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The Dancing Willow

Dancing Willow Herbs

20 episodes

3 days ago

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people with a uterus, yet in the U.S. it still takes an average of 7 years to receive a diagnosis. In this episode, herbalist and teacher Kat Mackinnon joins host Elliott Brinkley to explore the often misunderstood condition of endometriosis, a journey that weaves together personal story, clinical insight, and the wisdom of plants. Together, they unpack: What endometriosis actually is, why it’s so difficult to diagnose, and the mystery behind its origins. The wi...

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Alternative Health

Health & Fitness,

All content for The Dancing Willow is the property of Dancing Willow Herbs and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people with a uterus, yet in the U.S. it still takes an average of 7 years to receive a diagnosis. In this episode, herbalist and teacher Kat Mackinnon joins host Elliott Brinkley to explore the often misunderstood condition of endometriosis, a journey that weaves together personal story, clinical insight, and the wisdom of plants. Together, they unpack: What endometriosis actually is, why it’s so difficult to diagnose, and the mystery behind its origins. The wi...

Show more...

Alternative Health

Health & Fitness,

Episodes (20/20)

The Dancing Willow

Understanding Endometriosis with Herbalist Kat Mackinnon

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people with a uterus, yet in the U.S. it still takes an average of 7 years to receive a diagnosis. In this episode, herbalist and teacher Kat Mackinnon joins host Elliott Brinkley to explore the often misunderstood condition of endometriosis, a journey that weaves together personal story, clinical insight, and the wisdom of plants. Together, they unpack: What endometriosis actually is, why it’s so difficult to diagnose, and the mystery behind its origins. The wi...

3 days ago

1 hour 27 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Food as Ceremony: Gentleness & Nourishment with the Mindful Chefette

What if the way we eat is just as important as what we eat? In this episode, Elliott welcomes Kate, known as the Mindful Chefette, who brings a soulful and intentional approach to food, cooking, and nourishment. From her retreat kitchen in Cornwall to her travels around the world, Kate has cultivated a philosophy of food that blends creativity, spirituality, and gentleness. Together, Elliott and Kate explore: How to bring intention and presence into your cooking, even when the ingredients are...

2 weeks ago

1 hour 3 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Reciprocity in Herbalism: Learning from Yerba Mansa with Dara Saville

What happens when we stop asking only what plants can do for us, and start asking what we can do for them? In this episode of The Dancing Willow, Elliott sits down with Dara Saville- herbalist, author of The Ecology of Herbal Medicine, founder of Albuquerque Herbalism, and director of the Yerba Mansa Project, to explore the profound relationships we can form with plants and the land. Dara shares the story of her first plant ally, globe mallow, and how that encounter opened the path to her lif...

1 month ago

1 hour 4 minutes

The Dancing Willow

An Herbalist’s Guide to Burnout: Adaptogens, Nervines & Spiritual Heart Herbs

What if burnout isn’t just about doing too much but about losing touch with what truly lights you up? In this solo episode, Elliott invites you into the apothecary for an intimate, heart-to-heart on navigating burnout in all its forms. From the classic “doing too much” variety to the deeper, more subtle misalignment burnout, she explores how to recognize the signs, reclaim your energy, and reconnect with what truly lights you up using the help of the plants. You’ll learn about: The two main t...

1 month ago

1 hour 2 minutes

The Dancing Willow

When the Body Speaks: A Story of Healing, Surrender & the Harmonic Egg with Calley Hoffman

What if your body’s symptoms were actually sacred messengers—nudging you back toward your most authentic self? In this soulful and deeply moving episode, Elliott Brinkley is joined by one of her dearest friends, Calley Hoffman. From the early days when Calley was working behind the counter at Dancing Willow Herbs to the launch of Harmonic Earth Sanctuary in downtown Durango, this conversation is a testament to the power of living authentically, even, and especially, in the midst of life’s har...

1 month ago

1 hour 27 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Years of Growth: Behind the Scenes at Dancing Willow Herbs

In this heartfelt solo episode, Elliott Brinkley—owner of Dancing Willow Herbs—invites you behind the curtain for an intimate look at what’s unfolded in the four years since she took the reins of the beloved Durango apothecary. From major business overhauls like updating the POS system and shifting to sustainable packaging, to deeply intentional product reformulations and expansions, Elliott shares the lessons, challenges, and proudest moments of her journey. You’ll hear about: The transition...

2 months ago

1 hour 4 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Becoming Dancing Willow: Deb Swanson on Herbalism, Womanhood, and Change

Ever wondered how a single vision can spark decades of community healing? Step into the story of our apothecary rooted in wild plants, womanhood, and the quiet magic that grows when we trust the seasons of our lives. In this heartfelt episode, Elliott Brinkley, current owner of Dancing Willow Herbs, sits down with Deb Swanson, founder of Dancing Willow Herbs, to explore the apothecary’s origins, the wisdom of plant medicine, and the unseen threads connecting womanhood, astrology, and healing....

2 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes

The Dancing Willow

The Magic of Herbal Constituents: Plant Chemistry with Lisa Ganora

Phytochemistry isn’t just science—it’s the language plants use to connect, communicate, and heal. In this conversation, Elliott sits down with beloved teacher and plant chemistry wizard Lisa Ganora to explore the fascinating world of herbal constituents, not as dry academic material, but as the living language of the plants. Lisa helps us reframe chemistry as a tool for deepening relationship—showing how phytochemicals carry signals, stories, and life force, and how we as herbalists can learn...

3 months ago

1 hour 35 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Herbal Allies for Summer Wellness: Cooling Tonics, Hydrating Herbs & Sun Care Tips

As the days grow longer and the sun shines stronger, our bodies crave balance, hydration and calm. In this episode, clinical herbalist, Elliott Brinkley explores the vibrant world of summertime herbs—highlighting cooling, moistening, and antioxidant-rich plants that can help you thrive in the heat. You’ll learn how to make herbal sun teas, herb infused green juices, and cooling tonics using refrigerant herbs like hibiscus, elderflower, lemon balm, peppermint, chickweed and rose, as well as de...

3 months ago

44 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Plant Led Formulation: The Spirit Behind Leaf People Skincare

What if your skincare routine was more than just topical? What if it was a sacred exchange—between you, the plants, and the Earth? In this soul-stirring episode, Elliott sits down with Julie Williams, founder and formulator behind Leaf People Skincare. Julie shares the remarkable story of how she studied plant medicine around the globe—from the Amazon to the Australian outback—and how those teachings laid the foundation for one of the most energetically aligned skincare lines in existence. We...

4 months ago

1 hour 11 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Skincare Truths, Acne Myths & Radical Skin Acceptance with Satara of Clear Esthetics

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by skincare advice or frustrated that your “clean” routine still isn’t working for acne—this episode is for you. Elliott talks with Satara Arthaud, esthetician and founder of Clear Esthetics, about how to truly support acne-prone skin with both compassion and strategy. Together, they go deep into the misconceptions around acne and the often overlooked lifestyle and product factors that can make or break your skin’s health. You’ll learn: What “acne-safe” really ...

4 months ago

1 hour 17 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Blooming Rooted: A Retreat for Herbal Healing & Embodied Transformation

What if learning about plants was also a path to becoming more fully yourself? In this bonus solo episode, Elliott opens a heartfelt window into the Blooming Rooted Retreat—an immersive, soul-nourishing experience rooted in community, plant connection, and embodied herbalism. You’ll hear the story of how this sacred gathering came to be, from its dream-seed origins on winter solstice to the deeply transformative summer solstice retreat that unfolded on sacred land in Mancos, Colorado. Elliott...

5 months ago

33 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Beyond the Green Pill: Practicing Vitalist Herbalism with Mike Masek

In today's episode, I’m joined by Mike Masek, director of The Forager’s Path School of Botanical Studies in Flagstaff, Arizona. With over 30 years of experience and training in Herbal Medicine, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mike has devoted his life to helping students move beyond textbook knowledge — into real, embodied herbal wisdom rooted in nature and daily life. In this episode we dive into: 🌿 How vitalist herbalism differs from “green pill” thinking 🌿 The differ...

5 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Herbalism for the People: Golden Poppy Apothecary

What does it look like to build a thriving herbal business rooted in community, care, and ancestral wisdom? This week Elliott sits down with Sarah Josey, clinical herbalist and founder of Golden Poppy Apothecary in Fort Collins, Colorado, to explore how herbalism can be made accessible, practical, and deeply human. From her start in biochemistry to becoming a community herbalist and business owner, Sarah shares the winding journey of following her calling—and how she’s built a 14-woman team t...

5 months ago

54 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Planting Seeds in Grief: Herbs for a Rooted Heart

This week we have a very personal, solo episode. I’m dropping in with you one-on-one—no guests, just a real-time reflection from my heart to yours. It’s been just over a month since launching the podcast, and while it's been a whirlwind of incredible conversations, I wanted to pause, connect, and share what’s been moving through me. This episode is about grief, growth, and the gentle reminder to slow down. I open up about the recent loss of our beloved dog Bleau and how that grief is shaping ...

6 months ago

56 minutes

The Dancing Willow

My Body is a Miracle: Fertility & Self Love with Jenna Reiss

In this deeply heartfelt and healing episode, Elliott is joined by the radiant Jenna Reiss—breathwork facilitator, healer, teacher, and new mother—for a soul-stirring conversation on the path of self-love, spiritual integration, and honoring the full spectrum of the human experience. From the transformative power of retreats and group healing to the tender, often hidden realities of fertility challenges and early motherhood, Jenna shares her wisdom with grace, vulnerability, and warmth. Jenna...

6 months ago

1 hour 29 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Weaving Collaborative Herbalism: Building a Seasonal Herbal Magazine with Harmonie O'Loughlin

Herbalism is something that is meant to exist in the village. In this episode, I sit down with Harmonie O'Loughlin, founder of Botanical Anthology and Plant Wonder Collective, to explore how collaboration within her community, shapes her experience as an herbalist and creator. We dive into her journey from home herbalist to magazine editor, the plants that shaped her path—like Violets, St. John’s Wort, and Rose—and how foraging and gardening deepened her relationship with the land. Harm...

6 months ago

1 hour 13 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Breathing with the Earth: Botanical Breathwork with Eliza Rose Kane

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Eliza Rose Kane, breathwork facilitator, writer and healer, as we dive into the magic of Botanical Breathwork. We explore how breath and plants work together to deepen our connection to the earth, our bodies, and our creative power. Eliza shares her insights on the synergy between breath and plant consciousness, the wisdom of the womb space, and how we can reclaim our life force in a world that often depletes it. We also reflect on our journey—fro...

6 months ago

1 hour 14 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Lavender & Legacy: Crafting Hydrosols, Cultivating Land & Finding Purpose with Mesa Verde Lavender

What does it mean to truly cultivate something—from the soil beneath us to the friendships that sustain us? In this episode, host Elliott Brinkley sits down with Katie of Mesa Verde Lavender Farm to explore the deep connections between plants, healing, and personal transformation. They share the story of their friendship, the unexpected path that led Katie from music education to lavender farming, and the wisdom she’s gained from working so closely with this resilient plant. Tune in to learn ...

7 months ago

1 hour 21 minutes

The Dancing Willow

Rooted in Herbal Wisdom: The Journey to Dancing Willow

In this first episode of The Dancing Willow Podcast, host Elliott Brinkley shares her journey into herbalism, holistic healing, and the path that led her to own the beloved Dancing Willow Herbs apothecary. From a childhood immersed in alternative healing to her deep connection with nature and clinical herbalism, Elliott weaves a heartfelt and inspiring story of trust, alignment, and transformation. She also reflects on the challenges and joys of launching this podcast, the importance of slowi...

7 months ago

1 hour