Food is Freedom

How Food Policy is Shifting the Future of What We Eat | Liam Gray | Ep 8

In this episode of Food is Freedom, Sienna Mae Heath sits down with Liam Gray, founder of the Wilberforce Institute, a public policy think tank advocating for the rights of farmers and animals. Together, they explore food policy and the rapidly shifting future of what we eat — from the struggles facing small farmers to the strange promise and unanswered questions of lab-grown meat. This conversation digs into where Big Ag falls short, and how consumers and communities can reclaim choice, health, and dignity — like gardeners restoring depleted soil. A grounded, hopeful dialogue on cultivating freedom in our food systems and planting a more humane future, together. Follow Sienna Mae Heath on Instagram @thesovereigngardener, Facebook @thesovereigngardener, or at https://siennamaeheath.substack.com. #siennamaeheath #realunity #liamgray #wilberforceinstitute #freethepeople  https://wilberforce.institute/ [https://wilberforce.institute/] https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/10/the-animal-protection-movement-is-everything-that-woke-activism-isnt/ [https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/10/the-animal-protection-movement-is-everything-that-woke-activism-isnt/] https://firstthings.com/pro-animal-pro-life/ [https://firstthings.com/pro-animal-pro-life/] https://www.briannicholsshow.com/videos/whats-really-in-your-meat-from-the-store/ [https://www.briannicholsshow.com/videos/whats-really-in-your-meat-from-the-store/] https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/grow-and-eat-your-own-vaccines [https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/grow-and-eat-your-own-vaccines]

Courage Over Fear: The Mindset Behind Botanical Enlightenment | Michael Pickens | Ep 7

In this episode of Food is Freedom, Sienna Mae Heath sits down once again with Michael Pickens — CEO of Botanical Enlightenment, a holistic supplement company offering natural alternatives for people and dogs fighting cancer. Michael is also the author of The Liberated Mind, a guide to freeing ourselves from limiting beliefs in every area of life. Building on part one, where they explored natural versus modern medicine, CBD and THC’s therapeutic uses, and the healing potential of pumpkins and mushrooms, this conversation goes deeper into the philosophy behind holistic healing. Together, they unpack how natural medicine places freedom over fear, how it can uplift mental health and reshape mindset, and what inspired Michael to pursue entrepreneurship in the wellness world. Pick up a copy of Michael's new book, The Liberated Mind, here: https://a.co/d/dJ8F9LP [https://a.co/d/dJ8F9LP] Visit https://botanicalenlightenment.com [https://botanicalenlightenment.com] to check out the products discussed in the episode.

How Plant Medicine Is Helping Humans & Dogs Heal from Cancer | Michael Pickens | Food is Freedom | Ep 6

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, Sienna Mae Heath sits down with Michael Pickens, CEO of Botanical Enlightenment, a holistic supplement company dedicated to providing natural alternatives for people and pets battling cancer. Michael shares the personal journey that inspired him to start his company, as well as his work with naturopathic doctors to promote whole-food, minimally processed diets tailored to blood type—while warning against the dangers of sugar, seed oils, and chemical-laden foods. Sienna and Michael dive into the tensions between modern medicine and natural healing, unpack the key differences between medicinal uses of CBD and THC versus recreational culture, and explore the surprising therapeutic properties of pumpkins and mushrooms that play a central role in Michael’s remedies.

Rooted in Ritual: Herbal Healing for the Womb | Rachel Illari | Ep 5

In this episode of Food is Freedom, Sienna Mae Heath sits down with Rachel Illari — menstrual cycle mentor, ceremonial guide, and host of the Womb Song Wellness podcast. A mother of three and advocate for sacred postpartum care, Rachel brings deep insight from her work with the Healthy Families Program and her ongoing support of women’s wellness. Together, they explore the healing power of nature, the beauty of cyclical living, and the role of nourishment in women’s health. Rachel shares practical tools for herbal self-care — including custom tea blends, yoni steams, womb oils, and warming pastes made with herbs like St. John’s wort, orange peel, and ginger — offering guidance for both women and men to reconnect with their bodies and reclaim sovereignty through ritual and care. For more information follow Rachel Illari on Instagram & Substack. Instagram: @womb_song_wellness  Substack and Womb Song Wellness podcast: https://rachelillari.substack.com

Food Forests, Mental Health, & The Future of Farming | Mollie Engelhart | Ep. 4

In this episode of Food Is Freedom, host Sienna Mae Heath sits down with Mollie Engelhart, a trailblazer in the Regenerative Agriculture movement. Alongside her husband Elias, Mollie owns Sovereignty Ranch, a sprawling 200-acre haven in the Texas Hill Country, where she’s on a mission to grow healthy food from healthy soil for her communities. A mother of five, film producer, poet, and thought leader, Mollie delves into the profound ties between humanity, family, soil, food, and culture—always pondering, 'Where do we go from here?'  Watch as Mollie shares her inspiring journey of leaving behind her pandemic-ravaged Sage Regenerative Kitchen restaurants in Los Angeles and starting fresh in Texas. From building a food forest to offering practical gardening tips for beginners, she reveals how soil health connects to gut wellness and mental clarity. Sienna digs deep with thought-provoking questions: Would nature flourish without humans? What’s the farmer’s true purpose? And how can food system policies evolve to empower personal health freedom?  For more on Mollie Engelhart and Sovereignty Ranch visit: www.sovereigntyranch.com Or follow on Instagram @talktomollie & @sovereigntyranch, Facebook @mollie.engelhart & @sovereigntyranch, X @talktomollie. Follow Sienna Mae Heath on Instagram @thesovereigngardener, Facebook @thesovereigngardener, or at https://siennamaeheath.substack.com. Gardening Inspiration & More: siennamaeheath.com [http://siennamaeheath.com] Sienna’s Bees & Teas (clay bee magnets and herbal teas) are also available for sale on her Facebook and Instagram pages.