29. Rooted in Community: Gardening, Growth & Giving Back with Michelle Kwek

In this heartfelt episode of the Heart Wide Open Wellness Podcast, host Hannah Zackney welcomes Michelle Kwek, the Garden Coordinator at Twin Lakes Food Bank. Together, they explore the deep connection they’ve formed through years of working in the Twin Lakes Garden—a space dedicated not just to growing food, but to nourishing community, resilience, and purpose.
Michelle opens up about her journey from rural Mendocino County to suburban Folsom, her background in animal science, and how she brings those experiences into her work in food systems and wellness. As a mother of three, she shares how gardening has become both a therapeutic outlet and a way to model values of compassion and sustainability for her children.

From rich metaphors about nature’s cycles to stories of friendship and service, this episode offers inspiration for anyone seeking deeper connection—to the earth, to others, and to themselves.

🌿 Highlights Include:
The power of community through gardening
Michelle’s journey from rural roots to community leadership
How nature teaches us resilience, adaptability, and peace
The challenges and rewards of balancing motherhood with service
Why food systems and social wellness are deeply intertwined
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