My longest-running hobby—one I’ve participated in since I was a child, long before discovering permaculture—is playing tabletop roleplaying games. Perhaps the most well-known of those that you’ve heard of, or played yourself, is Dungeons and Dragons.
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Growing up hearing my family members tell stories, I experienced how they drew you in and spun a yarn, but it was at the gaming table where I learned to create collaborative tales with others and engage in oral storytelling of my own. This is also where I found my voice and how to engage others in conversation. Though the technical skills for podcasting came from experiences as a radio DJ in college and later working in Information Technology during my 20s, The Permaculture Podcast and hundreds of interviews in the archives wouldn’t exist without this lifelong love of developing characters, rolling dice, and experiencing imaginative adventures.
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When not working on the show, I play role-playing games with my friends or have conversations about those types of games on Twitter. It was there that I found and began to follow the work of today’s guest, Anna Urbanek. She is the author of Herbalist’s Primer, a book designed as a gaming supplement, with a broad appeal not only to gamers but to anyone interested in plants, gardening, magic, or folklore. We explore those subjects, and more in the interview.
Kickstarter: Herbalist's Primer
Anna's Twitter: 2xproficiency
Anna's Website: DoubleProficiency.com
This was a fun interview for me and I’m super enthusiastic about Herbalist’s Primer. The book draws together these different interests into one place and invites people who might only know one or two of these areas to explore so many more. And it reminds me of something I heard many years ago about how to bring more people into permaculture. The reply, which I believe came from David Holmgren though I am not certain at the moment, was that we approach people that are already looking over the fence. Maybe they don’t want the whole design but would love to learn to compost, save rainwater, or organize in their community. Reaching out to them and sharing books like Herbalist’s Primer is one approach to blending what we love so much with the desires of others.
From here, the next interview is a conversation with Scott Gallant about Permaculture in the Global Tropics.
Until the next time, spend your days playing games, telling stories, and taking care of Earth, your self, and each other.