Nathalie Nahai In Conversation Nathalie Nahai

For the last episode of the series, I speak with V (formerly known as Eve Ensler) - distinguished American playwright, performer and feminist, whose work and activism has positively impacted the lives of millions of women and people around the world.
Renowned for her infamous play, The Vagina Monologues, a global phenomenon that has been published in 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries, V is also the author of The Apology, the New York Times bestseller I Am an Emotional Creature, the highly praised In the Body of the World, and her most recent book, Reckoning, which was just recently published.
 
In 1998, V launched V-day, a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls, which has successfully raised over $100 million for local anti-violence groups and supported more than 13,000 community-based programs. Having founded One Billion Rising, the largest global mass action to end gender-based violence in over 200 countries, V is also the co-founder of the City of Joy, a revolutionary centre for women survivors of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside Christine Schuler Deschryver and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege.

V’s groundbreaking work has earned her many accolades including the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the 2011 Tony Awards, and she has been named among Newsweek’s ‘150 Women Who Changed the World,’ and the Guardian’s ‘100 Most Influential Women’.
 
Through her work and activism, V continues to shape the dialogue around social justice, women's rights, and our relationship with and as part of nature, and her creativity and fierce commitment to improving the lives of women worldwide continues to impact and inspire new generations of activists and artists.


KEY THEMES

V highlights the collective grief, trauma, and sorrow felt worldwide due to recent events, including the impact of violence and conflict on children and civilians.We delve into the origins of violence, focusing on systemic issues like occupation, racism, and colonialism. V emphasises the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of violence to create a more peaceful world.Personal and political reckoning, the process of introspection and societal reflection prompted by the pandemic and recent social justice movements, stressing the need for honest examination of past actions and systemic inequalities.How moving towards pain, rather than avoiding it, can open doors towards healing, transformation and change.The role of genuine apology in reconciliation, and the healing of personal and collective wounds.Our relationship with the Earth, our disconnection from nature and how reconnecting with the natural world can foster healing, compassion, and a sense of belonging.Art, creativity and imagination as catalysts for change, and the importance of artistic expression in social movements.The importance of standing together in solidarity, supporting each other's voices and struggles, and the power of collective action in addressing global challenges.Personal growth, empowerment, and the journey to find and use one's voice for advocacy and change.Finally, we explore a vision for a future characterised by equality, justice, compassion, and ecological harmony.

WEBSITES
https://www.vday.org/  a...

Today, I speak with Darcia Narváez, award-winning author and Professor of Psychology Emerita at the University of Notre Dame.
Darcia is the founder of the public and professional educational outreach project The Evolved Nest Initiative, whose nonprofit mission is to share her science research into developing appropriate baselines for lifelong human wellness by meeting the biological needs of infants. This wellbeing baseline is imperative at this time as the United States ranks 41st out of 41 developed countries in public policies that support families. 

The former executive editor of the Journal of Moral Education, Darcia was listed among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in 2020, and she currently serves as the president of the award-winning, venerable nonprofit Kindred World, who has been "serving the re-generation since 1996." A board of directors member of Attachment Parenting International, Darcia is also an advisory board member of the Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health, APPPAH. 

Her pioneering book, Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture and Wisdom, won the 2017 Expanded Reason Award, and received the William James Award from the American Psychological Association in 2015. 

In 2022 Darcia was elected a fellow to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the largest international body of professional scientists in the world and publisher of the prestigious journal Science, where she was honored for her distinguished contributions illuminating typical and atypical development in terms of well-being, morality and sustainable wisdom. 

Having held interdisciplinary conferences at the University of Notre Dame regarding early experience and human development in 2010, 2012, and 2014, in 2016 Darcia organized a conference on Sustainable Wisdom: Integrating Indigenous Know How for Global Flourishing, which touched upon some of the themes she explores in her recent book, Restoring the Kinship Worldview: Indigenous Voices Introduce 28 Precepts for Rebalancing Life on Planet Earth, which she co-authored with Wahinkpe Topa.
 
 
KEY THEMES
 
Returning to our species' normal way of raising children is crucial...

Today I’m in conversation with Michael Shuman - an economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and a leading visionary on community economics. 
The Director of Local Economy Programs for Neighborhood Associates Corporation, and an Adjunct Professor at Bard Business School in New York City, Michael is also a Senior Researcher for Council Fire and Local Analytics, where he has performed economic-development analyses for states, local governments, and businesses around North America.

Credited with being one of the architects of the 2012 JOBS Act and dozens of state laws overhauling securities regulation of crowdfunding, Michael has authored, coauthored and edited many books, of which the three most recent are Put Your Money Where Your Life Is: How to Invest Locally Using Solo 401ks and Self-Directed IRAs; The Local Economy Solution: How Innovative, Self-Financing Pollinator Enterprises Can Grow Jobs and Prosperity; and Local Dollars, Local Sense: How to Shift Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street. One of his previous books, The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition, received a bronze prize from the Independent Publishers Association for best business book of 2006.

A prolific speaker, Shuman has given an average of more than one invited talk per week, mostly to local governments and universities, for the past 30 years in nearly every U.S. state and more than a dozen countries.

I had the joy of meeting Michael at the Planet Local Summit, and was so captivated by his passion and practical approach to transforming local economies and livelihoods, that I had to invite him onto the show.


KEY THEMES

Investing in local economies is crucial for economic development and social equality.Education and relationship building are key to promoting local finance models.Creating local investment opportunities through websites, newsletters, and funds can encourage grassroots investors.Pre-purchasing and tax incentives can be effective strategies to support local businesses and investment. Community involvement and care can transform unpopular projects into thriving spaces.Innovations in local finance, such as investment co-ops and community pension funds, can support local economies.The future of humanity is uncertain, but focusing on local action and sharing innovative solutions can make a positive impact.Finding beauty, hope, and humor in life can help navigate challenging times.Reflecting on the impact of our money and redirecting it towards projects and businesses we care about can create positive change.


WEBSITES

https://michaelhshuman.com/https://www.themainstreetjournal.org/ http://www.telesiscorp.com/


BOOKS

https://michaelhshuman.com/store/

Today, I speak with Patricia Moguel Viveros - an ecologist and environmental educator, and the co-founder of the NGO Etnoecologia A.C.
An expert on issues of sustainable community development, agroecology, resilience and environmental education, Patricia received her Master of Science in Environmental and Sustainable Development Studies from National Autonomous University of México (UNAM), a Ph.D. in Agroecology from the University of Andalucía, Spain and she is associated with the Sustainable Development and Environment of the College of México.

During her career as an ecologist, she has focused on projects related to the conservation of indigenous agroforests, community resilience, environmental education, and artistic human development. Her vast experience led to her creating and founding the Art Ecology and Culture Center, also known as ECOFE, to help train and educate aspiring environmental leaders and also NIDO (a Cultural and Artist Center in Morelia) whose name refers to the bird shelters that house the artistic and cultural communties projects.

As of late, Patricia has focused on reconstruction and resilience through the means of dance, music, and movement as seen with her “Affective Resilient Ecopedagogy” ideology, and her methodology of combining the arts and environmentalism has been applied to workshops at institutions in Mexico and Japan.

Published in national and international journals and books, Patricia has been an advisor to multiple organizations in the rural and urban sector in Mexico, as well as in other countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Japan on the issues of sustainable development, conservation of biodiversity and biocultural richness in indigenous agroforests, and environmental education.
 
 
KEY THEMES
The global human psyche is experiencing a civilizational crisis due to multiple ecological, climate, and energy risks.Flourishing means beautifying every place, building trust, and living with hope and the belief in our capacity to transform ourselves and the world.Indigenous agroforestry practices can help preserve nature and culture, and contribute to the defense of human rights and the strengthening of local economies.Art and culture provide social cohesion, encourage hope and joy, and develop empathy, generosity, and creativity.Effective resilient eco-pedagogy combines ecology with art to work on resilience and restore healthy capacities.Art, including dance, music, and other forms, can help us express and transform our emotions, develop empathy, and imagine and create a better world.Engaging in artistic practices can help us navigate stress and anxiety, and tap into our creativity and imagination. Caring for animals and participating in local and regional movements are important ways to connect with and protect life.The connection between the body and the earth is crucial, and empathy is essential for healing and transforming our relationship with the earth.Building resilience through various activities, such as dance and music, can help navigate difficult times.Changing our perspective on our personal history can lead to a more positive outlook and growth.Connecting with others in solidarity and love is a powerful way to overcome egocentrism and work towards a better future.
 
 
WEBSITES
https://www.ecofe.eu/www.centroculturalnido.com

Today I speak with Bill Liao, Chinese-Australian-Irish entrepreneur, author, investor and philanthropist who has left an indelible mark on the business, social and sustainability sectors.
With a diverse career spanning decades, Bill is not only the co-founder of the popular CoderDojo movement (a free global network formed to assist young people with learning computer programming), his career in tech and business also encompasses two unicorn companies and the launch of the world’s first bio-tech accelerator.

A general partner of SOSV, a venture capital fund of over $1B, and founder of the SOSV Momentum Pre-accelerator program, Bill is also Chair of the SENS board, and his focus on health, longevity and environmental sustainability plays a central role in much of his work.

As co-founder of Weforest, a non-profit organization dedicated to reforestation efforts that has planted a hundred million trees globally, Bill has also made significant contributions to combating climate change and promoting ecological balance.

Bill also co-founded XING, a pioneering enterprise social networking platform, prior to which he served as COO of Davnet, a telecommunications carrier. The author of three books, Bill has been a speaker at global events such as The World Economic Forum, The Globe Forum in Sweden, TED, and TEDx, and at institutions such as The London School of Economics and The House of Commons.
 
This was a rich and surprising interview for me, as we wended our way beyond the themes I had planned to explore, towards questions surrounding our search for beauty, purpose and longing… It’s a conversation that has stayed with me, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

KEY THEMES
 
Sentience is difficult to measure, but it is often recognized through the ability to suffer.Machine learning algorithms focused on making money have created an attention economy driven by dopamine and cortisol.Creating local, connected groups can lead to a more fulfilling and scalable local information economy.Exploring philosophy and science fiction can provide deep insights and perspectives on the world.Using comedy and entertainment can be an effective way to convey messages and make them memorable.Challenging myths and pseudoscience is necessary for progress and innovation.The politics of division and the deification of personal fulfillment are existential threats to society.Collective fulfillment should be prioritized over individual fulfillment.It is important to move beyond appearance and visuals to truly experience and engage with the world.On dark days, orienting oneself towards life and wholeness can provide strength and resilience.

BOOKS
Forests – Bill Liao (Foreword by Desmond Tutu)Stone Soup: The Secret Recipe for Making Something from Nothing – Bill Liao

WEBSITES
https://coderdojo.com/en/https://www.weforest.org/https://sosv.com/
 
First ever standup gig:
a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uJ7EM_tEo0&ab_channel=BillLiao" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In today’s conversation, I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Bayo Akomolafe - a widely celebrated international speaker, teacher, public intellectual and essayist, whose convening of the concepts of ‘postactivism’, ‘transraciality’ and ‘ontofugitivity’ have ignited richer, more vibrant explorations of what it means to deepen into our collective potential.
 
The author and editor of We Will Tell Our Own Story! with Professors Molefi Kete Asante and Augustine Nwoye, and These Wilds Beyond our Fences: Letters to my Daughter on Humanity’s Search for Home (North Atlantic Books, 2017), Bayo is a recipient of the 2021 New Thought Walden Award, which honors people who use empowering spiritual ideas and philosophies to change lives and make our planet a better place.  
 
Currently writing his third book as part of a trilogy of creative publications, Bayo is the author of multiple essays on matters ranging from the nature of science, the coronavirus pandemic, and racism, to tricksters, climate chaos, and unschooling.Having been invited to be the Coordinator/Special Envoy of the International Alliance for Localization, a project of Local Futures (USA) in 2014, Bayo temporarily left his lecturing position in Covenant University, Nigeria, to help build this Alliance for a more beautiful world.
 
Among other universities, Bayo has been Visiting Professor at Middlebury College, where he taught on postactivism and ‘transraciality’ (his neo-materialist take on racialization), and he has taught at Sonoma State University (CA, USA), Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada), and Schumacher College (Totnes, England).
 
He is a widely appreciated author and facilitator, globally recognized for his poetic, unconventional, counterintuitive, and indigenous take on global crises, civic action and social change. Bayo currently teaches with the Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Eco-Psychologies (CLIE) program at Pacifica Graduate Institute (CA, USA) and as Associate Adjunct Professor at the University of Vermont.
 
I had the precious opportunity to meet Bayo at the Planet Local Summit in 2023, and I was so captivated by the poetic way in which he shared his provocative, shape-shifting ideas, that I simply had to invite him to join me here in conversation, so I could share this with you.
Recorded on 5th December 2023.

WEBSITES
https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/ https://www.dancingwithmountains.com/https://www.emergencenetwork.org/  https://scienceandnonduality.com/
POSITIONS
Host – We Will Dance with Mountains: Into the Cracks!Executive Director – The Emergence Network (A Post-Activist Project)Board Member – Science and Non-Duality (USA)Board Member – Mutual Aid Network (USA)Consultant – UNESCO / Imagining Africa’s FutureBoard Member – Real Economy Lab (UK)Lecturer – CLIE, Pacifica Graduate Institute, California (USA)