ENG #34 Tim Fijal Astungkaraway Bali - From Visitors to Stewards: Rethinking Tourism

In this episode of Nourishing Ideas, we sit down with Tim Fijal—founder of Astungkaraway in Bali—to explore how regeneration becomes real when communities remember what they already know. From a life-changing TED Talk to nine years at Green School, Tim’s path led him into the rice paddies, where he began bridging worlds: international visitors, local farmers, and a new generation of Indonesian graduates eager to work with the land. We talk about the first simple steps that change everything (turning rice straw into compost instead of smoke), why border crops can boost both soil health and farmer income, and how “success” can be measured in dignity, biodiversity, and children running barefoot into their grandparents’ fields.

Tim shares hard-won lessons—how to de-risk transitions for aging farmers, why youth engagement is non-negotiable, and how regenerative tourism can be designed to heal rather than extract. We also get into the metrics that matter (soil life, water quality, farmer economics, youth participation) and a 2050 vision of humming, biodiverse paddies sustained by cultures that never truly forgot.

If you’ve ever wondered how food systems, travel, and community can regenerate together—and what it takes to lead with empathy and intuition—this conversation is a grounded, hopeful roadmap.

“We don’t need $2 million from one foundation—we need $1 from two million people who care.” — Tim Fijal

🌾 Three Takeaways

* Regeneration starts with remembering – The farmers already knew how to grow in harmony with nature. It wasn’t about new technology, but about remembering what was lost and validating it with science.

* Bridging two worlds – Tim’s work connects international visitors, local farmers, and youth — proving that sustainability is not a theory, but a lived practice rooted in community.

* Redefining success – Profit is not only financial. Success is seeing kids run barefoot into their grandparents’ fields, soil alive again, and young graduates finding purpose in the land.

👉 Listen to the full conversation about regenerative rice, the “El Camino of Bali,” and how tourism can become a force for healing — on Nourishing Ideas.

Tune in, share, and let a small seed of remembrance take root.

Webpage: https://www.astungkaraway.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astungkaraway/?_rdc=1&_rdr#

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astungkara.way/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astungkara.trail/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-fijal-5a0b293/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astungkara-way/posts/?feedView=all

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Besides the podcast, you’ll soon find — this fall — an educational program on how to build a regenerative business or create a sustainably functioning company.

The interviews will continue to be freely available to everyone, and we truly appreciate any kind of support — whether through subscribing or contributing financially in any way.

Some reflection episodes, which will form part of the educational material I’ll start publishing this fall, will be available exclusively to paying subscribers.If you want to listen to those — this is a good time to become a subscriber!

In addition to the interviews, there will be a learning program open to everyone, but I’ll also mix in deeper-dive episodes on specific topics, which will be reserved for paying subscribers.

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🎵 The music was produced by Victor-Alan Weeks (SENA HERO)

I’m Hans Hallengren, the host of Nourishing Ideas. Learn more about me here:🔗 linkedin.com/in/hans-hallengrenand follow Nourishing Ideas on LinkedIn:🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/nourishing-ideas---a-podcast/

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