It's a Mushroom Day! with Forager & Author Chris Baker
Join me for a delightful conversation with professional mushroom lover, naturalist, entrepreneur and brand-new author, Chris Baker!
Background
Lucky for me, Chris Baker's Oyster Log was the very first newsletter I ever found—and subscribed to here on substack. I guess you could say that Chris was the first person I ‘met’ in the substack neighborhood—and she honestly had me hello. Her “About Page” reads:
This is a newsletter that wants to get you outside!
At the time, I was in the middle of an all-consuming social media storm and was looking for a proverbial safe port. I was battered, bruised and basically burnt out.
I didn’t know much about substack then, but I was happy to find Chris’ thoughtful and engaging voice sharing her passion for the natural world.
And anyone who writes they would “most want to have dinner with a first growth forest” is most definitely my kind of person.
Then, when I read that Chris was writing a children’s book about mushrooms, I simply had to know more. (Former kindergarten teacher here 🙋♀️ with a real soft spot for children’s lit…)
So, we began an email correspondence and decided to schedule an in-person talk closer to publication day.
And….I am excited to announce that that day is finally here! 🎉
So allow me to introduce you to Chris Baker and her very special new book!
Chris Baker
I know you’re going to love getting to know Chris and the creative ecosystem she has built up around herself!
Chris identifies as a “professional mushroom lover” and doubles as a naturalist, a writer, an entrepreneur, a community leader, a mother and an author. She’s also the founder of Chicory Naturalist, a nature shop and community space in Kingston, NY.
Chris’ unique passion for reconnecting broken chains of generational knowledge about the natural world has inspired many of her endeavors, not the least of which is her newly published children’s book, On a Mushroom Day! 🍄
When not in the shop, Chris can be found in the forest leading guided forays or exploring the understory with her partner and child.
In this interview you will learn about:
How Chris overcame her childhood fears and opened herself up the magical world of mushrooms.
What prompted Chris to write On a Mushroom Day, and how she worked with illustrator, Alexandra Finkeldey to capture some of the real-life moments that inspired the book.
Chris’ BIG, unexpected Covid pivot! (Such a cool story!)
How a humble ‘weed’ gave rise to the philosophy and name behind her beautiful shop/community enrichment center, Chicory Naturalist.
Her “pet lichens” and how they play into her perennial fascination with the natural world.
Learn More About Chris & Follow Along
🍄 Get your copy of “On A Mushroom Day” here! 🍄 (Hey Flora+Forage Insiders—Chris is offering you a special discount on your order! See details below!)
Chris’ Substack: the Oyster Log
Chris’ Shop: Chicory Naturalist
Check Out the Chicory Naturalist Resource Page! 👀
*Special Note: In this interview, Chris shows us some sneak peeks of her new book, so I am presenting this as a Vlogcast. If you would prefer an audio-only version, you can listen in here. And if you would rather read the transcript interview, you can find it here too under the trasncrip tab.
Interview
*BONUS* for Flora+Forage Insiders
Great News Insiders!
If you are interested in getting a your very own copy of Chris’ treasure of a book, you’re in luck! Chris is offering a *special discount code* for Flora+Forage Insiders.
See below for details!