On this episode of Plants & Beats, Rob Bell (@byrobbell) sits down with photographer Nick Koch, better known as @rocstreetphoto.

Nick shares his journey from leaving high school early to building a career in the same industry for decades, where he became a Zamboni expert while continuing to pursue photography as a creative outlet. He also opens up about living with chronic pain caused by a medical condition and how cultivating cannabis became part of his personal healing journey.

This week's featured plant is the Cannabis Sativa. While often surrounded by debate, cannabis has a long history as both a medicinal and agricultural plant. Like growing tomatoes, cultivating healthy cannabis requires attention to light, water, nutrients, and timing.

As always, the conversation is anchored by a lo-fi soundtrack produced and mixed by Aloefi (@al0efi).

Nick Koch

Photographer • Zamboni Expert • Hobbyist Cannabis Grower

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa)

If you’ve been listening to the show and want to go a little deeper, I’d love for you to join the Plants & Beats Patreon.

The plant care guide is free to view, so you can tap in to learn more about the plant of the week and keep growing with us between episodes.

https://linkly.link/2m6L9

There are also other cool features available through different membership tiers, including columns from Rob Bell, unedited interviews, minute meditations, secret mixtapes, DJ sets, access to the Plants & Beats group chat, and more.

Plants & Beats has always been about slowing down, finding peace, and building a community rooted in music, wellness, and growth.

Come join the garden.

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Best of Aloefi (Apple Music):

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/best-of-aloefi/pl.u-vxy68aYC8X3dpR

Best of Aloefi (Spotify):

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2IlQUrBY5eqcYkZQzRw7Mo?si=T0v930l5Ts6rSz-OqYnkyg

Plants & Beats is hosted by Rob Bell, produced in partnership with the Lunchador Podcast Network (@lunchadorpodcasts), and features original music mixed and produced by Aloefi.

No matter how difficult the season, keep growing.

Peace and blessings.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

On this episode of Plants & Beats, Rob Bell (@byrobbell) sits down with his brother, Mike Patterson, a gun-violence-prevention and disability advocate, founder of the Rochester nonprofit MPP 360, and voice for community change.

Together, they explore the complex relationship between Black Americans and Juneteenth, reflecting on what the holiday means today. The conversation also dives into fatherhood, the influence of rap music, and Mike's commitment to serving the Rochester community through advocacy, mentorship, and lived experience.

This week's featured plant is hemp—one of humanity's oldest cultivated plants. Known for its remarkable versatility, hemp has been used for thousands of years to create clothing, rope, paper, food, and countless other essentials.

As always, the episode is woven together with a lo-fi soundtrack produced and mixed by Aloefi (@al0efi).

Mike Patterson

Founder, MPP 360

Gun Violence & Disability Advocate

Hemp (Cannabis sativa)

https://linkly.link/2lICT

Take the Plants & Beats Listener Survey:

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Best of Aloefi (Apple Music):

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/best-of-aloefi/pl.u-vxy68aYC8X3dpR

Best of Aloefi (Spotify):

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2IlQUrBY5eqcYkZQzRw7Mo?si=T0v930l5Ts6rSz-OqYnkyg

Plants & Beats is hosted by Rob Bell, produced in partnership with the Lunchador Podcast Network (@lunchadorpodcasts), and features original music mixed and produced by Aloefi.

No matter how difficult the season, keep growing.

Peace and blessings.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

On this episode of Plants & Beats, Rob Bell (@byrobbell) reconnects with a longtime friend, Colin Fequa, better known as Figgadelli (@figgadel_gg), a Philadelphia-born rap artist now based in Atlanta.

The conversation travels through decades of friendship, from childhood memories and shared experiences growing up to Colin's evolution as an artist, father, and man. Colin reflects on his family's rich musical legacy, including his connection to his cousin, the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC.

Colin also opens up about a frightening chapter from his adolescence when a serious heart condition led to a near-fatal medical emergency. Through resilience, faith, and perspective, he shares how that experience shaped the way he approaches life, family, and creativity today.

This week's featured plant is the ZZ Plant, one of the most resilient houseplants you can own. Known for thriving in low light, surviving periods of neglect, and continuing to grow through challenging conditions.

As always, the stories are accompanied by a lo-fi soundtrack produced and mixed by Aloefi (@al0efi)

Featured Guest

Colin Fequa (Figgadelli)

Philadelphia-born Rap Artist & Creative

Plant of the Week

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Featured Plant Care Guide

https://linkly.link/2kQXF

Tell Us About Yourself

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Listen to More Aloefi

Best of Aloefi (Apple Music):

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/best-of-aloefi/pl.u-vxy68aYC8X3dpR

Best of Aloefi (Spotify):

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2IlQUrBY5eqcYkZQzRw7Mo?si=T0v930l5Ts6rSz-OqYnkyg

Plants & Beats is hosted by Rob Bell, produced in partnership with the Lunchador Podcast Network (@lunchadorpodcasts), and features original music mixed and produced by Aloefi.

No matter how difficult the season, keep growing.

Peace and blessings.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com