Herbalism for the People: Golden Poppy Apothecary

The Dancing Willow

What does it look like to build a thriving herbal business rooted in community, care, and ancestral wisdom?

This week Elliott sits down with Sarah Josey, clinical herbalist and founder of Golden Poppy Apothecary in Fort Collins, Colorado, to explore how herbalism can be made accessible, practical, and deeply human. From her start in biochemistry to becoming a community herbalist and business owner, Sarah shares the winding journey of following her calling—and how she’s built a 14-woman team that operates like a modern-day village.

They talk about motherhood in the workplace, crafting herbal remedies for everyday people, honoring diverse herbal traditions, and the sacredness woven into fertility and postpartum care. It’s a beautiful reminder that herbalism doesn’t have to be complicated and when it is cultivated within community, it helps everyone grow.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Sarah’s journey from biochemistry to herb school with Paul Bergner
• What it means to practice “herbalism for the people”
• The evolution of Golden Poppy Apothecary and building a 14-woman team
• Supporting motherhood and children in the workplace
• Honoring ancestral and folk herbal traditions around the world
• Sacred fertility work and postpartum rituals
• Herbs for trying to conceive, pregnancy & postpartum
• Creating herbal products based on real community needs
• Running classes and bringing in ancestral craft as part of herbal learning

Links & Resources:

• Golden Poppy Apothecary (Fort Collins, CO)
• Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism
• Golden Poppy Instagram

Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it.

Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs!

Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco