Light the Campfire

What happens when we start unjudging each other? Would you borrow a human “book” (yes, a human book) to challenge your own biases, one conversation at a time? In this episode, we celebrate 25 years of the Human Library with the visionary behind the organization: a pioneer in social change and award-winning activist, Ronni Abergel. We unpack why learning how to understand each other, sit in discomfort, and develop empathy for others (and ourselves!) is not only to critical for peace on a collective level, but also for our own individual happiness. Ronni’s work is radical. And so needed in our world that is so polarized.

How does our ability to communicate affect the quality of our connections and our experience of life? We explore Nonviolent Communication (NVC) with certified NVC trainer Kathleen De Laet, beyond NVC as the toolbox that many may already be familiar with, to ask how language can be used to support a reverence for life.This is for anyone who sometimes gets angry or feels sad, disconnected or frustrated (i.e. all humans!). We learn how to recognize and communicate our feelings and needs, to listen, and make requests to others or ourselves in a way that fosters connection and understanding rather than its opposite.

Katrine Bregengaard, a philosopher, human rights activist, and founder of Radical Mindfulness Copenhagen, delves into the authentic practice of meditation. She questions the commercialization of mindfulness and advocates for a more community-focused approach. The discussion highlights the importance of reconnecting with our bodies and maintaining awareness in the face of systemic issues. Katrine encourages using meditation as a tool for social change, emphasizing compassion and collective service over individual gain.

Are we experiencing a crisis of intimacy in an age of hyperconnection? In this episode, hosts Lise Pretorius and Hedda Rehnberg sit down with intimacy and mens work coach Mikaal Bates, to explore what intimacy truly asks of us. From the effects of apps and our focus on independence, to the bravery required to know ourselves, we question how genuine connection survives in a world of endless choice and digital touchpoints - and how to reclaim it.

As our adoption of AI expands, is our collective imagination contracting? In this episode, we're joined by tech expert and political economist Märtha Rehnberg to explore the intuition needed to navigate a high-tech future. Can we stay expansive in a world that wants to optimize us into patterns? Let’s stretch beyond the algorithm.