Gathered: Storied Botanicals

I had hoped to release an episode about spring ephemerals for the month of April, but I am at a loss...

The Oscars are tonight, and I thought I'd reflect on the powerful ways two of the nominated films used flowers to help tell their stories and how they urge us to remember lessons from history.

“Life sprang […] from the lotus.” In this first episode of Season 3, I delve into a flower that’s closely tied to divinity and many Eastern faiths: the lotus flower. It’s an integral part of many creation stories, whether Hinduism, Buddhism, or the imagery of ancient Egypt. Let’s wade in together to take a closer look at a flower that not only offers spiritual guidance

Introducing Gathered: Storied BotanicalsGathered: Storied Botanicals is a monthly podcast—with room and the will to grow. In each episode, I delve into the world of flowers weaving my experiences as a floral designer and writer with a flower’s depth and significance. By putting each bloom under a historic, scientific, literary, folkloric, or artistic lens we can better see this

On the final day of the year, the season's final episode of Gathered: Storied Botanicals delves into the story of the Poinsettia. It goes by many names and its intricate history illuminates all the many gifts it offers during the Christmas season.

Some unexpected heartbreak has had me change my initial plans for this month's episode and revisit a lyric essay I wrote in Chicago called, "Girlish Notions." It's a departure from past episodes and it's a bit more personal than what I'm comfortable with, but felt compelled to create something as an offer of catharsis. Because of some language geared t

They lie low to the ground. Sneaky and insidious, they creep along forest floors, climb garden gates, and choke out its neighbors. This Halloween let's follow the coils of creeping vines that have made their way into our culture, from 19th century literature to the horror movies we watch every spooky season. Happy Halloween!

Having missed June's episode, I catch up on an Icelandic adventure that revealed insight into the lupine flower, its role in ancient Rome, Native American medicine, and restoring soil health in Iceland. From there, we gather a fresh look at a life philosophy through a classic children's story.

In this month's episode, we'll gather 'round the *podcasting campfire* for the story of Farhad and Shirin, the Persian folktale that is also the legend of the first tulip.Full show notes for this episode can be found at gathered-storiedbotanicals.com/podcast

Flowering branches are one of the early blooms that promises spring isn't far off. One particular flowering tree has a deep history that's crossed oceans and has inspired artists, warriors, and activists alike!