The Regenerative Design Podcast™
The Regenerative Design Podcast is hosted by Matthieu Mehuys. In each episode, he interviews leading authorities in the field of regenerative practices. The show features people who do well and do good through their work. It explores regenerative design and related approaches to creating positive impact.
Afleveringen
EP48: Nadia Riley - The Animal Architect Redesigning Human Space
"If the zoos would be unpaid, we could use them as actually wellness centers, as regenerative centers, as psychological centers. We could do sports, we could do picnics, we could do community stuff and still enjoy the animals and connect to the animals as to an animal and not a commodity which I paid for."There is a field of design science called neuroarchitecture, and it has been quietly document
RDP 47: Pablo Luna - He Spends 9 Months on a Site Before Drawing a Single Line
Pablo Luna is a Bali-based architect building in six countries simultaneously — and he refuses to draw a single line until he has spent between three and nine months studying the land.Founder of Pablo Luna Studio, Pablo works with bamboo and natural materials across Bali, Bhutan, Portugal, Mexico, and Uganda, designing wellness retreats, learning centres, and private residences that emerge from th
EP46 - Judith Horvath
"The same piece of land that used to support three generations, three generations ago, can now only support one generation."Most people entering regenerative agriculture do so not from farming families, but from boardrooms — bankers, lawyers, construction company owners, people whose families got sick and started asking harder questions about what they were eating. Judith Horvath is one of them. A
EP45: Longevity Won't Save You. The Soil Might | Amy McDonald
"We can't live longer and better without the planet being healthy."The longevity industry has spent a decade and a fortune chasing biohacks, diagnostics and supplements. Amy McDonald has watched all of it from inside the wellness world — and her argument is not that longevity is wrong, but that it has been looking in the wrong direction. The real answer, she suggests, was always in the soil.McDona
EP44: Allan Savory – Why We're Solving The Wrong Problems
“Most people are good. I really believe that. Most people are doing their best. Then you have to ask yourself, not just in agriculture, but in every field, well, if so many people mean well, why is so much going wrong?”Many of the world’s biggest environmental, social, and economic problems may not be caused by bad people or a lack of scientific knowledge. They may stem from the way large institut
EP43: Eli Moraru - Rebuilding Food Access From The Ground Up
“Let’s stop doing the research and let’s actually execute on it and build something.”Food systems fail when they deliver calories without dignity, convenience, or nutrition. Real access means healthy food that fits people’s daily lives, budgets, culture, and time constraints. When communities lack nearby fresh options, preventable disease rises while local farmers struggle. Regenerative solutions
EP42: Robb Wolf – Cows Can Heal The Planet
“The industrial food system is really good at producing calories… it’s not great at producing nutritious food”Regenerative agriculture challenges the dominant narrative around food, climate, and land use by reframing farming as an ecological system rather than an industrial process. Instead of removing animals, this approach integrates them intentionally to rebuild soil, enhance biodiversity, and
EP41: Melissa Baer - The Future of Regenerative Food Brands
“And so the whole global food system is just set up to not see the good guys and not allow consumers to see the good guys.”Regenerative design thrives at the intersection of ecology and economics. It’s not just about restoring soil or ecosystems—it’s about creating systems that are financially viable, scalable, and rooted in long-term thinking. True regeneration requires aligning values with busin
EP40: Bill Reed - Beyond Sustainability: The Regenerative Shift
“We do not try to solve problems. Nature always works with potential.”Regeneration begins when we stop trying to fix isolated problems and instead learn to work with whole systems. Rather than focusing on outputs, metrics, or checklists, this approach asks a deeper question: what is the role of this project within the larger system of life? True regenerative work moves beyond sustainability by shi
EP39: Ankit Todi - The Business Case for Climate Action in Manufacturing, Energy, and Agriculture
“Changes can’t happen standalone by one company, it will require participation from peers, from supply chain partners, from government policy.”The world is beginning the conversation of moving towards a greener future. What part do major businesses play in these next steps? A renewable future cannot be created by one person; change takes place with the participation of many, whether that be lawyer
EP38: Norie Huddle - The Butterfly Effect
“We won actually the first lawsuit, successful lawsuit in Ecuador and in the world defending the rights of nature.”Regeneration begins when humanity stops positioning itself above nature and instead recognizes itself as part of a living system. True regenerative design restores balance by aligning law, economics, and human values with the intelligence of the natural world. When nature is granted a
EP37: Leo Rivera - The Next Generation Perspective On Regenerative Design & The Future Of The Planet
“Today people are driven away from farming, gardening, and moving towards technology side, which is pretty much decreasing our earth.”A healthier future starts with choosing better inputs—better soil, better materials, and better habits. The episode explores how real regeneration comes from everyday decisions: rejecting cheap chemicals, composting what we consume, understanding where pollutants tr
EP36: Shannon Coulter - Conscious Technology: Tools for a Regenerative Future
“Phones are designed like slot machines… It’s called variable rewards… and that’s the same exact way the scroll works on our phone… our brains become obsessed with the next dopamine hit.”Modern life trains the brain for instant rewards and endless scroll, eroding patience, attention, and real-world engagement. Replacing frictionless feeds with natural stopping cues—journaling on waking, moving the
EP35: Armando & Anita Ortega - The Future Of Regenerative Living
“You don’t require perfection to make a difference in the world. You just require passion.”Sustainability begins with the self, extends to relationships, and finally scales into business. When we approach design from this layered perspective, every choice becomes an opportunity to align with nature. Homes and communities are not just shelters—they can be built as living systems that protect health
EP34: Peter Michel - Follow the Signs: How to Build a 1000 Year Legacy
“It’s very important that you be not only the change that you want to see in the world, but also finance that change that you want to see in the world.”Regenerative design requires more than short-term fixes—it calls for long visions that outlast any single generation. At the core of this episode is the principle that farming is not ownership but stewardship, where land, biodiversity, and communit
EP33: Stéphane Doise - From Soil to Structure - Housing in Harmony with Nature
“If we remove the building… nature should be able to take over… instantly and thrive there.”Housing is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions—responsible for around 40% worldwide—and one of the most wasteful industries, generating 30% of global waste annually. In Canada, outdated zoning, urban sprawl, and material inefficiencies push costs sky-high while making homes less resi
EP32: Jennifer Dechaine - Heart-Centered Selling, Nature-Focused Building
“Creating community is so rewarding and beautiful. And those are the two reasons why I do it.”Community transformation begins with the way we build—and sell. From regenerative soil care to designing spaces that nurture human connection, this episode explores how real estate can foster healing environments. The conversation blends principles of sustainability, densification, and wellness in busines
EP31: Sam Sells - Redesigning Poverty Through Real Estate
“The only way to help people get out of poverty is to help them make money.”The episode unpacks how long-term poverty alleviation must go beyond charity and shift toward systems that generate wealth locally. Using the lens of real estate development, the conversation reveals that when people are empowered with knowledge, infrastructure, and access, they gain both dignity and sustainability. The ke
EP30: Dolf De Roos - Building Wealth by Healing Land
“We’re losing the ability to think. Every waking moment is now consuming information… but we’re not thinking. We’ve stopped becoming creative. And my biggest fear for the new generation coming through is that they’re not thinkers, they’re not innovators.”Real estate can be a tool for regeneration—not just profit. In this episode, we explore how land and buildings can be transformed to restore ecos
EP29: How Thoughtful Design Shapes Community | Paige Byrd
“Making sure that we’re really blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, you know, and figuring out how to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor programming so it seems really seamless.”Creating spaces that truly work means thinking beyond aesthetics. In this episode, we explore how thoughtful design can blend indoor and outdoor environments, support multiple uses, and foster genui
EP28: Solo episode with me: My Personal journey in Regeneration and Highlights of the RDP so far
“I believe that the best way to inspire change is to live it out loud.”In this special solo episode, I’m doing something new: every two weeks, I’ll be sharing personal insights and lessons from the field to help you make your business—and your life—more regenerative.To kick things off, I’m telling my own story: how I went from a conventional path to designing landscapes, projects, and businesses t
EP27: Rooted in Integrity: How Regenerative Business Can Heal People and the Planet | Justin A.H. Snyder
“I think it’s really important to like, keep your morals and your values in your business that you have in your private life.”Many people dream of doing meaningful work, but few manage to build a business that regenerates both human health and the planet. This episode dives deep into what it means to grow a regenerative brand—literally and figuratively—rooted in whole foods, soil health, and uncom
Ep 26: Regenerative Communities & The Power of Connection | Brandon Barnum
"Belonging is a human desire that we have. And so, you know, we just want to help people connect in a meaningful way. And here at HOA.com, we focus on doing life with your neighbors, the people that you live next to, and we believe you should help the people around you and really get connected to the neighborhood that you live in.”Regenerative design isn’t just about soil health and water conserva
Ep. 25: Catalytic Enabling Officer (CEO) at GPEKS Group – The King of Green Development
“We’ve reached the stage where we need to be more than green, we need to be more than sustainable, which is an upgrade from green, we need to become regenerative.”The future of sustainability isn’t only about doing less harm—it’s about reversing damage. Regenerative design takes this challenge head-on, integrating nature-positive strategies in construction, energy, and agriculture to create system
Ep. 24: Charting a Sustainable Future - Lessons from the Ocean and Beyond with Bert terHart
“Nature is this incredibly complex organism, and if you put good things in, good things tend to come out.”Let me tell you something about the big lessons from life: they often involve water, wind, and a touch of madness. At least, that’s my takeaway after diving into this transcript. It’s all about navigating challenges—whether you’re steering a ship through wild oceans, grappling with complex env
Ep. 23: Transforming Sustainability into Business Success with Lee Stewart
“Hey, it's not a cost. It's a lot of doom and gloom; sustainability, climate change, all that stuff. It's actually a business opportunity. And by the way, you're not exploiting it properly. This is how you should do it.”If sustainability isn't woven into the fabric of your business strategy, you're missing out on more than just saving the planet—you're leaving money on the table. In this episode,
Ep. 22: Funding the Future: Matthew Lesko on Grants for Regenerative Design and Sustainability
“Stop waiting for the stars to align. And waiting for money. See, I don’t even think you need money. There’s ways to do anything without money.”Here’s something you might not know: the U.S. has an untapped treasure trove of government grants ready to support regenerative design projects. In this episode, the iconic Matthew Lesko—also known as the “Question Man”—guides us through the maze of resour
Ep. 21: Parker Condit - Regenerating Health - How Personal Wellness and Planetary Sustainability Go Hand-in-Hand
“If you think of regeneration, it’s not a new system, it’s the oldest system there is. That’s how nature works. It’s the process of healing and rebuilding, whether it’s soil, ecosystems, or even our bodies.”Turns out, your body and the planet have a lot in common—they both thrive on regeneration and will punish you for neglect. This episode dives into the fascinating parallels between soil health
Ep. 20: Alexander Saverys - Environmental Impact and Decarbonization in Maritime Innovation
“The human being has shown that we can solve big environmental problems. And one of the drivers on the CO2 and decarbonization is I truly believe that human innovation, human energy to solve issues can lead to good solutions.”Are the high seas the key to solving our planet’s environmental crisis?As the world searches for sustainable solutions to combat climate change, few industries face the same
Ep. 19 with Louis De Jaeger - Food Forests, Future Landscapes, and a World Beyond Lawns
“If we want to change something on the planet, we first have to change our mindsets. And that starts with understanding the connection between humans and nature.” Sustainable landscapes, edible forests, and a vision for a greener planet—this episode dives deep into the intersection of nature, gardens, and environment to lay the groundwork for a sustainable future. Our guest paints an optimist
Ep. 18 - Nurse Ruth - Growing Together: How Gardens and Sustainability Transform Elder Care
“Growth doesn’t stop with age. Gardens teach us that with the right care, anything can thrive—even in life’s later seasons.”Sustainable living isn’t just a lifestyle; it’s a mindset that touches everything from how we grow our food to how we care for each other. This episode explores the transformative power of gardens and natural spaces in elder care, emphasizing the need to reconnect with nature
Ep. 17: Bill Wyatt - Biochar and Beyond: Turning Waste into Wealth with Eco-Friendly Business Strategies
“Biochar’s ability to turn waste into value is a paradigm shift. It’s not just about cleaning up; it’s about creating lasting impact for communities and industries worldwide.”If you’ve never heard of biochar, prepare to have your mind blown. This carbon-rich powerhouse is revolutionizing industries by turning waste into opportunity—boosting soil health, reducing water usage, and even cutting carbo
Ep. 16: Evan Kuterbach - Inspired by Nature: Redefining the Game for a Greener World
How can your choice of pickleball paddle make a difference in protecting our environment? Whether or not you're actively involved in sustainability efforts, you may be surprised to learn that supporting eco-friendly brands can have a direct impact on preserving the natural world we love.Exploring how a company is redefining sports gear by integrating environmental responsibility into every aspect
Ep. 15 Jeremy McLeod – Sustainable Architecture
“What do you want to leave behind? What legacy do you want to leave people with?”What if the homes and buildings we live in could help fight climate change? In a world rapidly shifting due to environmental changes, how can architecture not just adapt but actively contribute to a regenerative future? What if we could redesign our cities to combat climate change, improve urban living, and provide lo
Ep. 14: Guy Gillingham - Freedom to Thrive: Organic Health Tech and the Future of Food
Are you truly free if you don’t have control over the food you eat and the technology you use? We all crave freedom—the freedom to choose what we eat, how we live, and what we support. But are we really making decisions that empower us and our future? In a world where convenience often wins over consciousness, it’s time to rethink what freedom truly means.Real freedom is rooted in the choices we m
Ep. 13: Ernesto Furtado - Building a Sustainable Global Real Estate Empire
“The goal is to buy low and sell high, not buy high and pray to God it goes higher.”Have you ever wondered how a home or community can truly live in harmony with nature, fostering sustainability while offering a fresh way of life?Exploring the intricacies of building homes that embrace the land’s natural resources while minimizing environmental impact, we touch on groundbreaking approaches like pr
Ep. 12: Celine Vadam – Wellness in Hospitality Design
What if the spaces we inhabit could do more than just house us—what if they could heal us? Imagine walking into a hotel, not just to rest, but to rejuvenate—with every detail designed to enhance your well-being. Would you book a room in a place that promises to make you leave healthier and more fulfilled than when you arrived?Many of us seek wellness, longevity, and a deeper connection to our surr
Ep. 11: Sam-Erik Ruttman - The Role of Hospitality in Sustainable Community Development
“The meaning of life for me is to be meaningful to others... My definition of hospitality is, community. You have to embrace the community from day one, and also to make sure that they can earn a living there.”In this episode, we dive into the intersection of hospitality, sustainability, and community impact with seasoned expert Sam-Erik. With decades of experience, from Vegas to Bali, Sam shares
Ep. 10: Kate Fettes - How Soil Health Fuels Global Sustainability
“We're overfed and undernourished or underfed and undernourished, and there's this total imbalance in the food system from start to finish.”How do we address the pressing global challenges of environmental sustainability and access to healthy land? Could the answer lie in the soil beneath our feet? We’re all witnessing the growing impact of climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degrad
Ep. 9: Ryan Cullen: Transforming Agriculture: The Power of Market Gardening and Regenerative Homesteading for a Sustainable Future
Have you ever wondered how a simple shift in mindset and lifestyle can transform not just your life but also the world around you? What if your passion for nature could be the key to a more sustainable future? Many of us feel the pull towards something greater, a desire to live a life that’s in harmony with nature and to make a meaningful impact on our communities. But how do you turn that vision
Ep. 8: Jeff Krehmer - Sustainable Solutions for Global Water and Food Security
Have you ever wondered how we can harness the natural temperature differences in our environment to generate renewable energy? What if the key to sustainable energy lies in the untapped resources all around us?Jeff Krehmer has always been fascinated by energy and the ways it can be transformed. From a young age, he was inspired by innovative concepts and experiments in renewable energy, sparking a
Ep. 7: Owen Goltz – Water Is Life
“You need to experiment, and that's the key. You’ve got to take a part of your farm and try it.”What if the key to a thriving farm wasn't more machinery or chemicals, but a return to nature’s simplest processes? Could regenerative farming be the answer to sustainable agriculture? Many of us are concerned about the health of our planet and are searching for innovative ways to make our practices mor
Ep. 6: Dr. Jessica Dupont - Reconnecting Health and Environment
Are our modern health crises a reflection of our disconnected relationship with the environment? Can healing our planet also heal our bodies? Have you ever wondered how the food you eat could be the key to solving global warming and improving your health? What if the answer to climate change is right in your gut?Today, the intersection between personal health and environmental sustainability is mo
Ep. 5: Nancy Ortinau - Indoor and Outdoor Farming Innovations
“We want to educate. We want to teach other people how to do this so they don’t have to rely on the food system.”“If you put your passion into it, you can turn it into anything you want.”Have you ever wondered how you could grow your own food year-round, both indoors and outdoors, with minimal space and effort?Turning a passion for gardening into a thriving business that not only produces fresh, h
Ep. 4: Urban Harvest with Alexandre Van Deun
Have you ever wondered how we can grow fresh, nutritious food in urban areas, regardless of the season or weather conditions? In today's fast-paced world, sustainability and innovation are more critical than ever. Many of us are looking for ways to contribute to a healthier planet while ensuring access to fresh, locally grown food.Let’s explore the world of indoor farming and controlled environmen
Ep. 3: The Power Of Film To Change The World with Manny Bains
Are you an entrepreneur, a change-maker, or simply someone looking to make a difference? Have you ever imagined yourself saving the planet while pursuing your passion and making a global impact?Success in any field is often influenced by the people we surround ourselves with and the mentors who guide us. So surrounding yourself with the right people and learning from great mentors is critical to b
Ep. 2: Transforming Urban Agriculture with Sustainable Solutions with Henry Gordon-Smith
What does sustainability truly mean in our modern world, and how can we reshape our food systems to meet global challenges? How does urban farming can reshape our cities and sustainability practices? What does it take to transform a vision into a thriving business?Today, the need for sustainable food production is more pressing than ever. Urban farming and vertical agriculture are not just trends;
Ep. 1: Quantum Physics, AI & The Future of Our Planet with Raymond Aaron
"Snowmen fall to earth unassembled.”“All the people who are wealthy, are the people who are doing what they love.”Welcome to an incredibly special episode of the Regenerative Design Podcast. This is a podcast that focuses on projects that save our planet while simultaneously operating as sustainable businesses. Today marks our very first podcast interview, and here to set us on the right path is t
