Aníbal de Paz was a young man in Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, when I was a young man living there at the turn of the century. He had been born into war in the 80s, became a runner for the resistance as a boy, was a teenager as peace broke out in the 90s, and in his 20s, when we met and became friends, he was driver and confidant for his father, Don Ceferino de Paz González, my guest in episode 286, when he became Mayor.

Aníbal carries a presence of hard-won wisdom, born of a unique life, with a prominent Maya Achí father, and quietly formidable mother. And he speaks with such poetic sensibility, though scarcely literate in the formal sense. 

All this comes to the fore all the more, as we’ve just spent the day at the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, along with Anibal’s wife, Q’eqchí woman Josefina Choc Tiul, and their wonderful daughters. It was the children’s first visit. 

At the end of an exhausting day, both our families settled into bed, while we headed out to have one last conversation, plenty of it we’d never talked about, before saying our farewells. They were to head back to Fray before the dawn.

You’re about to hear a deeply felt and observed profile of a life, a country, and in many ways, a global dynamic that many of us are feeling more acutely these days. It is raw and real, hopeful and instructive, about power, choices of life and death, and how to navigate generational shifts in times like these.

It’s my privilege to have landed in the midst of Aníbal’s story through a couple of narrow windows, yet wide enough to be able to share this with you now.

It was still noisy on the street out front, near the town of El Remate in El Petén province. So we soon moved down to the beautiful Lake Petén Itzá, via a now permanently flooded jetty, and found a boat. 

Thanks again to old mate from those first Guatemala times, Dana ‘Patricio’ Scott, for so generously translating and speaking the Spanish in English.

Recorded 18 January 2025.

Title image: Aníbal on the jetty the day before (pic: Anthony James).

See more photos on the episode web page, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener below. 

Music:

Salta Montes, by Migra (from Artlist).

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests. 

Send us a text

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You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

NOTE: This version of this week’s episode is in Spanish. You'll find the English translated version in your podcast feed too. 

Aníbal de Paz era un joven en Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, cuando yo era joven y vivía allí a principios del siglo. Había nacido en la guerra de los años 80, se convirtió en un mensajero para la resistencia de niño, era adolescente cuando se firmaron los Acuerdos de Paz en 1996, y unos años después, cuando nos conocimos y nos hicimos amigos, fue chófer y confidente de su padre, Don Ceferino de Paz González, mi invitado en el episodio 286, cuando asumió la alcaldía.

Aníbal posee una presencia de sabiduría adquirida con esfuerzo, fruto de una vida única, con un prominente padre Maya Achí y una madre discretamente formidable. El habla con una sensibilidad poética también. 

Todo esto se hace aún más evidente, ya que acabábamos de pasar el día en la antigua ciudad Maya de Tikal, a unos 300 km o 6 horas en coche al noreste de Fray, junto con la esposa de Aníbal, la Q'eqchí Josefina Choc Tiul, y sus maravillosas hijas. Era la primera visita de las niñas.

Al final de un día agotador, nuestras familias se acostaron, mientras el y yo salíamos para tener una última conversación antes de despedirnos. Ellos debían regresar a Fray antes del amanecer.

Están a punto de escuchar un perfil profundamente sentido y observado de una vida, un país y, en muchos sentidos, una dinámica global que muchos de nosotros estamos sintiendo con mayor intensidad estos días. Es abierto y real, esperanzador e instructivo, sobre el poder, las decisiones de vida o muerte, y cómo afrontar los cambios generacionales en tiempos como estos. Es un privilegio haber sido una parte en la historia de Aníbal, y a compartir esto con ustedes ahora.

Grabado al Lago Petén Itzá, el 18 de enero de 2025.

Gracias a Dana ‘Patricio’ Scott por traducir esto para la versión en inglés.

Foto principal: Aníbal y la lancha en la cual hablábamos.

Vea más fotos en la página web del episodio y, para ver más del detrás de cámaras, conviértase en oyente colaborador a continuación.

Música:

Salta Montes, de Migra (fuente: Artlist).

Regeneration, de Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

NOTE: This version of this week’s episode is in Spanish. You'll find the English translated version in your podcast feed too. 

Bienvenidos de nuevo a Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz, para continuar con una serie especial desde Guatemala, Centroamérica.

Al regresar a este lugar que fue mi hogar durante unos años a principios de siglo, no sabía quién estaría, aún seguiría vivo. 

Pensé que mis viejos amigos Cándido Reyes y su esposa Maricela, si todavía estaban aquí, seguirían en la comunidad de retornados que ayudaron a fundar 30 años antes, llamada La Nueva Libertad, a solo unos kilómetros del pueblo de Fray. 

Pero después de tantos años, no tenía forma de recordar cuál era su casa, una vieja dirección de correo electrónico no funcionaba, y una antigua oficina suya en el pueblo ya es un restaurante.

Así que pregunté por ahí y al fin recibí la información que los encontraría en las instalaciones actuales de la legendaria ONG para la que siguen trabajando, Adelina Caal Maquín (ACM). Esa trabaja con mujeres, jóvenes, soberanía alimentaria, agroecología y, más recientemente, una escuela secundaria de desarrollo comunitario sostenible.

Al día siguiente, sin poder avisar y con cierta timidez, fui a buscarlos. La conversación fue tan maravillosa, que luego Cándido y yo grabamos esta conversación mientras dimos un paseo por La Nueva. 

Comenzamos en ACM, paseamos por los huertos, la comunidad, sus escuelas, su innovadora cooperativa, y nos adentramos en las extraordinarias historias de sus vidas y de este lugar. Tras los horrores de la guerra, exploramos la época de Cándido como joven organizador de la resistencia, y cómo luego regresó como líder en la formación de la cooperativa y la comunidad.

Hablamos de los enormes éxitos y desafíos de la cooperativa, de la reconexión con los ancestros, los cambios de Fray y de Guatemala, de la empresa de procesamiento de alimentos, de reflexiones sobre su vida hasta ahora, y de su irreducible fe en lo posible.

Cándido es un tipo muy inteligente y bien chistoso. Y aquí, están iluminando un camino para Guate y, en muchos sentidos, para todos nosotros. 

Grabado el 14 de enero de 2025.

Foto por Olivia Cheng.

Vea más fotos en el sitio de web y, para ver más del detrás de cámaras, conviértase en oyente colaborador a continuación.

Música:

Salta Montes, de Migra (fuente: Artlist).

Regeneration, de Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

Welcome back to Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz, as we continue a special series from Guatemala, Central America. 

I wish I’d recorded how I came to find today’s guest. In returning to this place that was home for a few years back at the turn of the century, I didn’t know who’d still be around, alive even. 

I figured that my old friends Cándido Reyes and his wife Maricela, if they were still around, would be in the returned refugee community they helped set up 30 years prior, called la Nueva Libertad (the New Freedom), just a few kilometres out of town. But after so many years, I had no chance of remembering which house was theirs, an old email address didn’t work, and an old office of theirs in town was now a restaurant.

So I asked around, and eventually got the tip I’d find them in the current facility of the legendary non-profit they continue to work for called Adelina Caal Maquín (ACM) – working with women, youth, food sovereignty, agro-ecology and, more recently, a residential secondary school in sustainable community development.

Anyway, next day, unannounced and with some timidity, I went to find them. Catching up was so wonderful and compelling, later Cándido and I pressed record on a walk around La Nueva. 

We start at ACM, wander around the gardens, the community, its schools, its innovative cooperative set up, and delve into the extraordinary stories of their lives and this place. Emerging from the horrors of war, we explore Cándido's time as a young resistance organizer, and how he later returned as a leader in the formation of the coop and community. 

We talk about the coop’s enormous successes and challenges, reconnecting with ancestors, the changing face of Fray and Guatemala, the exciting food processing venture, reflections on a life so far, and his unflinching belief in what’s possible.

Cándido is sharp, resilient and very funny. And out here, they’re lighting a beacon for Guate, and in many ways, for us all. 

Thanks again to Dana ‘Patricio’ Scott for generously translating and speaking the Spanish in English. 

Let’s head to la Nueva Libertad.

Recorded 14 January 2025.

See more photos on the episode web page, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener below.

Music:

Salta Montes, by Migra (from Artlist).

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

Welcome to a series within the series from Guatemala, Central America – three stories from three men I admire most in the world. Each different but related. Each from a different generation. And each navigating the last couple of decades differently since I spent time with them, in the municipality of Fray Bartolome de las Casas, in the central province of Alta Verapaz.

This is the story of a place too, in that sense. A place that’s been through the worst of things and some of the best of human endeavours as well. Offering us all some hard-won wisdom on how to transcend the former and tend the latter, even achieve some remarkable outcomes at times, but perhaps above all, how to live well regardless of those outcomes. 

First up, then, it’s a privilege to share my conversation with Don Ceferino de Paz González. Don Cef was Mayor of Fray when I arrived offering my services, a gringo with, at that stage, no organisational or financial backing. 

Don Cef had not long been elected, only a few years after the Peace Accords that formally ended a bloody decades-long war. He was then part of the political party that emerged from the guerrilla resistance. A mere boy when he joined that resistance, he’d dodged death, rose through the ranks, and then in peace time, became Mayor not once, but twice. 

21 years since I last saw him, we met at his home in Fray. He’d hardly changed, still looking sprightly at age 80. And generously, this proud, articulate, still optimistic Maya Achí elder, was up for a chat – full, frank and open. 

We sat out on the patio, late morning. The humidity and heat were on the rise amidst the lush green of these traditional Mayan tropical lowlands. And as we go, we drift deeper into personal terrain. And to take us out, he agrees to pick up the guitar.

Today’s episode is also tribute to my late mentor, systems thinking pioneer and much-loved figure, Professor Frank Fisher, on the 82nd anniversary of his birth. 

Thanks again to Dana Scott for so generously translating the Spanish into English.

Recorded 14 January 2025.

See more photos on the episode web page, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener below.

Music:

Salta Montes, by Migra (from Artlist).

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

NOTE: This version of this week’s episode is in Spanish. You'll find the English translated version in your podcast feed too. (Gracias a Dana ‘Patricio’ Scott por su generosa traducción.)

Bienvenidos a una serie dentro de la serie desde Guatemala, Centroamérica: tres historias de tres hombres a los que admiro muchísimo en el mundo. Cada uno diferente, pero relacionado. Cada uno de una generación distinta. Y cada uno navegando las últimas dos décadas de forma distinta desde que pasé tiempo con ellos, en el municipio de Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz.

En ese sentido, esta es también la historia de un lugar. Un lugar que ha pasado por lo peor y también por lo mejor de la humanidad. Nos ofrece sabiduría adquirida con esfuerzo sobre cómo superar lo primero y cuidar lo segundo, incluso lograr resultados notables en ocasiones, pero quizás sobre todo, cómo vivir bien independientemente de esos resultados.

Primero que nada, es un privilegio compartir mi conversación con Don Ceferino de Paz González. Don Ceferino es Maya Achí, y era alcalde de Fray cuando llegué a ofrecer mis servicios, un gringo sin, en ese momento, respaldo organizativo ni financiero.

Don Cef había sido elegido hacía poco, apenas unos años después de los Acuerdos de Paz que pusieron fin formalmente a una sangrienta guerra de décadas. Por aquel entonces formaba parte del partido político surgido de la resistencia guerrillera. Siendo apenas un niño cuando se unió a esa resistencia, esquivó la muerte, ascendió en la jerarquía y, en tiempos de paz, llegó a ser alcalde no una, sino dos veces.

21 años después de la última vez que lo vi, nos reunimos en su casa de Fray. A sus 80 años, generosamente, este hombre orgulloso, elocuente y aún optimista, estaba dispuesto a charlar con sinceridad y franqueza.

Nos sentamos en el patio. La humedad y el calor subían entre el verde de estas tradicionales tierras tropicales mayas. Y a medida que avanzamos, nos adentramos más en terreno personal. Y para terminar, acepta tocar la guitarra.

El episodio de hoy también rinde homenaje a mi difunto mentor, pionero del pensamiento sistémico y figura muy querida, el profesor Frank Fisher, en el 82.º aniversario de su nacimiento.

Grabado el 14 de enero de 2025.

Vea más fotos en la página web del episodio y, para ver más del detrás de cámaras, conviértase en oyente colaborador a continuación.

Música:

Salta Montes, de Migra (fuente: Artlist).

Regeneration, de Amelia Barden.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

Welcome to another very special series of episodes. This time, from my return to an old haunt back at the turn of the century, in beautiful current day Guatemala, Central America. Deep in the heart of Mayan Country and culture.

To have the opportunity to share these with you here, is beyond what I ever imagined possible. I couldn’t be more grateful, including to Dana Scott for so generously translating and speaking the Spanish in English, for me to overdub for you here. A version of all four episodes in the series will go out in both Spanish and English.

First up, a story I’m so glad to be able to share with you - a visit to the Meso-American Permaculture Institute on the shores of the world wonder called Lago de Atitlan (Lake Atitlan). You may have heard my conversation with Maria Inés Cuj and Rony Lec, current and former directors of the Institute, a few years ago in episode 113, when they won a major global award after 20+ years of trailblazing gutsy work. 

This time, we were fortunate to be able to visit in person, and be shown around this centre of ceremony, education and regeneration – a literal cross-cultural lifeline for the community, the lake, and beyond.

Initially, I’d just had the phone recording going to capture our arrival, but it got interesting straight up, with Inés and her colleague Patrik Mucia so warmly welcoming us in their ceremonial ground (after we’d spent untold hours scrambling to catch 2 boats, 2 tuk tuks, and 1 pickup to get there).

After that, Patrik takes us for a walk. This young Mayan man is a great communicator, including about his story - how the Institute prompted his return to Mayan culture and his introduction to permaculture. And while we walk, the gardens sing.

Recorded 15 December 2024.

Title slide: AJ and Patrik (by Olivia Cheng). 

See more photos on the episode web page, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener below. 

Music:

Salta Montes, by Migra (from Artlist).

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

NOTE: This version of this week’s episode is in Spanish. You'll find the English translated version in your podcast feed too. 

Hoy lanzamos una nueva serie de episodios muy especiales. Esta vez, desde mi regreso a un lugar donde vivia a principios del siglo, en la hermosa Guatemala, Centroamérica. En pleno corazón de la cultura y tierra Maya. 

Para empezar, una visita al Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura, a orillas de la maravilla del mundo llamada Lago de Atitlán. Quizás recuerden mi conversación con María Inés Cuj y Rony Lec, director actual y anterior del Instituto, hace algunos años en el episodio 113, cuando recibieron un importante premio internacional tras más de 20 años de trabajo pionero y valiente.

Esta vez, nos llenó de alegría poder visitar en persona este centro de ceremonias, educación y regeneración, un verdadero salvavidas intercultural para la comunidad, el lago y más allá.

Al principio, solo tenía la grabación del teléfono para registrar nuestra llegada, pero la cosa se puso interesante enseguida, cuando Inés y su colega Patrik Mucia nos recibieron con tanta calidez en su espacio ceremonial. 

Después, Patrik nos lleve a dar un paseo. Este hombre Maya es un gran comunicador, incluso sobre su historia: cómo el Instituto impulsó su regreso a su cultura Maya, y su introducción a la permacultura. Y mientras caminamos, ¡los jardines cantan!

Grabado por el 15 de Diciembre 2024.

Foto principal: AJ y Patrik (por Olivia Cheng). 

Puedes ver más fotos en la página web del episodio en inglés y, para obtener más información detrás de escena, conviértete en oyente de apoyo a continuación.

Música:

Salta Montes, de Migra (fuente: Artlist).

Regeneration, por Amelia Barden.

The RegenNarration playlist.

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

Aquí les presento un adelanto del lanzamiento de una serie de episodios muy especial para finales de 2025. Esta vez, viene de mi regreso a un lugar en donde vivía yo a principios del siglo, en la hermosa Guatemala, Centroamérica. En pleno corazón de la cultura y tierra Maya.

Entre las bendiciones que tuve entonces se encontraban amistades con personas queridas, descendientes de esas raíces ancestrales. Y durante los meses que pasamos allí a principios de este año y a finales del pasado, tuve la oportunidad de grabar cuatro episodios. 

Tener la oportunidad de compartir esto con ustedes aquí supera cualquier expectativa. Estoy sumamente agradecido. Y gracias a Dana ‘Patricio’ Scott, se emitirá una versión de los cuatro episodios en español e inglés.

Todo empieza mañana. ¡Espero que nos acompañen!

Foto: de la visita guiada en IMAP (por Olivia Cheng).

Música: Salta Montes, de Migra (fuente: Artlist).

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!

Welcome to a preview of another very special series of episodes to end 2025. This time, from my return to an old haunt back at the turn of the century, in beautiful current day Guatemala, Central America. Deep in the heart of Mayan Country and culture. 

Among my blessings back then were cherished friendships with some dear people descendent of those ancient roots. And in the months we were back there earlier this year and late last, I had the chance to record four episodes.

To have the opportunity to share these with you here, is beyond what I ever imagined possible. All translated by my dear friend in Baltimore who was with me in the latter part of my time in Guate, who you might remember from the recent episodes from Chaco Canyon in New Mexico (eps 264 and 5). With great thanks to Dana, a version of all four episodes will go out in both Spanish and English. 

It all starts tomorrow. I hope you’ll join us!

Title slide: from the tour at IMAP (pic: Olivia Cheng).

Music: Salta Montes, by Migra (sourced from Artlist).

Send us a text

Support the show

The RegenNarration is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the show on the road - and gain access to a great community and some exclusive benefits - on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find my writing).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event, and even The RegenNarration shop. And thanks for sharing with friends!