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.

In this powerful episode of The Medicine Way, host Tama Ross is joined by Dr. Bob Goodwin — a physician whose journey took him from conventional medicine to the sacred teachings of Kalaallit shamans in Greenland and Toltec wisdom keepers in Mexico.

When prescriptions failed and his patients’ pain deepened, Dr. Goodwin began to question everything he knew about healing. What followed was a soul-awakening path that led him to ancient ceremonies, Indigenous elders, and a new understanding of pain, presence, and true transformation.

Now known by the name Kudlik — “Bearded Seal” — Dr. Goodwin shares how listening, storytelling, and ancestral practices helped melt the ice in his own heart… and opened the door to a new kind of medicine.

This episode invites you into a deeply human conversation about reclaiming the soul of healing — through humility, silence, and the courage to unlearn.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Medicine Way, a podcast devoted to healing, growth, and transformation through Indigenous wisdom, storytelling, and grounded conversation. Hosted by Tama Ross, this opening episode lays the foundation for what’s to come.

In this heartfelt introduction, Tama shares her personal journey—how the path of spirit, land, and community called her to create this space for truth-telling, remembering, and reconnecting. You'll learn what "The Medicine Way" means, who this podcast is for, and what kinds of guests, stories, and teachings you can expect in upcoming episodes.

Whether you’re a seeker, a healer, an elder, or someone longing to return to a more rooted way of living, this podcast offers a warm fire to gather around. Tune in and take your first step on the path of The Medicine Way.