In this rich and savory episode of Heal With Mushrooms, Cassandra sits down with chef, author, and wild food guide Maria Finn. From her houseboat in Sausalito to the forests of California and Alaska, Maria brings us on a vibrant journey into the world of foraging, truffle hunting, and her culinary adventures. Discover the deeper meaning behind wild food, the magic of symbiotic ecosystems, and how mushrooms can reconnect us to the landscapes we live in.
🍄 What We Cover in This Episode:
• Maria’s origin story: how COVID lockdowns gave rise to Flora & Fungi Adventures
• The unpredictability of mushroom seasons & why porcini camp became “Culinary Mushroom Camp”
• A deep dive into The Wild Food Manifesto and why our birthright includes a relationship with wild nourishment
• The rise of truffle hunting in North America and Maria’s journey as a “truffle dog tiger mom”
• How truffles reproduce and their unique role in forest ecosystems
• The truth about truffle oil and how to infuse real truffles into your food
• Truffle training 101: How to teach a dog to find truffles using Q-tips and tea balls
• Tips for safe solo foraging—especially for women
• Maria’s new book Forage. Gather. Feast. and her upcoming workshops at Esalen and beyond
• The Institute for Ecosystem-Based Living and how food, science, and art come together in her pop-up events
🧠 For Mycology Nerds:
Maria shares fascinating insights on mycorrhizal networks, truffle reproductive cycles, and even touches on William Padilla-Brown’s theories about truffles and human consciousness.
🍽️ Mushroom Recipes & Tips:
• Oregon black truffle crème brûlée with preserved sakura blossoms
• Pavlovas with whipped truffle cream, hazelnuts & pomegranate
• Infusing truffles into butter, cream, eggs—and how fat carries their elusive aroma
🛠️ Resources & Links:
• 📘 Forage. Gather. Feast. by Maria Finn – [Available via Sasquatch Books, April 2024]
• 🌐 www.florafungiadventures.com
• 📸 Instagram: @flora.and.fungi.adventures & @maria_finn1
🌊 Upcoming Retreats & Events:
• Morrell Camp in the Sierra Foothills (May)
• Esalen Institute Wild Foods Workshop (Summer) https://www.esalen.org/workshops/foraging-fall-in-love-with-nature-through-wild-foods-07252025
• Institute for Ecosystem-Based Living pop-up events in 2025
✨ Quotes to Remember:
“Learning your mushrooms is a great way to learn the forest.”
“Nature is everyone’s birthright.”
🍄 Stay Connected with Cassandra:
Tag @healwithmushrooms on Instagram and share what you loved most about this episode.
🎧 If you loved this episode, please:
• Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review
• Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform
• Share it with a friend who’s curious about wild food, truffles, or healing with mushrooms
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The information provided on the Heal With Mushrooms podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.
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