In this episode, we journey into the vibrational worlds of sound, ancestry, and deep listening with Whaia, a Ngāti Kahungunu woman of Māori descent and First Nations sonic weaver and multi-instrumentalist. Raised between the salt of the Pacific and the red dust of the Australian desert, Whaia’s voice carries ancient songlines, blending traditional Māori instruments, crystalline singing bowls, and her original mother tongue, the language of Te Rā, the Sun. We explore her work singing with whales, reclaiming cultural instruments once left silent in museums, and remembering the sacred oceanic highways navigated by her Polynesian ancestors, guided by the stars and whale ancestors. This is a conversation about song as medicine, the voice as ceremony, and reclaiming lineage through sound. We ask: what might the whales be singing to us now? What frequencies are we called to remember in order to heal ourselves and our waters? Stay on after the episode wraps to hear a special feature from Whaia’s debut album WHAIA & WATER — the first of a twelve-part series known as her Sacred Sonic Sessions. Episode Website Link Show Links: Whaia websiteInstagramWhaia Water Album DownloadWisdom Keepers DelegationOceanic GlobalAustralian SonglinesThe PleiadesMasaru Emoto: Messages in Water Look out for meditations, poems, readings, and other snippets of inspiration in between episodes. Music: Electric Ethnicity by Igor Dvorkin, Duncan Pittock & Ellie Kidd Photo of Whaia: Chanel Baran Photo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Dive into fascinating reflections on nature-based governance that treats rivers as living entities. The discussion tackles the controversial concept of de-extinction, raising questions about ethics and ecological balance. Explore the complexity of climate responsibility and the often-overlooked costs of renewable technologies. Learn actionable steps for improving ecological health while reconnecting with nature and community. This thought-provoking conversation ultimately underscores the transformative potential of human consciousness in fostering a more sustainable world.

Anab Jain, co-founder of Superflux, a visionary design studio focused on ecological challenges, takes listeners on a journey through speculative design. She explores how imagination can redefine our relationship with nature and promote interspecies thriving. Jain discusses transformative concepts like multispecies banquets and rewilding urban spaces. By emphasizing emotional connections and responsible narratives, she highlights the role of design in fostering ecological awareness and hope amidst global challenges.

This is my take on ancient and intuitive sensory experience that taps into the innate intelligence of the human body, a blend of body compass, Zen Beginner's Mind, a shamanic medicine walk and Goethean science. The practice asks you to find a place in the natural landscape where you could walk undisturbed for some time, and have an encounter with an element of nature. A true act of lifeworld-ing! I guide you through a short introduction and the instructions. Attached on the website page is a link to the full instructions in PDF, and listed here in much briefer bullets below. I recommend listening in full, then using either of the instructions when you choose to do the practice itself. Abbreviated instructions ·     Before entering into the natural landscape, you’ll walk to a threshold place, and stop.·     Here you will physically draw a threshold that you will walk across.·     Once you’ve done that, pause, connect with the land, speak your intention, ask for permission.·     Cross the threshold, and start walking towards where you feel a tug. Be conscious of the way your body can intuitively lead the way. Use the senses. ·     At some point, you may come across a being in the land that catches your attention. It could be a spiders web, a stone, a patch of moss, a dead bough of a tree, a stream, a blade of grass, truly anything. Approach, introduce yourself.·     Spend a moment in presence with them, in beginners mind. ·     Use Goethe’s Exact Sense Perception instructions –then imagine it transforming. Then release to receive. Let it communicate back to you. ·     Stay here as long as feels right. ·     When it comes to the time to go, thank this natural being and start walking back to your threshold place. ·     When you cross the threshold, thank the land and when you’re ready, step across back into the other world. ·     Gently wipe out the threshold door and take some time upon returning to digest anything that may have arisen for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calling all Lifeworlds listeners! We're finally doing our first-ever Q&A episode, and we want you to be part of it. Over the past two years, we've been secretly hoarding all the brilliant questions and thoughts you've sent our way, and now it's time to get them out of the inbox and into the limelight. Got something you’re wanting to ask our host, Alexa Firmenich? Now’s your chance to share whatever’s on your mind. Whether it's a burning question, a cheeky comment, or a heartfelt story, we want to hear it all. You can email us at alexa.firmenich@gmail.com or use our online form here. And if you’re feeling extra brave (or just want to make Alexa’s day) send us an audio recording - nothing like hearing your lovely voices! Don’t forget to let us know if you want a shout-out or prefer to stay mysterious. Looking forward to your contributions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Wikelski, director of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, delves into the fascinating world of animal communication and ecological interconnectedness. He shares insights from the ICARUS project, likening it to ‘the internet of animals.’ The conversation covers how technology tracks wildlife movements, helping us understand their responses to environmental changes. Wikelski emphasizes the implications for conservation, including strategies to reduce human impacts on ecosystems and enhance our coexistence with nature.

Pella Thiel, an advocate for international Ecocide law and environmental justice, discusses groundbreaking ideas that aim to redefine how we view environmental destruction. She explains how ecocide law could align with the severity of genocide, catalyzing a moral shift in global values. Pella delves into the potential of this law to enhance ecological accountability and explores the rights of nature. Additionally, she proposes the creation of an environmental embassy to advocate for the Baltic Sea, emphasizing community action and innovative governance to protect vital ecosystems.