The Social Regeneration Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Why the Human Rights sector needs to rethink itself from the Ground up

In this Episode, Rebecka Ambjörnsson - @karuna.family - , Managing Director of the social cooperative Karuna in Berlin, gives us insights into why traditional human rights organisations often reproduce the very inequalities they aim to fix. Drawing from her own disillusionment with top-down aid structures, Rebecka shared how Karuna flips the script by working directly with people who have lived experience of marginalisation. We talked about how social innovation can flourish when you put a local politician, a street-experienced teen, and an academic in the same room. We also touched on tokenism, the problem of unpaid activism, and how Karuna experiments with formats to make participation possible for those struggling just to get by. 💡 HIGHLIGHTS of this Episode ✨ The origin story of Karuna as a cooperative founded by formerly marginalised youth ✨ How Karuna acts as a living lab for bottom-up social innovation ✨ Examples of cross-stakeholder projects that unite academics, entrepreneurs, and youth with street experience ✨ The ethics and practicalities of paying marginalised experts fairly for their contributions ✨ Why classic human rights models often perpetuate colonial power dynamics 👋 ABOUT Rebecka (she/her) Rebecka holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Democratisation and has worked across multiple continents with a range of human rights organisations and projects. Her focus lies in youth and civil society inclusion, with a passion for communication, participation, and meaningful exchange that challenges boundaries. Rebecka specialises in human rights, with a particular emphasis on inclusive participation, youth engagement, and strengthening civil society. She brings a hands-on perspective to her work, combining strategic communication with deep commitment to democratic values and social justice. 🔗 CONNECT & follow Rebecka's work 👉 Karuna Family 👉 LinkedIn 👉 Instagram 📚 RESOURCES to dive deeper ➡ UN Regeneration Collective **** 💌 CONNECT & engage with Pia Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work. 🤗 If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator. 🤓 For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account. 🧐💓 You would do us and our work an incredible favour if you would share this Episode/Podcast with at least 1 person in your network that is also interested in social entrepreneurship and social justice topics. Let's inspire and support each other! Pia 🤍 P.S. You can also watch this Episode on our YouTube Channel to see our faces 👋☺ #socialjustice #humanrights #humandignity #inclusion #civilsociety #grassroots #socialinnovation #socialentrepreneurship #socialenterprise #decoloniseaid #youthvoice #cooperativepower #equityinpractice #activism

About mines, memes, mindsets, and multilateralism

In this electrifying and deeply reflective conversation, we dive into the complex interplay between sustainability, geopolitics, and narratives. I speak with Maximiliano, whose unconventional path - from growing up in a mining region in Chile to shaping UN development programs - offers a rare perspective on global transformation. We discuss why sustainability doesn't happen in a vacuum, how power struggles and security fears distort our collective action, and why memes might be as important as policy papers. We unpack the hidden tensions in supply chains, EU carbon policies, and the role of language in shaping minds - and ultimately, the future. Should we be diplomatic or disruptive? Strategic or stubborn? The answer might just be: all of the above. 💡 HIGHLIGHTS of this Episode ✨ Why sustainability and security are two sides of the same coin ✨ The political economy behind global resource extraction ✨ Maximiliano’s personal journey from Chile’s mining north to UN diplomacy ✨ How shifting narratives (and even emojis) shape sustainability training and strategies ✨ Why value-driven language—and compromise—can both drive change 👋 ABOUT Maximiliano Cortes Sotomayor (he/him) Maximiliano is a passionate professional with extensive experience in sustainable development, international project management, and environmental policy. Over the past decade, he had the opportunity to design and lead impactful programs across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and beyond, collaborating with organizations like GIZ, UNSSC, and Mercedes-Benz’s beVisioneers Fellowship.

🔗 CONNECT & follow Maximiliano's work 👉 LinkedIn 💌 CONNECT & engage with Pia Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work. 🤗 If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator. 🤓 For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account. 🧐💓 Take care of yourself and others!

Pia 🤍 P.S. You can also watch this Episode on our YouTube Channel to see our faces 👋 🙂 #sustainability #geopolitics #climatejustice #regeneration #systemsthinking #carbonfootprint #security #supplychains #policychange #transformation

Liandra Vianna's Journey towards Sustainable Rural Development & Tourism

In this episode, I speak with one of my former Mentees, Liandra Vianna, about her unique, non-linear career journey - from architecture, operations, and UX design to rural development and sustainable tourism.

Born in Rio de Janeiro and now living in Lisbon, Liandra opens up about how city life sparked her passion to address the mental and social toll of urbanization. She highlights the loneliness epidemic in crowded cities and the hidden costs of being disconnected from community - in comparison to smaller villages.

In her thesis, Liandra explored the demographic desertification of rural towns and how decentralizing people and resources could revive these spaces.

Through touching field experiences in Italy and Portugal, she uncovers the barriers - such as lack of opportunity and funding - that prevent people and small businesses from thriving in rural areas. We also discuss systemic challenges, including governmental neglect and short-term political interests.

This episode offers a powerful reminder that small towns have significant potential - if given the chance and attention. Tune in for an honest and hopeful discussion on how reimagining rural life can lead to a more balanced and sustainable lifestyle - a stepping stone towards social regeneration.

💡 HIGHLIGHTS of this Episode

✨ Why and how Liandra is shifting from UX design to sustainable rural development

✨ About mental health challenges caused by urban living and isolation

✨ Learn about the concept of “demographic desertification” and its global impact

✨ Hear real stories from small towns in Portugal and Italy about barriers to entrepreneurship

✨ Explore ideas for how rural areas can become thriving, connected communities again

👋 ABOUT Liandra Vianna (she/her)

Brazilian Operations Strategist and Experience Designer, passionate about rural development and sustainable tourism. She moved to Portugal 4 years ago to study how a designer's mindset and a systems-thinking approach could help boost rural development in demographic deserts across Europe.

🔗 CONNECT & follow Liandra's work

👉 LinkedIn

📚 RESOURCES to dive deeper

➡ The Lonely Century - Noreena Hertz

➡ The Biology of Belief - Bruce Lipton

➡ Rural Move - Organisation on Rural Entrepreneurship in Portugal that Liandra is associated with

➡ FELLA - Organisation on Rural Female Entrepreneurship in Germany that Pia's former Mentors founded

***

You want to experience the same transformative mentoring program as Liandra to pivot your career? ⬇️

Join the next cohort, today! 💕

🔔 Next Group Mentoring for #ImpactJobSeeker starts on April 1st ❗

🔍 This is the program: https://impacthills.com/impactjobseeker-group-mentoring/

👉 Sign-up here (limited spots!)

****

💌 CONNECT & engage with Pia

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work. 🤗

If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator. 🤓⚖

For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account. 🧐💓

Take care of yourself and others!

Pia 🤍

P.S. You can also watch this Episode on our YouTube Channel to see our faces 👋😊

#SustainableLiving #RuralDevelopment #DemographicChange #UrbanVsRural #Urbanism #SocialInnovation #SustainableTourism #CommunityBuilding #EnvironmentalJustice #LonelinessEpidemic #LifeBeyondCities #DigitalNomads #RuralBusiness #Entrepreneurship

Exploring alternative economies and the role of money in a regenerative world

In this episode, we explore the transformative potential of finance with guests Sophie and Stephen, two experts in sustainable finance and regenerative economies.

They share their personal journeys - from studying sustainability to leading global initiatives in impact investing and financial education. We dive into the big question: Can money be a force for good?

Sophie and Stephen discuss the barriers, challenges, and opportunities in shifting mindsets and practices toward finances, emphasizing the need for value-driven decision-making.

They introduce their latest project, MoneyBling, which challenges traditional money narratives and creates space for people to explore their personal relationship with finance.

Together, we uncover the hidden impact of financial systems on our lives, relationships, and communities. Sophie highlights how finance is a social construct that we can reshape collectively, while Stephen shares insights on the practical steps individuals and businesses can take to align money with values.

This episode is a call to demystify finance, break money taboos, and actively engage in and explore the potential of a more regenerative economy. Join us in this thought-provoking conversation about reimagining finance and the role we all play in shaping the future of money.

💡 HIGHLIGHTS of this Episode

✨ Why money is a social construct - and how we can reshape our relationship with it

✨ The biggest barriers and challenges to sustainable finance today

✨ Examples and opportunities of alternative financial practices and economic systems

✨ Insights from MoneyBling, an initiative exploring the deeper meaning of money for individuals

✨ Practical steps to align your financial decisions with your values

👋 ABOUT Sophie Charrois & Stephen Snider

For the past couple of years, Sophie & Stephen have been diving into learnings around alternative systems for more just and regenerative economies and the role of money in all of this. Besides their endeavor to demystify money, they are currently diving deeper into alternative ways of living around community, farming, and regeneration - working with their hands in the soil and growing a network with roots.

🔗 CONNECT & follow Sophie & Stephen

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-charrois/

👉 https://sophiecharrois.wixsite.com/asterion

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kstephensnider/

🤝 Experience their work

👉 Fellowship: https://www.neiii.org/thefellowship

👉 Online Journey: https://www.moneybling.net/

👉 Retreat: https://bit.ly/RiteofPassage25

📚 RESOURCES to dive deeper

➡ Course by Brett Scott: https://www.asomo.co/s/econ-life-101

➡ Movie on Money: https://findingmoneyfilm.com/

➡ More curated Resources by MoneyBling: https://www.moneybling.net/resources

****

💌 CONNECT & engage with Pia

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work. 🤗

If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator. 🤓⚖

For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account. 🧐💓

🔔 Next Group Mentoring for #ImpactJobSeeker starts April 1st ❗

🔍 Check out the program: https://impacthills.com/impactjobseeker-group-mentoring/

👉 Sign-up here (limited spots!)

Take care of yourself and others!

Pia 🤍

P.S. You can also watch this Episode on our YouTube Channel to see our faces 👋☺

#SustainableFinance #ImpactInvesting #RegenerativeEconomy #FinanceForGood #MoneyMatters #FinancialEducation #EthicalInvesting #FinancePodcast #MoneyMindset #InvestForChange

Incubating inner and outer transformation through slowing down, presence, and connection

My dear friend and colleague Lauren Uba is one the first guests in this podcast show as she is currently exploring deeply how to weave social fabric.

Lauren is a community builder, urbanist, facilitator, and socio-ecological systems transformation activist. Her goal is to make inner and outer transformation visible, tangible, and accessible. Lauren gives speeches, delivers workshops, initiates and supports climate and social change initiatives, and contributes whatever she can in honor of a more liveable, loving, and connected world.

In this episode Lauren and I discuss the need for social regeneration and how communal living can support the inner and outer transformation that is needed to weave social fabric between individuals and communities of practice. We are having a deeper look at the "Yincubator", a pilot for regenerative culture design that she is forming part of currently, and she also shares her work in transforming climate anxiety into climate action.

Note: Unfortunately at minute 2:55 there was a small slip of the tongue. Instead of "Climate Activism Club", it is called "Climate Action Community".

💡 HIGHLIGHTS of this Episode

✨ Insights into the Yincubator Residency Program

✨ The essence of easeful co-living

✨ Cultivating collective leadership

✨ Navigating life transitions and incubating your path

✨ Creating space for connection and change

✨ About privilege and the importance of a social safety net

✨ Creating connections of third places through ancestral work and technology

✨ The role of the community in climate action

👋 ABOUT Lauren Uba

Lauren is a community builder, urbanist, facilitator, and socio-ecological systems transformation activist. Her goal is to make inner and outer transformation visible, tangible and accessible.

Lauren gives speeches, delivers workshops, supports climate and social change initiatives, and does whatever she can in honor of a more liveable, loving world. 

🔗 CONNECT & follow Lauren’s work

👉  Website

👉  LinkedIn

📚 RESOURCES to dive deeper

➡ Climate Youth Resilience with the mindfulness initiative climateyouthresilience.org

➡ Back Pain Book

****

💌 CONNECT & engage with Pia

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work. 🤗

If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator. 🤓⚖

For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account. 🧐💓

If you want to embark yourself on your journey to work in sustainability, check out the Group Mentoring for #ImpactJobSeeker: https://impacthills.com/impactjobseeker-group-mentoring/ DOORS ARE OPEN 🤗

🔔 The next cohort is starting on April 1st 📅

I'd be happy to support you in pausing, reflecting and creating your own pathway into meaningful work aligned with your values.

Take care of yourself and others!

Pia 🤍

P.S. You can also watch this Episode on our YouTube Channel to see our faces 👋☺

#CommunityBuilding #Urbanism #SocioEcologicalSystems #SocialRegeneration #CommunalLiving #ClimateActivism #ClimateAnxiety #CollectiveLeadership #EasefulLiving #SocialChange #IncubatorPrograms  #PurposeOverProfit #Connection #Presence #CommunitySupport #Pilot #Prototype #SocialTransformation

Navigating the delicate balance between radical innovation and stability

In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Scarborough, a designer-turned-system-thinker, to explore her journey from interior architecture to the world of regenerative practices and systems change. Ashley shares how she transitioned from the corporate design world into tackling wicked problems - complex global challenges that cannot be solved with single solutions. We discuss the limitations of circular economy models, the realities of working in the regenerative field, and the delicate balance between radical innovation and financial stability. Ashley also reflects on defining her role in a field that is still emerging and the importance of thought leadership within organisations. This conversation offers an honest look into the challenges and possibilities of shaping a more regenerative future by creating your own path and collaborating with others.

Episode Highlights

Ashley’s career transition from interior design to system change

Understanding wicked problems and why they require a holistic approach

The limits of circular economy and why regeneration is a necessary step

The realities of working in an emerging field

Finding financial stability within current conditions while challenging the current system

ABOUT Ashley Scarborough

Ashley is a system change consultant, designer, and facilitator based in Berlin. Ashley combines systems thinking and design methodology to tackle complex systemic problems we are facing in the world, having gained expertise during the System Change Practitioner program with the School of System Change in 2022, and a Masters in Product Design from the Royal College of Art in 2018. She also founded How We Eat, an experiential learning initiative that uses food to explore regenerative principles and systems thinking with leaders. Ashley is driven by the power of systems thinking and design towards a future where humans and nature live in symbiosis.

LINKS to Ashley and her current work

How we eat

Ashley's Homepage

Ashley on LinkedIn

Ashley's Recommendations on Books & Courses

BOOKS

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

The patterning Instinct by Jeremy Lent

Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows

Systems One: An Introduction to Systems Thinking by Draper L. Kauffman

COURSES

Basecamp from the School of System Change

Regenesis

The Art of Hosting

The Capra Course

****

💌 Connect & Engage with us

Feel free to connect with me personally, your host Pia, on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work.

If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator.

For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account.

Social Media Platforms

YouTube Channel

Instagram

LinkedIn

#SocialRegeneration #SystemsThinking #RegenerativeDesign #CircularEconomy #SystemChange #WickedProblems #SustainableFuture #DesignForChange #FinancialStability #ThoughtLeadership

Why system change is more than just a buzzword and how we can actively shape it

In this episode, we deeply dive into paradigm shifts and systems thinking. What does it mean to challenge an existing system and bring about fundamental change?

We explore how old paradigms evolve, why some persist, and how new ways of thinking emerge. Using practical examples such as the Two-Loop Theory, we provide tools to help you actively shape transformation.

Learn to identify patterns in existing structures, define your role as a change agent, and pinpoint leverage points for sustainable change. This is an inspiring deep dive for anyone who wants to do more than talk about change – but drive it forward!

✨ Episode Highlights:

✅ What is a paradigm – and how does it change?

✅ Why existing structures are often difficult to break through

✅ The Two-Loop Theory as a model for systemic change

✅ How new ways of thinking and trends become dominant paradigms

✅ Systems thinking as a key to sustainable solutions

🎁 Explore what YOUR CHANGE AGENT ROLE could be in driving system change, you can download the FREE GUIDEBOOK here: https://impacthills.com/impact-roles-guide/ 👈 7 Change Agent Archetypes and 3 Pathways into impactful work

Further resources on System Change

More on the Two Loop Model and the work from the Berkana Institut

A different/advanced theory on System Change - The Three Horizon Model

The importance of System Thinking - a video

How to create intervention plans with leverage points in mind

If you want us to have a look together at your current situation and explore what your pathway into sustainability or regeneration could be, you can sign up for an Exploration Call here: https://forms.gle/XaghsjmxT4F4F8rGA ☎️

#SystemChange #ParadigmShift #Regeneration #ShapingTheFuture #Sustainability #SocialChange #ChangeAgents #SystemsThinking #Innovation #Transformation #SustainableFuture #CreatingChange #RegenerativePractices #NewParadigm

In this episode of the Social Regeneration Podcast, host Pia Hillebrecht shares her personal and professional journey in sustainability. She reflects on her university years, the challenges of working in the field, and how the sustainability sector has evolved over the past decade.

Pia discusses how her role has shifted from sustainability analyst to process facilitator and why she now focuses on social transformation. It’s not just about sustainable business models but also about fostering the mindset that enables real change. She shares insights from working with large corporations, startups, and social entrepreneurs while tackling the question: How can we drive sustainability from within without losing ourselves in the process? Pia rounds off the episode with an invitation for listeners to join the conversation and share their own experiences.

Episode Highlights:

1. 🔄 From Theory to Practice: Why sustainability often lacks ready-made solutions

2. 💼 The Changing Workplace: How companies approach sustainability today

3. 🤯 Challenges for Sustainability Professionals: Balancing advocacy and self-care

4. 🚀 Self-Employment & New Work: A behind-the-scenes look at the realities of freelancing

5. 💞 Community & Collaboration: Why working together is key to transformation

#Sustainability #ImpactBusiness #SocialRegeneration #NewWork #GreenBusiness #CircularEconomy #FutureOfWork #ChangeMaker #PurposeDriven #SustainableLiving

A story about unlearning, awakening, and quitting

In this episode, I introduce myself as your host and share my journey of becoming a sustainability professional - and some of the reasons why this Podcast exists.

Before I start inviting guests, I want to create an intimate and brave space by "going first"—sharing my journey, my WHY, and how an eye-opening experience in Ecuador set me on the path to sustainability, leadership, and social transformation. I talk about the challenges of unlearning, deconstructing old perspectives, quitting,g and finding "my crowd" and path.

If you've ever felt lost, questioned the current system, or longed to find like-minded people, this episode is for you.

💡 Highlights of this Episode

1. My journey: From a social volunteer year abroad to finding my purpose and creating a life-long career around it

2. The "awakening moment" that shaped my career and mission

3. How unlearning and deconstructing beliefs can be a painful but transformative process

4. The struggle to find the right education and environment for impact-driven work

5. Why this podcast is a space for deep conversations, diverse perspectives, and change

💌 Connect & Engage

Feel free to connect with me, and your host Pia, on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work.

If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator.

For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account.

#PodcastLaunch #Sustainability #PurposeDriven #LifelongLearning #Unlearning #Purpose #Why #SocialImpact #ChangeMakers #TransformativeLeadership #PersonalGrowth #AwakeningMoment #GapYear #Volunteering #EnvironmentalSciences

What does social regeneration mean, and why is it important? In this episode, your host Pia Hillebrecht explores the evolution of sustainability thinking and the need for restorative and regenerative approaches in social systems.

While environmental and economic regeneration are gaining traction, social regeneration is still underexplored. Pia shares insights from her background in sustainability sciences and leadership, discussing the shift from sustainability to regeneration, the need for deeper systemic change, and the role of language in shaping our understanding of these concepts.

If you've ever wondered whether sustainability is enough, this episode is for you.

Some key points explored in this Episode:

➡ Why sustainability cannot be a final goal but is rather aiming for a dynamic equilibrium

➡ The difference between sustainability, restoration, and regeneration

➡ How social wounds and inequalities must be addressed before true sustainability is possible

➡ The importance of shared language and definitions in sustainability discussions

➡ Why thriving communities are key to tackling global challenges

If you want to dive deeper into these concepts, check out the following resources:

1. YouTube video by a colleague from my Master’s on a definition of Sustainability based on scientific principles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eec0UYGIeo4  

2. Some contemplations about the Brundtland definition and human needs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyT9TMlzC6s 

3. More academic discussion on regeneration and sustainability and living systems: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/7/6181 (including the described “Graphic” in this Episode)

4. More resources from Bill Reed and the Regenesis Group: ttps://regenesisgroup.com/resources/

💌 Connect & Engage

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work.

If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator.

For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account.

#SocialRegeneration #Sustainability #RegenerativeFuture #ClimateJustice #SystemsChange #SustainableDevelopment #ImpactLeadership #Community #Resilience #Healing #Communities #SustainabilityMatters #BeyondSustainability #RegenerativeThinking