Herbalist Joe Hollis shares his story about getting out of the system of capitalism and into a more direct relationship with the Earth over his last 50 years, where he made paradise, not money.

What follows is an interview with herbalist Joe Hollis of Mountain Gardens in the land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, outside of Asheville, North Carolina.

I was so fortunate to interview him in person in October 2021, just two years before his passing at age 81.

The year after this interview, a devastating fire burned down his extensive library of both books and herbs. Then, in 2024, Hurricane Helene brought landslides that completely changed the land he tended.

However, there are still people keeping his legacy alive, tending to the gardens, rebuilding the library, and recovering from the landslides. If you want to support them, go to mountaingardensherbs.com, and that link is in the show notes as well.

• Watch the video of this interview https://youtu.be/ApO-64L6zmI?si=n7j9PuSXfbNmVeHS
• Mountain Gardens https://www.mountaingardensherbs.com
• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians https://www.ebci.gov
• Connect with Natalie Ross https://www.natalie.net

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