Sense-Making in a Changing World

In this episode I am delighted to be sharing with you a conversation with Rob Hopkins, champion of the collective imagination, author of 'From What is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want' and co-founder of the Transition Town Movement that emerged out of an extended permaculture design course he was teaching in Ireland.His other books include: The Power of Just Doing Stuff: How Local Action can Change the World (2013)The Transition Handbook: From Oil Dependency to Local Resilience (2008)The Transition Companion: Making Your Community More Resilient in Uncertain Times (2013)I caught up with Rob in his home town of Totnes last year - nearby to Schumacher College where he is a regular contributor. We recorded this interview in the Transition Town Totnes office. He is one of the most ethical and interesting thinkers I know with a grounding in permaculture too. It's no wonder he was voted one of the Independent's top 100 environmentalists and the Observer's list of Britains 50 New Radicals.I hope you enjoy this conversation with Rob, check out his podcast too, From What is to What If and follow him on Twitter.I invite you to share this episode and can subscribe to my podcast here.______________________________Download this list of 10 of Morag's favourite books Morag's 4 part introduction to permaculture video series.______________________________LEARN MORE I'd love to hear from you. Text me here.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast, share widely, leave a comment and a 5 star review to help these stories myceliate far. Check out the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast website & Youtube channel This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading-edge international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠ Explore Morag Gamble's Permaculture Educators Program Morag also shares conversations through Our Permaculture Life YouTube and the Festival of Wild Ideas.This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.

It is my great pleasure and honour to welcome Satish Kumar to the show today - world-renowned ecologist, thinker and educational visionary. Satish is the founder of Schumacher College and the Small School in Devon, England. He is Emeritus Editor of  Resurgence & Ecologist and founder of Green Books. The BBC Natural World program, Earth Pilgrim takes us out into Dartmoor walking with Satish exploring his Soil, Soul, Society philosophy. Walking and simple living is a key thread in Satish's life as a former Jain monk born in Rajasthan, and a member of Vinobe Bhave's 'walking university'. Back in the early 1960s, when he was just 26, he set out on a 13,000km peace pilgrimage with a friend and no money. They visited key nuclear nations and visited leaders with peace tea. In London, they met Lord Bertrand Russell the 90 year old who was jailed for peace activism and inspired them.It was in 1992 that I first met Satish at Schumacher College, just a year after the college had opened. I spent almost a year there then, and have returned several times - last year as a contribution teacher to the Beyond Development program with Jonathon Dawson.I recorded this interview with Satish during that program at Schumacher College, Dartington last year just as he was releasing his latest book Elegant Simplicity: The Art of Living WellElegant Simplicity provides a coherent philosophy of life that weaves together simplicity of material life, thought, and spirit. In it, Satish distills five decades of reflection and wisdom into a guide for everyone.Back in 1992 as well as the regular conversation sessions with Satish in the Schumacher College library, we cooked up authentic Indian feasts together every Friday and I often joined his meditation class. I also had the wonderful opportunity to study directly with I'd love to hear from you. Text me here.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast, share widely, leave a comment and a 5 star review to help these stories myceliate far. Check out the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast website & Youtube channel This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading-edge international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠ Explore Morag Gamble's Permaculture Educators Program Morag also shares conversations through Our Permaculture Life YouTube and the Festival of Wild Ideas.This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.

It is my pleasure to welcome Natalie Isaacs, founder and CEO of 1 Million Women to the Sense-making in a Changing World show today.For 10 years, Nat has been inspiring and engaging a movement of women and girls around the world to act on climate. No more than every this is so important. 1 Million Women lead programs on all kinds of things from food waste, plastics, fashion, consumerism, carbon footprint, and show how to lead a low-carbon life everyday. She advocates taking on the climate emergency through the way we live - because it is empowering, it is something we can all do and launch us in to being active.Just this week, 1 Million Women is launching a new campaign asking us all to divest from the fossil fuel industry. The way we live and what we do with out money matters!Natalie is also the author of Every Woman's Guide to Saving the Planet - a book that is packed full of practical how-to's and shares the story of how she transformed her life from being a climate bystander to an international campaigner. Being re-released in a global version this month.I'm proud to say I've been a member of 1 million women since the beginning. I was draw to Natalie's energy and positive message. I encourage you to join too. We are 950,000+ women and girls committed showing how much we love our home, the earth, by the way we live. It's free to join.As you will hear, we are going to soon join together Permayouth groups with 1 million women to create local community action crews.Enjoy !Subscribe & ShareThanks for tuning into this conversation today. You can subscribe to my podcast here.________________________________Download this list of 10 of Morag's favourite books Morag's 4 part introduction to permaculture video series.________________________________Find out more about permaculture Learn more aboI'd love to hear from you. Text me here.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast, share widely, leave a comment and a 5 star review to help these stories myceliate far. Check out the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast website & Youtube channel This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading-edge international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠ Explore Morag Gamble's Permaculture Educators Program Morag also shares conversations through Our Permaculture Life YouTube and the Festival of Wild Ideas.This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.

It is a delight to share this conversation with 18yo permaculture leader, Sierra Robinson, on the show today on International Youth Day 2020.  Sierra is an articulate and inspiring permaculture activist (practical activist = [pr]activist) and teacher from Vancouver Island, Canada. She gave a brilliant permaculture TEDx talk when she was 17yo in Seattle entitled Beyond Sustainability: A Call for Regeneration. Sierra is also a Regional Crew Director for Earth Guardians - a global youth organisation run by and for young people. She's an aspiring filmmaker and when we spoke to her, she had just finished her homeschooling. Sierra has been around permaculture for 10 years and completed her first permaculture design course when she was only 12yo. She is now reaching so many people with her knowledge, skills and passion and sharing permaculture through the Earth Guardians.Come and listen in to this conversation with Sierra, me and Permayouth representative, Maia Raymond (my daughter - 13yo at the time) and gain a glimpse of the amazing wisdom Sierra already embodies. Hear a little of her story and her work in the world. Note: This interview was recorded just days after tragic killing of George Floyd and riots were erupting around North America and the world. Sierra's friends were on the frontlines and her phone was pinging persistently (I've cut most of them!). In respect, we kept the call short and will continue this conversation with Sierra and the Permayouth another time.Subscribe & ShareThanks for tuning into this conversation today. You can subscribe to this podcast here.________________________________Download this list of 10 of Morag's favourite books Morag's 4 part introduction to permaculture video series.________________________________I'd love to hear from you. Text me here.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast, share widely, leave a comment and a 5 star review to help these stories myceliate far. Check out the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast website & Youtube channel This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading-edge international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠ Explore Morag Gamble's Permaculture Educators Program Morag also shares conversations through Our Permaculture Life YouTube and the Festival of Wild Ideas.This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.

Today on Sense-Making in a Changing World, I am thrilled to welcome Rosemary Morrow - a respected teacher of permaculture teachers around the world, an elder in the Permaculture movement and author of the permaculture classics, Earth Users Guide to Permaculture,   Earth Users Guide to Teaching Permaculture  and Permaculture Teaching Matters.  Rosemary is also the cofounder of Permaculture for Refugees.I would call much of what Rosemary does permaculture service work - offering permaculture education in some of the most challenging regions of the world  - because that is where it is needed most. She has worked in places like Cambodia, Bangladesh Timor Leste, Kashmir, Uganda, Afghanistan and the Middle East and she only goes where she is invited. This is the 2/3 world - the 'edgey' places of society where permaculture is so valued for surviving and thriving with little. Permaculture on the edge is the theme of her most recent writings to be released as new chapters in the updated version of her book.In our conversation Rowe and I explore permaculture education from so many angles. She sees its potential is profound and its application universal. Now, more than ever, she says we need to be teaching permaculture everywhere, and she encourages us to explore how to keep our permaculture thinking alive as we face an ever-changing world with cascading disasters like fire, COVID-19, climate change and economic collapse.I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with Rowe as much as I did and are inspired to deepen your permaculture knowledge and widen your permaculture teaching reach, and support new permaculture teaching communities to grow everywhere. Subscribe & ShareThanks for tuning into this conversation today. You can subscribe I'd love to hear from you. Text me here.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast, share widely, leave a comment and a 5 star review to help these stories myceliate far. Check out the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast website & Youtube channel This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading-edge international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠ Explore Morag Gamble's Permaculture Educators Program Morag also shares conversations through Our Permaculture Life YouTube and the Festival of Wild Ideas.This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.

Rhonda Hetzel, an award-winning blogger and best-selling author, shares her journey towards simple, fulfilling living. In a conversation shaped by the pandemic, she explores how to redefine home as a sanctuary for growth and creativity. Rhonda emphasizes practical advice for living resourcefully, the joy of simple routines, and the importance of community connections. She advocates for a debt-free lifestyle, highlighting how it fosters resilience and enriches family ties. Discover the beauty of everyday moments alongside her inspiring insights!

Fritjof Capra, a renowned scientist and author, shares insights on the interconnectedness of life and the systems view of existence. Joined by young activists Maia and Eve from Permayouth, they explore the shift from mechanistic thinking to a holistic perspective, emphasizing the importance of ecological literacy. The trio discusses the significance of permaculture education in empowering communities and fostering sustainable practices. They also highlight the need for ethical considerations in addressing climate change and the role of youth in shaping a regenerative future.

In Episode 6 of Sense-Making in a Changing World I warmly welcome you to join me in conversation with Kosha Joubert - her last interview as CEO of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) - an organisation she has been deeply involved with for over 15 years. She has lived in ecovillages for 25 years - currently Findhorn in Scotland, previously Sieben Linden in Germany, has visited communities in 40 countries & advocated for ecovillages in the UN.Kosha is also the co-founder of Gaia Education, co-author of the Ecovillage Design Education curriculum, editor of Ecovillage: 1001 ways to heal the planet and is now transitioning into her new role with the Pocket Project "to contribute to the healing of collective & intergenerational trauma" with Thomas Hubl.Through my conversation with Kosha, we see that ecovillage living is so diverse & can happen anywhere - where you are right now - urban or rural, in all countries & contexts, and that the underpinning principles value & respect the the regenerative practices of indigenous communities and traditional villages. Find out more about the Global Ecovillage Network , the resources & programs. Perhaps there is a way you can get involved. Tune into the 2020 online  Ecovillage Summit attended by over 10,000 people (hosted by Kosha) & listen to Kosha's TEDx Talk.I'd love to hear from you. Text me here.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast, share widely, leave a comment and a 5 star review to help these stories myceliate far. Check out the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast website & Youtube channel This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading-edge international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠ Explore Morag Gamble's Permaculture Educators Program Morag also shares conversations through Our Permaculture Life YouTube and the Festival of Wild Ideas.This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.

In Episode 5 of Sense-Making in a Changing World, I am delighted to talk with Linda Woodrow, a well-known permaculture author. Her book The Permaculture Home Garden (Penguin 1996) and regular articles have introduced many to permaculture over the past decades. She also blogs about food and permaculture here. This week, Linda is releasing her first novel, 470 - which is also the first permaculture cli-fi novel either of us know of. I caught up with Linda via zoom in her garden to talk about her permaculture journey and of course about her new book, published by Melliodora (David Holmgren's publishing house). Grab a cuppa and join us in our garden conversation about permaculture, intentional communities, raising children in a permaculture environment, permaculture in Cuba, climate change, writing, hope, despair and resilience. And pick up a copy of Linda's novel HERE.ABOUT LINDA'S PERMACULTURE NOVEL 470In the 2030s, as the world spirals into ecological and economic meltdown, three generations of an Australian family must find a way to each other, and then a way to survive and make a good life.What will it be like, to live in a climate changed world?Meticulously researched, 470 explores the nature of resilience when the world suddenly tips.Subscribe & Share Thanks for tuning into Sense-making in a Changing World today.  It has been a pleasure to have your company. I invite you to subscribe (via your favourite podcast app like iTunes) and receive notification of each new weekly episode.  Each Wednesday I will share more wonderful stories, ideas, inspiration and common sense for living and working regeneratively. Positive permaculture thinking, design and action is so needed in this changing world. ________________________________Download this list of 10 of Morag's favourite books I'd love to hear from you. Text me here.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast, share widely, leave a comment and a 5 star review to help these stories myceliate far. Check out the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast website & Youtube channel This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading-edge international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠ Explore Morag Gamble's Permaculture Educators Program Morag also shares conversations through Our Permaculture Life YouTube and the Festival of Wild Ideas.This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.

In this fourth episode of Sense-making in a Changing World, I am delighted to welcome Dr David Holmgren, co-originator of permaculture to explore how permaculture can help us practically navigate these challenging times and create locally resilient communities.Grab a cuppa and enjoy this wide ranging conversation. It is always a delight to talk with David!David lives at his permaculture property, Melliodora in Hepburn, Central Victoria, with his partner Su Dennett. Here's a video of Melliodora that featured recently on ABC Gardening Australia with Costa Georgiadis.David's most recent book is the incredible manual, Retrosuburbia: A Downshifter's Guide to a Resilient Future. There's a pay-what-you-feel digital download available too and study materials to work with your local community and an active Retrosuburbia facebook community you can get involved with. Subscribe & ShareThanks for tuning into my podcast today, SENSE-MAKING IN A CHANGING WORLD.  It has been a pleasure to have your company. I invite you to subscribe (via your favourite podcast app like iTunes) and receive notification of each new weekly episode.  Please also feel free to share.Each Wednesday I will share more wonderful stories, ideas, inspiration and common sense for living and working regeneratively. Positive permaculture thinking, design and action is so needed in this changing world. ________________________________Download this list of 10 of Morag's favourite books Morag's 4 part introduction to permaculture video series.________________________________What is permaculture?Take a look at my free 4 part permaculture series or Our Permaculture Life Youtube and my I'd love to hear from you. Text me here.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast, share widely, leave a comment and a 5 star review to help these stories myceliate far. Check out the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast website & Youtube channel This podcast is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute - the leading-edge international online school for integrated permaculture design, education, leadership and [pr]activism.⁠ Explore Morag Gamble's Permaculture Educators Program Morag also shares conversations through Our Permaculture Life YouTube and the Festival of Wild Ideas.This podcast is broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage on Jinibara & Gubbi Gubbi country.