Lifeworlds

In this episode, we explore the role of theatre and empathy in transforming worldviews. Dr. Dylan McGarry is one of the founders of Empatheatre, a South African theatre-making company and methodology that turns research and storytelling into living social sculpture. Their plays create what they call amphitheatres for empathy - spaces where art, ritual, and dialogue help people listen across difference, from mining conflicts to ocean governance to human-wildlife coexistence.Empatheatre’s productions have brought together communities, policymakers, and activists that rarely meet, showing how imagination can transform civic life. The process of creating the plays generates profound potentials for restorative justice. As Dylan says, empathy is not about agreement, but about creating a vessel strong enough to hold our differences while keeping us in relation.We will cover:Empathy as a creative actTheatre and storytelling as Trojan horses that open conversations that traditional politics often can’tHow to design spaces that allow lifeworlds to touch and the practices that help us shift into another’s perspectiveHow empathy, when practiced collectively, becomes a form of governance: a new infrastructure for democracy and careEpisode websiteLinks:Share your input for the whale productionEmpatheatreDylan’s PHD5min Empatheatre docIndlela Yokuphila: The Soul's Journey (ZULU) film & the radio play used in the court caseLalela Ulwandle TrailerUmkhosi Wenala doc about Zulu musical on indigenous traditions & animist relationshipsSteiner’s 12 sensesMOTHProject CETIKaren BakkerUndrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine MammalsOne Ocean Hubdylanmcgarry.orgInstagram: @dylan_mcgarryPhoto Credit: Casey Pratt. It captures a significant moment in a collaborative theatre-making & storytelling project titled "Umkhosi Wenala" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Bill Plotkin, founder of the Animas Valley Institute, delves into transformative nature-based models of human growth. He challenges the stagnation of modern adulthood and presents the 8-stage Soulcentric Developmental Wheel, connecting personal transformation to the rhythms of nature. The conversation explores the intricate relationship between psychology and ecology, the role of initiation in both humans and other species, and the need for imaginative approaches to cultural maturity. Prepare to rethink your journey of self-discovery!

Willem Ferwerda, a Dutch ecologist and founder of Commonland, discusses the urgent need for holistic landscape restoration. He explains the alarming degradation of Earth’s land and its impact on biodiversity and communities. The conversation covers the innovative 4 Returns Framework, emphasizing ecological, social, financial, and spiritual returns. Ferwerda shares insights on how storytelling and rituals can restore meaning, heal communities, and inspire collective action for the planet's regeneration.

What if the next shift in planetary consciousness didn’t come from looking back at Earth from space, but from listening deeply to the voices already here? In this thought piece I propose the “inworlding effect” as the overview effect of our time: one where developments in science, technology, law, and many other disciplines are revealing our entangled presence within a multispecies world.Medium Article LinkEpisode Website Link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this insightful discussion, artist and communal grief ritual facilitator Alexandra “ahlay” Blakey delves into the often-overlooked importance of communal mourning. She highlights the revival of grief ceremonies as essential for healing, describing how music and ritual can transform sorrow into connection. Ahlay also shares her experience creating the collective album 'WAILS: Songs for Grief,' inspired by whales and ancestral sorrow. Through her reflections, listeners are invited to rethink societal attitudes towards grief and embrace love as a vital part of the healing process.

In this episode we’re joined by the renowned environmentalist, activist and author Paul Hawken to explore the lifeworld of carbon and its role as a vital agent in the story of life.Paul speaks about the dysfunctions in Western language on how we speak about climate and nature, and why metaphors of war, control, and fixing actually perpetuate the very mindset that created the crises in the first place. We explore common traps we fall into, and how to recarbonize, to bring life back and restore relationality in how we think, feel, and act.This is a wide-ranging and intimate conversation on language, grief, science, reverence, and what it means to come home to Earth and to the deeper meanings of life.Episode Website LinkShow Links:Carbon, the Book of life (Paul’s book)Drawdown (Website & Paul’s book)Regeneration (website resources with projects)Regeneration (Paul’s book)Francis Weller Course on griefClosing Poem: Love in a Time of Climate Change By Craig Santos PerezLook out for meditations, poems, readings, and other snippets of inspiration in between episodes.Music: Electric Ethnicity by Igor Dvorkin, Duncan Pittock & Ellie Kidd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the mesmerizing world of whale songs and ancient Māori traditions with Whaia, a brilliant sonic weaver. Explore the powerful intersection of voice, music, and oceanic heritage, revealing how whales communicate through unique melodies. Discover the importance of reclaiming cultural instruments and the profound healing potential of sound. Join us as we reflect on the sacred connection between humanity and nature, and ponder what messages the whales might share with us today.

A writer reflects on a transformative stay in a remote Vancouver Island cabin, surrounded by nature's beauty. They explore how poetry intertwines with the environment, sharing moments of swimming with jellyfish and foraging for salmon berries. The discussion culminates in an evocative piece that emphasizes how the world communicates through the language of poetry, highlighting our deep connection to the natural landscape.

Dr. Mackenzie Hall, a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine, shares fascinating insights on the deep connections between human health and planetary systems. She discusses how the Earth’s vital organs can mirror our anatomy and how our bodies manage health like ecological systems. The conversation explores the importance of detoxification, the resonance of Earth's frequencies, and the link between mental wellness and mindful eating. Hall emphasizes that to heal the planet, we must first understand it as an extension of ourselves.

David McConville, co-founder and lead cosmographer of Spherical, explores the interplay between technology and our understanding of Earth. He discusses the concept of 'living infrastructure' through Los Angeles as a case study, emphasizing community collaboration in mapping and sustainable practices. The conversation delves into how worldviews shape environmental challenges, water management, and the importance of imagination in comprehending ecosystems. McConville advocates for engaging communities to create resilient systems that honor local cultures and ecological needs.