

Homeward Bound (including The Great Humbling)
Dougald Hine
How will they look in hindsight, these strange times we are living through? Is this a midlife crisis on humanity's road to the Star Trek future – or the point at which that story of the future unravelled and we came to see how much it had left out? What if our current crises are neither an obstacle to be overcome, nor the end of the world, but a necessary humbling?
These are the kind of questions which we set out to explore in The Great Humbling. We hope you'll join us and let us know what you think.
Ed Gillespie & Dougald Hine www.homewardbound.org
These are the kind of questions which we set out to explore in The Great Humbling. We hope you'll join us and let us know what you think.
Ed Gillespie & Dougald Hine www.homewardbound.org
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 1, 2023 • 1h 2min
The Great Humbling S4E8: 'We Need to Talk About George'
Special guests Rupert Read and Charlotte Du Cann join the hosts to discuss thought-provoking themes like the end of agriculture, lab-grown food, and the future of farming based on George Monbiot's Regenesis. They also recommend readings for deeper insights.

Nov 25, 2022 • 51min
The Great Humbling S4E7: 'The Missing Episode'
This podcast episode dives into the unpredictability of life and climate-induced relocation, referencing a mix of fiction and nonfiction books. The hosts share humorous encounters with the Queen and reflect on authority, environmental initiatives, and the monarchy's role. They also explore the differences in discourse between Substack and Twitter, navigating political complexities and the importance of embracing uncertainty in political conversations.

Jul 19, 2022 • 55min
The Great Humbling S4E6: 'Nice to meet you'
The hosts meet for the first time beside a mill pond, discussing serendipity and zemblanity. They share insights from books like Ani.Mystic and Braiding Sweetgrass. Dougald talks about 'ki' in Japanese culture. Ed recommends English Pastoral and discusses a dark essay on dishonest land. The episode explores the importance of fresh perspectives and traditional wisdom.

May 24, 2022 • 49min
The Great Humbling S4E5: 'Belief'
Discussion on belief and self-delusion, inherited beliefs like 'Brickshit', empty thrones of culture, and finding magic in everyday life. Reflecting on the impact of religion, synchronicity, and interconnectedness in shaping our perspectives and actions.

Mar 21, 2022 • 51min
The Great Humbling S4E4: 'Are we going to talk about Ukraine?'
The podcast discusses the dilemma of whether to talk about Ukraine amidst crises, citing the power of silence as protest. It touches on humility in navigating global issues and the challenge of expressing genuine political commitment online. The episode also dives into historical conflicts, disparities in global responses, and finding solace in nature.

Jan 31, 2022 • 1h 1min
The Great Humbling S4E3: "Remapping Lava"
Exploring themes from novels like 'Bewilderment' and Inuit mythology, reflecting on pandemic warnings and societal divides. Delving into the atmosphere in the UK with a mix of weariness and frustration. Speculating on remote work and the metaverse's impact on society, concluding with reflections on hindsight and gratitude to listeners.

Dec 22, 2021 • 35min
The Great Humbling S4E2: "The Commonplace"
The podcast covers various interesting topics such as reflections on their podcast schedule, discussions on COP26 and TEDx talks, the concept of 'the common-place', the etymology and implications of 'commons', and the perspectives on managing commons as a social relation or a resource pool.

Nov 3, 2021 • 37min
The Great Humbling S4E1: 'Confessions'
In this episode, the hosts reflect on their summers and discuss responsible leadership. They share intimate experiences with the seasons and talk about surprising behavior of mute swans. They also discuss their dream of creating an online journal and the challenges of recording an audiobook. The concept of confession and childhood biases are explored, along with lessons learned from a last-minute holiday and reflections on the environmental impact of flying.

5 snips
May 27, 2021 • 54min
The Great Humbling S3E8: 'Now...breathe!'
The podcast explores topics such as prayer, lockdown emergence, Build Back Better, totalitarianism, hope, cancel culture, culture wars, and the attention economy. The hosts reflect on their journey during the pandemic, discuss the power dynamics of the modern work system, and emphasize the importance of gratitude amidst COVID's impact.

May 21, 2021 • 47min
The Great Humbling S3E7: 'Get on your knees!'
The hosts discuss Martin Shaw's new book and the concept of re-emergence. They explore the difference between privilege, entitlement, and personal responsibility. The chapter challenges simplistic views on religion and emphasizes the influence of religious traditions. They delve into the power and meaning of kneeling as a form of communication and protest. The author reflects on the connection between ancient rituals and modern life. They also reflect on work, prayer, and humility with grateful awareness of abundance.