{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Your Dark Companion Podcast","title":"From Radio to Roots: The Dirt Doctor | Howard Garrett","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1382,"description":"Mike Rhyner welcomes a new voice into the Sunset Lounge universe — and it’s one that knows more about dirt than just about anyone alive.\nHoward Garrett, better known as the Dirt Doctor, joins the show to talk about his transition from decades of terrestrial radio into the podcast world, and the unlikely path that led him there. What starts as a conversation about gardening quickly turns into a deeper discussion about health, industry resistance, bad science, and why doing things the “normal” way doesn’t always mean doing them the right way.\nHoward explains how his entire career changed the moment he realized he didn’t want toxic chemicals anywhere near his young daughter — a decision that pushed him toward organic gardening long before it was fashionable. He breaks down why synthetic fertilizers damage soil over time, how organic methods actually save money, and why healthier soil leads to fewer pest problems instead of more.\nAlong the way, Howard shares stories of pushback from the landscaping industry, getting canceled for challenging the status quo, and why no university in America teaches the organic approach he’s spent decades perfecting. From fire ant control using dry molasses to curing tree problems others say can’t be fixed, the Dirt Doctor makes a strong case for doing things naturally — and smarter.\nIt’s practical, eye-opening, and occasionally rebellious… just the way Mike likes it.\nDirt Dr.mp3\nChapters\n00:00:00 – Lightning strikes, chaos, and a proper Your Dark Companion return00:01:58 – Mike introduces the Dirt Doctor00:02:50 – Leaving terrestrial radio and entering the podcast world00:03:19 – Howard’s background: Marines, landscaping, and Camp Lejeune00:05:10 – From golf courses to organic advocacy00:05:40 – The moment everything changed: protecting his daughter00:06:10 – What “organic” really means (and what to stop doing)00:06:45 – Why organic works better — including financially00:07:08 – The myth that organic costs more00:07:56 – Why no...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/MY5pcsVq0QCXSElEJXNsUEiC8gyrgEoWfpnhiVr9GdU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hZTA1/ZjBmZGFkOTk5ZDdi/YWRmMDQ3NGZjY2Ex/ZjgxYS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}