In this thought-provoking episode of We Are Not Doomed, host Jonah Geil-Neufeld sits down with Daniel Lawse, co-founder and co-owner of the Verdis Group, a sustainability and regenerative consulting agency based in Omaha, Nebraska. Lawse shares his journey from studying theology to becoming a leader in environmental sustainability, and how his company is helping large organizations shift from traditional sustainability practices to a more holistic, regenerative approach.

The conversation delves into the four critical shifts that Lawse believes are essential for creating a more resilient and thriving world: moving from short-term to long-term thinking, from separate to interconnected systems, from static to dynamic approaches, and from closed to open systems. Through engaging examples from his work with aquariums, zoos, and other complex organizations, Lawse illustrates how these principles can be applied to create meaningful change. He also discusses the importance of scope 3 emissions, the growing focus on climate adaptation and resilience, and how individuals can incorporate regenerative thinking into their daily lives.

Topics Discussed:

1. Daniel Lawse's journey from theology to sustainability consulting
2. The shift from sustainability to regenerative thinking
3. Four critical shifts for creating a thriving world: a. Short-term to long-term thinking b. Separate to interconnected systems c. Static to dynamic approaches d. Closed to open systems
4. Examples of regenerative practices in zoos and aquariums
5. The importance of scope 3 emissions in organizational sustainability
6. Growing focus on climate adaptation and resilience
7. The Seventh Generation Principle and its potential impact on decision-making
8. How individuals can incorporate regenerative thinking into daily life
9. The role of compassion and repair in personal and organizational growth
10. Optimism for the future based on organizational progress in sustainability