Whole Systems Regeneration. Farm & Place with Caroline Grindrod [Founder - Roots of Nature]
The very first episode of this podcast was an interview with Caroline Grindrod and it remains one of the most insightful discussions I think I’ve published around understanding what regenerative agriculture actually is. I’m delighted that Caroline returns now to add a new depth to all of this and catch us up with how things have been developing within her work and in life in general.We chat about:The need for whole systems regenerationCaroline's bio-regional workWhat it looks like to live regenerativelyAdditional Links:Caroline's work: Wilderculture | Roots of NatureCompilation episode with Caroline: Carbon Builds LifeFirst interview with Caroline: What Is Regenerative Agriculture?Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Intro08:34 - The need for whole system regeneration15:40 - Limitations of changing farm practice25:09 - Vision for bioregional work39:05 - Caroline's regenerative living
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Blue Carbon Ecosystems - Finance, Restoration & Communities. [Catch up with Diana Denke]
In this episode I invite you to open your mind to the potential around our coastlines. It's easy to overlook the value of the soils that are hidden underwater and the life that they support, but these blue carbon ecosystems are significant right across the globe. We are losing them, and the work to restore them can be even more challenging to fund than with projects in land.This is a catch up with Diana Denke, co-founder of Fair Carbon. You'll find the link below to our previous episode with Diana, where she helped us to break down the barriers to understanding finance around nature based solutions.Here she returns with equally valuable insights around developing projects for restoring blue carbon ecosystems. We chat about:Blue carbon ecosystems - what they are & why they're so valuableBarriers to blue carbon projects The role of communities for long term successEpisode Links:Fair Carbon website https://www.faircarbon.org/Nature Based Solutions - previous We Are Carbon conversation with Diana https://www.wearecarbon.earth/nature-based-solutions-diana-denke/'Carbon Builds Life' - We Are Carbon compilation with Diana https://www.wearecarbon.earth/because-carbon-builds-life/---Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Intro03:59 - What are Blue Carbon ecosystems06:16 - The values of Blue Carbon ecosystems13:20 - Developing with communities21:51 - Leading with mangrove restoration28:04 - Barriers to starting a project (and some solutions)36:50 - Why have 80% of projects failed?40:23 - Growing the Blue Carbon market & steps for Fair Carbon
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Meet the Women behind 'A Taste of Change' - Food Experiences for Healing, Land Care & Justice
How can we think differently about food? And how can food help us to think differently?These questions are from the literature for the beautiful project that's at the heart of this discussion.A Taste of Change brings together research and food experiences in a three year arc that seeks to spark new energy and connection for a more just food system, focused in the UK. It's created by Dr Miche Fabre Lewin, Dr Flora Gathorne-Hardy [Living Justice] and Daphne Lambert [Greencuisine Trust].It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to dive into the ideas behind this work with all three of them together.We chat about:The women behind the projectThe role of art in systems changeWhat it means to be a 'food citizen'What is 'A Taste of Change'?Watch & share the 3 min 'Taste of Change' video: https://youtu.be/f14hh34lX9MMore about the project - "A Taste of Change brings together the creative and collective power of food and the arts. As a three-year arc of socially-engaged research residencies, the project is conceived by ground-making trio Daphne Lambert, eco-nutritionist and food educator of Greencuisine Trust, in collaboration with Miche Fabre Lewin and Flora Gathorne-Hardy, artist-curators and cultural practitioners of Living Justice. Together, their work places the matter of food at the heart of healing and transformative action to restore communities of well being, justice and biodiversity of habitat."Living Justice Website: https://livingjustice.earth/Greencuisine Trust Website: https://www.greencuisinetrust.org/-----Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:50 - Overview of A Taste of Change08:38 - The women behind the project24:10 - The role of art in systems change34:33 - What is a food citizen?37:47 - What challenges are you addressing?44:26 - What's happening this year?
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Innovating with Soil Biology - Daniel Tyrkiel [Soil Ecology Laboratory]
In this episode we return to one of my favourite topics - that microscopic life that lives in the soil. After recognising the significance of soil life for supporting the climate, Daniel Tyrkiel set about exploring solutions that would support farmers to support and work with the biology in soil. The desire was to create a plug and play solution; something easy and accessible that allows farmers to shift from chemicals to biology without a need for heavy learning or investment. Daniel's company Soil Ecology Laboratory are becoming recognised for their innovative products which are continually being developed and explored further.It was a pleasure to chat with Daniel and learn about the mindset behind the products and his determination which seems to have been inspired by his mentor Dr Elaine Ingham.We talk about:The significance of soil lifeThe barriers to supporting soil life on farmsThe products & evolution of Soil Ecology Laboratory----Resources Shared by Daniel:Recent news about Soil Ecology Laboratory - https://www.farminguk.com/News/-goop-boosts-soil-life-on-welsh-farm-in-no-input-trial_66709.htmlSoil Ecology Lab website: https://soilecologylab.co.uk/Consumer product website: https://soilsmiths.co.uk/Learn more about Soil Ecology:Teaming With Microbes (book by Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis)Google Scholar - look up Dr Elaine Inghams' Ecological Monograph from 1986----Learn more with We Are Carbon:Soil Life - Decoding Soil Biology with Adrian Ferrero https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/soil-biology-transition-to-regenerative-farming/Soil; Living Support for Plants & Climate with Christo Miliotis https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/soil-microorganisms-plants-climate/Farming Transition - The Weather Proof Farm with Niels Corfield https://www.wearecarbon.earth/weatherproof-farm-niels-corfield/We Can Regenerate! with Finian Makepeace https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/finian-makepeace-we-can-regenerate/Holistic Management with Shiela Cooke https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/holistic-management-transition-mindset-farming/---Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Intro 06:12 - Why learn about soil life? 10:00 - The barriers to support soil life on farms...
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Diverse Community Ecosystems - Jordy Johnson [&Soul]
I was thrilled to be able to chat with Jordy Johnson during an unexpected visit I took to &Soul Southall earlier this year. Jordy is the head of community for &Soul who describe their West London community hub as an entire village in a building; a place where they are reimagining urban existence.It was wonderful to immerse in this very unique environment and I was thrilled to be able to chat with Jordy whilst there so I could share his insights with you all.Jordy brings a very heart centred, nature connected approach to community which is filled with depth and no doubt brings experience from his prior roles which he also touches upon in this conversation.We talk about:- Community as ecosystems- (Being) Nature's Intelligence- Rethinking relationships in organisations & society at large---------Learn more about &Soul:&Soul Website | &Soul Instagram Events Recommended by Jordy:Medicine Festival https://medicinefestival.com/Soul Revolution Festival https://soulrevolutionfestival.com/events/soul-revolution-festival-2025Wider Horizons https://widerhorizons.events/Primal Gathering https://primalgathering.co/Love Jam https://www.lovejam.community/Guided Meditation from Helen: Find the recording mentioned at the end of this episode - https://www.wearecarbon.earth/guided-meditation-power-at-our-feet/---Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Intro09:13 - Community as an ecosystem19:38 - Rethinking relationships in organisations & society at large26:52 - Nature's intelligence & rediscovering self34:37 - A movement in the UK [event recommendations]
We Are Carbon is the interview show that helps us to recognise that the future of both our planet and our societies can be incredibly beautiful - and that we all play a role in getting there!
Hosted by Helen Fisher with guests joining from across the globe.
There's a new episode every other Tuesday, and they'll average 1 hr long.
We see endless headlines warning us of the horrific impact that we're having on the climate and how dire the outlook is, but we're going to re-frame this crisis and start putting the solutions into our own hands.
I'm inviting in voices from science, agriculture, business and more, to help us gain an understanding of how we might live in greater harmony with the world around us. How we can build a society where our everyday choices have a positive impact on regenerating and stabilising the planet that we depend upon. Because when the planet and nature are thriving; that's when we can thrive! That's when we can live in a world less focused on fear and restrictions.
I don't think that real solutions are ever found until we zoom out, see the full picture and recognise how it all connects together.
We can't view climate change as an isolated issue. Our health, our food security, stability of economies and the way we interact with one another, they're are all tied in.
The topics can seem expansive, so we're using carbon as a focus.
We're exploring some important, and at times complex subjects here. But the whole point is to make this info accessible and transparent to us all.
So let me know if there's ever anything that you'd like breaking down or exploring further. Or if there's related topics that you feel should be discussed. Reach out and let's keep this project expanding!
And if you're a visual learner, look out for the animations! I'm creating short digestible videos to illustrate some of the key concepts that we're exploring. Find them at https://www.wearecarbon.earth/animations
Follow on Instagram @wearecarbon.earth
Let's keep figuring this all out together!
Netherlands