Podcast
Harvesting Wisdom Podcast with Mike McMahon
Hosted by Mike McMahon · EN
Discover insights that grow a greener world with Harvesting Wisdom Podcast hosted by Mike McMahon. 🌱🎙️ Leading experts share wisdom on agriculture, sustainability, and education in Arizona and beyond. Policy makers, industry experts, and international outreach champions – we cover it all! Tune in for a harvest of knowledge. 🌍🌾
45episodes
Episodes
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Terroir, Time, and Tradition: Inside Domaine Drouhin with Philippe Drouhin Part 1
2d ago00:34:06Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, Mike McMahon travels to Burgundy's Clos des Mouches to speak with Philippe Drouhin of the historic Joseph Drouhin estate. Philippe traces his family's winemaking story back to 1880, including the accidental discovery that led to Clos des Mouches' celebrated white wine, and explains how four generations have shaped the domaine's vineyards. The conversation moves into the fine details of terroir — how soil composition can shift dramatically within just a hundred meters, how compost and cover crops are tailored plot by plot, and why root depth (sometimes reaching 20 meters) plays a critical role in surviving drought without irrigation, which is prohibited in Burgundy. Philippe and Mike also discuss the accelerating effects of climate change, water availability, and how the estate manages three separate vineyard sites across the region.Why ListenListen if you want a grounded, detail-rich look at what it actually takes to farm a multi-generational vineyard through changing climate conditions. This episode is ideal for wine lovers, growers, soil science enthusiasts, and anyone curious how a family business preserves both land and legacy across a century of change.Highlight TimestampsIntro — Meeting Philippe Drouhin at Clos des MouchesFamily history: Joseph Drouhin founds the company in 18801921 the first vineyard purchase and the birth of Clos des MouchesThe accidental discovery of Clos des Mouches white wineFour generations: from Joseph to today's four siblings running the estateThe oldest surviving vines (1935, 1945) and why vine age is hard to trackLimestone, clay, and silt: how soil changes every 100 metersTailoring compost and cover crops to each micro-plotManaging three vineyard estates and the role of vineyard managersWhy irrigation is banned in Burgundy — and how vines adaptRoots reaching 20 meters deep as a natural drought bufferClimate change: heat waves and droughts not seen 15 years agoA detour: growing grapes in the Arizona desert and heat-driven veraison issuesRootstock selection, clones, and preserving vineyard genetic diversity
Transcribe →Ultra Bioattivo: Inside a Regenerative Farm Above Florence
1w ago00:22:28Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, Mike McMahon visits a hillside farm overlooking Florence, Italy, run by a farmer practicing what he calls "ultra bioattivo" — an intensely biological, small-scale approach to growing over 40 varieties of vegetables and olives without any fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides for more than 12 years. The conversation, translated live from Italian, covers his unique composting process (a thermophilic phase followed by months resting in a forest windrow), his use of biochar, zeolite, and Korean natural farming principles, and how cypress trees and mulched water basins help recharge the aquifer instead of letting runoff carry chemicals downhill. Remarkably, the farm has partnered with the University of Florence on clinical trials showing measurable improvements in customers' gut microbiomes, and Mike connects this to his own water-saving trials with the University of Arizona using the same radicchio variety in the Yuma desert. The episode closes with a look at community: 200 subscribing families, dozens of partner restaurants, and a shared vision between Mike and his host — brothers from different mothers — to prove this kind of farming can work anywhere on the planet, including through education and a possible documentary collaboration.Why ListenListen if you want to see regenerative, chemical-free farming in action — not as theory, but as a working business feeding hundreds of families and dozens of restaurants without a dollar spent on advertising. This episode is great for anyone interested in soil biology, biochar and mineral amendments, water conservation, the food-health connection (gut microbiome research!), or the idea that sustainable farming can be both ecologically sound and genuinely profitable.00:00 – Intro: visiting a farmer above Florence growing 40+ vegetable varieties00:00 – "Ultra bioattivo": small-scale, biology-driven farming without chemicals for 12+ years00:00 – The composting process: a month of thermophilic heat, then months resting in a forest windrow00:00 – Community impact: farmers market embraces, restaurant partners, and local goodwill00:00 – The tradeoff of going chemical-free: less input cost, more labor, more loyal customers06:03 – Clinical trials with the University of Florence show real gut microbiome improvements in customers06:10 – 200 families and multiple acquired farms — scaling entirely through word of mouth08:40 – Parallel water-saving trials with the University of Arizona using the same radicchio variety09:15 – "We are not luddites" — using LoRa network sensors and real data alongside natural methods09:46 – Biochar as a microbial "condominium" and its role in drainage and carbon10:39 – Zeolite and Tuscany's volcanic soil — natural mineral amendments11:24 – Water basins, mulch, and soil armor: preventing runoff and recharging the aquifer11:57 – Italian cypress trees and their deep taproots that funnel water into the aquifer14:52 – Korean natural farming philosophy: "no good, no bad — only what the soil needs"15:31 – Worm composting and a liquid injector system for direct feeding17:18 – Turning olive leaves into a micronized powder to feed the trees, mimicking a forest cycle17:21 – The farmer's book and "five pillars" of the bioactive method19:52 – Mike's own nonprofit: Urban Farming Education, the Harvesting Wisdom podcast, and an environmental film festival20:00 – A shared mission: proving regenerative farming can work anywhere, and a possible documentary partnership
Transcribe →The Wisdom of Wine: Terroir, Soil Health & Biodynamic Farming in France pt.2
1w ago00:32:39Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Part 2 of this conversation from France, Mike McMahon and his guest expand the discussion beyond wine to examine the broader relationship between food, agriculture, public health, and environmental stewardship.They explore the impact of processed foods on human health, the cultural importance of slowing down to enjoy meals, and how healthy soils ultimately lead to healthier people. The conversation also dives into microplastics, water conservation, regenerative farming, sustainable land management, and the responsibility of protecting agricultural resources for future generations.The discussion highlights how innovation, including drone technology and precision agriculture, can help vineyards reduce soil compaction and chemical use while improving sustainability. The episode concludes with reflections on climate change, family-owned vineyards, preserving agricultural knowledge, and why producing fewer—but better—products may be the future of both farming and winemaking.Why Listen?If you've ever wondered how agriculture affects nearly every aspect of our lives, this episode connects the dots. From the food we eat and the health of our bodies to water conservation, climate resilience, and the future of farming, this conversation offers practical insights rooted in generations of experience. Whether you're passionate about regenerative agriculture, wine, environmental sustainability, nutrition, or simply preserving the land for future generations, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the choices that shape our food system.Highlight Timestamps00:00 – Processed food vs. whole food and why nutrition begins with quality ingredients02:00 – The importance of slowing down during meals and the connection between culture and health04:20 – Scientific evidence supporting healthier eating habits04:50 – Lobbying, plastics, and how economic interests influence agriculture06:45 – Microplastics in our bodies and the future of food and water08:05 – Why regenerative agriculture needs more attention beyond livestock farming09:20 – Soil infiltration, flooding, and protecting healthy farmland10:35 – Water depletion, sustainable land management, and long-term stewardship12:00 – Why farmland is both private property and a public resource13:20 – Agricultural knowledge, education, and protecting farming traditions15:00 – Managing a historic family vineyard and preserving generations of expertise17:50 – Five families, five centuries: the legacy of Château Climens20:00 – Precision agriculture, drone technology, and the future of sustainable vineyards22:15 – Pairing sweet Barsac wines with food and the importance of balance24:50 – How wine regions evolve as consumers choose quality over quantity27:30 – Biodynamic farming, climate change, and regenerative success stories29:00 – Climate extremes and their impact on farmers around the world30:40 – Why investing in better food today leads to healthier communities tomorrow
Transcribe →Basil Bottle: Growing Food Anywhere Without Soil
2w ago00:36:28Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat if you could grow fresh basil, tomatoes, and edible flowers right in a bottle — without soil, pumps, or electricity?In this episode of the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast, Mike McMahon sits down with Christopher Brooks, founder and creator of Basil Bottle, to explore the power of passive hydroponics, food accessibility, and the healing connection between people and plants.Christopher shares his powerful personal story of growing up in foster care and discovering gardening at 13 years old while in juvenile detention. A simple marigold seed became more than a plant — it became a moment of hope, confidence, and connection. Years later, that experience helped inspire his work in sustainability, food systems, and accessible growing solutions.Together, Mike and Christopher discuss how Basil Bottle works, why passive hydroponics makes growing easier, how plants can thrive without soil, and why this simple system could be used in homes, classrooms, assisted living spaces, and communities with limited access to gardens.In This Episode:✅ Christopher’s personal story of discovering gardening as a foster youth✅ How growing a plant helped build confidence and connection✅ What passive hydroponics is and how it works✅ Why plants can grow without soil, pumps, or electricity✅ How Basil Bottle uses water, nutrients, roots, and air gaps✅ Why overwatering and underwatering are common plant problems✅ Growing basil, cherry tomatoes, and edible flowers indoors✅ How hand-pollinating tomatoes works✅ Why food accessibility matters in urban communities✅ The educational and therapeutic potential of growing plants✅ How Basil Bottle could support schools, seniors, and beginner growersWhy ListenListen if you are interested in simple ways to grow food at home, sustainability, hydroponics, school garden education, or the healing power of plants. Christopher’s story brings together personal resilience, food accessibility, and a creative growing system that makes gardening feel possible for anyone.Whether you are a gardener, teacher, parent, sustainability advocate, or someone who has never grown food before, this conversation shows how a simple bottle can become a powerful tool for learning, healing, and reconnecting with where food comes from.Subscribe to the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast for more conversations on sustainability, regenerative education, food systems, gardening, and the wisdom we can grow together.00:00 Welcome to Harvesting Wisdom01:00 Meet Christopher Brooks, founder of Basil Bottle02:30 Growing up in foster care04:30 The garden that changed Christopher’s life07:00 Discovering the magic of planting a seed09:30 From foster care advocacy to sustainability12:00 The tomato that sparked a love for growing food15:00 Food access, school meals, and nutrition18:00 What is passive hydroponics?21:00 Growing plants without soil24:00 Adding biology into hydroponic systems27:00 How Basil Bottle works30:00 Roots, water levels, and air gaps33:00 Growing basil, tomatoes, and edible flowers35:00 How to hand-pollinate tomatoes indoors38:00 Growing food in windowsills and small spaces40:00 Basil Bottle in classrooms and senior living spaces43:00 Future projects and closing thoughts
Transcribe →Wee Greens: Turning Classrooms Into Living Learning Labs
2w ago00:31:55Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat happens when kindergarten students get to grow, observe, harvest, and taste their own food?In this episode of the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast, Mike McMahon sits down with Deb Martinez, an educator and clinical assistant professor at Arizona State University, to talk about the power of garden-based learning in early childhood education.Deb shares how her lifelong connection to gardening, her years in preschool and kindergarten classrooms, and her work with future teachers helped shape her contribution to Urban Farming Education’s Wee Greens curriculum. Designed especially for young learners, Wee Greens uses microgreens, recycled containers, hands-on activities, art, science, literacy, math, and family engagement to make learning more meaningful.The conversation explores why hands-on learning matters more than ever, how gardens can help students build curiosity and confidence, and how something as simple as planting microgreens can support critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and real-world learning.In This Episode:✅ How Deb’s childhood garden shaped her love for growing food✅ Why kindergarten students need hands-on, play-based learning✅ How microgreens make gardening simple for classrooms✅ The connection between gardens, science, art, literacy, and math✅ Why students become more engaged when learning moves outside the textbook✅ How Wee Greens helps teachers bring garden-based lessons into the classroom✅ The role of family harvest days and food conversations at home✅ Why school gardens can support curiosity, confidence, and community✅ How UFE is building scalable garden-based curriculum for schoolsWhy ListenListen if you care about education, school gardens, or helping kids learn through real-world experiences. This episode shows how something as simple as growing microgreens can help young students build curiosity, confidence, critical thinking, and a stronger connection to food, nature, and community.Whether you are an educator, parent, school leader, gardener, or someone who cares about the future of learning, this conversation offers a beautiful look at how small seeds can grow into big lessons.Subscribe to the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast for more conversations on education, sustainability, gardening, regenerative living, and the wisdom we can grow together.00:00 Welcome to Harvesting Wisdom01:00 Deb Martinez’s background in gardening and education03:30 From preschool and kindergarten to ASU06:00 How Wee Greens became part of UFE’s curriculum08:30 Why hands-on science matters in classrooms11:00 The challenge of keeping students engaged today14:00 Using gardens to spark curiosity and focus17:00 Critical thinking, collaboration, and communication20:00 How microgreens work in kindergarten classrooms23:00 Recycled K-cups, egg cartons, and simple growing systems26:00 The eight-day microgreens curriculum29:00 Harvest day and family engagement32:00 Garden-based learning across grade levels36:00 Building curriculum that can scale worldwide40:00 Why kindergarten deserves its own garden curriculum42:00 Final thoughts and closing
Transcribe →The Wisdom of Wine: Terroir, Soil Health & Biodynamic Farming in France pt.1
3w ago00:35:39Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, Mike McMahon sits down for a thoughtful conversation in France to explore the deeper story behind wine — not just as a drink, but as a reflection of place, soil, culture, and memory.Together, they discuss the importance of terroir, the character of Semillon grapes, the role of limestone soils, and how biodynamic and regenerative practices can support healthier vineyards and more expressive wines. The conversation also touches on climate change, farming challenges, wine as part of culture, and why the best wines are connected to the land and the people who care for it.This episode is perfect for anyone interested in wine, sustainable agriculture, soil health, regenerative farming, food culture, or the relationship between people and place.Why ListenListen to this episode if you want to understand how wine connects to much more than taste. This conversation explores how soil, climate, farming practices, and human decision-making all shape what ends up in the glass. It is a great episode for wine lovers, gardeners, farmers, environmental educators, and anyone curious about how caring for the land can create something beautiful, meaningful, and lasting.
Transcribe →Bermuda’s Ocean Lab: What Microbes, Coral & Climate Can Teach Us pt.1
3w ago00:35:05Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with Kaitlin Noyes from the ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences to explore what Bermuda’s ocean research can teach us about climate change, coral reefs, microplastics, microbes, and the future of our planet.From the deep sea to coral reef ecosystems, this conversation connects the hidden life of the ocean with the systems we depend on every day: soil, food, agriculture, carbon, water, and education. Kaitlin shares how ASU BIOS uses long-term ocean observations, research vessels, underwater gliders, satellite data, and microbial studies to better understand how the ocean is changing over time.This episode is perfect for anyone interested in ocean science, environmental education, climate solutions, coral resilience, microplastics, STEM learning, and the connection between healthy ecosystems on land and in the sea.In this episode, we discuss:Ocean microbes and the biological carbon pumpWhy Bermuda is a unique place for ocean researchCoral bleaching and coral resilienceMicroplastics in the deep oceanHow ocean science connects to agriculture and soil healthThe role of technology, satellites, gliders, and robotics in climate researchWhy long-term environmental data matters for the futureSubscribe to Harvesting Wisdom Podcast for conversations that explore sustainability, science, agriculture, education, and the wisdom we can learn from the natural world.
Transcribe →Growing Food, Building Community | Novella Carpenter
4w ago00:46:17Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat happens when someone sees possibility in a forgotten piece of land?In this episode of the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast, Dr. Joe Roselle speaks with Novella Carpenter, urban farming pioneer and author of Farm City, about transforming an abandoned Oakland lot into a working urban farm and gathering place for the surrounding community.Novella shares how growing food can create connection, preserve cultural knowledge, improve access to fresh produce, and help communities become more resilient. She also discusses food insecurity, industrial food systems, school gardens, soil biology, beekeeping, food sovereignty, and the importance of learning from the elders who already carry generations of agricultural knowledge.The conversation also explores Urban Farming Education’s plans to activate communities throughout Phoenix through accessible gardening classes and hands-on, garden-based education for students.In this episode:• How Novella created an urban farm in Oakland• Why community gardens are about more than food• The connection between gardening and mental well-being• How industrial food systems prioritize convenience• What children should learn about seeds, soil, and nutrition• Why culturally relevant foods and traditional knowledge matter• Advice for building a community gardening movement in PhoenixLearn more about Novella Carpenter and her book, Farm City.Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom for conversations about sustainability, education, food systems, community stewardship, and the people creating meaningful change.
Transcribe →Why Regenerative Farming Is Harder Than You Think | Dr. Sara Rosenberg
4w ago00:45:08Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat does regenerative agriculture really mean—and can farmers afford to make the transition?In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, Dr. Joe Roselle sits down with Dr. Sara Rosenberg, a regenerative agriculture advisor with the University of California, to discuss the realities behind one of the fastest-growing movements in agriculture.From soil health and biodiversity to cover crops, sheep grazing, and the economics of farming, Dr. Rosenberg explains why regenerative agriculture is more than a trend—it's a long-term shift that requires innovation, education, and community support.Discover:✔️ What regenerative agriculture actually means✔️ Why many farmers struggle to make the transition✔️ The surprising role of sheep and livestock in healthy ecosystems✔️ How soil biology impacts farm productivity✔️ The economic realities facing growers✔️ Why community and farmer-to-farmer mentorship matterWhether you're a farmer, gardener, sustainability advocate, or simply curious about the future of food, this conversation offers valuable insights into creating more resilient agricultural systems.Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom for more conversations on sustainability, agriculture, environmental innovation, and community-driven solutions.
Transcribe →The Future of Arizona News: Why Local Journalism Matters More Than Ever | Tregg White
Jun 1100:33:23Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat happens when communities lose access to trusted local news?In this episode of the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast, Dr. Joe Roselle sits down with Tregg White, President & CEO of the Arizona Media Association and Arizona Local News Foundation, to discuss the critical role local journalism plays in strengthening communities, informing public decisions, and elevating solutions across Arizona.From education and workforce development to environmental stewardship and civic engagement, Tregg shares how local media outlets are helping connect communities, amplify important stories, and create meaningful change throughout the state.The conversation also highlights The Longest Climate Community Table, a unique event bringing together community leaders, educators, journalists, nonprofit organizations, environmental advocates, philanthropists, and engaged citizens to discuss Arizona's most pressing environmental and community challenges.In This Episode:✅ Why local journalism is essential for healthy communities✅ The difference between social media content and trusted reporting✅ How Arizona's education reporting collaboration is creating impact✅ The importance of rural voices in statewide conversations✅ Building trust through community-based journalism✅ The future of environmental and sustainability reporting in Arizona✅ How nonprofits can partner with media to amplify solutions✅ The vision behind The Longest Climate Community Table✅ Why storytelling is a powerful tool for changeAttend The Longest Climate Community TableJune 23, 2026 | 4:00 PM | Desert Botanical Garden | Free AdmissionJoin community leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, environmental advocates, media professionals, philanthropists, and engaged citizens for an evening of meaningful conversation and collaboration.Together, participants will explore solutions to Arizona's most pressing challenges, including water conservation, extreme heat, sustainability, environmental resilience, and community well-being.Reserve your free seat:https://earthgives.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F43504Guest: Tregg WhitePresident & CEO, Arizona Media Association + Arizona Local News FoundationGuest Host: Dr. Joe RoselleLike, subscribe, and share to help us continue bringing thoughtful conversations that inspire action, strengthen communities, and cultivate a more sustainable future.
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