Regenerative Mindset

Stacy Pulice

Welcome to Regenerative Mindset, where we share inspiring conversations with farmers and philosophers, scientists and storytellers, artists and activists, about how giving back more than we take creates positive, life-promoting ripples in everything we do. By following nature's example, we can create healthy ecosystems for a thriving future. Hosted by Stacy Pulice PhD, a regenerative farmer in Santa Barbara, CA with over 30 years of experience in psychology and education research, she shares insightful conversations with experts whose work guides us all toward supporting healthy people, healthy plants, and a healthy planet.

  1. Healing Through Dialogue: Ilwad Elman on Rebuilding Trust and Peace from the Ground Up

    1D AGO

    Healing Through Dialogue: Ilwad Elman on Rebuilding Trust and Peace from the Ground Up

    It is an honor and a delight to welcome Ilwad Elman, Chief Operating Officer of the Elman Peace and Human Rights Centre in Somalia, to this episode of Regenerative Mindset. A globally recognized peacebuilder, humanitarian, and social entrepreneur, Ilwad’s work is transforming how we think about security, justice, and regeneration in the modern world. Born into a legacy of peace work, her father famously coined the phrase “Drop the gun, pick up the pen,” creating programs that redirected former soldiers into positive livelihoods. Ilwad carries that vision forward in powerful new ways. As one of Somalia’s leading voices for human rights and social transformation, she is helping redefine what it means to heal after conflict. Today, she oversees initiatives that reintegrate former child soldiers, support survivors of violence, and pioneer climate-smart livelihoods that restore both ecosystems and community trust. With over 70 percent of Somalia’s population under 30 and more than 60 percent being women, Ilwad is deeply committed to ensuring those most affected by conflict are also those shaping the future. Her programs give young people and women the tools, skills, and confidence to rebuild their lives—and, in doing so, their country. In our conversation, Ilwad shares how land restoration becomes a form of therapy, where ex-combatants and farmers work side by side, healing the soil and themselves. We talk about how dialogue can “compost pain into wisdom,” why silence is not neutrality, and how restoring dignity is essential to rebuilding peace. She also reflects on the interconnection between people and planet, how protecting nature is inseparable from protecting human life. Recognized with honors such as the Right Livelihood Award, the Hessian Peace Prize, and three Nobel Peace Prize nominations, Ilwad embodies a regenerative approach to leadership, one rooted in empathy, resilience, and trust in the power of local communities. Join me for this inspiring and deeply honest conversation with Ilwad Elman, a leader showing that peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of connection between people, generations, and the earth itself. You can stay up to date with Ilwad on her website, elmanpeace.org, through Instagram @ilwadelman, X (Twitter) @IlwadElman, YouTube Elman Peace Centre, and on Facebook at Elman Peace Centre. For more information on the podcast, upcoming events, projects, and more go to our website www.stacypulice.com You can follow us on Instagram @stacypulice

    47 min
  2. Leading with Service: Josh Fryday on Belonging, Hope, and a Regenerative Politics

    NOV 6

    Leading with Service: Josh Fryday on Belonging, Hope, and a Regenerative Politics

    It is my great pleasure to welcome Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Officer, to this episode of Regenerative Mindset. A former Naval Officer, Mayor, and lifelong advocate for civic engagement, Josh has dedicated his career to proving that government can be a force for unity, healing, and regeneration. Under his leadership, California has created the largest service corps in the nation, now larger than the Peace Corps, providing over 10,000 paid opportunities for Californians to serve their communities, combat climate change, address food insecurity, and prepare for disasters. His first-in-the-nation programs, featured in The New York Times and Wired Magazine, are being replicated across the country as models for how service can bridge divides and restore a sense of shared purpose. A graduate of Berkeley Law and a commissioned Naval Officer, Josh served our country in Japan and Guantanamo Bay, taking part in one of the largest humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts in history. Those experiences profoundly shaped his conviction that service is a means of healing ourselves, our communities, and the planet. And now, Josh is taking his commitment to service into a new realm: he has announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2026 election, bringing the same values and energy for collective purpose to the statewide stage. In this conversation, Josh and Stacy explore what it means to lead with a regenerative mindset in politics, how acts of service foster belonging and connection, and why restoring faith in one another may be the most powerful form of climate and cultural repair we have. From stories of wildfire relief to reflections on loneliness, leadership, and love of community, Josh reminds us that hope is not something we wait for; it’s something we create together, through action and compassion. Join me for this inspiring and deeply grounding conversation with Josh Fryday, a leader who embodies what it means to serve with heart, humility, and vision for a more connected future. You can learn more about Josh’s work at joshfryday.com or on social media @JoshFryday on X and @josh_fryday on Instagram. For more information on the podcast, upcoming events, projects, and more go to our website www.stacypulice.com You can follow us on Instagram @stacypulice

    51 min
  3. Awakening the Authentic Self: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche on Dream Consciousness, Healing, and the Bön Path

    OCT 30

    Awakening the Authentic Self: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche on Dream Consciousness, Healing, and the Bön Path

    It is my deep honor to welcome Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, one of the few living masters of the Tibetan Bön Dzogchen tradition and founder of Ligmincha International, to this episode of Regenerative Mindset. Born to Tibetan refugee parents and entering monastic life at the age of 10, Rinpoche earned his Geshe degree, the equivalent of a Ph.D., after 11 years of rigorous study. For more than three decades, he has bridged the ancient teachings of Bön with the modern world, offering accessible practices that awaken awareness, deepen compassion, and heal the body-mind connection. His work now reaches students in over 23 countries and 17 languages. Speaking from Kathmandu, Nepal, Rinpoche reflects on the recent passing of his beloved teacher of more than 50 years, sharing profound insights about impermanence, identity, and the path of awakening. Together we explore how our attachments to roles and stories shape our suffering, and how presence, breath, and stillness can return us to the boundless awareness that is our true nature. Rinpoche also illuminates the regenerative wisdom within Bön teachings on sleep, dreams, and longevity, offering practices that modern science is only beginning to affirm. From lucid dreaming to simple acts of mindfulness, his guidance reveals how deep rest and inner awareness can heal us at every level. Join me for this luminous and heart-opening conversation with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, a teacher whose clarity, humor, and humility remind us that awakening begins not in struggle, but in gentle awareness. You can learn more about Rinpoche’s work on his websites: www.ligmincha.org, www.the3doors.org, and www.cybersangha.net or on his Instagram @wangyalrinpoche. For more information on the podcast, upcoming events, projects, and more go to our website www.stacypulice.com You can follow us on Instagram @stacypulice

    48 min
  4. Healing the Soul with Humanity: Dr. Jennifer Freed on Love, Astrology and Emotional Wisdom

    OCT 23

    Healing the Soul with Humanity: Dr. Jennifer Freed on Love, Astrology and Emotional Wisdom

    In this luminous episode of Regenerative Mindset, I welcome my dear friend and creative collaborator of more than thirty years, Dr. Jennifer Freed, a renowned psychological astrologer, bestselling author, and visionary thought leader in emotional and relational intelligence. Jennifer has spent four decades weaving clinical insight with celestial wisdom, guiding people toward greater purpose, freedom, and love. As the founder of the social-emotional learning program AHA!, she’s helped thousands of young people cultivate empathy and resilience, while her writings, most recently Beyond Aquarius, invite readers to explore the intersection of psychology, creativity, and the soul. In our heartfelt conversation, we explore what it means to “grow old” rather than simply “get old.” We also discuss the regenerative power of repair, how curiosity and play keep us alive to possibility, and why self-awareness is the foundation for collective healing. Jennifer shares stories from her lifelong practice integrating astrology and psychology, her commitment to inner work, and how she continues to find joy and meaning amid turbulence. She reminds us that regeneration begins within and that the more we cultivate presence, imagination, and compassion in our daily lives, the more we contribute to a world renewed by connection and love. Learn more about Dr. Jennifer Freed on her website www.jenniferfreed.com and follow her on Instagram, Substack, and Facebook. You can also purchase her books Beyond Aquarius, A Map to Your Soul, Use Your Planets Wisely, everywhere books are sold. For more information on the podcast, upcoming events, projects, and more go to our website www.stacypulice.com You can follow us on Instagram @stacypulice

    55 min
  5. Breaking Out of the Man Box: Tony Porter and Kimya Motley on Healing, Accountability, and Regeneration

    OCT 16

    Breaking Out of the Man Box: Tony Porter and Kimya Motley on Healing, Accountability, and Regeneration

    Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual and physical abuse, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening. In this episode of Regenerative Mindset, I’m joined by two extraordinary leaders reshaping the way we think about masculinity, healing, and community: Tony Porter, CEO of A Call to Men, and Kimya Motley, the organization’s Chief Communications Officer. Together, they are transforming cultural narratives around manhood and violence prevention and building a movement rooted in compassion, accountability, and respect. Tony Porter is an internationally recognized educator, activist, and author of Breaking Out of the Man Box. His groundbreaking work with A Call to Men has influenced institutions from the NFL and NBA to the U.S. military and the United Nations. Named by GQ Magazine as one of the “Top 10 TED Talks Every Man Should See,” Tony continues to challenge the rigid norms that teach boys to disconnect from their emotions, silence their empathy, and dominate rather than relate. His mission is clear: to call men into the movement—not out of shame, but toward responsibility and love. Joining him is Kimya Motley, an author, educator, and domestic violence survivor whose story of resilience has inspired millions through Red Table Talk, Essence Magazine, and her powerful memoir Born of Violence. As a national leader in violence prevention and director of A Call to Men’s documentary Intentionally Erased, Kimya brings both heart and clarity to the urgent conversation about healing across gender and racial lines. Together, Tony and Kimya speak candidly about dismantling the “man box”, the narrow social code that harms men and women alike, and how breaking free allows for personal and cultural regeneration. We explore the intersections of trauma and transformation, how silence from “good men” perpetuates harm, and why true healing demands both accountability and empathy. This conversation is deeply human, full of truth, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. It’s about shifting from domination to connection, from violence to care, and from isolation to community. Tony and Kimya remind us that regeneration begins in the heart with courage, humility, and the willingness to see one another fully. For more on their work, visit acalltomen.org or follow A Call to Men on Instagram @acalltomen. For more information on the podcast, upcoming events, projects, and more go to our website www.stacypulice.com You can follow us on Instagram @stacypulice

    1h 9m
  6. Eva Haller on Surviving, Serving, and Building a Life of Purpose

    OCT 9

    Eva Haller on Surviving, Serving, and Building a Life of Purpose

    In this episode of Regenerative Mindset, I’m joined by Eva Haller, a lifelong activist, philanthropist, and mentor whose story is as extraordinary as it is inspiring. Born in Hungary, Eva Haller came of age during one of history’s darkest times. As a young girl, she survived the Holocaust and the brutal siege of Budapest, experiences that shaped her resilience and lifelong commitment to justice. After the war, seeking safety and a fresh start, she emigrated to Ecuador before eventually making her way to the United States. Those early years of survival, displacement, and adaptation profoundly influenced her worldview, instilling in her both a fierce determination to create a different future and a deep empathy for others facing hardship. Eva has spent her life at the forefront of change: marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, traveling the world with UNICEF, and serving on the boards of nonprofits across the globe. Her work has earned her numerous humanitarian awards, but what defines her most is her fierce commitment to justice, peace, and uplifting others. As the creator of the Eva Haller Salon Series, she continues to convene some of the world’s most visionary thinkers, fostering dialogue and community around the issues that matter most. In our conversation, Eva reflects on the lessons she’s carried from survival to service, the resilience that has guided her path, and the importance of speaking our truth in times of division. She reminds us that transformation does not happen in isolation, but in community, and that one life lived with courage and compassion can ripple outward to change the world. For more on Eva’s work, watch Eva Haller: A Work in Progress here and explore her Salon Series here. For more information on the podcast, upcoming events, projects, and more go to our website www.stacypulice.com You can follow us on Instagram @stacypulice

    1h 2m
  7. Living Regeneratively: Maria Rodale on Listening to the Land and Embracing Imperfection

    OCT 2

    Living Regeneratively: Maria Rodale on Listening to the Land and Embracing Imperfection

    In this episode of Regenerative Mindset, I’m joined by Maria Rodale, author, activist, and co-chair of the Rodale Institute, the pioneering nonprofit that coined the term “regenerative agriculture” and continues to lead the way in organic and regenerative farming research. She is the author of Love Nature Magic, Scratch, and Organic Manifesto, as well as the beloved children’s book series Mrs. Peanuckle. As the former CEO and Chairman of Rodale Inc., Maria oversaw the publishing of influential books such as An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore and The South Beach Diet, and magazines like Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Prevention, and Organic Gardening. What makes Maria unique is her ability to weave her family’s legacy in the organic movement with her own lived wisdom, offering a perspective that is both rooted in history and alive with imagination for the future. She speaks with honesty and heart about food, farming, family, and the spiritual connection that deepens when we align with the natural world. In our conversation, we explore what it truly means to live regeneratively—not through perfectionism or rigid rules, but through slowing down, listening, and embracing imperfection. Maria shares stories of leadership, personal transformation, and how caring for the earth can begin with the simple act of paying attention. She invites us to rethink our relationship with food, nature, and ourselves, reminding us that regeneration is not only possible but necessary for wholeness. Maria’s voice is grounding and visionary, calling us back to humility, creativity, and care as guiding principles for the future. If you’ve ever felt the pull to live closer to the rhythms of the earth, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for how to begin. You can follow Maria Rodale on her Substack newsletter Life. Unfiltered. and on Instagram @mariarodale. Her books are available wherever books are sold. For more information on the podcast, upcoming events, projects, and more go to our website www.stacypulice.com You can follow us on Instagram @stacypulice

    54 min
  8. On the Threshold of Renewal: Michael Meade on Myth, Soul, and Transformation

    SEP 25

    On the Threshold of Renewal: Michael Meade on Myth, Soul, and Transformation

    In this episode of Regenerative Mindset, I’m joined by Michael Meade, a renowned storyteller, author, scholar of mythology, anthropology, and psychology, and founder of the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation. Michael is the creator of the widely acclaimed Living Myth podcast and the author of many influential books, including Awakening the Soul, The Genius Myth, Fate and Destiny, and Why the World Doesn’t End. For over four decades, his work has inspired countless people through story, ritual, teaching, and community building. What makes Michael unique is his extraordinary gift for weaving hypnotic storytelling with cross-cultural wisdom and street-savvy insight. He distills ancestral knowledge and connects it to the urgent issues of our time, showing us that myths are not relics of the past but living guides for navigating inevitable cycles of collapse, change, and renewal. In our conversation, we explore the mythic dimensions of apocalypse and re-creation, the meaning of liminal space, and why endings are never final but rather thresholds into new beginnings. Michael shares how myth and ritual connect us back to the regenerative patterns of nature, where life, death, and rebirth are inseparable. He illuminates the role of imagination in growing the soul, the necessity of rites of passage, and how music, story, and community can ground us in times of uncertainty. Together we discuss reclaiming connection to our ancestors, nature, and the inner genius within each of us, a calling that continues throughout our lives. Michael’s insights remind us that which we love becomes the cure, and that practices of creativity, prayer, and embodiment can help us stand steady in a fractured world. Michael’s voice is one of the most compelling of our age, deeply rooted, visionary, and profoundly human. If you’ve ever felt the world unraveling around you, this conversation offers mythic perspective, soulful nourishment, and a reminder of what connects us all. For more on Michael Meade, visit mosaicvoices.org, where you’ll find his podcast, books, courses, and upcoming events. You can also follow him on Instagram @michaelmeade_mosaicvoices. For more information on the podcast, upcoming events, projects, and more go to our website www.stacypulice.com You can follow us on Instagram @stacypulice

    57 min
5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Welcome to Regenerative Mindset, where we share inspiring conversations with farmers and philosophers, scientists and storytellers, artists and activists, about how giving back more than we take creates positive, life-promoting ripples in everything we do. By following nature's example, we can create healthy ecosystems for a thriving future. Hosted by Stacy Pulice PhD, a regenerative farmer in Santa Barbara, CA with over 30 years of experience in psychology and education research, she shares insightful conversations with experts whose work guides us all toward supporting healthy people, healthy plants, and a healthy planet.

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