We’re not the Main Character- Composting the Hero’s Journey with Sophie Strand
Apr 18, 2023
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Poet, writer and teacher Sophie Strand joins Jennifer to explore the limitations of the Hero's Journey and the power of fusion. They discuss neurodivergence, healing through small beings like insects and fungi, the concept of objects in motion, the value of intuition in leadership, redefining healing and wholeness, and embracing kinship over dominance.
Embracing interstitial spaces and interruptions can lead to new and unexpected possibilities, challenging the obsession with optimization and the hero's individual journey.
Reimagining and redefining leadership involves acknowledging socialization, cultural tropes, and historical influences, expanding our understanding of leadership beyond the binary of leaders versus followers.
Deep dives
Moving away from the hero's journey and embracing fusion
Sophie explores the idea of moving away from the hero's journey and the obsession with optimization. Instead, she invites us to embrace interstitial spaces and interruptions, which can lead to new and unexpected possibilities. It's about fusion and connectivity, rather than the hero's individual journey. Sophie suggests that evolution and innovation come from the moments of blending, rather than excelling in one area.
Composting outdated ideas of leadership
Sophie challenges the dominant paradigm of leadership by advocating for composting outdated ideas. She suggests that the binary of leaders versus followers limits our understanding and expression of leadership. By acknowledging that leadership is shaped by socialization, cultural tropes, and historical influences, we can start to reimagine and redefine leadership in more diverse and inclusive ways.
Shifting from optimization to interconnectedness
Sophie critiques the societal focus on optimization and improvement, highlighting the dangers of valuing linear progress and constant growth. Instead, she encourages a shift towards interconnectedness, where we recognize the complex and symbiotic relationships in our ecosystems. This perspective emphasizes the importance of collaboration, mutualism, and a decentralized approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
Embracing the wisdom of the more-than-human world
Sophie reminds us of the wisdom and guidance available from the more-than-human world. She suggests that we can learn from invasive species, microorganisms, and the natural environment to inform our understanding of resilience, adaptability, and connection. By listening to and collaborating with the other beings in our ecosystem, we can access new perspectives and co-create solutions for the challenges we face.
How much do you relate to your life as linear? A progressive series of arrival points? Something you can control?
In this episode Jennifer talks with poet, writer and teacher, Sophie Strand to crack open assumptions about our individuality, capacity to control and limited tropes of masculinity. Together they follow the principle of composting, a process of addition, as a more generative approach to social change, identity and leadership. Sophie shares—
The origins and limits of the Hero’s Journey and its link to linear time
How and why we’re a multitude through the power of fusion and the interstitial
Alternatives to solutionism, by welcoming the energy of the Trickster
Tune in for a wild conversation. We hope it stimulates questions about how to welcome a biodiversity of myths, story and metaphor to enrich your life and leadership.
Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker.
Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.
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