Nikola Barsoum and I met recently in BC, after being put in contact through a mutual friend, Kathryn (Berube) Darling, and we clicked immediately. As a herbalist, Nikola lives in a sustainable community of 40 people in the Kootenays offering her herbs, herbal medicine and tinctures, and is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. In this conversation, you’ll hear about many of her journeys and life experiences which brought her to where she is now, working with herbs in her garden, with the most genuine love of life and nature and the environment. During our chat, Nikola shares an unexpected story about how her partner died in a hiking fall, and the steps she has taken to heal through this significant loss. Her interest and passion for understanding environmental issues weaves through her stories, along with the deep emotions and connections she has with our world. She shares her perspectives on water use, conscious eating and sustainable living.