Michael Don Ham, Regenerating People and Planetary Health through Tech & Tea

The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti

Leading two groundbreaking ventures, Wild Orchard and RePure, my journey in the wellness industry is marked by innovation and a commitment to health and regeneration which goes beyond sustainability. At Wild Orchard, we've successfully introduced the world's first Regenerative Organic Certified teas, a testament to our dedication to exceptional quality, beyond sustainable farming practices, and farmworker fairness.

Wild Orchard teas have earned 24 medals at the most prestigious global tea competitions, and can be found in top organic retailers like Whole Foods, Wegmans, and many others. Our award-winning teas are also featured in Michelin-rated restaurants, where they are celebrated for their purity and exceptional quality.

With RePure, we've turned our focus to the home environment, providing families with top-tier wellness technology that prioritizes indoor air and water quality. Our healthy home operating system has earned accolades such as the 2023 CTA Wellness Product of the Year, and Health & Wellness Project of the Year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, reflecting our impact on creating smarter, healthier living spaces.

By merging my expertise in regenerative organic products and wellness technology, I'm steering both companies toward a future where we regenerate our soil, bring more nature into our lives and use a bit of technology to fill in the gaps for a longer healthspan for all.

Show Highlights

Michael's Dual Roles: Michael shares insights from his work optimizing indoor environments through his company, RePure, and his regenerative organic tea brand.

1. Cross-Industry Innovation: Both businesses are interconnected, allowing for the innovative application of health and wellness principles across different industries.

2. Healthier Living Spaces: Focus on optimizing indoor air and water quality for improved health in residential and commercial environments.

3. Regenerative Organic Tea: The tea company emphasizes regenerative practices, is regenerative organic certified, and promotes health benefits while supporting environmental sustainability.

Career Advice: Michael reflects on overcoming growing up as an introvert and how traveling when young broadens perspectives and fosters personal growth.

Consumer Demand: Growing interest in healthier living spaces is driving innovation and investment in wellness real estate.

Wellness Real Estate Growth: As the fastest-growing sector in the wellness industry, it presents lucrative opportunities for architects, builders, designers, and developers.

Design Impact on Health: Michael highlights that architecture and design are never neutral—they either contribute to or degrade health.

Community Engagement: Emphasizing the importance of volunteering and mentoring, Michael discusses the value of engaging with communities and supporting emerging entrepreneurs.

"The demand for wellness solutions in real estate is rapidly growing. Whether you are a builder, architect, designer, integrator or developer, I encourage you to explore offering wellness-focused products and services. Doing so will not only elevate your business but also bring significant value to the clients you serve."

—Michael Don Ham

Get the episode transcript here!

Show Resource and Information

• LinkedIn

• Wild Orchard Regenerative Teas

• Constructing Health

• RePure

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