Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Todd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Julie, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents showed up and spoke the truth about injustices in the church and world. Whether it was opposition to the triple threats of militarism, racism and materialism, or active advocacy for reproductive rights and equality for queer folx, my parents demonstrated what it meant to serve others out a great sense of love for people and a desire for equality. They did this even when it was neither popular nor convenient.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started to learn about herbal medicine when I was living in Denver in 2010. I had some chronic stomach pain and no health insurance. I asked a friend who worked at a local herb store where I had attended a few face care parties if they knew of anything I might be able to help me with my condition. She recommended that I see the owner of the shop, Tonja Reichley, who was an herbalist. I knew this, but hadn’t quite made the connection that the owner was a straight-up herbal medicine woman. She offered low-cost intakes for community members one Saturday a month. I signed up. Tonja did a full medical intake on me, and suggested some very simple herbal measures – a tincture, a flower essence, and a tea. I took these as directed for about a week, and felt completely better. I was like, “What just happened here? How did this work?” I went back to Tonja and she suggested I take her 5-week introduction to herbs course. The plants hooked me. I signed up for my first intensive herbal medicine course. Tonja taught this course as a means of getting to know plants, not just in their physical properties of healing, but also in their own qualities as knowledgeable beings of their own. We did rituals and meditative work in older pre-colonial and pre-christian Celtic and northern European traditions. Now I understand that the plants were calling to something in me, calling me to remember some old wisdom. When I returned to the Boston area, where I live now, I continued to take herbal apprenticeship courses and study with Massachusetts-based teachers Madelon Hope, Tommy Priester, and Linda Patterson. I have been very fortunate that all of these teachers consider relationships with actual plants as part of the crucial nature of holistic healing. As with all herbal and aromatherapy courses, I began to learn how to identify plants and to make products for myself. I began to learn how a relationship with plants and natural products helped me to learn to my own body and my body’s wisdom when encountering any ailments of a physical, emotional or spiritual nature. This is part of what I try to communicate through my business JustJulie. Through a relationship with land, plants, and ourselves there are many ways we can learn to take agency in our healing. Participating in rituals by ourselves and in community, and in honoring the cycles of the seasons and planets, we can learn to find more balance. I provide aromatherapy, herbal products, and ritual services that support individuals and community in trusting our own individual and collective wisdom.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I have had to unlearn individualism under capitalism time and time again. I was raised to be an independent person, and I am truly a very individuated individual. I have been in recovery from alcoholism for twenty-two years. What I have learned most from being in recovery is that we have to ask for help when we are struggling. Vulnerability is not weakness; it is strength. It continues to be a lesson for me. I still find it hard to ask for help when I need it. There is nothing in u.s. society that models vulnerability as a necessary part of collective healing. White, capitalist grind culture teaches us that small business owners have to do it all on our own, to be “girl bosses,” work endless amounts of hours, and constantly grow our profits in order to be successful. Through multiple rounds of burnout, I have discovered that I have believed a lot of lies about what it means to be able to find satisfaction in doing meaningful work in service to others. I am more productive when I slow down, ask for help, and do the long-term work of building relationships with others who share my commitment to building a new world together, not alone.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Humility. The world is a mysterious place. We think we know about ourselves and how this world works, but in many ways we really don’t know much. Plants are the ones who taught me to slow down and listen to my body, to the earth, and to those around me. It has been a very humbling experience. I thought I knew a lot more than I actually did. The world is also a very difficult and oppressive place for the majority of people on this planet. So often we really have no idea what most people are going through from day to day. Racism, transphobia, misogyny, these violent systems are real and impacting people’s well being around the earth. We really need to humble ourselves and listen. Many people come to me because, whatever it is they are going through, they are struggling and no one listens to them. Most of the time, I am simply offering suggestions that people listen to their deepest truths and desires, and that, with practice, our instincts can be trusted. To find trusted people with whom to be in community, and sharing in healing ritual, is to be humbled again and again by what humble, listening relationships with the plants and people makes possible. This is what the plants have taught me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justjulie.me/
• Instagram: @just_julie_todd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.todd.92560
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-todd-68378596/