THE
WILD ROSE
PODCAST
Welcome to the Wild Rose College Podcast — where the healing power of plants meets real-world practice.
Each episode, we sit down with leading herbalists, plant people, and holistic practitioners to explore the art, science, and spirit of natural health. From grassroots herbalism to integrative medicine, from plant stories to clinical insights — we’re here to share conversations that inspire, educate, and reconnect us with the wisdom of nature.
Whether you’re a budding herbalist, a seasoned practitioner, or simply curious about the world of plant medicine, this is your space to learn, grow, and walk the path of herbalism alongside a thriving community.
Interested in being a guest on the Wild Rose College Podcast?
We’d love to hear from you. If you have a story, area of expertise, or perspective on herbalism, plant medicine, or holistic living that you’d like to share, please fill out our guest submission form to be considered for an upcoming episode.
In this episode of The Wild Rose Podcast, we’re joined by Marie Zak, a herbalist and somatic therapist whose work weaves together plant medicine, nervous system care, and embodied healing.
Marie shares her personal journey into herbalism, shaped by sensitivity, burnout, and a deep return to the body, and how this path led her to integrate somatic relational therapy with clinical herbal practice. The conversation explores what it truly means to tend the nervous system, why so many modern health challenges live in the body rather than just the mind, and how authenticity, power, and belonging are inseparable from wellbeing.
Together, we reflect on somatic therapy, trauma and stress physiology, people-pleasing as a nervous system response, and the role of plants as allies in helping us inhabit ourselves more fully. Marie also speaks to the importance of connection with the more-than-human world, and why relationships with plants and land are essential to healing in these times.
In this episode of The Wild Rose Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Terry Willard, clinical herbalist, researcher, and founder of Wild Rose College, for a thoughtful exploration of neurodivergence through an herbal and holistic lens.
Rather than viewing ADHD, dyslexia, autism traits and other expressions of neurodivergence as disorders, Terry reframes them as natural variations in sensitivity that have helped our species thrive for most of human history. Drawing on five decades of clinical practice, research, and lived experience, he shares how herbs like reishi, dietary patterns, the microbiome, and flower essences can support sensitive nervous systems without trying to “fix” who someone is.
This conversation explores why neurodivergence is especially common among herbalists and plant people, how stimulants affect ADHD brains, and why society itself may be the most important place for healing to occur.
Botanist, mycologist, and author Robert Rogers joins us to explore the quiet yet powerful world of lichens. These ancient partnerships of fungi and algae have shaped life on Earth for millions of years, creating soil, producing oxygen, and offering lessons in resilience and cooperation.
In this episode, Robert shares insights from over five decades of study and teaching, blending Indigenous knowledge and modern pharmacology to reveal the healing potential of lichens. From the antimicrobial properties of Usnea to the soothing, food-based medicine of Iceland moss, he uncovers how these overlooked organisms bridge the gap between tradition and science.
We also reflect on the deeper teachings lichens hold about community and interdependence, reminding us that true healing often begins with how we relate to the world around us.
Herbalist, teacher, and activist Fiona Heckels of the Seed Sistas joins us to explore the fascinating and often misunderstood world of poison plants. From belladonna to henbane and beyond, the Solanaceae family has long been associated with danger, magic, and transformation.
In this episode, Fiona shares insights into the history, folklore, and pharmacology of these plants, as well as their place in modern herbal practice. We also discuss how plants intersect with activism, gender dynamics, and the reclaiming of ancestral knowledge.
Whether you’re curious about the myths, the medicine, or the magic, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at the power of plants to challenge, heal, and inspire.
In this rich and expansive episode, we’re joined by David Winston, clinical herbalist, ethnobotanist, and one of the most respected voices in modern herbal medicine. With over five decades of study and clinical experience, David takes us on a journey through the forgotten history and practical brilliance of the Eclectic medical tradition.
From childhood memories of plantain poultices to rediscovering 19th-century herbal texts at a Vermont book sale, David weaves together personal stories, clinical pearls, and sharp historical insight. We explore how the Eclectics practiced vitalist medicine with precision, specificity, and humility—and why their teachings still matter today.
You’ll learn about:
The origins and philosophy of the Eclectic movement
How to match specific herbs to specific people using herbal energetics
Misunderstood herbs like wild yam and Collinsonia
The art of synergy (and anti-synergy) in herbal formulations
David’s vision for a future where herbal medicine and conventional care work side by side
In this episode, we’re joined by Judith Hill—renowned medical astrologer, herbalist, author, and founder of the Academy for Astrological Medicine. With decades of clinical experience, groundbreaking research, and a deep passion for planetary cycles, Judith has dedicated her life to reuniting astrology and healing.
Together, we explore:
✨ What medical astrology is—and how it can enhance herbal diagnosis and timing
✨ The role of planetary transits in health, vitality, and recovery ✨ Judith’s research on Mars and redheads, earthquake prediction, and lunar surgeries
✨ How astrology offers a missing link in herbal and holistic medicine
✨ Key insights on lunar phases, timing remedies, and personalized herbal practice
Whether you’re astro-curious or a seasoned star-gazer, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how celestial rhythms influence human health—and how we can work with them.
In this episode, we’re joined by Yarrow Willard—Clinical Herbalist, educator, and Director of Wild Rose College. With a background rooted in hands-on herbal medicine and a vision for reconnecting humans to the rhythms of nature, Yarrow brings decades of insight, stories, and grounded wisdom to our conversation.
Together, we explore:
How herbalism evolves through personal practice, connection, and mistakes
The importance of presence, humility, and heart in herbal healing
Rebalancing clinical herbalism with land-based and intuitive traditions
Why the “plant path” is about lifelong listening—not arriving
Practical tips for seasonal living, simple remedies, and staying curious
The vision behind Wild Rose College and building herbal community
Whether you’re new to herbs or decades into your journey, this episode invites you to slow down, tune in, and remember that herbalism isn’t just knowledge—it’s relationship.
In this episode, we’re joined by 7Song—clinical herbalist, educator, botanist, and director of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine. Known for his practical, no-nonsense approach, 7Song has spent decades offering herbal care on the frontlines of community health—from free clinics to protest camps to field first-aid stations.
Together, we explore:
What inclusive men’s health looks like through a herbal lens—and why it matters
Providing real-time herbal care at Rainbow Gatherings and Standing Rock
His work at the Ithaca Free Clinic and what true integrative care can look like
Go-to herbs for anxiety, cognition, infections, and immune support
Thoughts on education, accessibility, and the evolving world of herbal regulation
What keeps him grounded after decades of practicing community herbalism
Whether you’re dreaming of your own apothecary or already supporting others with plant medicine, this episode offers gritty stories, grounded insights, and decades of lived herbal experience.
In this episode, we’re joined by Carley McConkey—a holistic nutritionist, clinical herbalist, and passionate educator whose work centers on body literacy, accessible wellness, and women’s health.
Together, we explore:
Her evolution from holistic nutrition to clinical herbalism
The power of truly listening to your body (and the unlearning that requires)
How modern healthcare fails to meet women’s needs—and how herbalism offers a different way
Accessible wellness through kitchen medicine, broths, and energetics
Flower essences, drop dosing, and those intuitive plant moments
Reframing “peak health” and embracing joy, nourishment, and community as part of healing
Whether you’re new to plant medicine or a seasoned practitioner, this episode invites you to reconnect with your body, your intuition, and the plants that support both.
Your herbal journey doesn’t stop here.
Step into the Herbal Village and surround yourself with education, inspiration, and a vibrant plant-loving community. Inside, you’ll find plant monographs, herbal webinars, medicine-making masterclasses, and a supportive forum where herbalists of all levels connect, learn, and grow together. Whether you’re just beginning or deepening your practice, there’s a place for you here.