Harnessing the power of nature & narrative to help people grow into who they were created to be.
The Good Soil Collective
While in the midst of battling PTSD, I was led to tending houseplants as a way to ease psychological and physiological stress. What I found was that it actually worked. As I tended to my own healing and cared for my plants, the idea came to me to pass along the source of the benefits I was experiencing—and the seed of The Good Soil Collective was planted.
The mission of The Good Soil Collective is to harness the power of nature and narrative to help people grow into who they were created to be. The Good Soil Collective seeks to be present with those who have been uprooted through addiction, abuse, loss, illness, or destabilization in the home, and provide them with something that can help them feel mentally, emotionally, and physically better.
The best, most nutrient-dense soil is full of death, decay, rot, and waste; it is full of the messy past that has been processed into the foundation for a beautiful future. The Good Soil Collective hopes to show people that even the least desirable aspects of our lives, when processed appropriately, can become exactly what nourishes our next chapter of abundance and growth.
The Good Soil Workshop
The mission of The Good Soil Collective is to harness the power of nature and narrative to help people grow into who they were created to be. One of the primary ways that we seek to fulfill this mission is through The Good Soil Workshop.
As participants arrive at The Good Soil Workshop, they are invited to choose a plant propagation taken from one of my own houseplants or donated by a member of the community to take home as their own. During the workshop, participants are led through a series of activities that engage their new plant as well as their personal story. Each activity is thoughtfully designed not only to demonstrate the power nature and narrative have to heal the mind, body, and spirit—but also to reduce stress, ground the nervous system, and boost feel-good brain chemicals.
Participants also receive a carefully crafted workbook that includes nature-themed activities, reflection exercises, journaling prompts, basic plant care instructions, and more, so that they can experience the same grounding impact of the workshop in their day-to-day lives.
Those who attend a The Good Soil Workshop are given more than just a plant and a workbook—they’re given a narrative of healing, a living touchpoint to represent their own journey, and resources to continue the work long after the workshop is over.
The Good Soil Collective seeks to serve the uprooted by hosting workshops for people in seasons of crisis, transition, or vulnerability. While we are specifically interested in work with addiction recovery centers, support groups, assisted living facilities, women’s shelters, and similar mission-driven organizations—The Good Soil Workshop is for everyone and works wonderfully as an activity for church retreats, professional training days, and conferences.
If your are interested in having a Good Soil Workshop for your organization, please reach out for more details!
