie's Book, The Zero Waste Chef
About Lady Farmer:
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network.
Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. C…
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The History and Folklore of Brigid: Saint, Legend and Lady Farmer with Kathy Spaar | Episode 27 Reprise
31 januari 2025 · 42 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return in the spring. Please enjoy this episode that was last aired on 1/31/2023 Lees meer
Today's episode is about Brigid, saint and legend, known for her skills at the hearth, the loom, midwifery, healing, poetry and animal husbandry. Kathy Spaar, spiritual director, pilgrimage leader and nature educator shares many of the folklore and stories of this legendary figure from Celtic tradition. As a figure of feminine wisdom and power who presides over the land and the homestead, we consider Brigid the quintessential Lady Farmer, our guide, protector and inspiration for slow living through the seasons.
Intro:
Follow Kesslyn @gemwellnessofficial for more about her journey as a midwife and her exploration of St. Brigid.
Episode Reprise:
Imbolc is here!
Mary and Emma introduce Kathy and Brigid
Kathy introduces herself
Brigid's Feast Day
Kathy's favorite stories of Brigid
Brigid - the quintessential Lady Farmer
How does Brigid relate to the times we are in now
The most important thing Brigid has taught Kathy
Mentions:
The Almanac Brigidine Sisters Children's Book “Brigid’s Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story” by Bruce Milligan. "Symbols of Plenty" by Ruth Bidgood "Rekindling the Flame " by Rita Minehan
About Lady Farmer:
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network.
Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not …
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Healing Ourselves, Healing the Earth with Asia Suler, Author of "Mirrors in the Earth"
24 januari 2025 · 1 uur 6 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 10/20/23. Lees meer
How can we reconnect ourselves to nature, to the plants and animals around us, and the very Earth we walk upon? This is the topic of discussion with our guest Asia Suler, writer, teacher, mother, earth intuitive, ecological philosopher and author of Mirrors in the Earth: Reflections on Self-Healing from the Living World. Asia has taught her principles to over 20,000 students in 70+ countries, and constantly sees how going on a journey of self-healing and acceptance is the key to being able to heal both ourselves and our place in the ecosystem. In this interview, Asia brings us into the ecological history of the Appalachian mountains, the magic and healing potential of the natural world, and the interconnectedness of our personal healing with the healing of the whole world. She believes that when we embody the belief that we are enough as we are, we then we ourselves embody the healing of the Earth.
Topics Discussed
• What comes to mind with when we think of mirrors in the earth?
• Asia's Background and Experience Leading to the Writing of her Book.
• Joyful Engagement with the Living World
• Vulvodynia, Lyme Disease, and Chronic Pain
• Western Herbalism
• Finding Your Place in Nature
• Creating One Willow Apothecary
• Flower Essences & The Power of the Violet
• Psycho-emotional States and Inner Blockages
• Intellectual Rationalism
• Growing up In-between Philadelphia and New York
• Watering Plants throughout New York
• Re-connecting with Magic
• Cultivating a Love of Earth in Urban Spaces
• The 10 Year Process Behind "Mirrors in the Earth"
• Self-Realization & Self-Compasson
• The Influence of Indigenous Beliefs
• Earth as a Sentient Being
• Empaths & Sensitives
• Humanity's Place on Earth & The Proclivity towards Narcissism
• Gardens, Boundaries, and Social Media
• The Magic within the Appalachian Mountains
Epi…
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Being Old-Fashioned on Purpose with Jill Winger
17 januari 2025 · 54 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 11/10/2023. Lees meer
Our guest for today is Jill Winger, creator of The Prairie Homestead who over the last 10 years has influenced thousands of people in rediscovering some of the simpler ways of life–helping people grow their own food, cook healthy meals, raise chickens, bake bread—and SO many other things. And yes, she confesses that an old fashioned life can include modern technology, especially in teaching others through online content creation. But Jill’s mission is more than about teaching skills, it’s about guiding others into slowing down and creating a healthier, more centered, balanced lifestyle that includes our modern realities.
Jill started out on a neglected farmstead 40 miles away from the nearest grocery store, and has grown with her passion for practicing this way of life and teaching others how to find it for themselves. She is the author of The Prairie Homestead Cookbook and her latest release: "Old-Fashioned on Purpose: Cultivating a Slower, More Joyful Life". Jill lets Mary and Emma in on her process of content creation for homesteading, running an online business, finding writing once again, and what challenges she's faced in trying to do it all. This episode is for anyone who wants to strike a healthier balance between old-fashioned living and life in the modern world.
Topics Discussed
• Being a Homesteader
• Getting Started without a Background in Farming or Ranching
• Finding an Alternative to the Suburban-White-Picket-Fence Dream
• Sparks of Inspiration & Knowing
• Balancing Old-Fashioned Living with Modern Demands
• How Jill's Support System Helps Her "Do It All"
• Jill's Team & Task Delegation
• How to Get People to Consume Your Content
• The Consumer-Creator Relationship
• Dealing with Technology Addiction as an Online Business
• Creator Sustainability
• Boundaries & Intentionality
• The Pros and Cons of Homes…
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Stories From Life Off the Grid with Poet Baron Wormser
10 januari 2025 · 56 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 11/17/23. Lees meer
Our guest today is Baron Wormser, award winning poet, professor and author of "The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet's Memoir of Living Off the Grid". In this episode, Baron shares stories from his experience living and raising a family off the grid in rural Maine for 23 years, as well as his insight into connecting poetry with how we live, the value of simple living, and how we connect more deeply with the earth. We hear about his journey from the beginning in the mid 1970s, the day-to-day logistics of an off-grid life, raising children in that setting, and the eventual reentry into the contemporary world. Baron has been an example of slow and sustainable living throughout his life and career, and brings his gift of storytelling and poetry to this inspiring conversation.
Topics Discussed
• "Convenience" by W.S. Merwin
• Membership Pledge Drive
• Why Choose to Live Off the Grid
• The Logistics of the Day-to-Day
• Historical Precedence of Living without Electric Power
• Living Through the Mid 70s
• Needs vs. Wants
• Defining Hardship
• Living Off the Grid Then vs. Living On the Grid Now
• Human Adaptability
• Do We Truly Need the Internet?
• Raising Children in an Off the Grid Lifestyle
• Neighbor Stories
• The Recognition of Hard Work
• Money & Rural Towns
• Deconstruction the Romanticization of an Off the Grid Lifestyle
• Finding Your Ordinary
• Reentry to the Grid
• Baron's View on Hope
• Falling in Love with the World
Episode Resources:
• Join Us in The ALMANAC
• "Convenience" by W.S. Merwin
• Listen to The Good Dirt "151. 'Lawns into Meadows' with Author Owen Wormser on Regenerative Agriculture"
• "The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet's Memoir of Living Off the Grid" by Baron Wormser
Connect with Baron Wormser:
• Website: https://baronwormser.com/
• Books: https://baronwormser.com/books.html
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Ancestral Food Ways in Family Life and Business with Christina Schindler of Modern Stone Age Kitchen
3 januari 2025 · 1 uur 19 min
Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 12/8/2023. Lees meer
We’re talking to Christina Schindler, who after spending 20 years in public education as a teacher and administrator, has embarked on a business venture with her family as the CEO of the Modern Stone Age Kitchen, a restaurant in Chestertown, MD that optimizes nutrition in modern foods through ancestral techniques–creating healthy food for the community.
Christina also serves as President of the Eastern Shore Food Lab, a non-profit that is focused on creating a nourishing, ethical and sustainable food system through education, outreach and research. Most importantly, Christina is a mother of three busy teenagers and is married to Dr. Bill Schindler, author of Eat Like a Human.
In this conversation, we’ll be talking about the extraordinary adventures of this enterprising family, from living and traveling abroad to serving their community through this very unique restaurant, and their work with the non-profit. We’ll hear about their food journey as a family, practical tips for healthy eating in a busy modern world with kids, their years long quest for gaining knowledge about ancestral foods–and how you can live in a suburban neighborhood and still accomplish things that most people would think you need to live on 20 acres to do.
This is a wonderful conversation for anyone interested in embracing ultimate health through ancestral food ways –and a great story of how this family has brought it into the context of modern family life and business. Prepare to be inspired by the end of the episode to start eating like a human.
Topics Discussed
· Living & Traveling Abroad
· Having a Family-Owned Community-Oriented Restaurant
· Being a Former Educator
· Cottage Food Operation
· Commercial Food Production
· The Sourdough Process
· What It Means to Eat like a Human
· Employing a Team of 25
· Food Processing Then & Now
· Traveling Abro…
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222. Intro to Slow Living | Part 4 | Reflecting on Slow Living: A Year-End Retrospective
27 december 2024 · 36 min
In this episode, Mary & Emma conclude their 'Intro to Slow Living' series by reflecting on the evolution of the slow living concept in their experience over the past eight years. They discuss the importance of intentionality, how slow living has transformed from a term to a mindset, and personal experiences with slow living in areas like fashion and daily choices. They announce a hiatus over the winter to rest and reassess their future direction, emphasizing the need for balance and space to let new ideas emerge organically. Mary and Emma encourage listeners to reflect on their own slow living journeys, and to share any feedback or suggestions while enjoying replays of past interviews. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction and Series Recap
02:14 Reflections on Slow Living
03:43 Evolving Concepts of Slow Living
06:21 Sowing Seeds of Intention
10:49 Taking a Break and Future Plans
14:01 Personal Goals and Slow Living
24:07 Technology and Slow Living
28:40 Listener Engagement and Hiatus Details
33:15 Conclusion and New Year Wishes
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
Visit Our Website
Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer
🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:
• Wendy Gray
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Gathering Light: Winter Solstice Reflections & Holiday Harmonies
20 december 2024 · 34 min
In this special episode, we're bringing back two cherished holiday-themed recordings from our archives. Whether it’s the miracle of light, the birth of a Holy Child, or the warmth of family traditions, December celebrations connect us to a shared human experience rooted in vulnerability to nature’s rhythms. Lees meer
First, in this excerpt from the December episode of Mary's Slow Living Through the Seasons series from 2023, Mary reflects on the winter solstice and its significance across cultures, exploring what we share with our ancestors during the darkest days of the year. Discover the deeper meaning behind festive traditions and how modern celebrations can sometimes pull us away from the natural cycle of the seasons.
Then, we revisit a delightful musical performance from the Lady Farmer Archives. Recorded in Seneca, Maryland, in November 2020, this casual fireside set by the Missing Sister Band warms the soul with soulful harmonies.
Topics Covered:
The winter solstice as a universal human experience, excerpted from Slow Living Through the Seasons
Yuletide reflections and our connection to ancient traditions
The story behind holiday symbols like the wreath
A soulful musical set featuring holiday-inspired covers
Music Setlist:
"White Flag" by Joseph
"Helplessly Hoping" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
"Strangers" by The Kinks
"Baby Where You Are" by Ted Lucas
"Dogs Laying Around Playing" by My Bubba
"Long Time Traveller" by Sacred Harp
Performed by the Missing Sister Band:
Vocals: Anna Glenn, Charlotte Henderson, Shannon Beston (guitar), Caitlin Robinson, Emma Kingsley
Guitar: Cameron Palmer
Audio/Visuals: David Smith, Emma Kingsley, Mary Kingsley
Editing: Emma Kingsley
Tune in for an episode that celebrates the beauty of gathering, the wonder of the solstice, and the joy of shared music. Happy Holidays! 🎶✨
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
• Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
• Email us at thego…
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221. Seeds of Connection: The People Behind Pinetree Garden Seeds
13 december 2024 · 42 min
In today’s episode, we’re talking to Melissa and Jaci from Pinetree Garden Seeds, a family owned and operated business since 1979. Pinetree Garden Seeds was founded with the simple mission of offering low prices on quality seeds to the home gardener. Over the years offerings have expanded to include over 1300 varieties of seeds, including many heirlooms & organics, a huge assortment of tools and gardening gear, books, and live plants. Located in rural Maine, they operate out of a 300 year old farmhouse and strive to offer the best service and products with a personal touch. In 2011, the company was passed down from its founder, Dick Meiners, to his stepdaughter Melissa. She and her family are excited to continue the mission of supporting the home gardener by offering affordable, high quality seeds and goods. In this conversation we delve into the story of Pinetree Garden Seeds, the complexities of GMO's, heirloom seeds and the practices of the company. Melissa and Jaci share their passion for helping others succeed in gardening, emphasizing the simplicity and joy of growing food that promotes the health of humans and the planet. Lees meer
🌿 Podcast listeners can use the code DIRTPGS20 for 20% their seed order at superseeds.com !
Topics
Introduction to Pinetree Garden Seeds
History of the company
Seed Selection and Catalog Creation
Work environment at Pinetree
Seed Packing technology
Seed Sourcing
Gardening Practices and Trials
Understanding the Safe Seed Pledge
Understanding the types of seeds: heirloom, hybrid and GMO
The value of heirloom seeds
Seed longevity and germination
The seasonal flow and Pinetree Garden Seeds
The value of gardening in community and connection
03:20 Meet the Pine Tree Team
04:11 The History and Evolution of Pine Tree Seeds
05:53 Learning the Business of Seeds
08:47 The Art of Seed Catalogs
11:06 Gardening Experiments and Trials
17:49 Understanding Seed Types and Safety
20:31 Understanding GMO vs. Hybrid
22:15 Heirloom Seeds: …
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220. Restoring the Land Through Regenerative Farming with Florence Reed of Sustainable Harvest International
6 december 2024 · 57 min
In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, hosts Mary Kingsley and her daughter Emma talk with Florence Reed, founder of Sustainable Harvest International, a nonprofit that has worked with smallholder farmers in Central America for over 27 years in adopting regenerative farming practices. Florence tells the story of how Sustainable Harvest International got its start, and highlights the importance of healthy soil, biodiversity, and the role of local technical assistance in fostering long-term agricultural transformation. She points out how these practices alone applied to small farms the world over could significantly contribute to the United Nations' goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Florence tells us that there are many inspiring success stories, including one that she shares about a farmer who restored his land and sent both of his daughters to college as a result of his farming success following the SHI program. The conversation offers a hopeful message about the potential for individual and collective action in combating climate change. Lees meer
,00:00 Introduction
00:31 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast
00:57 Guest Introduction: Florence Reed
03:25 Florence Reed's Background and Motivation
06:04 Early Challenges and Realizations
08:05 Founding Sustainable Harvest International
11:52 Initial Steps and Early Support
14:22 Challenges of Slash and Burn Farming
20:40 Sustainable and Regenerative Practices
27:42 Community Engagement and Program Implementation
30:48 Deciding Where to Work
31:32 Challenges and Demand
32:17 Global Impact of Small-Scale Farmers
33:40 Resistance to Change in Farming Practices
39:59 Success Stories and Long-Term Impact
46:02 Personal Reflections and Slow Living
49:16 Future Plans and Getting Involved
LINKS
Sustainable Harvest International
Roots of Renewal: A Film on Farming for a Hopeful Future
Eliot Coleman: The New Organic Grower
Barbara Damrosch: The Garden Primer
The Good Life: Helen and Scot Nearing's Sixty Yea…
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Slow Friday Reprise: A Slow Living Perspective on the Holidays with Mary and Emma
29 november 2024 · 39 min
In celebration of the holiday this week, and upcoming "Black Friday", we're re-airing our favorite slow-living take on the matter...Slow Friday! Lees meer
RE-AIR FROM 11/26/21
You're in for something a little different this Friday...it's a solo show with Mary and Emma!
At Lady Farmer, we're always thinking about ways to shift our thinking to live into a more slow and sustainable lifestyle, and today is a great opportunity to do just that. What if Black Friday became Slow Friday, and what would that look like?
Join us on this week’s episode of The Good Dirt as we share a bit about our own Christmas memories and experiences with gift-giving as well as how we're thinking about being more mindful with our consumer habits during the holiday season.
Enjoy this week's episode, let us know what you think, and we'll be back with another interview next week!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
The negative impacts of consumerism and how to think differently about our consumer habits
The importance that we have placed on gift-giving and receiving during the holiday season
Slow Friday Challenge
Resources:
Unplug the Christmas Tree
Christmas by Peter Spier
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Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.
🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:
• Wendy Gray
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