From Regenera to Building in Public With AI
A New Chapter (and Two Invitations You Won't Want to Miss)
After a 18 months of writing Regenera—exploring regenerative mythology, Indigenous wisdom, and what it means to build a better world—I’m embarking on a new journey.
And I’m inviting you to join me.
We are living through the most exciting revolution in history where the gap between imagination and creation is converging.
What’s Changing
I’m launching a new Substack focused specifically on building with AI for regenerative impact.
The most powerful coordination and creation technologies ever invented (AI and crypto) are being built using almost entirely by the same Western extractive mindset that created our planetary crisis.
Meanwhile, the people with the wisdom to actually guide these technologies—Indigenous leaders, Global South communities, regenerative practitioners—are being systematically locked out.
So I’m going all-in:
Learning the cutting-edge of AI-assisted product development (vibe coding with sub-agents and PRDs)
Building revenue-generating software projects in public
Implementing radical regenerative economic models using crypto
Exploring autonomous AI agents on-chain with impact objectives and their own wallets
Sharing the best tools, prompts, frameworks, and workflows
Supporting builders who’ll use these technologies for regeneration, not extraction
What This Means for Regenera
I’m still finishing Part III of Myths of the Regenerative Era: Bridge to Symbiocene (a long piece I’ve invested a lot of time in), coming soon. I will continue to use this space to explore wisdom in the regenerative age, but I’m now moving into the practical application of this wisdom: Creating real products with regenerative economic principles.
I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 16 and now the tooling has made it possible for me to fulfill the job of a small product team as one person. It is by far the most exciting time to build software startups in human history.
The New Substack
You can find the first piece on my new Substack here:
I’m not migrating subscribers over as it’s a completely different proposition so if you want to follow along this journey do click the link and subscribe!
If you want to check it out, you’ll find:
Tutorials for a range of technical backgrounds
Real project breakdowns (what works, what doesn’t)
Deep work and peak performance neuroscience hacks and routines
Voices from builders in the field, specifically those from the Global South using AI and crypto to build applications with regenerative principles
Honest reflections on staying human while building in the age of AI
I’ve spent years building products and months vibe coding. I feel like I’ve finally found a breakthrough on the cutting-edge of AI-assisted product development that reminds me of the climate-crypto explosion of late 2021. It’s incredibly exciting and there is no better time to build something meaningful!
Join me here: iamjohnellison.substack.com and get 20% off a paid plan as a Regenera subscriber!
If you’re a paid subscriber of Regenera, I’ll happily gift you a free paid subscription to the new Substack, just send me a message.
What I’m Actively Building
This transition isn’t just writing about AI—I’m building two concrete projects you can be part of:
1. An Operating System for Deep Work
We live in an era of unprecedented distraction. Working with AI adds a new level of cognitive drain and complexity. We need a new approach to cultivate deep focus while also taking care of our brains and our bodies for the long-term.
I’m building a platform that leverages AI and behavioral science to help people do their best, most focused work of their lives. Think of it as an intelligent environment that helps you drop into your best flow states while maintaining healthy routines in your life.
Here’s where regenerative economics comes in: The platform will explore regenerative models in terms of pricing, perks and incentive structures for its community. This is the practical application of everything we’ve discussed in Regenera about economic redesign.
Early access: Regenera subscribers will get first access to the beta. More details announced on the new Substack.
2. Vibe Coding Residency in Morocco (Q1 2025)
In addition to building, I’m co-hosting a builder residency in Morocco—6-7 builders living in a gorgeous beach house by the sea for 2-4 weeks, building the best products of our lives.
What this looks like:
Deep work sessions (everyone building their own projects)
Surf breaks, specialty coffee, organic meals
Community dinners, group feedback, vibe coding together,
Yoga, meditation, nature, and the focused energy of people committed to building something meaningful
We won’t just be extracting from the land, we’ll also be giving back to it by supporting local nature restoration and visiting local Amazigh villages, supporting indigenous knowledge and culture preservation.
This is for you if:
You’re building something with AI (or want to start)
You’re a founder, creator, or builder working on regenerative/impact projects
You want dedicated time away from distractions to make real progress
You thrive in community and want to be around other builders
No presentations. No networking BS. Just focused work, great food, waves, and the kind of conversations that only happen when builders come together in beautiful places.
Interested? Hit reply and let me know. I’m finalizing dates and details, but spaces will be limited to keep it intimate. I’m also helping founders with industry experience get started vibe coding—if that’s you, hit me up.
A Personal Note
If you’ve been following Regenera, you know I’ve been exploring the intersection between a vision for a regenerative future and the specific actions we need to take to get there.
This juncture feels like that intersection.
I hope you’ll come with me. We’ll still be exploring the same questions about regeneration, kinship, and what it means to build a world that serves life.
We’ll just be doing it with our hands on the keyboard, building real things, in community.
Stay tuned for Part III - Myths of The Regenerative Era: Bridge to Symbiocene!
And in the meantime, join me over here: johnellison.substack.com
Thank you so much for being on this journey together,
John
P.S. — If you’re building something at the intersection of AI and regeneration, or you’re curious about learning these tools—I’d love to hear from you.