Ryland Engelhart’s Philosophy Is Gratitude: Thoughts On Soil, Sacred Commerce & Sustainability

Dec 2, 2019

Ryland Engelhart, a passionate entrepreneur and co-owner of Café Gratitude, shares his journey of gratitude and sustainable living. He delves into the philosophy of sacred commerce, exploring how businesses can foster love and uplift communities. The conversation highlights the critical importance of soil health in combating climate change and food insecurity. Ryland also discusses his transformative experiences with plant medicine and the establishment of innovative dining experiences that encourage gratitude and connection among diners.

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ANECDOTE

Upbringing and Philosophy

Ryland Engelhart's upbringing instilled a philosophy of love and oneness.
This shaped his approach to business and life, emphasizing love's presence in all actions.

ANECDOTE

Early Career and Rebellion

Ryland Engelhart rebelled against his upbringing by pursuing snowboarding professionally.
His sister's legal trouble brought him back to LA, where they opened a recording studio.

ANECDOTE

Ayahuasca Vision

At 19, unsure of his path, Ryland had a profound ayahuasca experience with his parents.
This vision led him to dedicate his life to protecting the Earth.

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Last week we explored the world of regenerative farming, soil health and biodiversity as critical levers to improve human health. Consolidate food security. Drawdown carbon. And backpedal climate change.

Today we expound on that theme with entrepreneur, restauranteur and social activist Ryland Engelhart.

Ryland is the ‘Mission Fulfillment Officer' and co-owner of Café Gratitude and Gracias Madre, a family owned group of legendary plant-based restaurants. The epicenter of California vegan cuisine & culture, it's a platform he uses to not only feed people amazing food but to cultivate community — and most importantly, inspire more gratitude into our lives and culture.

In addition, Ryland is a speaker and passionate advocate for sacred commerce, community building and regenerative farming principles, which he supports as co-founder of Kiss The Ground, a non-profit that provides education regarding the connection between soil, human, and planetary health. Among its board of advisors are former podcast guests Paul Hawken, Dr. Zach Bush and David Bronner.

If you enjoyed those conversations, or last week's exchange with John & Molly Chester, then you're in for a treat with Ryland.

This is a conversation about the importance of soil regeneration and its impact on everything from food security and climate change reversal to improving human health.

We open with Ryland’s hippie upbringing. How he learned early the philosophy of using business as a force for good — something he calls sacred commerce.

We discuss how doing good — adding value to people’s lives — is not only always the right thing to do, but also the best long-term path to profits.

We explore the origins, trajectory and intentionality behind his family's incredible group of restaurants — Cafe Gratitude, Gracias Madre and his sister’s Sage Plant-Based Bistros — which together form the cornerstone of plant-based dining in Los Angeles and beyond.

Then we dive into the principles of conscious capitalism, the importance of regenerative farming, and the reasons why soil health is such a crucial component in the holistic equation of sustainable human, animal and planetary health.

Finally we discuss his various film projects, including his documentaries May I Be Frank* and Kiss The Ground — a must see you might have heard Woody Harrelson recently raving about on Marc Maron’s podcast.

But more than anything, this is a conversation about love, awareness, and the power of gratitude as a living, breathing philosophy of life.

You can watch it all go down on YouTube....

Enjoy!

Rich