

Regenerative Renegades
Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed
We are gradually losing our soil, and along with that our rural economies. If we don’t change, suddenly we WILL lose everything. And we’ll no longer be able to nourish ourselves or sustain our American rural way of life. Renewal is possible through Regenerative Agriculture. The restoration of soil and nature. And the revitalization of rural economies. At the grassroots, there are many determined folks who are making this revitalization happen, many who have worked decades, relegated away to relative darkness. Not doing it for fame or fortune, but because they knew changes in our food system were necessary for our collective health and future. These are the stories of the Regenerative Renegades. In this podcast, host and regenerative agriculture expert Matt Maier talks to these passionate, resilient people as they share their stories of trial, hope, and triumph. Are you a Regenerative Renegade? We hope you’ll join us.The opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of Thousand Hills as a presenting partner.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 5, 2025 • 50min
Elizabeth Ries: Beautifully Simple Food
In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, a little change of pace! While Matt Maier is busy on the farm, Melissa Larsen—his daughter and the show's producer—takes the host chair 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 her passion for intentional living through her blog, Home to Homestead, and her podcast, Best to the Nest, where she explores how to bring your best self to your home life with her husband and their children. Beyond her media career, Elizabeth is a dedicated urban homesteader—growing her own food, raising chickens, composting, and cooking—all from her home in Minneapolis. She believes that every household, regardless of size or location, can embrace homesteading principles and live more sustainably.

Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 7min
Anthony Hauck: Audubon Conservation Ranching “Birds and Herds”
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 with farmers and ranchers. Regenerative Renegades presenting sponsor Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed recently earned the Audubon's Bird-Friendly Land Certification. Thousand Hills’ grassfed beef products—available at more than 2,500 retail locations nationwide—will begin displaying the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly seal on the entire Thousand Hills grassfed beef product portfolio. The Audubon Conservation Ranching certification label recognizes products grazed on products grazed on land managed for birds and herds. Thousand Hills’ independent ranches were rigorously audited by Audubon, ultimately meeting the requirements centering on habitat management, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare to earn the Audubon Bird-Friendly Land certification.

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 4min
Patrice Bailey: Stretching Diversity of Mindsets; Global, State and Local Agricultural Perspectives
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 InnovatorsWhat gives him hope

Jun 24, 2025 • 55min
Ben Leber: Living Intentionally and Making Healthy Choices
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 apply his learnings and unique experiences to our own lives and health journeys. His approach proves why Ben excels in all aspects of life through a football career leading into the NFL, leading TV and media personality and all-around good guy.

7 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 32min
Alan Lewis: The Good Food Fight
In this discussion, Alan Lewis, a board member at Natural Grocers and advocate for cottage food laws, dives deep into the future of food systems. He emphasizes hope and regenerative practices for sustainable agriculture, stressing community collaboration over national narratives. Alan highlights the importance of valuing food beyond its price tag, focusing on nutrition and local economics. He addresses the health implications of food choices, particularly vegetable oils, and champions local food sourcing as a transformative force for community empowerment and resilience.

Jun 11, 2025 • 27min
Alan Lewis: Getting Back to the Way Food Was
In this episode of Regenerative Renegades, we sit down with Alan Lewis, Vice President of Government Affairs and Organic Compliance at Natural Grocers, for a wide-ranging conversation that peels back the curtain on the politics of food. From corporate influence and misleading food labels to the power of regenerative agriculture to shift not just ecosystems, but economies, Alan brings a bold, insider perspective on how the system really works—and how to fix it.

5 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 36min
Alan Lewis: How We Lost Our Agrarian Way of Life
Alan Lewis, an expert in food, agriculture, and organic certification, discusses the decline of traditional agriculture and its impact on rural communities. He shares personal ties to the organic movement and critiques the consolidation of agriculture that harms small farmers. The conversation dives into the challenges faced by grass-fed ranchers, such as pricing issues driven by corporate collusion. Lewis emphasizes the need for local food systems and small packing plants to create a more sustainable and equitable agricultural landscape.

May 20, 2025 • 1min
Coming soon! Regenerative Renegades: A regenerative revolution in land management and healthy eating.
The Regenerative Renegade Podcast tells stories of people focused on regenerative agriculture and food system rejuvenation. Podcast guests are passionate, resilient people as they share their trials, hope, and triumph. Renewal is possible through Regenerative Agriculture and the restoration of soil and nature. And the revitalization of rural economies. At the grassroots, there are many determined folks who are making this revitalization happen, creating a better food system. These are the stories of the Regenerative Renegades.