Flower Power Podcast

Warning - this episode may make you want to take two weeks off of work to pursue a creative calling! This is exactly what Aileen Ju, a UX and graphic designer, did when she took a vacation from work to learn from the best as a student at the Madrid Flower School. Aileen talks all about the 10 day program, what she learned her favorite flowers and her plans for the future. Inspiring and sweet Aileen encourages us all to take our own creative sabbatical and see where that leads us.

Follow Aileen on Instagram at @Aileenmakesstuff and reach out to her by direct message for the discount code for the school.

For more info about Madrid Flower School or to sign up for their next session visit https://madridflowerschool.com/en/

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Stacy Borelli of Ethos Flower Events tells her story. She talks about the designers and farmers who have influenced her and shares what is blooming on Ethos the Farm. Stacy's farm is located west of Richmond, Virginia. In our conversation she gives great growing advice and shares her growing goals for the future.

Stacy will be teaching again this year at Flower Fest (Sept 12, in Vienna, VA) alongside two other designers (myself and Ellen Frost.) If you'd like to purchase a ticket to Flower Fest to see her demonstrate her unique design style and get hands-on help from Stacy check out the Flower Fest details here. Stacy is on a mission to spread joy through flowers and loves giving, growing and deep diving. :)

Check her out at Ethos Floral Events. Follow Ethos the Farm on Instagram.

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In this episode I talk with Shilpa Reddy, an established floral designer in the UK who founded the London School of Floristry! Shilpa shares her best tips for using social media, her favorite vessel and mechanics and how she loves using fruits and veggies in a tablescape. Shilpa is a teacher by heart and has an eye for design and details. Follow her for more floral inspo and tips at Shilpa Reddy Flowers. See you at the Chelsea Flower Show, Shilpa!

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In this podcast I speak with Jen Cavender, owner of Nectar & Bloom. Jen is a floral artist and floral educator based in San Diego. In this episode Jen shares with us her journey as an artist and some great design tips. We do a floral tarot reading and talk about why she created her book Tarot of Flowers. Follow Jen on social media and be sure to purchase your own copy of Tarot of Flowers for you and your most flower-loving friends! Jen is also the host of Called to Bloom so check it out for some inspiration and self-love practices.

Jen's Called to Bloom Podcast

Check out Jen's Tarot of Flowers book and card deck

Nectar & Bloom website https://www.nectarandbloomfloral.com/

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Joshua David Bishop, of Nature Boy & Co, in L.A. tells us of his journey in the floristry industry and how he first got the idea to build flower castles in the sand. Be sure to check out his page on Instagram and tag him the next time you go to the beach to build a flower sandcastle of your own. He wants to start a movement, after all! And if you are a celebrity - have him do your proposal or wedding!

Instagram: @natureboyandco

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On this episode I talk to Oren Falkowitz, founder of Area 2 Farms, an urban farm with a mission to get healthy, fresh food to the surrounding communities. We talk about how he runs Area 2 Farms farm, the benefits of urban farming and his plans for the future. Really excited to spread his message. Visit their website or email hello@area2farms.com to get in touch with Oren and his super team of local growers and agents of change.

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Laura Dowling served as the White House Chief Floral Designer from 2009-2015 during the Obama administration. In this episode she shares her favorite White House projects and tips for holiday decor. I loved hearing about her experience interviewing for the job at the White House. Inspiring and honest, I loved every minute of this conversation! Laura's latest book, Designing Christmas, will be out this fall and I can't wait to order it.

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Martha Brettschneider is an experienced gardener, nature photographer, a positive intelligence mental fitness coach and a mindfulness teacher. In this conversation she talks about the role gardening has played in her life and how this relationship has evolved over the years. Martha is the author of Blooming into Mindfulness - How the Universe Used a Garden, Cancer and Carpools to Teach Me that Calm is the New Happy. I loved every moment of this conversation and can't wait to be present again in my garden as soon as I can get out there.

Bio

Martha Brettschneider is a certified PQ® Mental Fitness Coach, mindfulness teacher, and author dedicated to helping individuals transform stress into strength and embrace their evolving potential. A former international economist, she guides clients to cultivate resilience, clarity, and purpose through the power of presence and daily mental fitness. Her business, Damselwings, LLC, also includes a visual mindfulness arm—creating nature-inspired wall art that brings grounding energy into homes, offices, and wellness spaces. Whether through coaching, teaching, or photography, Martha empowers others to reconnect with their inner wisdom and lead from a place of trust, calm, and authentic strength. Her book Blooming Into Mindfulness: How the Universe Used a Garden, Cancer, and Carpools to Teach Me That Calm Is the New Happy chronicles her journey, including the central role that her garden played.

Sign up for Martha’s mailing list and receive a free meditation download here: https://damselwings.com/meditation-optin/

Websites : https://damselwings.com/ and https://www.damselwingsphotography.com/

Upcoming Programs

30-Day Mindfulness Meditation Challenge Starting May 5 LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Sage Photography Retreat May 17-18 in Blueridge Mountains, Woodville, VALEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Deeper work of tending to our inner garden and strengthening our root systems through Positive Intelligence Mental Fitness coaching SCHEDULE A DISCOVERY CALL WITH MARTHA HERE

Email: martha@damselwings.com

Book link: https://www.amazon.com/Blooming-into-Mindfulness-Universe-Carpools/dp/0996935223

Follow Martha on Instagram @marthabrett and @the_sage_photography_project

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I learned so much about owning a successful floral design business from Oscar Andrade of Petals to the Metal. After 8 years owning this business and growing up working in his aunt's flower shop in Miami, Oscar has floristry in his blood. During our conversation Oscar gives some great advice to new and experienced floral designers. He also describes working with wire service providers and explains how he sources most of his flowers. Be sure to follow Oscar on social media and reach out if you need a mentor or want to partner up with him!

Instagram- @petalstothemetalfloristdc

Website: www.districtpetals.com

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In this episode I interviewed Sangeeta Sarkar of Renzinnia Farms. We talked about succession planting, money saving tips, sunflower varieties and the benefits of working in the soil. Sangeeta has wanted to own a farm since her childhood and in 2020 purchased a beautiful 22-acre property about 30 minutes from her home. Enjoy this conversation and all the lessons Sangeeta has for you.

Follow them on Instagram:
@renzinnia_farms

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Episode 2 of Season 2 is very exciting! I talk with Sarah Khan, a visual architect and floral artist in the DC area who does very creative and extravagant work. She has made a boat out of florals, 30+ peacocks, a Barbie House and even designed with some of her team on Season 2 of the HBO show Full Bloom.

Sarah, owner of Sarah Khan Events & Design, is the queen of floral installations. She currently has an exhibit at the Museum of Illusion in DC. In this conversation Sarah shares the influence of her parents and their love of plants and gardening. She also tells us how she elevates her designs to make them evoke emotion and memories.

Sarah's Full Bio:

Sarah’s passion for luxury and beauty began at a young age, shaped by the artistry passed down from her mother and grandmother. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of Pakistani and Indian crafts, Sarah has successfully blended timeless techniques with modern design to create unique, culturally infused event experiences for South Asians in the US. As Creative Director, she approaches every project as an opportunity to craft transformative visual stories, with a focus on timeless elegance.

Her work has earned recognition in Harper's Bazaar Bride, Washingtonian Weddings, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Modern Luxury Weddings DC, and top South Asian bridal blogs. Notable projects include floral and set designs for a welcoming ceremony for former President Obama, a floral dress for Cirque Du Soleil, National Geographic’s coverage of an ethnic wedding, and a finale party for The Real Housewives of Potomac. Above all, Sarah’s greatest satisfaction comes from collaborating closely with clients to exceed their expectations and deliver a tangible, unforgettable vision.

Follow her on IG: @sarahkhaneventstyling

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Laurie Young is an inspirational advocate for neurodiversity in Loudoun County, VA. She is the executive director of Legacy Farms, a non-profit in Leesburg that employs neurodiverse individuals ages 16 and up in an apprenticeship-mentor business model.

Legacy Farms offers incredible weekly flower subscriptions to several places in Northern Virginia. Check out their CSA packages and locations!

Follow them on Instagram! And remember like we said on the show today, "Awesome people make awesome businesses!" Wherever you are tuning in from, buy local flowers and support your local small businesses.

Laurie's Full Bio
Laurie Young is Executive Director of Legacy Farms, a nonprofit that empowers neurodivergent individuals ages 16+ through vocational training, personal development programming, and entrepreneurial opportunities. She is Founder of Legacy Blooms, a specialty-cut flower business within the nonprofit that is a working model for a successful neurodiverse business. Proceeds from the business help fund the nonprofit's vocational training programs. Legacy is founded on a mindful approach to cultivating both flowers and people, prioritizing individual growth, meaningful work, and strong community connections.

https://www.legacyfarmsvirginia.org/

https://www.facebook.com/LegacyFarmsVirginia

https://www.instagram.com/legacyfarmsvirginia

Partners mentioned:

Farm & Program Partners

Temple Hall Regional Park

Fabbioli Cellars

New Ag School

Fleur de Leah Flowers

A Place To Be

Sharon Hallman Photography

Loudoun Hunger Relief

Floral Partners

Lightfoot Restaurant

Gratefully Rooted

100 Bowls of Soup

Weird Brothers Coffee

Simply Be Coffee

Roots 657

Lark Brewing Company

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Listen to this episode to learn all kinds of tips and tricks from Ellen Frost, floral designer, master gardener and owner of Local Color Flowers in Baltimore, MD. Local Color Flowers has been around for 18 years. They source 100% of the flowers they use for weddings, events and single orders locally. They work with about 40 farms in the surrounding area. Isn't that incredible? Ellen is here to talk about how they make this work! Be sure to follow Ellen and join her FlowerMore community for monthly design challenges and live design sessions. A subscription to "FlowerMore" would also make the perfect "gift" for a flower lover in your life. (Now I know what I want for Christmas. :)

Ellen's Bio
Ellen Frost loves working as a florist and running her business, Local Color Flowers, founded in 2008. She's built a community of flower friends at
her shop over the years through events like her open studio, book club, weekly drop-ins, design challenges and more. Now she's expanding that community online at FlowerMore where flower nerds dig deep into the fascinating world of flowers. She also offer classes online, a free weekly newsletter and videos on her YouTube channel.

Ellen has been a member of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers since she started her business. Ellen was the first florist to win their
prestigious Allan M Armitage Leadership award in 2016 for her commitment to local flower sourcing. Ellen is an MBA graduate with years of business experience before she became an entrepreneur. She's also not afraid to get her hands dirty with farming on her resume. Ellen is obsessed with flowers and loves leading the conversation.

Sign up for her FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTERfilled with fun flower content!

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Today I had a great conversation with Rachel Robillard of June Moon Florals. She enjoys designing in a contemporary style and her designs are breathtaking! Listen to hear what Rachel's favorite flower is and to hear her tips for increasing vase life. In this conversation Rachel offers some advice for floral design freelancers and tells us about her business goals for 2024.

BIO

With a lifelong passion for nature and a keen eye for design, Rachel has been creating stunning arrangements for luxury weddings, events, and resorts. Her love for all things earthy shines through in every piece she designs. With every arrangement, Rachel brings her love for the natural world to life, incorporating each element in the most elegant way.

SOCIALS

@junemoonflorals (Instagram)

June Moon Floral Design Studio (pinterest)

June Moon Floral Design (Facebook)

http://junemoonflorals.com/ (Soon!)

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In this episode I talk with Alisa Ellie, the founder and lead floral designer behind Malva & Moss, a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I loved our conversation so much. Alisa said, "Florals don't just decorate, they narrate a story about a space, a brand, or a person." I completely agree! I admire Alisa's rebellious design style where she uses the whole stem, includes sculptural pieces and makes genuine pieces of art. I hope you enjoy our conversation. Let it inspire you to create floral designs that are unique to your personality, your story and your space.

More about Alisa
With a distinctive style that fuses contemporary, clean sculptural designs with an artful, sustainable approach, Alisa specializes in crafting bespoke floral arrangements for weddings, corporate events, and businesses. Her work is deeply rooted in an eco-friendly approach, using locally sourced, seasonal blooms and sustainable mechanics to minimize waste. A former Silicon Valley professional, Alisa brings a fresh, innovative perspective to floristry, focusing on personalized designs that tell a story. She is passionate about sharing her journey and insights on running a creative business.
Follow her on IG @malvaandmoss

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In this podcast I interviewed Wanpen and Miguel Ordonez. They have been married for 39 wonderful years. They demonstrate how it takes teamwork to make a garden thrive. Both Wanpen and Miguel grew up gardening - Wanpen in a small village in Northern Thailand and Miguel in New York.

Listen to hear what is growing in their garden, how they build their garden fence and irrigate using rainwater only. Enjoy this great conversation. This will inspire you to bring nutrients into your soil, build hot boxes to grow lettuce through the winter and cook using the fresh herbs and veggies from your garden!

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In this podcast I interviewed Kate Carrico and Kira Memery, two incredibly generous flower farmers in central Virginia. They are the faces behind Blooms4Good. Kate and Kira sell their flowers at local pop-up events with 100% of the proceeds going to the non-profits they support!!! Yes, you read that right. 100% of what they earn goes to the nonprofits they support!

This 2024 growing season they are supporting the non-profits SAFE (a shelter for victims of domestic violence – based in Culpeper and serving the surrounding rural counties) and International Neighbors(helping refugee families get settled & connected in the Charlottesville area.)

I have never met two more generous people. I'm in awe of the work they are doing and all the "good", awareness, change, fundraising and collaboration that has stemmed from their beautiful BLOOMS.

In this episode they talk about how their organization, Blooms4Good, began, how it has changed their lives for the better, and their goals in the year to come.
I can't wait to support them in the future and for YOU to hear their story and be inspired to do something good in your community.

BIO: blooms4good

blooms4good is a small but mighty squad of do-gooders, growing flowers in central Virginia to raise money and awareness for local non-profits. Kate and Kira met in the summer of 2023 – Kira had an established flower farm in Barboursville, VA and was looking for an outlet for her blooms while also wanting to do some good. Meanwhile, Kate had launched blooms4good the year prior – she was inspired by the potential her small Gordonsville flower farm could have in the community and decided to leverage her garden to raise money for local non-profits. Her first event was the fall of 2022.

The blooms4good team hit the ground running in 2023, popping up at local vineyards and breweries – selling flower arrangements in vases donated by friends and family, filled with flowers grown with so much love – some blooms were even donated by other local growers! Kate and Kira covered all expenses so that every dollar could go to charity.

This 2024 season, the blooms and generosity of flower lovers are primarily supporting International Neighbors(helping refugee families get settled & connected in the Charlottesville) and SAFE(a shelter for victims of domestic violence – based in Culpeper and serving the surrounding rural counties). The team also joins other charities as fundraising opportunities arise.

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Instagram: @blooms4good

Upcoming events:

9/7 Cville Pride Festival

Fundraising for: Charlottesville Pride Community Network (cvillepride.org)

9/14 Caboose Brewery Pop Up (Fairfax Location)

Fundraising for: BellRinger · Gear Up: End Cancer

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In this episode I interview Joan Fuller of Hidden Pond Farm all about the history and purpose behind her cut flower farm. Started as a way to raise money for farm animal sanctuaries and as an educational farm to teach others how to grow cut flowers, Joan and her husband Bill, are living life with a purpose!

I'm planning a day retreat to visit Hidden Pond Farm on Saturday, Sept 14. Anyone local be sure to check out the schedule and see if you can make it down there with me or another time for the Twilight on the Farm or week-end U-Picks.

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In this episode I get to talk with Mike Hines, a floral designer, instructor, entrepreneur and owner of Epoch Floral Design Company in Chicago. He is also the author of the book Uprooted, where he describes his floral design technique, philosophy and sources of inspiration.

In this show Mike gives his best advice for florists - old and new. He talks about how his designs have changed over time. Mike is an inspiration in the floral design world. I'm so excited for you to hear him talk about his greatest passion and share his best design tips with you. He will inspire you to be more creative, less afraid and embrace a style that is uniquely your own. The floral industry is grateful for Mike's work, energy and the way he is inspiring others to think & teach design differently. Mike really is "epic!"

Mike's Bio
Mike Hines, co-founder and creative director of epoch, IS epoch. With a reach far and wide from Chicago to across the globe, Mike has made his impact in the floral industry by defying the rules, creating styled and unique spaces and ensuring complete client satisfaction by developing and installing possibilities beyond imagination. During his 20 years of experience in the world of floristry and design, his passion for floral goes beyond the stem and often enters into a world of interior design as he is constantly changing the atmosphere of floristry to include that of the interior for which he works. However, having fun and challenging his own imagination is what makes Mike a leading floral designer.

Follow Mike on Instagram at @mdhines and @epochfloral
Check out his website: https://www.epochfloral.com/mike-hines

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Eugene Schied is a hobby gardener. He has been gardening for 27 years since buying his home in Vienna, VA. He lives down the street for me and his garden is just bursting with life and color. He even has a beautiful garden over his garage!

For Eugene gardening is a means of artistic expression, an opportunity to connect with nature, and a way to honor his ancestors. His dad was a gardener at their home in the suburbs of Chicago. Now he shares his love of connecting with nature in the garden with his father-in-law who is 83.

When I asked him what he would say to someone who says that they "can't garden" his advice would be: "Anyone can grow something! It may not be what you wanted to grow or where you wanted to grow it but humans have been growing plants for thousands of years. Somewhere in your ancestry someone was doing something agrarian and growing something and that's what they lived on."

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