69: Paul Hawken on His Fascinating Journey from Civil Rights Protester to Erewhon Founder to Environmentalist

Today’s guest is an author, speaker, activist, and environmental journalist Paul Hawken. Paul has dedicated his life to environmental sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the environment. 

Due to a health condition and some family drama early on in his story, Paul came to understand that it wasn’t safe for him to be inside, which led him to develop a love for the outdoors. He spent countless hours exploring and learning about the interconnectedness of nature, which ultimately played a pivotal role decades later in what would become his life’s work: amplifying the importance of regenerative agriculture.

After leaving home at the age of 14, Paul ultimately found himself at the forefront of the civil rights movement in the Deep South, where he volunteered with Dr. Martin Luther King, John Lewis, and other icons of the movement. Stay tuned, because he shares some incredible stories from that period in his life, including the time he was kidnapped after he was seen taking photos of the Klu Klux Klan! 

Later, Paul found himself in Boston, where he took over the now famous health food store, Erewhon. Here, he developed an even deeper understanding of the importance of protecting the environment, which led him to become the celebrated journalist, author, and activist that he is today.

In today’s episode, we discuss the interconnected nature of Paul’s backstory, his involvement in the civil rights movement and the profound effect it had on him, and the importance of regenerative agriculture, as well as his views on hope, success, unreasonable goals, and how every single one of us can be part of the solution, plus a whole lot more! 

Make sure not to miss this personal and enlightening discussion with one of the world’s foremost environmental advocates.

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