How many times have you heard someone say “My garden is my therapy” or “Plant care is self-care”? These phrases have become so popular lately, and they're absolutely true! As someone who's written a whole book on this topic, I can tell you that being connected to nature gives us so many gifts: perspective, gratitude, love, and as we'll explore today, reverence and reciprocity. I have a deep-rooted connection with Gaia (or Mother Earth) that I’m gonna share with my equally deeply spiritual friend, Jessica Zweig, business coach and author of ‘The Light Work’. We both have spookily similar experiences moving out of congested cities into nature and seeing the shifts in our systems and lives that have happened. I hope you take something good from this ep!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [06:38] Jessica’s evolution of connecting with nature
• [10:41] Moving to the countryside
• [14:40] Unwind and relax with Wind River Chimes
• [16:15] Begin your homesteading life with Simple Country Living by Annette Thurman
• [17:22] How does nature help alleviate our worries?
• [20:36] What is the practice of reciprocity?
• [23:14] What is the frequency of Gaia?
• [26:28] What are the codes of Gaia?
• [30:21] Successfully grow anything with Gardener Supply Company
• [32:17] Meeting the Kichwa Anangu tribe
• [36:45] Where can you find Jessica’s book?
• [38:25] Where can you find Jessica on social media?

 

 

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Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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Moving Out to the Countryside

Both Jessica and I made a huge life change by moving from a bustling city to a more rural area. For her, it was a move from Chicago to 10 acres in Nashville. For me, it was a shift from a tiny 500-square-foot apartment to a house on 5 acres. And plant friends, it's been nothing short of life-changing.

Now, I know not everyone can just pack up and move to the countryside (though if you can, I highly recommend it). But there are ways to bring more nature into your life, even in the heart of the city.

Think about adding more plants to your space, listening to recordings of birdsong, or using blackout curtains to experience true darkness at night. Try to attune yourself to nature's rhythms, even in urban environments, because these small changes can make a big difference in how connected you feel to the natural world.

 

Nature as Free Therapy

One thing Jessica said that really resonated with me was how nature acts as “free therapy.”

It’s how you can harmonize your energy, body, physiology, and physicality, as much as it does your nervous system. And it's all connected. For Jessica, she became a softer, more patient, more embodied version of herself when she was around and rooted in nature.

I've experienced this myself during times of grief and anxiety. There's something incredibly healing about aligning yourself with a tree, feeling the earth beneath your feet, or losing yourself in the endless expanse of a starry sky. When I did this, it felt like the tree was saying, “I've got you. I can handle this.”

 

Gaia: The Great Mother

In her book, Jessica dedicates an entire chapter to Gaia–this powerful concept of Earth as a living, breathing entity that we're all connected to. It shifts our perspective from seeing nature as something separate from us to recognizing that we are nature.

We are connected to trees, rivers, mountains, and to each other, most of all. You know how easy it is to get caught up in the daily grind, worrying about podcast downloads, sponsors, and all that stuff? Spending time in nature has given me a whole new perspective on what really matters and suddenly those day-to-day worries seem pretty small.

 

The Codes of Gaia: Reverence and Reciprocity

There are two important codes when it comes to our relationship with nature: reverence and reciprocity. Jessica explains these as:

Reverence: having a deep sense of awe and respect for nature. This is more than just enjoying a pretty sunset – it is about finding respect even in the things that bother or provoke us.

Reciprocity: giving back what we take, in every interaction—with nature, with each other, in our daily lives. It could be as simple as expressing gratitude, planting trees, or making more eco-friendly choices in our daily lives.

 

Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine of the Kichwa Anangu Tribe

Jessica shared her experience visiting an indigenous tribe in Ecuador called the Kichwa Anangu tribe. What struck her most was the deep sense of harmony she felt there—a way of living that is so rare in our modern world. The community embodied both divine feminine and divine masculine energies in a beautiful balance.

The men were nurturing and gentle, while the women exhibited strength and groundedness.

She described it as “a palpable sense of harmony in all living things in my life.”

And I think it's a reminder of what's possible when we realign ourselves with the natural world.

 

Deepen Your Connection with Nature

I truly believe that plants have wisdom to share with us if we're open to listening. I also hope this conversation has sparked something in you. Maybe it's curiosity about your own relationship with nature. Maybe it's a desire to spend more time outside. Or perhaps it's inspiration to pick up Jessica's book ‘The Light Work’ and look more into these ideas.

 

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Birds of Tennessee Field Guide (Bird Identification Guides) by Stan Tekiela
• Merlin Bird ID
• Simply Be by Jessica Zweig
• The Light Work by Jessica Zweig
• Comunidad Kichwa Añangu
• Lion’s Gate Activation Summit

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

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Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: Simple Country Living by Annette Thurmon

If you feel called to reconnect with the earth and maybe even add homesteading to your list of hobbies, Simple Country Living by Annette Thurmon is the book for you! It's a practical guidebook focused on the garden and kitchen know-how, with recipes, tips, tricks, and family activities that will help you reduce waste, save money, and harness new skills. Learn how to create a nature-inspired home while giving yourself new skills for a more sustainable lifestyle.

Grab Simple Country Living: Techniques, Recipes, and Wisdom for the Garden, Kitchen, and Beyond by Annette Thurmon at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.

Gardener's Supply

From containers to raised beds, seeds to plant supports, Gardener's Supply has everything to create your dream garden oasis. They even sell edging and walkways! Gardener's is an employee-owned company run by passionate gardeners for over 40 years, and they are committed to catering to all kinds of gardeners. Whether you've got acres or just a balcony, you're sure to find everything you need for successful indoor and outdoor gardening.

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.

 

 

 

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