This is Things I Learned from My Mother from Arcadian Revival, a podcast about creating home, community, and a deeper connection to nature and to one another. What does home mean to you? Here we explore answers to this question through generational wisdom, shared perspectives, and from Mother Nature herself.

At its core, home is about creating a place that is welcoming while keeping in mind that it is a microcosm of the greater global community in which we live, and is part of the larger natural world in which we call home.
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S2 #8

The Power of Kindness with Dr. Brent Ridge of Beekman 1802 | Season Two Episode Eight

As we enter the holiday season and the season of giving, we’re continuing our conversation with Dr. Brent Ridge, co-founder of Beekman 1802, in the second part of this special two-part episode. We would like to thank Colonial Williamsburg and the Colonial Williamsburg collection by Harney & Sons tea, this season’s sponsor of Things I Learned from My Mother from Arcadian Revival.  For decades, the spirit of Colonial Williamsburg and Harney and sons teas have been markings of the holiday season in our home.   Whether we’re enjoying the Holiday Heritage and Ginger Cakes tea, or the Chai tea from the Craft & Forge line, we’re always stocked up on our Williamsburg holiday teas this time of year.  Let the flavors and aromas of the Colonial Williamsburg tea collection by Harney & Sons warm YOUR home and your spirits this holiday season. Comforting traditions made to be shared.  You can find the full Colonial Williamsburg Tea Collection on Harvey and sons website at Harney.com.  Inspired by the traditions, craftsmanship, and enduring pleasures of gathering, both share an appreciation for the details that make everyday life a little more meaningful. From the historic collections and thoughtfully curated offerings of The Shops at Colonial Williamsburg to the fine teas and longstanding tea-making traditions of Harney & Sons, we’re delighted to have them alongside us this season. Explore The Shops at Colonial Williamsburg and discover Harney & Sons Fine Teas as you prepare for a season of gathering, giving, and hospitality. With World Kindness Day on November 13 approaching, we explore the power of kindness, how community shapes us through words and actions, and the ways in which generosity can influence how we live, work, and relate to one another.  Brent shares who first taught him about kindness, how those lessons have informed his approach to life and business, and what Beekman 1802 is doing to advance the kindness movement alongside kindness.org. We also discuss the research behind the impact of kindness, the value of a good morning walk, and one meaningful thing each of us can do this World Kindness Day. It’s a conversation about human connection, community, and the everyday gestures that make can lead to ripple effects that we can hardly fathom. We’re incredibly proud of this season of Things I Learned from My Mother from Arcadian Revival and hope you’ll join us for this beautiful conversation with Dr. Brent. Watch the full episode and share it with someone who might need a little kindness today. Subscribe to the Arcadian Revival YouTube channel for more conversations about home, land, nature, culture, and the wisdom we inherit from others. Follow along on Instagram at @arcadianrevival, subscribe to the Arcadian Revival Press newsletter, and join us on Substack for seasonal reading, inspiration, and a little more of what we’re thinking about. Thank you for being part of this community. Here’s to a season of generosity, gathering, and kindness.
S2 #7

Building a Business That Brings People Together and Creating a Life Around Community with Dr. Brent Ridge Co-Founder of Beekman 1802 | Season Two Episode Seven

What does it take to build a meaningful life, create a successful business, and bring people together along the way? And community something that is typically associated with success? In this episode of Things I Learned from My Mother, the podcast from Arcadian Revival, I sit down with Dr. Brent Ridge, physician, creative entrepreneur, and co-founder of Beekman 1802, to explore the power of community and the relationships that make our lives richer. When Brent and his husband, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, left their New York City lives behind for a historic farm in Sharon Springs, New York, they began imagining a different kind of life. After offering a neighboring farmer a place for his goats, they started making goat milk soap. With the support of their neighbors, that small beginning grew into Beekman 1802, a globally recognized skincare company. What makes their story so compelling is that community was part of the foundation from the beginning. The relationships they built in a small upstate New York village helped make their business possible, demonstrating how human connection, shared purpose, and a willingness to show up for one another can create something far greater than any one person could build alone. In our conversation, Brent reflects on creative entrepreneurship, reinvention, and what it means to keep imagining new possibilities after decades of success. We explore the importance of in-person connection in an increasingly digital world, the role our neighbors play in shaping our lives, and how the things we create can contribute to something larger than ourselves. At Arcadian Revival, I explore the many meanings of home through generational wisdom, our connection to nature, and the people and places that shape how we live. This conversation with Brent speaks to all of these ideas, reminding us that creating a meaningful life is about more than what we build for ourselves. It is also about what we contribute to the communities around us. This is one of my favorite conversations of the season, filled with thoughtful perspectives, practical wisdom, and a number of fun stories. I hope you’ll take a little time to settle in, listen, and consider what community means in your own life. Thank you for being here and for being part of the Arcadian Revival community.
S2 #6

Season Two Episode Six | Beyond Birdhouses: Craft, Sustainability, Refining Home, a Love of Birds and of the World with Rustik Roots Co-Founder Bo Fucinato

Through the lens of Arcadian Revival I often contemplate "how can we expand our definition of home?".  For some, this includes our backyards. For some, the birds living in our backyards!  Not only did Rustik Roots and Arcadian Revival partner together in 2026 to design and release The Arcadian Birdhouse, we sat down for a conversation about how to approach life: everything from how to treat one another to how to treat this beautiful world that we call home.  We discuss topics that include: how birdhouses, sustainable business, creative reinvention, and the future of conservation are all connected? For Bob Fucinato, these topics are all part of building a more thoughtful world. In this episode of Things I Learned from My Mother, presented by Arcadian Revival, I sit down with Bob, co-founder of Rustik Roots, to explore a creative career shaped by design, a lifelong connection to the outdoors, and a fierce commitment to sustainability. From making the business case for environmental responsibility in corporate America to building one-of-a-kind birdhouses with his wife, Susan, Bob proves that it’s never too late to put your values at the center of your work. We talk about the courage to pursue a new creative chapter, the business of sustainability, and why birds are having a moment. From backyard birding and biodiversity to healthy ecosystems and the restorative power of birdsong, this conversation explores how connecting with nature can change the way we see our homes, our communities, and our responsibility to the world around us. The conversation also celebrates our recent Arcadian Revival birdhouse collaboration with Rustik Roots, inspired by Greek Revival architecture and released in support of the New York City Bird Alliance. It’s a reminder that thoughtful design, bird conservation, and environmental stewardship can come together in beautiful and meaningful ways. Discover Rustik Roots, explore Arcadian Revival, and join us in celebrating the birds and the people working to protect them.
S2 #5

Season Two Episode Five | The Ripple Effects of Regenerative Agriculture, Organic Farming, and Service as Lifestyle with Corinne Hansch of Lovin’ Mama Farm

What does it look like to build a life around the belief that caring for people and caring for the land are inseparable? In this episode of Things I Learned from My Mother, from Arcadian Revival, I sit down with Corinne Hansch, co-owner of Love-in-Mama Farm, an organic, regenerative vegetable and flower farm in New York’s Mohawk Valley. Corinne is a farmer, author, entrepreneur, and mother whose work is guided by a conviction that has shaped her life and business: farming is an act of public health and public service. Corinne and her husband grow more than 500 varieties of plants, cultivating organic produce and flowers while prioritizing soil health, regenerative farming practices, pollinator protection, and a thoughtful relationship with the natural world. Their farm is a testament to what can happen when agricultural stewardship and entrepreneurship are guided by a clear set of values. They also make a point of donating produce that would otherwise go unused, extending the impact of their work beyond the farm and into the surrounding community. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Corinne to source flowers for floral workshops and creative installations, and her farm’s organic produce has been a staple in our home since we moved to Saratoga County. I have long admired the care and conviction she brings to her work. In this conversation, we explore where that sense of responsibility began, how her mother instilled in her an early understanding of public service, and how her parents helped her see what entrepreneurship could make possible. We also discuss Corinne’s new book, Microgreens and Shoots: How to Select, Grow, Harvest, and Package Nutrient-Dense Greens for Profit, published by Chelsea Green Publishing. The book draws on her experience as a farmer and entrepreneur, offering practical guidance for growing and bringing nutrient-dense greens to market. It reflects a broader philosophy that runs through everything Corinne does: that meaningful work can be both economically viable and deeply beneficial to the people and places it serves. Our conversation also turns to her latest endeavor: creating a café in a historic diner in downtown Amsterdam, New York, in an area that has experienced limited access to fresh, nutritious food. It is another expression of Corinne’s belief that food is about more than what we grow. It is about access, health, connection, and the possibility of building stronger communities around the table. For me, what makes Corinne so remarkable is the consistency between her values and her everyday life. Her care for the land, her family, her customers, and her community is evident in the many ways she chooses to show up in the world. She embodies a kind of stewardship that extends well beyond the boundaries of a farm, reminding us that the most meaningful enterprises often begin with a simple question: How can the work we do make life better for someone else? Join us for a conversation about organic farming, regenerative agriculture, local food systems, entrepreneurship, motherhood, generational wisdom, and the many ways our relationship with nature shapes the way we care for one another. This is Things I Learned from My Mother, a podcast from Arcadian Revival exploring the wisdom we inherit, the lessons we carry forward, and the enduring connections between home, land, nature, and community. ABOUT CORINNE HANSCH & LOVE-IN-MAMA FARM Love-in-Mama Farm is an organic produce and flower farm in New York’s Mohawk Valley, co-owned by Corinne Hansch and her husband. With more than 500 varieties of plants, a commitment to regenerative farming and soil health, and a focus on nourishing their community, the farm brings together agriculture, entrepreneurship, and public service. Corinne is also the author of Microgreens and Shoots: How to Select, Grow, Harvest, and Package Nutrient-Dense Greens for Profit, published by Chelsea Green Publishing. ABOUT ARCADIAN REVIVAL Arcadian Revival brings together design, nature, food, art, land, and community to explore how we live, what we value, and how we care for the world around us. As a design and culture house, Arcadian Revival connects creative expression with the everyday experiences that shape our relationship with one another and the natural world. Through interiors, gardens, publishing, storytelling, products, and shared experiences, we celebrate beauty, craftsmanship, generational wisdom, and the enduring value of stewardship. Things I Learned from My Mother is a podcast from Arcadian Revival exploring the connections between people, place, and the natural world. Through conversations with farmers, artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and community builders, we explore the wisdom passed between generations and the values that shape how we live, create, and contribute to our communities. At its heart, Arcadian Revival is about bringing people together and renewing our relationship with the world we share.
S2 #4

Season Two Episode Four | Gathering Lessons from the River with Todd Spire of Esopus Creel

What does a river teach us? And are you someone who is in love with rivers? An affirmative yes to latter question is the hope and mission of Esopus Creel founder, Todd Spire. In this episode of Things I Learned from My Mother from Arcadian Revival, I sit down with Todd, a Catskills fly fishing guide who is devoted to helping people not only with fishing, but with the connection the river offers. I have been following Todd’s work with Esopus Creek since it began, during the years when I lived in Brooklyn and was craving a deeper connection to the natural world. Long before I knew him personally, I was drawn to the way he approached rivers, writing, and community. His work has always carried a sense of beauty and depth that stayed with me, and I wanted to understand more about his philosophy behind it. Todd and I talk about fly fishing as an art form, a practice in presence, and a gateway into a much larger experience of the natural world. We talk about the greatness of the Catskills, the Esopus, and all that unfolds when we're in the water. It feels like we barely scratched the surface, and yet touch on profound topics of grief, loss, meditation, and one of my favorite topics, the shared human experience. Our conversation moves beyond fly fishing into community building, environmental stewardship, and legacy. And herein the river becomes a metaphor for all of it. Todd is also an extraordinarily gifted writer. There is a particular beauty in what he shares, and an elegance in his depth in perspective. I hope this conversation inspires a reason to consider how the river opens pathways of reflection and exploration not just of the natural world, but of the life inside each of us as well. About Todd Spire and Esopus Creel: Todd Spire is the founder of Esopus Creel, a Catskills fly fishing guide service centered on the Esopus and the experience of falling in love with rivers. Through guided fly fishing trips, writing, and community, Todd invites people into a deeper relationship with the water, the landscape, and one another. Things I Learned from My Mother is a podcast from Arcadian Revival about home, land, nature, culture, stewardship, and the wisdom we inherit from the people who came before us.