Regeneration Nation Costa Rica Jason Thomas

In this interview, I visited Itai Hauben at his lovely home and permaculture education center called Adama. 

Adama is nestled in the mountains of the Chirripo River Valley, where Itai and his wife Melina teach permaculture design courses to lucky students every year. It’s also the headquarters of Symbiosis Eco Design, their permaculture design and implementation business, serving land projects nationwide. Symbiosis is a powerful change agent in this country ecologically, socially, and educationally. 


We got together to chat about why creating a permaculture design is such a highly recommended investment BEFORE making any significant investments into any land-based endeavor. Itai gives several examples illustrating the importance of hiring a professional who can read the landscape and avoid potential pitfalls. 


In addition, Itai emphasizes the need to conduct proper due diligence before purchasing a property and hiring specialists to ensure the security of your investment. There are some things that just can’t be undone!


Understanding and integrating local knowledge into permaculture design can’t be overstated. We've delved into the critical aspects of water management, soil stability, and the creation of food forests, illustrating the importance of thoughtful, well-planned permaculture designs. 


Learning from our mistakes is ordinary, meaningful, and part of the journey. Learning from other people’s mistakes through research or hiring the assistance of someone further along the path is wisdom, and an integral part of the permaculture design process.


The episode wraps up with talks on preventing burnout and pacing a project according to the client's needs. 

Let's carry forward the wisdom and inspiration from Itai's journey. Remember, the path to successful, sustainable living and professional growth in permaculture is paved with patience, planning, and a profound respect for the surprises that can be found amidst the natural world. 


May we all embrace these principles in our own endeavors, nurturing a future where both our environment and our businesses can flourish in harmony.


To follow more of Itai’s contributions toward a regenerative world, check out:
Website - https://symbiosiscr.com/ 
FB - https://www.facebook.com/SymbiosisEcoDesign 
IG - https://www.instagram.com/adama_permaculture/ 
Email - symbiosisecodesign@gmail.com 
Other recommendations:
Regeneration of desert into forests in Jordan https://www.greeningthedesertproject.org/ To support the show, go to https://ko-fi.com/regenerationnationcr. 
You can now also visit our website’s Resources page to find lots of great information and products that many have found to make their lives better.  Visit: https://regenerationnationcr.com/resources 
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Welcome to an enlightening conversation with Marcus Merlin, steward of MoZen Temple in the Diamante Valley. We delve deep into personal growth, environmental sustainability, and the much-needed impact of regenerative entrepreneurship.
Merlin shares his insights into the power of forgiveness as a personal practice and a foundation for creating meaningful connections and building communities.
Forgiveness has the power to transform not just individual lives but entire communities. The transformative power of forgiveness can unlock our spiritual beliefs and lead us to rewrite our personal narratives in ways that propel us forward. Marcus’s story reminds us of the profound impact forgiveness can have on our lives, offering us freedom and a new perspective on our purpose.
Together, we explore the concept of 'Finding Your Why,' as Merlin discusses the significance of discovering one's purpose to facilitate freedom from the past and a clear direction forward. This idea serves as a gateway to passion-driven work, where doing what you love transforms the traditional notion of work and productivity. It is also the theme of his annual retreat in Costa Rica.
The significance of finding our 'why,' creating passion-driven work, and the magic of vulnerability within dream teams are all worth reflecting deeper on. These elements are crucial for anyone looking to lead a fulfilling life while making a positive impact on the world. They provide us with tools and philosophies to embrace a more holistic and purpose-driven approach to life.
The conversation also highlights the essence of building 'dream teams'—individuals who share a passion for what they do and support one another in achieving common goals. We discuss the importance of vulnerability and authenticity within these teams, revealing how these qualities can be superpowers in personal and professional development.
We also touch on the role of shamanic and spiritual practices in personal transformation, the importance of selective commitment to stay true to one's values, and the power of community and forgiveness in action. The role of shamanic and spiritual practices in personal transformation might be a new concept for some, but it’s thankfully becoming more commonplace in our modern-day culture.
The lessons from this episode have the potential to catalyze change in every aspect of our lives. If you’d like to dive deeper into these concepts, visit www.findyourwhy.info and register for Merlin’s upcoming retreat.
 If you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter at https://regenerationnationcr.com to hear more about cultural bridge-building, regenerative-minded events, and future podcast releases.
To follow more of Merlin’s contributions toward a regenerative world, check out:
Website - www.findyourwhy.info 
FB - https://www.facebook.com/marcushinds1 
IG - https://www.instagram.com/marcusmerlinpowerguide/ 
Go to https://ko-fi.com/regenerationnationcr  to drop a few dollars in the bucket and let me know you care. 
You can now also visit our website’s Resources page to find lots of great information and products that many have found to improve their lives.  Visit: https://regenerationnationcr.com/resources 
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In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of dementia care with our guest, Katya Deluisa, of The Infinite Mind. Katya shares her journey and how she became involved in working with individuals with dementia after observing the loneliness and lack of connection experienced by individuals with dementia, even when surrounded by family. Katya’s grown a passion for educating families on how to better understand and communicate with their loved ones.
 
The conversation delves into the nature of dementia and the physiological changes that occur in the brain. Katya explains that dementia is a symptom rather than a specific disease, encompassing a range of conditions that affect cognitive function. She discusses how dementia impacts memory, imagination, and the ability to plan for the future. 
 
She also highlights the importance of understanding altered perception in individuals with dementia and the challenges they face in perceiving and navigating the world around them.
 
The role of caregivers in providing support and care for those with dementia is a significant focus of the conversation. Katya emphasizes the need for caregivers to focus on their own self-care. It’s vital to maintain balance while caring for a loved one with this debilitating condition. She shares personal stories of caregivers she’s worked with, highlighting the transformation that can occur when they shift their perception and approach.
 
Throughout the conversation, we discuss regenerative approaches to dementia care and how individuals with dementia can still experience moments of joy, love, and connection. Katya brings focus to the unconditional love and purity of spirit that individuals with dementia possess, even as their cognitive abilities decline. She emphasizes the importance of empowering families through knowledge and shifting their perception to recognize the changing capabilities and needs of their loved ones.
 
Katya's approach to dementia education and caregiving goes beyond the conventional methods. Through her collage communication technique and other innovative approaches, Katya has helped individuals with dementia express themselves and regain a sense of identity.
 
Katya's work in educating and supporting families affected by dementia is a valuable resource for those seeking guidance and understanding in caring for their loved ones. If you’re a caregiver, have a family member whose mind is fading, or just want to better understand this condition that grips a growing percentage of our global population each year, this episode is for you.
 
One big takeaway is the importance of perception and understanding when caring for someone with dementia. Katya emphasized the need for caregivers to shift their perception of their loved ones as they navigate the cognitive changes brought on by the condition. 
 
By seeing individuals with dementia as beings in the process of releasing their ego and becoming their unique essence, caregivers can foster a deeper connection and provide better support. This shift in perception can lead to a more profound and meaningful relationship between caregivers and their loved ones.
 
Another important insight is the power of communication and connection. While individuals with dementia may lose cognitive abilities over time, their ability to love and be loved remains strong. Katya helps us remember that even in the midst of cognitive decline, people with dementia can still express and receive love, creating moments of profound connection. 
 
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In this episode, we speak with Ian-Michael Hébert, one of the founders of Holos, a private retreat center and community specializing in holistic living and transformational experiences. 
 
In our conversation, he discusses the genesis of Holos, their vision for a sustainable and resilient community, and the importance of focusing on reciprocity and honoring the indigenous people of the land. Ian-Michael also emphasizes the importance of preserving the natural beauty of the Diamante Valley and their commitment to stewardship. 
 
Among other details of the community’s infrastructure, he describes their design for conserving a quarter of the property while reforesting most of the already denatured zones. They also have plans for a macaw reintroduction initiative.
 
Ian-Michael reflects on challenges they’ve faced in getting set up with elements such as water management, communication breakdowns with the municipality, and bridging the gap between foreigners and locals. 
 
As we discuss the importance of supporting the local community, paying fair wages, and engaging with local service providers, Ian-Michael affirms Holos’s goal to continue reassessing their programming to focus more on community relations and neighborhood development.  
 
Other topics we touched on include developing a clear vision, team building, project financing, and embracing the wisdom of not knowing.
 
I appreciate the degree to which Holos works to cultivate reciprocity with surrounding humans and the natural world. As important as it is, it can be challenging to keep such delicate subtleties at the forefront while in the development phase and when juggling the needs of investors and push-back from the municipality, but it’s the path worth walking.
 
Setting space aside to develop housing and other infrastructure for the Costa Rican and indigenous Boruca people, who compile much of their labor force, is a significant investment. I’ve been happy to see this practice implemented among some of the other ecovillage projects I’ve been investigating, as well. It’s a valuable step in honoring the needs of their workforce while holding space for the local culture and providing stability for the project. 
 
Another element I’ve found attractive among the ecovillages I’ve been looking into is the effort to lay out a portion of the community infrastructure kept open for the use of the regional community, which is also represented in Holos’s design. 
 
Something that echoed strongly for me in this interview is that it can be difficult to handle people’s projections when operating a project of this size. Gossip can be plentiful, and the most altruistically intending projects are often the easiest targets for it by those who are doing less, feeling like a project of that size should be able to do it all. I’m glad that Ian-Miachael plans to hold more events to bring the local community in to see more of what’s happening there.
 
Another detail that stuck out for me was Ian-Michael’s share of finding the right team. This topic often comes up with other landowners and entrepreneurs I work with. When looking for your team, it’s essential to identify your strengths, clearly describe your needs, make a humble ask out to your community, and have patience as it comes together.
 
Before letting you go, I’d like to address a housekeeping detail regarding working with a team. About 2/3rds into the interview, there's a moment where I described my
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In today’s episode, we hear from Sarah Wu, a highly respected permaculturist & herbalist living and teaching in Costa Rica. I sat down with Sarah at the Envision Festival earlier this year to learn about some of the regenerative initiatives the festival has implemented as part of its mission. 
 
Envision is a multi-day music festival with several stages and thousands of participants. By day, the focus is characterized by consciousness-raising workshops and presentations on permaculture, community-building, yoga, wellness, the embodiment of the divine masculine and feminine, and honor of indigenous ways. All this is presented with an overall theme of mindfulness and play. 
 
By night, the arena becomes flooded by a secondary population of party-goers enjoying the many talented DJs and musicians playing on Envision’s many stages. You can find everything from electronic music to jam bands and local folk artists to ecstatic dance on the padded yoga stage. The experience can be overwhelming for some, and advice should be heeded to pace yourself, hydrate, and wash your hands frequently.
 
The festival brings with it a significant impact on the local town of Uvita, both in the ways of a boosted economy as well as occasional exhausts of some of its more limited resources. Like with all things in life, there exists a dichotomy that the festival producers have worked to bring balance to over the years. 
 
In our interview, beyond sharing details about the thousands of trees they’ve planted onsite, their extensive composting system, the no-single-use-dishware policy, and the education programs that Sarah has initiated through the Village Witches program, we touch on the reasons why Envision isn’t using compost toilets anymore and what a future solution might look like.
 
One of my favorite parts of the interview is when we reflect on valuing each of our different niches in humanity’s ecosystem. 
 
Festivals of this size are here to stay, and they can prove to be a life-changing experience for many people. At the same time, many festivals can get a bad rap for the negative impact of so many people converging on an area for a short time. While the convergence has a temporary impact on the wildlife, for instance, it is worth recognizing that the food forest of this festival site was previously nothing more than a cattle pasture. 
 
Their internally organized dishwashing system diverts hundreds of thousands of plastic waste products from the landfill each year. The Village Witches program has cultivated a culture of well-being amidst a party scene, bringing herbalism to the mainstream. 
 
The festival has also done a lot to bring hundreds of jobs to the local economy before, during, and after the event. They’ve also done a lot of work over the years to harmonize the ecosystem of the festival production, staff, artists, attendees, volunteers, and other influences.
 
In the interview, we didn’t cover what Envision’s non-profit foundation Somos el Cambio continues to do for the neighboring region. 
 
With the leadership of Federico Gutierez, Somos el Cambio
Has planted over 17,000 trees directly by Envision staff and volunteers,
And over 80,000 more trees with Envision’s support.
They’ve donated $18,000 of medical equipment to the loc
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In this episode, we meet with Scott Gallant, a permaculture consultant at Porvenir Design. I took advantage of the pragmatism he’s developed through his many years here to explore some of the pitfalls he’s seen with foreigners building large-scale developments. We also explore ways he guides his clients toward transmuting those potential problems into solutions.
Through his design and consultation work, Scott often finds himself inviting his clients to slow down and simplify their visions. Scott practices what he preaches, and we get into some of the ways he applies the Holistic Context approach to his own business. He also describes his experiences starting and operating a business in Costa Rica, along with the advantages and disadvantages of doing things by the books.
The second half of the interview gets really interesting as we discuss ways he trains new landowners how to be mindful of the context they’re building in. This includes setting reasonable expectations for your laborers and investing in appropriate education for them, especially if you want them to do things in a way they aren’t familiar with. Setting your work team up with unreasonable expectations is a hasty and unhealthy practice.
Investing into adequately training your workers in the techniques you want them to implement is a far more efficient use of your time, money, and relationships than telling them to do something they only know how to do from a conventional lens and expecting it to meet your end goals.
You’ll want to check out Scott’s blog. He’s an excellent writer who touches on many interesting topics.
I’d like to thank you for caring enough about what you’re doing to listen to this podcast as part of your personal development journey. If you know someone developing land in Latin America that would benefit from what Scott shared with us in this episode, consider passing it along to them. If they don’t often listen to podcasts, we host all of our episodes and more on our YouTube channel.
Keep in mind that the show has a profile on a donation platform called ko-fi.com. There’s a donate button on most pages of the website. It always makes my day when I get an email announcing that someone cared enough to support the show.
If sending in cash to help cover editing costs isn’t accessible to you, send me a message and let me know what you like about the show. I love hearing from you.
You can send an email to jason@regenerationnationcr.com, and I’ll get back to you personally.
Until next time, have a holistic day!

To follow more of Scott’s contributions toward a regenerative world, check out:
Website - Porvenirdesign.com
IG - https://www.instagram.com/scottplantstrees/
Other recommendations from Scott:
Holistic Context: Holistic Decision Making - Dan Palmer Making Permaculture Stronger Podcast interview with Scott Holistic Management eBook by Alan Saveries Toby Hemingway’s Gaia’s Garde The Resilient Farm and Homestead Support the show