Greetings, and happy new year! In this episode, I speak with Beth Huggins amongst the hills of coastal Ecuador on land being stewarded and restored by Regeneration Field Institute. This conversation was recorded in June '22.
Beth believes in development work that intimately considers unique community and individual needs with a systemic and holistic approach. I recall her soaking up the book (amongst countless other books) 'How Can I Help?' while living and working together in Nepal. She says "The concept of service in my mind is that you just show up, day after day. You have no expectations. You have no agenda. You are there to support life."
When I asked about the cultural barrier of working in Nepal, "I never imagined I'd spend 7 years in a place. But 7 years (is what) it's taken me to understand the background of those cultural challenges. To understand that, 'oh, even if I don't like this power dynamic that exists' when we work with communities, I don't really get to choose this - it's their power dynamic. It's their culture... All I get to have a say in is how I get to spend my life minutes to support other people to have a say in that - whose space it is."
We also speak into sacrifices, challenges, patience, and of inspiring people in Beth's life who have guided and positively impacted her.
Connect with Beth via @bugggins and follow her work @consciousimpact + @regenerationfieldinstitute
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On the next episode - we move out of Latin America and return north to the Pacific Northwest on the edge of the Salish Sea where I used to reside - Seattle. I sit down and have a conversation with a long-time friend, Jennifer Grasso.
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Wilderness Within (WW) is possible due to the ongoing financial support of patreon supporters. We are big fans of the value-driven, pay-it-forward model, and the reason why you won't hear razor subscriptions or NordVPN discounts being offered is thanks to the few dollars that my supporters pitch in each month or year. Besides becoming a patron, some of the best ways to support this podcast is to share this episode or show, and to rate WW on Spotify, Apple, or your fav listening platform. Whatever you are able to do, thank you! Follow & engage @wildernesswithinpod Special thanks to Scott Hanson & Carlos Militante for the WW soundtrack and logo. A shoutout to Melissa Carter for her editing & production magic, and the following humans - Paul J., Antoine M., Aiyana B., Deborah C., Rene D., Luke F., Kelly P., Carina F., Kelsea L., Khen R., Kelsey Y., Michael C., Evan S., Reiki C., Kristine S., Lindsay C., Anne G., Yu Shan C., Otis S. Steven T., Delvin S., Steven M., Steph P., Anna W., Camila N., Dana W., Naira d. G., Dora L., Orion H., Michelle K., Steven W., Gautier B., Jackie C. S., Romar S., Peter W., Jacky C., Tsetop S., Frankie L., Jim B. Lisa C., Marek B., Ryan L., Mikey L., Alex A., and more past & present patrons - in making this dream come true.
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