The Dancing Willow – Details, episodes & analysis

What if your New Year didn’t start with resolutions but with fire, intention, and deep relationship to the Earth?

In this expansive and intimate episode of The Dancing Willow, Elliott sits down with her Uncle David Elliott, healer, teacher, and ceremonial leader, for a powerful conversation on ritual, intention-setting, and the living intelligence of the natural world. Recorded just before the New Year, this episode invites listeners to reimagine how we mark transitions, release the old, and step consciously into what’s next.

Together, they explore David’s decades-long practice of leading New Year’s fire walks, the potency of choosing a single guiding word rather than a resolution, and why fire, especially at the winter solstice, is such a profound ally for transformation. From chanting under the stars to walking barefoot across hot coals, David shares how ceremony works on both the visible and invisible levels.

The conversation widens to include practical ways anyone can create meaningful ritual at home, working with plants, water, minerals, the directions, and the elements you already feel connected to. David also speaks candidly about cultivating reciprocal relationships with the Earth, plants like tobacco and mullein, animal allies, ancestors, and unseen support systems that guide us when we learn how to listen.

Woven throughout are personal stories, from family lineage and ancestral farming roots to weddings, dreams, and moments of unmistakable guidance, that ground this episode in lived experience.

This is an episode for anyone feeling called to slow down, reconnect, and enter the New Year with reverence, clarity, and trust in the support that surrounds us.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why fire is a central teacher in winter and New Year ceremonies
• The power of choosing a single word as a life-long compass
• How intention & connection to the elements shapes our nervous system and reality
• Simple ways to create ritual and ceremony at home
• Building relationships with plants, animals, ancestors, and the elements
• Earth-based spirituality beyond dogma or tradition
• How subtle support can be more powerful than force or effort

Links & Resources: 

• David’s Website- https://www.davidelliott.com/
• Free Breathwork Meditations on Spotify by David: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lnGKrOWAuKvNoxEleY8Vm?si=FCABvuzQTwi4zWc-h2XP1A
• Freedom from Anxiety Meditation: https://www.davidelliott.com/freedom-from-anxiety/
• Intro to Breathwork Podcast with Eliza Rose Kane: Episode 3, The Dancing Willow, “Breathing with the Earth: Botanical Breathwork with Eliza Rose Kane” https://open.spotify.com/episode/250Gi4fhBSfXB4DeYQ2yEf?si=e3b53135c0af4d02

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

If you’re craving a grounding, calming episode to carry you through the darkest days of the year, this is the one to press play on. In this winter-solstice-timed conversation, Elliott takes us deep into the green heart of one of her favorite seasonal allies: pine, a plant that offers medicine for the body, steadiness for the spirit, and a gentle reminder that resilience lives in us, even during the winter season.

As evergreens fill our homes and line our snowy trails this time of year, Elliott explores why humans have always been drawn to them in winter and how their presence, fresh, fragrant, symbolic, can be powerful medicine in more ways than one.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why evergreens became symbols of hope, renewal, and resilience during solstice season
  
  
• Energetic qualities of pine: grounding amidst chaos, softening perfectionism, and cultivating self-acceptance
  
  
• How pine can help us find structure and steadiness after the frenetic holiday pace
  
  
• The role of pine flower essence in easing guilt and supporting gentler self-talk
  
  
• The immune, respiratory, and digestive benefits of pine needles
  
  
• Why pine is a powerful ally for cold & flu season
  
  
• The best ways to work with pine, including medicine making techniques and home rituals!
  
  
• The medicine of pine resin
  
  
• The story behind Dancing Willow’s pine tincture and the deeply intentional process of wildcrafting for the Elder Bear Elixir
  
  
• Reflections on Osha, respectful harvesting, and bioregional responsibility
  
  
• A heartfelt end-of-year moment as Elliott wraps up 2025 with gratitude for the community gathered around these plant teachings

Featured Remedies:

• Pine Tincture, handmade from needles harvested on Elliott’s own land
  
  
• Elder Bear Elixir, a winter ally made with local pine, elderberry, and sacred Osha
  
  

Perfect For You If…

You’re navigating holiday overwhelm, seeking grounding practices, exploring herbal immune support, or simply longing to reconnect with the evergreens in your home this time of the year.

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

Burnout isn’t just about doing too much but about losing touch with what truly lights you up... In this solo episode, Elliott invites you into the apothecary for an intimate, heart-to-heart on navigating burnout in all its forms. From the classic “doing too much” variety to the deeper, more subtle misalignment burnout, she explores how to recognize the signs, reclaim your energy, and reconnect with what truly lights you up using the help of the plants.

You’ll learn about:

• The two main types of burnout and how to tell which you’re in
• How subconscious beliefs about productivity and worthiness impact your energy
• Spiritual heart herbs like rose, hawthorn, and Tulsi for purpose, authenticity and boundaries around what no longer is feeding you
• Kidney chi tonics and adaptogens to nourish your adrenals and HPA axis
• Nervines for calming your system in the moment
• The unexpected plant allies that may be calling you right now

Elliott also shares personal stories, herbal wisdom, and lifestyle shifts to help you find balance, create space for joy, and remember that rest is productive.

🌿 Mentioned in this episode:

• Blooming Rooted Retreat (over the autumn equinox) – a space for deep nervous system nourishment and plant connection.
• Herbal formulas like Peaceful Heart, Gear Down, Sleep Deep, fresh Milky Oat and fresh Tulsi tincture from Dancing Willow Herbs.

If you’ve been feeling overextended, misaligned, or simply in need of a reset, this episode is your permission slip to slow down and come home to yourself, supported by the plants that love you.

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

What if your body’s symptoms were actually sacred messengers—nudging you back toward your most authentic self?

In this soulful and deeply moving episode, Elliott Brinkley is joined by one of her dearest friends, Calley Hoffman. From the early days when Calley was working behind the counter at Dancing Willow Herbs to the launch of Harmonic Earth Sanctuary in downtown Durango, this conversation is a testament to the power of living authentically, even, and especially, in the midst of life’s hardest initiations.
Together, Elliott and Calley explore:

• Calley’s profound healing journey through eczema and the spiritual nudge that brought her from Chicago to Durango
• The evolution of her work and calling, including the creation of Harmonic Earth Sanctuary and her work with the Harmonic Egg
• How the body speaks through illness and what can happen when we truly listen
• The language of the plants, dreams as medicine, and Calley’s ongoing relationship with plant spirits like elder, rose, and blue lotus
• Her sacred path through grief following the stillbirth of her daughter Stella, and the birth of her herbal line, Cosmic Mother

You’ll also hear about the magic of the Blooming Rooted Retreat, where Calley experienced profound release and transformation among a circle of women, nature, and breathwork.

Whether you're navigating change, craving a deeper connection with your intuition, or curious about plant spirit medicine and vibrational healing, this episode offers a gentle but powerful invitation: return to your body, your heart, and your truth.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Harmonic Earth Sanctuary and the Harmonic Egg: https://www.harmonicearthsanctuary.org/
• Special code for first-time visitors to the egg: WILLOW for $25 off
• Cosmic Heart tea by Cosmic Mother
• Blooming Rooted Retreat (Sept 19–22): https://dancingwillowherbs.com/pages/blooming-rooted-herbalism-retreat

As always, if this episode speaks to you, please share, rate, or leave a review. It helps the show grow and keeps this circle connected.

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

In this heartfelt solo episode, Elliott Brinkley—owner of Dancing Willow Herbs—invites you behind the curtain for an intimate look at what’s unfolded in the four years since she took the reins of the beloved Durango apothecary. From major business overhauls like updating the POS system and shifting to sustainable packaging, to deeply intentional product reformulations and expansions, Elliott shares the lessons, challenges, and proudest moments of her journey.

You’ll hear about:

• The transition from herbalist to business owner
• How Elliott rebuilt core operations while staying true to the spirit of the shop
• The stories behind some of her most meaningful product creations like Rooted Heart Elixir and Inflammation Moderation
• The transformation of the bath & body line with deeper plant energetics and herbal infusions
• Sustainable practices now baked into every aspect of the business
• Her passion for community education, botanical breathwork, and teaching
• What’s coming next—from new products to the upcoming Blooming Rooted Retreat

If you’re curious about the magic that happens behind the scenes of a thriving apothecary—or simply seeking inspiration for your own path—this episode is full of grounded wisdom, vulnerability, and plant-centered purpose.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Elliott’s First Episode (Her Story)
• Deb Swanson’s Episode (Founder Story)
• Blooming Rooted Autumn Equinox Retreat – Sept 19–22
• Planting Seeds in Grief: Herbs for a Rooted Heart (podcast episode mentioned in the episode) 
• Rooted Heart Elixir
• Inflammation Moderation
• Mindful Mushroom Mix
• The Healer Massage Oil
• Bath & Body Line
• Online Herbal Classes

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

Ever wondered how a single vision can spark decades of community healing? Step into the story of our apothecary rooted in wild plants, womanhood, and the quiet magic that grows when we trust the seasons of our lives.

In this heartfelt episode, Elliott Brinkley, current owner of Dancing Willow Herbs, sits down with Deb Swanson, founder of Dancing Willow Herbs, to explore the apothecary’s origins, the wisdom of plant medicine, and the unseen threads connecting womanhood, astrology, and healing.

They share stories of Deb’s childhood love of wild plants, her studies with Michael Moore, and the mystical vision behind the name Dancing Willow Herbs. From growing a community hub to learning to let go, this is a reflection on legacy, transformation, and honoring every season of life.

Highlights:

• The vision that inspired Dancing Willow Herbs
• The origins and history of our apothecary
• Herbalism as a path to wholeness
• Learning to set boundaries in healing work
• Integrating astrology and herbalism
• Passing the torch and embracing freedom after 30 years in business
  
  
  

Whether you have been a part of our Dancing Willow Herbs community from the beginning or you are new to our offerings, this podcast will connect you to the spirit of what we do & how it all began. 

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

Phytochemistry isn’t just science—it’s the language plants use to connect, communicate, and heal.

In this conversation, Elliott sits down with beloved teacher and plant chemistry wizard Lisa Ganora to explore the fascinating world of herbal constituents, not as dry academic material, but as the living language of the plants. Lisa helps us reframe chemistry as a tool for deepening relationship—showing how phytochemicals carry signals, stories, and life force, and how we as herbalists can learn to listen.

Together, they dive into:

• The bridge between science and spirit in herbalism
• How phytochemicals act as energetic signals within the body
• Lisa’s unforgettable first plant meditation experience with Catnip
• The importance of organoleptics (taste, smell, feel) in herbal understanding
• Why bitters are so much more than digestive support
• The herbal wonder that is Angelica root
• Astringents, demulcents, and the sensory language of herbal energetics
• Solubility, extraction, and how to make vibrant herbal medicine

Whether you geek out on plant chemistry or tend to glaze over at the word “constituents,” this episode will leave you with a renewed sense of wonder and practical insight for your own herbal journey.

Resources Mentioned:

• Lisa’s online courses and membership at herbalconstituents.com
• Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistry by Lisa Ganora
• The Physio-Medical Dispensatory by Dr. William Cook (1869)
• Lisa's herb farm in Paonia, Elderberry's Herbal Education & Retreat Center
• @Lisaganora on instagram

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

As the days grow longer and the sun shines stronger, our bodies crave balance, hydration and calm. In this episode, clinical herbalist, Elliott Brinkley explores the vibrant world of summertime herbs—highlighting cooling, moistening, and antioxidant-rich plants that can help you thrive in the heat.

You’ll learn how to make herbal sun teas, herb infused green juices, and cooling tonics using refrigerant herbs like hibiscus, elderflower, lemon balm, peppermint, chickweed and rose, as well as demulcents like marshmallow root, rose hips, licorice and chia. Elliott also shares practical tips for holistic sun care, including foods and herbs that can support your skin’s resilience from the inside out.

🌞 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• How to work with herbs seasonally and energetically
• Top cooling “refrigerant” herbs and how to prepare them
• The power of mucilaginous herbs (demulcents) for internal hydration
• Recipes for summer tonics, green juices, and herbal mocktails
• Nutritional strategies to naturally protect your skin from sun damage
• Herbal allies for sunburn, bug bites, and outdoor wellness

🌿 Products from the Apothecary:

• Hot Mama Tea – cooling support for hot flashes & summer heat
• Bug Be Gone – natural bug spray featuring catnip extract
• Sunburn Spray – cooling mist with aloe, lavender, and peppermint
• Bug Bite Salve – itch relief with chickweed, plantain, and comfrey
• High C Tea – iced vitamin C-rich infusion with hibiscus and elderberries

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

What if your skincare routine was more than just topical? What if it was a sacred exchange—between you, the plants, and the Earth?

In this soul-stirring episode, Elliott sits down with Julie Williams, founder and formulator behind Leaf People Skincare. Julie shares the remarkable story of how she studied plant medicine around the globe—from the Amazon to the Australian outback—and how those teachings laid the foundation for one of the most energetically aligned skincare lines in existence.

We explore:

• How Leaf People was born from plant visions in the Amazon
• What it means to be in true service to the plants
• Wildcrafting with intention & plant communication
• Julie’s multi-phase extraction process, including oil infusions, tinctures, and vibrational medicine
• The role of Buddhist talismans, monk blessings, and energetic imprinting in her lab
• How ingredients like plant-based hyaluronic acid, peptides, and stem cells can be used to enhance botanicals in skincare
• A guide to choosing from Leaf People’s four lines: Transform, Nourishing, Balancing, and Clinical
• Julie’s own skincare routine, and why “radiance” starts in the heart

Special Listener Offer:
Get 20% off your Leaf People order with code DANCINGWILLOW at checkout online at leafpeople.com or locals come stock up at the apothecary, sale applies at Dancing Willow Herbs for all Leaf People products until June 3rd! 

Shop all Leaf People goodies: leafpeople.com

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by skincare advice or frustrated that your “clean” routine still isn’t working for acne—this episode is for you.

Elliott talks with Satara Arthaud, esthetician and founder of Clear Esthetics, about how to truly support acne-prone skin with both compassion and strategy. Together, they go deep into the misconceptions around acne and the often overlooked lifestyle and product factors that can make or break your skin’s health.

You’ll learn:

• What “acne-safe” really means—and why most skincare isn’t
• The top pore-clogging culprits hiding in everyday habits (think fabric softeners, haircare, and common supplements)
• Satara’s gentle but results-driven approach to facials, exfoliation, and extractions
• How to think about retinol, AHAs, and red light therapy depending on your skin type
• Why internal factors—like hormones, gut health, and stress—can show up on your face
• How acne impacts self-worth, and why healing goes beyond the surface

Plus, Satara shares her personal journey with acne and the turning points that transformed her skin—and her work.

This is a compassionate, myth-busting episode for anyone who wants to care for their skin with more intention, clarity, and self-acceptance.

Links: 

Satara’s business & online shop: https://www.clearestheticssb.com/

Satara’s Instagram: @clear_esthetics

Acne Safe App (for checking ingredients): https://acnesafe.co

LightStim (her favorite red light device): https://www.lightstim.com

Blooming Rooted Retreat: September 2025, Mancos CO, Herbalism Retreat, join us! 

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco