Thanks for being here.
I'm Tanushree Verma and I believe that our relationships are our greatest resources in supporting personal identity and the work that we do in our communities. We can only define ourselves by those we shine a light on, the wisdom we honor, and the awareness we perpetuate. I aspire to cultivate a deep sense of community within every group I work with, knowing that strength in others only enhances strength in myself.
My Story
Since I was a child, I have been in awe of the expansive and breathtaking natural world. I was raised by the incredible vastness of the Pacific Ocean and the delicate strength of the golden flower of the Palo Verde. Growing up in a South Asian household in California, I was exposed to both community-based cultural practices, as well as practices stemming from Western individualism. I juggled the inherent necessity of the arts, often expressing myself through painting, theatre, dance and poetry, with the practicality and tangibility of maths and science. These often opposing truths taught me that connection and integration of multiple ideas was not only possible, but essential. Humans have the capacity to exist in a human-society culture as well as a human-nature culture.
This integrated perspective guided my studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I double majored in Environmental Studies and Theater (with an emphasis in Direction). A transformative EcoPsychology class with Dr. Lori Pye began weaving together my seemingly disparate interests, forming the tapestry of my narrative. After a few years, I was able to pursue this knowledge further, earning both a Master's and Ph.D. in Ecological Psychology from Viridis Graduate Institute.
I believe many in the Western world have become isolated—from each other and from the vital relationships that make us human. My work focuses on reconnecting individuals with themselves, their communities, and our shared ecosystems. This reconnection reminds us that we are all entangled and co-evolving. By fostering these bonds, both human and more-than-human, we can shift mindsets, reclaim our authentic narratives, and reject the stories that profit from our perceived isolation.
This is why I started WormTea Community, so we can reconnect with each other, compost our cultural and individual narratives, and steep fertile and nutrient-rich tea to take forward into our day-to-day lives.