29. Rooted in Community: Gardening, Growth & Giving Back with Michelle Kwek

In this heartfelt episode of the Heart Wide Open Wellness Podcast, host Hannah Zackney welcomes Michelle Kwek, the Garden Coordinator at Twin Lakes Food Bank. Together, they explore the deep connection they’ve formed through years of working in the Twin Lakes Garden—a space dedicated not just to growing food, but to nourishing community, resilience, and purpose.Michelle opens up about her journey from rural Mendocino County to suburban Folsom, her background in animal science, and how she brings those experiences into her work in food systems and wellness. As a mother of three, she shares how gardening has become both a therapeutic outlet and a way to model values of compassion and sustainability for her children.From rich metaphors about nature’s cycles to stories of friendship and service, this episode offers inspiration for anyone seeking deeper connection—to the earth, to others, and to themselves.🌿 Highlights Include:The power of community through gardeningMichelle’s journey from rural roots to community leadershipHow nature teaches us resilience, adaptability, and peaceThe challenges and rewards of balancing motherhood with serviceWhy food systems and social wellness are deeply intertwined🎧 Listen now on:SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeOr wherever you stream your favorite shows📲 Links in bio — Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share if you love what you hear!Find Peace & Healing with Heart Wide Open WellnessMeet the Team – Led by MFTi Supervisor & CEU Provider Hannah Zackney, our skilled therapists specialize in EMDR, couples counseling, music therapy, and holistic healing. We’re always looking for passionate professionals to join our team!Discover personalized psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Our expert therapists offer EMDR, music therapy, and other evidence-based techniques to support individuals and couples on their healing journey.Women’s Membership – Connect with like-minded women in a supportive community. Join weekly virtual sessions featuring meditation, kundalini yoga, psychology, somatic experiencing, and deep self-care rituals.Offerings & Events – Explore transformative wellness experiences, including women’s retreats, book clubs, yoga, and psychology-based guidance. Manifest abundance, build confidence, and overcome anxiety with expert support.Kundalini Yoga – Experience the power of Kundalini Yoga for inner peace, self-improvement, and spiritual awakening. Join us in person or virtually for guided practices that uplift and transform.