Hello Reader, Paul Bergner’s new workshop on energy and mitochondrial vitality starts this week. Let me clarify what this is all about… This workshop is a 2-part series, taught live with replays available afterward. In Part 1, Paul shares recent research on how fatigue, burnout, and chronic inflammation are connected to mitochondrial health. Mitochondria, tiny “powerhouses” of our cells, do far more than generate energy—they shape how we age, how we heal, and how resilient we feel in the face...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Today, I want to share a potent story by one of my herbal mentors, Paul Bergner… “I've never felt old before, but this is the month I finally got old,” I said to my wife one February, a few months after turning 74. My vision and hearing were declining; I felt unusually tired, couldn’t exercise, and, even more concerning, began to struggle with cognition and focus. And so began a long journey through the depths of severe disease and recovery. Not from aging. I was being slowly...
6 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Every day is a balancing act since I have been challenged by Parkinson’s. My energy reserves have shifted, and when I don’t get it “right,” I can have a really tough day…like a stuck-in-quicksand kind of day. Have you ever pushed yourself to work out, only to feel like doo-doo afterward? I totally get it. And I’ve learned a bit about energy production in the brain and body along the way… First, a thriving neuron depends on healthy energy production by the tiny mitochondria...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, When my daughter Mara was tiny, she was infatuated with worms and salamanders. 🪱I would lift a shovelful of soil for her, revealing the hidden community of earthworm families. I worked in the garden while she sat next to me with a fistful of squirming worms. She squealed with joy and kissed each one on the head (maybe its head?🤔) before gently returning it to its damp, earthen home. Many hot summer afternoons, frosty full moons, flaming red sunsets, and dandelion wishes later,...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Do you wake up tired, even after a full night’s sleep? Do you find yourself reaching for caffeine—or even adaptogens—just to get through the day…only to feel wired and restless at night? You’re not alone. And for many people, these patterns don’t fully resolve with rest, stress reduction, or even adrenal support. There may be a deeper layer at play. Emerging research points to mitochondrial dysfunction as a key driver in many chronic health conditions—from fatigue and metabolic...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, In many indigenous traditions, preparing for death is considered as important as preparing for birth. Both are sacred thresholds requiring skill, presence, and deep reverence for the mystery of transition. Yet in our modern world, how many of us feel truly prepared to support someone through their final passage? I want to share an opportunity to learn with my friend, Emily Ruff, director of Sage Mountain. Save $50 when you register by May 1st for Creating an Herbal Toolkit for...
13 days ago • 3 min read
Hello Reader, Do you still have questions about joining The Tonic Way? Here are a few answers… Do you offer a payment plan? ✅ Just choose Partial.ly as your payment method at checkout. Payment plans are completely customizable; you choose the payment plan that fits your budget. Is the program really risk-free? ✅ Yes! We offer a 100% “Worth It” guarantee. We are so confident in our programs that we provide a full tuition refund if you request it within 30 days of purchase. I won’t be able to...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, There are many ways to learn herbalism. You can memorize lists of plants. Study protocols. Follow formulas. Or… you can step into a living, breathing relationship with the green world—one that changes how you think, feel, and practice. That’s what learning with Guido Masé offers in The Tonic Way (starts Thursday!) Here are five reasons his approach is so impactful: 🌱Science meets soul and stories…Guido has a rare gift: he can translate complex plant chemistry into clear,...
28 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, In just three days, the first live class of The Tonic Way: An Invitation to Remember with Guido Masé begins. In these troubled times, supporting yourself with tonic herbs is essential. Why? For starters, the daily practice of taking tonic herbs opens a relationship with the plant world that is deeply transformative. As we turn to tonic plants and natural rhythms to transform, protect, and heal, here’s what we will learn… 🌿 How to approach optimal health using cyclical herbal...
30 days ago • 2 min read