Find out all about Olga and her Greece trips at Smugtown Mushrooms

AC and Isaac welcome returning guest Olga Tzogas of Smugtown Mushrooms, calling in from California where she’s teaching frequent classes, connecting with mushroom and herbal communities, and harvesting no-spray citrus for an east-coast fruit share. They discuss shifts in mushroom education interest, regional and international mushroom diversity tied to trees and rainfall, and favorite Greece finds like shaggy parasols and almond-scented wild Agaricus, plus simple grilling methods with olive oil, oregano, and lemon. Olga explains truffles—trees they associate with, how quickly they can be found with trained dogs, why prices are high, preservation challenges, and ways to use them. Olga shares details on her Greece trips in May and October (including truffle hunting, medicine making, hydrosols, dyes, and food), early bird timing, and mentions the upcoming New Moon Mycology Summit in September.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:33 Guest Intro and Teasers

01:50 Greece Trip Announcement

03:33 Olga in California

06:55 Teaching on the Road

08:27 Mushroom Trend Talk

10:09 Foraging Origins and Fungi Magic

11:48 California Mushroom Season

14:00 Mushrooms Around the World

18:49 Greece Mushroom Favorites

22:23 Citrus Share and Bitters

25:51 Peels Oxymels and Aronia

31:04 Sea Buckthorn and Ojas

36:16 Thorns Hawthorn and Cornelian Cherry

37:52 Wild Fruit and Wood

38:47 Truffles and Host Trees

39:46 Cultivating Truffles Fast

41:30 Training Truffle Dogs

43:24 Truffle Prices and Shelf Life

44:43 Preserving Truffle Aroma

47:09 Cooking With Truffles

50:13 Greece Foraging Trips

56:28 Trip Dates and Lodging

01:00:15 Workshops and Slow Travel

01:07:20 Why Greece Feels Free

01:12:28 New Moon Summit Update

01:16:35 Early Bird and Giving Back

01:18:39 Final Thanks and Farewell

Find Dana at The Druid's Garden: Spirit Journeys in Healing the Land, Permaculture, Sustainable Living, and Creative ArtsFind out more about the Plant Cunning Conference at Plant Cunning Conference – Save the date – July 24-26, 2026Book a Vedic astrology reading with Isaac by emailing him at [email protected]

AC and Isaac welcome back Dana O’Driscoll—Grand Archdruid of Ancient Order of Druids in America, co-director and founder of the Pennsylvania School of Herbalism, author, artist, and creator of the Druid’s Garden blog—to discuss her new book, "Eco Spirituality in the 21st Century," co-authored with Nate Summers. They talk about the book as a practical roadmap for difficult times, rooted in nature spirituality and community, and built around seven themes: reconnection, respect, rewilding, regeneration, resilience, re-enchantment, and revisioning. Dana explains how she and Nate collaborated (long conversations to develop the framework, then dividing chapters by strengths), how the book uses a Druid-inspired structure (Bard/ovate/druid as community/creative practice, nature-based practice, and cosmology/magical theory), and why storytelling and visioning are central as acts of magic that shape reality. The conversation explores animism and agency in the natural world, the role of gratitude and offerings in reciprocal relationships with land and plants, the need to pair magical work with practical action, and the importance of rebuilding local, in-person community through shared meals, fires, mutual aid, and tool shares as larger systems strain. Dana also shares details on upcoming events (Plant Cunning Conference July 24–26 in central New York; Hawthorn Botanical Gathering in June) and where to find her work, including the book via major booksellers, her site (thedruidsgarden.com), and the Pennsylvania School of Herbalism (paherbschool.com).

01:10 Conference and Support Updates

02:32 Seasonal Check In

03:20 Why This Book Now

08:01 Co Writing the Book

11:34 Meeting Nate and Shared Druidry

15:17 Seven Rs Framework

22:18 Storytelling as Magic

28:19 Agency Action and Enchantment

33:52 Stories Shape Reality

34:13 Deprogramming Cultural Beliefs

35:28 Seven Rs Roadmap

38:44 Enchantment Without Overload

42:25 Respect Through Animism

44:29 Offerings and Deep Gratitude

52:15 Reindigenizing Daily Life

54:09 Rebuilding Local Community

59:01 Herb School and Book Links

01:02:43 Final Thanks and Wrap

AC and Isaac welcome John Michael Greer back to the Plant Cunning Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on mundane astrology and the Saturn–Neptune conjunction at 0° Aries on February 20. Greer explains mundane astrology as astrology applied to world events, emphasizing traditional tools like ingress charts for solstices and equinoxes, eclipse charts, and great conjunctions, and describing astrology as an empirical craft built from long historical observation. The episode explores why 0° Aries functions as a zodiac “reset button,” why Saturn (form, limits, structure) combining with Neptune (dissolution, unity, imagination, delusion) suggests major shifts. They discuss competing ways of timing the Age of Aquarius, including the 2020 Jupiter–Saturn conjunction in Aquarius as a possible “dawn” marker, and critique utopian 1960s portrayals of Aquarius, noting traditional rulership by Saturn and the difficult, disruptive qualities associated with Uranus (and Rahu as co-ruler in Vedic astrology). Greer ties Uranus-in-Gemini cycles to U.S. history and “elite replacement” periods, framing current politics as another transition that may include bureaucratic contraction and social conflict without necessarily implying “the end of everything.” Additional themes include long-term decline versus sudden collapse, climate volatility, ice-sheet destabilization, karmic causality as “action and consequence” rather than retribution, and esoteric ideas like Dion Fortune’s “initiation of the nadir” as a potential collective turning point amid peak global population.

02:53 Mundane Astrology

101: The Oldest Branch of Astrology & How It Works

04:26 Tools of Mundane Astrology: Ingresses, Eclipses, and Great Conjunctions

06:29 Why 0° Aries Matters: The Zodiac ‘Reset Button’

08:27 Saturn Meets Neptune: Form vs Dissolution—and Why This One’s Unprecedented

11:50 Axial Age Echoes: Religion, Philosophy, and What Might Change Next

15:50 Age of Aquarius: Uranus Energy, Myths of Utopia, and Saturn’s Reality Check

21:07 Tech, AI, and Civilizational Fragility

26:25 When Did the Age of Aquarius Begin?

5:26 Wheels Within Wheels: Stacking Cycles and What We’ll Notice in Our Lifetimes

36:42 Historical Parallel: Early Democracy, and How Big Shifts Start Small

37:56 Athens’ Democratic Experiment & the Rise of a Cultural Powerhouse

38:36 Thales and the Birth of Philosophy: Reason Replaces Myth

39:34 Where the Next Breakthrough Comes From: Fringe Ideas That ‘Work’

41:07 Screens, AI, and a Return to Being Human (in a New Way)

42:46 The Star of Bethlehem, Magi as Magicians, and Modern ‘Messiah’ Speculation

44:37 Aquarius vs Pisces: Why We Can’t Imagine a Truly New Age

45:11 Reading Dead People: Ancient Epics as a Portal to Other Mindsets

46:20 Kali Yuga vs Satya Yuga: Are We in the Spiritual Winter?

48:43 26,000-Year Cycles, Ancient Dread, and ‘This Is as Bad as It Gets’

52:33 Saturn’s Lesson: Endure, Do Your Dharma, and Get to Work

54:34 Initiation of the Nadir: Hitting Rock Bottom and Rounding the Buoy

58:48 Uranus in Gemini & America’s Elite Replacement Cycles (Revolution–Civil War–WWII)

01:05:43 Mundane Astrology Methods: Updating Planetary Meanings for the Modern World

01:09:06 Mars vs Mercury Masculinity—and What a Future Dark Age Might Look Like

01:13:20 Post-Collapse Cities in ‘Star’s Reach’: A Byzantine-Style Future

01:14:06 What Determines the Shape of a Dark Age? Printing, Farming, and Resilient Tech

01:15:33 Amish & Appropriate Tech: Keeping Urban Life Alive After Collapse

01:18:30 Collapse as Slow ‘Ragged Decline’: Gas Prices, Frogs, and the Long Slide

01:21:48 Punctuated Shocks: Lockdowns, 9/11, and Climate Tipping Points

01:24:05 Astrology as a Tactical Tool: Daily Transits, Timing, and Better Decisions

01:29:29 Intuition, Past Lives, and Skill Carryover: From Mozart to Tarot

01:33:33 Karma Explained: Action, Consequences, and What Charts Can Reveal

01:37:03 Remedies & Magic: Planetary Charity, Talismans, and Natal Chart Mandalas

In this episode of the Plant Cunning Podcast, hosts AC and Isaac Hill are joined by Amelia South, known as "the No BS Herbalist." Amelia shares her journey into the world of plants and natural healing, inspired by the birth of her daughter and her early experiences with herbs. She delves into her practical approach to herbalism, emphasizing the importance of understanding the root causes of health issues, rather than just addressing symptoms with herbs. Amelia introduces her latest book, 'Think Like an Herbalist,' a practical guide aimed at those looking to deepen their understanding of herbalism and natural health practices without becoming professional herbalists. The conversation also touches on her upcoming book focused on mental health and subconscious healing, and the importance of mental wellbeing for both practitioners and clients. Tune in for a rich discussion on plant wisdom, personal healing journeys, and the intersection of physical, mental, and emotional health.

00:00 Introduction to the Plant Cunning Podcast

00:34 Meet Amelia South: The No BS Herbalist

03:38 Amelia's Journey into Herbalism

06:45 Teaching and Foraging Adventures

12:24 Amelia's Cookbook and Bone Broth Tips

33:10 Healing the Gut: Cabbage and Beyond

40:10 Understanding the Root of Addiction

41:23 The Role of the Subconscious Mind in Healing

43:28 Client Consultations and Setting Boundaries

44:29 The Importance of Willingness in Healing

47:09 Addressing Deep-Seated Beliefs

49:18 The Challenge of Helping Others

01:07:28 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

01:14:19 Streamlining Communication and Services

01:17:48 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

In this episode, co-hosts Isaac and AC Hill sit down with Jamie Paul Lamb, a distinguished astrologer, magician, and author. Jamie dives deep into his new book, 'The Astrological Goetia,' which examines the ancient method of dividing the zodiac into five-degree sections known as the Quinaries. Together, they explore how this system brings a fascinating blend of traditional astrology and astrological magic to the forefront. Discover the historical and mystical roots of the Quinaria, delve into the attributes of angelic and demonic spirits associated with these divisions, and uncover the intricacies of chart delineation using this lesser-known technique. Whether you're an astrology enthusiast or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers unique insights into the intersection of astrology, magic, and the platonic worldview. 00:00 Introduction to the Plant Cunning Podcast

00:34 Guest Introduction: Jamie Paul Lamb

01:48 Astrological Insights and Book Discussion

04:34 Journey into Astrology and Magic

11:09 Historical Figures and Esoteric Traditions

17:20 Divisional Charts and Spiritual Entities, Devatas, Angels and Demons

41:25 Astrological Rectifyication Techniques

41:45 Exploring Profections and Dashas, and other Timing Techniques

45:34 Western vs. Vedic Astrology Approaches

56:33 Astrological Remediation and Talismans

01:03:41 Philosophical Insights and Conclusion

In this episode, hosts AC and Isaac Hill welcome Brigit Anna McNeil. Bridget, a writer, eco psychotherapist, and herbalist, shares insights from her newly released book 'The Wild Within.' We explore her personal journey influenced by two incredible grandmothers, the importance of seasonal cycles, and the significance of telling and retelling stories that connect us back to nature. Additionally, Bridget discusses her beliefs on rewilding and how creative practices and rituals can be tools for personal transformation. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode that bridges the gap between the natural world and our inner selves.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:44 Brigit's Journey to Herbalism

06:45 Influential Teachers and Mentors

07:55 The Concept of 'The Wild Within'

09:25 Cultural Perceptions of Wildness

18:46 Rewilding and Connection to Nature

27:31 Seasonal Cycles and Beginnings

37:24 Rituals and Personal Growth

40:03 Winter Herbal Allies

42:08 The Enigmatic Yew Tree

46:15 Eco-Psychotherapy Explained

50:48 The Healing Power of Creativity

01:03:05 Imagination and Inner Child

01:09:22 Imbolc Traditions and Reflections

01:11:17 Conclusion

In this episode, we welcome Akiva Silver of Twisted Tree Farm. Our discussion wanders into the creation of lotus ponds, the selective use of nitrogen-fixing plants, and the importance of "hardening off" in the North. Akiva shares his journey from wilderness survival enthusiast to professional nurseryman, emphasizing the importance of having a 'conversation with the land.' He also touches on the philosophy behind his work, the benefits of diverse plantings, and the practicalities of building DIY ponds. Akiva's insightful perspective on managing land and fostering biodiversity is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable farming practices.00:00 Introduction to the Plant Cunning Podcast01:06 Upcoming Events and Announcements02:00 Akiva Silver's Journey and Philosophy03:12 The Art of Working with Land07:27 Planting Strategies and Observations15:34 Exploring Akiva's Farm and Plant Varieties22:11 Challenges and Learnings in Permaculture30:21 Balancing Experiments and Resilient Plants31:01 The Resilience and Early Production of Hazelnuts31:36 Chestnuts: A Versatile and Historical Nut35:36 Managing Abundance and Wildlife on the Farm37:59 Building and Maintaining Ponds Yourself39:53 The Benefits of Ponds for Wildlife and Recreation41:20 Specializing Ponds for Different Uses44:12 Renting Equipment and DIY Pond Construction48:38 The Importance of Taking Action and Learning by Doing49:47 Current Projects and Inspirations50:37 Books and Philosophies on Nature and Life53:14 Reflections on Modern Challenges and Resilience55:37 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode we are joined by the esteemed astrologer, teacher, and author, Stormie Grace. We discuss everything from Stormie's personal journey into astrology at a young age, her career transition from radio to YouTube, and her unique approach to reading charts. Stormie elaborates on how she incorporates the natal and progressed lunar phases, the significance of the nodal story, and the intricate dance of the sun and the moon to guide her astrological readings. Stormie also talks about the challenges and opportunities in the YouTube astrology space, and the process and insights behind her new book on aspects. Tune in to hear Stormie's inspiring story and her wisdom on growing through life's cosmic cycles.

00:00 Introduction to the Plant Cunning Podcast

00:31 Meet Stormie Grace: Astrologer and Teacher

01:32 Stormie's Journey into Astrology

04:01 The Saturn Return: A Turning Point

11:31 Stormie's Transition to YouTube20:14 Astrology Techniques and Insights

22:34 Understanding Moon Phases in Astrology

31:02 Introduction to Nodes in Astrology

31:41 Understanding the South Node

32:17 Balancing the North and South Nodes

34:44 Nodes in Different Signs and Degrees

37:14 The Role of Houses and Planets

39:16 Lunar Phases and Life Seasons

43:37 Winter Seasons and Personal Growth

47:16 New Book on Aspects in Astrology

47:32 Astrology as a Language

49:38 Practical Applications of Aspects

53:04 Writing the Book and Future Research

58:30 Conclusion and Where to Find More

In this episode, hosts AC and Isaac Hill sit down with herbalist Kyle Denton. Kyle shares his journey from a bike accident to becoming an herbalist and teacher, diving deep into his passion for astrological herbalism and biofield tuning. Discover the story behind Kyle's herb shop, Tippecanoe Herbs, and its evolution from a farmer's market stall to a comprehensive healing space with a kitchen, cafe, and herbal clinic. Kyle also explains his unique approach to bio terrain vitalism and holistic health, incorporating the elements of nature with modern herbal practice. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in plant-based healing, natural medicine, and the intricate relationships between plants, astrology, and our biofields.

00:00 Introduction to the Plant Cunning Podcast

00:31 Meet Kyle Denton: Herbalist and Teacher

01:14 The Journey of Tippecanoe Herbs

01:58 Herbal Shop and Community Space

04:32 The Connection Between Alcohol and Herbs

06:15 Kyle's Path to Herbalism

11:14 Ayurveda and Western Herbalism

14:13 Understanding Bio Terrain Vitalism

20:09 Exploring Biofield Tuning

31:05 The Power of Naming Plants

31:42 Biofield Tuning Techniques

33:28 Integrating Healing with Herbs

40:44 Astrology and Herbalism

42:38 Aromatic Astrology and Incense Making

49:21 The Role of Myths in Healing

01:02:29 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

Today we are joined once more by the renowned herbalist and author Robert Dale Rogers. Known for his extensive research on mushrooms and lichens, Robert is here to discuss the fascinating world of ferns and his latest book, 'The Fern Pharmacy.' We explore the medicinal wonders of ferns, discover their unique lifecycles, and learn some surprising historical and practical uses. Robert shares insights from his journey and research, including the importance of proper preparation for medicinal efficacy and his personal experiences with various fern species. Whether you're an herbalist looking to expand your knowledge or just curious about the hidden potentials of these ancient plants, this episode offers a wealth of information. Stay tuned as Robert also teases his upcoming works on mosses and medicinal cacti.

00:00 Introduction to the Plant Cunning Podcast

00:31 Welcoming Robert Dale Rogers

01:41 Researching the Fern Pharmacy

03:56 Ferns in History and Culture

06:30 Medicinal and Edible Ferns

17:02 Practical Uses of Ferns

20:44 Ferns in Traditional Medicine

23:06 Decoctions and Infusions: Using Ferns for Health

23:46 Traditional Uses of Ferns in Indigenous Medicine

25:15 Favorite Ferns and Their Medicinal Benefits

28:24 Ferns in Global Practices and Personal Anecdotes

34:37 Silica and Bone Health: The Role of Ferns

36:26 Upcoming Projects and Future Research