In this episode of History In Me, LaCole “Purlz” Purley reflects on a powerful storytelling practice that challenged her to rethink her relationship with nature, agriculture, spirituality, family history, and the beliefs she has carried since childhood.

What begins with a conversation about farming and the familiar idea of being “dirty” or “smelling like outside” becomes a deeper journey of learning and unlearning. LaCole wrestles openly with what it means to appreciate nature as God’s creation while navigating conversations surrounding ancestors, African heritage, Black American identity, spirituality, and her Christian faith.

She also reflects on memories of her late father and the traditions that brought her family together—from basketball and Monopoly to barbecues and home-cooked meals—and asks an ...