Welcome to a series within the series from Guatemala, Central America – three stories from three men I admire most in the world. Each different but related. Each from a different generation. And each navigating the last couple of decades differently since I spent time with them, in the municipality of Fray Bartolome de las Casas, in the central province of Alta Verapaz.

This is the story of a place too, in that sense. A place that’s been through the worst of things and some of the best of human endeavours as well. Offering us all some hard-won wisdom on how to transcend the former and tend the latter, even achieve some remarkable outcomes at times, but perhaps above all, how to live well regardless of those outcomes.

First up, then, it’s a privilege to share my conversation with Don Ceferino de Paz González. Don Cef was Mayor of Fray when I arrived offering my services, a gringo with, at that stage, no organisational or financial backing.

Don Cef had not long been elected, only a few years after the Peace Accords that formally ended a bloody decades-long war. He was then part of the political party that emerged from the guerrilla resistance. A mere boy when he joined that resistance, he’d dodged death, rose through the ranks, and then in peace time, became Mayor not once, but twice.

21 years since I last saw him, we met at his home in Fray. He’d hardly changed, still looking sprightly at age 80. And generously, this proud, articulate, still optimistic elder, was up for a chat – full, frank and open.

We sat out on the patio, late morning. The humidity and heat were on the rise amidst the lush green of these traditional Mayan tropical lowlands. And as we go, we drift deeper into personal terrain. And to take us out, he agrees to pick up the guitar.

Today’s episode is also tribute to my late mentor, systems thinking pioneer and much-loved figure, Professor Frank Fisher, on the 82nd anniversary of his birth.

Thanks again to Dana Scott for so generously translating the Spanish into English.

Recorded 14 January 2025.

See more photos on the episode web page, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener below.

Music:

Salta Montes, by Migra (from Artlist).

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests.

Send us a text

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The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community, your host, and exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack.

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and The RegenNarration shop too.

With great thanks also, for your spreading the word!

NOTE: This version of this week’s episode is in Spanish. You'll find the English translated version in your podcast feed too. (Gracias a Dana ‘Patricio’ Scott por su generosa traducción.)

Bienvenidos a una serie dentro de la serie desde Guatemala, Centroamérica: tres historias de tres hombres a los que admiro muchísimo en el mundo. Cada uno diferente, pero relacionado. Cada uno de una generación distinta. Y cada uno navegando las últimas dos décadas de forma distinta desde que pasé tiempo con ellos, en el municipio de Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz.

En ese sentido, esta es también la historia de un lugar. Un lugar que ha pasado por lo peor y también por lo mejor de la humanidad. Nos ofrece sabiduría adquirida con esfuerzo sobre cómo superar lo primero y cuidar lo segundo, incluso lograr resultados notables en ocasiones, pero quizás sobre todo, cómo vivir bien independientemente de esos resultados.

Primero que nada, es un privilegio compartir mi conversación con Don Ceferino de Paz González. Don Ceferino era alcalde de Fray cuando llegué a ofrecer mis servicios, un gringo sin, en ese momento, respaldo organizativo ni financiero.

Don Cef había sido elegido hacía poco, apenas unos años después de los Acuerdos de Paz que pusieron fin formalmente a una sangrienta guerra de décadas. Por aquel entonces formaba parte del partido político surgido de la resistencia guerrillera. Siendo apenas un niño cuando se unió a esa resistencia, esquivó la muerte, ascendió en la jerarquía y, en tiempos de paz, llegó a ser alcalde no una, sino dos veces.

21 años después de la última vez que lo vi, nos reunimos en su casa de Fray. A sus 80 años, generosamente, este hombre orgulloso, elocuente y aún optimista, estaba dispuesto a charlar con sinceridad y franqueza.

Nos sentamos en el patio. La humedad y el calor subían entre el verde de estas tradicionales tierras tropicales mayas. Y a medida que avanzamos, nos adentramos más en terreno personal. Y para terminar, acepta tocar la guitarra.

El episodio de hoy también rinde homenaje a mi difunto mentor, pionero del pensamiento sistémico y figura muy querida, el profesor Frank Fisher, en el 82.º aniversario de su nacimiento.

Grabado el 14 de enero de 2025.

Vea más fotos en la página web del episodio y, para ver más del detrás de cámaras, conviértase en oyente colaborador a continuación.

Música:

Salta Montes, de Migra (fuente: Artlist).

Regeneration, de Amelia Barden.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community, your host, and exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack.

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and The RegenNarration shop too.

With great thanks also, for your spreading the word!

Welcome to another very special series of episodes. This time, from my return to an old haunt back at the turn of the century, in beautiful current day Guatemala, Central America. Deep in the heart of Mayan Country and culture.

To have the opportunity to share these with you here, is beyond what I ever imagined possible. I couldn’t be more grateful, including to Dana Scott for so generously translating and speaking the Spanish in English, for me to overdub for you here. A version of all four episodes in the series will go out in both Spanish and English.

First up, a story I’m so glad to be able to share with you - a visit to the Meso-American Permaculture Institute on the shores of the world wonder called Lago de Atitlan (Lake Atitlan). You may have heard my conversation with Maria Inés Cuj and Rony Lec, current and former directors of the Institute, a few years ago in episode 113, when they won a major global award after 20+ years of trailblazing gutsy work.

This time, we were fortunate to be able to visit in person, and be shown around this centre of ceremony, education and regeneration – a literal cross-cultural lifeline for the community, the lake, and beyond.

Initially, I’d just had the phone recording going to capture our arrival, but it got interesting straight up, with Inés and her colleague Patrik Mucia so warmly welcoming us in their ceremonial ground (after we’d spent untold hours scrambling to catch 2 boats, 2 tuk tuks, and 1 pickup to get there).

After that, Patrik takes us for a walk. This young Mayan man is a great communicator, including about his story - how the Institute prompted his return to Mayan culture and his introduction to permaculture. And while we walk, the gardens sing.

Recorded 15 December 2024.

Title slide: AJ and Patrik (by Olivia Cheng).

See more photos on the episode web page, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener below.

Music:

Salta Montes, by Migra (from Artlist).

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community, your host, and exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack.

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and The RegenNarration shop too.

With great thanks also, for your spreading the word!

NOTE: This version of this week’s episode is in Spanish. You'll find the English translated version in your podcast feed too.

Hoy lanzamos una nueva serie de episodios muy especiales. Esta vez, desde mi regreso a un lugar donde vivia a principios del siglo, en la hermosa Guatemala, Centroamérica. En pleno corazón de la cultura y tierra Maya.

Para empezar, una visita al Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura, a orillas de la maravilla del mundo llamada Lago de Atitlán. Quizás recuerden mi conversación con María Inés Cuj y Rony Lec, director actual y anterior del Instituto, hace algunos años en el episodio 113, cuando recibieron un importante premio internacional tras más de 20 años de trabajo pionero y valiente.

Esta vez, nos llenó de alegría poder visitar en persona este centro de ceremonias, educación y regeneración, un verdadero salvavidas intercultural para la comunidad, el lago y más allá.

Al principio, solo tenía la grabación del teléfono para registrar nuestra llegada, pero la cosa se puso interesante enseguida, cuando Inés y su colega Patrik Mucia nos recibieron con tanta calidez en su espacio ceremonial.

Después, Patrik nos lleve a dar un paseo. Este hombre Maya es un gran comunicador, incluso sobre su historia: cómo el Instituto impulsó su regreso a su cultura Maya, y su introducción a la permacultura. Y mientras caminamos, ¡los jardines cantan!

Grabado por el 15 de Diciembre 2024.

Foto principal: AJ y Patrik (por Olivia Cheng).

Puedes ver más fotos en la página web del episodio en inglés y, para obtener más información detrás de escena, conviértete en oyente de apoyo a continuación.

Música:

Salta Montes, de Migra (fuente: Artlist).

Regeneration, por Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community, your host, and exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack.

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and The RegenNarration shop too.

With great thanks also, for your spreading the word!

Aquí les presento un adelanto del lanzamiento de una serie de episodios muy especial para finales de 2025. Esta vez, viene de mi regreso a un lugar en donde vivía yo a principios del siglo, en la hermosa Guatemala, Centroamérica. En pleno corazón de la cultura y tierra Maya.

Entre las bendiciones que tuve entonces se encontraban amistades con personas queridas, descendientes de esas raíces ancestrales. Y durante los meses que pasamos allí a principios de este año y a finales del pasado, tuve la oportunidad de grabar cuatro episodios.

Tener la oportunidad de compartir esto con ustedes aquí supera cualquier expectativa. Estoy sumamente agradecido. Y gracias a Dana ‘Patricio’ Scott, se emitirá una versión de los cuatro episodios en español e inglés.

Todo empieza mañana. ¡Espero que nos acompañen!

Foto: de la visita guiada en IMAP (por Olivia Cheng).

Música: Salta Montes, de Migra (fuente: Artlist).

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. We'd love you to join us.

Become a paid subscriber to connect with your host, other listeners and exclusive benefits, on Patreon or the new Substack.

Or donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

While you can also visit The RegenNarration shop. Come to an event. And please do share, rate and review the podcast.

Thanks for your support!

Here's a preview of another very special series of episodes to end 2025. This time, from my return to an old haunt back at the turn of the century, in beautiful current day Guatemala, Central America. Deep in the heart of Mayan Country and culture.

Among my blessings back then were cherished friendships with some dear people descendent of those ancient roots. And in the months we were back there earlier this year and late last, I had the chance to record four episodes.

To have the opportunity to share these with you here, is beyond what I ever imagined possible. All translated by my dear friend in Baltimore who was with me in the latter part of my time in Guate, who you might remember from the recent episodes from Chaco Canyon in New Mexico (eps 264 and 5). With great thanks to Dana, a version of all four episodes will go out in both Spanish and English.

It all starts tomorrow. I hope you’ll join us!

Title slide: from the tour at IMAP (pic: Olivia Cheng).

Music: Salta Montes, by Migra (sourced from Artlist).

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. We'd love you to join us.

Become a paid subscriber to connect with your host, other listeners and exclusive benefits, on Patreon or the new Substack.

Or donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

While you can also visit The RegenNarration shop. Come to an event. And please do share, rate and review the podcast.

Thanks for your support!

One of the most rewarding parts of doing this podcast is hearing from listeners – from you. On this occasion, I heard from a listener who has also been a generous subscriber for a couple of years now. Vicky Winton is a credentialed archaeologist, with her own riveting story to tell. She graciously shared some of that story with me. I relay some of it here, though I’ll leave most of that telling to her some time.

Here’s what I’d like to share from our correspondence, before I patch in what Vicki courageously sent me to share with you too.

Vicky wrote: ‘Grounded left me feeling sad in ways I can’t put my finger on. Not sure what to make of such a response. Hopefully some kind of galvanising. Seems taboo to mention sadness, like it’s disloyal to the cause of sorting things out for the better. Defeatist.’

This started our exchange, which summed to this - Vicky humbly, reluctantly, generously agreeing to record her reading of a Sonnet she had composed in the wake of the festival. And a bit more besides.

Title image: AJ, Heidi Mippy, Di & Ian Haggerty in the session at Grounded that became episode 281 (pic: Alan Benson).

Music:

Music by Jeremiah Johnson.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. We'd love you to join us.

Become a paid subscriber to connect with your host, other listeners and exclusive benefits, on Patreon or the new Substack.

Or donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

While you can also visit The RegenNarration shop. Come to an event. And please do share, rate and review the podcast.

Thanks for your support!

My host platform's automatic AI title suggestions for this episode were:

• The Riotous Wrap
• Turning a Closing Panel into a Playful Showdown
• When a Nutrient Density Guy Meets A Festival Founder and a Referee (guess that's me!), Chaos Ensues
• Taste as Truth
• If A Carrot Had Wi-Fi, It Would Ghost Your Microwave

Gives you an idea. Today we conclude our series from the Grounded Festival here in Australia, with a grand finale of a different flavour. Festival founder, curator, farmer, writer, broadcaster, Matthew Evans, had offered the slot to Dan Kittredge, also a farmer, and globally renowned advocate for nutrient density (you may have heard him on the podcast for episode 250 while we were still in his native US).

Dan subsequently suggested to Matthew they do something different – that Matthew join Dan on stage, to challenge him a little. Matthew then turned to me to see if I’d round out the unholy trinity, in case Dan got out of hand (not really … well, maybe). Anyway, what everyone who was there that day all agreed on, was that this turned out to be a riot – a grounded, cosmic, hysterical end to a wonderful festival. And no one was spared.

Let’s head back to Galloway Springs Farm near Bridgetown WA, one more time.

Chapter markers & transcript.

Recorded 20 September 2025.

Title image: AJ, Matthew & Dan on stage (pic: Alan Benson).

See more photos on the episode web page, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener below.

Early bird tix for Grounded 2026 are out now, with a 10% discount for podcast subscribers, with thanks again to the festival team (I’ve sent the code to you on Patreon and Substack).

Music:

Rowdy, by The Lonely Ramblers (from Artlist).

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. We'd love you to join us.

Become a paid subscriber to connect with your host, other listeners and exclusive benefits, on Patreon or the new Substack.

Or donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

While you can also visit The RegenNarration shop. Come to an event. And please do share, rate and review the podcast.

Thanks for your support!