Two Inconvenient Women

Are you successful yet? When do you know you've "made it"? And - more importantly - is it a place that we actually want to be 'arriving'? Many of us are living in cultures that have a dominant story of success - often associated with wealth, prosperity, career-ladders and progress. Our mainstream education systems teach us how to jump through the hoops on the journey towards success, and our media is filled with advertising and stories of what success looks like (normally glossy, shiny and always slightly out of reach). But who gets to decide when we've become successful, and is it worth it?In this week's episode we explore the notion of success, thinking about what it means, who grants us the title and what the possibilities are to look beyond the mainstream story and carve out a different approach to life. We explore questions such as: What happens when we don't fit the story or mould of what success looks like? What might it mean to carve out our own version of 'success'? What can we learn from failure? And what if, rather than a destination we arrive at, success is simply a way of living well?In this episode we reference the following:Steve Cutts - illustrator, satirist (website) Life & Music - Alan Watts (cartoon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring the gap between lived and laminated values, the conversation dives into how our inner compass shapes who we are. The hosts discuss the origins of values, the struggle for alignment, and the critique of 'British values' as superficial. Citing the Schwartz Values Map, they reveal the tension between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations and challenge common narratives about human nature. They also touch on the impact of trauma on values and the importance of creating communities that reflect authentic beliefs. Enjoy insights on living with purpose and integrity!

The sustainability movement's journey since the 1950s is explored, revealing its pitfalls. The hosts discuss treating sustainability as a foundational process, not just an add-on. They highlight the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental goals. Greenwashing and political setbacks are critiqued, while grassroots initiatives and indigenous wisdom offer hope. The conversation calls for slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and fostering a mindset shift toward systemic change.

What does home really mean? Hosts delve into the emotional nuances of home, exploring feelings of safety and belonging. They discuss gut reactions to spaces and the impact of personal items on creating a sense of home. Cultural variations in what defines home are highlighted through children's bedrooms across the globe. The conversation also addresses the plight of homelessness, the dignity of those forced to flee, and the importance of community-led solutions. Ultimately, it’s a warm reflection on how we define and cultivate our own sanctuaries.

Dive into the complex world of AI, where support and risks coexist. Explore how it intertwines with our daily lives and the potential loss of humanity amid rising technologies. The discussion tackles AI's purpose, its reflection of human values, and the uncertain futures ahead. Hear about AI's role in companionship and therapy, and the pressing need for inclusive design. Reflect on the balance between fear and agency as we navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and education.

This week is half term for UK schools and we've taken time away from the 'day to day' work at ThoughtBox for a reading week - a week to really dive deep into some of the ideas that we're both currently exploring. In this episode we share some of the insights, explorations, wonderings and reflections from what we're currently learning about.In this episode we reference a large number of texts and ideas we've been exploring over the past months:His Dark Materials & The Book of Dust, Philip Pulman (novel trilogies)The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House - Audre Lorde (essays)Personality, Wholeness and Connection - Dan Siegel (lecture and book)The Story of Triple WellBeing - Rachel Musson (e-book)Rumsfield Matrix (website)Keys to the Enneagram - A H Almaas (book)Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë (novel) Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss (book)The Life Impossible - Matt Haig (novel)The Listening Book - R Ticic, E Kuschner, B Ecker (book)Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, trans.Ursula K. Le Guin (spiritual text)How to do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy - Jenny Odell (book and talk)Earth in Mind - David Orr (book)Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi (novel) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast Rachel is off with the flu and so Holly is joined by guest inconvenient woman Sandy Glanfield, Immersive Experience Curator at Reboot the Future, to discuss the theme of naïvety.In this episode we explore questions around metrics of success, and how naivety plays an important role in bringing creativity, openness, relationship and curiosity to challenges we face. From its etymological roots of belonging to nature and innateness, to its modern association with foolishness - join us as we weave through questions around fear of failure, elderhood, reframing biases and celebrating our own unique ‘genius’. During this episode, we mention:Let’s Reboot the Future (podcast series)Assembly by Peter Burke (Sculpture Installation)We Could Win the Climate Fight…Thanks to AI | Gavin McCormick (Life with Machines, ep.12) (podcast episode)The Dunning Kruger Effect (graph)The Joy of Being Naïve | Chris Jones | TEDxPCL (TEDx Talk) Empathy Action Immersive Experiences (workshop)Sam Crosby (speaker and facilitator)Sending lots of love and a big hug to Rachel who is currently off with the flu - hopefully she'll be back with us next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it truly mean to trust our gut? Discover how intuition connects to our broader sense of body intelligence. Explore the difference between gut feelings and deeper intuitive insights, including how anxiety can cloud our instincts. Learn about the gut-brain connection and how we can reawaken our inner senses through self-awareness. The discussion delves into balancing emotional, logical, and instinctual responses while considering how education may affect our innate abilities. Finally, reflect on the interplay of instinct and intuition in both humans and animals.

Dive into the struggles of mental and emotional well-being, especially among youth in today's chaotic world. Discover insights from Europe's largest trauma and mental health conference, focusing on healing our connections. Explore how attachment shapes relationships and the power of love in rewiring trauma. Learn about the importance of gentle self-awareness, compassion, and the ripple effects of small acts of kindness. Embrace the balance of grief and joy as a source of compassionate action in a disconnected society.

Recorded live under a fig tree at a stunning Oxford venue, the hosts dive into healing our connections with ourselves and the world. They reflect on highlights from a massive trauma and mental health conference, discussing how to move beyond siloed practices. Rethinking traditional therapy, they advocate for community-based approaches and explore the role of expanded states of awareness in healing. The conversation also touches on the influence of intergenerational trauma and the importance of translating knowledge into tangible changes.