“I don't think we've met, but I just wanted to say your project is an inspiration! This last summer I went to Dancing Rabbit EcoVillage in Missouri and it was some what life shifting. I'm totally with you guys, community is the answer to sustainability. A friend pointed me to your guys' project and wow, I'm so happy someone's making a movie about all of this! Best of luck!”

Sarah Muenzinger

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“This movie has the potential to begin the shift of American culture. We have become so alienated from each other in American culture because of isolation. Isolation is unnatural for the Human Animal, just as isolation is unnatural for a buffalo. We are healthy by gathering together.”

William Raff

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“....it is nearly impossible to take a scolding about Capitalism or greed (more the issue i think) from someone who makes millions off of it. I hope there will be some good documentaries (maybe there are already??) about what has gone wrong here and inside us and where we are headed by some people with a little moral authority. Yours is the one we wait for.

We salute the moral authority that you and Ryan carry. You are doing it--so we can listen to you. That seems so simple but it's groundbreaking. Easy to talk--hard to do these things you speak of.  I've said before we are probably as much poster children for Capitalism as the next guy,  but we are moved by your behavior. Words alone would not sway us as we've heard it all before.

We own bus passes, are getting involved in finding local produce-etc and working to get out of debt so we will not have to be such slaves to the system and can give more-share more. We are watching movies we never would have (Food, Inc (!gosh!))-etc. Not earth shattering but new stuff for us. We, like you know the way we are doing things is not able to continue without even more severe consequences for everybody.

We continue to pray for your safety and watch your adventure unfold.”

Karen and Jeff Barnes

Mandy’s Family Friend

Philadelphia, PA

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“You guys are my heroes!”

Josh Harper

Ryan’s College Roommate

Oakland, CA

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“I watched the film of yours on his site... what a wonderful thing you are doing!  As you know, I don't fly, and I'm sure flying isn't a part of your low carbon trip round US, but if it would be useful to your film to do some kind of Skype interview or something, I'd be only too happy to help.  Thanks for the inclusion of the Transition Handbook, lovely to see it there!”

Rob Hopkins, Founder of the Transition Towns Movement

www.transitionculture.org

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“Great work, but we are in the UK. That's a long way to cycle and there is an ocean in the way! Good luck from Transition Towns in the UK.”

Transition Town Lewes UK

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“I was so moved watching your video, listening to the music you chose and experienced the tenderness withIn my heart..... tears of the great awakening of humanity.  I can feel it all coming down, even within myself.....thinking of YOU brings great joy inside my heart!”

Jura Doucette

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“Your adventure is giving me inspiration to break out of the corporate world before it completely consumes me. Keep peddling and, again,
Namaste”

Nick Miller

News Anchorman - El Paso NBC Evening News

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“I just got a chance to read your blog post. It was very touching/warming. You guys write well in that sense. I'm sure some of the hard truths you're realizing/learning are hard, but inspiring as your journey continues to mature. I think what you guys are doing is awesome. you put where your mouth is--which is not very common. I appreciate the integrity by which you have pursued this journey. Seriously, a lot of people will say they are this or that or for this or against that, but nothing in their lives reveals what their words do. You've been talking about this for a long, long time. You have loved the environment since i first met you and you put your words to the test on this journey.

I'm excited with you to see what the next steps are, cause i know how creative and self-inspired you are to keep aiming for even greater things!”

Eddy Ekmekji,

Ryan's Freshman Year College Roommate

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“Makes a lot sense!!! You two have been sooo inspiring... ahead of the ‘game’ and now with immense experience, leading the way! Thank you, thank you!  I am seeing the money woes all around now. Time to push forward into our own creative collective worlds... thank you again for showing possibility. Love in your path. Can't wait to see the film.”

Tuana Hunt

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“HOW COOL! Tears came to my eyes when I saw the newscasts! You guys, you guys, you guys, KEEP IT UP! KEEP IT UP! YEAH!”

Heather Cook

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“Wow.....You have had an epic journey to be sure, and certainly deserve a break. Not surprising that the universe is reminding you that it's winter in the northern tier either. I Whole-heartedly support you, and broke-off $60.00 this June to donate to your cause. Even though I'm currently unemployed, I really care about you as people and feel that what your doing is important. Besides, I didn't need to be buying so much diesel anyway (biking beats biodiesel any day!).

Whatever you do, I've got your back. I'd love to see whatever footage or film you produce, and I certainly know the feeling of wanting to make it as good as you can. I know you do great work. Live where you live, be here now, and all that jazz. And keep in touch! It is truly a privilege knowing you, and the fact you are out there adds to my faith in humanity.”

Sam Harriman

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“What I like about your post was that to do what you're doing takes a lot of personal initiative and drive. I respect that.... have no car of my own....”

Stephen Martin

www.nudetea.org

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“How's your trip? we met you at Librados in New Braunfels, TX. we are watching your progress as a social studies project. We are hoping you will keep in touch.”

NBHS Lifeskills class

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“Yes we are the class that was working at Librado's. You showed Jeramie and Brianna your bike. We have looked at your website at least once a week to see what you are doing and where you are going. We have looked at the video and news releases. We look forward to following your progress.”

Randy Horadam, Jeramie Harter, Brianna Carrasco, Diana Campos, Melissa Ryder

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“I met you guys the other night at a party in New Orleans.  I watched some of the videos on your website.  There is some awesome stuff on there. A community that I lived at is the Denison University Homestead (more often it is simply called the Homestead).  It is in Granville, Ohio which is ~30 miles east of Columbus. Thank you for spreading the word about sustainability and community.  I am inspired now to follow suit.  I feel that your work can help connect people and ideas from different communities from around the country and from a broad range of ideological backgrounds.”

Jameson Pfeil

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“A note to say how much I enjoyed getting it together at the end, and to meeting you, Brady, and for everything. xxx ooo “

Diana Leafe Christian, Author

Finding Community and Creating a Life Together

Former Editor of "Communities Magazine" for 13 years

http://www.DianaLeafeChristian.org

http://www.EcovillageNews.org

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“I am the editor whose job and joy it was to go through your footage. I really loved cutting the demo and I believe in your film!”
Rika Camizianos, Editor
Dick Clark Productions  www.dickclark.com
Santa Monica, CA

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“Your video is so beautiful. I'm in tears as I write this. I am truly moved by what the two of you have accomplished. You have a legacy now that goes with you wherever you are. I feel absolutely privileged to know you. I'm in Hawaii. Where are you? Hope there'll be a time soon when we'll meet again. I remember our Truth or Consequences rendezvous fondly.”

Ningay Nancy Sing

Author, Conversations With Gaia

Nomad

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“I will share it around, for sure.  It’s very inspiring!! I am so glad to know you and Mandy and to be encouraging to your mission. Thanks for everything you are doing.”

“I fall off my chair clutching my heart for you as well.  You are embodying Light big time and carrying it around as a torch to light the way for others.  This is the Time for the Lightworkers to step out and thank you for doing so.   Since you were on The Farm,  many of the Ecovillage visitors have come to my table, my heart has committed fully to following my joy, and a long term budding relationship is now blossoming.  I think you opened up something in me as well. May we all continue to be catalysts for each other’s growth.”

Kathleen Rosemary, Interviewee in Teaser Trailer

Member of The Farm

Summertown, TN

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“Thank you for sending this. Our homeowners really do appreciate it when they know that someone actually did what they said they would do. I’ll send it [our teaser trailer featuring Melba] along to Melba.”
Jaime Peters, e-Communications Coordinator
Make It Right NOLA Foundation
New Orleans, LA

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"Dude..!  You're an animal..!  I'm very proud to know you, and hopeful for the future.  Getting involved, doing the work, and spreading the word.., you two are doing a wonderful service...  bless you, both!"

“Like I said, mega-project! you two have taken on..!  Good on ya both!!  After I peruse through more cob house, and pearl-earth pics, I'll check out your bike route.  Though upon first glance, seeing the circle on the map, my jaw drops..  Most people have NO idea how big the earth is.  They see it from the window of a plane, and 'endure' a trip from coast to coast, and it takes HOURS..!!!  At a pace of your own making, human powered, and the vastness creeps by at everything but a blur...  only, can one appreciate the beauty of this world.  Fortunately, I've had the chance to traverse a lot of terrain via bike, and feet...  I love the part where you know that you are physically reaching your limit for the day, yet there is still that critical bit about finding a suitable spot to pitch for the night...

Michael Riley

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"This is so great re- connecting again. I have been going through a year of great transition and in some ways it's been a huge learning experience. I have felt at times as though I am dying and time and time again I am told it's stress or this or that. Long , long , story short. What you said about the power of thought to create our reality and outcome of future events has been such an interesting topic for me too. I often u-tube Bruce Lipton, Greg Braden, Deepak etc and it's very enlightening. I only need to know that this exists in all of us and that I too am capable of changing my deeply troubled thinking and depression. I am growing and learning but have far to go. Thanks for your message and I wish you love and a great journey.”

Faith Riley

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“Congrats on getting the teaser trailer out- and for really living out your dream. I'm so inspired and happy to know you, and i will for sure pass this on to folks who'd be interested. Keep on keepin' on- and stay in touch!”

Audrey Lin, Interviewee in Within Reach Teaser Trailer

UC Berkeley Student Co-ops

Berkeley, CA

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“just had a chance to look more closely at your recent news. I'm in awe, and deeply appreciative of not only what you're doing, but how you're going about doing it. Keep up the inspiring work!”

Chris Johnnidis,

UC Berkeley Student

Berkeley, CA

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“Hey there! It was so wonderful to meet you both at Sirius last night. We are excited about what you are doing and how it relates to the journey we are about to begin ourselves. We would love to stay in touch, promote your movie and website, and perhaps meet on the road some day! Thank you for your offer of community connections and advice, and we would like to take you up on it!  So, thank you for your generosity of spirit, and we will link to your site and write about you on our blog as soon as we can.”

Keith Carlson

www.maryandkeith.blogspot.com

www.laughterincorporated.com

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“...I know your film will make a great splash when your pedals are paused and poised to land on your new home.  We are so grateful to have met you and honestly feel that this new way of life is more do-able because of meeting you!  We’ll be in touch--and for a funny story, read our recent blog post on our maiden voyage!”

Mary Rives,

www.maryandkeith.blogspot.com

www.laughterincorporated.com

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“I'm sold after looking at your website and reading the article in the Amherst bulletin.  How do I get a copy of the movie for our Cohousing community in NZ?  Any chance you'll bike across the Pacific to visit us too?”

Joel Hildebrandt

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Subject: The joy of our serendipitous path crossing

 “...We all enjoyed seeing the Ecovillage, but all agree that meeting the two of you was the best tasting icing on the cake ever.  When I shared your story with some close friends of mine on the west coast, there was quickly talk of making the Canadian version of your documentary... though I would be amazed if there where more than 85 ecovillages or the like, in Canada.  Not for lack of interesting sustainable projects... anyway... I look forward to the end of school, so that I can take off on adventures inspired by ones like yours.  On an aside, I personally feel that our two cultures lack positive role models... thanks for casting doubt on my theory.  I can only imagine the wake of inspiration that you two leave behind you, I know we are all riding it.”

Graham Edward Bradley

Student - Geography: Human Environment

Concordia University, Canada

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“Congratulations on this next step of your journey!  You totally inspire me to follow my dream.”

Alexandra Waring

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“I appreciate your efforts to help make sense out of a looking to be near hopeless society and economy

its overwhelming but trying to salvage what we can is the right thing to do 2 friends and I started working on a movie called closer to home over a year ago, for reasons mostly different from yours, it looks unlikely to be completed after dozens of hours of filiming and interviews here in the eugene area.  So I am working on my own project  global trends - local challenges which will be a narrated slide show on DVD.  Less sexy than a movie but it will be completed and will be good.  i plan to go on a speaking tour early 2010 if you are in the eugene area, feel free to stop in.” 

Jan Spencer

www.suburbanpermaculture.org

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“Good luck y’all.  Your journey is beautiful.”

Bradley Saul, Founder

www.organicathlete.org

Sebastopol, CA

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“This sounds great!  I just gave you a free year to your SmugMug account and I am willing to give more each year that you show me all the SmugMug promotions. You guys have some great shots.”

Markham Bennett,

Smug Mug

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“Thank you so much for thinking of and contacting Moishe House Silver Spring when you were in the D.C. area on your sustainable-community journey. Your biking and sustainable-community-connecting-and-filming project sounds amazing...Best of successes! Happy riding!... Many continued successes to you and Within Reach Movie in your pursuit of a healthier, happier world! We look forward to working with you again and hope to do so soon.”
Moishe House
Silver Spring, MD

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“...you’re inspiring and powerful, lucky I found you”
Anonymous
comment on WR website blog

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“What an awesome resource. People should be taught this in school!”
Jugney the Monk (comment on Conflict Resolution Blog Entry)
www.joyfulpathhealing.com
Blue Mounds, WI

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“Good stuff - I appreciate the reminder to eat consciously. If more of us ate consciously, we'd likely speak out against the empty foods we're generally served. We've sacrificed quality for quantity, and it's not served us well!”

Scott Anderson, Yoga Teacher

www.alignementyoga.com

Blue Mounds, WI

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“Thanks Ryan and Mandy for eloquently weaving your project's journey toward sustainable living with our Common Good Bank project.  I enjoyed sharing with you via Skype and look forward to connecting more soon, hopefully in person this Spring!”

Eric Krawczyk,

www.commongoodbankcom

Gunnison, CO

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“Thank you Mandy and Ryan for that complete update.  I have been wondering almost daily as I take my bike out in the cold for an errand.  Or run a bus tour.  Or see a good documentary.  You guys are often on my mind.....Best of luck in the transition into a single community!”

Laura Fitch, Cohousing Architect

www.krausfitch.com

Amherst, MA

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“I am so proud of you for being wise! There is no "stopping" - there is only going forward into the next chapter. You both have done a remarkable job of "thinking (and living) relatively globally" and now is a good time to act/live locally. There is no greater good to be served by harming your physical and emotional health. There is so much good to be had by choosing a place to rest, restore and revitalize. Any community in which you participate will be better for your presence. We do hope to see you again (we met you at Maker Faire San Mateo in 2008) and will keep tabs on your location through this site. Warm hugs from northern California where it's 43F and dry.”

Georgia,
www.coastalseams.com

Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

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“Kudos on knowing when to change direction.  Please keep updating your blog as you begin the next chapter of the journey (and I'm really curious about where you'll end up -- I'm guessing someplace warm after all those cold wet days on the road).  I really look forward to the documentary.”

Jennifer

formerly Takoma Village Cohousing in DC

now Doyle Street Cohousing

Emeryville, CA

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“Birds, Rodents etc. all have the right idea.  Winter is the time of hibernation!  I definitely worried for you two in the cold and weather! Since we met right at the beginning of your journey (San Mateo Ecovillage) Over a year ago I probably fall into the category of people who have been lost in the memories of thousands.  When I met you two, you had no functional solar system, no electronics, your bikes and trailers only sort-of worked, but you had a camera and a TON of motivation.  Look how far you made it!  Sponsors, 86 communities, functional gear, 12,000 miles! I was looking forward to seeing you in our new home (Portland Oregon) at the end of your trip but I'm sure we will come across each other again in community some day.   Wish I'd been able to donate more than that meal and some research a year ago.”
Robyn

http://robynthegeek.tumblr.com

Portland, OR

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“I just watched your sneak peek. I got an overwhelming feeling of happiness for you. I have to let you know that I am so proud of you. You have grown so much and I am glad to see that you have found a peace within yourself. I know we struggle everyday, but you have grown so much since we first met. I cannot tell you how I value the friendship we share and am glad that periodically we can still connect.”
Kristin Wright

Jackson, MI

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“John and I watched the new short film today and were very impressed.  Can't wait to see the full documentary.”

John and Aimee McDonald

Whitefish Bay, WI

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“Our ‘Hippie Prayers’ are with you as you travel, teach and learn... we can't wait to hear more of your adventure and to see you again one day soonish we hope!”

Charris Ford

Southern NM

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“What these people are saying in this video reminds me of my life during Communism - the good aspect about it when our sad situation brought us closer and made us se the value of sharing and helping each other...It's too bad this doesn't really happen anymore! I felt that togetherness back then but it all changed once the so-called freedom and open market society came in... I am not regretting the changes...They are very welcomed...but miss (more crave) that feeling of togetherness... It's nice to see that it exists in communities where it's not necessity that brings people together but their choice! I would be very proud to live in that kind of community among those people! Good work!”

Roxana Fera

Oxford, UK

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“...listening to your interview on KOWS-----me and Durell and Ganesh and gabriel are huddled around the new mac that Ganesh bought for 50 bucks-- and we are listening to your excellent interview----great stuff--NVC--waste reduction and sustainable communities that are working !!!! well done--------hope all is well with you two---you got a lot of guts--and i am proud to know you.”

Jesse Neal

Laguna Farm

Sebastopol, CA

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“...the why is because they are totally, wonderfully cosmically attuned kids who are bicycling across USA in search of sustainable communities + making a documentary about their journey.  I met them here in Natchez, twigged instantly, invited them over for supper and to spend the night.  I'm just nuts, crazy, happy to know them and want to pass them on to you--good people are meant to be shared.”

“My thanks to Ryan and Mandy,  Aren't they magical?  They have introduced me to several of the friends they were lucky enough to meet along their way.  They are spot on re;  their instinct of whom gets on with whom.”

Peggy Pierrepont

(passing our info along to friends of hers)

Natchez, MS

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“I have just looked at your fab website- what a great tool to enhance your project. I'm inspired to apply some of the ideas to my outreach work.”

Chris Yerlig

Pioneer Valley Cohousing

Amherst, MA

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“I started watching your videos -- so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Boris Mamlyuk

Ithaca, NY

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"I'm so amazed at all that you have accomplished together in the last year! You should be so proud of your work and the light you have brought to so many wonderful people doing great things."

Dana Horner Cox

Mandy’s College Friend

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“Wow! That was an incredibly sweet, inspiring video, it made my heart smile, you should incorporate parts of it in the film for sure! I love you guys more than I can express, you keep me going, searching, realizing my vision.”

Brady Karlin

Lawrence, KS

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“I was quite amazed at the assembly.  At one point I went over to the two teachers sitting where the children lined up and asked, ‘Are you feeding them the questions?’  There responds was emphatically ‘NO!’  Also they were a great audience:  listening and thinking about how you were going about doing this feat.  My principal mentioned that she has never hear so much enthusiasm in their clapping for an assembly.  

I encourage the idea of ‘community’ in my classroom.  We share a lot and have buddy tutors.  We usually discuss ‘reuse, reduce and recycle’ around Earth Day but after hearing you all, it truly should be a way of life.  I'm going to get all my Earth Day songs and suggested discussions out now and try to hit on some daily.”

Cynthia Limbird

2nd Grade School Assembly

El Paso, TX

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“In your case, it seems as if you and Mandy have a great concept, and are doing a great job documenting communities.  Your bike trip is a great thread connecting those scenes.  Your movie will be a good story.  Your community will benefit, and you and Mandy will see that you have designed and implemented a good movie.  You will learn skills, advance your career, and grow spiritually as a result of your hard work. So if it were me, I would continue with your work. You are doing a good job.”

Christian Einfeldt

www.digitaltippingpoint.com 

San Francisco, CA

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“I am deeply touched by your courage on your journey. I have been working through some major health issues and I am grateful to relate and connect to a piece of the light you send out.”

Chet Jakus Jr.
Prescott, AZ

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"Wanted to say I just finished my Winter issue of Communities. Enjoyed the article on your personal health journey. Thanks for sharing your decisions and path that led to  creating a healthier you!"

Ancient Futures