by Brianna Wiest, The Mountain Is You

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reflections

Kia ora e hoa mā ("warm greetings, friends" in Te reo Māori),

As winter deepens here in Ōtautahi Christchurch, I’ve been leaning into the cold, the quiet, and the early nights - embracing the invitation to slow down and go inward. This season, I’m not chasing the external like I might’ve in years past. I’m tending to the ahi kā - the home fire - through self-care, simplicity, and staying present to what’s here: my body, my relationship with Jen, and the whare (home) we’re shaping together. We’ve been loving the rhythm of nesting - cooking, creating, welcoming friends, and building a life rooted in connection and care.

Work-wise, I’ve been supporting radical artists and organisations whose mahi (work) uplifts both people & planet - we're weaving stories, visuals, and putting the ART in heart into the creations & captures. I’m also continuing to show up in the slow fire of inner work through my men’s groups and regular space-holding with brothers like Bear & Felix. It’s all part of this larger practice of living with integrity, courage, responsibility, and deeper connections.

This newsletter is a reflection of that - filled with offerings I’m proud of, global good news to balance the noise, and stories that remind us what’s possible when we live in alignment. If any part of it moves you, drop me a note - absolutely love hearing your comments and reflections in return. 🙃

Lastly for now, if you’ve been nourished by my podcast and/or this newsletter, consider chipping in via Patreon or the tip jar. This work is ad-free, slow-cooked, and kept alive by the generosity of readers-people like you. 🙏🏽

Mauri ora (may your life force thrive)

-Kai J.

global good news

Nearly all of us get inundated daily with sensationalized headlines and news of what humanity is doing wrong (seemingly only), so I’ve made it my commitment to spread good news. It’s also my way of sustaining mental well-being especially working in systems change to ahi kā​ - tending to the inner flame.

• Samoa has legally adopted a plan that designates 30% of its 120,000 km² ocean territory as fully protected. The nine new MPAs are the first Samoa has created beyond its reefs, and ban activities that could harm marine life or damage marine habitat. Those fishing illegally could face fines of up to $361,400 or imprisonment. Mongabay​
• French Polynesia has announced the world’s largest marine protected area—nearly 5 million km²—banning deep-sea mining and bottom-trawling, with 1.1 million km² set aside for high-level protection that honours traditional fishing and ecological stewardship. Time​
• Good news on the fight against big tobacco: Effective 1st July, France will ban smoking in all outdoor places frequented by children (beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops, sports venues), Spain is moving forward with plans to ban smoking and vaping in bar and restaurant terraces, and in Thailand, the smoking rate has dropped from 32% in 1991 to 16% in 2024.
• Eighteen California tribes are leading a transformative 5,800 km² coastal stewardship effort, blending traditional knowledge with modern science through Tribal Marine Stewards Networks to restore ecosystems, monitor marine health, and reclaim Indigenous leadership in ocean conservation. Pew​
• Peru designates 2,835 km² conservation area to protect Amazon biodiversity. The new Medio Putumayo-Algodón Regional Conservation Area will safeguard 283,595 hectares of Amazonian rainforest, protecting habitats for species such as jaguars and pink dolphins, as well as supporting 16 Indigenous communities. Andes Amazon Fund​
• From June 2025, China requires all delivery companies to use biodegradable or reusable packaging, targeting the environmental impact of 175 billion parcels annually.The regulations aim to reduce excessive packaging waste, promoting sustainable practices in the rapidly growing industry. China Daily​
• ​India’s coal-fired power dropped 9.5% in May 2025 India’s coal power generation fell 9.5% in May 2025 — the sharpest drop in five years — as renewables surged, and with Indian Railways set to hit net-zero by year’s end, the world’s third-largest emitter is accelerating its clean energy shift ahead of schedule.
• Scientists in Japan have created a biodegradable plastic that completely dissolves in seawater within hours. Unlike existing bioplastics, it leaves no microplastics or toxins behind. The innovation could revolutionise marine packaging and fishing gear—two major contributors to ocean waste—and is already being tested for real-world use. Reuters​
• Vatican City has joined the 100% renewables club. The Vatican has become the world’s latest state to be powered entirely by renewables, with solar installations now supplying all electricity (thanks, Pope Francis!). It joins a growing group that includes Iceland, Bhutan, and Ethiopia. Clean Technica​
• ​The Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea announced plans to create the massive, 6.07 million km² Melanesian Ocean Reserve, covering an area nearly as big as the entire Amazon rainforest.

• Archaeologists have uncovered a vast 300-hectare Native American cornfield site, revealing large-scale, non-hierarchical environmental engineering that challenges Western assumptions about complexity and centralization. Scienmag​
• ​Colombia designated a new 8,000 km² marine protected area around the San Andrés archipelago in the Caribbean.
• ​Tanzania announced two new marine protected areas covering 1,300 km² in the waters around Pemba Island.
• ​Spain will expand protections to cover 25% of its marine waters, including critical habitat for whales, dolphins, and endangered seabirds.
• ​Portugal created a new marine protected area covering nearly 2,700 km² off its southern coast.
• ... and there are hundreds more! To receive more goodness, Fix The News + Good Good Good Co.

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original work

I am proud to present you three creations for this newsletter - my full interview on The Human CV, a fresh episode of Wilderness Within (WW), and my first adventure-inspired YouTube video!

The Human CV (THC) is a passion project of my love, Jen Stevie, years in the making and launched into existence on this momentous orbit around the sun for us. When I said 'yes' to our partnership, I was also onboard to support her mahi ('work' in Te reo Māori language) because this beautiful project is about interviewing great people to bring their stories, insights, and experiences to life. What resonance with my own kaupapa (Te reo Māori word for guiding purpose, intention, foundational principle)!

An honour to be featured as the first guest, where I got the chance to speak about between cultures, continents, and value systems. It's a path that weaves from Hong Kong to California, from environmental science classrooms to indigenous villages, and from megaphone activism to mindful, soulful storytelling. As of writing, THC now has 5 episodes live! Sub on the YouTube channel.

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New Wilderness Within (WW) episode! In this soulful catch-up, I sat down with my dear friend Scott Hanson, whose journey shows what’s possible when you follow your gut and live in service. From building earth brick schools in Nepal to preparing for twin fatherhood in Albuquerque, we talk about community, rites of passage, and choosing a life of presence, poetry, and purpose. WW is on all major listening platforms, including YouTube now too!

Scott Hanson - Becoming the... Jun 26 · Wilderness Within 60:38   ​

In May, I took a solo overnighter into Kā Tiritiri-o-te-moana (Southern Alps), the sacred spine of Te Waipounamu (South Island). Just me, the mountains, and the wind across alpine lakes - no distractions, only the quiet reminder that these places aren’t for conquering, but for reverence. This is my first venture into the YouTube space.

🎥 Full experience + extras for the Patreon supporters.

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recommendations

Videos:

My filmmaker friend Ryan Wilkes (@itsryanwilkes) crafted this SPECTACULAR, award-winning documentary on his favourite: humming birds!

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This Cantonese-Kiwi uncle is featured in a brilliantly shot & edited showcase of his growing up in NZ starting his own Fish & Chip shop:

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Bonus - This heartfelt journey about a Sikh taxi driver in London made me laugh, smile, tear up, multiple times.

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Book: The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest

Podcast: Master Shi Heng Yi on The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett​

Music: MC Yogi, John Pattern: Sound Patterns​

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gratitude

For those of you new here - nau mai, kia ora! Welcome, thank you!
Your time and attention are invaluable, and I sincerely hope you find value in this publication.

For this edition, gratitude is due for Jen, my muse, cheerleader, and inspiration everyday. I also need to give thanks to Crystal from the Feathered Pipe Ranch, Bear, Felix, our men's circle, and the greater Ōtautahi community for community weaving, mutual support, and showing up for a more beautiful, interwoven world. I am grateful for friends and supporters around the world who drop me DMs, comments, reshare my podcast and other creations. Their presence, engagement, and support warm my heart, always.

This publication is a labour of love and devotion. I create this because I believe in radical self-expression, and have dedicated myself to be a spreader of GOOD in our world. It is made possible in part due to patrons who pitch in regularly on patreon, which allows this publication and the podcast to both be ad-free (a rarity in this age). I must continue to thank friends and clients who hire and/or refer me and my services. I am currently in search of accredited employment in the spaces of content creation, community weaving, systems change to pave the way for long-term stay in Aotearoa New Zealand. If you are able to help or know someone who may be able to, please do reach out!

Grateful for you Reader,

Kai J.