Regenerative Renegades

What happens when the cows disappear from the countryside? For nearly 30 years, Mitch Barthel has had a front-row seat to one of the biggest shifts in American agriculture: the decline of the family farm and the steady loss of cattle across the Midwest. In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host and Chief Renegade Matt Maier sits down with Mitch Barthel, owner of Tri-County Stockyards and Per...

How do we build a more resilient, humane, and regenerative food system? And who has the power to make it happen? In Part 2 of this two-part series, host Matt Maier continues the conversation with Eric Boatti, Senior Manager of Farmer Advocacy at the ASPCA, and Mike Guebert, Western Regional Leader of the FACE Ag Network, regenerative livestock farmer, and Program Director of the Oregon Pasture Net...

Most people know the ASPCA for its work with cats and dogs, but what role does it play in the future of regenerative agriculture? In the first episode of this two-part series, host Matt Maier welcomes Eric Boatti, Senior Manager of Farmer Advocacy at the ASPCA, and Mike Guebert, Western Regional Leader of the FACE Ag Network, regenerative livestock farmer, and Program Director of the Oregon Pastur...

In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier sits down with Leah Kleinschrodt, Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Educator, and host of the Dishing Up Nutrition podcast, to explore the powerful connection between food and health. Leah shares her personal journey from struggling with digestive issues, anxiety, chronic cravings, and inflammation to discovering the life-changing benefits o...

Before we can regenerate our soil, regenerate our farms, or regenerate our food system, we must first regenerate ourselves. In this deeply personal and philosophical conversation, Regenerative Renegades host Matt Maier sits down with Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, regenerative agriculture pioneer, founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, CEO of Tree-Range Farms, and one of the leading voice...

On this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier sits down with Aaron Ehalt to explore the connection between food, health, and one of Matt’s favorite topics—grilling! From a diet built on convenience foods to one centered around grass fed beef and whole ingredients, Aaron shares how small, intentional shifts led to major improvements in how he feels, and how he now inspires others to do...

John Ritter's story is one of relentless resilience, faith, and starting over again and again. On this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host and Chief Renegade Matt Maier sits down with John, creator and host of Rise Up Country, a nationally syndicated radio show heard on over 240 stations across America. From being given just two weeks to live as a child to building a career that has touch...

What if the future of elite performance comes down to what’s on your plate? On this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier sits down with University of Minnesota Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Nutrition, Tommy Jensen, for a fast-moving conversation on how nutrition is becoming a competitive edge in modern athletics. Tommy shares his journey, the rising expectations of today’s at...

What if the most satisfying meals don't start in the kitchen, but rather in fields and pastures? In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier joins chef and distiller and executive chef Scott Davis in the kitchen for a hands-on conversation about food, flavor, regenerative agriculture, and community-driven food systems. As Scott cooks, they explore his unexpected journey into th...

In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier talks with Allison Hohn, Executive Director of Naturally Minnesota, about her food industry journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Drawing on her experience in food science, product development, and R&D at companies like Land O’Lakes and Target, Allison shares the challenges of bringing new food products to market and the...

In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier sits down with Todd Lein, Thousand Hills’ first employee and longest-tenured team member, to reflect on more than 22 years of regenerative agriculture in action. Todd shares an inside look at the early days of Thousand Hills and the challenges of championing grass fed beef long before it was mainstream. He and Matt also discuss the evoluti...

In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier sits down with SPINS leaders Jessica Wright, Vice President of Product Intelligence at SPINS, and Scott Dicker, Director of Market Insights at SPINS. SPINS is an industry-leading data and product intelligence company that connects shopper values to product innovation across the natural, organic, and wellness marketplace. Together, they bre...

In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, guest host Melissa Larsen—an expert in nutrition and public health—engages Dan Kittredge in an enlightening discussion about improving nutrient value in our food system. Dan, the founder of the BioNutrient Food Association, shares his journey from organic farming to championing soil health and nutrient density in food. Together, they explore the global im...

Join Matt Maier, host of Regenerative Renegades, in a conversation with Finian Makepeace — co-founder of Kiss the Ground, producer of the acclaimed films Kiss the Ground and Common Ground, and partner at The Ryzosphere. They explore Finian’s journey from touring musician and activist to one of the most compelling voices in the regenerative agriculture movement. Together, they discuss the power of...

In Part 2, Thomas Schroeder, Senior Partnerships Manager for Audubon Conservation Ranching, returns to discuss how Audubon’s work with ranchers and producers is helping biodiversity take flight. This episode explores the power of connection, curiosity, and conservation in the regenerative movement.

In this two-part series, Thomas Schroeder, Senior Partnerships Manager for Audubon Conservation Ranching, joins host Matt Maier to discuss how ranchers and conservationists are teaming up to restore grassland ecosystems and protect declining bird populations. From his background as a chef to his work in regenerative agriculture, Thomas highlights the deep connection between food, land, and communi...

Join Matt Maier, host of Regenerative Renegades, in a conversation with Kevin Ouzts, chef-turned-founder of The Spotted Trotter. They discuss the evolution of food and farming, Kevin’s journey from fine dining to charcuterie making, and the importance of local sourcing, community, and celebrating regional flavor. Together, they explore how culture, creativity, and conscious eating can shape the fu...

Join Matt Maier for a conversation with Dr. Jonathan Lundgren — agroecologist, former USDA scientist, and founder of Blue Dasher Farm and the Ecdysis Foundation. Jonathan shares why he walked away from conventional research to pursue regeneration, what he’s learned from the Thousand Farms Initiative, and how farming with nature can restore soil, communities, and hope for the future.

Join Matt Maier, host of Regenerative Renegades for a sit-down interview with Carrie Balkcom, Executive Director of American Grassfed Association. Carrie shares her journey into agriculture and the pivotal role she's played in establishing trusted grass-fed standards. Together, they dive into the fight for honest food labeling, the importance of consumer awareness, and why not all "grass...

This week on Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier continues his conversation with Dr. Stephan Van Vliet, a leading nutrition scientist at Utah State University with deep expertise in metabolomics. In Part 2, they dig into an omnivorous diet, why cravings don’t meet our true needs, the nutrient decline in modern agriculture, and how whole foods and regenerative systems offer hope for the future...

This week on Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier kicks off a two-part conversation with Dr. Stephan Van Vliet, a leading nutrition scientist at Utah State University with deep expertise in metabolomics. Together, they explore how regenerative agriculture impacts the nutrient density of meat, why “you are what your food eats” is more than a catchy phrase, and what the latest science reveals abo...

In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, we're shaking things up! Host Matt Maier steps aside to introduce a special guest host- his daughter and the show's producer, Melissa Maier. Melissa takes the reins to interview Minnesota's media powerhouse, Elizabeth Ries. Elizabeth has been co-hosting Twin Cities Live for 16 years and is a weekly contributor to Minnesota Live . She shares...

In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, host Matt Maier welcomes Anthony Hauck of the National Audubon Society to discuss the symbiotic relationship between grazing cattle and grassland birds. Mr. Hauck serves as Communications Manager of the Audubon Conservation Program, the organization's flagship grassland habitat effort to stabilize declining grassland bird populations in partnership w...

Patrice Bailey, Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture for Minnesota Department of Agriculture  Patrice Bailey speaks with host, Matt Maier, about a range of topics  His path from Harlem to agriculture  Global and societal perspectives of agriculture and where the U.S. prioritizes agriculture  Tariffs, Price Gouging and the Value of Food  Farmers as Innovators What gives him hope

In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, former NFL linebacker and Minnesota Viking Ben Leber shares a great message of being intentional about our lives through daily practices – everything from scheduling our daily lives, family life, nutrition and environment. Ben took a holistic dive into his health and wellness as a professional athlete and his story helps us understand ways that we can app...