Listen Now

This episode is part 2 of my interview with Brandy Montague from her podcast, For Animals For Earth.  In this half of the interview, I shared a bit of advice for travelers looking to visit impact centers as guests, volunteers, digital nomads, or students.  In the end, we’re all really students!   Brandy asked me to share a description of what it might be like to visit a place like mine.  I freely shared some of the comforts along with several of the discomforts that one might expect as part of the package, from composting toilets, harvesting food, being in close proximity to many people for an extended period, and even some thoughts around our conditioned fears around bugs and snakes.  When asked, “What’s the one thing that people can do to make a positive impact on the world?” I get into the importance of being a conscious consumer and supporting businesses that approach their products and services with social and environmentally ethical practices as a priority. If you get anything out of this conversation, you get a peek at me speaking a bit more raw and uncensored than you will in most of my interviews with others. I strongly believe that we need to take personal responsibility for our daily decisions and the effect they have on the whole.  I also believe that we’ll do well to take the permaculture principles beyond land management and apply them as tools to examine ourselves, our business practices, and our connection to the human condition. If you appreciate Brandy’s sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about change makers and what they’re doing.  Consider adding her podcast to your subscription list to learn more about what other humans are doing to be a benefit for animals and for the earth.   Resources I mentioned: My free eBook: Permaculture Lifestyle Explained: The Eco-Enthusiast's Guide to Efficient Living Directory of Impact Centers: https://numundo.org Directory of Intentional Communities: https://ic.org Directory of Ecovillages: https://ecovillage.org/    Besides leaving a rating and review, or sharing the show with someone who’d like it, you can support the show and yourself by visiting our Resources page. I’ve collected an array of helpful information, links, and products that I thought you might find useful.  Check it out! Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage  License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg

Listen in on this conversation that was recorded by Brandy Heyde Montague interviewing me for her podcast “For Animals For Earth”.   She was intrigued by the term Ecological Impact Center and asked if I’d be a guest on her show https://foranimalsforearth.com/.   I met Brandy thanks to her offer to read through and give feedback on what’s become my first eBook, exploring permaculture and how we can apply it to our lifestyles.  You can download the book for free at https://sharinginsights.net/permaculture-lifestyle-ebook/.   I’ve decided to rebroadcast this two-part interview, to help you get a better feel for me and why this podcast has come into being.  I’m also buying myself time while I compile notes for a recap episode, contemplating the many things I’ve learned on my podcast journey so far.   In this first half of the interview, we talk about what an impact center is, and then I get into story-telling mode. Brandy asked me how I came to buy land in Costa Rica. My attempt at a “short answer” turned into a 20-minute adventure down memory lane.  I also go off a bit, sharing my thoughts on forgiveness of self and others as a core skill to develop when building community.    Make sure to subscribe to the podcast for immediate access to Part 2, as soon as it’s released.  In part 2 of the interview, I share some advice for travelers that want to visit places like this, as well as my take on volunteering.     Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg

Lynx Guimond of Sailcargo Inc. is an adventurous carpenter and shipwright with an inspiring mission. He's created a homestead in Costa Rica, uniting a team of over 20 shipbuilders from around the globe to embark on the quest to create a zero-emissions cargo eco-ship called Ceiba, to cross the Atlantic ocean between Central America and Europe.    He shares the story of how went from bee-keeping in the mountains to creating a sustainability-focused shipyard from scratch. Assembling a team of naval carpenters from around the world, he's imported their expertise to share with the local craftsmen, all aligned in common vision.   In complement to the shipyard's mission of revolutionizing ocean travel, the crew's been developing a sustainable homestead, using slow and small solutions.  In a short period of time, they've come to produce a generous amount of organic food for themselves, right at home on their beachfront property!  To top it off, Lynx and crew have been heading up reforestation programs through their non-profit, Trees for Seas! The food forests and greenhouse are passion projects, built by those who live there and are enriched with filtered greywater systems, composting toilets, and more. The positive social environment at the shipyard is a reflection of the creative spirit cultivated at Sailcargo. If you’d like to learn more about their project, check out some of the following: The Farm Tour Video that we recorded for our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/F-bRehxdU5U    Their movie! - Building CEIBA: The Mangrove Years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2WKJtbm8yM  Visit their website: https://www.sailcargo.inc/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailcargo/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailcargo  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuBI8GqmrsDNsx5KBUmXXg  Nonprofits/Foundations Amigos de Costa Rica: https://www.amigosofcostarica.org/  Trees for Seas: https://www.classy.org/campaign/trees-for-seas/c288055  El Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC): https://www.tec.ac.cr/  Ad Astra Rocket Company: http://www.adastrarocket.com/aarc/  Experimenting with appropriate technologies is a big focus for Sailcargo.  If you watch the video tour, you’ll get to see several of their innovation on our YouTube channel.  The principles taught in a Permaculture Design Course lay the foundation for thinking designed to stimulate these kinds of innovations.  The innovations that come from that kind of thinking can be very exciting.   I’ve found a high-quality, low-cost online course that offers not only all of the recordings from a permaculture design course that was taught by some of the leaders in the field, like Paul Wheaton and Tim Barker, but it’s bundled together with another two-week course that was taught, focusing specifically on appropriate technologies.  They teach you how to build a Rocket Oven, Solar Food Dehydrator, Biosand Filter, Rocket Water Heater, and more! If you’d like to upgrade your understanding of permaculture and appropriate technologies, with low time and cost commitment, visit Permies.com to learn more!   If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects. Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Follow us on social media! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharinginsightspod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharingIPodcast

Nico Botefur of Essence Arenal shares how he’s turned a couple of rooms on a denatured piece of property into a thriving business, food forest, and employment opportunity for entrepreneurs in his region. Located at the base of the beautiful Arenal Volcano, his hotel/restaurant/spa is an excellent example of what magic can come with patient and persistent application of the permaculture principles to one’s business.  Nico and I discuss his use of bamboo for a wide variety of projects from glamping tent frames, to greenhouses, to volleyball posts.  We also explore several ways that Nico has been creating synergistic systems that maximize his efforts, recycling waste back into the project and providing multiple yields with each input of energy.   If you'd like to learn more about Nico's cyclical approach to resource management for his hotel and restaurant, check out this short PDF that captures some of the highlights of how it all works. Download the PDF here: https://sharinginsights.net/Cyclical-Resource-Approach   Be sure to follow up with the video tour of Nico’s food forest and permaculture designs at https://youtu.be/u7CuXlmRZaw    To learn more about Essence Arenal or to schedule a visit, check out:Website - http://essencearenal.com  FB - https://www.facebook.com/essence.arenal/  IG - https://www.instagram.com/essencearenal/    If you want to know more about creating high-producing food forests, in city and suburban environments, I recently came across an excellent course on the topic.  You can find it at https://sharinginsights.net/food-forest-design.   If you take the course, I’d love to hear what you think.  I’ve been very impressed by Toby’s style of teaching.  If we’re going to green up this planet for the next generations to thrive, we need to be doing it in urban as well as rural environments! If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects.   Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg 

This interview, with Meghan Casey of the Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat, is the kind of conversation that can change the fabric of a project’s relationship with its region and neighbors. We discuss community outreach projects that anyone can do: including teaching English, promoting cooking classes and homestay/farm stay experiences for guests to have authentic cultural experiences with the locals, organizing cacao and coffee tours, raising children in such a work-life situation, and more!   If you’ve wondered how to effectively provide value to your outer community, create goodwill, and foster regional resiliency, this episode is for you!  We've prepared a PDF to offer you a short list of some things that you can do to create goodwill and resilience in your community.  You can download it at https://sharinginsights.net/community-outreach.  To follow more of Chilamate Rainforest Eco-Retreat’s adventures in community outreach and micro-business creation, check them out at:Website - https://www.chilamaterainforest.com/  FB - https://www.facebook.com/ChilamateRainforest/  Meghan - https://www.facebook.com/meghan.chilamaterainforest  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chilamaterainforestretreat/  Also, be sure to check out Meghan’s free video guiding you to Experience Forest Therapy at: https://youtu.be/N0EY3mZs-Cc  Other recommendations from Meghan: Rainforest Alliance: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/  Hungry Planet photobook: https://amzn.to/2RB776H  World Leadership School: https://worldleadershipschool.com/  Teach United: https://www.teachunited.org/  This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee!    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights 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 make their lives better.  Visit: https://sharinginsights.net/resources  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects.   Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg 

Today’s episode is with Estéban Acosta of Sembrando Flores & Viogaz, Costa Rica’s leading manufacturer and installer of bio-digesters for home-scale, as well as commercial, uses.  We discuss the spiritual side of agriculture through the application of biodynamic principles, growing “green manure” (mucuna beans), and the benefits of using a biodigester to process grey water and black water.  Esteban is a consultant and international spokesperson for the biodynamic movement.  This episode is sure to bring you value.I hope you enjoy it! Download Esteban's Description of the of Biodynamics Principles: https://sharinginsights.net/biodynamics   This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without my selling you stuff.  Isn’t that great!   So, instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee!    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights 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 make their lives better.  Visit here! https://sharinginsights.net/resources    To learn more about Esteban’s efforts in these fields, check out:Website - http://sembrandoflores.com/                    https://viogaz.com/  FB - https://www.facebook.com/sembrandoflores.biodin/          https://www.facebook.com/viogaz/  LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/esteban-acosta-pereira-a46442a3/  Email - esteban@sembrandoflores.com    If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects.   Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg 

In today’s episode with Terry Newton of Kindred Spirits, we explore horse care, equine therapy, using connection with horses to enhance yoga and meditation practices. Permaculture, & natural medicine.  It’s a conversation filled with intriguing stories, practical advice, and inspiration to follow one’s dreams. Terry shares her top tips for horse care in the tropics, as well as things that aspiring owners would do well to consider before solidifying their commitment.   We've created a PDF with some of Terry's top recommended plants for horse health.  If you'd like to check it out, you can download it directly, here https://sharinginsights.net/horse-health.     This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without my selling you stuff.  Isn’t that great!   So, instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee!    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights 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 make their lives better.  Visit here!https://sharinginsights.net/resources    To follow more of Kindred Spirit’s adventures in homesteading, check out:Website - https://horses.yoga  IG - https://www.instagram.com/horses.yoga/  FB - http://www.facebook.com/kindredspiritscr  YT & Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7XygsfDy-LVFWq48HR6XTw  https://www.patreon.com/yogihorsewomen  Email - terry@horses.yoga    Other recommendations from Terry: Paddock Paradise https://paddockparadise.net/  Barefoot Trimming   If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects.   Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg

Building community is a central focus for many back-to-the-land projects.  Most commonly, that community is comprised of internal share-holding members, long-term guests, or the extended community of the surrounding village.  For some projects, that would also include short-term guests and off-site investors.  No matter what community means to you, many agree that a shifted focus toward a healthy sense of community is vital for a sustainable future.   Today’s episode dives deep with Aly Khan & Alnoor Ladha of Brave Earth (Tierra Valiente), one of Costa Rica’s newest intentional communities.  Topics covered include creating an onsite school & communally-owned economic engine as a tactic to keep members on-site year-round.  We also hear about their 50/25/25 model for profit sharing and the value of weekly community councils.  One of my favorite moments is the description of their community solidarity network called “Fuerza del Amor” and what they’re doing to integrate their local neighbors into the profit pool.    This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without my selling you stuff.  Isn’t that great!   So, instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee!    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights 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 make their lives better.  Visit here!https://sharinginsights.net/resources    To follow more of Brave Earth’s adventures in community building, check out:Website - https://www.braveearth.com  FB - https://www.facebook.com/braveearth  IG - https://www.instagram.com/brave_earth_    If you’re into alternative building techniques, be sure to check out the video that we made of their beautiful retreat center and guest accommodations at:Our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/9J6FvVLMFjU    Other recommendations from Aly Khan & Alnoor: Brave Earth’s Welcome Guide & Mystical Anarchist Etiquette: - https://sharinginsights.net/be-welcome-guide  Upcoming Permaculture Design Course: - https://www.braveearth.com/retreats/2021/permaculture-design-course  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?fan_landing=true&u=36154325 Some of the established Intentional Communities / Ecovillages mentioned in the interview: https://www.tamera.org  https://auroville.org  https://www.findhorn.org  http://www.damanhur.org    Please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen if you enjoy the podcast.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects.   Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg 

Welcome to the world of Ancel Mitchel, herbalist, storyteller, chocolatier, and overall quality human being. In today’s episode, we dive into the value of connecting with & supporting local indigenous communities, various ways that one might prepare a cacao bean, and the value of embracing the mythological roots or our plant medicines. Ancel is one of the key players of Finca La Isla, along with her partner Peter Kring from last week’s episode. Both of these pioneers have had a lot to share. Kick back and enjoy the stories that Ancel lays out for us. It’ll be time well spent. This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU! I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without my selling you stuff. Isn’t that great! So, instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee! Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights to drop a few dollars in the bucket and let me know you care. We've provided a pair of unique bonus videos for you, this time.  I visited Ancel for a late-night beach-side storytelling session, the night following our interview.  It was really cool.  She shared a modernized spin on an ancient Greek story of Demeter and a Norweigan tale of Tatterhood.  I recorded them on audio and have them available for your listening delight on your YouTube Channel: Demeter and the Old Crone https://youtu.be/FB7gu1PZBAQ Tatterhood the Princess Twin https://youtu.be/ZD_9cpcMvGE To follow more of Ancel’s adventures in chocolatiering, check out: https://talamancachocolate.com https://www.costaricaorganicsfarm.com/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/garden.botanicals IG - @chocolateismedicine Ancel’s Medicinal Sodas class on Amazon Explore: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1718970?s=13&unique_share_id=5fb27ae8-033c-4e63-85aa-d813e6f875a3   If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen. It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects. Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg

Meet Peter Kring, a nurseryman & farmer who has more than 30 years of experience in tropical agriculture. Peter has introduced many valuable species into cultivation in Costa Rica and maintains a collection of over 200 species of fruit trees.  His farm, Finca la Isla, on the Caribbean coast, offers a plethora of workshops in horticulture, medicinal plants, chocolate making, fermentation, and farm to table practices.     In today’s episode, Peter shares with us his insights into sustainability through producing goods to sell at the farmers' market.  Peter is an advocate for farmers’ markets and is the president of the committee that manages the market in Puerto Viejo.  He also touches on organic certification, what it takes, & whether it’s worth it. Beyond that, Peter shares with us his preferred soil amendments and walks us through some of his fruit forest maintenance. I hope you enjoy!   This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without my selling you stuff.  Isn’t that great!   So, instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee!    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights to drop a few dollars in the bucket and let me know you care.  Make sure to check out the 2 videos that we made at Finca La Isla, where Peter describes his grafting process and fruit forest maintenance.  You can find those at:https://youtu.be/z8RJcrgmHtMhttps://youtu.be/9bpSvIDTB_0    To follow more of Finca La Isla’s adventures in biodiversity and sustainability, check out:Website - https://www.costaricaorganicsfarm.com/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/peter.kring.1 https://www.facebook.com/Finca-la-Islas-Botanical-Garden-373141649468327  Maps - “Finca La Isla” Email -crgarden@mac.com Whatsapp - +50688294929   If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects.   Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg &

The conversation continues from last week’s episode with Justin Dolan of St Michael’s Permaculture Country Club, in Central Pacific Costa Rica.   Justin mentions a number of the innovations that he’s been experimenting with, including natural building with bamboo, bioremediation, soil health, natural cooling with living rooftops and vines, waste management, and more.  To follow more of Justin’s adventure’s in Permaculture, check out: Website - https://stmichaelscr.com/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SaintMichaelsCR/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/permaculturecountryclub  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/st.michaelscr  Be sure to check out Justin's Top Tropical Plants recommendations: https://sharinginsights.net/top-tropical-plants This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without my selling you stuff.  Isn’t that great!   So, instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee!    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights to drop a few dollars in the bucket and let me know you care.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects. Special thanks to Peter Mukuru for editing this episode! Follow Sharing Insights: Website Facebook  Instagram Twitter Youtube

   In today’s episode, we join Justin Dolan at the St Michael's Permaculture Country Club in Central Pacific Costa Rica. Justin shares his passion for seed propagation, medicinal plants, and using bio-ferments for healthy soil as well as animal care.  We explore topics such as healthy competition, the value of studying with a mentor, and using plants for natural home cooling.  Justin is a wealth of knowledge and the conversation ended up continuing into a second episode.  If you enjoy listening to Justin and the insights that he has to share, be sure to subscribe to the podcast, so you’ll have immediate access when Part 2 is released.  We’ll be hitting on topics such as natural building, and greywater management.  Be sure to check it out!   To follow more of what’s happening at the Permaculture Country Club, check out: Website - https://stmichaelscr.com/  FB - https://www.facebook.com/SaintMichaelsCR/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/st.michaelscr/   Be sure to check out Justin's Bokashi Recipe: https://sharinginsights.net/bokashi For more insight into Justin's Bokashi Recipe, we took a video of his stations where he makes it.  You can find that at https://youtu.be/ZPmh8zRE9jY  Enjoy! This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without my selling you stuff.  Isn’t that great!   So, instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee!    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights to drop a few dollars in the bucket and let me know you care.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects.   Special thanks to Ariel Poltronieri & Peter Mukuru for editing this episode!   Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg

  In today’s episode, we visit with Ed Bernhardt at the New Dawn Center/Finca Alba Nueva, in Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica.  Ed is a deep ecologist, and author for several newspaper & magazine articles in Costa Rica, including the Tico times.  Ed shares with us tips for soil building & supporting your plant’s immune system with a recipe that he calls “kombucha for the plants,”  He also shares stories about what it was like to homestead in the 80’s, in Costa Rica, while teaching organic gardening to the locals from young school children to University students.  Ed is developing an online course to continue reaching out to those who are willing to receive the wisdom that he has to share, earned over 40 years of gardening in the tropics.  Ed also grows a variety of medicinal plants that he processes with his wife for sales at the local farmer’s market.     If Ed’s description of his bio-ferments has you wanting more, be sure to check out the YouTube video that we created, where we take you right out into his back yard where he has it bubbling.https://youtu.be/WIkdeT_AVyo     Of course, make sure to subscribe to the podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave us a rating and review.  It’s the best way for people to find us and trust that there’s something here worth paying attention to.   This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to be attracting sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without me selling you stuff.  Isn’t that great!  So instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee.    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights  to drop a few dollars in the bucket and let me know you care.   To follow more of the New Dawn Center’s adventures in earth care education, check out: Website - www.thenewdawncenter.info FB - https://www.facebook.com/fincaalbanueva  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/newdawncenter/videos    Other recommendations from Ed: Ed’s Bio-ferment recipes: https://sharinginsights.net/bioferments Check out our YouTube Tour of Ed’s Gardens and Bio-Ferment stations! https://youtu.be/WIkdeT_AVyo  Global College -https://gci.edu.np/  Apprenticeship Program INA (Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje) -  www.ina.ac.cr  Ed’s Mentor - Edmond Bordough - Ecological Health Gardens https://amzn.to/36nAdLv  Ed’s books: Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica https://amzn.to/37nKOpe  Kiss the Ground Documentary - https://kissthegroundmovie.com/ Special thanks to Ariel Poltronieri for editing this episode!   Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg 5EXXFbwsO0V3bjJbTSwl

   In today’s episode, we visit with Suzanna Leff, one of the cofounders of Finca Amrta, a permaculture farm in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica.  Suzanna has been running her volunteer program for over 30 years and has been able to keep it full, almost exclusively by word of mouth.  We discuss topics like, how to find volunteer managers and administrative support, helping guests find their passions, and how to keep people engaged and happy.   If you enjoy the podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a rating and short review wherever you listen to podcasts.  It takes less than a minute, and it really makes a difference in helping to spread the word about our mission to others looking to improve their own projects. This episode is brought to you by, well, YOU!  I haven’t built up my audience enough to have attracted sponsors and all that, so even though it’s the holiday season, you get to support the show without my selling you stuff.  Isn’t that great!   So, instead of buying an organic cotton shirt or an online course, maybe you can just buy me a coffee!    Go to https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights to drop a few dollars in the bucket and let me know you care. To follow more of Finca Amrta’s adventures in homesteading, check out:The companion video to this episode, where we explore her organic gardens, greenhouse, and food dryer - https://youtu.be/3WOeAYZlKjE Finca Amrta’s Website - http://fincaamrta.com/  FB - https://www.facebook.com/fincaamrta/  Email - amrtasa@yahoo.com   Other recommendations from Suzanna: Nonviolent Communication Training - https://www.cnvc.org/  Volunteer Latin America - https://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/ Special thanks to Ariel Poltronieri for editing this episode!   Music: Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4291-rite-of-passage License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow Sharing Insights: https://sharinginsights.net Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/sharinginsightspod  Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharinginsightspod  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharingipodcast  Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqV63Fonev-y25FVSjGDvCg 

This brief episode is a thorough introduction to Sharing Insights Podcast, what I seek to bring to the world through this medium, and exactly how I intend to do it. You will also get to hear my story and journey from traveling to communities around the world to owning my own land-based project here in Costa Rica.    The takeaway from this episode is that this is a journey we must take together because, without the collective sharing of insights, we will not grow. I hope you take the time to listen to this introduction and feel encouraged to share your insights with us too. In the meantime, I have a favor to ask of you. As a fledgling podcast, it is vital to gain some good reviews across our streaming platforms. If you have a moment and want to help support this podcast, please leave us a review on your preferred podcast streaming service.    You can also support the podcast financially by donating to the cause here: https://ko-fi.com/sharinginsights Thanks, and enjoy the show!