ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode of Herbalists After Hours, we sit down with Lottie Spady of Earthseed Detroit for a conversation about what it looks like to follow an herbalist's path — not the polished version, but the real one.
We talk about the long arc of building something over sixteen years, from a blog post about dryer balls to keynote speaker, tarot collaborator, and community builder in the historic Black town of Idlewild, Michigan.
There's a thread throughout about learning to trust the unfolding — how herbalism has a way of showing up personally, not just professionally, and how the relationship with plants can quietly fine-tune the relationship with yourself.
We also get into what it means to welcome new people into the herbal world, how informal spaces and hands-on experiences lower the barrier in ways that books and videos can't, and what community-building looks like when it's rooted in collaboration rather than competition.
And then there's the wasp nest.
Lottie Spady is an herbalist, educator, and the founder of Earthseed Detroit, a platform she describes as an umbrella for all the creative and healing work she does. Her work weaves together herbalism, intuitive collage, botanical illustration, and community education.
She is also a collaborator on the Lineages of Change tarot deck and a co-founder of The Hive, a worker-owned co-op in development in Idlewild, Michigan.
Thank you to Emilie Thomas-Anderson for being behind the cameras!
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LINKS & RESOURCES
Connect with Lottie
https://www.earthseeddetroit.com/
https://www.instagram.com/earthseeddetroit/
https://www.tiktok.com/@earthseeddetroit
EPISODE MENTIONS
The Hive, Idlewild Michigan
Lloyd Library, Cincinnati | https://www.lloydlibrary.org
Lineages of Change Tarot Deck
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
The Little Professor of Piney Woods
Generosity of Plants by Rosemary Gladstar
Folk Methodology is a creative herbal studio exploring the wisdom, culture, and lived experience of herbalists. Through conversations, classes, and media, Mason and Rosalee are here to share and uplift the grassroots herbal community.
The small print This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.
