Eco-Enthusiast?
Welcome aboard!
Escaping the rat race to live a grounded and sustainable life in the country isn't a crazy daydream anymore. Sharing Insights Podcast helps you shorten the learning curve and gain confidence to move forward. Learn best practices from veterans living the dream full-time, without spending your time and money reinventing the wheel.
Exploring Sustainability & Advice from Intentional Communities, Retreat Centers, and Permaculture Projects throughout Costa Rica.
To share stories, strategies, and insights from ecologically & socially beneficial projects, in Costa Rica. These stories provide landowners everywhere access to unique ideas for how they, too, might design their own business models for greater success and impact.
In the end, we hope to see more people succeed in their dreams to live off the land, make it sustainable, and share it with others.
It's great to have you along!
Whether you're planning to steward land soon, or a veteran who wants to broaden their perspectives. Tune in! We have some captivating guests and insightful conversations lined up for you.
Join us as we explore an array of permaculture farms, retreat centers, homesteads, eco-lodges, and international communities that are all pursuing one common, golden thread – a lifestyle and culture that is in harmony with nature and to do business in an ecologically beneficial way.
To let this culture spread and grow, these unique places have opened their doors for ambitious eco-enthusiasts to learn and co-create with them. Numundo.org calls these places Impact Centers
Back-To-The-Landers Unite!
There are thousands of people around the globe who are passionate about living a sustainable lifestyle, and who either have or want to start an eco-friendly land-based project. At the same time, there are many more who prefer to dip their toes in and explore already established projects to find solutions, experience, adventure, or even refuge.
For most, operating a project like this is no small feat, especially if budgets are tight. My motive behind this podcast is to offer people a place to find inspiration, ideas, solutions, and get to know some of the veterans in the game.
By sharing insights among owners of these unique places, it’s our goal to expand perspectives of how sustainability can be practiced, not only through responsible land management, also through to social dynamics, cultural exchange, and finances as well. I like to believe that beneficial relationships are likely to grow here.
Join us as we:
- Discover exciting and appropriate technologies,
- Explore advice for interacting with students, guests, and volunteers,
- Highlight and support this new generation of leaders,
- And dig deeper into what it really takes to keep the doors open for the millions of people who are searching for a place where they too can learn, change, and grow.
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Don’t Envy The Change Makers – Be One!
I’ve laid out a long list of options for how one might choose to apply the Permaculture Principles to their home life, relationships, business, and lifestyle. You may very well be practicing some of these things, already. Congratulations! The Principles, themselves,...
Creatively Use and Respond to Change
We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing, and then intervening at the right time. Change happens. It’s up to us to decide how we’re going to respond to it. To remain firmly fixed, in the face of change, can be difficult and...
Use Edges and Value the Marginal
The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse, and productive elements in the system. As someone who enjoys dreaming up systems composed of systems connected in synergistic ways, this...
Use and Value Diversity
Diversity reduces vulnerability to a variety of threats and takes advantage of the unique nature of the environment in which it resides. Look, we’re all different. Our physical characteristics, preferences, habits, and cultural norms differ, as do our economic...
Use Small and Slow Solutions
Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and producing more sustainable outcomes. One can easily argue that large and fast solutions are sometimes needed. Emergencies happen, and we should contemplate...
#013: “For Animals For Earth” w/Jason Bliss: Vagabond Permaculture Podcaster – Part 1
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 - For Animals for Earth. 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...
Don’t Envy The Change Makers – Be One!
I’ve laid out a long list of options for how one might choose to apply the Permaculture Principles to their home life, relationships, business, and lifestyle. You may very well be practicing some...
Creatively Use and Respond to Change
We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing, and then intervening at the right time. Change happens. It’s up to us to decide how we’re going to respond to it. To...
Use Edges and Value the Marginal
The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse, and productive elements in the system. As someone who enjoys dreaming up...
Renewable-Fuel Cargo Ships, Permaculture Food Forests, & Community
In episode #012 of the podcast, we spoke to visionary Lynx Guimond of Sailcargo Inc. He tells us about his journey from bee-keeping and building tree platforms in the mountains, to help tackle the massive environmental challenges the modern maritime industry poses. In this video, we explore the homestead that's been growing from within the Sailcargo shipyard, built by a team of ‘happy and healthy’ expert shipbuilders from around the globe. Lynx has assembled this crew to help create a...
#013: “For Animals For Earth” w/Jason Bliss: Vagabond Permaculture Podcaster – Part 1
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#012 : Lynx Guimond of Sailcargo Inc: Building a Zero-Emissions Ocean Vessel on a Permaculture Homestead
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#011 Nico Botefur of Essence Arenal: Permaculture Designed Hotel, Restaurant, and Food Forest
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#010 Meghan Casey of Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat: Community Outreach Creating Regional Resilience
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#009 Estéban Acosta of Sembrando Flores and Viogaz: Biodynamics, Commercial Crops, & Home-Scale Biodigesters
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I really appreciate what Jason is doing to make a difference on our planet, right now. Thank you for the wonderful time that we shared in making the podcast.
It is really encouraging and inspiring to see like-minded people coming together and Sharing Insights being a key driver in connecting these people. It was a great pleasure to meet Jason and I am looking forward to hearing more.
Jason Bliss is an incredible guy! Right now, he is collecting information on how to make the world a better place, and whether you have information to give or want to receive this information, I highly recommend Jason and Sharing Insights.
10 Most Recent Podcast Episodes
#013: “For Animals For Earth” w/Jason Bliss: Vagabond Permaculture Podcaster – Part 1
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 - For Animals for Earth. 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 right here. I’ve decided to rebroadcast this two-part interview, to help you...
#012 : Lynx Guimond of Sailcargo Inc: Building a Zero-Emissions Ocean Vessel on a Permaculture Homestead
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 he went from bee-keeping in the mountains to creating a sustainability-focused shipyard from scratch. Assembling a team of naval carpenters from...
#011 Nico Botefur of Essence Arenal: Permaculture Designed Hotel, Restaurant, and Food Forest
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 the 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,...
#010 Meghan Casey of Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat: Community Outreach Creating Regional Resilience
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. We also talked about organizing cacao and coffee tours, raising children in such a work-life situation, and so much...
#009 Estéban Acosta of Sembrando Flores and Viogaz: Biodynamics, Commercial Crops, & Home-Scale Biodigesters
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...
#008 Terry Lillian Newton of Kindred Spirits: Raising Horses using Permaculture and Mindfulness
In today’s episode with Terry Lillian 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...
#007 Aly Khan & Alnoor Ladha of Brave Earth: Building Community
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...
#006 Ancel Mitchell of Finca La Isla: Cacao – Traditional Roots to Cottage Industry
Welcome to the world of Ancel Mitchell, 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 of 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...
#005 Peter Kring of Finca La Isla: Fruit Forest Maintenance & Farmers Markets
Meet Peter Kring, a nurseryman, and farmer who has 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....
#004 Justin Dolan of The Permaculture Country Club: Designing for Resilience
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.