So often fungi are pitched as being at the forefront of innovation, whether being used to create vegan leather, pharmaceuticals, or being incorporated into various biotechnology products, but this fixation on innovation can obscure our ancestral relationship to fungi and the wisdom they can share with us about decomposition. This week, we slow down to acknowledge the beauty and power of fungal decomposition with guest Giuliana Furci who shares a lesson in divine time, the transformation of energy, and the necessity of decomposition.

We begin our conversation by discussing the importance of grounding ourselves in the ancestral history of fungi amidst the current period of intense commodification. With this knowledge, we explore the loss of fungal diversity amidst habitat loss, the use of invasive and native fungi in restoration projects, and the significance of Chile becoming the first country in the world to include fungi in environmental legislation and what that means for conservation efforts.

Take a moment this week to slow down and learn about fungi’s profound interspecies companionship and the simple reality that the world cannot regenerate itself without fungi. Additionally, to learn even more about these topics, look into supporting Fungi Foundation by joining them for their Fungi Foundation Virtual Speaker Event and Fundraiser on June 26th via their profile and webpage.

Giuliana Furci is foundress and CEO of the Fungi Foundation, the first international non-profit dedicated to fungi and founded in Chile. She is a Harvard University Associate, Co-Chair of the IUCN Fungal Conservation Committee, and curator of the FFCL Fungarium, among other appointments. Giuliana is the author of both volumes of the “Field Guide to Chilean Fungi”, and co-author of several titles including the 1st State of the Worlds Fungi by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and the book Fantastic Fungi. She is also the first female mycologist in Chile. For more information about her work visit www.ffungi.org.

♫ The music featured in this episode is “Electric Steps” by Roma Ransom, “Vagabonds”by Rajna Swaminathan, and “Puma” by Julio Kintu

Episode References

Fungi Foundation

Kew’s State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2020

Giuliana’s Recommendations

The Future is Fungi Event / June 26, 2021

Fantastic Fungi

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