Two Inconvenient Women

Ask any child their age and they'll happily tell you, but for adults it is a different story. In certain cultures, elders are a revered and respected part of the community, whilst in many others ageing has become something to fight against. Despite it being the most natural part of our evolution, growing older and being proud of our ageing has become something of a taboo - even something to be ashamed of. Some people also feel certain stigmas surrounding menopause, wrinkles and age - which contribute to a negative story surrounding growing old.In this week's podcast, we talk about the inconvenience of ageing, diving into what it means to be an 'elder', exploring our skewed relationship with menopause, with age and the ageing population, and how we can reclaim and celebrate the vitality and lifeforce within us which extends well beyond the physical body.In this episode, we reference the following:Born To Run - Christopher McDougall (book)Combining care homes and nurseries (article)Warning - Jenny Joseph (poem)Sam Crosby (speaker)The evolutionary reason for menopause - Dr Roy Casgranda (video) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The mention of the word spiritual tends to trigger emotional responses - for some it is welcome, for some fear or rejection, for some trepidation, for some dismissal. Seeing ourselves as connected to the web of life is natural and how we've evolved as humans, yet we are living in times of significant spiritual starvation. Whilst major religions, nature connection and other spiritual practices offer many people a deep sense of belonging in life, many folks are growing up without any spiritual connection to life, living without any sense of tethering to a story bigger than the human story, and perhaps feeling a deep sense of lostness as a result.In this week's podcast, we dive into a complex and wonderous conversation about the role of spiritual practice in our lives and cultural stories, exploring some of the blocks to spirituality as well as where we can begin to welcome simple, powerful ways to reconnect with the awe and wonder of lifeIn this conversation we refer to the following:Harry Potter and the Sacred Texts (Podcast series)The Medicine Wheel (Indigenous practice framework)Praying with Jane Eyre - Vanessa Zoltan (book)Taylor Swift and the Golden Rule - Sandy Glanfield (blog) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The word activism tends to bring up very specific connotations for people, yet has incredible depth, nuance and possibility – especially in our modern culture, where evermore people are recognising the need to speak up against some of the things we see happening around us. In this conversation we dive into the role of activism in our lives and work, and reflect on some of the different ways to be ‘energetically active’ to enable a healthier way of living together. We talk about the different forms of activism that we can engage in - from being a citizen, rebel, change-agent and reformer - to reflecting on the role of delicate activism and 'being the change' as powerful ways to transform our communities towards a healthier future.In this episode we reference the following:The Four Roles of Activism - Bill Moyer (website)Extinction Rebellion - global movement (website)The Overstory - Richard Powers (book)Silent Spring - Rachel Carson (book)Disruptive Protest Legislation - UK (website)Craftivist Collective - Sarah Corbett (website)Dancing Man on a hillside (video)Climate Criminals? Sophie Austen (short film)Perfect Arrangement - Topher Payne (play / website) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delve into the complexities of wellbeing as it becomes commodified in a productivity-driven world. The hosts advocate for a genuine human connection and systemic change in education to nurture mental health. They challenge the traditional measures of success by contrasting Bhutan's happiness index with GDP. Listeners are encouraged to embrace a slower, more mindful approach to life and reclaim personal wellbeing by setting healthy boundaries. The importance of clear communication and true kindness in fostering a culture of wellness is also emphasized.

What is the difference between nature contact and nature connection? What does it mean to have a relationship with nature? And why - for some - is the notion that 'we are nature' so difficult to welcome?In the second part of this exploration on the inconvenience of nature connection, we dive deep into the nuances between moments when we're 'using' nature for our own needs compared to when we're simply relating to the natural world. We share stories of our own humble encounters with the wilder world and think about ways in which we can elicit spaces of awe and wonder in our own lives and communities to welcome a more conscious, awe-some and active relationship with the nature within us as well as the nature all around us.In this episode we reference the following:The dictionary definition of 'nature' - We are Nature campaign (website)Ego to Eco (image)Cosmic Eye - (3 minute video)Gathering Moss - Robin Wall-Kimmerer (book)Falling in love with the world - Stephan Harding episode (podcast)Awe & Wonder - ThoughtBox (free curriculum)Lost in an iris (Rachel's photograph) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In many modern cultures, we find ourselves spending ever more time indoors, sitting down and separated from nature - both the nature within us and the nature all around us. At the same time, we're drawn to want to spend time outdoors and in natural environments, and we have a deep sense of ease when connected to nature. So why is it so hard?In this week's episode, we explore the inconvenience of nature connection in a modern world and the many ways that our ways of living keep us in separation - sometimes isolation - from the natural world. We explore the impact of a sedentary, indoor lifestyle on our physical, emotional and spiritual health; explore how connecting to nature is infinitely good for our holistic wellbeing - as well as supporting the health of the natural world in return - and reflect on the many different ways to welcome more nature connection into our lives and learning spaces. In this episode we reference the following:Time in Nature report - Eden Project (website)National Trust nature connection report (website)Green Social Prescribing - NHS (website)Harmony - HRH Prince of Wales (Book)The Harmony Project (website & learning resources)Soil & Public Health - Soils Association (website)Guide to forest bathing - Forestry England (website) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's one thing to be brazenly hypocritical but it's another thing entirely when you're having to unwillingly be a hypocrite. And yet so often in our current context we find ourselves faced with impossible choices that mean we have to take actions that completely misalign with our positive intentions. Why? Because our cultural stories as they stand limit so many of the choices we make whilst life is never that simple, it is full of nuance.This week we explore the inconvenience of hypocrisy in a modern world and the deeply uncomfortable - sometimes existential - crises that can be faced when having to act in ways which are at odds with our values. We dive into the complexity of being an activist and working to change systems whilst also having to live within them as they stand; the importance of awareness and compassion and the myriad ways we can keep shifting, pivoting and transforming our lives to move towards healthier, more easeful ways of living together. In this episode we reference the following:Force of Nature - Confessions of a Climate Activist - Clover Hogan (podcast)The Hypocrite (film)Transforming Leadership Course (online course) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the fascinating world of systems thinking with a humorous twist! Explore how interconnectedness shapes our education, workplace well-being, and even community theater. Discover the power of playful engagement in understanding systems through interactive activities. Challenge conventional ideas of success and economic growth, introducing 'donut economics' for a balanced approach. Lastly, rethink the purpose of education to foster engaged, relational individuals in society. It’s a profound take on how we all fit into the vast web of life!

In the second of this 'triplet' of podcasts, Holly and Rachel are this week talking about the inconvenience of empathy.Empathy is a muscle, something that we can strengthen the more we practice. Yet the spaces and places where empathy is developed, practised and actively encouraged in our dominant societies are dwindling, whilst at the same time it is a skill being championed as foundational for our changing world.From the very get-go at ThoughtBox, we've had empathy as one of the three pillars of our work to encourage a deeply felt experience of the world (Thinking, Feeling, Connecting) by feeling with others, feeling with the wider world, and feeling deeply within ourselves. All of our programmes to support the practice, and yet this is another skill that is subtly being removed from our education systems, whilst our dominant media and globalised culture is actively encouraging it out of us.This week we discuss questions such as: ‘What is the difference between empathy, sympathy and compassion? Where and how can we practise empathy? 'Do we all practise empathy in the same way? How can we be empathic with some of the people currently 'leading' our world?'In this episode we reference the following:Brené Brown on Empathy (RSA animation)Empathy as a core skill (article)Empathy Studios (website /organisation)The Future of Jobs Report (World Economic Forum)The Heart of Trauma - Bonnie Badenoch (Book)Wild Goose Coaching (organisation)The Guesthouse - Rumi (poem)Diary of a teacher: Week 49 Entropy and Empathy - Melody Bird (blog)Plus we reference research from some of the recent leading reports into a future-fit education:Future of Education (UNESCO)Times Education Commission (UK)Human Flourishing Report (PISA)Rebooting Education Report 2023 (UK)The Future of Education & Skills (OEDC)School Report – Pearson (UK) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Two Inconvenient Women, Holly and Rachel talk about the inconvenience of critical thinking – for many reasons, one being its growing absence in our schools, despite the fact that leading reports into future-fit education all concur that it is a foundational skill needed for our changing world.From the very get-go at ThoughtBox, we've had critical thinking as one of the three pillars of our work (Thinking, Feeling, Connecting) and designed all of our programmes to support the practice. One of the very first ThoughtBox slogans was 'Learning how (not what) to think'. Our very name as an organisation is a subtle invitation to be thinking 'outside of the box'. And yet it this is a skill that is both subtly and blatantly being removed from our education systems, whilst our dominant globalised culture is actively encouraging it out of us.This week we discuss questions such as ‘What does it mean to think critically? Why is stepping back to ask deeper, more challenging questions becoming a lost art? What is being lost when we lose our ability to think outside of the box?’In this episode we reference the following:UK Government's AI Plan - Guardian (news article)1984 - George Orwell (novel)Online safety bill report - BBC (news article)The Divided Brain - Ian McGilchrist (TED video)Transforming Leadership course (online training)Plus we reference research from some of the recent leading reports into a future-fit education:Future of Education (UNESCO)Times Education Commission (UK)Human Flourishing Report (PISA)Rebooting Education Report 2023 (UK)The Future of Education & Skills (OEDC)School Report – Pearson (UK) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.