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KK welcomes back mycologist and science educator Mandie Quark for a fascinating conversation about the importance of biodiversity and why protecting all forms of life. From photographing mysterious moths and fungi in Ecuador's rainforests to uncovering the alarming lack of funding for fungal conservation, Mandie shares how much of Earth's biodiversity remains undocumented and potentially threatened. We explore the interconnected relationships between fungi, insects, plants, and wildlife, the power of citizen science through platforms like iNaturalist, and how everyday nature enthusiasts can contribute to real scientific discoveries. Whether you're a mushroom lover, aspiring naturalist, or simply curious about the hidden world around you, this episode is a reminder that you can't protect what you don't know exists! MAKE SURE YOU VOTE FOR THE POLICIES YOU BELIEVE IN!

All resources mentioned on florafungapodcast.com/240

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Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day

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In this episode of the Flora Funga Podcast, KK sits down with Tyler from Elden Medicinals, a holistic health practitioner, medicinal mushroom educator, and wild forager she met at MycoFest. Tyler shares his personal healing journey, including how his experience with nerve-related symptoms inspired his passion for lion’s mane mushrooms and natural medicine. Together, they dive into some of the most underrated medicinal fungi, including red-belted polypore, birch polypore, artist’s conk, and chaga, exploring their potential benefits for inflammation, brain health, immune support, and overall wellness. They also discuss herbal allies like blue vervain and ghost pipe, the advantages of wild-foraged versus cultivated mushrooms, sustainable harvesting, and the importance of reconnecting with nature. Tyler introduces his book, Wild Healing with Medicinal Mushrooms, which teaches readers about mushroom identification, foraging, traditional uses, and making their own natural remedies. This conversation is all about taking an active role in your wellness, getting curious about the medicine growing around you, and discovering the fascinating world of fungi beyond the familiar favorites! Explore Tyler’s work at Elden Medicinals and use code FLORAFUNGA for 10% off your order.

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Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day

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Get ready to laugh, learn, and rethink what you call “waste.” 🌱♻️ In this episode of the Flora Funga Podcast, KK sits down with Aaron and Elliot from Brainplate Grows to explore their hilariously unconventional approach to composting, urban farming, and building a more resilient food system in Madison, Wisconsin. We dive into how they collect roughly 800 pounds of food scraps each week from local restaurants and transform them into living soil, their Bucket Farm Friends initiative bringing accessible grow kits into the community, the surprisingly fascinating world of soil microbes, and why bitter melon deserves way more attention. We also talk about hyperlocal food systems, turning unused urban spaces into places to grow food, creating stronger communities through biodiversity and mutual aid, and their wonderfully chaotic Compost Olympics happening October 10 at Troy Farm. Beneath all the jokes is a powerful idea: waste doesn’t have to be waste, healthy ecosystems depend on cooperation, and small local actions can create much bigger change.

All Links happening on Florafungapodcast.com

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Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day

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Flora Funga Podcast at the Western New York Fungi Festival for a weekend packed with mushrooms, community, wellness, music, and plenty of unexpected adventures. KK explores unique fungi products, learns about training dogs to hunt for truffles, catches up with Dennis Walker of Mycopreneur, experiences mushroom comedy and laughing yoga, and connects with Fungi Flows for some freestyle energy. Things get even more interesting when a relaxing mobile sauna session turns into KK facing one of her biggest enemies—a freezing cold plunge. Between workshops, vendors, late-night sound baths under the full moon, and KK's own presentation about pursuing your passions, this episode captures the wonderfully weird, intimate, and inspiring community that makes mushroom festivals so special.

Drink before drinking. Drink responsibly, for an easier tomorrow

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Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day

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KK sits down with Omar to dive into the vision behind the Ojai Mushroom Summit, happening October 11–18, 2026 in Ojai, California. The week-long gathering brings together fungi, fermentation, regenerative agriculture, food, art, music, wellness, and community through workshops, talks, films, culinary experiences, cultivation classes, myco-filtration demonstrations, live performances, vendor gatherings, and hands-on experiences throughout the Ojai Valley. Check out the official Ojai Mushroom Summit page or view the full schedule and grab tickets on Humanitix. Programming includes a Master Chef Koji class, microdosing discussions, mycelium-material workshops, mushroom cultivation, cactus education, mushroom-and-koji dining experiences, myco-filtration, podcast conversations, and community gatherings. Several events take place at Topa Institute, while Saturday features an educational portal at the historic Ojai Playhouse along with the downtown Mushroom Block Party, food pop-ups, and an unofficial after-party. Friday evening also brings music and movement with The Listening Garden following a hands-on mycofiltration workshop. Sunday closes the celebration with yoga, an herb and mushroom walk, From the Hood to the Woods, and the Greater Goods Gathering, featuring live music, education, food, vendors, and community connection at Topa. Beyond the summit, Omar shares the personal journey that led him from cooking and foraging into mycology and eventually to co-founding Ohms Collective, where fungi, food, sustainability, and community come together. This episode is a look at what can happen when mycology, creativity, regenerative living, education, and community all collide in one beautiful valley.

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Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs

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Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day

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Richard Capalbo the Founder of Rooted Fox Wellness, a wellness company focused on functional mushrooms. He makes a Lion's Mane Functional Chocolate and Lion's Mane Functional Capsules- supporting Mood, Focus, Memory, and Cognitive Function. He founded the company along his wellness journey after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis about 10 years ago. Rooted Fox Wellness is grounded in years of working with functional mushrooms and real-world use, our third-party tested products are designed to be effortless, enjoyable, and effective.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Rooted Fox Wellness

Drink before drinking. Drink responsibly, for an easier tomorrow

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Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs

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Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day

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Are mushroom coffees actually worth the hype—or are we just paying $40+ for fancy dirt water?

In this episode of Flora Funga Podcast, KK and Karleen put two of the biggest names in functional mushroom drinks head-to-head: RYZE Mushroom Coffee and MUD\WTR Matcha.

We taste-test both, compare caffeine and mushroom content, dig into RYZE's six-mushroom blend versus MUD\WTR's chaga, reishi, lion's mane and cordyceps blend, and talk about the surprisingly important differences between whole mushroom powder, mycelium, fruiting bodies and mushroom extracts. We also get into why ingredient sourcing and third-party testing matter, whether you'd be better off adding mushroom extracts to coffee you already love, and even how you can make mushroom teas and dual extracts at home.

After plenty of questionable smells, earthy sips and brutally honest ratings, RYZE lands around a 6/10 while MUD\WTR Matcha takes the win at roughly 8–8.5/10. We also shout out Everyday Dose, Laird Superfood, Christopher Hobbs' mushroom extraction teachings and Schedule 35 along the way. If you've been staring at mushroom coffee in Target wondering whether it's actually worth your money, this one's for you.

Things mentioned in this episode:

RYZE Mushroom Coffee — RYZE Superfoods

MUD\WTR Matcha — MUD\WTR Matcha

Everyday Dose — Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee

Laird Superfood — the other mushroom/superfood coffee brand discussed — Laird Superfood

Christopher Hobbs — mushroom extraction and dried-tea resources — Christopher Hobbs' Mushroom & Herbal Extraction Handouts

Schedule 35 — Schedule 35 "FLORAFUNGA"

I got a new phone number to text in with any questions, comments, or photos!

727-477-5974

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Text (727) 477-5974 Flora Funga Phone with your questions, comments, concerns, and IDs

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Zbiotics: "FLORA10"
Drink ZBiotics before drinking alcohol-Alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a byproduct that your next day

...