In this episode, I explore the idea of robustness—what it means to stay steady, rooted, and responsive in the face of challenge. From a seasonal and herbal perspective, robustness is a measure of health: not the absence of difficulty, but our capacity to meet life as it is without losing our center.

Winter is a time that naturally asks us to slow down, turn inward, and build reserves. Drawing on lessons from nature and community, I reflect on how resilience is shaped through challenge, vulnerability, and connection rather than isolation or hardening.

In this conversation, I talk about how robustness can be cultivated through simple practices, relationships, and plant medicine—especially during winter, when our systems need extra support.

In this episode, I explore:

- What robustness is and why it matters for mental and physical health

- How resilience is built by meeting challenge rather than avoiding it

- Lessons from nature about strength, adaptability, and seasonal cycles

- Community and co-regulation as foundations of collective robustness

- Quiet winter practices like candle gazing to help organize thoughts

- Singing, humming, and vocal toning to calm the nervous system

- Staying connected to nature as a source of steadiness and strength

Herbal allies I discuss for supporting robustness and resilience include:

- Licorice root – a deeply nourishing adaptogen for building reserves

- Motherwort – a comforting herb for the heart during distress

I also touch on nourishment beyond herbs, including sunflower oil, and how fats and oils support the skin, nervous system, and overall vitality during the colder months.

This episode is an invitation to think about robustness not as pushing through or toughening up, but as the ability to remain present, connected, and supported—especially in times that feel uncertain or demanding.

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Resources:

Book: “Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words” By David Whyte:

https://amzn.to/4bgYC7s 

Join Us Each Week for “Gentle Fridays:Plant Spirit Support for Changing Times” live ZOOM gatherings on Fridays at 12 pm EST

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Bear Medicines from “Why Am I So Cold” https://youtu.be/MPtY8fYaDd8?si=nlGoppI7cF-UYI3l 

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Chapters: Winter Robustness: Staying Steady in Challenging Times

00:00 Intro

00:40 Robustness

02:15 Reading

06:40 Reflection

07:56 Trees

09:40 Redwoods

11:40 Community

13:05 Practices

13:20 Candle

14:55 Humming

16:10 Oiling

17:20 Adaptogens

18:40 Nervines

19:40 Motherwort

21:00 Licorice

22:10 Closing