{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Fantastic World of Fungi | Featuring Gina Rivers","description":"This week on Herbal Radio, host Lucretia Van Dyke is joined by the National Science Educators at Host Defense\u00ae Mushrooms\u2122, Gina Rivers. Join us as we explore: How Paul Stamets grew the Host Defense\u00ae mycelial community Growing mushrooms vs. growing plants Science behind analyzing mushrooms for medicinal use Mycelium evolving alongside humans Fruiting bodies vs. mycelium: are they the same thing? Choosing the right mushroom(s) for your lifestyle The danger of online identification apps Lucretia\u2019s and Gina\u2019s favorite Host Defense\u00ae products As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure and are so honored to have you tag along with us on this ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from are an invaluable piece to our podcast. Email us at podcast@mountainroseherbs.com or reach out on Instagram @Herbal.Radio to let us know what solutions we should uncover next within the vast world of herbalism. Learn more about Gina below! \ud83c\udf44 Gina Rivers is a community herbalist and educator with over 30 years of experience in the natural products industry. Her curriculum vitae includes retail management, sales representation, herbal and nutritional education and consultation, and formulation. She began her study of herbalism at the age of 15 and has had the opportunity to study with some of the most eminent leaders in the field. Although she holds certifications from the Natural Healing College as a master herbalist and nutritional consultant, she maintains that plants and mushrooms are her greatest teachers and considers herself to be an ongoing student of their wise ways. Gina has worked for Host Defense for the last 12 years, first as a representative and, in the last 9 years, as an Educator and Product Formulator. She travels extensively to educate the public, retailers, and practitioners across the nation. EPISODE RESOURCES: Learn more about the parent company of Host Defense\u00ae: Fungi Perfecti, LLC Read the Host Defense\u00ae blog: The Truth About Mushroom Mycelium Check out the new line of Host Defense\u00ae mushroom gummies: Grateful Dead Gummies\u2122 Shop Host Defense\u00ae Mushroom Blends Find Host Defense\u00ae on social media! Instagram: @hostdefense Facebook: @Host Defense YouTube: @Host Defense Mushrooms Lucretia VanDyke began her herbalism journey as a little girl mixing herbs, clays, and muds on her grandparents\u2019 farm. Today, Lucretia VanDyke has been in the herbal industry for over 20 years. As a holistic educator, speaker, herbalist, ceremonialist, spiritual light coach, intuitive energetic & reiki practitioner, diviner, storyteller, artist, and world traveler, Lucretia has accumulated over 3000 hours of training. She has studied with indigenous healers and some of the greatest minds of our time. Lucretia has been a holistic esthetician & healing arts practitioner for over a decade focusing on integrating indigenous healing rituals, plant spirit medicine, and meditation into modern-day practice. Lucretia brings her vivacious spirit and message of self-love in her work to inspire others to embrace their unique beauty and purpose. Her work with herbs and sacred practices honors women's wholeness through grief work, sexual trauma, ancestor connection, womb healing, self-empowerment, food alchemy, and holistic skincare. She is currently collecting stories throughout the south while working on expanding her BIPOC community healing arts and herbal education program. Find Lucretia on social media! Instagram: @lucretia.vandyke Lucertia\u2019s website: https:\/\/www.lucretiavandyke.com Lucretia's Book, African American Herbalism: https:\/\/mountainroseherbs.com\/african-american-herbalism Watch the video version of this interview: https:\/\/youtu.be\/sGs_Y0AWYhw    ~~~ Mountain Rose Herbs is a purveyor of the highest quality organically grown herbs and spices, teas, essential oils, & botanical goods. You can find our organic botanical offerings on MountainRoseHerbs.com. \ud83d\udcd6 Request a FREE copy of our 2026 Printed Journal to be shipped straight to your door!  Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok  \ud83c\udf3f Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. \ud83c\udf3f ","author_name":"Herbal Radio","author_url":"http:\/\/www.mountainroseherbs.com","html":"