Midsouth Women's Herbal
Conference & Collective

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

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Lisa Bedner, RN, RH(AHG), Pipsissewa Herbs (Tennessee)

Lisa is certified as a Professional Medical Herbalist by the American Herbalist Guild. She is traditionally trained, by her family, as a Native American herbal practitioner, following the teachings of Tihanama, Cherokee, Lenape, and other Nations. As a Medicine Woman and healer of the Tihanama, she practices many of the traditional ceremonies, including sweat lodges and the Healing Drum. Lisa has also studied Western Herbalism and has more than 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, understanding both the allopathic and alternative modes of healing. Pipsissewa Herbs grows more than 100 species of medicinal herbs, manufactures traditional herbal medicines, and the farm is certified as an endangered Medicinal Herb Sanctuary by United Plant Savers. Lisa lectures, teaches and speaks publicly at Herb festivals and garden clubs in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Indiana. Visit her website at www.pipsissewaherbs.com.

 

​​Danielle Galvin, Folk Herbalist, Root & Wander Collective (Tennessee)

Danielle is a folk herbalist and the owner of Root & Wander. She is passionate about teaching and reminding all that herbalism is ancestral and for everyone. She takes her experiences in wildcrafting and love of nature to a professional level when transferring gifts of the wild into preparations with practiced precision. Herbal education and custom formulas are her passion. Listening to the spirit and to the fellow human is both an art and a humble duty, to which she cuts no corners with her clients. You can learn more about her journey and her offerings at rootandwandercollective.com.

 

Yolanda Hatch, Herbalist and Community Advocate (Georgia)

Yolanda's journey into herbalism began at a young age, inspired by her great grandmother and mother’s wisdom and traditional healing practices. Growing up surrounded by medicinal herbs and plants, she developed a profound respect for the power of nature to heal and restore balance. With a background in community health education and herbal medicine, Yolanda has dedicated her career to serving marginalized communities and addressing health disparities. She holds certifications in herbal medicine and holistic wellness, as well as extensive training in botanical medicine, plant identification, and herbal formulation. Yolanda has worked with various community organizations, including grassroots health initiatives, urban gardens, and wellness centers, where she has facilitated workshops, led herbal walks, and provided herbal consultations. Her approach to herbalism is rooted in cultural reverence, social justice, and empowerment, as she strives to honor the wisdom of her ancestors while addressing the health needs of her community.

 

Heather Holloway, Herbalist, The Cat & The Crow Botanicals (Georgia)

Heather is owner of The Cat & The Crow Botanicals and founder of the Wild Weeds Tea Party virtual gatherings, and Sylva Sancti (The Holy Forest) herbal medicine course. She is a haunter of the woods, an avid gardener, and an herbalist with a focus on plant ecosystems and how those relationships speak to human wellness and support. She is an advocate for keeping herbal medicine grounded and accessible, teaching to work with plants and tools that are easily at hand. Through her work with local non-profits, Heather is passionate about bioregional native plant protection and restoration. Based in Northwest Georgia, she is enthusiastic about inspiring awe and wonder of plants & trees, as well as helping connect others with the magic and wisdom of nature through her herbal preparations, workshops, and private herbal wellness & support consultations.

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Leah Larabell, Clinical Herbalist, Owner of High Garden Tea (Georgia)

Leah descended from a long line of Celtic Cunning Folk and found her ancient gifts in the world of herbalism.  Leah has trained in and practiced herbalism for over 20 years and has not only studied Southern Folk Medicine, but lives it.  She is a trained clinical-level herbalist and environmentalist.  Leah is the creator of High Garden Tea, PlantFolk School of Herbalism,  and Sipping Teas and Hugging Trees Podcast.  She is a forever student of nature. Learn more about her at www.highgardentea.com. 

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Phyllis D. Light; MA, Registered Herbalist (AHG), Founder of Appalachian Center for Natural Health (Alabama)

A fourth generation Herbalist and Healer, Phyllis D. Light has studied and worked with herbs, foods and other healing techniques for over 30 years. Her studies in Traditional Southern Appalachian Folk Medicine began in the deep woods of North Alabama with lessons from her grandmother, whose herbal and healing knowledge had its roots in her Creek/Cherokee heritage. Phyllis’ studies continued as an apprentice with the late Tommie Bass, a nationally renowned folk herbalist from Sand Rock, Alabama, as well as other herbal Elders throughout the Appalachians and the Deep South. She has experience in both clinical and private settings including working in an integrative medical clinic.  In addition to Traditional Folk studies, Phyllis has studied Traditional Western Herbalism, Nutrition, Exercise Science, Body Work and Energy Medicine. She continues to maintain an active herbal practice. Phyllis has a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama in Health Studies and has taught CEU classes for allied healthcare workers including nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists and social workers. She is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild and is on the board of directors of the American Naturopathic Certification Board. Visit her website at http://www.phyllisdlight.com.

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Joanna Mann, Herbalist, Farmer, Co-Owner of Walden FARMacy (Alabama)

Joanna is co-owner of Walden Farmacy in Bessemer, AL where (alongside her husband) she has the joy of working with plants daily on their regenerative herb farm and homestead. Trevor & Joanna craft small batch herbal remedies with the belief that every person has the capacity to bring themselves into health and wholeness, and that when they do, that health ripples out to everything they touch. They call themselves "holistically regenerative" because they grow their herbs in a way that heals the land they farm, believing the health of their community is tied to the health of the land they inhabit. Learn more at www.waldenfarmacy.com.

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Brandy McCann, PhD

Brandy Renee McCann is a writer, folk herbalist, and yoga instructor. With over 20 years of experience practicing yoga, Brandy began offering Plant Energy Yoga to her community in recent years. Her yoga classes combine the slow, intentional movements of yin yoga with herbal wisdom (think: a plant monograph + yin). The yoga classes are beginner-friendly and restorative. Brandy is deeply rooted in the Appalachian coal fields and is a wild plant enthusiast. In her daily life, in addition to being a mom, she is a researcher at the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment at Virginia Tech, focusing on caregiving and adult development and aging. Her research and writing focus on families, culture, and wellness across the lifespan. Brandy writes a substack called Plant Energy Yoga; follow her on social media @ appalbrandy.

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Michelle Rigling, PhD, The Cavewoman Way (Tennessee)

Michelle is the founder of The Midsouth Women's Herbal Conference. She is a MycoTherapist (Mushroom Therapist), Transpersonal Counselor, and Psychedelic Guide in Chattanooga, TN. She offers individual counseling, retreats, cave immersions and online groups in addition to directing The Wild Medicine Conference. Learn more about Michelle and her work at www.thecavewomanway.com. 

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Leslie Williams, Clinical Herbalist, Owner of Ordinary Herbalist (Georgia)

Leslie, also known as Leslita, has been training as an herbalist all her life. She tells us, “Field and forest, trail and city sidewalk - all are part of the world of medicinal herbs and trees. The key is learning to recognize them in all these places.” Her family taught her of the woods and plants in the mountains of western North Carolina as well as in the home swamps and prairies of northern and coastal Florida.  She has trained in Western herbal traditions, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese herbal lore.  She's been a working herbalist for 30+ years. Shamanic work, scientific research and folk traditions all matter. Currently Leslie is focused on teaching and mentoring others to be herbalists. Visit her website at www.ordinaryherbalist.com. 

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