#21 The Wild Transformation: from gut health to cultural roots

Recorded at the 10th-anniversary meetup of the Association Of Foragers, host Lieve Galle sits down with a diverse panel of wild food experts: Fern Freud, Richard Mawby, Nic Roams, Łukasz Łuczaj, and Monica Wilde. This special episode explores the profound physical and mental shifts that happen when we return to wild spaces. We dive into the hard science of the Wild Biome Project, revealing how our gut bacteria actually adapts to process wild plants. The conversation also unpacks the cultural phenomenon of "herbophobia" (the fear of eating wild greens), the emotional toll of media backlash against foragers, and the powerful necessity of finding a supportive, non-competitive "tribe". Whether you are a professional herbalist, a passionate weekend forager, or someone who simply feels crushed by the expectations of modern society, this episode offers a deep sigh of relief. You will hear fascinating historical and scientific insights, while also discovering why simply spending time in nature is the ultimate antidote to a disconnected world. Listen in to find out why foraging isn't just about picking food, it's about reclaiming an ancient birthright and falling back in love with the land.Follow The Association Of Foragers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/association_of_foragers/Or find more information here: https://foragers-association.org/ In this episode you heard: Fern Freud https://www.instagram.com/foraged.by.fern/Nic Roams https://www.instagram.com/nicroams/  Łukasz Łuczaj https://www.instagram.com/thewildfood/ Richard Mawby https://www.instagram.com/foragefrolics/Monica Wilde https://www.instagram.com/monicawilde/  Support us so we can continue the WYLDE Podcast series, a living archive for foragers & herbalist across Europe.https://whydonate.com/fundraising/wylde-podcast-donation I'm looking for more interesting guests to talk about European herbalism and foraging in Europe. If you know anyone that would be perfect for this podcast, please let me know. You can find me on Instagram @wildplantforager, and on Facebook.You can also find more about me or contact me through my website www.wildplantforager.com But please don't hang around online for too long. Go outside, and follow your wild heart music by Eva LaRuna Disclaimer:The information in the WYLDE podcast has been compiled with the utmost care. We try to keep it as current, complete and accurate as possible, yet no rights can be derived from this podcast episode.We accept no liability for: direct or indirect damages resulting from possible errors and omissions, the content of linked websites, or the opinions of interviewed guests.Please take into account that transcripts were automatically created by A.I. and may contain mistakes.The content of this podcast in no way replaces personal medical advice or treatment by doctors and other medical professionals.