Libsyn Directory

The Life & Times of Mason Hutchison with Special Host Rosalee de la Forêt

Release Date: 03/17/2026

Inside Kokora | Regenerative Herbalism with Ric Scalzo [Founder]

HerbRally

🌿 Get 15% off your first order with Kokora Use code HERBRALLY15 at In this episode of The Herbalist Hour, I sit down with herbalist and founder of Kokora, Ric Scalzo. Many of you may know Ric as the co-founder of Gaia Herbs, but today we focus on his newest venture and the deeper philosophy behind it. Ric shares how Kokora’s products go from farm to bottle, rooted in regenerative organic agriculture and a commitment to true herbal integrity. We explore the difference between regenerative and organic practices, the role of bioferments and bamboo biochar in soil health, and how these...

Why You Should Attend Wild Indigo Herb Fest 🌿 (Meet the Team)

HerbRally

In this episode, meet the organizers behind the Wild Indigo Herb Fest and get a behind-the-scenes look at how this one-of-a-kind herbal gathering came to life. From a rainy sugar shack in Northeast Ohio to the rolling hills of Kentucky, this festival is rooted in connection, community, and a shared love of the plants. The Wild Indigo team has woven together their favorite elements of herbal conferences to create something truly special. 🌿 Featuring keynote speakers Linda Black Elk and Marc Williams, along with a diverse lineup of herbalists, teachers, and community voices. Expect: •...

KEYNOTE | The Life-Saving Magic of Herbing It Up with Lottie Spady

HerbRally

In this special keynote episode, we’re sharing The Life-Saving Magic of Herbing It Up with herbalist, educator, and community leader Lottie Spady, recorded live at the 2025 Great Lakes Herb Faire. In this powerful and heartfelt talk, Lottie shares how her journey into herbalism transformed not only her physical health, but also her sense of purpose, community, and connection to the natural world. Through her story, we’re reminded of the deep, life-changing potential of building relationships with plants as true allies. Huge thanks to Lottie for granting permission to share this keynote,...

The Life & Times of Mason Hutchison with Special Host Rosalee de la Forêt

HerbRally

In this special episode of The Herbalist Hour, Rosalee de la Forêt turns the tables on HerbRally founder and longtime host Mason Hutchison for a wide-ranging, heartfelt conversation about rebuilding, community, and the person behind the podcast. What starts as a “comeback episode” becomes something deeper: a reflection on major life transitions, self-care, friendship, fatherhood, herbal practice, and the many passions that make Mason who he is. Along the way, Rosalee guides the conversation while surprise video questions and messages from fellow herbalists appear throughout the...

Herbal Pharmacy & the Magic of Plant Medicine | Betzy Bancroft

HerbRally

In this episode of The Herbalist Hour, I sit down with herbalist, teacher, and long-time community mentor Betzy Bancroft to explore the heart, craft, and deep science behind her new book Herbal Pharmacy: The Science and Magic of Preparing and Administering Plant Medicine. Betzy has been teaching herbal medicine making for more than three decades. She co-founded the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, mentors clinical interns, presents at the Vermont NOFA Winter Conference, and serves on the advisory board of United Plant Savers. She also teaches and leads plant walks at the legendary...

Red Palm Oil, Ancestral Foodways & the Dish “Red Red” | Asia Dorsey

HerbRally

This episode is brought to you by FOOD GENIUS A year-long mentorship from Asia Dorsey + Justin Robinson for folks craving a deeper relationship with food, ancestry, and embodied wellbeing. In this clip from The Herbalist Hour episode 59, Asia Dorsey shares the story behind the West African dish Red Red — a vibrant meal made with red palm oil, black-eyed peas, peppers, and plantains. Asia reflects on her time living in Ghana, learning directly from local food traditions, and how that experience reshaped her relationship with ancestral foods. She also speaks about the deep nutritional...

10 Questions for Herbalist Asia Dorsey

HerbRally

This episode is brought to you by FOOD GENIUS A year-long mentorship from Asia Dorsey + Justin Robinson for folks craving a deeper relationship with food, ancestry, and embodied wellbeing. In this episode of the HerbRally Podcast we're joined by herbalist Asia Dorsey. She answers 10 questions, as the title suggests. You'll learn: How she balances traditional herbal knowledge with modern science Her thoughts on the regulation of herbalists When she felt qualified to call herself an herbalist How to know how potent your herbal concoctions are How to keep joints healthy as we age And a...

Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians | Patricia Kyritsi Howell

HerbRally

This episode is brought to you by FOOD GENIUS A year-long mentorship from Asia Dorsey + Justin Robinson for folks craving a deeper relationship with food, ancestry, and embodied wellbeing. Herbalist and author Patricia Kyritsi Howell joins Mason and co-host Rosalee de la Forêt to talk about the brand-new second edition of Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians. Patricia shares how decades of walking the mountains have deepened her relationships with plants like bloodroot, sarsaparilla, and sassafras, weaving folk history with practical clinical insight. We also touch on her...

FREE CLASS | The Herbalism of Hot Sauce

HerbRally

If you love hot sauce as much as I do, and you love learning about herbalism through food... this class is a good’n 🔥 Food geniuses Asia Dorsey and Justin Robinson break down the ethnobotany of hot sauce, why so many cultures use heat as medicine, how fermentation boosts flavor, and the many health benefits woven into this fiery tradition. It’s fun, practical, and super informative — all about one of my most beloved condiments. This 90-minute pre-recorded class also includes: a “Living Habanero Hot Sauce” fermented recipe card a lengthy Q&A where Asia...

The Complete Folk Herbal with Rebecca Beyer | Cohost Rosalee de la Forêt

HerbRally

Today on the Herbalist Hour I’m joined by author, illustrator, and Appalachian folk magic practitioner Rebecca Beyer, along with my special co-host Rosalee de la Forêt. We dive deep into Rebecca’s newest book, The Complete Folk Herbal, exploring everything from ethical wildcrafting to plant history, folk medicine-making, and the lived stories that shape her work. Rebecca shares her thoughts on learning from many teachers, cultivating authentic plant relationships, avoiding “guru-ism,” and keeping humility at the center of herbal practice. We talk about sustainable foraging, the...

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What starts as a “comeback episode” becomes something deeper: a reflection on major life transitions, self-care, friendship, fatherhood, herbal practice, and the many passions that make Mason who he is.

Along the way, Rosalee guides the conversation while surprise video questions and messages from fellow herbalists appear throughout the episode.

Mason shares stories about nourishing herbal infusions, movement, movies, basketball, ping pong, and meaningful plant relationships — along with reflections on the herbal community that has shaped his life and work.

This episode is funny, vulnerable, and full of heart — a reminder that herbalism is not just about plants, but about people, connection, and the communities that carry us through.

A big thank you to the many herbalists and friends who took the time to record surprise video questions and messages for this episode. Your kind words and support truly meant a lot. I didn't cry at all.

HerbRally has always been about connecting plant people, and this moment was a beautiful reminder of just how generous and supportive this community can be.

And of course, a heartfelt thank you to Rosalee de la Forêt for hosting this special episode and guiding the conversation with such care and thoughtfulness.

TOPICS COVERED

• The story behind HerbRally and Mason’s role as a community connector
• Life transitions, rebuilding after divorce, and moving back to Oregon
• Cultivating relationships during times of change (Asia Dorsey’s question)
• Strength training and “movement snacks” with Samantha Butts
• Avoiding overwhelm and building habits one small step at a time
• Nourishing herbal infusions and two decades of infusion practice
• Plant relationships, including Pedicularis groenlandica (elephant’s head)
• Finding joy through basketball, movies, and ping pong
• “Compliments as medicine” and learning to receive praise
• Surprise video tributes from herbalists and friends
• What’s next for HerbRally, Folk Methodology, and upcoming projects

LINKS & RESOURCES

HerbRally | https://herbrally.com

Rosalee de la Forêt | http://www.herbswithrosalee.com

Folk Methodology | https://folkmethodology.com

Herb Mentor Radio (LearningHerbs) | https://learningherbs.com

Columbines School of Botanical Studies | https://botanicalstudies.net

Asia Dorsey | http://www.bonesbugsandbotany.com/

Petty Herbalist Podcast | https://www.pettyherbalist.com

Jess Starwood | https://jstarwood.com/

BOOK: I Am The Land, These Are My People | https://amzn.to/4lI1M7y

Samantha Butts | https://www.instagram.com/samanthabutts_/

Torin Frost | https://www.youtube.com/@torinfrostofficial

HerbRally Schoolhouse | https://herbrally.com/schoolhouse

⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.