Fascinated By Fungi Podcast

On episode 22 I talk about some of my favorite and most influential Mycologists, clubs, events, media, and books. I offer some summary thoughts on the end of season 1 of the FbF podcast. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 21 of the Fascinated By Fungi podcast I delve into the basics of mushroom cultivation. I talk about how to start growing at home, how to progress to a more involved setup, and address some of the challenges faced by commercial farms. I also talk about the innovations taking place in the MycoProtein space and the need for more sustainable meat alternatives. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 20 of the Fascinated By Fungi podcast I talk about how getting into mushroom hunting and spending time in nature can positively impact your mental health. I talk about the science behind why being out in nature helps us feel better (and more like ourselves). I will also touch briefly on how Psilocybe mushrooms can be a useful tool for tackling treatment resistant depression. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 19 we dive underground to find sublimely stinky truffles. I talk about the ecology and evolution of truffles (and hypogeous-like fungi) in relation to their environment. I talk about why truffles are so expensive, what makes them so alluring, and why cultivating them can be so difficult. Truffles are a luxury worth learning about. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 18 we dive into fungal fermentations with a special focus on my original favorite fungi, yeast aka Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I talk about the role of yeasts in nature then dive into how they have become integral to human food production through the fermentation of bread, wine, beer, spirits, etc… Grab a glass of your favorite fermented beverage and get ready to learn! Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 17 of the Fascinated By Fungi podcast, I dive into the world of MycoMaterials. Beyond food, mushrooms and mycelium can be used to make everything from sustainable cruelty free leather to insulation, packing materials, plastic substitutes, and even coffins! Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 16 I talk about mushroom toxins and allergens. I review the common (and potentially deadly) mushroom toxins that render some species poisonous. I also cover some of the biochemical components of mushrooms that can trigger an allergic reaction and cause intolerances. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 15 we dive deep into Morel mushrooms. Associated with spring, they are often ethereal and elusive. As the Phoenix of the mushroom world, they frequently arise after fire/disturbance. I cover the when, where, and how to find morels as well as what kinds of habitats they occur in depending on your geographic region. I discuss look a likes/similar species as well as preparation and preservation. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 14 of the FBF podcast I discuss different hypotheses for how fungi communicate. I will go over recent publications with a critical eye and dive into some of the scientifically established ways that fungi communicate (quorum sensing). Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 13 I talk about my experiences with social media and mushrooms. I'll go over the “do's and don'ts” of posting about fungi online and offer some advice on how to grow your account. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 12 of the FBF Podcast I discuss the potential for fungi and mushrooms in bioremediation. I will skeptically review the science of bioremediation and cover some of the promising results including fungi that grow on plastics and radiation. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 11 I delve into my favorite fungi, attempting to answer the frequently asked “what's your favorite” mushroom question. From the perspective of edibility, ecology, photography and more I will try detail some of my favorites and why I find so hard to choose just one. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 10 I talk about true Slime Molds (Myxomycetes) which are not technically fungi but inhabit similar habitats. I attempt to explain their taxonomic classification, capacity for network intelligence, and some of the cool science they are being used as model organisms for. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 9 I talk about mushrooms as medicine. Highlighting the science of medicinal mushrooms and offering my perspective on the “adaptogenic” mushroom hype. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 8 I discuss Mycophobia, the deep rooted fear of mushrooms that is especially prevalent in North America. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 7 I talk publicly for the first time about Psilocybe and psilocybin containing mushrooms. I attempt to cover the current state of legislation/legality, some of the studies currently happening with psilocybin and mental health, and talk about the biochemistry/ecology of these fascinating mushrooms. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On episode 6 I talk about the ethics of foraging, my best practices, and how to be a better steward of nature while out mushroom hunting. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On Episode 5 I talk about how to clean mushrooms, different methods for cooking, and my favorite ways to preserving mushrooms. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

In episode 4 I go over my tips for foraging and how to find mushrooms in all seasons. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

In this episode I talk about divisions in the fungal kingdom and how to start understanding the differences in life style and ecologies of different kinds of fungi. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

On this episode of the FBF Podcast I will discuss my process for identifying a mushroom and some of my favorite resources. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

Many threads weave the tapestry of my passion for fungi. Hear the stories from my childhood that helped to inspire a life time of fungal fascination. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com