THE SPACESHIP EARTH PODCAST

How can we learn to dance with complexity, contradiction, grief, beauty, uncertainty, horror and surprise without abandoning the dance-floor ?Dancing feels like an interesting invitational metaphor to me for these timesIt invites us into the body and out of our stuck heads.It invites us into presence and relationship with life in the moment,To be present with our bodies, with each other, with other life formsIt’s movement, spontaneity, flow, expression, vibe, response,Response-ability.Dancing is aliveness.And we need alive-ness.To break the numbness.So on that, I offer a new Earth Sessions mix: AutumnismFor this season of letting go.An hour of tunes, that have been moving me of late and that capture for me the feels of this season - the endings, the abundance, the darkness, the joy, the mystery.I hope they move you in some way.Tracklisting hereAnd if you struggle with dancing, it could well be our deep patriarchal programming - you know the voice - ‘I can’t dance’I offer some words I heard a wise man once say about letting yourself go on the dancefloor…‘No one’s looking at you and no one gives a f**k’So stay awake to what is happening, what is ending, what needs to end and tend to what needs to begin.Look around you, find the thing that speaks to you, find the others and get stuck in.Love and care at the centre.And try to stay curious with the trouble, the discomfort.Do not abandon the dance-floorREPEAT: Do not leave the dance-floor of life.As Nena and WestBam said…‘We are the future, that’s the pastWe are the moment built to lastWe are the up, that’s the downWe wear the newschool engine crown’ Get full access to Becoming Crew at becomingcrew.substack.com/subscribe

🎧 Listening InvitationWhat does it mean to practice democracy not just with people, but with rivers, forests, mountains, and the more-than-human world?In this episode, I’m in conversation with Shrishtee Bajpai—researcher, activist, and writer working on earthy governance, interspecies justice, and radical alternatives to dominant systems.Shrishtee’s work emerges from her deep relationship with the river she grew up alongside in North India—one of the most polluted rivers in the world. That grief and love have shaped her life’s path: exploring how communities can co-create governance with rivers, mountains, and forests, and what it means to truly listen to the more-than-human world.We speak about:* 🌊 Collapse and continuity: why collapse is not just arriving but has long been lived in the Global South.* 🐝 Earthy governance: how communities take decisions in dialogue with forests, deities, bees, and rivers.* 🌳 Radical democracy: power rooted in place, not just parliaments.* 💔 Absurdities of modernity: the schizophrenia of cultures that worship rivers as goddesses while polluting them.* 👂 The invitation: how we might awaken our collective capacity to listen to the more-than-human world.Shrishtee reminds us: democracy is not only about human voices—it’s about rivers, mountains, winds, and creatures who have always spoken, if only we slow down to hear. Get full access to Becoming Crew at becomingcrew.substack.com/subscribe

What does it mean to live—and act—when the dominant stories of our time are collapsing?This conversation with Jon Alexander was recorded in July on the land at Ghostwood Down, just before he set out on an overnight solo.It is raw, intimate, unplanned—full of the wild energy of two men wrestling with collapse and possibility in equal measure.Jon, author of Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything Is All of Us, co-founder of the New Citizenship Project, and long-time mischief-maker of beautiful change, has spent years helping communities and movements remember that all of us are smarter than any of us. But in this fire-side exchange, the themes stretch beyond politics or strategy.We talk of:🌑 The collapse of the “consumer story” and the dangerous rise of authoritarian certainty🌱 The emergent “citizen story” rooted in participation, connection, and response-ability⚡ Dancing with panic, grief, and rage without leaving the dance floor🌳 Ceremony, community, and even oaks as companions in uncertain times🔥 How to become fully available—to the work, to the world, to each otherIt’s an honest, vulnerable exploration of how to stay human, relational, and creative amid breakdown. And it feels even more urgent now, as violence, oppression and absurdity intensify around us.LinksJon AlexanderOvernight Community Solo Autumn Equinox Weekend Get full access to Becoming Crew at becomingcrew.substack.com/subscribe

Betsy Perluss, an esteemed elder and wilderness guide, shares her wisdom on reconnecting with nature and ourselves. She discusses the transformative power of solo time on the land and deep listening in circles. Betsy explores the significance of dreams and the mystery of life, emphasizing practices that cultivate presence and connection. With years of experience, she highlights the importance of nurturing relationships with the Earth, offering insights on personal growth and emotional resilience through nature-centered reflections.

In this enlightening conversation, Matt Smith, co-founder and CEO of Hometree charity, shares his journey as a surfer turned land-restorer. He discusses the vital connection between communities and nature, the challenge of encouraging farmers to embrace tree planting, and the emotional struggles between economic incentives and ecological health. Matt also emphasizes the cultural aspects of regeneration and the role of storytellers in reconnecting people with the land, exploring how love can drive reforestation efforts amidst modern challenges.

What if our maps of the world are outdated? This thought-provoking journey dives into the deep issues of modernity, from the violence of capitalism to ocean destruction. It challenges listeners to rethink their role in the face of global crises while advocating for a shift towards interconnectedness and love. With rich metaphors of composting grief and embracing complexity, it highlights the importance of empathy, community, and a personal call to action. The conversation is raw, unfiltered, and alive with the pulse of possibility.

Gavin Fernie-Jones, co-founder of the Re-Action Collective, dives into how grief and a deep connection to nature sparked his journey towards collective action. He discusses the emotional weight of climate change on beloved mountain landscapes and the shift from consumerism to community-driven solutions in the outdoor industry. Gavin’s initiative focuses on repair and repurposing outdoor gear while fostering resilience through artistic collaborations. This poignant conversation emphasizes how personal loss can catalyze meaningful change and reminds us to feel the land and our shared responsibilities.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice as the sun reaches its peak power! Reflect on the generosity of sunlight and its life-nurturing essence. Enjoy the warmth and abundance around you—flowers are blooming, and gardens are thriving. Discover how the changing seasons remind us of our connection to the earth and the importance of re-membering our roots. Dive into a curated Earth Sessions mix that honors the longest days of the year, blending classic tunes with fresh sounds. Embrace new beginnings and the hope that summer brings!

Join Hamish Evans, a regenerative farmer and activist, Meg Avon, a passionate poet dedicated to the River Avon, and Charlotte Sawyer, director of the documentary 'Rave on for the Avon'. They dive into the We Are Avon project, highlighting the urgent need for community-driven action against climate change and pollution. The discussion spans personal journeys along the Avon, the power of poetry in fostering connection, and the significance of viewing rivers as kin. It's all about grassroots activism and reconnecting humanity with nature!

In this engaging discussion, Dougald Hine, co-founder of The Dark Mountain Project and author of "At Work in the Ruins," dives deep into the necessity of embracing endings to inspire new beginnings. He shares insights on fostering community resilience amid contemporary crises and highlights the value of wisdom over cleverness. Dougald also reflects on navigating uncertainty in a chaotic world and emphasizes the importance of cultivating connections with nature and one another to build a regenerating future.