💡Hone in on Your Legacy
Weekly Lightbulb: Impact, Legacy, Reinvention and my Interview with Dr. Cat Wallace
Hey Friends, in this week’s lightbulb, I’ll be sharing some insights and lessons that I learned working on some exciting land projects, as well the key takeaways from my interview with Dr. Catriona Wallace for the our Land Steward Alliance.
My first insight this week, came from a call with one of the top publishers in the personal development space, discussing a new retreat center we’re working on in Mexico. We walked through my usual process—how we run operations, design experiences, and manage the flow. And then, a question hit me: What if, instead of following the standard model, we reimagined it?
It’s easy to keep doing what works. But true creativity—true transformation—demands reinvention. The best artists don’t paint the same piece over and over. They evolve. They experiment. So we decided to bring that energy into the conversation.
And that got me thinking: where in my work, my life, and my projects have I been stuck in repetition instead of innovation? What an important question to ask myself!
Embracing Change in Land Projects (and Life)
A client recently came to me frustrated—he wanted a fixed business plan for his land project, but it kept changing. I reflected back to him: Your vision and intention don’t change, but how you bring them to life will evolve.
Land projects aren’t rigid blueprints; they’re living, breathing entities. Yes, you need to anchor certain decisions—budgets, architecture, timelines—but the mission itself refines and clarifies over time as reality takes shape. The land teaches us, communities reveal needs, and unexpected challenges require adaptation.
That’s why I always recommend starting with the why—a strong intention, a clear vision and mission, and a set of core values. These act as a compass when shifts inevitably happen. When new ideas or obstacles arise, you can ask: Does this align with my vision? Does this honor the land and the people it serves?
Too often, people rush into action—designing, fundraising, pitching—before truly understanding the soul of their project. The same applies to life. Are you giving yourself enough space to let your vision evolve?
Hone in on Your Legacy
Yesterday, I was interviewed for an impact real estate initiative, and when asked about my thoughts on impact real estate, I had to speak my truth: a lot of so-called “impact projects” aren’t really impactful. They’re often part of the eco-rat race—projects driven by a need for validation rather than true service.
I know because I was there myself. I believed that my retreat center, my community, my project would change the world. And while it was well-intentioned, I later saw that much of it was guided by my own need to feel worthy, to prove that my work mattered.
The truth is, building more eco-villages won’t magically make people cooperate, care for each other, or live in harmony. The physical structures are important, but they don’t replace the internal, invisible structures needed for real human connection.
So when did I truly feel involved in an impactful project? It was when we helped Futuro Nativo in Costa Rica—a nonprofit working with indigenous tribes—to fully fund and build a community center, with support from members of our Land Steward Alliance. That felt like real impact. Giving back, with no need for anything in return.
I feel this same deep sense of purpose with my work at Leap Forward, where we focus on human coherence and re-wiring the mind. We’re building a platform to map nonprofit initiatives—identifying duplicated efforts and gaps—so that donors and stakeholders can take clear, effective action with the data they need in hand.
Expanding the Conversation: Leadership, AI & Ethics
This question of true impact was central to a powerful workshop we hosted this week with Dr. Cat Wallace, an expert at the intersection of AI, organizational behavior, and ancient wisdom traditions. To see the full interview and be an active participant in more conversations like this, consider joining us at the Land Steward Alliance.
A few key takeaways that stuck with me:
AI is now considered the top existential risk, surpassing climate change, with the potential for uncontrolled impact across various sectors.
Effective leadership in land projects requires balancing business acumen with spiritual awareness and local community engagement.
Profit and impact must be balanced—rituals, reciprocity, and community listening can help investors shift from extractive models to holistic ones.
The future of healing spaces isn’t just about what we build, but how we listen—to the land, to the people, and to what is truly needed.
But what struck me most was Dr. Wallace’s perspective on individual leadership in the face of global challenges. She outlined four pressing issues shaping our world today:
AI proliferation – A technology evolving at an exponential rate, outpacing our ethical frameworks and posing an existential risk.
Climate change – An ongoing crisis demanding immediate systemic and localized action.
Mental health epidemics – The rising levels of anxiety, depression, and disconnection exacerbated by modern life.
Polarization and war – Deepening societal divides that threaten collective well-being.
Her message? We cannot wait for governments, corporations, or institutions to solve these problems. True change comes from informal, passionate leadership—individuals stepping forward in their own way, using their unique skills and energy to create impact.
What I took away from this conversation is something I’ve been feeling for a long time: We’re not just in the business of creating spaces. We’re in the business of stewarding transformation. The land, the projects, the experiences—they are vessels for something bigger. And in a world facing such massive shifts, the question we must ask ourselves is: What is needed of me?
Where can my energy, my gifts, my leadership make a difference—not just for my own fulfillment, but for the greater whole?
So I’ll leave you with this: Where do you feel in service, without needing financial reward? Where does your work feel truly impactful?
I’d love to hear your answer so reply to this email or schedule a chat!
To creativity, reinvention, and true impact,
Ed
Check out the LSA - where we meet monthly as a community to discuss our land projects and our lives with a collective of project founders, experts on the ground, and peers looking to not walk alone in this journey. We’re stronger together!
Really great read. Thank you