Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
This episode takes you deep into the lush, rain-soaked forests of Randle, Washington, where the 2024 NAMA Annual Foray brought together some of North America’s most passionate mushroom lovers, educators, and field experts.
From once-in-a-lifetime finds in the Cascades to unforgettable workshops and shared meals, this gathering was a powerful reminder of what makes the myco community so unique: curiosity, connection, and a shared reverence for the fungal world.
We’re joined by several incredible guests—each offering their perspective on this year’s foray, what inspired them, and what they took away from the experience. Their stories highlight the diversity of voices and talents shaping modern mycology.
⸻
👥 Featuring guest appearances from:
🔹 Ken Buegeleisen – Foray Chair for NAMA 2024 and longtime leader in the Sonoma County Mycological Association (SOMA), where he supports community-building and education through fungi.
🔹 Aaron Hilliard – Creator of Mushroom Wonderland, a beloved YouTube channel exploring mushroom hunting, fungal diversity, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
🔹 David Rogers – Founder of the Olympic Peninsula Fungi Festival, bringing together science, culture, and celebration in one of the most biodiverse fungal regions in the U.S.
🔹 Ariel Bonkoski – Mushroom identification educator and one of North America’s most active iNaturalist contributors, known for teaching mycology in classrooms and forests alike.
🔹 Appalachian Ash – Forager, wild foods chef, and winner of the 2024 NAMA “Chopped”-style culinary contest, where her creative mushroom dishes stole the show.
🔹 The MycoMommas – A talented team focused on creative preservation techniques, known for their work with freeze-drying and long-term storage of culinary fungi.
🔹 Happi Hyphae – An Ohio-based mushroom enthusiast and educator.
⸻
🎥 Don’t miss Aaron Hilliard’s stunning visual recap of the event:
📺 youtu.be/sPcIk_v5PLQ?si=i1NYXfSKnLmCpogT
⸻
🛡️ This episode is intended for educational purposes only. Always forage responsibly, accurately identify all species, and follow local laws and regulations when exploring or collecting mushrooms in the wild.
Ken Buegeleisen can be found at:
➡️ Web: walkinthewoods.co
Aaron Hilliard of Mushroom Wonderland can be found at:
➡️ YouTube: youtube.com/@mushroomwonderland1
➡️ Instagram: instagram.com/mushroom.wonderland
➡️ Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090354546665
➡️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@mushroomw0nderland
📧 ahilliardmedia@gmail.com
Ariel Bonkoski can be found at:
➡️ Web: arielsmushroomco.com
➡️ PRE-ORDER HER NEW KIDS BOOK: shop.adventurewithkeen.com/product/mushrooms-fungi-for-kids
David Rogers can be found at:
➡️ Web: opfungifestival.com
📩 Join the Mushroom Movement!
Sign up for the MycoGeeky mailing list and get automatically entered into our weekly giveaways! Prizes include exclusive merch, educational resources, and fun myco surprises.
👉 mycogeeky.com
🤝 Support the Show – Shop with Our Trusted Partners
Use these affiliate links to support MycoGeeky at no extra cost to you:
🍄 Booming Acres: boomingacres.com/?r=27
🍄 The Spore Store Coffee Alternative: https://thesporestore.company.site/
🌿 Connect with MycoGeeky Everywhere
🔗 Website & Giveaways: mycogeeky.com
🎙️ Patreon: patreon.com/c/mycoGeeky
🛍️ Merch: etsy.com/shop/mycogeeky
💬 Discord: discord.com/invite/mycogeeky
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/mycogeeky
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080230120029
📧 Contact: mycoGeeky@protonmail.com
🎬 Watch More From MycoGeeky:
▶️ The APE That Changed Mycology – John Workman Interview: youtu.be/AtOrRsFAUX4
▶️ Dennis McKenna on His Early Years: youtu.be/rbYDjI-f_zI
▶️ MycoGeeky’s “Mushroom Living” Music Video: youtu.be/Kq31ACYZ-6w
👍 Like this video – It really helps us reach more people!
💬 Comment below – Let us know what you think!
🔗 Share with your fellow mycophiles!
This episode takes you deep into the lush, rain-soaked forests of Randle, Washington, where the 2024 NAMA Annual Foray brought together some of North America’s most passionate mushroom lovers, educators, and field experts.
From once-in-a-lifetime finds in the Cascades to unforgettable workshops and shared meals, this gathering was a powerful reminder of what makes the myco community so unique: curiosity, connection, and a shared reverence for the fungal world.
We’re joined by several incredible guests—each offering their perspective on this year’s foray, what inspired them, and what they took away from the experience. Their stories highlight the diversity of voices and talents shaping modern mycology.
⸻
👥 Featuring guest appearances from:
🔹 Ken Buegeleisen – Foray Chair for NAMA 2024 and longtime leader in the Sonoma County Mycological Association (SOMA), where he supports community-building and education through fungi.
🔹 Aaron Hilliard – Creator of Mushroom Wonderland, a beloved YouTube channel exploring mushroom hunting, fungal diversity, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
🔹 David Rogers – Founder of the Olympic Peninsula Fungi Festival, bringing together science, culture, and celebration in one of the most biodiverse fungal regions in the U.S.
🔹 Ariel Bonkoski – Mushroom identification educator and one of North America’s most active iNaturalist contributors, known for teaching mycology in classrooms and forests alike.
🔹 Appalachian Ash – Forager, wild foods chef, and winner of the 2024 NAMA “Chopped”-style culinary contest, where her creative mushroom dishes stole the show.
🔹 The MycoMommas – A talented team focused on creative preservation techniques, known for their work with freeze-drying and long-term storage of culinary fungi.
🔹 Happi Hyphae – An Ohio-based mushroom enthusiast and educator.
⸻
🎥 Don’t miss Aaron Hilliard’s stunning visual recap of the event:
📺 youtu.be/sPcIk_v5PLQ?si=i1NYXfSKnLmCpogT
⸻
🛡️ This episode is intended for educational purposes only. Always forage responsibly, accurately identify all species, and follow local laws and regulations when exploring or collecting mushrooms in the wild.
Ken Buegeleisen can be found at:
➡️ Web: walkinthewoods.co
Aaron Hilliard of Mushroom Wonderland can be found at:
➡️ YouTube: youtube.com/@mushroomwonderland1
➡️ Instagram: instagram.com/mushroom.wonderland
➡️ Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090354546665
➡️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@mushroomw0nderland
📧 ahilliardmedia@gmail.com
Ariel Bonkoski can be found at:
➡️ Web: arielsmushroomco.com
➡️ PRE-ORDER HER NEW KIDS BOOK: shop.adventurewithkeen.com/product/mushrooms-fungi-for-kids
David Rogers can be found at:
➡️ Web: opfungifestival.com
📩 Join the Mushroom Movement!
Sign up for the MycoGeeky mailing list and get automatically entered into our weekly giveaways! Prizes include exclusive merch, educational resources, and fun myco surprises.
👉 mycogeeky.com
🤝 Support the Show – Shop with Our Trusted Partners
Use these affiliate links to support MycoGeeky at no extra cost to you:
🍄 Booming Acres: boomingacres.com/?r=27
🍄 The Spore Store Coffee Alternative: https://thesporestore.company.site/
🌿 Connect with MycoGeeky Everywhere
🔗 Website & Giveaways: mycogeeky.com
🎙️ Patreon: patreon.com/c/mycoGeeky
🛍️ Merch: etsy.com/shop/mycogeeky
💬 Discord: discord.com/invite/mycogeeky
📷 Instagram: instagram.com/mycogeeky
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080230120029
📧 Contact: mycoGeeky@protonmail.com
🎬 Watch More From MycoGeeky:
▶️ The APE That Changed Mycology – John Workman Interview: youtu.be/AtOrRsFAUX4
▶️ Dennis McKenna on His Early Years: youtu.be/rbYDjI-f_zI
▶️ MycoGeeky’s “Mushroom Living” Music Video: youtu.be/Kq31ACYZ-6w
👍 Like this video – It really helps us reach more people!
💬 Comment below – Let us know what you think!
🔗 Share with your fellow mycophiles!
