Exclusive interview by Paul Salfen, Text by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
In a world facing fertilizer shortages, energy instability, and accelerating climate chaos, a powerful new documentary arrives with both urgent warning and tangible hope. Groundswell — the stirring final chapter of the groundbreaking trilogy that began with Kiss the Ground and Common Ground — takes audiences across five continents to witness how regenerative agriculture is already healing soil, drawing carbon deep underground, restoring ecosystems, and producing more nutrient-dense food. Narrated and executive produced by Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson, the film shows that the solutions we need are not futuristic technology but ancient indigenous wisdom put back into practice. In an exclusive conversation on Drew Pearson Live with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, filmmakers Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell Tickell share why this story matters more than ever, how every viewer can take immediate action, and why now is the moment for a new generation of storytellers to step up.
The timing could not be more perfect. As global fertilizer and energy crises intensify, Groundswell offers a clear, measurable path forward. The Tickells note that the world has already transitioned roughly 250 million acres to regenerative practices. To reach the critical tipping point of 10% of agricultural land in transition — enough to meaningfully stabilize the climate — we need to reach approximately one billion acres. “It’s an urgent need,” they explain, “but it’s also something that’s so inspiring that we can actually attain. And it’s already beginning to happen.”
What makes Groundswell especially potent is its star power and emotional resonance. Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson’s narration brings immediate reach and gravitas. “It’s great to see Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore just right out of the gate,” the filmmakers say, expressing hope that these voices will inspire other high-profile figures to lend their platforms to solutions. The film’s closing moments deliver a particularly moving handoff: His Majesty Prince William introduces pioneering regenerative rancher Gabe Brown, symbolically passing the torch from one generation of Earth stewards to the next.
Yet Groundswell is far from a celebrity vanity project. It is the culmination of nearly two decades of work by Josh and Rebecca Tickell, who have made more than 20 environmental films. “All of those films led us to make Groundswell,” they reflect. “Groundswell, I believe, is the most important story of our time.” The message is simple but profound: this is not new technology. “This is ancient indigenous wisdom that can save our climate and save our health. And so it’s just a matter of going back to farming in a way that is healing.”
The filmmakers are careful to point out that Groundswell is not a preachy film telling people what not to eat. Instead, it empowers viewers. Their practical advice for audiences is refreshingly actionable:
“First thing I’m going to say is get that Groundswell trailer on YouTube and share it with everybody. Every view of that trailer, every view of the Groundswell film is a vote for your health and the vote for the health of the planet. Once you’ve done that, you’ve shared it with your friends, your family, your grandma, your sisters, your brothers. The next thing is look at your food choices… It’s a film that shows you how to empower yourself to make choices that make your body feel better, and that help the farmers. And hey, we’ve all got the power because we all eat.”
For aspiring filmmakers and storytellers, the Tickells offer both encouragement and realism. “Storytelling is how we change the world,” they emphasize. “Now is a great time to be a young filmmaker… today, if you’re a young filmmaker, you can do amazing things. You can get on YouTube… So if you got a passion for this, get into it and just don’t stop.” They acknowledge that their own path to working with Amazon Prime Video and MGM Studios “didn’t happen overnight,” but stress that passion combined with persistence can open doors on platforms where stories can reach millions.
Groundswell completes a powerful trilogy:
- Kiss the Ground (2020) brought soil health into the mainstream and reached an estimated billion-plus viewers.
- Common Ground (2023) examined the systemic barriers and elevated farmer-led solutions.
- Groundswell (2026) delivers the culminating global call to action — connecting climate, biodiversity, and soil health into one living blueprint for renewal.
Released globally on Prime Video on June 5, 2026, the film arrives at precisely the moment the world needs it most. As the Tickells remind us, the movement is already underway. What’s required now is a true groundswell — of awareness, of practice, and of shared storytelling.
Watch Groundswell. Share the trailer. Look at your plate. And remember: every choice we make is a vote for the health of our bodies and the health of the planet.
