World of Wisdom

Alexander Crawford and Ylva Björnberg visit the podcast for a deep dive. Both Ylva and Alexander are deeply involved with the transformation of society and are recovering futurists. This conversation introduces a concept they have been developing and gives a first taste of what they call conversation 1 and conversation 2. Conversation 2 is what is needed by some for us as a society to start being able to shift out of the grid lock of the current global logic. We cover a few of the fundamental moves in this conversation. Like the ladder of awareness by Paul Chifurka and Donatella Meadows framework on places to interveine in a system. This is the first part of the conversation and next week we'll lean further in, it ends right when we took a break (that ended up being some 7 weeks in clock time). We'll pick it up again next episode. Come along!

This is a special episode. It is an experiment into what is called collective presencing in some circles, emergent dialogue in others and probably goes by other names as well. This practice is something Amit has been involved with for some years now and invited two masters. Sam Hinds (twitter) and Cheryl Hsu (webpage). This is our first conversation together and we explore our field, it is a rich deep exploration that might require a measure of patience to get through but the reason I'm putting it out on the channel is because I believe you will be enriched by the experience. This is also how conversations can be. We touch upon how cells in a limb growing back knows when to stop growing, what death enables, what it is like to be eaten, models that are worth engaging with for their beauty and the longing for participation. Of course there is much more to this conversation. Do you dare to take a leap of faith and leap in? Host: Amit Paul

This is my 3rd solo episode. Feeling called to think out loud. I do touch upon the masculine and the feminine principles and the work I've been doing with Eric Lichtman on the topic of 'dissolving the cage' (not making it dissapear mind). I touch upon the concepts of openness that could also be called faith and compassion and why that is so crucial. I speak about consequences. Nested timelines and the inherently hopeful prospect that simultaneously ongoing crisis might afford us. I speak of feelings as portals into remember and in(-)formation. And I discover a part of what whatever it is that I'm doing on this podcast have to do with Socrates. If you want the links to the number of episodes I point to or find the writing I've done on some of the topics I bring up here check out amitpaul.substack.com. 

Brilliant Lene Rachel Andersen came on the podcast and we spoke about Bildung. Lene is the author of The Nordic Secret and several other books and is deeply engaged in the topic of creating a future worth living in for all of us. This particular conversation circle around the topic of bildung, its necessary and sufficient conditions, what it actually was, what the history of it was and how it relates to the concept of 'adult development' as defined by the developmental psychologists and their stage theories. An excellent review of the topic as well as a some conducive directions for those of us thinking about where we can go next as a society. If you want to connect: Nordic Bildung, LinkedIn, Global buildung network. Enjoy! Host: Amit Paul

Helena Norberg-Hodge, a linguist and regenerative movement originator, challenges the conventional story of progress. She discusses the flaws of the current economic paradigm and advocates for the localization movement. They explore historical origins of economic power, intergenerational learning, impact of the economic system on desires, and importance of feedback loops.

Eugenio Molini (webpage, LinkedIn) has worked with organisational transformation with 100s of organisation all over Europe for the last 30+ years. He shares his wisdom on do's and don'ts as well as some very clear rules of thumb. Like why minimal structures are the way to go, that there is no such thing as perfect - always strive for sufficient. Why focusing on peoples actions and a common target is an way to actually get culture and people to shift - without coersion. We also speak of the different types of organisational transformation that one has access to and why it is useful to have the Dunbar sequence in mind when leading or growing an organisation, and perhaps even reorganising one. This is a very useful conversation for anyone that has anything to do with change work. Enjoy! Host Amit Paul

Gita Rajan is the head of clinic and research and the founder of WONSA (World of No Sexual Abuse). I took her out of the comfort zone to some degree a little bit trying to talk about complexity. Then we explored the different aspects of the human condition and truma. We talk about control, stealing - taking what is not yours, what it means to be truly interdependent, part of the world (as opposed to separate from it). We also spoke of war, separation and transformation. The basic principle that ever living being is ready to transform - and we need to ask for consent prior to transforming someone or something. This is a true exploration. A true dive into uncertainty and one of those conversations that have really rearranged my system since. On a side note: WONSA needs more funding for their important work, if you can contribute please do. Their work is so important. Enjoy! Host: Amit Paul 

Dada Shambushivananda (LinkedIn) is the Chancellor of the Global Neohumanist Education (Gurukul) and has dedidcated himself to the movement called Ananda Marga. Dada was born in India and graduated from Wharton school of Business before returning to monastic life and dedicating himself to inner and outer peace in the world. Dada is the author of several books like Thoughts for a new era and his latest book Towards a brighter future. This conversation circle around human potential and what becomes possible when we lean into the spiritual aspects of our human potential. What is the limit to how much a kindergarten child can learn? What is important to consider in a learning environment? What does it mean to control your mind? What should we consider going forward for those of us that long for a regenerative future? Host: Amit Paul.

Amit and Nils take a look into the RCO as it stands right now. The RCO is an organisational model aiming to bring business into relationship with the rest of the world, an undertaking crucial to create the conditions for a regenerative paradigm. The RCO stands for the Regenerative Community Organism and the first one is just filing it's registration documents with the Swedish authorities. This entire episode is a little meta since Nils is interviewing Amit on the topic in an episode that will also be posted as part of the soon to be released Meaningful Work Podcast. If you want to find out more check out the RCO deck or reach out to Amit or Nils. Enjoy! 

Thomas Herrmann (LinkedIn) is a facilitator for more than 25 years in various co-creative methodologies in particular Open Space Technology and lately also bringing the decision methodology five to fold to the world. He's worked across contexts from public organisations like hospitals to companies and associations. With spaces as small as 5 people and as large as 700. This is an excellent, hands-on primer for the curious to start understanding the possibilities of these topics. In a larger perspective we discussed the importance of structure in complex problem solving, the possibilities and affordances of collective intelligence and decision making, why empowerment will surprise and surpass your wildest expectations of what is possible - if you are willing to surrender. This is hands on with immense implications. Enjoy! Host Amit Paul.