Long before “alternative medicine” had a name…
Long before herbs were sold in bottles…
Long before meditation, energy work, and holistic healing were called “witchy”…

There were the First Healers.

In this episode of Small Town, Big Minds, Michele and Bobi take you back to the roots of natural and spiritual healing — right here on the land we call Nebraska — honoring Indigenous tribes such as the Pawnee who carried deep knowledge of plant medicine, ceremony, and mind-body healing long before colonization arrived.

So much of what we now call “holistic,” “natural,” or “energy healing” didn’t come from trendy wellness culture — it came from Indigenous wisdom. And much of that wisdom was systematically erased, outlawed, ridiculed, and labeled as dangerous or evil.

In this conversation, we explore:
• How Indigenous healing systems were pushed underground
• Why herbalists, medicine women, and spiritual healers were branded as witches
• How colonization reshaped what we believe about medicine, spirituality, and the body
• Why reconnecting to these roots matters for our health today
• And how honoring the First Healers is a form of respect, not appropriation

Michele and Bobi also reflect on how, in another time, their own beliefs in self-healing, intuition, and natural medicine would have been labeled dangerous — even though those same practices are now being validated by neuroscience, epigenetics, and modern trauma research.

This episode isn’t about going backward.
It’s about remembering what was lost.

It’s about recognizing that the body has always known how to heal — and that much of what we are “rediscovering” today was once common knowledge among the people who lived in harmony with this land.

We share this conversation with humility, gratitude, and deep respect for the Indigenous peoples who walked here before us — and for the wisdom that still lives on through their descendants and traditions.

If you’ve ever felt drawn to plant medicine, meditation, intuition, or holistic healing…
If you’ve ever felt out of place in modern healthcare…
If you’ve ever wondered where this knowledge really came from…

This episode is for you.

Listen in as we honor the roots of healing, the resilience of Indigenous cultures, and the sacred wisdom that still pulses beneath everything we call “modern medicine.”

This mini episode is a quick but important pause before we go any further.

At Small Town, Big Minds, inclusivity isn’t a buzzword, it’s a value. We believe everyone deserves a seat at the table, regardless of background, beliefs, identity, or where they are on their learning journey.

Being based in the Midwest, we’re also honest about something: not all of us were exposed early on to evolving language, identities, or social conversations. That doesn’t make someone “bad,” ignorant, or unworthy of being part of the conversation. It makes them human.

This podcast is a judgment-free zone.

You don’t need the right terminology.You don’t need to have it all figured out.You just need curiosity, respect, and a willingness to listen and grow.

We’re going to talk about real topics, real experiences, and real perspectives, sometimes imperfectly. And that’s okay. Growth doesn’t come from shame or call-outs; it comes from open dialogue, compassion, and a little courage.

If you’ve ever felt afraid to ask questions…
If you’ve worried about “saying the wrong thing”…
If you’re learning as you go…

You belong here.

This episode sets the tone for what this space is and what it’s not. We’re here to expand minds, not point fingers. To create understanding, not division. And to have conversations that feel safe, honest, and human.

Welcome to Small Town, Big Minds. We’re glad you’re here.

Welcome to the beginning of Small Town, Big Minds. A podcast created by two healers who never quite fit the Midwest mold.
In this episode, we talk about how we met, what inspired this show, and why we’re finally putting our big thoughts into a microphone. Expect honesty, humor, a little rebellion, and a whole lot of heart.

If you’re a misfit, a seeker, a cycle‑breaker, or just someone craving deeper conversations, you’re in the right place.