Podcasts

From Green Rush to ReFi Realism with David Fortson and Sandra Ponce de Leon │ S4 Bonus 🌿🎧

Maya Dentzel

08 Apr 2025 • 2 min read

What does it take to build regenerative projects that actually sustain themselves?

In this special bonus episode of the Season 4 of the ReFi Podcast, Regeneration Nexus, host Maya Dentzel sits down with two longtime builders in the regenerative movement—David Fortson, Chief Growth Officer at Regen Network, and Sandra Ponce de Leon, co-founder of ReFi Tulum—to ask the hard questions facing ReFi today.

We’ve come a long way since the “green rush” of 2021 and 2022, when vibes ran high and new projects launched weekly. But in 2025, the question isn’t how to start a ReFi project—it’s how to keep it going. In this candid conversation, David and Sandra reflect on the need to move beyond hype into grounded, long-term, financially viable regenerative work.

This episode calls for a new mindset of creative realism—a balance between idealism and discipline, experimentation and execution. This isn’t about abandoning the mission—it’s about designing systems that last.

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“We’ve got some scarring now, a little reality check—and now it’s time to roll up our sleeves. Let’s be serious, let’s be disciplined, and let’s help each other out, and know that an incremental steady improvement is the name of the game.”

Key insights from this bonus episode include... 💡

Sustainable regeneration requires financially viable models. Without clear business strategies and user traction, even the most mission-driven ReFi projects struggle to scale.
Regeneration takes time. Regenerative systems don’t happen overnight—“some seeds take years to bear fruit.” While experimentation is essential, long-term thinking, patience, and ecosystem accountability are critical to meaningful impact.
Community trust is non-negotiable. Building trust through human relationships—not just technology—is essential for lasting regenerative impact. Whether in the rainforests of Ecuador or the beaches of Tulum, regeneration begins with being present, listening, and co-creating with communities.
Web3 needs to abstract itself away. To reach broader audiences, regenerative tools must be intuitive, accessible, and seamless—users shouldn’t need to understand blockchain to participate.
Clarifying what “regen” means can strengthen the movement. As the space grows, there’s increasing interest in creating shared frameworks—like a Regen Brand Commons—to prevent greenwashing, foster alignment, and provide supportive infrastructure for scaling regenerative projects with integrity.

🎧 Tune in to the Bonus Episode:

🎙️ Join us for a special community Twitter Space this Friday, April 11 at 11 AM ET!

We’ll be reflecting on the journey of Regeneration Nexus, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, and inviting your thoughts on where ReFi goes next. Let’s wrap the season together—your voice matters.

👉 Join the discussion on Twitter Spaces: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1LyGBWkoZZpJN

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