Explore every episode of the podcast Folk Methodology
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 Years of Herbalism: Lessons Learned, Fads & Meditation | KP Khalsa | 10 Oct 2026 | 01:21:46 | |
In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we sit down with KP Khalsa, a teacher who shaped both of us as herbalists, for a conversation that spans more than five decades of practice, teaching, and watching herbalism change. KP's perspectives are often refreshingly different from what you hear in the greater herbal world, and a lot of that comes down to how he was trained. At 17, he was learning from naturopathic physicians in their 80s, some of the last to graduate from formal training back in the 1930s. They told him the way to learn was to practice, so he did, right away, out of the back room of a health food store near the University of Oregon. *We talk about:* Why studying linguistics made him a better herbal teacher More than 50 years of daily meditation, and why a chattering monkey mind is no reason to give up What makes a good herbal student, and why being a great technician is only about 10% of clinical success The herb myths that seem to have been invented right here in the US And then there's guduchi, the Ayurvedic herb KP is most in love with after all these years, and the surprising kitchen staple that shares its "cosmic nectar" status. There's also a guest question from Rich Mandelbaum, a Lightning Bug Round full of surprises, and a heartfelt remembrance of our friend John Gallagher, who helped KP create his very first long-form online course. It's warm, funny, and full of the kind of hard-earned wisdom you only get from someone who has been doing this work for a very long time. Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Yogaraj (Ayurveda), AD, DN-C, RH, has over 50 years of experience in holistic medicine. He is President Emeritus and Global Ambassador of the American Herbalists Guild, director emeritus of the National Ayurvedic Medicine Association, and has authored or edited over 30 books. He is the founder of the International Integrative Educational Institute (soon to be the Global Herbalism Academy), and the curriculum creator and principal instructor of the Professional Herbalism program at Portland Community College. WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES International Integrative Educational Institute | InternationalIntegrative.com Richard Mandelbaum | RichardMandelbaum.com Don't miss a thing! Join our herbal community newsletter at FolkMethodology.com Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen. | |||
| Herbal Hip-Hop, Love & Metamorphosis | Torin Frost & Lauren Santi | 24 Sep 2026 | 02:19:11 | |
Torin Frost and Lauren Santi have a pretty incredible story to tell, and we're so glad we got to sit down with them for this one. In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we hang out with the musicians and partners for a conversation about falling in love, finding purpose through creativity, and how getting to know plants can change the way you see the world. Lauren shares how a cancer diagnosis at 29 brought her into a deeper relationship with herbalism, and how Torin showed up for her as their friendship grew into something more. We hear about the meals, mushroom brews, and daily care that accompanied her treatment, along with the joy of revisiting familiar trails and finally recognizing the plants growing all around her. We also dive into their Imaginal Disc music and film projects, inspired by monarch butterflies and their travels through Mexico. Torin and Lauren take us behind the scenes of turning their own experiences with illness, love, and transformation into something they could share through music. Along the way, we talk about protecting old-growth forests, uplifting Indigenous voices, their budding apothecary, and helping the next generation build a relationship with the land. Torin also tells the story of his appearance in Kai Cenat's rap battle, and we put his freestyle skills to the test with a few herbal prompts of our own. There's plenty of laughter, some tender moments, and a whole lot of love for the plants and people who have shaped their lives. Come hang out with us. A heartfelt thank-you to Torin and Lauren for sharing their stories, their music, and so much of themselves with us! WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES Torin Frost | TorinFrost.com Imaginal Disc Pt. I: Metamorphosis of the Caterpillar | WATCH ON YOUTUBE Imaginal Disc Pt. II: Cracking the Chrysalis | WATCH ON YOUTUBE Torin Frost Instagram | @torinfrost Lauren Santi Instagram | @thelaurensanti Medicine Song Apothecary | LEARN MORE Torin on Patreon | SUPPORT HIS WORK Don't miss a thing! Join our herbal community newsletter at FolkMethodology.com Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen. | |||
| An Unfiltered Conversation with Mountain Rose Herbs Owner Shawn Donnille | 18 Jul 2026 | 02:31:48 | |
What do punk rock, radical environmentalism, vintage baseball cards, and one of the herbal world's most influential companies have in common? Shawn Donnille. In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we sit down with the owner of Mountain Rose Herbs for a wide-ranging conversation about activism, entrepreneurship, childhood joy, and the sometimes unexpected path to building a business that can genuinely change the world. Shawn shares how his early years as an activist shaped the person and business owner he would become, how a box of old baseball cards helped him buy his stake in Mountain Rose Herbs, and why reconnecting with the things he loved as a kid has become increasingly important to him. We also explore what it really means to build an ethical, values-driven company, including the difficult decisions, the responsibility that comes with influence, and Shawn's belief that herbalism can help inspire much broader cultural and environmental change. Along the way, we get into punk rock, the evolution of Mountain Rose Herbs, radical environmental action, the legendary RootsTalk conference, and what keeps Shawn hopeful after decades of pushing against the status quo. This is an honest, funny, and deeply personal conversation with one of the herbal industry's most outspoken and fascinating leaders. Come hang out with us. A heartfelt thank-you to Shawn for welcoming us into his home and sharing so openly with us! WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE LINKS & RESOURCES Mountain Rose Herbs | MountainRoseHerbs.com Oregon Wild | OregonWild.org Cascadia Wildlands | CascWild.org Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach | BUY THE BOOK Follow Along with Folk Methodology Website | FolkMethodology.com Instagram | @folkmethodology TikTok | @folkmethodology Don't miss a thing! Join our herbal community newsletter at FolkMethodology.com Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. *The small print* This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen. | |||
| Why Mountain Rose Herbs Is Building Brick-and-Mortar Stores | 11 Jul 2026 | 00:41:04 | |
We traveled to Palm Springs, California, for the Grand Opening of the new Mountain Rose Herbs Mercantile, where we had the opportunity to chat with owner Shawn Donnille, Vice President Steven Yeager, and Special Projects Coordinator D'Ann Hawkes. While we were there, our conversation expanded far beyond the Palm Springs location. We explored the history of Mountain Rose Herbs' mercantiles, why the company continues to invest in brick-and-mortar stores, and the vision for future locations. Along the way, we discuss designing immersive retail experiences, introducing new people to herbalism, building lasting relationships with growers and suppliers, fostering community, and creating spaces where people can connect with plants in a hands-on way. We were thrilled to be there for the Grand Opening and grateful to help document this exciting milestone for Mountain Rose Herbs. We hope you enjoy the conversation! If you're visiting Palm Springs, be sure to stop by! Mountain Rose Herbs Palm Springs Mercantile 115 S Palm Canyon Drive Learn more about the Palm Springs Mercantile Thanks for listening, and don't forget to subscribe for more herbal conversations, interviews, and behind-the-scenes adventures from the herbal community. Follow Along with Folk Methodology Website | FolkMethodology.com Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen. | |||
| 52 Years of Building Herbal Community | Michael "Skeeter" Pilarski | 04 Jun 2026 | 01:42:15 | |
In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we spend time with Michael "Skeeter" Pilarski on his two-acre medicinal agroforestry property in the Methow valley (north-central Washington) — a place that started as a bare field and is now a thriving, self-mulching, multi-story forest of over 10,000 trees and shrubs. The conversation moves from plant walks and wildcrafting to community building, ceremony, music, and the long arc of a life lived in radical service to the earth and the people on it. We talk about what it means to start things — gatherings, organizations, movements — and keep starting them for over five decades. We hear about the Okanagan Barter Fair, now in its 52nd year, and how barter economies and gift economies point toward something the modern world has largely forgotten. We explore how community gatherings serve not just joy and connection, but the exchange of practical knowledge that keeps movements alive. And Skeeter shares his vision for medicinal forestry as one of the most important climate solutions available to us right now. There's also a tour of the land itself, where you get to see Skeeter in his true element. Michael "Skeeter" Pilarski is an herbalist, wildcrafter, seed grower, agroforestry practitioner, and one of the most prolific community organizers in the history of the American herbal and permaculture movements. He is the founder of Friends of the Trees Society (1978), the Global Earth Repair Foundation, the Okanagan Barter Fair (1974), the Northwest Herbal Fair (1996), and dozens of other gatherings and organizations spanning herbalism, permaculture, ecological restoration, and earth repair. He has been planting, teaching, and organizing for over fifty years. Thank you to Xavier de la Forêt for filming! Don't miss a thing! Join our herbal community newsletter at FolkMethodology.com LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Skeeter Friends of the Trees Society | https://friendsofthetrees.net/ Global Earth Repair Foundation | https://globalearthrepairfoundation.org/ Skeeter's YouTube channel | https://www.youtube.com/@friendsofthetreessociety8540 EPISODE MENTIONS Okanagan Barter Fair (Tonasket, WA) | https://okanoganfamilyfaire.net/ Northwest Herbal Fair | https://www.nwherbalfair.com/ Fairy and Human Relations Congress | https://fairycongress.com/ Tilth | https://tilthalliance.org/ Singing Alive | https://singingalive.org/ Great Lakes Herb Faire | https://www.greatlakesherbfaire.org/ Torin Frost and Lauren Santi | https://www.youtube.com/@torinfrostofficial Dope ah meaN (hip hop group, Twisp, WA) | https://methowvalleynews.com/2024/07/25/rap-duo-dope-ah-mean-builds-momentum/ The Man of the Trees by Richard St. Barb Baker Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print | |||
| Herbalism for Self-Healing & Personal Growth | Lottie Spady | 30 Apr 2026 | 01:42:42 | |
In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we sit down with Lottie Spady of Earthseed Detroit for a conversation about what it looks like to follow an herbalist's path — not the polished version, but the real one. We talk about the long arc of building something over sixteen years, from a blog post about dryer balls to keynote speaker, tarot collaborator, and community builder in the historic Black town of Idlewild, Michigan. There's a thread throughout about learning to trust the unfolding — how herbalism has a way of showing up personally, not just professionally, and how the relationship with plants can quietly fine-tune the relationship with yourself. We also get into what it means to welcome new people into the herbal world, how informal spaces and hands-on experiences lower the barrier in ways that books and videos can't, and what community-building looks like when it's rooted in collaboration rather than competition. And then there's the wasp nest. Lottie Spady is an herbalist, educator, and the founder of Earthseed Detroit, a platform she describes as an umbrella for all the creative and healing work she does. Her work weaves together herbalism, intuitive collage, botanical illustration, and community education. She is also a collaborator on the Lineages of Change tarot deck and a co-founder of The Hive, a worker-owned co-op in development in Idlewild, Michigan. Thank you to Emilie Thomas-Anderson for being behind the cameras! Don't miss a thing! Join our herbal community newsletter at FolkMethodology.com LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Lottie https://www.earthseeddetroit.com/ https://www.instagram.com/earthseeddetroit/ https://www.tiktok.com/@earthseeddetroit EPISODE MENTIONS The Hive, Idlewild Michigan Lloyd Library, Cincinnati | https://www.lloydlibrary.org Lineages of Change Tarot Deck The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler The Little Professor of Piney Woods Generosity of Plants by Rosemary Gladstar Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print | |||
| Nettle Myths You Should Stop Believing | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:03:48 | |
Nettle has a reputation… 🌿 and like many beloved herbs, it's picked up a few myths along the way. In this short episode, we gently untangle some of the most common misunderstandings about this deeply nourishing plant. Whether you're brand new to nettle or already working with it, this is a great place to refine your understanding and deepen your relationship with this powerful ally. Go Deeper with Nettle 🌱 If you're feeling called to take your nettle practice further, Rosalee and Mason created a full experience centered around this incredible plant. Inside The Nettle Immersion, you'll find:
👉 Learn more & enroll | NettleImmersion.com Enrollment closes on April 12, 2026. | |||
| Herbal Alchemy & The Language of Nature | Sajah Popham | 09 Apr 2026 | 02:35:57 | |
In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we sit down with Sajah Popham for a conversation that moves between the real-life demands of being an herbalist, the evolution of building something over time, and the quieter forces that shape the path along the way. We talk about burnout, family, and the tension between meaningful work and the day-to-day realities of running a growing herbal business. There's also a thread of mentorship and community woven throughout—how support, generosity, and timing can change everything. And then there's calamus. What starts as a side conversation turns into something much deeper—about finding your voice, speaking what's true, and how working with a plant can shift something internal in a lasting way. It's honest, reflective, and full of those moments that stay with you after the conversation ends. Sajah Popham is an herbalist and educator, and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism. His work weaves together traditional Western herbalism, spagyric medicine, and a vitalist approach, with an emphasis on how herbalists think and relate to plants. He is also the creator of Natura Sophia Spagyrics and host of The Plant Path podcast. LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Sajah EPISODE MENTIONS JOIN THE NETTLE IMMERSION | NettleImmersion.com Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print | |||
| Why We Made The Nettle Immersion (and What's Inside) | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:08:36 | |
We're so excited to share something we've been working on behind the scenes… What started as a simple 20-minute class turned into something much bigger. Over 100 minutes of video, a 30-day nettle challenge, a 30+ page recipe ebook, a community space, a live call, and more. In this video, we walk you through how it all came together and what you can expect inside the experience. This isn't just about learning nettle… it's about working with it. Inside the Nettle Immersion:
Enrollment is open now, but only until April 12. 👉 Learn more and join us | NettleImmersion.com We'd love to have you in this with us. ~Rosalee & Mason | |||
| Flow, Frequency & Trusting Your Herbal Intuition | Kyle Denton | 25 Mar 2026 | 01:40:39 | |
In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we spend time with herbalist Kyle Denton for a conversation that moves fluidly between formulation, creativity, and the deeper questions of how we each find our place within herbalism. Kyle shares his love of crafting formulas, not just as a technical skill, but as an intuitive and expressive practice. From playful "knuckle measurements" to five-part formulas, we explore how structure and instinct can live side by side in the art of making medicine. The conversation wanders (in the best way) through music, learning, and the joy of not taking ourselves too seriously. There's a sense throughout that herbalism doesn't have to be rigid to be meaningful—it can be creative, experimental, and deeply personal. The result is relaxed, funny, and thoughtful—a conversation about trusting your process, following what excites you, and allowing your work as an herbalist to evolve naturally over time. Kyle Denton is an herbalist, educator, and founder of Tippecanoe Herbs in Wisconsin. His work blends clinical insight with creativity, with a focus on accessible, engaging approaches to herbalism, formulation, and community building. Shout out - thanks to Emilie Thomas-Anderson for being our videographer! Don't miss a thing! Join our herbal community newsletter at FolkMethodology.com LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Kyle EPISODE MENTIONS Thanks for the beers Sheri! https://www.acornapothecary.shop/ Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print | |||
| Creativity, Conflict & The Reality of Herbal Practice | Erika Galentin | 11 Mar 2026 | 02:02:31 | |
In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we spend an evening with herbalist Erika Galentin for a conversation that moves from music and creativity to the deeper questions facing modern herbalism. Along the way we explore the tension between tradition and professionalization, what it means to build a clinical practice in today's world, and the personal journeys that shape how each herbalist shows up for the plants and their clients. Erika speaks candidly about the realities of herbal careers: competition, comparison, entrepreneurship, and the challenge of staying rooted in integrity while working within modern systems. We also wander into the importance of reflective practice, collaboration within the herbal community, and why our individual stories as herbalists matter more than trying to fit a single mold. The result is thoughtful, funny, and at times beautifully vulnerable, a conversation about what it really looks like to practice herbalism in this moment, while still honoring the traditions and relationships that brought us here. Erika Galentin is a clinical herbalist, educator, and founder of Sovereignty Herbs. Her work focuses on combining traditional Western herbalism with rigorous clinical thinking, helping practitioners develop depth, discernment, and strong foundations in herbal practice. LINKS & RESOURCES Connect with Erika https://www.sovereigntyherbs.com/ https://www.instagram.com/erikagalentin/ https://www.facebook.com/sovereigntyherbs/ EPISODE MENTIONS Camille Freeman: https://www.camillefreeman.com/ Lindsey Feldpausch: https://plantmatters.org/ Kathy Langelier: https://www.herbalrev.com/ Evan Sylliaasen: https://aromaticmedicineschool.com Cathy Skipper: https://www.cathysattars.com/ Rylee Babst: https://www.instagram.com/ryleebapst/ Follow Along with Folk Methodology Website | FolkMethodology.com Instagram | @folkmethodology TikTok | @folkmethodology Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print | |||
| Herbalism, Mutual Aid & Showing Up for Community | Alex Crofoot | 26 Feb 2026 | 01:42:00 | |
In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we are settled inside Bloodroot Herb Shop in Ypsilanti, Michigan for a conversation with herbalist Alex Crofoot that moves from ancestral midwives in Appalachia to mutual aid in the streets of Michigan. We wander through burnout and obsession, pelvic floor care and pole dancing, the intensity of herbal first at Rainbow Gatherings with 7Song, and the tender question of how to build spaces where plants, and people, belong together. It's thoughtful, heart-centered, and rooted in experience. Alex Crofoot is a Michigan-based clinical herbalist, birth doula, and founder of Bloodroot Herb Shop. She formulates and crafts her own botanical medicines and specializes in reproductive health, hormone balance, and community-centered care shaped by lineage, activism, and deep relationship with the plants. Don't miss a thing! Join our herbal community newsletter at FolkMethodology.com
Connect with Alex Instagram | @bloodroot.herbshop Facebook | @bloodrootherbshop Rooted Apothecary | Rooted-Apothecary.com Appleton Cigar | AppletonCigar.com Follow Along with Folk Methodology Website | FolkMethodology.com Instagram | @folkmethodology TikTok | @folkmethodology Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print | |||
| Community, Craft & The Making of an Herbalist | jim mcdonald | 11 Feb 2026 | 01:25:56 | |
In our very first episode of Herbalists After Hours, we hang out in a forest with jim mcdonald for a wide-ranging conversation about the virtues of herbalists, how a near-death experience affected his life, and why herbalism falls flat when we force it into tidy binaries. jim mcdonald is a Michigan-based herbalist known for his creative energetics approach to plant medicine. He teaches widely respected classes online and in person, with a nuanced style that blends sharp witty insight, lived experience, and always a respect for complexity. Don't miss a thing!
Connect with jim Great Lakes Herb Faire Herbal Kindness
Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print | |||
| The Story Behind Herbalists After Hours | 07 Feb 2026 | 00:26:16 | |
Welcome to Episode 0 of Herbalists After Hours — our origin story. In this kickoff conversation, we share how a small spark of an idea grew into a full-blown project dedicated to celebrating the herbal community. What began as a possible book concept quickly evolved into something more alive: traveling together, visiting herb shops and conferences, and recording raw, unfiltered conversations with the eclectic, brilliant humans who make up the herbal world. In this episode, we unpack the spirit of the show, the meaning behind the name, the logo's hidden symbolism, and the deep sense of purpose motivating this project. It's all about community, curiosity, and spotlighting the multifaceted lives of herbalists beyond their "day job" with the plants. You'll also hear the behind-the-scenes story — the canoe trips between interviews, the conference hopping, the tech challenges, the decision to record only in person, and the joy of co-creating something that felt right from the start. We also share how this project grew into the creation of our joint creative studio, Folk Methodology, a home for the many herbal media projects we're building together. And of course, we introduce our original theme music from Seattle musicians Torin Frost & Lauren Santi, whose artistry helped set the tone for the entire series. This episode is both a love letter to the herbal community and an invitation to join the adventure ahead. Don't miss a thing! LINKS & RESOURCES Torin Frost Website | TorinFrost.com Follow Along with Folk Methodology Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community. The small print | |||
| Why We Started Folk Methodology | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:01:21 | |
🌿 Welcome to Folk Methodology! We're Rosalee de la Forêt and Mason Hutchison, and we're officially introducing our new creative studio and production company: Folk Methodology. This is the home for all of our collaborative herbal projects — present and future. We didn't even plan on starting a full production company at first. It began as a simple idea for an interview show… and that show became Herbalists After Hours — our raw, unfiltered, long-form conversations with herbalists across the country. Sometimes we're in their living rooms, sometimes in the forest, always sharing in the heart of herbal life. This channel is where you'll find: If you want to follow everything we're building, visit FolkMethodology.com and join our newsletter. We'll keep you updated on new episodes, releases, and the bigger-picture projects happening behind the scenes. We're doing this for the herbal community — and because creating together brings us joy. Thanks for being here with us 💛 ~Rosalee & Mason PS — Our episodes are beautifully filmed in person, and the full visual experience really comes alive on YouTube. Subscribe to the Folk Methodology channel to watch along. PPS — Want to see this one? Watch the video version here. | |||