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In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with Kevin Fretz, founder of Green Earthology and Patriot Green, to explore how waste can become the solution to pollution.

Kevin shares his powerful personal story—from being poisoned on a farm in Canada to pioneering higher compost standards across North America and working alongside leaders like Dr. Elaine Ingham. With over 35 years in organics, compost, waste diversion, and regenerative soil systems, Kevin explains how biology-forward composting, biochar, and soil food web science can address climate change, water conservation, land contamination, and even world hunger.

This conversation dives deep into circular economy principles, carbon sequestration, waste-to-energy innovations, and how cities like Phoenix can become models for regenerative transformation.

Why Listen?
-Learn how composting can reduce pollution and regenerate soil
-Discover how regenerative biology improves water retention and lowers costs
-Understand why most compost on the market is substandard
-Explore how biochar and soil microbes can sequester carbon
-Hear real-world solutions for farmers, cities, and developing nations
-See how sustainability can be both environmentally restorative AND profitable

If you're interested in soil health, climate solutions, regenerative agriculture, circular economies, or waste innovation — this episode is packed with practical insight and hope.

00:00 – Introduction to Kevin Fretz & Green Earthology
03:00 – Kevin’s early life & farm poisoning experience
08:30 – Waste management career & organics diversion in Canada
13:45 – Moving to California & pioneering compost development
18:30 – Creating higher heavy metal standards in compost
22:45 – Transition into horticulture & clean feedstocks
26:30 – Meeting Dr. Elaine Ingham & soil food web biology
31:00 – Why compost biology matters (fungal vs bacterial dominance)
36:00 – Waste-to-energy, pyrolysis & biochar explained
41:30 – Biochar as a carbon sink & soil filter
46:00 – Circular economy & source separation of waste
51:30 – International consulting: Thailand, Brazil & remediation
57:00 – Water structuring, energy efficiency & cost reduction
1:05:00 – Regenerative programs for farms & municipalities
1:12:00 – Why sustainability must be economically viable
1:18:00 – Optimism for Phoenix & Arizona’s compost future
1:22:00 – Final thoughts: Waste as the solution to pollution