Our Ancient Futures
Helena Norberg-Hodge 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 this paradise opened up to the modern world, its social and ecological well-being quickly unraveled. How might we design ancient futures that reclaim the abundance and equality that our ancestors once enjoyed—what Helena calls the Economics of Happiness.
Cosmic Aikido
Regenesis seeks to design a built environment and human systems to harmonize with natural systems. Their approach to development proves that human activity does not have to be destructive — it can be a source of health & renewal. We speak with Pamela Mang and Joel Glanzberg, two of the founding members and principals of Regenesis. Together we explore the mindset and methods of regenerative development — a radically different way to think and act that has the potential to transform the way humans inhabit the Earth.
I You We Us Them
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. Originally from the Philippines, 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.
Groups of Groups
A new design methodology is emerging that can transform a collection of self-interested individuals into a harmonious and effective group. And it shows how these groups can work with other groups to create scaling fractals of positive change. This episode is a deep inquiry into collaboration and cooperation with the Prosocial method. 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.
A Vanishing Point
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.
Find the Others
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.
Regenerate, Renew, Rewild.
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.
Poacher or Protector?
Deep in the jungles of Latin America, front-line wildlife conservation is often met with violent opposition from the extraction economy. In a highly adaptive form of culture design, LoraKim Joyner combines science and spirituality to transform marginalized communities—building their capacity to transform poachers into protectors.
Through the Red Door
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 storytelling with audience participation, Evolve overcomes our natural resistance to change — transforming defensiveness into curiosity and compassion.
Illuminate Us
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.
Guerilla Frequencies
Annie Mitchell creates beautiful, site-specific land sculptures that combine light and sound with the natural environment. Her work is sometimes described as sound therapy, often resulting in meditative or even trance-like states.
The Power of Being There
VR producer Barry Pousman takes us from a Syrian refugee camp to the Gaza Strip, revealing techniques and strategies for creating immersive media that matters.
The Wilderness Inside
Over the last ten years, Shelli has hiked 26,000 miles—roughly one full trip around the Earth. Her extended time in the backcountry has given her a rare perspective on design.
Design for Change
What this podcast is all about, and most importantly, why we're doing it. We reflect a bit on the first three episodes, compare notes on why we felt compelled to take this on, and discuss our future aspirations for the project.
Search the episode archive: