Meet Steven Peyer

We recently connected with Steven Peyer and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Steven , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I feel this question is requires the deepest introspection for me. And as simple as it may sound, it is quite deep, and the most relevant to my personal ethos, my purpose, the boiling point at which we find ourselves in our society today, and the delicate walk of the mission and vision for Third Cost Superior as a corporation and separate organic entity.

I do not fit in a box, and I wear this on the outside. I am learning to do so gently, and with respect.But I cannot ignore the polarizing differences within myself, and a room filled with humans who scoff at everything I hold to be true and dear. Those who profess hate and fear, and those basically walking around “asleep”.

For me this presents an opportunity for growth, for learning, and the opportunity to use the many wonderful tools at my mental disposal. I know what is right for me, and I know what to choose. But doing so, and how to include others in this process. will be a journey I will always be on. Everyone belongs in my heart, and is a part of our community, and there is good in ALL humans, however masked or misrepresented. The mission and vision of Third Coast in brief, is to Regenerate the communities and ecosystems that nourish them, so we see everyone in the room as equally deserving of the knowledge, the love, and the beauty we create.

I see one way to accomplish this goal as being the most effective for me. I simply, or with great effort, find something beautiful in each individual, and the group as a whole and meet them on their level, wherever that may be energetically. Exploiting a commonality, I find is a wonderful way to evicerate divisive energies. Thus allowing my, or our message to come through with as much meaning intact.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

The last two years has been quite busy and amazingly transformative for me. This winter will mark my third year of continuous sobriety, and the beginning of a spiritual journey that saved my life and allowed me to find my purpose. This allowed me the clarity to begin the real healing of deep childhood trauma, and begin an all in regiment of different therapies and personal work to find mental and physical well being. This also is obviously a journey, with only more work and milestones to constantly reach and undertake.

Professionally, I have co- founded, with my loving wife and partner, a very daring non profit, Wildehouseof. Our mission and vision is to asymmetrically approach and creatively solve the litany of obstacles that at-risk youth face with upstream work and solutions. We have assembled a working board of directors, all mavericks in their fields, and diverse in their experiences and demographics and are currently in the funding phase while everyone catches up on work. Our vice chair is actually about to be seated in the house of representatives, so we are very excited about this.

I have written, published and sent off to the world my first book, and memoir,”One Man’s Murmuration”, and am set to publish my second, “Real Food Vignettes~ The Third Coast Cookbook”. Which is illustrated by my wife Heather N. Wilde.

And probably most arduously, co founded and serve as the Creative Development Director of Third Coast Superior with my good friend Chad Landry. We began this journey with a fairly simple list of goals. Our Mission and vision reflected our ethos of honesty, service and the progressive evolution of our communities and the kitchens that feed the people. Regeneration became our focus. Regenerating failing economies and industries, regenerating the ecosystem of Lake Superior and the watersheds that surround it. Simple, right? By utilizing Lake Herring, an overabundant biomass, and under appreciated fish, I would create North Americas !st and only commercially available Fish Sauce. We source from one fisherman and processor, Bill Bodin of Bodin Fisheries for his ethical approach, knowledge and his drive to contribute to our mission. For our other ingredient, we use only the best, and most ethically harvested sea salt in North America, Jacobsen Salt Co. Kosher Sea Salt.

It all seemed very cut and dry to us. But as in any great and meaningful journey, there is much to learn. Upon retaining one of the foremost seafood production safety experts, Elise Forward of Forward Food Solutions, we discovered we would not just be passing an FDA, USDA inspection for our certification, we would end up writing THE one and only STANDARD for food safety production of fish sauce in North America. It has been a nail biter at times, but now really feels like an honor and a great accomplishment. I think I’ll hang my own Masters of Red Tape Shingle.

As far as expansion, that is precisely where we are now. And we are delighted to be nearly finished with our first fermentation of shiitake mushrooms and Koji rice, creating our first land based Garum. These garum’s will serve as financial instrument to fund our non profit foundation, Regenerate Third Coast. Yes, we are moving into the coastal forests, preserving them, and bringing them back to their once thriving conditions through the inoculation of shiitake mushrooms. This, perhaps, is my bread and butter.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

My ability to show up. This is a constant practice, and one that is simple to convey, but illusive to harness. It is the most powerful tool you can have. The knowledge that this moment, right here, right now is all you have. It is everything you need. So, BE HERE NOW!

Letting go. You must work diligently at letting go. this is also a practice, day in, day out. Some days, some moments it comes easier, and some for me become a great struggle. Let go of expectations, all of them. Let go of attachments, all of them, that is your goal, thus beginning the journey, and the practice ensues. You will find yourself flowing with nature, flowing with the river instead of pushing. Weightlessness becomes your strength.

Love yourself. It doesn’t matter how you achieve this, but this is imperative to knowing that the only true happiness and peace to be had is inside of you. It is for you to choose. Turn guilt into responsibility, acknowledge it and let it go. Do not live in guilt, and know that you are NOT your actions, do not live in shame. Let this go, it exists only inside of you, and you are deserving of forgiveness. So, forgive yourself, and find a way to love you. Keep trying, it’s there.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Ketamine therapy has without question not only saved my life. She has and continues to show me what is real. When I first experienced this, there was no moment of contemplation, it was and is crystal clear. Knowing what I know now, and having seen what I have seen, has given me everything I need to connect to the infinite power of the Universe.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thirdcoastsuperior.com
• Instagram: thirdcoastsuperior.com
• Facebook: thirdcoastsuperior.com
• Linkedin: steven peyer

Image Credits

Heather N. Wilde
Steven Louis-Ari Peyer