Plant Frequencies Podcast

Schuyler Nippert - U.S. Army veteran, security consultant, and outdoor expedition leader, shares what many veterans aren’t taught about life after structured, high-purpose environments, and how nature plays a critical role in rebuilding clarity, identity, and direction.

Connect with Schuyler on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/schuyler-nippert-ba-4424231b/

Check out - BeMicro - the easiest way to naturally detox and sneak more vegetables into any meal.

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How do global supply chains actually work, and why did they break so easily during COVID?

In this episode, Brandon Hernandez, natural products veteran and co-founder of Whole Brain Consulting, breaks down the realities of the global supply chain, from tariffs and trade policy to forecasting failures and human behavior.

We explore what COVID revealed about system fragility, why efficiency isn’t the same as resilience, and how global interdependence shapes the economy that supplies the world.

Learn more about Brandon’s work: https://www.whole-brain-consulting.com/Check Brandon out:   / brandon-hernandez-62867230  Check out our Spons...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Lindsey, Executive Coach, for an honest conversation about faith, psychedelics, masculinity, and healing.

Matt shares how growing up in a strict Christian home, living through cartel violence in Juárez, and later working with plant medicine reshaped his understanding of God and leadership.

They explore spiritual reconnection, the emotional side of hunting, and the courage it takes to heal generational patterns, especially between fathers and sons.Learn more about Matt Lindsey's work: https://mattslindsey.com/Check Matt out: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lindsey-b37933b8/Check out o...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Chloe Weber, DACM, L.Ac. and Founder of Radical Roots Herbs, to explore why Chinese medicine makes so much sense in today’s world.

Chloe breaks down how this ancient system understands the body, why it often catches what Western medicine misses, and how its root-cause approach helps explain the rise in chronic illness.

We dive into balance, stress, toxins, and what it means to truly support the whole body, not just treat symptoms.Check out Dr. Chloe's work: https://radicalrootsherbs.com/Check out our Sponsor - Be...

Aaron Houghton is a tech founder, mental performance researcher, and creator of the Optimal Pace Protocol.

A system designed to turn overwhelmed founders and leaders into what he calls “Superhuman Mental Athletes.”

Aaron built and sold his company for over $100M before age 30. But the price of success wasn’t freedom, it was panic attacks, burnout, and two battles with life-threatening cancer.

Check out Aarons work - https://www.instagram.com/thrivewithdory/

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My guest today is Dave Hoyme, one of my childhood best friends.We grew up mowing lawns, playing state tennis, and riding bikes around the south suburbs of Chicago.Dave went on to become a missionary in Africa, earned his MBA at MIT, worked in high-level finance, and recently moved back to Africa to build new ventures.Check out our Sponsor for the easiest way to sneak nutrient dense and detoxifying vegetables into any meal with a 15% discount. Use code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/Connect with Dave on Linkedin -   / david-hoyme-a3191810  

Sound isn’t just something we hear, it’s something that shapes us. In this episode, sound-healing pioneer Jonathan Goldman joins us to explore how vibration and intention can restore balance in the body and mind.We discuss how sound affects us on both a physical and energetic level, why “frequency plus intent equals healing,” and how noise pollution disrupts our natural resonance. Jonathan also reflects on the rise of AI and the importance of maintaining heart-brain coherence and conscious awareness in a noisy world.This conversation dives into the deep relationship between sound, consciousness, and the human spirit, and how...

Dr. Kevin McSweeney is a former dairy-industry veterinarian who walked away from industrial farming to create a more ethical, small-scale model where calves stay with their mothers. In this episode, he exposes how profit often outweighs welfare, and what it really means to give cows a life worth living.Learn more about Kevin and his work - https://www.fivefreedomsdairy.com/-Check out our Sponsor for the easiest way to sneak nutrient dense and detoxifying vegetables into any meal with a 15% discount. Use code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/

In this episode, I sit down with Graham “The Cosmobiologist” Lau — astrobiologist, science communicator, and Director of Communications at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science. Graham has spent his career exploring some of humanity’s biggest questions:- How did life begin on Earth?- Could life exist on Mars, Europa, or distant exoplanets?- What would it mean to discover alien intelligence? - And what are our moral responsibilities as we develop AI and explore space?We cover everything from the Fermi Paradox and the search for biosignatures on exoplanets, to ancient civilizations, UFOs, psychedelics, and the meaning...

From experimental art to regenerative farming, Hearty Provisions CEO Roberto Meza’s journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring.

In this conversation, we explore how health challenges led him to microgreens, biodynamic farming, and ultimately to building food hubs that tackle systemic inequities.

Roberto shares insights on the health benefits of whole foods, the lessons he learned from the Amish, and the entrepreneurial challenges of growing a mission-driven business.

We dive into food security, community care, and advocacy for equitable school meals, while also reflecting on the balance between well-being and meaningful wo...

Can freeze drying help solve some of the biggest challenges in food and nutrition? In this episode, David Leaman, freeze-drying content creator and strategic partner, takes us inside the science, business, and real-world applications of freeze drying — a preservation method that retains up to 97% of nutrients while dramatically cutting down on food waste. We look at how freeze-dried powders can make kids’ meals more nutrient-dense, how farmers and grocery stores can save unsold produce, and why entrepreneurs are experimenting with everything from candy and chia pudding to pet treats and survival food. David also shares the growing need for indu...

In this episode, we speak with Niko Skievaski — co-founder and CEO of Althea, a company building systems to make psychedelic therapy safe, accessible, and fully integrated into mental health care.Niko shares how mushrooms influenced both personal healing and major life choices — including the decision to step away from entrepreneurial success in pursuit of deeper meaning. Together, we explore the role of psilocybin in easing grief, breaking thought patterns, and expanding consciousness.We also dive into the broader picture: the intersection of psychedelics, spirituality, and science, from the “stoned ape theory” and ancient traditions to today’s FDA trials and state...

In this episode of Plant Frequencies, I sit down with Charles Johnson, a long-time friend and medicine facilitator, for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of technology, psychedelics, and addiction.

Charles shares his journey from struggling with heroin in his 20s to finding profound healing through Ibogaine, an experience that led him to dedicate his life to supporting others in their recovery. Today, he and his partner are building an “Addiction Academy” in Florianópolis, Brazil, combining psychedelic therapy, practical health education, and community to help people re-learn how to live vibrant lives. Visit their...

With over 35 years as a Health and Wellness Coach, Massage Therapist, Yoga Teacher, and founder of multiple wellness ventures, Grace Ventura has dedicated her life to guiding others through transition with compassion, creativity, and embodied practice.

In this conversation, Grace shares her journey from raising six children to launching an organic food brand, and now leading Gracious Pathways, where she helps people reclaim wellness through somatic practices, daily self-care rituals, and soul-centered coaching.

We explore the power of ceremony, nature, and movement, as well as teachings from Don Miguel Ruiz and the Four Agreements, Native...

What does it mean to lead with heart in the age of AI? In this powerful conversation with Carlotta Mast, industry leader, board member, and champion of conscious business, we explore the intersection of people, purpose, and technology.Carlotta shares insights on:-How to use AI as a tool without losing human creativity and agency.-Building businesses rooted in service, connection, and abundance.-The future of regenerative organic practices (ROC) and why they matter.-Bridging the gap between nonprofits and for-profits through true partnership.-Conscious leadership, burnout culture, and self-care as a path to sustainable impact.We also dive...

In episode 17 of Plant Frequencies, I sit down with Zev Paiss. A hemp pioneer, sustainable futurist, and protopian thinker, to explore how we can build a more resilient and hopeful future.With decades of experience in community development, industrial hemp advocacy, and systems thinking, Zev shares insights on:- The rise, challenges, and promise of the hemp movement- What a protopian future looks like, and why it matters- Practical steps to create communities that thrive over the long term- How collaboration and context drive lasting changeThis conversation blends big-picture vision with grounded, actionable wisdom — perfect for anyone curious about su...

What happens when a Wall Street advisor walks away from the world of finance to build something more meaningful?In this episode, we sit down with Paul Lussow, the CEO of Giving Place and Tiffingive (https://tifin.com/product/give//) to explore how and why philanthropy needs to evolve. We talk about the deeply personal nature of giving, the myths surrounding nonprofit "efficiency," and the tools that are making it easier, and more impactful, for people to give generously across generations.But this conversation goes beyond business and into the spiritual. We talk about nature as a teacher, building...

Burnout isn’t just about doing too much, it’s about doing the wrong things for the wrong reasons.In this episode, executive coach and spiritual practitioner Robert MacNaughton shares 12 powerful practices for leading with integrity, clarity, and stamina. From checking your calendar for energetic alignment to switching from hustle mode to intuition-led action, this conversation dives deep into what it means to lead from presence, not pressure.We explore the nervous system’s role in leadership, the spiritual roots of burnout, and how founders, creatives, and change-makers can stay in their lane without losing themselves in the process.-Get a...

Mackenzie Sehlke, Executive Director of the Boulder County Farmers Markets and a Tufts‑trained expert in food policy and nutrition, joins Stephen for a deep dive into the future of farming and local food systems. They discuss the challenges small growers face with USDA guidance, the trade‑offs in keeping microgreens clean and nutrient‑dense, and how federal and local policies shape the path forward. Mackenzie shares her vision for innovation in Colorado agriculture, the role of farmers markets as community hubs, and the vibrant food culture growing in Boulder.-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with c...

In this deep and wide‑ranging conversation, ceremonial guide and licensed psychotherapist Andres Zambrano opens his medicine bag and his heart. Together we explore the sacred tools of ceremony—mambé, ambil, hape, feathers, smudging, and prayer—and how they awaken intuition, cleanse energy, and invite clarity.Andres speaks on the subtle art of working with plant medicines, how to move beyond spiritual bypassing, and why real transformation requires integration in daily life.

He shares how visions shift depending on our focus, how prayer becomes powerful through emotion and intent, and how spirit often answers only when we truly k...

In this episode, herbalist and formulator Jessica Baker explores the deep, often overlooked relationship between humans and the plant world.

From the evolutionary wisdom of cannabis to the everyday stress relief of a walk among street trees, we unpack how plants shape our health, history, and consciousness.

Jessica shares grounded ways for urban dwellers to reconnect with nature — even in concrete jungles — and offers insights into cannabis cultivation, responsible use, and its many medicinal and industrial applications. We also touch on the surprising science behind microgreens and the vast potential of hemp beyond CBD.

Tu...

Ryan Lynch is a plant scientist and genomics researcher at the Salk Institute whose work focuses on root architecture, fatty acid biosynthesis, and building climate-resilient crops.Food systems are collapsing under the weight of climate change, degraded soils, and nutrient-poor crops. But what if the answers aren’t above ground—in the leaves, stems, or fruit—but underneath, in the roots?Ryan believes the overlooked and underground world of root systems is the key to the future of agriculture. By decoding plant genetics and optimizing how roots interact with soil, scientists can breed crops that are more nutritious, more resili...

High-tech farming is failing. What now?In this episode, I sit down with my good friend, JC Chidiac, horticultural engineer and founder of Culty Bio, to talk about why so many modern farms are collapsing — and what it actually takes to grow healthy food in a changing climate.We cover:🌱 Why vertical farms and hydroponics keep flopping💡 The difference between controlling nature vs working with it🌍 What regenerative farming actually means🍓 Why most grocery store produce is nearly nutrientless🔥 How JC is rebuilding food systems in Brazil with simple greenhouses, real soil, and local inputsIf you care about food, climate, or the f...

In this episode community herbalist, forager, menstrual cycle educator, and doula Jay Schwarz shares insights on herbalism, women’s health, and reconnecting with nature.

We explore the many uses of herbs—from teas to skincare—along with sustainable foraging, the healing power of plants like motherwort, and the link between physical and emotional well-being.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on listening to your body, understanding hormonal cycles, and reclaiming traditional wisdom for modern wellness.

-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with code STEVE15 at https://bemicro.farm/

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What does it really mean to lead a city like Boulder?

In this episode, Mayor Aaron Brockett joins us to talk wildfires, water, housing, public parks, and why local government matters more than ever.

We dive into what makes Boulder unique—from its open space legacy and thriving food scene to its challenges around homelessness, addiction, and federal funding cuts.

Mayor Brockett shares lessons from running a tech company, his consensus-based leadership style, and how nature keeps him grounded.

It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and policies shaping Boul...

In this episode Max Knight, co-founder of Rooted Robotics, explores how automation, AI, and a fresh entrepreneurial mindset can transform the future of farming. With a background in environmental engineering and a passion for sustainability, Max shares the story behind Rooted Robotics' evolution—from a vertical farming startup to a company designing accessible automation tools for small and mid-sized growers.We dive into how Rooted Robotics uses computer vision and machine learning, what makes automation more viable for smaller farms, and why the commoditization of AI is reshaping the agtech landscape. Max also offers candid insights into the current st...

What if the failures you’re ashamed of are actually your biggest advantages?

In this episode, we explore why mistakes are essential to growth, how to build yourself from the inside out, and what it really means to fail forward.

From burnout and doubt to clarity and purpose, this conversation is for anyone who’s stuck, scared, or starting over.

You’ll walk away with a clearer path to resilience, meaning, and becoming who you’re meant to be.

-Get a 15% discount on the best supplements from BeMicro with cod...

Will Dugan is a Boulder-based founder, cyclist, and community builder working at the intersection of food, purpose, and movement. He launched Vafels in 2018 — a modern, plant-based twist on the traditional Belgian Liège wafel — inspired by his time racing bikes professionally in Belgium and a desire to fuel riders with real food. What began as a snack for monthly charity rides has grown into a mission-driven brand rooted in ethical, sustainable ingredients.Will also founded Project Supertraining, a philanthropic cycling event that’s raised over $75,000 for causes around the world, and served as President of the Pro Cyclist Foundation, support...

Sofia Arana-Miranda is an animist, herbalist, artist, and curandera with a lifelong passion for nature and plant medicines.Early in life, she saw people's frustration and helplessness with allopathic medicine, and was powerfully drawn towards natural healing methods. In 2010, she embraced the gifts of nature and began her formal training in traditional folk medicines. Today, Sofia combines these practices with her studies at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism to curate Earth-based protocols based on detailed analysis of her clients’ health profile to restore optimal health to their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. Specializing in women's health, microbiome re...

I’m joined by my friend Danny Walsh — founder of Peak State Coffee. Danny’s an engineer turned entrepreneur who brings a systems mindset to startups, and a deep passion for the outdoors into everything he does.

From building trails in the White Mountains to building a coffee company rooted in wellness and sustainability, he’s all about purposeful work.

In this episode, we dive into nature, innovation, and how he’s using mushrooms and coffee to help people reach their Peak State.

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Brigitte Mars, a true pioneer in the world of herbal medicine.

With over 60 years of experience, she’s an herbalist, author of 17 books, and a professor at Naropa University, where she bridges traditional plant wisdom with modern academia.

Brigitte’s deep-rooted passion for nature has shaped her life’s work, from sustainable living to holistic healing.

She’s here to share her journey, insights, and the powerful ways plants can transform our lives.

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Dr. Peter Jones—anthropologist, entrepreneur, and coffee and tea expert.

As the owner of Boulder’s beloved Trident Café, Idle hands roasting company and the Bauu Institute, Peter has spent decades studying human cultures, sustainability, and, the perfect cup of coffee and teaFrom working with Indigenous communities to judging international coffee competitions, he brings a unique perspective on what makes coffee not just a drink, but a deeply cultural experience.

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