The Nature Of with Willow Defebaugh Bayo Akomolafe: How to Move Through Chaos Without Needing Control
May 13, 2025
Join philosopher and poet Bayo Akomolafe as he explores the idea that tumultuous times can signal new beginnings rather than endings. He invites listeners to embrace uncertainty and the 'third way'—a space beyond rigid binaries where transformation can thrive. Discover how emergence and unconventional thinking can lead to creativity and change, and reflect on the interconnectedness of our stories and experiences. Akomolafe challenges us to navigate a post-activist world with openness, highlighting the importance of community and non-traditional perspectives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Son's Puzzle Story Reveals Difference
- Bayo shares a story about his autistic son rearranging puzzle pieces by color instead of fitting them as intended.
- It revealed how different approaches can challenge fixed ways of seeing and interacting with the world.
Transformation Emerges from Cracks
- Crisis responses can become part of the crisis itself, creating a cycle entrapping activists.
- Emergence thrives in cracks and tensions, inviting us to embrace complexity beyond binaries.
Practice the Third Way
- We cannot simply rise above binaries; existence involves repeated defeat and unfolding mystery.
- Embrace "the third way," a transversal opening beyond oppositional politics creating new political spaces.