Cosmic Aikido

What if there were a single solution to the seemingly disparate crises we face today? Helena Norberg-Hodge, best-selling author, filmmaker, and pioneer of the new economy movement, offers a path forward that stems from a transformative experience that she had in Ladakh, a remote region on the Tibetan plateau. Ladakh had been completely sealed off to the outside world for centuries—resulting in the happiest and healthiest people that Helena had ever met. But as it opened up to the modern world, Ladakh's social and ecological wellbeing quickly unraveled. Helena’s decades of learnings shed light on what it would take to design ancient futures that reclaim the abundance and equality that our ancestors once enjoyed—what she calls the Economics of Happiness. 

Human activity does not have to be destructive. It can be a harmonizing source of health & renewal. Regenerative Development asks us to imagine cities, towns, and villages that possess greater natural beauty, ecological health, and productive capacity. To align our built environment and human systems with natural systems. In this episode, we speak with Pamela Mang and Joel Glanzberg, two of the founding members of Regenesis. Together we explore the inner and outer work of Regenerative Development — a radically different way to think and act with the potential to transform the way humans inhabit the Earth. 

Facilitation is the process of making something possible. And if you’ve ever led a meeting or organized a group to get something done… you’ve been a facilitator. When we are part of a well facilitated group experience, collaboration can feel so effortless and productive. Often there’s a sense of flow and dynamic energy. And you can more easily navigate conflict — when it inevitably arises. This episode continues our inquiry into group dynamics, exploring one of the most vital skills in the design toolkit for change. Originally from Indonesia , Mila Aliana has had quite a remarkable journey leading strategic change projects all over the world. For her, facilitation isn’t just a skill — but a way of being in the world. Together we explore the practice and presence required to facilitate real breakthroughs within groups.

A new collaborative design methodology is emerging. Prosocial can transform a collection of self-interested individuals into a harmonious and effective group. And it helps groups work with other groups, exponentially scaling positive change. This episode is a deep inquiry into the nuances of human behavior and cooperation. We’ll explore the foundational science and core design principles with the founder of Prosocial World, Dr. Paul Atkins. Our journey also takes us to Sierra Leone to speak with Hannah Bockarie and Beate Ebert about their experience with Prosocial during the Ebola outbreak of 2014.

In a world full of mass produced objects and experiences, designed for anyone and everyone, Abraham Burickson designs for someone. As co-founder of Odyssey Works, he has been experimenting with a highly bespoke form of design that breaks the mold. From performances made for an audience of one, to homes designed for who you want to become, Abe’s work is a vanishing point for empathetic experience design. 

A global network of people from all walks of life has somehow coalesced into a thriving online community — The Earth Regenerators. Their intention is to weave relationships that restore planetary health at scale. In part two of our series with Joe Brewer, we tell the story of this vibrant community and explore how to design truly regenerative human cultures.

Joe Brewer is a culture designer learning how to live regeneratively in the Andes mountains of Colombia. His project, Origen del Agua, aims to transform a community and a landscape — all to bring a river back to life. This living demonstration shows us a path to restore planetary health at scale. And is also giving birth to a design school for Earth regeneration. 

Deep in the jungles of Latin America, front-line wildlife conservation is often met with violent opposition from the extraction economy. Here, hundreds of thousands of parrots are illegally taken by poachers every year. LoraKim Joyner, a wildlife veterinarian, avian conservationist, and Unitarian Universalist minister stands in solidarity and resistance with the people. In a highly adaptive form of culture design, she combines science and spirituality to help marginalized communities—building their capacity to transform poachers into protectors.

How can we change anything about our world if we can’t even hold a conversation? In the midst of extreme polarization, the Evolve Experience takes on society’s toughest issues to stimulate conversations that bridge our collective divide. Combining theatre and dramatic storytelling with workshop-style audience engagement, Evolve increases our capacity to hold complex, nuanced viewpoints. This unique process helps participants navigate profound disagreements, transforming defensiveness into curiosity and compassion. In this conversation, we speak with the co-creator of Evolve and founder of The Red Door Project, Kevin Jones, and retired Deputy Chief of Police, Bob Day. Together, we explore how to overcome our natural resistance to change and reclaim our curiosity about others.

Every year, the city of Boston is transformed into an immersive playground. Illuminus is a contemporary arts festival featuring site-specific, installation and performance art. In this episode, we speak with Jeff Grantz, Founder and Executive Director for the festival. Our conversation runs the gamut—from curiosity to community, and ultimately what it takes to shape the cultural identity of a place. And through it, we realize that a nighttime arts festival isn’t just a party… it’s a catalyst for change on many levels.