The Tension of Emergence: Thriving in a world that remakes, not breaks

Join host, Jennifer England as she continues to slow down and embrace the tensions that come with leading social change. What does it mean to live and lead wisely? How can we strengthen our resilience when we'd rather have certainty and control? How can we develop the courage to be more authentically ourselves- when there's such pressure to conform and arrive?Through the power of film, embodiment, living systems, ancestral healing, leadership and more Jennifer explores how to lead with more wisdom, curiosity and courage so we can skillfully work with this cultural moment. With vulnerability, Jennifer weaves together the poetic, the personal and practical to help us embrace and thrive in uncertain times. Two episodes will drop each week, a deep dive with special guests followed by a bonus show offering you a practice you can take into the field of your own life.  Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

Welcome to the season two finale of The Tension of Emergence.In this season, we composted outdated ideas of leadership. And in this episode, Jennifer shares her favorite moments of each season two interview.She also offers three core principles that she’s carrying forward from these conversations — Embracing the Messy Middle, Embracing Wisdom Over Information, and Embracing the Fluidity of Identity.Thank you for listening to season two of the show. If you enjoyed it, make sure to subscribe to Jennifer's newsletter.  We’ll be back for season three in Spring 2024.Links & resources—For more practices, invitations and writing from Jennifer, subscribe to Jennifer’s newsletterFollow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedInGratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

Jennifer offers a practice, inspired by her conversation with conductor and musician, Ben Zander. Comparing ourselves to others is totally human and it limits possibility.  Jennifer encourages you to interrupt patterns of comparison that keep you trapped in the “calculating self”. Instead of getting rid of “comparison”, she invites curiosity and acceptance when “less than” or “better than” emotions and thoughts arise. If you play with the practice and discover a new way of seeing or experiencing your ‘self’ we’d love to hear from you! Email Jennifer with any questions or observations- jennifer@sparkcoaching.caLinks & resources—For more practices, invitations and writing from Jennifer, subscribe to Jennifer’s newsletterFollow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedInGratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker.  Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

It’s easy to get caught in the pursuit of wealth, fame and power- especially if we’re attached to certain arrival points through the constant evaluation of ourselves. Jennifer is joined by Ben Zander, Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and co-author of The Art of Possibility to talk about how we shift from our smaller 'self' to the alchemy of 'we'.  In this episode they discuss- The necessary tension of mastery and creative expressionLeading from every seat- how to inspire confidence in each other Moving from comparison to contribution Join Jennifer and Ben for a heart-felt exploration of how to shed old ways of being so love and generosity can lead.  Links & resources—Ben Zander’s Legacy project The Benjamin Zander Center, resources for educators, musicians, corporations & music appreciators.Read Ben Zander and Rosamund Stone Zander’s book, The Art of PossibilityLearn more about host Jennifer and her offerings? Subscribe to her newsletter or follow her on Instagram.Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker.  Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

Jennifer offers a practice, inspired by her conversation with friend, dancer and choreographer Michelle Olson.What do you tend to hide about yourself from others? What is it on behalf of? Jennifer encourages you to identify places and patterns of hiding. She encourages you to shake loose from the cultural confines of who you think you are to become more of who you are. A practice of honest vulnerability opens up a deeper connection with ourselves and others, ultimately weaving a stronger community web.  If you play with the practice and discover a new way of seeing or experiencing your ‘self’ we’d love to hear from you! Email Jennifer with any questions or observations- jennifer@sparkcoaching.caLinks & resources—For more practices, invitations and writing from Jennifer, subscribe to Jennifer’s newsletterFollow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedInGratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker.  Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

Most of us hide ourselves- especially our pain, grief and hardest truths. How and when do you let yourself be seen? And by whom? In this episode I speak with artistic director, dancer and choreographer Michelle Olson about the transformation that can happen when we're truly seen. Together we talk about the process of witnessing and being witnessed as an essential part of becoming ourselves and community belonging. Tune in to hear more about: How to discover and own your perspectiveThe surprising power of body memory Why the questions you’re living are central to being seen Be sure to listen carefully for a more-than-human guest who joins us mid-way through our conversation (and no, it wasn’t my dog!). Links & resources—Raven Spirit Dance CompanyFollow Raven Spirit Dance on Facebook Adäka Cultural Festival in Whitehorse, YukonPoems by Hari AlluriFollow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedIn and get her newsletter by subscribing here  Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

Jennifer offers a practice, inspired by her conversation with author and philosopher Báyò Akomóláfé. Ever assume that “something’s wrong” if you’re lost, confused or bewildered. Notice the impulse to run back towards certainty and solid ground? In a world that privileges straight lines and arrival points- no wonder we pathologize the experience of “feeling lost”. In this micro-episode, Jennifer guides you to discover the upside of your “lost” or “bewildered” experiences. She encourages you to befriend the discomfort of disorientation long enough to alchemize its teaching. Jennifer reminds us that this is a foundational capacity for emergence, spontaneity and connection.  If you play with the practice and discover a new way of seeing or experiencing your ‘self’ we’d love to hear from you! Email Jennifer with any questions or observations- jennifer@sparkcoaching.caLinks & resources—For more practices, invitations and writing from Jennifer, subscribe to Jennifer’s newsletterFollow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedInGratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker.  Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

In this episode Jennifer speaks with author, teacher and trans-public intellectual Báyò Akómoláfé about what’s revealed when we become lost and bewildered. Through story, myth and examples of ecological errancy, Báyò encourages us to stay with the trouble. With laughter and curiosity they explore—How to cultivate “lostness” in a world that privileges certainty The limits of inclusivity politics Why hiding is a courageous act of refusalHow we’re transformed by spontaneous acts of creativityTune in for an intimate and rich conversation about how we navigate separation and belonging in an entangled universe where bewilderment becomes a living portal of possibilityLinks & resources—Báyò Akómoláfé’s websiteFollow and join the conversation with Báyò on Facebook Follow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedIn and get her newsletter by subscribing here  Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

Jennifer offers a practice, inspired by her conversation with author and teacher Toko-pa Turner. When you lose touch with what matters- it’s easy to look to external advice, guides and mentors. But finding your way home- to yourself and each other- happens most authentically from the inside out. Learning to trust the intuitive hits you receive can help you reorient to your dreams, longings, and wisdom. In this practice, Jennifer offers a different way to work with fragments of images, messages, metaphors that come to us in our dreams. Taking Toko-pa’s cues, Jennifer encourages us to put down our rational mind and embrace the living world of the imagination.If you play with the practice and discover a new way of seeing or experiencing your ‘self’ we’d love to hear from you! Links & resources—For more practices, offerings and writing from Jennifer, subscribe to Jennifer’s newsletterFollow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedInEmail Jennifer with any questions or observations- jennifer@sparkcoaching.caGratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker.  Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.

Fascinated by your dreams but struggle to make sense of them? Our dreams invite us to enter a deeper relationship with ourselves- yet we often don’t know where to start. In this episode Jennifer speaks with Canadian author, teacher, dreamworker and founder of the Dream School, Toko-pa Turner about the power of our dreams and how they help remember ourselves home. They explore—Why classic Jungian analysis limits the power and potential of our dreams The link between dreaming and belonging- and what they have to do with our originalityHow dreams can support us through periods of exile and exclusion Tune in to learn more about your psyche as an intelligent living system. Toko-pa also helps Jennifer work through a recurring fearful dream, supporting her to discover what wants to be “natured” through her. Links & resources—Learn more about Toko-pa TurnerSign up for her 30-Day Email course Dream Drops Order Toko-pa Turner's award-winning book Belonging: Remembering Ourselves HomeFollow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedIn and get her newsletter by subscribing here Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.