The Tension of Emergence: Thriving in a world that remakes, not breaks Breaking the Trance of Pragmatism with Bayo Akomolafe
How do we respond to harm and injustice without reinforcing the very systems we want to tear down? What if our most pragmatic responses—fixing, solving, demanding—are part of a trance that keeps us under the thumb of power?
In this episode, Jennifer speaks with philosopher, writer, and teacher Bayo Akomolafe, whose work invites a sideways glance at activism, politics, and the idea that we can simply repair the world if we try hard enough.
Together, they explore:
- How activism can sometimes reinforce the “myth of repair” and the logic of pragmatic solutions
- Why saying “no” is not always refusal, and how resistance can still participate in the systems it opposes
- Bayo’s concept of parapolitics—an ethically experimental space beyond conventional political choreography
- Fugitivity as a form of transformation rather than escape
- How the “obvious” response to crisis can hide deeper entanglements and possibilities
- The seasonal tension between saving and savoring, urgency and presence.
Come listen as Jennifer and Bayo explore what it might mean to break the trance of pragmatism—and discover new possibilities for aliveness, creativity, and ethical response in uncertain times.
Links & resources—
- Learn more about Bayo Akomolafe and his work
- Pre-order or explore Bayo’s new book: Selah: A Bayo Akomolafe Reader
- Get Jennifer’s Substack Newsletter
- Follow Jennifer on Instagram or LinkedIn
- Listen for the bonus micro-episode following this conversation for a short integration practice.
Gratitude for this show’s theme song Inside the House, composed by the talented Yukon musician, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Jordy Walker. Artwork by the imaginative writer, filmmaker and artist Jon Marro.