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.

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Best of Aloefi (Apple Music):

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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

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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

This week on Plants & Beats, Rob Bell (@byrobbell) sits down with Danielle Nunez, better known as @danni.hearts, a certified Reiki healer and the founder of The Adored Project.

What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a worldwide movement. Through The Adored Project, Danni hands out heart-shaped pieces of paper featuring handwritten affirmations to people she encounters in everyday life. To date, she has shared more than 25,000 hearts, offering encouragement, connection, and reminders of worth to strangers across the globe.

In this heartfelt conversation, Danni shares the story behind the project, the impact of small acts of kindness, and her personal journey of resilience. Together, Rob and Danni explore the ways healing, mindfulness, and community can transform lives.

This week's featured plant is the Sunflower. Known for turning toward the sun throughout its life cycle, the sunflower symbolizes optimism, perseverance, and growth. It also produces seeds that nourish birds, wildlife, and people alike. Like Danni, the sunflower reminds us that even in difficult conditions, we can continue reaching for the light and create something meaningful for others.

As always, the conversation is accompanied by a lo-fi mix produced and mixed by Aloefi (@al0efi)

Danielle Nunez

Certified Reiki Healer & Founder of The Adored Project

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

https://linkly.link/2k8YJ

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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.

Keep growing. Keep creating. Keep sharing your light.

Peace and blessings.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

On this episode of Plants & Beats, Rob Bell sits down with Rochester-based street photographer and curator Richard B. Colón, founder of Behind The Glass Gallery.

The conversation explores his passion for creating opportunities for emerging artists, the responsibility of curating community-centered exhibitions, and the importance of preserving local stories through imagery.

Richard also opens up about the special bond he shares with his father and how that relationship has shaped both his life and creative journey.

This week's featured plant is the Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the Sensitive Plant. Famous for folding its leaves inward when touched.

As always, the episode features a lo-fi mix by Aloefi.

Richard B. Colón (@richardbcolon)

Street Photographer, Curator, and Founder of Behind The Glass Gallery (@behindglassroc)

Mimosa pudica (Sensitive Plant)

https://linkly.link/2jujU

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 (@byrobbell), produced in partnership with the Lunchador Podcast Network (@lunchadorpodcasts), and features original music mixed and produced by Aloefi (@al0efi).

Peace and blessings.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

In this episode of Plants & Beats, Rob Bell sits down with Teshelle Bumbry, a marketing mind, wellness curator, and creative connector known for crafting intentional spaces where people can recharge, collaborate, and move past creative blocks. Through her signature retreats and wellness-centered events, Teshelle has built a reputation for bringing like-minded people together with purpose, care, and authenticity.

Centered around the spirit of the yarrow plant—long associated with healing, protection, and restoration—this conversation explores what it means to create environments where creativity can breathe again.

As always, the dialogue flows over a lo-fi mix by Aloefi.

🌼 Featuring Teshelle Bumbry (@t.thebrand)

🧠 Conversations on wellness, creativity & intentional community

🌿 Plant inspiration: The Yarrow

🎧 Hosted by Rob Bell (@byrobbell)

🎼 Music by Aloefi (@al0efi)

🎙 Produced with the Lunchador Podcast Network

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

Recorded live at Stem (806 Monroe Avenue in Rochester NY), this episode of Plants & Beats brings together community voices, plant wisdom, and conversations about connection. Rob Bell sits down with Matthew Smitley and Quajay Donnell to talk about what makes the Rochester community feel rooted, resilient, and alive.

From support systems to creative collaboration, the conversation explores the parallels between caring for plants and caring for people.

Set against another lo-fi mix by Aloefi, this episode is about growth in every sense of the word—personal, communal, and creative.

🪴 Recorded live at Stem on Monroe Avenue

🌱 Conversations on community, care & connection

🤝 Featuring Matthew Smitley & Quajay Donnell

🎧 Hosted by Rob Bell (@byrobbell)

🎼 Music by Aloefi (@al0efi)

🎙 Produced with the Lunchador Podcast Network

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

On this episode of Plants & Beats, we spotlight the Money Tree and sit down with Rochester photographer Narada Riley for an honest conversation about hustle culture, ambition, and the emotional weight tied to chasing success. Together, Rob Bell and Narada unpack the highs and lows of the grind, the pressure to keep moving, and the search for balance in a world that constantly tells us to do more.

Known creatively as NRAD, Narada has photographed for the Buffalo Bills and built a growing creative reputation through work featured in the Capture the Movement exhibition in Brooklyn and In Honor Of Black Lives in the Bronx. Locally, he was a featured artist in the Seasons of Warhol exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery.

As always, the conversation is backed by a lo-fi mix from Aloefi.

📸 Featuring photographer Narada John Riley (@nrad257)

🏈 Photography work with the Buffalo Bills

💰 Conversations on hustle culture, creativity & purpose

🪴 Plant of the Week: The Money Tree

🎧 Hosted by Rob Bell (@byrobbell)

🎼 Music by Aloefi (@al0efi)

🎙 Produced with the Lunchador Podcast Network (@lunchadorpodcasts)

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com