

Two Inconvenient Women
ThoughtBox Education
In a world which can feel increasingly volatile and uncertain, join Holly and Rachel from ThoughtBox as we explore some of the inconvenient truths, possibilities and opportunities of our rapidly changing world.Each episode we’ll be diving deep into the big, tricky issues of our time, exploring what it means to be ‘inconvenient’ in our work to transform lives, communities and mindsets towards a healthier future for people and planet.To find out more about the work we do at ThoughtBox Education, visit www.thoughtboxeducation.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 4min
What does 'home' mean to you?
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.

10 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 1h 18min
Should we be scared of AI?
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.

Oct 31, 2025 • 1h 6min
What are you learning?
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.

Oct 24, 2025 • 54min
Is it so bad to be naïve?
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.

Oct 17, 2025 • 1h 3min
What does it mean to 'trust our gut'?
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.

9 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 7min
How do we heal our broken world?
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.

11 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 23min
How do we heal our broken world? (introduction)
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.

36 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 8min
Why are we more fixated on capturing life than living it?
Explore the cultural obsession with capturing life over truly living it. The hosts discuss how data fixation impacts education and social media, often distorting our real experiences. They delve into the pitfalls of institutional reporting and the 'cobra effect' of metrics. Worldviews shaped by neuroscience and philosophy highlight the imbalance in valuing data over human perception. With insights on vulnerability in social media and the need for embodied knowledge, they invite listeners to engage more deeply with life rather than just documenting it.

22 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 57min
How do we navigate cognitive dissonance in this crazy-beautiful world?
Explore the tension of living amidst global crises through the lens of cognitive dissonance. Hear a poignant poem that juxtaposes everyday tasks with monumental horrors. Discover the '15-Foot Revolution' and how small, mindful actions can create meaningful change. Delve into patterns of societal collapse and learn how to lead without a clear future. Engage in the inner work necessary for sustaining love for the world, even in challenging times. This discussion balances grief and hope, inviting listeners to find resilience together.

17 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 1h 4min
Do we really want to go back to work?
The discussion dives into the complex relationship between work and personal fulfillment. It explores the grim history of workhouses and critiques societal views on welfare. Themes of trust and flexibility in the workplace are highlighted, alongside the emotional journey of returning to work. The hosts reflect on success, advocating for a balance between personal happiness and societal expectations. They also examine the potential of universal basic income to enhance community well-being, emphasizing trust and human dignity in society.


