*WARNING: Contains explicit language.  Ron Finley is most definitely a heretic. He’s a rebel with a green thumb, and a deeply conscious, vitally awake gifted thinker. Able to see through the clutter and noise, he is an inspired artist who connects people through powerful metaphors and raises their spirits by taking back what was already theirs to begin with. 

Known as the “Gangsta Gardener”, Ron has been empowering citizens to grow their own food since 2010, when he began planting fruits, flowers and vegetables on his neighborhood parkways in South Central LA (those often neglected dirt patches next to our streets). He was cited for gardening without a permit by the apparent owners of those dirt patches: the City of Los Angeles. Queue the beginning of a horticulture revolution. Ron fought back, and won. He started a petition with fellow green activists, and demanded the right to garden and grow food in his neighborhood. 

Having grown up in the South Central Los Angeles food prison, Ron knew what it was like to drive 45 minutes just to get a fresh tomato. In low socio-economic neighborhoods it's much easier to find fast food, package stores and diabetes treatment clinics than wholesome groceries for your family. Through the Ron Finley Project, Ron's vision to rejuvenate communities through gardening and healthy eating has spread around the world, promoting a message of independence, knowledge, and social action.

Finley has taught a MasterClass series , and his Ted Talk on guerrilla gardening has almost 4 million views. Learn more: https://ronfinley.com/

Our collaboration HERETIC X RON FINLEY "Plant Some Shit" candle is available for purchase for a limited time!

"Anyone else trying to reduce their alcohol intake? After a wine soaked lockdown-pandemic-blur I have been on the search for non-alcoholic alternatives with an edge. Join me as I dive into the aromatic aperitif known as Ghia, who has coined the phrase 'over the influence'" -DL

In this podcast we interview Melanie Masarin, founder Ghia. Like Heretic, this non-alcoholic beverage brand chooses to do things differently than the rest—with unapologetically bold flavors and unique natural ingredients that deliver a truly aromatic experience.

In this episode Dr. Anjanette DeCarlo shares her expertise on this fascinating perfume ingredient with us. Learn about the rich history of frankincense that goes back 6,000 yrs (making it the longest continually traded natural commodity known to humanity), its incredible medicinal properties, and her efforts with the Save Frankincense initiative to promote ethical sourcing.

For us at Heretic, it's critical for us to make sure we're blending our fragrances with natural materials that are harvested in a way that respects both the earth and the communities working at the start of the supply chain. In this conversation, Anjanette dives into the social and environmental challenges facing the frankincense species, and explains how she's been able to use blockchain and empower communities to ensure responsible sourcing and sustainability.

Anjanette received her doctorate in Natural Resources and Environment from the University of Vermont. She is a Lecturer on supply chains and anthropology at several colleges, and the Chief sustainability Scientist at the Aromatic Plant Research Center. Her work as the founder of the Save Frankincense initiative is what led us to her. Save Frankincense is a project aimed to protect the frankincense economy and ecosystem in Somaliland. Her work has been featured in publications like National Geographic and New York Times.