#119: Our Relationship with the Planet with Ryland Engelhart

Founding Stories

The founding of Cafe Gratitude and Gracias Madre is a tale of inspiration and community. Ryland Engelhart shares how his family, driven by a desire to create meaningful contributions, established these restaurants as expressions of love and service. The journey began with the creation of a board game designed to foster conversations about gratitude and abundance, which later evolved into the transformational gaming parlors known as Cafe Gratitude 1. The Mexican culinary inspiration for Gracias Madre came from the deep connections formed with their Latin employees and the vibrant culture of their hometowns 2.

   

Gratitude and Philosophy

Gratitude and wholeness are central to the philosophy of Cafe Gratitude and Gracias Madre. Ryland explains that these restaurants aim to bring people into a state of gratitude, which he believes can transform consumer culture by fostering a sense of wholeness and presence 3. The practice of gratitude is integrated into the dining experience through unique interactions, such as affirmations and questions of the day, which encourage patrons to engage in transformational conversations 4.

Gratitude, even for a split second, when we're grateful, it really nows us and satiates that hungry ghost and brings us into the present moment.

--- Ryland Engelhart

This approach not only nourishes the body with healthy food but also nurtures the mind and spirit.