

Lifeworlds
Alexa Firmenich
Lifeworlds is an intimate dialogue with our planet’s ecologies and with those who are translators and bridges between the human and beyond-human.Our guests are farmers, lawyers, scientists, investors, indigenous scholars, artists, and many more — with them, we explore the mindsets, skills and actions required to forge deep connections with nature and to enter into close relationship with the lifeworlds of other beings.We begin to change the world when we change our ways of seeing and being. Lifeworlds points us towards a deeper reformulation of core human identities, asking who it is we share the Earth with and what our human role may be at this pivotal moment in time. It is through the doorway of inhabiting and understanding multiple perspectives that we can begin to heal a culture and psyche that is steeped in duality. We have lost our place as humans amongst all life. This is our call for healing, engagement and wonder.www.lifeworld.earth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

11 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 19min
28. Whale Dreaming & Ocean Songlines - with WHAIA
Dive into the mesmerizing world of whale songs and ancient Māori traditions with Whaia, a brilliant sonic weaver. Explore the powerful intersection of voice, music, and oceanic heritage, revealing how whales communicate through unique melodies. Discover the importance of reclaiming cultural instruments and the profound healing potential of sound. Join us as we reflect on the sacred connection between humanity and nature, and ponder what messages the whales might share with us today.

Mar 26, 2025 • 7min
Poetry | The World Thinks in Poetry
A writer reflects on a transformative stay in a remote Vancouver Island cabin, surrounded by nature's beauty. They explore how poetry intertwines with the environment, sharing moments of swimming with jellyfish and foraging for salmon berries. The discussion culminates in an evocative piece that emphasizes how the world communicates through the language of poetry, highlighting our deep connection to the natural landscape.

7 snips
Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 13min
27. The Ecology Of Health - with Dr. Mackenzie Hall
Dr. Mackenzie Hall, a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine, shares fascinating insights on the deep connections between human health and planetary systems. She discusses how the Earth’s vital organs can mirror our anatomy and how our bodies manage health like ecological systems. The conversation explores the importance of detoxification, the resonance of Earth's frequencies, and the link between mental wellness and mindful eating. Hall emphasizes that to heal the planet, we must first understand it as an extension of ourselves.

Feb 18, 2025 • 1h 3min
Soulfire Sessions II: with David McConville
David McConville, co-founder and lead cosmographer of Spherical, explores the interplay between technology and our understanding of Earth. He discusses the concept of 'living infrastructure' through Los Angeles as a case study, emphasizing community collaboration in mapping and sustainable practices. The conversation delves into how worldviews shape environmental challenges, water management, and the importance of imagination in comprehending ecosystems. McConville advocates for engaging communities to create resilient systems that honor local cultures and ecological needs.

11 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 1h 10min
From Your Host: Season’s Reflections and Q&A
Dive into fascinating reflections on nature-based governance that treats rivers as living entities. The discussion tackles the controversial concept of de-extinction, raising questions about ethics and ecological balance. Explore the complexity of climate responsibility and the often-overlooked costs of renewable technologies. Learn actionable steps for improving ecological health while reconnecting with nature and community. This thought-provoking conversation ultimately underscores the transformative potential of human consciousness in fostering a more sustainable world.

Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 11min
26. Speculative Designs & Embodied Imaginations - with Superflux
Anab Jain, co-founder of Superflux, a visionary design studio focused on ecological challenges, takes listeners on a journey through speculative design. She explores how imagination can redefine our relationship with nature and promote interspecies thriving. Jain discusses transformative concepts like multispecies banquets and rewilding urban spaces. By emphasizing emotional connections and responsible narratives, she highlights the role of design in fostering ecological awareness and hope amidst global challenges.

Oct 2, 2024 • 14min
Practice | Body Compass
This is my take on ancient and intuitive sensory experience that taps into the innate intelligence of the human body, a blend of body compass, Zen Beginner's Mind, a shamanic medicine walk and Goethean science. The practice asks you to find a place in the natural landscape where you could walk undisturbed for some time, and have an encounter with an element of nature. A true act of lifeworld-ing! I guide you through a short introduction and the instructions. Attached on the website page is a link to the full instructions in PDF, and listed here in much briefer bullets below. I recommend listening in full, then using either of the instructions when you choose to do the practice itself. Abbreviated instructions · Before entering into the natural landscape, you’ll walk to a threshold place, and stop.· Here you will physically draw a threshold that you will walk across.· Once you’ve done that, pause, connect with the land, speak your intention, ask for permission.· Cross the threshold, and start walking towards where you feel a tug. Be conscious of the way your body can intuitively lead the way. Use the senses. · At some point, you may come across a being in the land that catches your attention. It could be a spiders web, a stone, a patch of moss, a dead bough of a tree, a stream, a blade of grass, truly anything. Approach, introduce yourself.· Spend a moment in presence with them, in beginners mind. · Use Goethe’s Exact Sense Perception instructions –then imagine it transforming. Then release to receive. Let it communicate back to you. · Stay here as long as feels right. · When it comes to the time to go, thank this natural being and start walking back to your threshold place. · When you cross the threshold, thank the land and when you’re ready, step across back into the other world. · Gently wipe out the threshold door and take some time upon returning to digest anything that may have arisen for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 snips
Sep 24, 2024 • 1h 4min
25. The Connected Wild: Earth’s Internet of Animals - with Dr. Martin Wikelski
Martin Wikelski, director of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, delves into the fascinating world of animal communication and ecological interconnectedness. He shares insights from the ICARUS project, likening it to ‘the internet of animals.’ The conversation covers how technology tracks wildlife movements, helping us understand their responses to environmental changes. Wikelski emphasizes the implications for conservation, including strategies to reduce human impacts on ecosystems and enhance our coexistence with nature.

Aug 27, 2024 • 56min
24. Guardians of the Earth: The Rise of Ecocide Law - with Pella Thiel
Pella Thiel, an advocate for international Ecocide law and environmental justice, discusses groundbreaking ideas that aim to redefine how we view environmental destruction. She explains how ecocide law could align with the severity of genocide, catalyzing a moral shift in global values. Pella delves into the potential of this law to enhance ecological accountability and explores the rights of nature. Additionally, she proposes the creation of an environmental embassy to advocate for the Baltic Sea, emphasizing community action and innovative governance to protect vital ecosystems.

Aug 7, 2024 • 1h 9min
23. Wild Avatars: Nature in Virtual Reality - with Marshmallow Laser Feast
Ersin Han Ersin, director of the artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast, chats about their groundbreaking virtual reality work focused on nature. They delve into the emotional and sensory impact of immersive art that fosters deep connections with the environment. Combining science and creativity, they highlight projects like 'Observations on Being' that explore biodiversity. The conversation also touches on the concept of 'braincasting' and the idea of experiencing life from diverse ecological perspectives, urging listeners to embrace a more empathetic understanding of nature.


