Who Cares Wins with Lily Cole

Season 3 of Who Cares Wins offers a triptych of episodes that all explore how our inner landscapes shape our outer landscapes. For this third episode, Lily spoke with Merlin Sheldrake about how the leading edge of science asks us to shake up our perspectives on reality and our place and possibilities within it. They also discuss different species' perspectives, more-than-human rights, cooperation, entanglement, and just how mysterious our cosmos still is.Merlin Sheldrake is a biologist, writer, and speaker with a background in plant sciences, microbiology, ecology, and the history and philosophy of science. He received a Ph.D. in tropical ecology from Cambridge University for his work on underground fungal networks in tropical forests in Panama. His book, Entangled Life, is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, won the Royal Society Book Prize and the Wainwright Prize. Merlin’s research ranges from fungal biology, to the history of Amazonian ethnobotany, to the relationship between sound and form in resonant systems. A keen brewer and fermenter, he is fascinated by the relationships that arise between humans and more-than-human organisms. He is a musician and performs on the piano and accordion. CreditsAudio Editor & Designer: James PowellArtwork : Bethan SherwoodMusic : Cosmo SheldrakeSponsor : Impossible Links:The MOTH Rights project (More Than Human Rights): https://mothrights.org/Merlin Sheldrake in conversation with David Abram - "Honoring the Wild Proliferation of Earthly Perspectives" : https://emergencemagazine.org/interview/honoring-the-wild-proliferation-of-earthly-perspectives/

Following on from our conversation and meditations from Plum Village, we now share a meditation led by Thich Nhat Hanh.Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, poet and teacher, who founded Plum Village, and is often known as the "father of mindfulness."More free meditations like this one can be found via the Plum Village app.Link:https://plumvillage.app/ 

Dr. Gabor Maté, a Canadian physician and best-selling author, explores the intricacies of authenticity and its impact on individual well-being. He discusses how societal norms often hinder true self-expression, leading to emotional suppression. The conversation delves into the disconnect between awareness of climate change and action, urging a genuine embrace of personal values. Maté also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging trauma and the unconscious, illustrating how self-acceptance can foster meaningful societal contributions.

Following on from the conversation between Sister True Dedication and Kate Raworth, here is a short meditation from Sister True D. More free meditations like this one can be found via the Plum Village app.Sister True D is a Zen Buddhist nun ordained by Vietnamese peace activist and monastic Thich Nhat Hanh (known affectionately by students as 'Thay'). Sister True D is a former journalist, Cambridge graduate and edited several of Thich Nhat Hanh's books including 'Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet.' Link:https://plumvillage.app/ 

Kate Raworth, author of Doughnut Economics, and Sister True D, a Zen Buddhist nun and peace activist, explore the vital intersections of economics and spirituality. They illuminate how mindful practices can reshape our understanding of growth and fulfillment. The duo critiques traditional economic models, advocating for a compassionate approach that values interconnectedness. They also discuss the concept of 'interbeing,' emphasizing our relationship with each other and the planet, and the need for a gift economy to foster genuine community and fulfillment.

This week we are sharing a conversation Lily had with her dear friend and mentor, the late John Burton, who sadly left this world earlier this year. This release is timed to coincide with COP15 (biodiversity) which is happening in Montreal, Canada.John Burton was a co-founder of The World Land Trust and dedicated his life to conservation and protecting land for biodiversity. In this intimate conversation he shares some of his insights from 50+ years of working on the frontline of environmental protection.If you'd like to support conservation projects close to his heart:The John Burton Memorial Fund

We are delighted to share a few bonus episodes coming off the back of COP 27 in Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh. In this episode, Lily reflects on the COP27 outcomes - both positive and negative - with the pioneering activist Tzeporah Berman. Tzeporah co-founded Stand.Earth, led successful logging blockades in British Colombia; and more recently launched the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty in 2021 which gained significant momentum in COP27. Lily and Tzeporah also discuss carbon pricing in Canada; the emotional toll and work of climate activism; and visions of the future.Links Tzeporah Berman's  TED talk CreditsAudio Editor: Dizplay StudiosMusic by Cosmo SheldrakeWho Cares Wins intro: Kelsey BennettArtwork: Bethan Sherwood

…and just like that we have finished Series 2 of Who Cares Wins. This season sought to look at some of the social roots underneath the climate crisis - from women’s equality to paternal rights; from Mother Earth to capitalism. What a journey it has been: from LA to the Atacama Desert… from the Amazon Rainforest to Afghanistan. Lily welcomed some incredible voices onto the podcast from Indigenous Activist Nemonte Nenquimo to Comedian Podcaster Deborah Frances White; political commentator Douglas Murray to International Climate Diplomat, Christiana Figueres. Join Lily as she looks back at highlights from each episode, teases out common - and differing - messages, and identifies key solutions voiced, to protect the planet we love.Linkshttps://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2022/https://amazonfrontlines.org/campaigns/who-should-decide/ Instagram@lilycole @whocares.winsCreditsProducer: Kelsey Bennett Audio Editor: Kit MilsomMusic by Cosmo SheldrakeArtwork: Bethan Sherwood

Sonia Ramos, an indigenous activist, joins forces with a microbiologist to address the environmental threats of lithium mining in Chile. The podcast explores green technology, ancestral medicine, cultural diversity, climate change, and the sacred connection to nature. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with Western science in mining practices and questioning our economy's underlying values. The conversation prompts reflection on consumer choices and explores alternatives to lithium batteries. It touches on Chile's history with neoliberalism, protests against inequality, and the upcoming vote for a new constitution.

Microbiologist Cristina Dorador discusses the environmental impact of lithium mining in Chile's Atacama Desert and the need for sustainable solutions. She is also involved in rewriting Chile's constitution and addresses issues of social rights, power redistribution, and indigenous justice. The podcast explores the complexity of technology supply chains, the concept of nature's rights, and features a protest against lithium mining led by Sonia Ramos.