Two Inconvenient Women

Our August break continues here at ThoughtBox, so this week we're sharing a short collection of previous episodes where we dive into the nuance of environmental wellbeing and what it means to learn to care for our planet. Some of the highlights from our past three seasons are this mini-series are below:Season 1, Episode 4: Falling in love with the worldSeason 2, Episode 7 (Exploring the inconvenience of nature connection): Are we connecting with nature, or just using it?Season 3, Episode 4 (Exploring the inconvenience of trees): What can a tree teach us about relationships?Season 3, Episode 12 (Exploring the inconvenience of earth-care): Why is caring for the planet essential for all life to flourish?If you'd like to join us for any of the Triple WellBeing opportunities mentioned in the podcast, you can find more information at:Triple WellBeing Introduction workshop: a free, one-hour session (Wednesday 27th August 2025, 1pm-2pm BST)Triple WellBeing Practitioner Course: a one-day, online workshop (Friday 26th September 2025, 10am-3pm BST)Transforming Education Retreat: a three-day residential programme (Monday 6th - Wednesday 8th October) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the nuances of social well-being as the conversation reflects on the importance of community care. Explore why gathering is essential and what we risk losing by not doing so. Consider how the modern world challenges our capacity for empathy and humanity. A moving poem on belonging is shared, adding emotional depth to the discussion. Together, these insights encourage us to reconnect with our shared humanity and foster a sense of belonging within our communities.

This installment explores the intricacies of personal well-being, focusing on growth and acceptance. A reflective poem sets the tone, highlighting the often-overlooked power of rest. Delving into spirituality, the conversation questions whether we exist in a spiritual void. The idea of re-sourcing oneself leads to intriguing insights on self-care, presented as a self-less act. Listeners are encouraged to tap into previous discussions that enrich their understanding of self-care and well-being.

Discover the transformative power of reconnecting with nature and how it can shape our relationship with the environment. The discussion emphasizes the urgent need to appreciate the natural world and fosters a sense of community through initiatives like urban gardening. Explore personal journeys of bravery and self-gratitude, highlighting how these experiences can enhance our connection to the earth. Ultimately, the conversation reveals that nurturing ourselves is essential for effective earth-care, advocating for a collective responsibility towards our planet.

Dive into the profound impact of human connection as the hosts discuss the importance of 'people-care' in a hyper-individualized world. They explore how music fosters relationships and reflect on the beauty of nature's sounds, from the cries of crows to the empathy towards pigeons. Cultural narratives and the contrasting behaviors of bonobos and chimpanzees shed light on our own social dynamics. The episode emphasizes compassionate listening and the healing potential of community, urging us to embrace diversity for true well-being.

Self-care is often dismissed as selfish, yet it's essential for our well-being and the well-being of others. The conversation dives into practical daily routines like gratitude journaling and meditation to enhance mental health. It also highlights the importance of setting boundaries, comparing them to riverbanks that allow for balance and flow. Shared experiences in self-care foster deeper connections, urging us to prioritize wellness amidst societal pressures. The episode champions personal resilience as a foundation for supporting those around us.

Dive into the enriching world of holistic education, where learning engages the head, heart, and hands. Discover the significance of authentic connections and lifelong friendships in navigating life's stresses. The conversation emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence in education, critiquing traditional methods for overshadowing creativity and well-being. With insights from alternative educational models, the hosts advocate for integrating arts and emotional engagement to nurture the whole person, promoting healthier learning environments.

In a world that glorifies busyness, rest can feel inconvenient—even rebellious. But what happens when we stop doing and simply allow ourselves to be? This episode explores rest as resistance against the belief that worth is tied to productivity. What happens when we slow down? Who benefits when we pause? And how might reclaiming rest help us build a healthier, more human way of living? This week's conversation is all about slowing down and redefining what it means to be a 'human being' rather than a 'human doing'.In this episode, we reference the following:PACTS (a new education initiative empowering UK students to engage in democracy)The Rebelliousness of Rest by Rachel Musson (blog article)Rest is Resistance: Free yourself from grind culture and reclaim your life by Tricia Hersey (book)Bayo Akomolafe (writer and speaker)Frederick by Leo Lionni (children's book)The Language of Emotions by Karla McLaren (book)The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck : A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson (book) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Inconvenience of Joy“I will never apologise for embracing joy and beauty - even when the world is falling apart – for joy and beauty are the fuel for my activism”. These words by Karen Walrond are one of the inspirations for this week’s conversation on 'Joy', exploring how cultivating joy is both a way to resource ourselves and build the resilience needed to meet the challenges of our world. Joy is often seen as being the same thing as happiness, and yet these two emotions are profoundly different; one coming from external sources, one being cultivated from within. It is not a surprise that the practice of joy is embedded into all world religions as it can become a deeply spiritual practice – as well as a beautifully infectious state to find ourselves in.In this week's conversation we dive into the meaning of joy, how it shows up in our lives; how activists across history have cultivated joy in their lives and work and what happens when we learn to practice joy as part of our daily rhythms.In this episode we reference the following:Mission: Joy – Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu (video)Habits for practising joy - ThoughtBox (PDF)Seeking Language Large Enough – David Whyte / On Being (podcast)Climate Courage Campaign – Climate Majority Project (website)Joy Over Fear – St Ebbe’s School (website)Schools of Dreams - Kimberley Oliff Cooper TEDx Talk (video)The Fun Habit - Mike Rucker (book)Glorious – MaMuse (Rachel’s current favourite joyful song) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world is feeling a very broken place right now, with all that is erupting out of the Middle East, and with continued suffering across the world. When we do engage in conversations about what is happening, we often find ourselves sidetracked into the dance of moral outrage and the opportunity for a conversation is lost. And yet simple human connection sits at the heart of all that we're yearning for - each of us carrying the innate need to be seen, to be heard and to belong. So what happens when we offer to meet those needs in others, simply by noticing their shared humanity?This week's conversation is raw, personal, honest and deeply human. With no apology. For we don't need to hide our humanity to be professional. In fact, that is perhaps the reason why so many of our institutions have become so inhumane and it also holds an invitation for how we can each start to re-humanise the landscapes we are part of.In this episode we reference the following:Most shocking second a day video - Save the Children (video)Human: A Portrait of our World - Yann Arthus-Betrand (film & photography)Immigration & Refugees curriculum -ThoughtBox (learning resource)Meeting a broken world - Rachel Musson (blogpost) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.