On episode 13, we had the great treat of speaking with Dek Gunarta, a Community Leader in Bali who’s been instrumental in bringing holistic health tourism to Bali and building the local economy back up following the 1998 economic crisis and Bali bombings, bridging the Western and Balinese communities since the early 2000s. Born in an artist and environmentally conscious family (his great-grandfather was the head of The Sacred Monkey Forest restoration project in the early 70’s), he is truly a Renaissance Man involved in wide ranging projects both locally in his village (Compost House, Monkey Forest tourism, environmental and youth development) and in partnership with his wife and business partner Meg Pappenheim (think Bali Spirit, a platform for socially conscious tourism and business; Yoga Barn, one of SE Asia’s biggest yoga and wellness centers; and Bali Spirit Festival, a premier international and holistic wellness and world music destination event that contributes positively to the ecological health, cultural vibrancy, and overall vitality of Bali and greater Indonesia).

In the absence of tourism, Dek has embodied the true activism, resiliency and creative resourcefulness of what it means to be a leader showing up for the community during these incredibly challenging economic times in service of spirituality, humanity and the environment — taking the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana a rational step further (balance of self, community and planet). With all his projects and businesses combined, he’s still going strong and supporting 300 families, or 1200 people. As history’s showed time and time again, Bali has always turned crisis around into opportunity and abundance — coming back stronger each time. How? This honest and revealing conversation takes us through that journey, including:

• What it means to be a community leader in Bali today 

• How Bali has evolved in the past 20 years and impacted the Balinese people with the onset of health and spirituality tourism 

• The greatest challenge he’s faced during this pandemic, supporting the insurance of 300 families, or 1200 Balinese.

• Deep dive into the lesser known part of the Monkey Forest — the incredibly regenerative Compost House project 

• His vision of Bali with the onset of the second wave of COVID lockdowns 

About the Alt-Normal