EP 34: From Hollywood to the Farm – A Conversation With Father, Permaculture Farmer and Multi-disciplinary Artist Ethan Delorenzo

Episode Length: 1:17:46

This week’s episode is about the search for meaning and fulfillment and the unexpected places it leads. It comes by way of Ethan Delorenzo, a father, permaculture farmer and multi-disciplinary artist who lives in an eco-village on Vashon, a rural island off the coast of Washington State. Ethan climbed the ladder of success in the music industry, beginning as an assistant to mixer and engineer Ryan West (who has worked with Rihanna, Eminem, Jay Z and Usher). Ethan then formed a band with Teyana Taylor and continued to rise in the industry as a producer and engineer. But, after achieving a remarkable amount of success by his early 20’s, he began to seek a different kind of life, one closer to the land and in alignment with his own values.

Here are some of the topics we discuss: ethan’s career in the music industry and the vacation with Rihanna that set him on a new course, on how the birth of his child with actress Jena Malone brought him closer to his purpose, what is was like to leave Hollywood for Vashon Island, what life is like in his eco-village, the importance of elders and learning from indigenous wisdom, Ethan’s rituals for living in harmony with nature, and so much more. I asked Ethan to be a guest on the podcast because he’s someone who after achieving all of the cultural markers of success, still felt like something was missing. It takes courage to turn away from material gain and towards a quieter, although I’d argue, richer experience. In his unfolding journey, Ethan teaches us that happiness and fulfillment can be found in simple, purposeful living.

“Everything that’s informed my life and really given me this bliss of a life experience was out of my control. So, I’ve gotten really good at listening and trusting that this is where I’m supposed to go and that this is going to work out in some way.”
"Learning the process of farming…connecting to these slower processes, has informed and made me such a better person.”
“The simplest way I can say about how we prepare for going forward is to go back and study, and respect elders and their knowledge while they’re still here.”
“I think boredom and learning to deal with that is extremely important as a human.”
“For me the word ‘neutral’ means trying to find that compassion and not being righteous.”

“As a cis white male, I’m aware that the best thing I can do right now is not come in loud, but listen first. So I feel like to sum up how my 2020 is, I’m really just trying to listen.”

Resources

Show Notes

What life on Vashon Island has been like during the pandemic
Ethan’s connection to nature growing up in Pennsylvania
On working in the music industry at Jay-Z’s studio with Ryan West
On starting a band with Teyana Taylor and being signed by Pharrell
The trip with Rihanna that changed everything
On how the birth of his child with actress Jena Malone brought Ethan deeper purpose
What it was like leaving Hollywood and finding a new home on Vashon Island
What living in an intentional community has brought to Ethan’s life
Why Ethan sought out an intergenerational experience
On applying indigenous wisdom to growing practices
Why wilderness is a colonial construct
The wisdom in slowing down
How Covid-19 is reshaping our relationship to many manmade systems and what can help us thrive
Ethan’s rituals and practices for staying connected to himself and the land
On how Alyssa’s relationship to nature has shifted now that she’s moved out of New York City
What returning to nature offers us
The Last Five Questions

Connect with Ethan:

Ethan Delorenzo’s Instagram

The Last Five Questions

What is your favorite place in nature?
High altitude mountain areas.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
Lichen.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Go outside and put your feet in the dirt. Touch trees. Learn something about the indigenous tribes in whatever place you live.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
That I am nature. Seeing plants and fruit grow ~ the regenerative process.
Complete this sentence: Nature brings me…
Yummy food.

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