You've Got Rachelle Robinett

Ten questions with a clinical herbalist, writer, and thought-leader from New York City.

Welcome to the interview series on YGL that explores connection, creativity, and personal taste. This week we have the brilliantly innovative founder of Pharmakon Supernatural and writer behind the much loved newsletter Thinking, Naturally.

Many moons ago, as I took a digital stroll through the aisles of my favourite wellness boutique—Cap Beauty—I came across these lovely herbal infused chews. We all know I’m drawn to beautiful packaging, but when design meets function and top quality ingredients, that’s what I consider magic. The more I read about these products (shown below), the more I wanted to know about the person who created them. So off I went down a vibrantly coloured rabbit hole watching dozens of Rachelle’s educational videos that explore the art, science, and philosophy of natural health.

Rachelle Robinett is a writer and clinical herbalist who leads the wellness industry in style (really great style—she actually has a background working in the NYC fashion industry). One of the reasons I find her work to be so valuable is the way she practices what she teaches. Using natural living to transform her life, she is not afraid to prioritize rest and take breaks. Even though there’s always more work and success to strive for. She has found daily balance by marrying the ancient holistic practices of herbalism with a refreshing and realistic modern day approach.

When sitting down to put together my September interview, I wanted to feature someone creative, not afraid to take risks, and devoted to their craft. Rachelle Robinett, a true multi-hyphanate, came to mind and lucky for us, she has beautifully answered ten questions on topics like changing the course of your life, celebrating big successes, and staying connected with friends. I hope you enjoy her thought-provoking answers as much as I do. Grab a botanical beverage, find a comfortable seat, and please enjoy!

All photos © Rachelle Robinett

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1. You’re known for doing a wide range of endeavours and always have impressive projects on the go. What are you most excited about right now?

I’m excited to be in the final weeks of the book-publishing process. Before anything else, I’m a writer. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do most of all and this book is going to be both an official debut (though I’ve been writing privately and publicly forever) as well as a capstone project that encapsulates my work in herbalism. I’m also excited about the future beyond it (more books, more writing, a return to my roots … to my truest calling). This project is also part of a big transition for me that’s personal, professional, and psychic. I’m excited about spending the time I’m not writing, living.

2. Congratulations on your first book! I cannot wait to get my hands on that. As someone who is currently shaping the future of herbal wellness, when did your love for herbs first start?

What a compliment! I fell in love with herbalism when I realized it was the practice that best described the way I live and think, which is naturally. From growing up on a farm where I hung out with more plants and weather patterns than people, to a lifelong interest in the effects of what we take in through our senses (food, drink, light, sound, temperature, and ideas), I’ve always been enamoured with nature. Herbalism is a way of naming the most holistic, nature-based way of living I know.

3. That’s amazing that you have taken this devotion to natural living and accomplished a beautifully blooming career—how do you celebrate your successes?

By not working. :D It’s very easy to want more success, more promotion, more fame, whatever. But, life is short, and my freedom has always been the “point” of working. Work is in service of that state so when work “succeeds” in an accomplishment, I celebrate by taking back my time and, often, disappearing into a beach-side jungle somewhere.

I love this answer—time really is freedom!

4. Ok, I have to ask because you have such a good eye for fashion! Are you loyal to any brands? Which ones? 

Fun question! From a fashion standpoint, I don’t tend to love trends. I do love getting dressed, but it’s always for the purpose of representing how I feel that day. I got “best dressed” awards in school, but I also got teased a lot too because I really pushed it. Some days in glitter, combat boots, and wings, the next day in a full grandpa getup from the local thrift store. So, I’m loyal to my moods more than to brands but there are a few that I pledge allegiance to. I’ve shopped more from Colbo in the last year than anywhere else. The fabrics are beautiful and mostly deadstock; all made in NYC. Other brands that remain in the rotation include Lauren Manoogian (incredible fabrics line), Cordera (excellent pants), Araks (lingerie), and Satisfy (performance sport gear). From my days of working in fashion, I still have an appetite for designer items here and there (Dries, please—all the Dries), which I mostly buy from The Real Real.

5. What purchase from the past year has brought you the most joy?

A home abroad. Unspeakable, life-changing amounts of joy already.

6. Heck yes! That’s by far the coolest answer I’ve ever received from this question! When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Last weekend I started learning how to skateboard. :) And tried a balance board, both of which are ways to practice surfing technique on land. I try to do new things as often as possible!

7. What’s the best conversation you’ve had recently? Who was it with, what made it good, and what was the topic of discussion?

I have incredible conversations with my friends and in particular, my best friend T. We live in different cities but have a relationship that’s cosmically close—often texting each other at the same time, thinking the same thoughts, buying the same books, that sort of thing. We joke that there’s a programmer behind our wavelength. Our phone calls are generally only about the deepest, truest, hardest, and most beautiful topics: love, change, growth, free will, the nature of our natures … creativity, purpose, psychology and relationship dynamics. In our most recent call, we talked about “being like the weather”. That is: The weather is always feeling its feelings, letting things flow, being however it is at any given moment. We also explored how to continue making internal and external realities more similar; what limitations exist that prevent us (anyone) from living the life they truly want.

What a gift to have cosmically close friends that you can bounce ideas off and talk about the universe with—I’m very inspired by this.

8. Is there an environment that makes you feel the most creative?

My mission is to create an environment that’s most conducive to flow. That includes: being alone without distractions or incoming information (no podcasts or audio books, no phone or computer stuff, maybe just music), in nature, and either in-motion (walking, running, cycling, etc.) or having just finished it. When my body is pacified and my mind is free to float, the floodgates open.

9. You’ve worn a lot of hats. What’s something that you struggle with and how do you deal with that challenge?

My current struggle is related to changing the course of my life from its current path (herbal expert, entrepreneur, CEO of a content-production machine), to the one that leads into my next chapter (writer, artist, inquirer). I’ve got about ten years of persona and audience-building that work both for and against that change. There is a lot of resistance (external, not internal; I love change) to showing up in the world in a way that’s different from what people expect of you.

10. I’m excited for you and your next chapter. Thank you so much for the inspiring and thoughtful answers. One last question: We love book recommendations around here—are you reading anything good right now?

Yes! I just finished Miranda July’s All Fours, which all the world seems to be loving right now. Also, one I couldn’t put down, Elle Reeve’s Black Pill. I’m also diving back into Adam Phillips’ books, and catching up on some new essays from Sheila Heti and Annie Ernauex, both of whom I adore. Now that I’m done writing my book, I’m reading fairly incessantly.

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It was such a pleasure to get a glimpse into the plentiful world of Rachelle Robinett today. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to share the creative work of individuals I admire.

For those of you wanting to dive deeper into the world of herbalism or stay up to date on all the latest wellness news, be sure to check out Rachelle’s newsletter: Thinking, Naturally.

As always, thank you for being here.
Ciao for now!