The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

This week on the Beet Podcast, Jacques sits down with permaculturist, author, and mayor, Brandy Hall. From her roots in South Florida to her journey toward regenerative growing, Brandy shares how permaculture became the lens through which she approaches land, community, and leadership. Together, they explore how regenerative principles are everywhere, from farms and landscapes to backyard home gardens, and why this way of thinking matters.

Connect with Brandy Hall:

Brandy Hall is the author of The Complete Guide to Home Permaculture, Founder & CEO of Shades of Green Permaculture, and the Mayor of Pine Lake, Georgia. With over 16 years of experience, she helps thousands transform landscapes into resilient, water-wise, food-producing systems. Leading her company to the Inc. 5000 list, Brandy proves regenerative landscaping can be good for the planet and for business. Brandy’s mission is to cultivate landscapes and communities that heal, connect, and endure.


Find more from Brandy at her website: https://shadesofgreenpermaculture.com/who-we-are


Find more from Brandy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shades_of_green_permaculture/#

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On this Best of the Beet episode, we revisit Kevin’s talk with Darryl Cheng of Houseplant Journal. They discuss his book, The New Plant Parent, and rethink the basics of houseplant care. They break down how plants really use light, whether “natural light” indoors actually exists, and how to approach watering with a smarter strategy. Plus, Darryl tackles common misconceptions new plant parents have about how plants grow and thrive. Expect myth-busting and plenty of plant nerd fun. 

Connect with Darryl Cheng:

Darryl Cheng is the creator of House Plant Journal, where he’s answered thousands of plant care questions by blending keen observation with a scientist’s eye. He’s also the author of The New Plant Parent, a go-to guide for indoor gardeners looking to understand the why behind plant care. With a huge online following and a knack for demystifying houseplant care, Darryl helps plant lovers everywhere grow healthier, thriving plants. 


Find more from Darryl at Houseplant Journal: https://www.houseplantjournal.com/


Find more from Darryl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseplantjournal/

Support The Beet:

→ Shop: https://growepic.co/shop

→ Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests

Learn More:

→ All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube

→ Blog: https://growepic.co/blog

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In today’s episode of the Beet, Jacques sits down with Epic influencer Graylen Brown (you may know him as @urbangardeningwithgray) to dig into the roots of his gardening journey – starting with Roma tomatoes grown alongside his grandmother. That childhood memory blossomed into a mission, and now Graylen is helping people grow food, confidence, and community one tip at a time.

Connect with Graylen Brown:

Graylen Brown is a Texas Master Gardener in Zone 8b who’s passionate about sharing the joy of gardening and plant parenthood. His love of growing is only topped by his enthusiasm for helping others do the same. A former high school automotive instructor, Graylen knows exactly how to teach practical, confidence-building skills that gardeners can use to grow in new ways.


Find more from Graylen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbangardeningwithgray/


Find more from Graylen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@urbangardeningwithgray

Support The Beet:

→ Shop: https://growepic.co/shop

→ Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests

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In the first episode of The Beet in the new year, Kevin and Jacques swap updates, exploring everything from Kevin’s time away from the homestead to why summer garden care sets the stage for winter wins. They celebrate thriving citrus trees, Jacques’s rock-solid fifth year in his garden, and the growth of wine grapes, wheat crops, and fruit trees. They also explore the top hardscaping options to elevate the homestead. Along the way, they laugh through past cooking experiments and tease fresh kitchen ideas for 2026.

Support The Beet:

→ Shop: https://growepic.co/shop 

→ Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests 

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→ Blog: https://growepic.co/blog 

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Episode Description:

In this episode of the Beet Podcast, we revisit Kevin’s talk with Chef Chris Starkus. They dig into dry farming, water security, and the surprising ways urban population booms shape the food on our plates. Chris also goes beyond the usual “farm-to-table” vibe with creative cooking tips, preservation techniques, and new ways to use every last leaf from your garden. And yes, he exposes the wild water waste hiding in commercial kitchens, and how he’s helping fix it with tech that saves more water than you’d believe.

Connect with Chris Starkus:

Chris Starkus is a chef, farmer, and journeyman beekeeper who’s spent 25+ years stirring up the hospitality world with award-winning restaurants and rooftop apiaries. Named one of Denver’s Top 25 Under 40, he’s opened celebrated kitchens like Urban Farmer Denver while championing full-circle sustainability before it was cool. Today, he partners with the startup Boss Defrost to help save water worldwide and teaches the next generation of eco-minded cooks at Warren Tech. For Chris, sustainability is the whole recipe.


Find more from Chris on Chef For All Seasons: https://www.chef4allseasons.com/


Find more from Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisstarkus/

Support The Beet:

→ Shop: https://growepic.co/shop

→ Seeds: https://growepic.co/botanicalinterests

Learn More:

→ All Our Channels: https://growepic.co/youtube

→ Blog: https://growepic.co/blog

→ Podcast: https://growepic.co/podcasts

→ Discord: https://growepic.co/discord

→ Instagram: https://growepic.co/insta

→ TikTok: https://growepic.co/tiktok

→ Pinterest: https://growepic.co/pinterest

→ Twitter: https://growepic.co/twitter

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→ Facebook Group: https://growepic.co/fbgroup

→ Love our products? Become an Epic affiliate! https://growepic.co/3FjQXqV

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