THE SPACESHIP EARTH PODCAST

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.

Introducing the Annual 2024 - and the official Episode 100 of the Spaceship Earth Podcast.A reflection of the year gone by with a nod to what it might be showing us about the future that is unfolding.A curation of the highlights of 2024 on the podcast, it features clips, reflections, insights and learnings from many of the episodes.It’s not exhaustive, not every guest is featured but I’ve included clips that felt to me to be fertile, wise and vital insights for these times we are travelling in.The Annual features dialogue and clips from:Dan Burgess, David Wendl-Berry, Natasha Lythgoe, Immy Kaur, Bayo Akomolafe, Vanessa Andreotti, Azul Carolina Duque, Dr Rosalind Watts, Dr Stephan Harding, Lily Cole, Adah Parris, Jasmine Qureshi, Hamish Evans, Alnoor Ladha, Lynn Murphy, Sam Lee, Clare Farrell, Paul Powlesland, Dr Wallace J Nichols & Buckminster Fuller ;-)If you’ve never jumped in this could be the one to check out.So if you are a regular listener I hope this captures some of the highlights for you and you might appreciate the reflections and insights we share.If you are new to the podcast I hope this gives you a flavour of what we’re doing here and inspires you to dig into these conversations and episodes more deeply and jump into the becoming crew communityWe’ve put a lot of time into creating this episode, I recommend putting the headphones on or turning up the speakers.It's a sonic adventure.WE have curated these through the following themes which were alive in 2024 and we are carrying into the podcast and the becoming crew offerings for the journey ahead:1. The importance and possibilities of non-ordinary experiences through nature based rites of passage and rituals2. Decolonising and growing post-capitalist realities3. Practice-driven change for ways through the divisiveness and violence of these times4. Honouring death, grief and composting our s**t as vital regenerative practices5. Shifting our relationality, seeing the natural world from transactional to sacred6. Imagining and Re-membering alternative futures7. The Future is Local - we can network for the rest8. Centering the young/Intergenerational by Design9. Now is the Time for CrewsFinally we'd love to hear your thoughts to help us shape the next year of the Spaceship Earth Podcast.We want to keep crafting the offering to stay useful and relevant in these challenging and emerging times.Your feedback helps us to understand where folks are at with the podcast in its current form.It will take about 10 mins of your time and we'd be so grateful for your feedback.LINKSOur listener Survey - We’d so value your inputs in helping us shape the next chapter for the PodcastInto the Dark - Our Winter Community Adventure - Join us Get full access to Becoming Crew at becomingcrew.substack.com/subscribe

Two winter offerings for you.Two invitations to step into the dark.I am not ready to get back to it - whatever it is.But just beginning to find some slowness and stillness in my body.After crawling through the portal of the Winter Solstice and into the festiveness of things.The last two days actually feel like winter here.The ground is frozen.The stars shine extraordinary at night.I can feel a gentle connection in my body with the land around me.A slow synching.I’m just starting to feel an interest in reflecting on what was and what might be.The year gone by and the one beginning.Just a stirring of curiosity.Over the last few years I’ve given up setting new year intentions and goals and in and out lists for the start of January.It just doesn’t feel true to me.I’m suspicious of the rush to get going.It smells colonial.I am always still full.Of the year that has beenAll the contradictions, confusion, joy, grief and possibility,They’re still thereQuieter and calmer but not yet examinedAnd given perspective.And so needing to create spaceFor reflecting and composting.What threads to trust, follow and hang onto this year?What to let go of ?Preparing the ground for new emergings.And that can’t happen fast.With integrityIt needs time.As winter does.I struggle with goals in the dark.And this is dark time.So I have two winter offerings for you.Two invitations to step into the darkThe first is this new Earth Sessions mix:Into the Dark - a deep, slow, wintery, sonic meander, through ambient electronic melancholy into deep house.Sounds and tracks that I’m finding connection and curiosity with in these darker, colder times of breakdown, reflection, exploration and dreaming towards the lightTracklist on websiteIf you walk with it, run with it, sit with it, drive with it, cook with it.Dance with it.I hope you enjoy itThe second offering is an invitation to join our next practice community learning adventure which begins 23rd JanuaryInto the Dark( notice the theme)This is the third year we’re hosting this journey and it really is a magical adventure.Personally this has now become the only way to prepare the ground and surface my intentions for the year ahead.Info and registerWherever you are I hope you find some peace in these darker times Get full access to Becoming Crew at becomingcrew.substack.com/subscribe