Emergence Magazine Podcast Widening Circles — A Conversation with Joanna Macy
Sep 2, 2025
Joanna Macy, an eco-philosopher and Buddhist scholar, shares her profound insights on reconnecting with the natural world. She emphasizes nurturing our 'ecological self' to combat the climate crisis and highlights the interplay between grief and activism. Drawing from her childhood on a farm and her experiences with Tibetan refugees, Joanna reveals how nature fosters spiritual growth and interdependence. The conversation beautifully intertwines poetry, prompting reflections on transformation and the essential connections we share with each other and the planet.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Farm As Lifelong Touchstone
- Joanna Macy describes summers on her grandfather's farm where she bonded with animals and nature as a child.
- Those early experiences became a lifelong emotional touchstone shaping her ecological sense of self.
Meeting Tibetan Refugees Deepened Reverence
- Joanna recounts meeting Tibetan refugees and being moved by their sacred presence and resilience.
- That encounter deepened her spiritual appreciation and reinforced the sense of reverence she found in nature.
Son's Paper Sparked Activism
- A college paper by Joanna's son about thermal pollution from reactors propelled her into anti-nuclear activism.
- That shock ignited deep despair but also curiosity that led her to study why people avoid facing catastrophic risks.
