The Wild Rose Podcast

Perimenopause is finally part of the conversation, but not always with the clarity it deserves.

In this episode, we sit down with Aviva Romm, MD, physician, herbalist, and midwife, to explore what is really happening in the body during this transition and how to navigate it without getting swept up in confusion, fear, or overconsumption.

This is a grounded and honest conversation that moves beyond quick fixes and trending advice. Instead, it looks at perimenopause through a whole-person lens that includes physiology, lifestyle, environment, and the broader cultural context shaping women’s health today.

Aviva shares insight into the wide range of symptoms that can arise in the years leading up to menopause, why hormonal changes are far more dynamic than a simple decline, and how this phase can be understood as a meaningful transition rather than a problem to solve.

We also explore the growing menopause industry, how to stay discerning in the face of overwhelming information, and where herbal medicine and conventional care can thoughtfully come together.

This conversation is a reminder that perimenopause is not something to fix, but something to understand, support, and move through with awareness.

In this episode, we explore:
• What perimenopause is and why it can begin years before menopause
• The many symptoms that often go unrecognized or misattributed
• Why hormones fluctuate rather than simply decline
• The role of lifestyle, stress, and environment in shaping this transition
• Herbal approaches to supporting sleep, mood, and hormonal shifts
• The commercialization of menopause and how to stay grounded within it
• How to navigate conversations with healthcare providers
• Reframing perimenopause as a meaningful life transition

The Wild Rose College Podcast is hosted by Megan Kendrick, Clinical Herbalist and Herbal Village Coordinator at Wild Rose College of Herbal Medicine.

Wild Rose College has been a leader in herbal education for over 50 years, offering in-depth training that bridges traditional wisdom with modern clinical practice. Through courses, workshops, and community learning inside the Wild Rose Herbal Village, we support herbalists at every stage of their path.

If you’re looking to deepen your knowledge of plant medicine, join a vibrant herbal community, or explore upcoming programs, visit wildrosecollege.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and consider sharing it with someone who would benefit from this conversation.

In this episode of The Wild Rose Podcast, we’re joined by Amber Lynn Vitale, an Ayurvedic practitioner and educator whose work brings ancient elemental wisdom into practical, modern application.
Amber shares her early beginnings in plant-based healing, from childhood herbal curiosity to formal study of Ayurveda, and how this tradition became a framework for understanding health as alignment rather than perfection. The conversation explores the doshas as windows into self-understanding, the importance of seasonal awareness and climate, and how daily rhythms like sleep, food, and bathing practices shape our vitality.
Together, we reflect on the practitioner–patient relationship as a form of medicine in itself, the concept of special potency between healer and client, and why healing cannot come through punishment or rigid control. Amber also speaks to orthorexia, wellness perfectionism, leftovers and digestive fire, and the role of relationship — with plants, with food, and with our own nature — in restoring balance.
The Wild Rose Podcast is hosted by ⁠Megan Kendrick⁠, Registered Clinical Herbalist and Herbal Village Coordinator. Through thoughtful conversations with herbalists, clinicians, and plant-centered practitioners, the podcast explores the art, science, and lived experience of herbal medicine.
About Amber: Amber Lynn Vitale is an Ayurvedic practitioner and educator who translates classical Ayurvedic philosophy into grounded, accessible guidance for contemporary life. Her work focuses on constitutional balance, elemental understanding, and helping individuals reconnect with their innate vitality through practical daily care.
You can find Amber and her work online at https://www.amberlynnvitale.com, through her website and social media platforms.
For more herbal education, community learning, and plant-centered resources, visit ⁠Wild Rose College of Herbal Medicine⁠ and explore the Wild Rose Herbal Village.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from this perspective on Ayurveda, alignment, and living in harmony with one’s nature, and follow The Wild Rose Podcast wherever you listen.

In this episode of The Wild Rose Podcast, we’re joined by Marie Zak, a herbalist and somatic therapist whose work weaves together plant medicine, nervous system care, and embodied healing.
Marie shares her personal journey into herbalism, shaped by sensitivity, burnout, and a deep return to the body, and how this path led her to integrate somatic relational therapy with clinical herbal practice. The conversation explores what it truly means to tend the nervous system, why so many modern health challenges live in the body rather than just the mind, and how authenticity, power, and belonging are inseparable from wellbeing.
Together, we reflect on somatic therapy, trauma and stress physiology, people-pleasing as a nervous system response, and the role of plants as allies in helping us inhabit ourselves more fully. Marie also speaks to the importance of connection with the more-than-human world, and why relationships with plants and land are essential to healing in these times.
The Wild Rose Podcast is hosted by Megan Kendrick, Registered Clinical Herbalist and Herbal Village Coordinator. Through thoughtful conversations with herbalists, clinicians, and plant-centered practitioners, the podcast explores the art, science, and lived experience of herbal medicine.
About Marie: Marie Zak completed her herbal studies at Pacific Rim College and is a Registered Herbal Therapist with the British Columbia Herbalists Association. She is the co-founder of Althaea Herbals, where she offers clinical care and education focused on emotional, spiritual, and psychosomatic wellbeing. Marie completed her Somatic Relational Therapy training through Opening to Grace with Mariah Moser and has studied animism and ancestral healing with Daniel Foor.
You can find Marie and her work through Althaea Herbals online and on social media.
For more herbal education, community learning, and plant-centered resources, visit Wild Rose College of Herbal Medicine and explore the Wild Rose Herbal Village.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from this perspective on somatics, herbalism, and nervous system healing, and follow The Wild Rose Podcast wherever you listen.

In this episode of The Wild Rose Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Terry Willard, clinical herbalist, researcher, and founder of Wild Rose College, for a thoughtful exploration of neurodivergence through an herbal and holistic lens.
Rather than viewing ADHD, dyslexia, autism traits and other expressions of neurodivergence as disorders, Terry reframes them as natural variations in sensitivity that have helped our species thrive for most of human history. Drawing on five decades of clinical practice, research, and lived experience, he shares how herbs like reishi, dietary patterns, the microbiome, and flower essences can support sensitive nervous systems without trying to “fix” who someone is.
This conversation explores why neurodivergence is especially common among herbalists and plant people, how stimulants affect ADHD brains, and why society itself may be the most important place for healing to occur.
The Wild Rose College Podcast is hosted by Megan Kendrick, registered clinical herbalist and Herbal Village Coordinator at Wild Rose College. Megan brings a holistic, integrative perspective to each conversation, exploring not only the practical uses of plant medicine, but the worldviews, philosophies, and lived experiences that shape how we relate to health, healing, and the natural world.
Whether you identify as neurodivergent, support someone who does, or are curious about how herbalism meets modern conversations around sensitivity and mental health, this episode offers insight, compassion, and grounded guidance.
Ready to deepen your herbal journey?Explore the Practical Herbalist Diploma Program at Wild Rose College—a comprehensive path to confident, hands-on herbalism. Learn more and enroll today: https://wildrosecollege.com/product/practical-herbalist-diploma-program
Explore more from Wild Rose College:Courses, community, and herbal education: wildrosecollege.com
Disclaimer:The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Wild Rose College. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, especially if you have a medical condition, are taking prescription medications, or are pregnant or nursing.

Botanist, mycologist, and author Robert Rogers joins us to explore the quiet yet powerful world of lichens. These ancient partnerships of fungi and algae have shaped life on Earth for millions of years, creating soil, producing oxygen, and offering lessons in resilience and cooperation.

In this episode, Robert shares insights from over five decades of study and teaching, blending Indigenous knowledge and modern pharmacology to reveal the healing potential of lichens. From the antimicrobial properties of Usnea to the soothing, food-based medicine of Iceland moss, he uncovers how these overlooked organisms bridge the gap between tradition and science.

We also reflect on the deeper teachings lichens hold about community and interdependence, reminding us that true healing often begins with how we relate to the world around us.

The Wild Rose Podcast is hosted by Megan Kendrick, Registered Clinical Herbalist and Herbal Village Coordinator at Wild Rose College. Megan is drawn to holistic perspectives that explore how plant medicine, health, culture, and lived experience intersect, and how different worldviews shape the ways we understand healing and relationship. She creates space for thoughtful, grounded conversations that honour both the art and science of herbalism, while reaching into the wider landscape of holistic practice.

Where to find Robert Rogers:
Learn more about Robert’s books, courses, and work at selfhealdistributing.com, where he and his wife Laurie share their passion for plant and fungal medicine through Self Heal Distributing and Scents of Wonder Essential Oils.

Ready to deepen your herbal journey? Explore the Practical Herbalist Diploma Program at Wild Rose College—a comprehensive path to confident, hands-on herbalism. Learn more and enroll today:⁠⁠ https://wildrosecollege.com/product/practical-herbalist-diploma-program⁠⁠

Explore more from Wild Rose College: 📚 Courses, community, and herbal education:⁠⁠ wildrosecollege.com⁠⁠

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Wild Rose College. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, especially if you have a medical condition, are taking prescription medications, or are pregnant or nursing.