The Web of Us

Claire Wathen

The Web of Us explores the visible and invisible connections that shape our world. Hosted by Claire Wathen, Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, and produced by Josie Colter and Ben Beheshty at Studio Goldstar, this podcast invites you to explore how networks show up across everything from our brains and natural systems to our communities and workplaces. Guests from Oxford and around the world share unexpected career paths, insights from their fields, and reflections on a world often split into categories, siloes, and lanes. Tune in for thoughtful, engaging conversations that help you navigate new perspectives, uncover shared experiences, and imagine new ways to connect, collaborate, and thrive. Have a question, an idea for a future guest, or feedback to share? I’d love to hear from you at Claire@WebOfUs.org.  Welcome to the Web.

Episodes

  1. How movement connects our inner and shared worlds, with Alonzo King

    07/24/2025

    How movement connects our inner and shared worlds, with Alonzo King

    “To make this world work, we have to be fanatically positive,” says globally renowned choreographer and founder of LINES Ballet Alonzo King on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Alonzo shares why movement is life, growing up with artistic and activist parents, and why stillness is key for sincere creative thought and collective action. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to The Web of Us 00:34 Meet Alonzo King: A Choreographer Redefining Ballet 01:20 Alonzo's Upbringing and Philosophy on Connection 02:43 The Essence of Home and Internal World 04:47 Time Travel and the Astro Plane 05:56 Art Beyond Appearances 07:18 The Value of Every Human Being 08:17 Creating Spaces for Curiosity 08:45 Alonzo's Creative Practices and Influences 14:10 The Birth of LINES Ballet 24:56 Classical Ballet and Cultural Influences 28:39 Choreography as Thought Structures 35:31 Final Reflections and Future Questions 37:29 Season One Wrap-Up

    39 min
  2. The marvel and mystery of mycelium, with Sarah Watkinson

    07/08/2025

    The marvel and mystery of mycelium, with Sarah Watkinson

    "Even though there may be all sorts of conflicts brewing, we can still talk as human beings who are fascinated; filled with wonder and curiosity," says Emeritus Research Fellow in Fungal Biology at the University of Oxford, Sarah Watkinson, on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Sarah shares how she’s built an enviable career spanning five decades as a university mycologist turned poet, what mycelial networks teach us about life, and the dry rot conversation stopper she likes to drop at every dinner party. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to The Web Of Us 00:18 Meet Sarah Watkinson: University Mycologist turned Poet  01:22 Sarah's Journey and Early Influences 01:59 Diving into Dry Rot Fungi 07:54 The Fascinating World of Fungal Networks 08:48 Dry Rot Fungus in Nature and Human Structures 10:53 Collaborations and Research Innovations 13:54 The Evolution of Fungal Research 24:01 Fungi's Role in Ecosystems 26:39 Exciting Advances in Soil Imaging 27:52 Biomimicry and Bio-Inspiration 29:07 Fungal Adaptations and Hydrophobic Surfaces 29:45 Fungal Reproduction and Communication 36:53 The Intersection of Science and Poetry 51:00 Advice for Aspiring Scientists References: Soil Fungi and Soil Fertility, S. D. Garrett Flavr Savr tomato, BBC The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 Read Sarah’s research publications on ResearchGate Read Sarah’s poetry, ‘Dung Beetles Navigate by Starlight’

    53 min
  3. Why labels are an invitation to break and remake, with Gina Chavez

    06/02/2025

    Why labels are an invitation to break and remake, with Gina Chavez

    "At our essence, we're more like the birds flying; we don't actually care about the boundaries that man has put on things," says genre-bending, Grammy-nominated recording artist Gina Chavez, on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Gina shares how she’s transcended categorization as a bilingual artist, her journey building a multi-faceted career as an independent artist and philanthropist, and how music is a unifying force for good that speaks across divides. To learn more, check out Gina’s: Website Music on SpotifyNińas Arriba college fund

    42 min
  4. Why trust starts with seeing the best in each other, with Premal Shah

    05/22/2025

    Why trust starts with seeing the best in each other, with Premal Shah

    "When people can vouch for people, friction from certain systems can disappear at scale," says the co-founder of Kiva and president of Branch, Premal Shah, on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Premal takes us behind-the-scenes on how he created the world’s foremost microfinancing platform for underserved markets, shares how he made the leap from PayPal to social enterprise founder, and his favorite advice for living life like a hummingbird.

    32 min
  5. How to navigate an entangled future, with Ian Goldin

    05/14/2025

    How to navigate an entangled future, with Ian Goldin

    "Developing a mindset which prepares us for this entangled future is the intellectual journey that we all need to go on," says the founding director of the Oxford Martin School, Ian Goldin on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Ian shares what makes him hopeful, four criteria for building a great organization, and why migration accelerates human progress.

    36 min
  6. Opening doors between places and people, with Dr. Anne Makena

    04/09/2025

    Opening doors between places and people, with Dr. Anne Makena

    "Everything in Oxford is named Oxford this or Oxford that, and we were very deliberate in being named Africa Oxford not Oxford Africa, and that re-centers Africa in the conversation" says the Co-Director of the Africa Oxford Initiative, Dr. Anne Makena on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Anne shares how she’s spearheading equitable and sustainable partnerships between Oxford’s and Africa’s best researchers, how institutions can be more accessible by signposting opportunities, and the beauty and challenges of inhabiting multiple identities.

    37 min
  7. Why the true currency of power is about who you uplift, with Paula Moreno

    04/08/2025

    Why the true currency of power is about who you uplift, with Paula Moreno

    "When you understand the power game, you understand that you are not so critical for politicians," says former Colombian minister and founder of Manos Visibles, Paula Moreno on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Paula explores the importance of creating inclusive spaces, why navigating power dynamics is about realizing that power is found within, and how she's built one of the biggest networks in South America for marginalized communities.

    43 min
  8. Systems thinking means systems acting, with Paulo Savaget

    04/04/2025

    Systems thinking means systems acting, with Paulo Savaget

    "We shouldn't be paralyzed by analysis, right? That’s the essence of solving systems," says Brazilian entrepreneurship engineer Paulo Savaget on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Paulo shares why thinking like a computer hacker can be a great approach, how piggybacking on other peoples’ solutions can save you a ton of work, and why friction isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

    31 min
  9. Coming Soon: The Web of Us

    SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Coming Soon: The Web of Us

    Claire Wathen is launching a new podcast, The Web of Us. A show exploring the visible and invisible connections that shape our world. Every episode, we’ll deliver an insightful conversation exploring network theory to help you strengthen your own networks. Claire explains more.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Web of Us explores the visible and invisible connections that shape our world. Hosted by Claire Wathen, Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, and produced by Josie Colter and Ben Beheshty at Studio Goldstar, this podcast invites you to explore how networks show up across everything from our brains and natural systems to our communities and workplaces. Guests from Oxford and around the world share unexpected career paths, insights from their fields, and reflections on a world often split into categories, siloes, and lanes. Tune in for thoughtful, engaging conversations that help you navigate new perspectives, uncover shared experiences, and imagine new ways to connect, collaborate, and thrive. Have a question, an idea for a future guest, or feedback to share? I’d love to hear from you at Claire@WebOfUs.org.  Welcome to the Web.

Information

  • Creator
    Claire Wathen
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Web of Us
  • Show Website
    The Web of Us