In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with Mandy Bishop, founder of Old Ways Wisdom and a passionate advocate for ancestral skills, wild foraging, and natural medicine. Mandy shares her path into this world of old knowledge, exploring the emotional healing and deep sense of connection that comes from aligning with the earth and our roots. Together, they talk about the challenges of balancing modern life with the pull toward a simpler, more natural way of living. From the beauty of common plants to the power of natural remedies, this conversation is filled with grounded wisdom, practical insight, and a reminder of what it means to truly belong to the land.

Connect with Mandy:
Instagram - @mandyvbishop
Website - oldwayswisdom.com
Apothecary Story - oldwayswisdom.com/store
Upcoming Events - oldwayswisdom.com/upcoming-events

Learn More about the Eastern Sierra Land Trust - eslt.org/bushandbanter/

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:
6:00 Welcome Mandy Bishop!
7:23 The Wild Women Event & blindfolded drumming
17:34 Reconnecting with nature and seeing herself differently
22:04 Tips for embracing natural products & helpful plants for hikers: dandelion, yarrow, and plantain
44:28 Understanding your ancestors to deepen your nature connection
51:29 The power of wandering
58:17 Mandy’s classes and products & one simple way to connect with the earth

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Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman

Record producer Rick Rubin once said, “Don’t worry about what’s cool or what’s popular. Go after what’s interesting to you.” In this episode, Jen and Dyana explore the power of following your interests, staying curious, and navigating the resistance that often comes from the outside world. Whether it’s tackling a long thru-hike, getting into crafting, or diving into 1970s landscape art (Dyana’s latest obsession), curiosity is your greatest teacher—and it’ll always point you in the right direction. The duo also reflects on past podcast guests who’ve fearlessly followed their passions, showing that curiosity isn’t just a spark—it’s a path to growth, fulfillment, and a life well-lived.

Send us a text

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with thru-hiker and author Julia Sheehan to unpack her transformative 2,190-mile journey along the Appalachian Trail. Julia opens up about the emotional and physical challenges of the hike, the experience of documenting it on social media, and the unexpected impact of going viral. She shares insights from her new book, Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail, and gets candid about the pressure to stay authentic online, navigate community expectations, and filter through the noise of constant feedback.

Julia has stepped foot on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Arizona Trail, but shares about the unique charm and magic of the Appalachian Trail. Julia also reflects on how yoga and writing her memoir became a key part of her healing—and why vulnerability is essential to meaningful storytelling. This conversation goes beyond the trail. It’s about resilience, self-discovery, and learning to navigate the highs and lows—on and off the path.

Follow Julia on Instagram - @juliasheehan

Her book - Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail

Her documentary - Into the Wild: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail

Backpacker article - Her Thru-Hike Went Viral. Then She Quit.

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

2:32 Welcome, Julia Sheehan!

7:07 What life looked like for Julia when she left for the Appalachian Trail

10:32 Julia's reasons on filming her AT thru-hike

16:01 The impacts of social media + thru-hiking and how to handle online criticism

30:45 Julia's memoir - Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail

56:12 Julia's yoga journey + the benefits of practicing yoga

1:09:04 Why do first-time thru-hikers keep going back

1:15:00 The unique magic of the Appalachian Trail

Send us a text

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman