The Finke Tank

On our 12th episode of The Finke Tank, we are joined by the neighborly Nina Levison! Nina is a co-founder and organizer at Redistro, a free store and mutual aid organization in Greenfield, MA. We discuss what goes on at the free store, how it came to be, and how it fits in to the broader mutual aid efforts emerging in our country. Dig in and enjoy! You can find out more about Redistro here: https:...

On our 11th episode of The Finke Tank, we are joined by the excellent Ellena Baum! Ellena is a teacher, naturalist, and assistant farm manager at Big River Chestnuts. We discuss the farming of chestnut trees and talk about the Jewish holiday of Tu BiShvat, the New Year of the Trees. Take root and enjoy! You can find out more about Ellena's work here: https://www.ellenabaum.com/ Jewish Farm Net...

On our 10th episode of The Finke Tank, we talk with the awesome Adam Klem! Adam is a addiction and mental health councilor, practicing holistic healing modalities and psychedelic therapy. In this episode, we discuss Jungian psychology, spirituality, meditation, and esoteric ceremonial magic. Spiral out and enjoy!

On our 9th episode of The Finke Tank, we talk with the one-of-a-kind Ollie Schechter! Ollie is a talented musician and songwriter, performing with her band Seeds of Sun all over western Massachusetts. In this great discussion, we explore the many different roles than music can serve in one's life and the power of channeling emotions into sonic expression. Rock on and enjoy! Follow Ollie's band See...

On this episode of The Finke Tank, we talk to the lovable Liam Zielony! Liam is a mediation teacher and advocate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studies Psychology and Social Thought and Political Economy. We discuss how Liam got into meditation, how it effects the brain, and then end with a guided meditation of our own. Breath deeply and enjoy! Check out more of Liam's medita...

On our 7th episode, we talk with the joyful James Davis, head of Bay Stater's for Natural Medicine, a grassroots advocacy organization working to end the War on Drugs in Massachusetts. We discus James's moving personal story, the successes and challenges around policy change, volunteer organizing, the power of psychedelic plant medicine on mental health, fighting corporatization, and many more fas...

On our 6th episode, we talk with the dashing Dan Bensonoff, the Sustainability Coordinator of Campus Gardens at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dan serves as the head of the Umass Permaculture Initiative and has spearheaded the movement towards decriminalizing plant medicines in the city of Northampton. We discuss the practices and philosophies of permaculture, climate change, psychedelic...

In our 5th episode, we talk with the awesome Andy Finke! Andy is the Chief Operating Officer of the DC Central Kitchen, a nationally recognized non-profit community kitchen that uses food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities. We discuss the mission and operations of this amazing organization and how it interfaces with the food system at large.

On our 4th episode, we talk with the strong Skerdi Skendari, an Albanian international student at Salem State University studying computer science. In this episode, Skerdi bring us to southeastern Europe to explore his beautiful home country of Albania. We discuss its unique history, culture, people and lifeways and how it differs from the United States.

On our third episode, we talk with the powerful Ruby Ramsay! Ruby is the executive director of TEDxAmherst, junior product manager at OmPractice, and a student of Computer Science at Umass Amherst. In this episode, she shares her fascinating experiences working with TED, being a woman in STEM, and how she leads and organizes effectively.

Welcome to the Finke Tank! This is an open format podcast where we talk with interesting people about cool ideas. On our first episode, I talk with Daniel Keating Jr about organizational culture, human nature, and sharing stories.