RegenCircle Page Faye

Joshua Hughes » CEO & Founder, Blacksheep Regenerative Resource Management

Josh is a founder and CEO of Blacksheep Regenerative Resource Management and its subsidiary brand, Rewild Organics. He grew up working in his family’s wrecking yard in southern Oregon, where he learned the real value of what many consider “waste.”  Josh relocated to rural Costa Rica in 2006 to work directly on reforestation and regenerative agriculture. Alongside his family and a handful of close friends, he founded VerdEnergia Pacifica, which has now grown into a successful farm, education center, and ecotourism destination. Josh has helped train and inspire thousands of people in community building, DIY ethics, and regenerative business. As CEO of Blacksheep, Josh uses his platform to transmute “trash” into treasure by using agroforestry to regenerate degraded pasture land into biodiverse forests and regenerative superfood products.

Introduction:
Host & Guest: Georgiana Watson, holistic chef and postpartum doula, shares insights.Georgiana's Journey:
Bozeman, Montana, became home for Georgiana, seeking a shift from city life to nature.Transitioned doula role to culinary director, supporting Special Operations individuals.Holistic Practices Impact:
Shift in postpartum doula practice due to pandemic challenges and reflections on healthcare.Embraced holistic cooking, emphasizing the life force (prana) in ingredients.Nourishing Mothers:
Stresses the importance of a source connection in nourishing mothers during the postpartum period.Challenges in Food and Healthcare Systems:
Addresses carcinogenic ingredients, lack of nutrition education in healthcare, and concerns about industrialized food systems.Questions profit-centric motives in the pharmaceutical industry.Impact of Industrialized Living:
Highlights the loss of spontaneity and human connection in a fast-paced lifestyle.Reflects on mental health challenges in an industrialized society.Holistic Coaching Challenges:
Beyond food, non-food factors like job satisfaction and integrity impact well-being.Encourages positive changes, leading to increased awareness of life areas needing alignment.Building Resilient Communities:
Advocate for local, community-driven education systems.Propose recruiting passionate teachers for smaller, personalized classes.Emphasize hands-on, academic, and physical activities for a balanced education.Empowering Parents:
Encourage parents to take charge of their children's education.Challenge conventional schooling structures and curriculums.Holistic Parenting:
Trust instincts and relish every moment as a new parent.Set boundaries during postpartum visits, prioritize emotional and physical well-being.Regenerative Culture:
Prioritize children's emotional, physical, and spiritual safety in decision-making.Imagine a world where every choice revolves around the well-being of innocent individuals.Closing Thoughts:
Embrace the long route as the shortcut in life.Express gratitude for curiosity in life's journey.

Stephen Smith CEO & Founder, Onda Wellness
Growing up in North Carolina in an active family Stephen spent most of his developmental days outside exploring his grandmother's farm, the woods, streams, and lakes of this bio-diversified Southern landscape.
After school in the Rocky Mountains, it was a five-month solo motorcycle adventure through South America that piqued Stephen’s interest in farming, grape growing, and wine-making. This ultimately led him to get his hands dirty working for boutique wineries and farms in Napa, California.
By 2012, Stephen found his next job back in Colorado to work as the Director of Business Development for the first Organic distillery in the US and first Biodynamic® farm in Colorado. Then, experiencing a year on a 90,000-acre cattle ranch opened Stephen's eyes to large scale holistic land management, animal husbandry, and agricultural and economic diversification. Over 12 years learning and working in regenerative agriculture has helped build the foundation of the Onda ethos.
Stephen's fascination with hemp goes back over 20 years when he wrote his high school research paper on the many uses of hemp. "My mind was blown by how dynamic this crop is and by the strange fact that hemp is not being used for building materials, medicines, food, fiber and more. This truly feels like my life's work. Time to bring hemp back."
Here is a summary of what we covered on the podcast:
- Introduction to the guest's remote location in Oregon and the factors that brought them there.
- Discussion on the guest's venture, Onda, and their hemp oil production.
- Overview of Onda's approach to hemp cultivation, emphasizing partnerships with growers practicing bio-diversified farming.
- Transition to a discussion on regenerative farming and business principles.
- Exploration of the broader concept of regeneration, extending beyond land practices to encompass various aspects of business and personal well-being.
- Reflection on the potential misuse of the term "regenerative" by larger corporations, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and a holistic view of regeneration.
- Shift to the guest's experiences with the cannabis and hemp industry.
- Discussion on the recent negative trends in the cannabis industry, such as low-quality products and a "bro culture" around getting high.
- Introduction to the broad intersectionality of hemp and cannabis with various movements like the psychedelic Renaissance, herbalism, holistic plant medicine, natural building, and soil regeneration.
- Discussion on the potential similarity of other plants to cannabis and hemp in their holistic intersectionality.
- Exploration of the perceived threat posed by hemp and cannabis to various industries, leading to its vilification in culture.
- Addressing the lack of regulation in the cannabis product space and the challenge for consumers to discern processing methods and ingredients.
- Exploration of the future focus for Onda, including continued promotion of skincare products, partnerships with progressive skincare brands, and a focus on regenerative wellness.
Check out Ondas products at: https://ondawellness.com/

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating life and journey of Ron, a visionary with a deep commitment to regenerative agriculture, holistic land management, and the power of interdependence. From his formative years exploring the diverse landscapes of North Carolina to a solo motorcycle adventure through South America, Ron shares how his experiences shaped his ethos and led him to the world of regenerative farming.
[Segment 1: Interdependence and Universal Concepts]
Ron reflects on the concept of interdependence, a pivotal word in his vocabulary, and how he grappled with its meaning during his college years.He discusses the importance of striving for sustainability and independence on personal, familial, community, and national levels.Ron emphasizes the significance of acknowledging dependencies and fostering healthy exchanges between individuals and communities.He shares his early experiences applying universal concepts like entropy to various aspects of life, recognizing the need for collaboration and complementarity.[Segment 2: Hemp, Healing, and Holistic Living]
Ron's fascination with hemp spans over two decades, starting with a high school research paper.He explores the history of hemp and marijuana, discussing their demonization and the untapped potential of hemp in various industries.The conversation shifts to the healing powers of plants, regeneration, and the role of holistic living in creating a sustainable future.[Segment 3: Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch]
Ron shares the story of discovering Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch and its transformation into a haven for social, ecological, and artistic communities.The podcast explores the convergence of social and ecological ecosystems at the ranch, highlighting the unique blend of artistic expression and ecological restoration.Ron discusses the process of preserving and rehabilitating the land, including insights into permaculture, biomimicry, and the reintroduction of beavers to the riparian zone.[Segment 4: Building a Regenerative Future]
The episode touches on the challenges of transforming a piece of land and the emotional connection to its ecological history.Ron details the ranch's multifaceted approach, encompassing preservation, remediation, education, food production, healthcare, and the arts.The conversation delves into specific initiatives, such as water preservation, soil rebuilding, and the restoration of pastures.Ron shares the impact of beavers on the ecosystem and their role in rejuvenating the riparian zone.[Segment 5: Harmonizing with Nature]
The episode explores the harmony achieved through conscious land stewardship, allowing life to flourish.Specific examples, including beaver populations and diverse wildlife, illustrate the positive outcomes of regenerative practices.Ron highlights the integration of cattle grazing in a regenerative manner, emphasizing the importance of respecting the natural cycles of the land.Ron's journey embodies a holistic and regenerative approach to life and land management. From redefining interdependence to fostering sustainable ecosystems, his story inspires a deeper connection with nature and a commitment to creating a regenerative future.
To learn more about Ron's work, visit: www.bouldermountainguestranch.com

In today's episode, we delve into the intricate world of defining regenerative agriculture, examining its historical roots and the evolving modern landscape. Joining us is Jesse Smith, the Director of Land Stewardship at White Buffalo Land Trust, a nonprofit committed to advancing regenerative agriculture.
Episode Highlights:
Historical Roots and Modern Iterations:Jesse discusses the history of regenerative systems in land stewardship and its contemporary manifestation in agriculture and industry.Exploring the emerging definitions within companies, brands, certifications, and verifications and questioning their purpose and outcomes.The Customer Perspective:Emphasizing the importance of identifying the customer when defining regenerative agriculture.How understanding the end user can shape the formulation of definitions, certifications, and verifications.Balancing Natural Ecosystems:Jesse highlights the need to consider the natural ecosystem and its inhabitants as key beneficiaries in the definition and certification process.Addressing the challenge of balancing the voice of the landscape in a way that is environmentally, ecologically, economically, and socially viable.Concerns and Challenges:Examining concerns regarding the difficulty of monitoring certain elements within certifications, particularly beyond soil carbon.Acknowledging the uniqueness of each context and the challenge of avoiding a homogeneity of expectation in the early stages of certifications.Certifications and Context:Exploring three certifications - Regenerative Organic Certification, Ecological Outcome Verification (Savory Institute), and Soil Carbon Initiative.How these certifications approach context and their potential roles in providing frameworks for unique regenerative approaches.Iterative and Dynamic Certifications:Discussing the importance of iteration and evaluation in certifications to adapt to changing ecological conditions.Recognizing the dynamic nature of landscapes and the need for certifications to accommodate ongoing processes of regeneration.Human Health in Regenerative Agriculture:Raising questions about the impact of regenerative agriculture on human health and the need for meaningful indicators.Exploring the interconnectedness of soil health, human health, and community well-being.Legislative Perspective:Responding to the California Legislature's consideration of an official definition of regenerative agriculture.Examining the challenges and opportunities of formalizing a definition in an industry that is both ancient and nascent.

In this episode, James Arthur Smith, a passionate surfer, yachtsman, and the founder of Seatopia, takes center stage. With a profound connection to the ocean cultivated through a decade of sailing the Eastern Pacific coastline, James embarked on an ambitious mission to demystify the aquaculture industry.
Over the course of eight years, he immersed himself in the world of sustainable seafood, personally visiting farms, scrutinizing fish feed, and meticulously testing harvested products. His dedication to transparency and quality led to the creation of Seatopia, a direct-to-consumer seafood subscription service. Notably, Seatopia distinguishes itself through rigorous mercury testing for every product lot, ensuring that consumers receive the highest-quality and most responsibly sourced seafood.
Throughout the episode, James's journey, from his sailing adventures to his entrepreneurial endeavors in the world of regenerative seafood, is explored, providing a glimpse into the passion and commitment that drive his innovative approach to aquaculture.
00:04: Introduction by Page Faye, setting the theme of the episode, which explores the concept of regeneration in relation to aquaculture and seafood.00:40: Page Faye welcomes James Arthur, one of the founders of SeaTopia, a sustainable and regenerative seafood company.00:59: Page Faye asks James to define "regenerative aquaculture" and explains the importance of clarifying this term.02:20: James discusses the concept of regenerative aquaculture, emphasizing the goal of creating a net positive impact on the environment through sustainable seafood cultivation.03:25: James shares his personal journey into regenerative aquaculture and his lifelong connection to the ocean.08:32: The conversation shifts to the differences between wild-caught and farmed seafood, highlighting the environmental challenges and pollution associated with wild seafood extraction.15:35: They delve into the evolution of fish feed and the challenges of reducing dependency on forage fish in aquaculture.23:42: Page Faye and James discuss the potential for regenerative aquaculture to disrupt the seafood industry and create a network of small-scale farms.28:05: They explore the scalability of regenerative aquaculture and its potential to provide sustainable seafood options for a larger population.34:06: The conversation touches on the importance of transparency and integrity in seafood supply chains.35:39: They discuss the educational component of sustainable and regenerative seafood, including farm tours and consumer awareness.40:20: James talks about the challenges and benefits of shipping frozen seafood, emphasizing the importance of preserving nutrient integrity.41:40: The conversation addresses the idea of making choices and sacrifices in sustainable seafood, including the absence of certain species like tuna.43:33: James shares his vision of a future where people have a closer connection to their food sources, particularly in terms of seafood.45:56: Page Faye and James reflect on the importance of occasional experiences with nature and wildlife, highlighting their beauty and significance.46:22: James discusses SeaTopia's ongoing efforts to support farmers and promote better connections between consumers and sustainable seafood.