Accidental Gods

Della Duncan, a renegade economist and co-host of the Upstream Podcast, joins Nathalie Nahai, author and tech ethics speaker, for a heartfelt winter solstice gathering with Manda Scott. They reflect on a tumultuous year, celebrate Della's news, and discuss the importance of community amidst chaos. Topics include ethical AI implications, anti-capitalism strategies, and the need for emotional balance through mindfulness. They also emphasize nurturing future generations and the vital role of service in creating positive change.

Dive into a world of literary exploration with captivating non-fiction that spotlights Indigenous perspectives and societal resilience. Discover tales of collapse and nature connection that provoke deep reflection. Journey through fantasy realms, embracing character development and themes of emotional intelligence. Moreover, engage with films and podcasts that inspire ecological action and regeneration, compelling listeners to rethink their narratives and embrace hope for a sustainable future. Perfect for cozy winter contemplation!

Nick Weir, co-founder of the Open Food Network UK, advocates for a food revolution rooted in community and sustainability. He discusses the urgency of reforming broken food systems amidst ecological and social crises. Weir highlights the power of local food production and collective action, especially during challenges like the pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and people-centered governance, tackling issues of corporate competition and global accountability. Lastly, he inspires listeners to harness anger towards constructive community engagement.

Dan McTiernan, a Certified Transpersonal Psychology Coach and co-founder of Earthbound, shares powerful insights on personal transformation and ecological connection. He discusses overcoming burnout and grounding techniques essential for well-being. McTiernan emphasizes prioritizing joy over societal obligations and highlights the significance of self-acceptance and inner trust. He explores how embracing pleasure and fostering community can catalyze meaningful change in a divided world, urging listeners to embody their roles as change-makers for a healthier future.

Rupert Read, a professor and co-founder of the Climate Majority Project, joins educator Morgan Phillips, known for her work with Global Action Plan, to discuss their newly launched book, "Transformative Adaptation." They dive into the urgent need for systemic change post-COP29, emphasizing innovative climate adaptation strategies. The duo contrasts superficial methods with sustainable practices that foster community resilience. Additionally, they advocate for educational reforms that promote collaboration and connectivity in tackling climate challenges.

Andrea Hiott, a philosopher and founder of Making Ways, dives deep into navigating our rapidly changing world. She discusses the tension between the old norms and the need for systemic change in the wake of political upheaval. With insights on the influence of language and diverse perspectives, Hiott emphasizes moving beyond binary thinking. They also explore TikTok's impact on communication, the ethics of monetization in digital spaces, and how storytelling can spark personal and communal transformation, urging a compassionate approach to our intertwined futures.

This week, Dr. John Izzo, a bestselling author and thought leader on social responsibility, shares his insights on how the over-50 crowd can respond to current societal challenges. He emphasizes the significance of elders in fostering meaningful change and exploring their roles as guardians of wisdom. Dr. Izzo also addresses the power dynamics of elderhood versus modern expectations and urges intergenerational dialogue to build a better future. Through personal reflections, he encourages listeners to cultivate resilience and hope during difficult times.

It occurs to me that we are now at an inflection point in the WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrial, Rich and - notionally - Democratic) culture that has been so successful in destroying the ecosphere. A significant number of us now see what has been obvious to a minority for some time: that the system is not broken - it is doing what it was always designed to do: which is to maintain power in the hands of a few white men. What we know now, is that the system is not fit for purpose - IF that purpose is the survival of complex life on this planet, if it is the flourishing of the human and More-than-Human worlds in an indivisible web of life. We need a new system - and this realisation has landed not with the people who solve their problems with violent insurrection (see Jan 6th 2021) but with people whose primary driving aim is to find ways to connect and consiliate, to create coherence with compassion, to find courage and confidence and creative curiosity. And so this is our goal now - there is no point waiting for the side we favour to win in a broken system.   - We need a whole new system predicated on new and better values.   - We need to find our connectedness.  - At a bone-deep level, in the core of our tissues and the vast expanses of our individual and collective awareness, we need to remember our place in the Web of Life and work only from this.  - We need to start building something entirely different that does not rely on the structures of the broken system, even as it crumbles (or is dismantled) around us. This is our challenge.  Facing it will require everything we've got, but the old system is a self-terminating algorithm and we can all see the route to chaos and extinction now. If we're going to pull through and find that flourishing world we can bequeath with pride to future generations, nothing else matters now. Nothing. Find what's yours to do and do with all your heart.  Build imaginal islands with friends, colleagues and co-evolutionaries of the human and More than Human world.  Build narratives based on the heart-focused values that are our birth-right.Above all else, do whatever you can to connect to the More than Human world  - to the Web of Life  in all its awe-inspiring wonder, its majesty and beauty  - and ask 'What do you want of me?'  Listen to the answer, however it comes.And then do it.

If you're over 40, the world you grew up believing in no longer exists.  The younger generation approaches the polycrisis with open eyes, striving to find and nurture resilience, to listen to the whispers of synchronicity and let it lead them - and us - to a world that works for all life. Today, we're talking to Elliot Riley. Elliot is an educator, permaculture designer and practitioner working to bring wellbeing, reforestation and perennial food production into schools. Elliot graduated during the pandemic. When he left school, he was planning to join the paratroops, but after what he describes as a 'Thunderbolt moment', he shifted tack and, despite not having the grades, was able to get a place to study history at the New College of Humanities.  One pandemic and a degree later, he realised that mainstream education struggles to equip us for the challenges of a changing world. After two years upstream, studying Trauma-Informed Education and permaculture in the Dominican Republic, Elliot returned to his hometown, where he now works at The Saint Leonard’s Academy, leading a wellbeing programme called Future Growth, which supports students whilst transforming the community’s waste into a regenerative food forest. Through an initiative called OFFSET, Elliot’s working to spread the mission further.Elliot's Patreon Page for OFFSET https://www.patreon.com/offsetfoodforests/about/Elliot's instagram account for OFFSET food forest: https://www.instagram.com/offset_food_forests/The One World Orchestra's first single https://open.spotify.com/album/62UZvSNV1gtBXdqLQLdfrw?si=WIdwzar_RvivoA-P3dBiAThe Human Hive https://www.thehumanhive.org/our-storyVaughan Wilkins and links to his PhD thesis on the Zoochosis of humanity https://www.vaughanwilkins.com/thesis  Accidental Gods Membership https://accidentalgods.life/enrol/

Andrew Hale, a certified animal behaviorist specializing in dog-centered care, discusses how understanding dogs can help us comprehend our own emotional needs. He delves into the parallels between trauma in humans and animals, emphasizing empathy and secure attachments as vital for emotional safety. The conversation highlights the importance of compassionate approaches to behavioral issues and critiques modern norms that overlook emotional well-being. Hale advocates for nurturing genuine connections, ultimately revealing how our interactions with pets can transform our relationships with ourselves.