When people talk about “transformation,” it often sounds like a slogan — a shiny new strategy that changes little in reality. This conversation is different. In this episode of The Regeneration Collective Podcast, host Silke von Brockhausen speaks with Luise Raaschou and Felix Braun from Mercedes-Benz Vans Europe, who have quietly led a culture shift inside one of the world’s most traditional, high-pressure industries.

Together, they share how regeneration — the practice of leaving systems, people, and processes better than we found them — can turn even the most hierarchical organization into a living, learning, and energizing system.

Their story offers a roadmap not just for businesses, but for institutions like the United Nations, where mission-driven people are often exhausted by structures that no longer serve life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regenerative Leadership

05:41 The Journey of Transformation at Mercedes-Benz

11:48 Challenges and Resistance in Transformation

17:53 Staying Grounded in Times of Crisis

24:03 The Role of Leadership in Regeneration

29:53 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

Key Takeaways for UN Staff and Leaders:

• You don’t need permission to start. Begin in your own team.
• Make space for honesty and recovery.
• Protect people experimenting with new ways of working.
• Watch the energy in the system — it tells the truth.
• See regeneration as prevention, not decoration.
  

Listen if you’re curious about:

• How large organizations can become more human and effective
• Regenerative leadership in practice
• Lessons for the UN and international institutions
• Culture change that doesn’t depend on top-down reform
  

Follow the Guests: Find Luise Raaschou on LinkedIn to learn more about her ongoing journey of regenerative leadership inside Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Connect with The Regeneration Collective:  🌐 regeneration-collective.org

Nora Bateson invites the UN to let life through: to work with information that is as alive as the systems we serve. Instead of preloading projects with KPIs, she proposes placing the SDGs at the end—tend the relationships that nourish relationships, then see what goals were actually met. In disaster and conflict, skip the town-hall shopping list; make space for people to be together (childcare, food, time) and allow new patterns to emerge. Warm Data Labs create an ecology of communication where personal stories widen perception—because perception is the action.

Key themes 

• Regeneration: “Participating in life that makes more life.” Relationships making relationships.
• Warm Data: Relational, trans-contextual information living between people, institutions, culture, ecology.
• Why metrics fall short: Streams of decontextualized data don’t add up to systemic understanding.
• SDGs at the end: Do what’s needed; afterwards, note which goals were met.
• Rupture as opening: In crisis, everyday patterns break—don’t impose; support emergence.
• No town halls: Don’t ask communities what they need in a competitive frame; it aligns them to power, not to each other.
• Make space: Provide childcare, food, time; let relationships re-knit.
• Ecology of communication: Personal stories neutralize status, amplify the quiet, soften the loud.
• Secretary-General thought experiment: Stop writing reports; bring in people who learn from how nature healsin multiple directions.

Memorable lines

• “The information we need has to be as alive as the systems we want to make more life within.”
• “Perception is the action.”
• “Put the SDGs at the end, not the beginning.”
• “Don’t pit communities against each other for funding—help them align to each other, not to you.”

About Nora

Nora Bateson leads the International Bateson Institute in Sweden. She coined Warm Data and developed Warm Data Labs, now facilitated in 40+ countries, to help groups perceive complexity together. She is the author of Small Arcs of Larger Circles and Combining, and director of An Ecology of Mind (about Gregory Bateson).

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Regeneration and the UN

02:54Understanding Regeneration

05:18The Concept of Warm Data

10:44Challenges of Simplified Data in the UN

16:07Building Relationships in Crisis

22:05Creating Cohesion in Communities

27:21Listening to Marginalized Voices

32:56A New Way of Leading and Governing

34:22Vision for the Future of the UN

Key links

• Nora Bateson (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nora-bateson-b4a2456/
• Warm Data Labs (Bateson Institute): https://batesoninstitute.org/warm-data/
• Nora Bateson at the Bateson Institute: https://batesoninstitute.org/nora-bateson/

In this thought-provoking conversation, Silke von Brockhausen speaks with Jon Alexander, strategist, storyteller, and co-founder of the New Citizen Project. Jon’s award-winning book Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything Is All of Us has inspired a quiet revolution—reframing us not as passive consumers of systems, but as active citizens shaping the future together.

Drawing from his work with governments, NGOs, and social movements worldwide, Jon invites UN staff and international practitioners to see regeneration as falling back in love with humanity. Together, they explore what it would mean for the UN to become a participatory ecosystem—one that harnesses collective intelligence, distributes power, and cultivates belonging across our shared planetary home.

Connect with Jon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-alexander-11b66345/

Learn more about Jon: https://jonalexander.net/

Key Themes

• From Consumer to Citizen: Why shifting our collective story is essential for the future of humanity.
• Safe Uncertainty in Leadership: How to hold space for not-knowing and co-create solutions.
• Institutional Renewal: Lessons from Taiwan’s crowdsourced pandemic response.
• Post-Crisis Regeneration: Starting with what’s strong, not what’s wrong.
• Citizen Assemblies: Democracy under good conditions—and how it could inspire the UN.
• Distributed Power: Reimagining the UN as a pollinator of regenerative systems.

Takeaways

• Regeneration means falling back in love with humanity.
• The shift from consumer to citizen is essential for our shared future.
• Institutions must evolve to support collective intelligence.
• Leadership is about creating safe spaces for uncertainty.
• Citizen agency is the foundation for lasting recovery.
• Citizen assemblies can renew democracy and legitimacy.
• Crowdsourcing participation can rewrite the social contract.
• The UN’s future lies in distributed, not centralized, power.
• We must celebrate existing citizen initiatives.
• The future is messy, beautiful, and full of possibility.

Episode Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Regeneration and the UN
02:32 — What Regeneration Really Means
05:02 — From Consumer to Citizen: A New Narrative
08:10 — The Power of Collective Intelligence
10:51 — Creating Conditions for Participation
13:40 — The UN’s Role in Crisis Situations
16:26 — Harnessing Citizen Agency
19:05 — Why Citizen Assemblies Matter
21:41 — Reimagining Global Governance
24:28 — The Future of the UN: A Distributed Power Model

In this conversation, Silke von Brockhausen and Eric Martin explore the concepts of regenerative and adaptive leadership within the context of the United Nations. They discuss the importance of redefining relationships, understanding the essence of humanity, and the need for a shift in mindset among leaders. Eric emphasizes the significance of navigating change, recognizing resistance, and the value of personal transformation in leadership. They also touch on practical tools for young leaders, the potential of a regenerative UN, and the importance of fostering a culture of truth and trust.

Learn more

Eric Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericrogermartin/

Adaptive Change Advisors: https://adaptivechangeadvisors.com/

Takeaways

· Regeneration involves redefining relationships and values.

· Leadership begins with personal transformation.

· People resist loss, not change; understanding this is key.

· Adaptive leadership requires discerning between technical and adaptive problems.

· Young leaders should not wait for permission to lead.

· Compassion and empathy are essential in leadership.

· A regenerative UN would support individual contributions and creativity.

· Appreciative inquiry focuses on highlighting what works well.

· Daily contemplative practices can enhance leadership presence.

· Understanding others' experiences fosters empathy and connection.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regenerative Leadership

02:20 Understanding Regeneration

05:37 Adaptive Leadership Explained

11:25 The Importance of Mindset in Leadership

16:50 Navigating Change and Resistance

21:26 Practical Tools for Young Leaders

25:26 Envisioning a Regenerative UN

29:07 The Role of Truth and Agency

32:08 Appreciative Inquiry in Leadership

34:01 Personal Practices for Grounded Leadership

In this episode of the RE:Generation Collective podcast, Silke von Brockhausen engages with Mansi Jasuja to explore the concept of regeneration in the context of the United Nations and beyond. They discuss the importance of participatory leadership, the Art of Hosting, and the need for a heart-centered approach to leadership. Mansi shares her insights on the necessity of organizational rebirth, the role of joy and beauty in work culture, and the significance of decolonization in creating inclusive environments. The conversation emphasizes the importance of listening to communities, fostering fluidity in organizational structures, and implementing daily practices for personal and collective regeneration.

Connect with Mansi and learn more about Art of Hosting:

Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mansijasuja/ | ArtofHosting.org | www.aohnetherlands.org

Takeaways

• Regeneration is about rebirth and returning to our essence.
• We are at a critical moment where serious choices must be made.
• The art of hosting emphasizes collective intelligence and human connection.
• Facilitation is linear; hosting is about relationships and sense-making.
• Heart-centered leadership focuses on service and community well-being.
• Organizations need to let go of outdated structures to regenerate.
• A wisdom council could replace hierarchical leadership in the UN.
• Fluidity in systems allows for better communication and connection.
• Communities should lead their own regeneration efforts post-conflict.
• Joy and beauty are essential for a thriving organizational culture.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regeneration and the UN

03:10 Understanding Regeneration: A Personal Perspective

05:51 The Art of Hosting: A New Approach to Facilitation

09:08 Participatory Leadership in Organizations

12:09 Heart-Centered Leadership: A New Paradigm

14:56 The Need for Organizational Transformation

17:54 Imagining a New UN: A Wisdom Council Approach

20:53 The Interstitium: Fluidity in Organizational Structures

24:03 Rebuilding After Conflict: Listening to Communities

27:02 Joy and Beauty in Organizational Culture

29:46 Decolonization: Bringing Wholeness Back to Work

32:47 Daily Practices for Regeneration

36:07 Conclusion and Future Connections

In this conversation, Silke von Brockhausen (The RE:Generation Collective) and Joachim Stroh (Hypha) explore the concept of regeneration within the context of the United Nations and the role of technology in facilitating this transformation. They discuss the importance of moving from extractive practices to restorative ones, the potential of Web 3.0 and blockchain technology to enhance trust and collaboration, and the need for adaptable organizations that can respond to complex challenges. Joachim emphasizes the significance of collective decision-making, tokenization for community engagement, and the necessity of inner alignment within organizations to foster a regenerative culture. The discussion culminates in a vision for a more decentralized and participatory UN, highlighting practical steps that can be taken to initiate this transformation.

Connect with Joachim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joachim-stroh/ 

Hypha's platform for systems change - https://hypha.earth/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regeneration and the UN

02:13 Understanding Regeneration: A Call to Action

04:58 The Role of Technology in Regeneration

08:10 Demystifying Web 3.0 and Blockchain

15:39 Building Trust Through Technology

20:16 Transforming Hierarchical Structures in Organizations

23:52 Collaborative Decision-Making in Complex Environments

28:44 Tokenization and Community Engagement

31:26 Addressing Criticism of New Technologies

36:14 Vision for a Regenerative UN

39:06 Practical Steps for Regenerative Practices

40:08 Engaging with Hypha and Future Collaborations

In this episode of the Regeneration Collective podcast, Silke von Brockhausen engages with Alexandra Pimor, an Earth lawyer and advocate for nature's rights. They explore the concept of regeneration, its relevance in today's world, and the innovative idea of giving nature a voice in governance through initiatives like 'Nature on the Board.' Alexandra emphasizes the importance of understanding our interconnectedness with nature and the need for inner work to foster a culture of peace and sustainability within organizations, particularly the UN. The conversation highlights the significance of indigenous wisdom and the potential for transformative change in governance structures.

Learn more/Engage:

• Connect with Alexandra on Linkedin
• Earth Law Center's Nature Governance Agency: a program for onboarding Nature (including Nature as inspiration, advisor, director and shareholder), and cultivating Nature-conscious governance and leadership praxis.
• Dandelion Fellowship: capacity‑building for individuals to practice and speak as a voice of nature.

Takeaways

• Regeneration is about renewal and intentional repair.
• Nature should have a voice in decision-making processes.
• We are all interconnected and part of nature.
• Inner work is essential for fostering peace and sustainability.
• Organizational culture must embrace nature consciousness.
• Indigenous wisdom is crucial for understanding our relationship with nature.
• The UN must evolve to reflect the needs of the planet.
• Creative lawyering can enable nature's rights within existing systems.
• Peace is a practice that requires conscious effort.
• We must take care of our roots to see fruitful outcomes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regeneration and the UN

05:14 Nature on the Board: A New Governance Concept

11:08 The Role of Nature in Governance

19:12 The Inner Work of Being a Voice for Nature

25:34 Roots of Regeneration and Self-Care

30:38 Integrating Inner Development Goals

35:12 Indigenous Wisdom and Future Policies

In this episode of the Regeneration Collective podcast, Silke von Brockhausen engages with Konkankoh, a social entrepreneur and indigenous environmental leader from Cameroon, to explore the concept of regeneration and its significance in the context of the United Nations. They discuss the importance of healthy systems, the urgency of regeneration in times of crisis, and the role of indigenous wisdom in shaping global governance. Konkanko emphasizes the need for the UN to address root causes of inequality and to learn from African cultural insights. The conversation culminates in a vision for regenerative leadership and practical daily practices for fostering regeneration.

Connect with Konkankoh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuakonkankoh/

Learn more about his work: https://konkankoh.com/

Takeaways

• Regeneration involves healing both physical and spiritual systems.
• The current crises present opportunities for regeneration.
• Nature will regenerate itself if we do not take action.
• Indigenous wisdom can inform global governance and policy.
• The UN must address root causes of global issues.
• Real work is love made visible, reflecting passion and purpose.
• Education should be a two-way street, not top-down.
• The relationship between Africa and the West is crucial for regeneration.
• Trust and community are essential for effective change.
• Daily practices can help individuals connect with nature and foster regeneration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regeneration and the UN's Role

02:45 Understanding Regeneration: Definitions and Importance

05:49 The Urgency of Regeneration in Times of Crisis

08:47 The UN's Role in Global Systems and Inequality

11:38 Indigenous Wisdom and Global Governance

14:33 Transforming the UN: A Vision for the Future

17:41 Learning from Africa: Cultural Insights for the UN

20:31 The Essence of Regenerative Leadership

23:25 Daily Practices for Regeneration

26:21 Conclusion and Future Collaborations

In this episode of the RE:Generation Collective podcast, Silke von Brockhausen engages with Accidental Gods podcast host Manda Scott, a novelist and regenerative economist, to explore the concept of regeneration and its critical importance in today's world. They discuss the need for inner work to facilitate outer change, the urgency of regenerative action, and the role of the UN in leading this transformation. Manda emphasizes the importance of listening to communities, creating coherent spaces for change, and the necessity of changing deep narratives to foster a regenerative future. The conversation culminates in practical advice for daily regenerative practices that can help individuals reconnect with themselves and the web of life.

Find out more about Manda Scott:

Accidental Gods Podcast: https://accidentalgods.life
Learn about Thrutopia: https://thrutopia.life
About Manda: https://mandascott.co.uk

Takeaways

• Regeneration is about serving life and recognizing our interconnectedness.
• Inner work is essential for achieving outer change.
• Creating coherent spaces can help foster trust and collaboration.
• Burnout is a significant risk in high-pressure environments.
• Asking for help is a crucial step in the regenerative process.
• Listening to communities is vital for effective regeneration.
• The current narratives in society are leading us towards crisis.
• We need to change the deep narratives within organizations like the UN.
• Emergence requires creating spaces that allow for creativity and connection.
• Daily practices, such as grounding in nature, can help calm the nervous system.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regeneration and the UN

01:59 Defining Regeneration: A Personal Perspective

04:44 The Inner Work: Healing and Growth for Change

10:41 The Urgency of Coherence in a Chaotic World

12:40 Turning the Bus: Collective Action and Support

18:21 Emerging Systems: The Future of Regenerative Change

21:13 Practical Steps for Regenerative Leadership

26:13 Building Trust and Agency in Teams

28:44 The Evolution of Values in Organizations

31:08 Understanding Energy and Decision-Making

33:19 Listening and Regeneration in Conflict Zones

38:30 Creating a Regenerative Future

41:33 Imagining a New UN Leadership

48:44 Daily Practices for Regeneration

In this episode of the RE:Generation Collective podcast, Silke von Brockhausen speaks with Costa Rican professor Eduard Müller about the urgent need for regeneration in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss. They discuss the holistic approach to regeneration, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of changing mindsets from apathy to action. Eduard shares practical examples of regenerative practices and highlights the potential role of the UN in promoting regeneration globally. The conversation also touches on the significance of cultural identity, education, and empowering local communities to drive change. Eduard concludes with actionable steps for individuals to reconnect with nature and contribute to regeneration efforts.

Connect with Eduard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduard-m%C3%BCller-a618229/

Join UCI's Flagship program: Certificate in Regenerative Entrepreneurship: www.uci.ac.cr

Takeaways

• Regeneration means creating conditions for life.
• Sustainability is no longer sufficient; we must regenerate.
• We are part of nature, not separate from it.
• Unlearning is essential to address complex problems.
• Nature can recover quickly if given the chance.
• Building a new system is more effective than fighting the old one.
• Regenerative agriculture can significantly increase food production.
• Reconnecting children with nature is crucial for future generations.
• The UN can play a vital role in showcasing successful regeneration projects.
• Small actions, like rewilding gardens, can contribute to larger regeneration efforts.

Chapters

00:00    Introduction to Regeneration and the UN's Role

02:41    Understanding Regeneration: Creating Conditions for Life

05:50    The Complexity of Nature and Unlearning

10:34    Rethinking Solutions: Beyond Carbon Emissions

13:57    Changing Mindsets: Agency and Individual Action

22:11    The UN's Potential in Embracing Regeneration

25:39    The Role of the UN in Regeneration

27:59    Transforming Organizational Mindsets

28:57    Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Science

In this conversation, Silke von Brockhausen and Rukmini Iyer explore the concept of regeneration within the context of the United Nations and its potential to transform systems for a thriving future. They discuss the importance of personal change as a foundation for systemic transformation, the need for decolonization in our approaches, and the significance of trust and diversity in organizational settings. Rukmini shares practical tools for fostering trust and collaboration, and they envision a future where ecology is central to peace and development. The conversation concludes with a daily practice for reconnecting with nature and fostering a regenerative mindset.

Connect with Rukmini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rukminiiyer/ 

Learn more about her work: https://rukminiiyer.medium.com/

takeaways

• Regeneration is about actively participating in life.
• Personal change is essential for systemic change.
• Decolonization involves fair exchanges for survival.
• Diversity of voices is crucial in shaping policy.
• Trust is essential for sustainable relationships.
• Ecology must be at the center of peace and development.
• Creativity fosters a regenerative mindset.
• Nature mandalas help reconnect with beauty and life.
• Organizations must model humility and accountability.
• Transformative tools can facilitate organizational change.

titles

• Regeneration and the UN: A New Vision
• The Power of Personal Change in Regeneration

Sound Bites

• "Diversity of voices shapes policy."
• "We are part of a larger web of life."
• "Ecology must be at the center of peace."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regeneration and the UN's Role

02:58 Understanding Regeneration: A Practical Approach

05:57 The Importance of Personal Change in Regeneration

08:34 Decolonization: Beyond Academic Perspectives

11:43 Transforming Organizations: Building Trust and Relationships

14:32 Tools for Organizational Transformation

17:45 Imagining a Regenerative UN: A Vision for the Future

20:48 Daily Practices for Reconnection and Regeneration

In this episode of the RE:Generation Collective podcast, Silke von Brockhausen engages with Elyes Mkacher, a regenerative farmer and educator, to explore the concept of regeneration in the context of the United Nations. They discuss the importance of healing our relationship with the earth, the need for a mindset shift away from colonialism, and the role of diversity in leadership. Elyes shares insights on building resilient organizations and communities, nurturing trust, and practical daily regenerative practices. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of regeneration amidst ecological and social crises and envisions a future where the UN can lead in this transformative journey.

Connect with Elyes:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elyes-m

Learn more about the Design School for Regenerating Earth: https://design-school-for-regenerating-earth.mn.co/

Takeaways

• Regeneration is the opposite of degeneration and degradation.
• We are facing multiple collapses that require a regenerative approach.
• Regeneration involves healing our relationship with the earth.
• It's essential to see ourselves as part of nature.
• Diversity is crucial for effective regenerative leadership.
• Decolonizing our imagination is necessary for planetary regeneration.
• Localization should be integrated into organizational practices.
• Nature provides solutions that we often overlook.
• Listening and observing are key to understanding regeneration.
• Daily practices of gratitude can enhance our connection to regeneration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Regeneration and the UN

03:03 Understanding Regeneration: A Practical Perspective

08:22 Decolonizing Imagination for Planetary Regeneration

13:26 Building Resilient Organizations and Communities

17:08 Nurturing Trust and Soil in Institutions

19:30 Vision for the Future: Regeneration in the UN

23:04 Mindset Shift: Moving Beyond Greed

23:52 Daily Regenerative Practices