Through The Portal THROUGH THE PORTAL with Tory Stephens
Through the Portal — with Tory StephensImagining hopeful futures through story, vision, and embodied presence
In this episode, Maria Gehrke is joined by Tory Stephens — justice-driven storyteller and Creative Manager of Imagine 2200 at Grist — for a deep conversation on climate fiction, solarpunk futures, and the role of imagination in times of crisis.
Together, they explore:
Why dystopian stories dominate our cultural landscape — and what they do to our nervous systems
How hopeful storytelling can expand collective possibility without denying complexity
Solarpunk as a movement rooted in justice, community, and life-affirming technology
The importance of slowing down to envision futures beyond survival mode
The session concludes with a guided inner-vision meditation and a live visual reflection, inviting listeners to reconnect with stillness, imagination, and long-term care for future generations.
Host: Maria GehrkeGuest: Tory StephensFormat: Conversation, guided meditation, live visual reflection
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