Leading from Being

Send a textWayfinding once meant discovering one's path through never-before-encountered territory, step by experiential step — the opposite of its modern meaning, which is following signs through spaces already fully mapped. This inversion becomes the episode's animating question: what have we lost when we stopped reading the intelligence of living territories and started looking for the right playbook?The conversation moves through Wade Davis's writings on dead reckoning, the Polynesian navigators who learned the speech of the Pacific through wave color and wind, and Andean farmers who read astronomical conjunction to time their planting. These examples ground a larger exploration of wayfinding as dialogue — the same capacity applies to how a new CEO might listen to the living speech of an organization rather than adjusting its rule book. The episode concludes with both hosts reflecting on what it means to find our way rather than the way: an orientation toward living in connection.Todd's Potentialities essay "At the Threshold" extends this into the territory of risk, tracing two forgotten etymologies — the reef navigators had to track and the gift of providence that comes through genuine exchange — and finding in the figure of Hermes a guide who moves with uncertainty rather than eliminating it. For leaders caught between recklessness and paralysis, this episode offers a more fundamental shift: restoring connection with the territory itself brings us all toward home.

Wildlife ecologist Simon Mustoe, founder of Wildlife in the Balance, challenges conventional conservation narratives, suggesting that 50% of wildlife may be recovering. He explains how animals build ecosystems through movement and cultural knowledge, introducing the 'air gap' concept. Simon advocates for community-led conservation that embraces human instinct and humility, revealing the power of collective ecological intelligence. He highlights the importance of reconnecting with nature to foster awe, empowering us as participants rather than controllers in ecosystem stewardship.

Explore the fascinating origins of the term 'landscape,' revealing its deep connection to both land and sea. The dialogue dives into internal landscapes of the heart and how they shape our relationships. Critiques of Western disconnection from nature highlight the impact on our inner and outer worlds. Stories of healing on Michigan's post-extraction lands illustrate nature's restorative power. Discover how shifting awareness outward can deepen connections, leading to a richer sense of belonging across landscapes.

Dive into the transformative concept of sourcing from who you're becoming rather than your past. Explore how a holistic view of relationships reveals challenges as opportunities. Discover the differences between mentoring and management, emphasizing personal growth and collaborative learning. Learn about the power of unconditional acceptance in connections through the 'Munai' principle. Embrace awareness and presence to navigate the complexities of human dynamics, unlocking real engagement and understanding in a conscious universe.

Hosts dive into how a dualistic worldview can hinder our sense of belonging. They challenge the notion that belonging is about fitting into groups, suggesting instead that it's recognizing our connection to the universe. The conversation shifts to indigenous cultural wisdom, emphasizing deep connections to nature and the importance of stepping away from ego. They explore the value of embracing uncertainty and winding paths in life, promoting personal growth and authentic expression. This engaging discussion highlights the beauty of interconnectedness and the courage needed to live fully.

Marti and Todd dive into the limitations of the traditional problem-solution mindset, using forest management as a cautionary tale of unintended consequences. They encourage a shift towards viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than mere problems. The hosts explore the importance of collective awareness and multiple perspectives, drawing from Indigenous wisdom. They advocate for an abundance mindset that fosters creativity and innovation, emphasizing true leadership rooted in self-awareness and a sense of belonging.

Send a textIn the final episode of their climate consciousness series, Marti and Todd welcome Liz Carlisle, associate professor at UC Santa Barbara and author of "Healing Grounds: Climate Justice and the Deep Roots of Regenerative Farming." They explore the essential relationship between human consciousness and agriculture through the lens of indigenous wisdom and regenerative farming practices. Carlisle shares insights learned from women farmers and indigenous leaders about the importance of putting "roots in the ground all year round" - both literally in farming practices and metaphorically in how we approach our relationship with the land. The conversation delves into how regenerative agriculture isn't just about carbon sequestration, but about healing our relationship with the earth and each other through practices that give back to the land rather than simply taking from it. The hosts and guest discuss the potential for regional food systems to scale out (rather than up) regenerative practices, and how everyone - even those not directly involved in farming - can participate in healing our relationship with the planet. The episode concludes with the new "Potentialities" segment, replacing the previous "Conscious Rant," where Todd shares observations from a regenerating forest in Costa Rica as a metaphor for how consciousness in leadership can create conditions for sustainable transformation. 

Send a text In the third episode in their series on climate consciousness, Marti and Todd are joined by Felipe Benitez, the founder of Corazón Latino. They dive into a discussion on approaches to leadership and addressing climate change through a lens of love, compassion, and engaging diverse communities. Benitez emphasizes the importance of reconnecting people, especially communities of color, with Nature in joyful and experiential ways, rather than relying on top-down messaging or policy changes alone. He shares insights on effectively inviting people into Nature, tapping into shared human experiences, and catalyzing collective action through a focus on hope and positive engagement. The three of them discuss the power of individual consciousness, the need to move beyond polarization, and the opportunity to create a more hopeful future by highlighting our interconnectedness with the natural world. 

Send a textIn continuing the series on climate consciousness, Marti and Todd welcome guest Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, an Icelandic author, filmmaker and sustainability leader. Hrund discusses the Icelandic concept of "InnSæi" which means intuition or "inner sea." She describes how InnSæi represents seeing within oneself, understanding one's place in the world, and navigating life with an inner compass.The conversation explores how modern life has disconnected people from their InnSæi and the natural world. However, by cultivating presence, imagination, and awe, we can shift our center of gravity back within. This helps us make better decisions, empathize, tap into creativity, and care for the planet. The conversation stresses the importance of understanding the complexity and interconnectedness of life. We must move from separation to participation, respecting planetary boundaries. Our consciousness and actions impact the world.

Send a textMarti and Todd welcome citizen scientists Hilde Fålun Strøm and Sunniva Sorby for this inaugural episode on climate consciousness. They discuss their eyewitness experiences with climate change in the Arctic over 19 months living in a small cabin, as well as their work educating others. Key points include the disproportionate impact occurring in polar regions, the importance of individual action, and the need for people worldwide to reconnect with Nature.Despite having no modern amenities in Svalbard , Hilde and Sunniva engaged people globally and inspired action. They continue to share the challenges climate change poses for humanity and biodiversity worldwide, emphasizing our interconnectedness. They share of how the isolation of their experience actually better connected them to themselves, each other, and the natural world. Their story underscores how belonging to the Earth and her cycles teaches us about belonging to Life itself.