In this soul-stirring episode of The Medicine Way, host Tama Ross sits down with retired fire chief Dawn Birch — a woman forged in wildfire and reborn in ceremony.

After decades on the front lines as a smokejumper, EMT, and firefighter, Dawn’s world unraveled following the loss of a beloved crew member during California’s 2020 North Complex Fire. Burnt out and broken, she followed a mysterious call to the Amazon jungle, where she encountered ayahuasca, an ancient plant medicine, and her mentor, Don José Campos.

What began as a desperate search for healing became a profound spiritual awakening — one that reignited her purpose, reawakened her body, and led her to guide others through their own transformations.

Dawn shares stories of grief and growth, the rebirth of post-menopausal sensuality, and the quiet courage it takes to sit with another’s pain. From jungle ceremonies to NYC healing circles, she speaks with humor, humility, and fire.