25: Mycologist Giuliana Furci - Fungi Will Change How You See the World

2025-09-09

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Fungi are everywhere. Under our feet, in our food, in our medicines. Yet they remain one of the most overlooked kingdoms of life. In this episode of Wonderstruck, we speak to mycologist Giuliana Furci, a self-taught champion for fungi and founder of the first NGO in the world dedicated to fungal conservation, the Fungi Foundation. She reveals how mushrooms shape ecosystems, inspire culture, and hold ancient knowledge. They are alchemists of decay, transforming death and toxins into the fertile ground of new life. From sacred candlelit...

Fungi are everywhere. Under our feet, in our food, in our medicines. Yet they remain one of the most overlooked kingdoms of life.

In this episode of Wonderstruck, we speak to mycologist Giuliana Furci, a self-taught champion for fungi and founder of the first NGO in the world dedicated to fungal conservation, the Fungi Foundation. She reveals how mushrooms shape ecosystems, inspire culture, and hold ancient knowledge. They are alchemists of decay, transforming death and toxins into the fertile ground of new life. From sacred candlelit ceremonies to songs created with a cloud forest that has rights, Giuliana’s stories may change how you see the world forever.

We explore:

How fungi sustain life on Earth and make our survival possible
Documenting indigenous relationships with fungi, from birth control to healing
The Song of the Cedars with Robert Macfarlane, Cosmo Sheldrake, César Rodríguez-Garavito
Sacred mushrooms, Mazatec culture and Maria Sabina
Why protecting fungi may shape the future of our planet

Giuliana’s story is a testament to what can happen when we follow our calling and, in the words of Giuliana's mother, that something doesn't have to be done in order for us to do it!

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: A fateful encounter with fungi

5:56 Mycology 101: Fungi's role in life on Earth

9:37 Studying fungi with experience and intuition

15:07 Don Pfister’s invitation to Harvard

23:13 The Song of the Cedars and forest rights

30:13 Documenting indigenous relationships with fungi

37:38 Surprising fungal uses across cultures

41:27 Fungi communication and sacred ceremonies

47:49 National Geographic award and impact

Follow Giuliana:

Website: https://giulianafurci.com/