Root to Bloom

The Power of Play, Curiosity, and Creativity with Aimee Cox-King: A Woman's Regard for Herself + Our Future

EPISODE 16 🌸 Join me for the last episode of 2024 where I interview my friend and the Founder of Cypress Adventures, Aimee Cox-King.  Located in Hartsville, South Carolina, Cypress Adventures provides experiences that inspire and empower middle and high-school-aged youth to create the lives they want for themselves. 
Aimee is a powerhouse who has not only created an organization the feeds her soul but also that offers her community the opportunity to support youth in a critical yet overlooked stage - adolescence.  She leads her team to provide group experiences that are centered on evidence-based social and emotional skill development. This includes an emphasis on relationship skills, community building, teamwork, problem-solving, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
Support her work + the youth of Hartsville - Be the Drop, Create the Ripple
In our conversation we discuss:
What it’s like to be a sensitive, deep feeling person
The revelation that having regard for herself was key to both her wellbeing and work
Her personal mission statement 
Regulating her nervous system 
What her “champion’s morning” looks like 
How she she approaches time blocking and routines
How age has solidified the importance of self care
How Jesse Itzler’s approach to planning a calendar can bring about joy and adventure 
Where we met (Land of Two Sands in Lugoff, SC)
Why she decided to start a non-profit in the southern town she grew up in 
Her impetus to imbue social justice into her work
How diverse cultures have influenced her understanding of what it means to belong 
How she combined her own experience with science to design meaningful, evidence-based positive youth development programs 
How she distinguishes Cypress Adventures from other after school programs
The diverse array of skills that her programming address to meet the unique social, emotional, and cognitive needs of adolescents  
The Power of Play, the Power of Curiosity, the Power of Creativity 
The learning, dynamism, iterations, and feedback that’s both innate part and required piece of creative ventures 
The epiphany she had around her gifts and passions as it relates to her position(s) within the organization 
How partnerships can help to ensure sustainability and the ability to replicate 
Her favorite practices to nurture herself and listen to her inner voice  
How she feels her way through discipline 
How she’s been able to steer away from comparison 
Her perspective on and stories of synchronicity 
Their end of the year campaign: Be the Drop, Create the Ripple  
Cypress Adventures 🏕
https://www.cypressadventures.org/
https://www.facebook.com/cypressadventures 
https://www.instagram.com/cypressadventures/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/15382248/ 
https://www.youtube.com/@cypressadventuresinc.1241 
 
Resources from Our Conversation:
The Phoenix Journal: https://www.thephoenixplanner.com/products/the-phoenix-journal?srsltid=AfmBOooN5tlWW0lrco22ds1ExXErt96TPlJOdbW9h86SWSVtjmYyFwBh 
Peak Mind: https://amishi.com/books/peak-mind
Land of Two Sands: https://www.facebook.com/LandOf2Sands/  
Our Sacred Space Yoga: https://blackcreekarts.org/products/signup-here 
Insight Meditation: https://www.dharma.org/ 
Chani Nicholas: https://chaninicholas.com/
Tough Titties Laura Belgray: https://www.talkingshrimp.com/book 
Asia Suler: https://asiasuler.com/ 
Business as a Spiritual Journal: https://asiasuler.com/businessasaspiritualjourney/
Mirrors in the Earth: https://asiasuler.com/mirrors-in-the-earth/  
 
A Song for Synchronicity 🎶 Tricia Yearwood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUFObCZtGWQ 

Adding a Business to Your Plate? Here’s the Recipe I Used To Organize + Digest My Ideas

EPISODE 15 🌸 Why write a business plan?  And, what might be useful to include in one?  
On the previous episode, I discussed initial considerations for starting a business.  Today I walk through the ‘recipe’ I’ve used to think through and organize these ingredients.  I also discuss the benefits of having a plan in writing. 
Here's to nourishing your creative heart and wafting your ventures out into the world.  
🌸 Join my Patreon to snag the template I refer to: https://www.patreon.com/roottobloom_podcast
✍️ Business Model Canvas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Model_Canvas#/media/File:Business_Model_Canvas.png 
 
❄️❄️❄️
 
You're invited to the Cozy Celebration Circle ✨ an event I'll be hosting in collaboration with previous guests, Natalie Roling and Ang Barnard 
Episode with Ang 🧠 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root-to-bloom/id1756562911?i=1000663518199 
Episode with Natalie 🌿 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root-to-bloom/id1756562911?i=1000674981927 
Please join us❣️ REGISTER HERE: http://bit.ly/cozycelebration 
 
🌸🌸🌸
 
Follow me on Instagram:
@roottobloom_podcast 
@kweschtionsne1

The Evolution of An Entrepreneur: Key Characteristics + Steps I Took to Adopt This Identity

EPISODE 14 🌸 On this solo episode join me as I:
Walk through the creative process as described by James Clear
Discuss reflections from the conversations I had with other female entrepreneurs I’ve hosted on the show 
Emphasize an essential piece that often is left out of the planning process
Offer initial logistic steps to consider when starting a business
Share some insight and personal stories as came to navigate + adopt this identity
James Clear's Newsletter 3️⃣ 2️⃣ 1️⃣ https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1 
 
Follow me on Instagram:
🌸 @roottobloom_podcast 
🌸 @kweschtionsne1
 
💐 Head over to Patreon to listen to the very first audio recordings I made for this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/roottobloom_podcast 

Suck it Up and Put on Your Stretchy Clothes: A Conversation with My Tough Love Coach, Day Christensen

EPISODE 13 🌸 Everybody needs a Day!  Join me for an invigorating interview with Day Christensen, founder of the Day1Yoga Method.   
Day has taught so many people, myself included, about functional movement patterns and how to build a skill-based athletic practice.  As a long-time, internationally-known practitioner + teacher of yoga, Day is “putting [the strongest] rays of sunshine out into the world” through her online classes, workshops, and certification program.
In this conversation we discuss: 
Her journey as an athlete and how she became the person she needed 
Understanding the middle ground between mentors and customers 
How our business is affected by the way we feel about ourselves
Approaches to building skills and an athletic practice  
The importance of a legacy and her newfound idea of success 
The perspective shift from self employment to business owner 
How she defines her offerings to set herself apart 
The difference between flexibility and mobility 
The effectiveness of sprinting and the impact of intense-spent time 
How to accomplish insurmountable tasks 
What prioritizing oneself might look like 
Her definition of an entrepreneur, and her favorite parts + challenges of being one
Reasons/ways to connect with her and her community of practitioners  
Follow Day:
💪 https://day1yoga.com/
💪 https://www.instagram.com/day1yoga 
 
Books We Mentioned: 
📚 Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home by Toko-pa Turner
https://toko-pa.com/belonging-the-book-by-toko-pa/ 
📚 Indistractable: Nir Eyal
https://www.nirandfar.com/indistractable/
 
“Steve Jobs wasn’t making the iPhones in the factory”   - Day Christensen on entrepreneurship 

Rooted in Ritual with Natalie Roling: An Intimate Exploration of Friendship, Nature, and Entrepreneurship

EPISODE 12 🌸 Here’s to the rhythms of life, and to navigating it with friends who stick by you through silliness, hardship, and creativity.  Join me as I interview my dearest friend and fellow entrepreneur, Natalie Roling.  
Natalie is the owner of Taproot Apothecary, an herbal farm and apothecary whose mission is to bring the healing power of nature into people's’ lives through food, natural medicines, and nature connection. 
In this conversation we talk about:
Silly, uplifting, and intimate moments of our friendship
Pursuing joy and spreading that to others 
Dance as an outlet and approach to life 
Motherhood (including miscarriage) 
Coaching approaches and experiences that have supported us 
Our weekly Main Character Energy Mastermind and how we maintain our friendship through accountability, compassion, and celebration
Integrating, adopting, and navigating multiple identities
Cultivating worthiness and developing confidence
Grief   
Rituals, herbalism, and seasonal nourishment 
Tips for nervous and immune system support + herbal first aid
Reminders of goodness and worthiness 
Natalie’s beautiful herbal goodies (including a bonus code!)
Resources to support entrepreneurs affected by Hurricane Helene
Follow + Support Natalie ⬇️ 
🌿 IG: apothecary.taproot
🌿 Website: https://taprootapothecaries.square.site/ 
🌿 Winter Ritual Box: https://taprootapothecaries.square.site/product/winter-ritual-box/22?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false&mc_cid=3bfd683020&mc_eid=afcb07ca0f
 💃 plus her current Zumba playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JGPgdbmcRQD6PhPhFCbXe?si=RYTXTJXvQVmVpIbQIDDDng&pi=u-MdEIrO2YTz6o 
 
*** 
Additional Resources (Those marked with a * indicate Appalachian-based businesses to support in the wake of Hurricane Helene)
 
📚 Rituals for Life: https://islamacleod.com/rituals-for-life     
 
🌰 Juliet Blanketspoor*: https://www.gofundme.com/f/chestnut-school-herbal-relief-fund?utm_campaign=featured_banner_HerbalReliefforAppalachia&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio 
🌰 Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine: https://chestnutherbs.com/
🌰 The Healing Garden: https://healinggardengateway.com/   
 
🌹 Rosalee de la Foret: https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/
🌹 Emily Hahn: https://emilyhan.com/about/ 
🌹 Kami McBride: https://kamimcbride.com/ 
 
🪞 Asia Suler*: https://asiasuler.com/product/hurricane-relief-donations/ 
🪞 Mirrors in the Earth: Reflections of Self Healing from the Living World 
🪞 Business as a Spiritual Journey 
 
🐮 Goddess Ghee*: https://www.goddessghee.com/ 
 
🔥 Wild Abundance*: https://www.wildabundance.net/  
 
Connect with Kate ⬇️ 
🌸 Instagram: @kweschtionsne1 + @roottobloom_podcast 
🌸 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/roottobloom_podcast
🌸 https://linktr.ee/roottobloom_podcast 

A Conversation with Kristen Rocco about Creativity + My Word of the Year

EPISODE 11 🌸 Join me for a conversation with my friend and fellow entrepreneur Kristen Rocco as we discuss our creative ventures and how centering creativity has helped us to feel balanced and fulfilled.  
 
Connect with Kristen  ⬇️
💥 Bold Moves: How Did You Know (her podcast)
💥 Bold Moves podcast club: https://www.kristenrocco.com/bold-moves-podcast-club
 
💥 Instagram: @KristenRocco
 
💥 Website: KristenRocco.com
 
***
 
Connect with Kate ⬇️
🌸 Instagram: @kweschtionsne1 + @roottobloom_podcast
 
🌸 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/roottobloom_podcast

From Scratch to Strategy - The Simple Tool I Used to Gain Clarity, Feel Confident, and Make Choices

EPISODE 10 🌸 Ever feel like you're starting from scratch?  Or have a bunch of ideas that you don't quite know how to organize?  How do you choose to map it out, and how can you use that information to make decisions?  
Tune in to learn about the simple, versatile tool I used during my career search that helped me to gain clarity and feel confident about the standards I was setting for myself. 
Let this episode remind you not to get discouraged about your big ideas, but rather to be strategic about the way you are organizing and pursuing them.  
 
Resources for Hurricane Helene Recovery: https://linktr.ee/roottobloom_podcast 
 
My Career Coach: https://www.angbarnard.com/ 
 
Join the bouquet and check out my mind map on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/roottobloom_podcast 
 
Follow me on Instagram:
@roottobloom_podcast 
@kweschtionsne1
 
 

Life Updates + Delightful Coincidences

EPISODE 9 🌸 Join me from my new studio as I share big life updates (hint: new job!) and fun stories of synchronicity.  Inspired by my conversation with Kate Wiggeringloh in Episode 8, I share moments in my life that have felt aligned, otherworldly, awesome, profound, and magical.  
Is it synchronicity or coincidence - tune in to learn about Jung’s synchronistic model, a tool you might use to discern the difference.  
In my opinion, paying attention to synchronicity not only helps us to show up in a positive way, but also encourages a state of openness and flow that can make our creativity that much more accessible. 
What magical moments have you experienced?  How do you cultivate a sense of connection and magic in your life?  
 
Resources on Synchronicity
✨ https://www.gaia.com/article/synchronicity-not-just-coincidence
✨ https://www.oprah.com/inspiration/martha-beck-how-to-tell-when-the-universe-is-sending-you-signs 
✨ https://madeleinedore.substack.com/p/tell-me-things-about-synchronicity 
✨ https://www.instructables.com/Consult-the-I-Ching-with-Yarrow-Stalks/ 
Hermanos Gutiérrez:
🎶 https://open.spotify.com/artist/73mSg0dykFyhvU96tb5xQV?si=rVzNiK1IQz2MTpf4ZecyiA 
🎶 Tour: https://www.hermanosgutierrez.ch/tour
 
🧠 The Positive Head Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-positive-head-podcast/id992207609
 
💫 Starseed Oracle Deck: https://starseedoracle.me/
 
💌 DM me your synchronistic stories + follow me on Instagram:
@roottobloom_podcast 
@kweschtionsne1
🌸 See my unique podcast set-up for today's episode + join the bouquet on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/roottobloom_podcast 

Knives, Public Restrooms, and Radical Kindness - A Hydrating Conversation with the Blade Babe

EPISODE 8 🌸 Join me for a rich conversation with a beam of light!  Kate Wiggeringloh, is the co-founder of Primeaux Knives in Knoxville, TN and she wants you to stay hydrated, believe in magic, and celebrate everything.  
 
In this episode we explore how she is integrating her life as an artist into entrepreneurship, partnership, wellness, and magic.  We touch on a variety of topics including our love of food, how we met, what it’s like to be a “step chick”, and Amma the Hugging Saint.  
 
In addition to enjoying moments of synchronicity, generosity, and joy, tune in to learn:
How being in relationship with nature enabled her to be in authentic relationship with herself
Her trail name and favorite affirmations that came from her through hiking trips 
How she invites sacredness into her routine
What her gratitude practice looks like 
Which word to add to your “to-do” list for a perspective shift 
What she would want to reincarnate as
Ways to decolonize our communication 
Why she considers kindness a part of punk culture 
Wisdom from her hula hoop teacher 
How she is navigating entrepreneurship and partnership 
How to infuse business branding and cooking with intentionality 
Why we want Trey Anastasio/Phish to become owners of a Primeaux Knife
 
🌸🌸 RESOURCES 🌸🌸
 
Follow Kate to believe in magic, stay hydrated, and celebrate everything: 
💧https://bio.site/katewiggeringloh 
💧Celebrate Everything on Substack: https://celebrate.substack.com/ 
💧https://www.instagram.com/imveryhydrated/
💧https://www.instagram.com/wahwahwonderland/
 
🔪Primeaux Knives 🔪
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primeaux.goods/ 
Website: https://primeaux.us/ 
For Phish ⭕ https://www.instagram.com/phillips.forged/p/C8rL4JyPYlo/?img_index=1 
 
⛰️ Wild Abundance, where Kate and I met in NC: https://www.wildabundance.net/ 
⛰️ Firefly Gathering: https://www.fireflygathering.org/ 
 
Biases and Nonviolent Communication (NVC) 
🤝 Infographic: https://www.mindtools.com/aar5let/beliefs-and-bias-in-decision-making-infographic
🤝 Decolonizing NVC: https://co-conspirator.press/Decolonizing-Non-Violent-Communication
🤝 Marshall Rosenberg’s work: https://www.cnvc.org/ 
🤝 A collection of Radical Resources (author unknown): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lfTbzsp3BRL1H4jZ61kvvMVnw0BDc7SANzc3oFDmPAo/edit#heading=h.4ftp33q12f56 
 
Kate’s Recent Reads:
📚 The Circle of Simplicity: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/806325.The_Circle_of_Simplicity   
📚 The Art of Possibility:  https://www.amazon.com/Art-Possibility-Transforming-Professional-Personal/dp/0142001104/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KX3PUCZ0OG0M&dchild=1&keywords=the+art+of+possibility+by+roz+%26+ben+zander&qid=1593716808&sprefix=zander+art+of+poss%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1 
 
Other Creators on Kindness:
❤️ Alok Vaid-Menon: https://www.tiktok.com/@alokvmenon/video/7397890306718387498
❤️ Brene Brown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfL4RTuC9Bk 
❤️ Naomi Shihab Nye: https://poets.org/poem/kindness 
❤️ Amma the Hugging Saint: https://amma.org/ 
 
Miranda’s farm in SC - BUY LOCAL
🥬 https://www.gardenandgatherdfc.com/
🥬 https://www.instagram.com/dragonflycreek.farm/
 
🌸🌸🌸🌸
 
Follow your host on Instagram:
@roottobloom_podcast 
@kweschtionsne1
 
Join the bouquet on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/roottobloom_podcast 
 

In My "New Girl" Era - 10 Tips for Friendship

EPISODE 7 🌸 Will you be my friend?  Join me as I discuss how I cultivate and tend to connections, particularly while adapting to new places or seasons.  
 
Connection Over Attention, Man Enough Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/50L40Ya3TnmJhn7ETk3Wun?si=sROPjMbRRbuc5fAyG8Sjtg
 
Marco Polo (app I use to stay in touch with both individuals and groups): https://www.marcopolo.me/ 
 
Follow me on Instagram:
@roottobloom_podcast 
@kweschtionsne1
 
Join the bouquet on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/roottobloom_podcast
 
Thanks for your follows and reviews!