Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, Nicci chats with Donna about her experience at The Homestead Festival in Columbia, TN. Listen in as we chat about starting a worm farm for composting, meat chickens, ethical food harvesting, and tips for seed saving! There is so much information that we didn't have time to share, but the links below will guide you to learn more on these topics and connect with some smart homesteaders!
Mentioned in the show:
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, Nicci and I are joined by Chris Smith and Lauren Oftedahl to discuss the first RetreatABLE event they hosted in Wisconsin a few weeks ago. The crew at Wild Voices Podcast couldn’t be more thrilled to see the impact that these ladies are making in other communities, and we invite you to learn more about their passion and efforts to get people more connected to nature!
Mentioned in the show:
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, Donna and Nicci head down to Pinson Mounds State Park to chat with Madlyn Maples, the park's Seasonal Interpretive Ranger. Madlyn shares some of the cool history of the park and some of the unique events happening at Pinson Mounds.
Mentioned in the show:
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, Donna talks with Joe Meisel, biologist, conservationist, and educator. He is the author of two books about the wonders of the natural world: The Marlin’s Fiery Eye and Other Tales from the Extraordinary World of Marine Fishes (Cornell Press, 2025) and Orchids of Tropical America: An Introduction and Guide (Cornell Press, 2014). He is a co-founder of the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation and has led research, education, and habitat protection programs for nearly thirty years. In Ecuador, he and foundation staff established two extensive tropical forest reserves in collaboration with local rural families, the first through South America’s first conservation easement.
Mentioned in the show:
Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation - a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1997 on a mission to connect tropical nature and sustainable livelihoods through habitat conservation and environmental education
The Marlin's Fiery Eye and Other Tales from the Extraordinary World of Marine Fishes - Joe’s book dives into the mystery and wonder of the daily lives of saltwater fishes. Joe E. Meisel introduces readers to the fascinating behaviors, remarkable adaptations, and complex life histories of the many species that call the oceans home.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, Donna is joined by Raye Coon, a life coach in Jackson and gem of a human! Donna and Raye discuss Raye's journey and her newest venture - Redemption Road - and the impact that nature has had on her personal and spiritual development.
Mentioned in this episode:
Connect and follow Redemption Road on social media.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, Nicci, Donna, and Chris chat about the amazing Spring Equinox Retreat that took place at CloverPenny Farm on March 22, 2025. What a wonderful day of connecting, community, love, and support! If you didn't make it, check out this episode to see what you missed. Mark your calendar for June 21, 2025, when we will be hosting the Summer Retreat!
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
219 North Parkway Ste 6 Jackson TN 38305
March 13-15, 2024 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
CloverPenny Farm
Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The Ledge - 3581 Highway 70 E, Spring Creek TN 38305
March 27, 2025 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Spring Tree Identification Hike
Pinson Mounds
March 28, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
RetreatAble: A wheelchair accessible nature retreat
Camp Wawbeek 1450 State Highway 13 Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
April 25, 2025 5:00 PM Sunday, April 27, 202512:00 PM
West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
May 2 and 3, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Birds of Middle Fork Bottoms State Park
Middle Fork Bottoms State Park
May 24, 2025 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
4765 Hardison Mill Rd Columbia, Tennessee 38401
June 6-7, 2025
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
We took a little sabbatical due to illness, weather issues, and a particularly devastating loss at the farm. Our beloved Walter, our gender-fluid turkey and mascot of the Wild Voices Podcast, was taken by a predator. This episode is perfectly timed, as we speak with Lauren Oftedahl about using nature to navigate grief. Lauren is a published author, graphic designer, and an all-around gem of a human being.
Mentioned in the show:
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximizing scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency, and vanishing from sight, but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.”
― Katherine May, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, we chat with Diana Cotten, a local businesswoman, nature lover, and country-life extraordinaire! Diana shares with us the details about her latest venture - a plant shop coming to the West Tennessee area! This hilarious episode covers everything from the plant shop to bean dust and an extensive conversation about snakes.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
The snow settled in, and we did too! Snuggle up and enjoy this episode where Nicci and I talk about all the great events and happenings in the coming months!
Upcoming Events:
Wild Voices Spring Retreat - March 22, 2025 at CloverPenny Farms. More details to come!
RetreatAble: A wheelchair-accessible nature retreat - April 25-27, 2025 at Camp Wawbeek - Easter Seals Wisconsin Camps 1450 State Hwy 13, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Women's Virtual Winter Poetry Circle 2025 - The group will meet each Thursday from January 23rd to March 20th (Skipping February 13th) from 7-8 PM Central Time.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, we chat with Brad Gano about all things landscaping. Brad, a private landscaper in Denver, Colorado sat down with us for a great conversation about grasses, trees, and tips for getting the most out of your landscape. Check out the episode as Brad shares his knowledge, and the dogs provide some additional comedic action (yes, there was a dog fart in the camper - that was rough).
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
Now that the holidays are coming to a close, many people may be feeling the need to reflect and focus on self-care. That can often include therapy. In this episode, we chat with Renee Roark about Adventure Therapy. Renee shares how her approach to therapy within nature takes a different approach to helping her clients heal through connecting with nature.
Mentioned in the show:
How to connect with Renee:
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
Winter is upon us in West Tennessee! With the cold (and recently rainy) weather rolling in, there’s no better time to start planning fun winter projects to connect you to nature and your creativity. In this episode, we discuss a few of our favorite things to do during the winter and offer up some of our favorite resources. Stick around to learn more about Nicci’s upcoming Winter Solstice event at the end of the episode!
Mentioned in the show:
Backwoods Mama - Raising Outdoor Kids (Blog): Josée Bergeron’s blog is a space of encouragement packed with resources for parents, caregivers, and educators looking to get outside and connect with nature with their kids.
Making Healthy Treats for Wildlife (Backwoods Mama)
Seedtime: Visualize exactly when to seed, transplant, or harvest crops in your garden all year round - based on your local area.
Mindful Creative Writing with Melissa Jean: Explore how mindfulness practice and creative writing/journaling can interact with one another in the service of healing, self-expression, and the generation of powerful, grounded, expansive creative work.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, we chat with David Blackwood about all things mushrooms. David is the Director of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority by day, but mushroom hunting is his passion. This fascinating conversation includes tips on when and where to forage, the two deadly shrooms in West Tennessee, David’s favorite fungi, how to grow mushrooms with cardboard, and so much more! Big shout out to TheCo in Jackson, TN, for the recording space during this cold weather and to David for sharing his knowledge. You don’t want to miss the laughter, a little coughing due to this wild TN weather, and tons of information and resources to get you started in your mushroom hunt!
Mentioned in the show:
CoStarters - CO.STARTERS is a 9-week program that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn their business ideas into action. Applications are due by January 21, 2025.
Northspore.com - North Spore aims to disrupt the food system by empowering people to grow and harvest healthy edible and medicinal mushrooms.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, we visit the UT-TSU Extension office to meet with Celeste Luckey Scott and Mary Glenys Espey and learn more about the Extension’s programs and services. We talk about the Master Gardeners Program, Tennessee Smart Yard, and the services that the Extension offers to community members and homeowners. Recording this episode was so much fun and very informative. You don’t want to miss all the great conversation.
Mentioned in the episode:
Madison County Master Gardener - Training for the 2025 session of the TN Extension Master Gardener (TEMG) program in Madison County is just around the corner! Registration closes on January 3rd, 2025, and space is limited.
Tennessee Smart Yards - Tennessee Smart Yards is an Extension-led program that guides Tennesseans on practices they can apply in their outdoor spaces to create healthier, more ecologically-sound landscapes and communities.
UT Hort - This site provides information on various topics such as growing vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees, managing soils, and identifying insects and diseases. The Extension will also host programs and events throughout 2025. You can
Tennessee Tree Day - Reserve your native trees through March 2nd, 2025. You will pick up your trees on March 14th or March 15th and plant them on Tennessee Tree Day, March 15th!
UT TSU Extension Madison County - Stay connected with the Extension! Not on Facebook? You can contact Mary Glenys Espey at margespe@utk.edu or sign up for the Statewide UT Hort Newsletter here. Not in Madison County? Find your local Extension office here.
Creamy Goat Cheese Bacon and Dates Dip - This is the dip that Mary took to Thanksgiving. It sounds delightful!
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
In this episode, Nicci and Donna are joined by Chris Smith for a lovely discussion about last weekend's Wild Voices Retreat. We talk about our favorite parts of the day, read some feedback from participants, and share a wonderful campfire song that has been sitting with our souls since.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
Join us as we sit by the fire on a beautiful Saturday and discuss the benefits of connecting with nature and give you some tips to combat the physical and mental challenges of the changing season. We'll give you a few strategies for coping with the stress of the upcoming election and holiday season, and Nicci shares some great ideas for ways to commune with nature when the weather isn't 'ideal.'
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
Come along with us on our journey to The Mystic's Garden in Enville, TN where we had a facinating conversation with owner Mikki Patterson. In this episode, we explore the wonderful ways that Mikki uses herbal remedies to treat a variety of issues, both physically and mentally. Mikki talks about calming teas, foraging, and shares great advice for those looking to add herbal remedies to their daily wellness routine.
Mentioned in this episode:
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Laura Lamun, author of The Garden of Earth—Living Remedies & Earth-Honoring Practices. In this episode, we eat a few things from Laura's yard and discuss the great uses and benefits of wild plants in West Tennessee and the Southeast. Laura also gives tips on foraging and aromatherapy and gives a sneak peek into her new book, which will be coming out later this year.
Mentioned in this episode:
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.
For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com
