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The Dancing Willow podcast explores healing, herbalism, and the wisdom of the Earth. Hosted by Elliott Brinkley, clinical herbalist and owner of Dancing Willow Herbs apothecary, this podcast offers insights into plant medicine, herbal remedies, breathwork, and personal transformation. Whether you're new to herbalism or looking to deepen your practice, each episode provides practical tips, inspiring conversations with healers, and a holistic approach to wellness. Tune in for a journey of healing, rooted in the power of nature.
25 Episodes
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If you’ve been craving a deeper way to move through winter, one that honors the mystery, the magic, and your personal inner fire, this conversation will feel like stepping into a portal. The winter solstice brings us into the darkest days of the year — a time when many of us feel pulled between the desire to slow down and the very real demands of December. In this deeply nourishing conversation, I’m joined by herbalist, teacher, and author Marysia Miernowska to explore how we can tend our inn...
The holidays are nearly here, and so is the opportunity to transform how we show up with the people we love- with more regulation, presence, and real connection. In today’s conversation, Elliott is joined by Eliza Rose Kane to explore her new offering, Family Breathwork, a program designed to bring families together through nervous system regulation, emotional attunement, and being truly witnessed by the people closest to us. Whether you’re parenting young kids or teens, navigating dyna...
What if the key to lasting health isn’t the next super herb or supplement but removing what’s quietly draining your vitality? In this illuminating conversation, herbalist and teacher Paul Bergner joins Elliott Brinkley to explore the foundations of true healing through vitalist therapeutics addressing lifestyle, nutrition, and the spiritual dimensions of wellness. With over five decades of clinical experience and a lineage of teaching that has shaped generations of herbalists, Paul shares bot...
As the wheel turns and the nights grow longer, we step into the liminal season of Samhain or Halloween- the Celtic New Year and the sacred threshold between worlds. In this solo episode, Elliott explores the herbal allies of protection and boundary-keeping that support us as we descend into the dark half of the year. From Yarrow and her tightening, astringent magic to Hawthorn’s thorny guardianship of the heart, these plants teach us how to hold our energy close, honor our sensitivity, and na...
Two besties, a pot of strong herbal decoction, and a year that tested their roots, this is a conversation about finding magic in the mess. In this deeply personal and heart-centered conversation, Elliott welcomes back one of her best friends and fellow “witchy sister of the West,” Katie Ramos, for an honest exploration of herbal magic, spirit dosing, resilience through hardship, and the power of rooting into authenticity. From childhood broomstick flights to modern-day herbal rituals, the two...
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...
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...
Something profound 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 p...
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 types o...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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