Gathered: Storied Botanicals

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Introducing Gathered: Storied Botanicals

Gathered: Storied Botanicals is a monthly podcast—with room and the will to grow. In each episode, I delve into the world of flowers weaving my experiences as a floral designer and writer with a flower’s depth and significance. By putting each bloom under a historic, scientific, literary, folkloric, or artistic lens we can better see this fascinating world as fertile ground for teaching us how we relate to and understand the world around us.

If you’re looking for a chance to discover and explore this fertile ground or if you need a brief escape Gathered: Storied Botanicals can be your proverbial campfire to gather’ round. 

To learn more about words, flowers, and art head over to gathered-storiedbotanicals.com 

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On the final day of the year, the season's final episode of Gathered: Storied Botanicals delves into the story of the Poinsettia. It goes by many names and its intricate history illuminates all the many gifts it offers during the Christmas season. 

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Some unexpected heartbreak has had me change my initial plans for this month's episode and revisit a lyric essay I wrote in Chicago called, "Girlish Notions." It's a departure from past episodes and it's a bit more personal than what I'm comfortable with, but felt compelled to create something as an offer of catharsis. Because of some language geared toward sexual assault, listener discretion is advised for this episode.

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They lie low to the ground. Sneaky and insidious, they creep along forest floors, climb garden gates, and choke out its neighbors. This Halloween let's follow the coils of creeping vines that have made their way into our culture, from 19th century literature to the horror movies we watch every spooky season. 

Happy Halloween!

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Having missed June's episode, I catch up on an Icelandic adventure that revealed insight into the lupine flower, its role in ancient Rome, Native American medicine, and restoring soil health in Iceland. From there, we gather a fresh look at a life philosophy through a classic children's story.

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In this month's episode, we'll gather 'round the *podcasting campfire* for the story of Farhad and Shirin, the Persian folktale that is also the legend of the first tulip.

Full show notes for this episode can be found at gathered-storiedbotanicals.com/podcast

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Flowering branches are one of the early blooms that promises spring isn't far off. One particular flowering tree has a deep history that's crossed oceans and has inspired artists, warriors, and activists alike!

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The topic of gardens is vast. Let's dig into a type of garden that has evolved through the ages and how one man's vision of what a garden could be informed the first chapter of America's history.

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The first episode of the podcast’s relaunch! We begin this new season at the root, or roots—literally and metaphorically. Returning to one’s roots or to begin again in a career, creative pursuit, a new place to live, or in life can feel like a setback, but we explore how the plant structure--in all its diversity and complexity--can offer some insight in reframing this point of view. 

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