151: From Waste to Wonder: Jonathan Appel on Restoring Eden with Revolutionary Technology

Description:

In this episode of the Seeds of Tao podcast, we're joined by Jonathan Appel, the visionary entrepreneur behind Eden Energy Solutions. We dive deep into his incredible journey of creating a technology that transforms harmful waste into clean, regenerative energy and organic fertilizers. Jonathan shares the inspiring origin story of Eden Energy, a mission sparked by a spiritual awakening and fueled by a lifelong passion for cleaning up our planet. Discover how this revolutionary, decentralized system has the potential to revolutionize industries, from agriculture to big oil, and learn about the challenges and triumphs Jonathan has faced on his entrepreneurial path. This is a conversation you won't want to miss if you're passionate about regenerative solutions, sustainable innovation, and the future of our planet.

Show Notes:

Episode 151: From Waste to Wonder with Jonathan Appel

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Jonathan Appel, co-founder of Eden Energy Solutions, as he unveils a groundbreaking technology that could be the key to a cleaner, regenerative future.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• [09:40] A Day in the Life: Jonathan shares his daily routine and what drives his passion for his work.
• [13:08] The Genesis of Eden Energy: Learn about the revolutionary technology that converts waste into clean energy and fertilizers.
• [20:30] Decentralizing for Impact: Jonathan explains the strategic shift from large biorefineries to portable, modular units.
• [24:23] A Spiritual Awakening: Hear the incredible story of how a trip to Chichen Itza and a Mayan shaman's prediction set Jonathan's father on the path to creating this technology.
• [30:26] The Journey to Now: From Turkey to a stem cell startup to Food Forest Abundance, Jonathan recounts the pivotal moments that led him to launch Eden Energy.
• [41:42] Overcoming Entrepreneurial Hurdles: Jonathan shares his insights on perseverance, the importance of a supportive partner, and staying true to your mission.
• [46:22] The Vision of "Restoring Eden": Learn about the powerful psychedelic experience that solidified the name and mission of Eden Energy.
• [53:50] A Solution for a Cleaner Future: Jonathan discusses the wide-ranging applications of the technology, from oil spills to industrial waste.
• [01:09:05] Get Involved: Find out how you can follow Eden Energy's journey, get in touch, and support their mission.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Eden Energy Solutions: https://www.edenenergy.co/
• Eden Energy on Instagram: @edenenergysolutions
• Eden Energy on X (formerly Twitter): @EdenEnergyX
• Jonathan Appel on Instagram and X: @jonathanappel13
• The Deep Hot Biosphere by Thomas Gold

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Blog Post:

From Waste to Wonder: Jonathan Appel on Restoring Eden with Revolutionary Technology

In a world grappling with the ever-growing challenge of waste, what if we could transform our most harmful byproducts into a source of clean, regenerative energy? This is not a far-off dream but the reality being pioneered by Jonathan Appel, the co-founder of Eden Energy Solutions. In a recent episode of the Seeds of Tao podcast, we had the privilege of sitting down with Jonathan to delve into his remarkable journey and the revolutionary technology that is set to redefine our relationship with waste.

The Spark of a Revolution

For Jonathan, the mission to clean up the world is more than just a business venture; it’s a legacy. It all began with his father, a man Jonathan affectionately calls “God’s janitor.” This journey was not born in a sterile laboratory but from a profound spiritual awakening. In 1985, during a trip to Chichen Itza on the spring equinox, Jonathan’s father witnessed a breathtaking display of Mayan ingenuity and spiritual power. A sudden storm parted to reveal the shadow of the feathered serpent god, Kukulkan, crawling down the temple, only for the sky to close and the rain to resume. This experience ignited a deep connection with Mayan culture and a new sense of purpose.

Years later, in 1996, a Mayan shaman delivered a powerful message to Jonathan's father: he would create something to clean up the world. This prophecy set in motion a chain of events that led to the development of a groundbreaking technology. It wasn't an easy path. The original company faced immense challenges, including the 2008 stock market crash and the collapse of the US biofuel market in 2012. Yet, the mission endured, a testament to the family's unwavering belief in their creation.

A Technology Born from Nature

So, what is this revolutionary technology? At its core, Eden Energy Solutions has reverse-engineered Mother Nature's process of creating fossil fuels. Where nature takes millions of years, heat, and pressure to convert carbon into energy, Eden Energy’s hydrothermal technology accomplishes this in a fraction of the time. Through an eight-stage process, the system uses water, heat, and pressure to break down carbon bonds, converting waste into its shortest, most basic components.

The result is a clean, regenerative, carbon-neutral fuel and organic fertilizers. This isn't just a concept; it's a proven reality. Jonathan proudly shared that the fuel they produce is cleaner burning than natural gas, with all harmful components like mercury, sulfur, and heavy metals being oxidized and removed. The only byproduct is a clean water stream that can be safely discharged or used for irrigation.

Decentralizing for a Regenerative Future

One of the most significant shifts in Eden Energy’s approach has been the move from large, centralized biorefineries to portable, scalable, and modular units. This decentralization is a key tenet of the regenerative movement, and for Eden Energy, it was a crucial evolution. The old model of transporting waste to a single location was fraught with logistical challenges and inefficiencies. The new model brings the solution directly to the source of the problem.

Imagine a slaughterhouse powering its entire facility with the waste it once paid to have hauled away. Or a community transforming its daily refuse into the energy that lights its homes. This is the future Eden Energy is building. They have designed three sizes of units, from a 24-foot cargo trailer that can process one ton of waste per day to a four-container system that can handle up to ten tons. This flexibility makes the technology accessible to a wide range of users, from small farms to entire municipalities.

The Journey of an Entrepreneur

Jonathan’s path has been anything but linear. He has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious labs, from MIT and Harvard to the national lab of Turkey. He’s been a part of a stem cell startup and helped grow the regenerative agriculture company, Food Forest Abundance. Each experience, with its unique challenges and revelations, has shaped him and prepared him for his current mission.

He speaks with a raw honesty about the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, belief, and, most importantly, a supportive partner. He credits his wife and co-founder, Gozde, for her unwavering faith in him and the technology, a belief that has sustained them through the lean times. “To be a successful entrepreneur,” Jonathan says, “it requires dedication, sacrifice that most people would never understand.”

The Vision: Restoring Eden

The name “Eden Energy” itself is a story of profound insight. During a period of intense stress and burnout, Jonathan undertook a hero's journey with psilocybin mushrooms. In a powerful vision, he saw himself and his wife walking through a pristine forest with 300-foot-tall trees and soaring eagles. A voice repeated a single message: “Restore Eden.” This experience solidified his purpose and the mission of his company.

This vision is not just about cleaning up waste; it’s about healing our planet. The technology can be used to remediate contaminated soil, clean up oil spills, and even tackle the plastic pollution crisis. Jonathan envisions a future where waste is no longer a liability but a valuable commodity. With 300 million tons of new plastic waste produced each year, the potential for this technology is staggering.

A Call to Action for a Regenerative Future

As Jonathan looks to the future, he is filled with an infectious excitement. Eden Energy is on the cusp of a major launch, with plans for a roadshow to demonstrate their mobile unit and a crowdfunding campaign to build their larger systems. They are also developing a suite of other technologies, all aimed at creating a more sustainable and regenerative world.

The story of Eden Energy is a powerful reminder that the solutions to our greatest challenges often lie in nature itself. It is a story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering belief in a better future. As Jonathan so eloquently puts it, “We need to leave this planet cleaner for the future generations.” With pioneers like him leading the charge, that future feels more possible than ever.

To learn more about Jonathan Appel and Eden Energy Solutions, you can visit their website at edenenergy.co and follow them on social media. This is more than just a company; it’s a movement, and it’s a story that is only just beginning.