Ken Mycelium & Roger Holden: Fruiting Bodies: All Mushrooms Are Magic!, Episode 207, Medicine for These Times
Fruiting Bodies was born from the unique journeys of Roger and Ken—two visionaries united by a shared passion for the healing power of fungi, sustainable practices, and high-potency mushroom products rooted in both science and tradition.
Roger is a pioneer in mycology who has spent over a decade refining the art and science of mushroom extraction, concentration, and formulation. His journey began with a personal health crisis: from childhood digestive issues and chronic fatigue to Lyme disease and ADHD, Roger faced years of debilitating symptoms and ineffective pharmaceutical treatments. Everything changed when he discovered functional mushrooms—beginning with Reishi. Making his own tinctures led to a profound healing transformation and ultimately, a deep commitment to mycology, alchemy, and sustainable agriculture. He went on to study with leaders like Tradd Cotter, earn a degree in Sustainable Agriculture, and launch Mushroom Magic LLC in 2020 to share clean, effective, and ethically crafted mushroom supplements.
Ken brings over 24 years of experience in holistic medicine, permaculture, and mushroom cultivation. After years of struggling with chronic pain and unhealthy habits, a major life shift sparked his obsession with wellness, food systems, and community health. He went on to found three mushroom companies, including Chicago Mushroom Company—supplying premium mushrooms to top chefs while promoting ecological restoration. Inspired by fungal intelligence and trained by pioneers like Paul Stamets, Ken became deeply committed to educating others and improving the quality and integrity of functional mushroom products.
Their paths converged after Ken heard Roger speak on the Mycopreneur Podcast. One long, impassioned conversation later, they realized their values and visions were perfectly aligned. From that spark, Fruiting Bodies emerged—a fusion of Mushroom Magic and Chicago Mushroom Company.
Together, Roger and Ken are redefining what functional mushroom products can be. Every Fruiting Bodies tincture and extract is the result of meticulous sourcing, advanced techniques, and reverence for fungi as medicine. Their mission goes beyond business: they are building a movement rooted in healing, education, sustainability, and empowerment—one mushroom at a time.
Episode Highlights
▶ How Roger’s health struggles led him to discover mushrooms, while Ken transitioned from a corporate background to a passion for them
▶ Why mushroom essences work on the shadow aspects of ourselves, and how trusting yourself is key in the healing journey
▶ How mushrooms are safe, but introspection is important when using them for healing, which is both physical and emotional
▶ How functional mushrooms are becoming mainstream in health products, with mushrooms being the original medicines, not alternatives
▶ How mushroom essences enhance dream work and integration, and education is crucial for consumers to make informed choices
▶ How quality extraction methods are vital for mushroom efficacy, and mushrooms have the potential to heal both people and the environment
▶ How the mushroom market is unregulated and chaotic, but how mushrooms can help with micro-remediation and environmental cleanup
▶ Personalized approaches to mushroom use are essential for maximizing their benefits
Ken Mycelium and Roger Holden’s Links & Resources
▶ Website: www.fruitingbodies.co
▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fruitingbodies.co
▶ Instagram: https://www.instgram.com/fruitingbodies.co
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