Episode 171: Behind the Scenes with Emilie Thomas-Anderson and Black Walnut

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Episode Summary

I’m a big fan of behind-the-scenes stories – apparently, even, when it comes to my own podcast and school!  While I might be the face of Herbs with Rosalee, it’s important to me that you know about the amazing team that works to support everything we do here. 

In today’s episode, I had a delightful conversation with Emilie Thomas-Anderson, who serves as the project manager for this podcast.  Emilie not only shared all about what goes into the podcast production from start to finish, but also discussed her love of black walnut and her family’s annual traditions around this amazing tree.

If you’ve ever worked with black walnuts right off the tree, you’ll know that their fresh hulls will stain everything they touch!  Emilie turns that mess into magic with her Black Walnut Hull Watercolor Paint recipe.  You can download the beautifully illustrated recipe card in the section below!

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► What surprised Emilie when she went from being a student to being part of the team at Herbs with Rosalee

► The complex dance that goes into creating the podcast from start to finish

► Six tips for harvesting and processing black walnuts

► Three medicinal benefits of black walnut hull

► How building connections with the plants you work with makes all the effort of growing, harvesting, and making your own medicine so worthwhile

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Emilie Thomas-Anderson has worked with plants and people in retail nurseries for over two decades.  She is a former high school chemistry teacher with a lifelong passion for teaching. As a team member here at Herbs with Rosalee she enjoys answering student questions and supporting our broader herbal community. Emilie also manages the podcast production and nerds out on proofreading anything she can get her hands on.

Emilie lives in a small town nestled in a valley of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. She is a home herbalist, a homeschooling mom, and a total plant nerd! If you ever need to find her, look in the garden for the barefoot woman with a hori hori sticking out of her back pocket and plant matter in her hair.

I’m thrilled to share our conversation with you today!

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [01:10] Student spotlight
• [03:02] Introduction to Emilie Thomas-Anderson
• [04:58] Emilie’s herbal path
• [10:48] Emilie’s relationship with black walnut
• [14:27] Tips for harvesting and processing black walnuts
• [18:24] Black walnut hull watercolor paint
• [21:02] Medicinal qualities of black walnut
• [23:29] Why bother with all the work? Why not just buy nuts at the store?
• [28:18] What most surprised Emilie going from being a student to working at Herbs with Rosalee
• [31:38] The many components of creating the Herbs with Rosalee podcast
• [37:08] What Emilie is most proud of in her work for Herbs with Rosalee
• [42:03] How Emilie first came across Herbs with Rosalee
• [44:02] What Emilie would say to people interested in taking the Rooted Medicine Circle course
• [49:15] Emilie’s herbal first aid bestie
• [53:18] The delightful (to some) taste of black walnut hull
• [58:08] Herbal tidbit

We’re in the final hours of open enrollment for Rooted Medicine Circle!  If you’re ready to cultivate a life rooted in nature connection, medicine making, and community, you can sign up here.

Get Your Recipe Card!

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 01:14 - Student spotlight
• 03:07 - Introduction to Emilie Thomas-Anderson
• 05:03 - Emilie’s herbal path
• 11:13 - Emilie’s relationship with black walnut
• 15:02 - Tips for harvesting and processing black walnuts
• 19:10 - Black walnut hull watercolor paint
• 21:53 - Medicinal qualities of black walnut
• 24:31 - Why bother with all the work? Why not just buy nuts at the store?
• 29:32 - What most surprised Emilie going from being a student to working at Herbs with Rosalee
• 33:00  - The many components of creating the Herbs with Rosalee podcast
• 38:46 - What Emilie is most proud of in her work for Herbs with Rosalee
• 43:59 - How Emilie first came across Herbs with Rosalee
• 46:08 - What Emilie would say to people interested in taking the Rooted Medicine Circle course
• 51:49 - Emilie’s herbal first aid bestie
• 56:02 The delightful (to some) taste of black walnut hull
• 1:00:50 Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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