I Dig Your Story

Jennifer Brennan: Translating Plant Science for Everyday Gardeners

Jennifer Brennan has spent her career helping gardeners succeed—and proving that horticulture can be both educational and fun.
In this episode of I Dig Your Story, host Ellen Wells talks with horticultural consultant Jennifer Brennan about her journey from a college greenhouse job and a dorm room overflowing with plants to becoming one of the most trusted gardening educators in the Chicago area. Along the way, Jennifer shares how she helped introduce Hello Kitty to the United States, why she returned to horticulture after a detour into sales, and how she built a career translating plant science into practical advice for everyday gardeners.
Jennifer also discusses the biggest mistakes gardeners make, the challenge of combating misinformation on social media, and why listening skills are just as important as plant knowledge.
In this episode:• How a greenhouse job for extra pocket money sparked a lifelong love of plants• The surprising career detour that eventually led back to horticulture• Why watering is the most misunderstood gardening skill• The importance of chemistry and science in plant care• How to handle social media’s unfortunate gardening advice • The reward of helping gardeners succeed
Connect with Jennifer Brennan:info@jenniferbrennanhorticulture.com

Jazmin Albarran: Encouraging Careers in Horticulture

How do we inspire the next generation to choose horticulture careers if they don’t even know the industry exists?
 
We are celebrating Women in Horticulture Week with Seed Your Future Executive Director Jazmin Albarran. In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Ellen Wells talks with Jazmin about women in horticulture, workforce development, and the challenge of helping students, parents, and educators understand the breadth of opportunities available in the green industry.
 
Jazmin shares how her background in psychology, youth development, and communications unexpectedly led her into horticulture—and why she now believes the industry offers some of the most meaningful and fulfilling careers available.
 
The conversation explores:
Why horticulture is often an “accidental career”
The growing role of women in industry leadership
How Seed Your Future is connecting students with horticulture careers
The importance of social media in reaching younger generations
Why horticulture needs future leaders in technology, automation, business, marketing, and science
 
Katie Dubow, president of Garden Media Group, makes a special appearance to talk about the reasons GMG began Women in Horticulture Week in 2020 and how we can participate in lifting up women during this week of recognition.
 
Learn more:
Seed Your Future - https://www.seedyourfuture.org
I Am Horticulture Campaign - https://www.seedyourfuture.org/greenpro_under_40
Women in Horticulture LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16299029/
 

Michelle Opela: A Journey from Sea Turtles to Plant Pests

What do sea turtles, corpse flowers, aphids, and philodendrons have in common? For Michelle Opela, they’re all part of a career journey that somehow led to horticulture.
In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Michelle shares how she went from marine biology adventures in Alaska and Australia to becoming deeply involved in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological controls, and plant health in the horticulture industry.
Michelle also shares some of her pest and disease expertise. She breaks down complicated topics in a way home gardeners and industry pros alike can understand, including how to spot plant problems before bringing them home, why beneficial insects aren’t always simple for consumers to use, and the growing pressure to produce “perfect” plants.
We also talk about:
Growing up obsessed with insects in rural New York
Working aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea
Tagging sharks and sea turtles in Australia
Beginner-friendly biological controls
Fungus gnats and dramatic houseplants
Michelle’s obsession with corpse flowers and other unusual plants
Most importantly, Michelle reminds listeners that every gardener deals with pests eventually — and that it doesn’t make you a bad plant parent.
Mentioned in This Episode
Cornell University
NOAA Fisheries
Costa Farms
BioWorks
Learn More
BioWorks
Costa Farms

Delilah Onofrey: From "Flower Child" to Industry Storyteller

For three decades, Delilah Onofrey has helped tell the stories of the horticulture industry, first as editor of Greenhouse Grower and now as Marketing Director for Suntory Flowers.
In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Delilah joins Ellen to talk about growing up among heirloom flowers in a historic Cleveland-area home, discovering journalism at Kent State University, and unexpectedly building and loving a lifelong career in floriculture.
They discuss:
The evolution of her time in horticultural trade journalism
Why community beautification matters
How a trip to Japan changed her career path
How friendships and relationships shape business and opportunities
Plus, Delilah shares her love of music in our Lightning Round. 
Whether you work in horticulture or simply love hearing how careers evolve through curiosity and connection, this episode is full of warmth and perspective as only Delilah can deliver.
 
Find Delilah and Suntory Flowers:
Home - Suntory Flowers - www.suntoryflowers.com (trade site)
Home - Suntory Garden Club - www.suntorygardenclub.com (consumer site)
Facebook - www.facebook.com/SuntoryFlowers
Instagram - www.instagram.com/suntoryflowers.na/
 
Can't Miss Video!
Delilah unveils a special Rolling Stones "time capsule":
https://youtu.be/JyR-G1hB7Uw
 
 

David Bache: Growing What Others Won't

What happens when a landscape architect realizes the plants—not the plans—are the real passion?
In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Ellen Wells talks with David Bache of Garden Industries in Loxahatchee, Florida, about finding your path in horticulture, growing what others won’t, and creating a nursery experience that inspires.
David shares how trying different roles—from landscape design to floral importing—ultimately led him back to what he was meant to do. Today at Garden Industries, he grows unique and heirloom plants, breeds new varieties, and believes every customer visit should feel like an experience—not just a transaction.
Ellen and David also dig into how the nursery industry has evolved, why social media matters more than ever, and what continues to inspire him after decades in the business.
 
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why trying different jobs can lead you to the right one
How growing uncommon plants sets a business apart
How plant trends rise, fall—and come back around again
Why knowing your plants is still the most important skill
What continues to inspire a lifelong plant person
 
Connect with David & Garden Industries:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GardenIndustries
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mr_plant_man/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mr_Plant_Man-b5w
Garden Industries Newsletter Sign-Up: https://mailchi.mp/2fc4ca0532a0/newsletter-signup
Garden Industries Website: www.gardenind.com
 

Melinda Knuth: From Floral Ambitions to Consumer Insights

Melinda Knuth didn’t set out to become an academic—but a series of questions, opportunities and one pivotal experience at Disney World led her there.
In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Melinda shares how her early goal of building a wholesale floral business evolved into a career focused on understanding how—and why—people connect with plants. From her upbringing in agriculture to her graduate work in consumer behavior, her story is a reminder that career paths rarely move in straight lines.
We talk about the moment that shifted her thinking, her passion for engaging consumers, and what the horticulture industry still gets wrong about communicating plant benefits. Melinda also shares insights from her research—like how online pre-researching is shaping plant purchases—and why simplifying our messaging may be the key to reaching more people.
At the heart of it all is a deep belief in helping others discover their passion for plants.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How one unexpected experience reshaped Melinda’s career path
Why simplifying plant messaging matters more than ever
How consumers are researching plants before they buy
The role collaboration plays in horticultural business success
Why “points of adversity” can also be moments for innovation
Find Melinda:
NC State Horticultural Department: https://cals.ncsu.edu/horticultural-science/people/mjknuth/
Cognitive Behavioral Lab: https://cognitivebehaviorallab.cals.ncsu.edu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mknuth/
CBS News Sunday Morning segment “The Pride and Perils of Plant Parenthood” on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO-61q69PUw
 

Gail Cash: Sticking With What You Do Best in a Changing Market

Gail Cash, owner of Flori-Design in Eustis, Florida, has built a horticulture career shaped by resilience, focus and creativity.
In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Gail shares her journey from FFA and Virginia Tech to launching her own business, including how she found a niche in carnivorous plants and built memorable products like “Little Pot of Horrors.”
She also talks about expanding into dish gardens and terrariums, designing standout products, and what it took to survive the Great Recession.
Along the way, Gail shares the lesson that continues to guide her business today:
“I really learned during the Great Recession that you need to stick with what you do best and just try to do a better job of it.”
We also discuss leadership, team retention, and how treating people well has helped her build a loyal workforce.
🎧 Listen in for a conversation about plants, business, and staying grounded through change.
Where to Find Gail:
Website: https://www.flori-design.com/
Little Pot of Horrors: https://littlepotofhorrors.com/
Instagram: @flori_design_inc
Facebook: Flori-Design Nursery

Gladys Opiyo: From Navigating Hardship to Blossoming In Horticulture

What does it mean to truly grow through every season of life?
In this deeply moving conversation, Gladys Opiyo shares a story that spans continents, hardship, discovery and purpose. From her early years as a refugee to her journey through agriculture in Uganda, Costa Rica and the United States, Gladys reveals how her path was shaped by resilience, faith and her discovery of and appreciation for floral beauty.
Her connection to plants runs far deeper than a career—it’s rooted in survival, shaped by necessity, and elevated by curiosity. Today, as a Director of Sales at Profile Products, Gladys brings a unique perspective shaped by hands-on growing experience, global education and a heartfelt commitment to supporting her grower customers.
This is a story about more than plants. It’s about perspective, perseverance
and finding purpose in the unexpected turns of life.
Find Gladys on LinkedIn.

Justin Hancock: From Early Plant Passion to Helping Millions Grow Better

What if the thing you loved as a kid could grow into a career that reaches millions?
In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Justin Hancock shares how a simple fascination with plants turned into a role helping gardeners everywhere feel more confident, capable, and inspired.
From early curiosity to industry influencer, Justin’s story is about following what pulls you in—and figuring it out along the way.
In this episode, we dig into:
Where his love of plants really began (and how early it started)
The twists, turns and pivotal moments that shaped his career
Why making gardening approachable matters more than ever
His "Disney movie moment" in is Miami back yard
Exactly how different gardening is in Minnesota compared to Miami—and the lessons he learned along the way.
If you’ve ever wondered “could this actually go somewhere, career-wise?”—this conversation is for you.
 
SHOVEL READY:
Garvinea Garden Gerberas - https://garvinea.com/
Variegated Kaempferia - https://costafarms.com/products/variegated-kaempferia-medium
 
Where to Find Justin:
Costa Farms: costafarms.comPodcast: Plant PrescriptionReddit: GardeningJustinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-hancock-6304127/

Introducing Fifth Tuesdays

We are introducing a new show spinoff: Fifth Tuesdays. Wanting to keep to just four Tuesday interviews each month, host Ellen Wells decided to use this “fifth Tuesday” as a quarterly bonus. For each month that has a Fifth Tuesday, she will answer your questions and update you on any I Dig Your Story happenings.
 
In this episode, Ellen answers:
Why horticulture?
What makes a good interview?
How do you stay curious?
What’s been surprising about the podcast so far?
 
Ellen also answers a few lightning round questions, too—you’ll want to hear what plant she struggles with the most (hint: it’s not actually a plant).
 
SHOVEL READY:
I Dig Your Story is now open for sponsorships and partnerships!
Watch for an I Dig Your Story newsletter coming your way soon.
Questions: IDigYourStory@gmail.com