Existential Tetherball

Rachel Fell & Gordon Smith
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Education

Existential Tetherball invites complex thinkers and sensitive souls to explore nuance, meaning, and the wonder of the embodied subjective. Dynamic guests join dynamic hosts, Rachel Fell and Gordon Smith, for fun, deep, and provocative existential play. Each episode begins with an idea, a phrase, or even just a single word – our tether. Together, we explore the worlds within these words and ideas; the connections, associations, and meaning-making made meaningful by lived experience and co-creativity.

  1. 2d ago

    Ep.13 - Gifted (Part II)

    Gifted, part deux! Gordon and Rachel hunt and gather and foray onwards into part two, briefly revisiting Giftedness and its historical context, core characteristics, and our current state of understanding/learning, unlearning, and expansion. Giftedness is real *and* we simply can't pin it down as a "what" using material reductionism or IQ score. This makes things squishy and difficult. Who "gets" to be Gifted, and who decides? Giftedness as perhaps more akin to a filter or an engine/processor type; not exactly a part, but not the entirety of the person, either. *This view asks us to consider our current understanding of human intelligence (static, mutable, nature, nurture, brain, full-body; Rachel is absolute first-order thinking bent here, lol) and offers a notion of nature-nurture and learning in reciprocity and interplay through the lifespan. Just as with other forms of uncommon human processing, Giftedness has self-referential characteristics *and* a unique expression within/through each individual. Not bypassing the broader meadow of giftedness and aptitude in various expressions (physical, creative, musical, lingustic, etc.), Rachel and Gordon explore and land on a shape for Gifted that holds form in uncommon cognition and intellect that is meta, rapid/hyper-connected, and wide. (Rachel is resisting the urge to ask Gordon to re-record the whole episode as she feels a strong urge to better communicate the nested nature of those core characteristics – namely, metacognition and meta-awareness as a bucket that holds/makes possible existential and meaning-making orientation, capacity for abstraction and first-principles thinking, etc., possible. Maybe a separate vid?) They then hit the current hot button question: is Giftedness a form of neurodivergence? How could it not be? Whether in a developing kiddo or adult, questions of unseen diversity and unique differences in processing/experience are highly relevant to understanding and accepting oneself (and others), and again, are inextricable from neurology. When considering Gifted assessment and identification in kiddos *and* in adults... what are our intentions? How might our frameworks, practices, and overarching paradigms/ideologies need to change to support a more ecologically-oriented approach? R & G introduce the sensitivity, intensity, complexity model, which is a highly useful meta-model for exploration honoring physiology, phenomenological experience, as well as the experienced/reflected external. (Sometimes, bypassing existing labels and language that carry value judgments and existing meaning allows folks to connect with their own experience with less baggage.) From there, they nod to the existing framework of OEs (Theory of Positive Disintegration)/intelligence centers as ways to explore one's internal experience and reflected experience via another of their living intelligence. (You see the different processing in action in the episode happen real time, here – while Gordon goes stew, Rachel goes layer cake.) Ultimately, they come together to offer that perception and relationship with perception is a solid final resting place for this episode. To be continued? Takeaways Exploration of giftednessComplexities of human intelligence; uncommon cognition is real Core characteristics of GiftednessThe fundamental importance of perceptionChapters 02:54 Historical Context of Giftedness06:10 *Core Characteristics of Giftedness09:05 Neurodiversity and Giftedness11:50 Physiological Basis of Giftedness15:01 Identification and Assessment Challenges18:04 Ecological Understanding of Intelligence20:50 Frameworks for Understanding: Sensitivity, Intensity, and Complexity28:15 Exploring the Intensity, Nervous System, and Overexcitability Connection30:54 The Interconnectedness of Intelligence33:04 Navigating Labels and Self-Understanding36:52 Redefining Giftedness in a Changing World39:39 Perception and Its Role in Cognition42:48 Cultivating Uncommon Cognition44:28 Neuroflexibility and Collective Intelligence

  2. Oct 21

    Ep. 12 - Gifted (Part I)

    Here we go! A long time coming, Rachel and Gordon suit up to dive into, climb on and around and into the complexities of "Gifted," poking at it gently with a big 'ol stick. (... you know, one of those good campfire-tending-type sticks; the kind you'd find on a hike and keep with you for awhile bc it's kind of like a wizard staff.) What is a gifted? What does this word, this designation, mean? Is giftedness a neurotype? And what's a neurotype anyways? Why don't people seem to understand the difference between neurodivergence and neurodiversity? How is giftedness related to intelligence? What do our individual (and collective) understanding/s of intelligence look like? What foundations are those understandings built upon? Turns out, this one is (at least) a two-parter, folks! This is just the beginning. In this episode, our first half, Gordon and Rachel create a frame; expect a co-exploration of different core characteristics, associations, contexts, implications, and a bunch of "non-dual both/ands" related to both the term and its lived reality. And what is this reality, exactly? We know that the most agreed-upon definition is one centering "asynchronous development" (Columbus Group), but here, on Existential Tetherball, we'll go ahead and further define "gifted" as a term we use to designate/describe outlier human intelligence. How do we understand, recognize, and support this particular shape/form of outlier intelligence? Dimensional and varied yet also, something with its own shape and form? In this episode, Rachel and Gordon discuss more than the following: -the hullabaloo in the gifted community/industry at present, and why we need to go beyond "is giftedness a form of neurodivergence," together -the core characteristics and complexities of giftedness, as well as how and when do we recognize, categorize/"type," and socialize/support? -how societal perceptions and educational systems shape our understanding of both intelligence and giftedness -themes of ecological intelligence, full body intelligence, intelligence as a dynamic process rather than a static trait while acknowledging unseen differences in human intelligence as a very real thing (neurodiversity) -what influences gifted inner experience and expression through a lifespan (how is giftedness nurtured and supported)? Takeaways for days: Giftedness is complex and nuanced – nature, nurture, environment in reciprocity and interplay through the lifespanIntelligence as a dynamic, ecological process within each human, full-body and not just brainWhy understanding intelligence, neurodiversity, and neurodivergence clearly is crucial in understanding giftednessGiftedness at the self-referential/meta level and then in unique expression; part II will dive into the frameworks and schema we use to integrate identification into functional, lived realityChapters 00:00 Exploring Giftedness02:31 The Nature of Intelligence07:01 Defining Giftedness10:08 Asynchronous Development18:06 Neurodiversity and Giftedness19:47 The Bell Curve and Its Implications26:29 Ecological Intelligence and Collaboration27:44 Full Body Intelligence Paradigm30:11 Coherence Seeking and Giftedness32:24 Complexity of Intelligence36:14 Existential Giantism and Meaning-Making42:43 Frameworks of Intelligence45:16 Process Orientation in Intelligence

  3. Sep 29

    Ep. 11 - Liminal, Liminality

    Hi everyone – it's been a minute! Gordon's just returned from a extended romp about Europe, while Rachel was back in her beloved Alaska for a quick solo trip. Subsequently, all's been quiet on the Tetherball front, but we're back with this episode – a fun and... liminal frolic all about _liminality_ (!!!) As always, we explore the word as a world and the world(s) contained within the word – liminal as in-between, transitional, moving, barely perceptible (aka, not stark) and, well... sort of guaze-y. The jam explores liminality both externally and internally (meaning within unique individuated perception), personal experiences of each, and how these liminal places and space-times can foster self-awareness and agency. (Not to be glossed over: addressing the discomfort/uncertainty that often accompanies change!) Keywords/themes/ideas: Consious awareness, emotional awareness, choice, judgement/synthesis, and the complexities of navigating liminal spaces and places in personal growth and evolution. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Liminality, Exploring Definitions and Experiences06:06 The Relationship Between Liminality and Awareness08:58 Navigating Change and Uncertainty12:03 The Dynamics of Internal and External Liminality15:07 Agency in Liminal Spaces17:47 Transitioning Between Eras21:10 The Generative Work of Inner Exploration23:52 Emotional Awareness and Movement27:57 Embodied Emotional Awareness30:52 Navigating Internal Dissonance34:10 The Nature of Liminal Experiences39:14 Agency in Unchosen Change42:55 Finding Agency in Uncertainty46:31 The Relationship with Judgment

  4. Jul 14

    Ep.10 - Process/In Formation

    We're at ten episodes! Double digits, folks! Wild. This go-round, Gordon and Rachel explore process and information – not as a noun, but as a verb ("in formation"). Together, they delve into the meaning and movement/workings of process and what it means to be process-oriented. Process is synthesis, is cascade, is reciprocal influnce influencing... what, exactly? Together, R & G explore the process of how things take form, shape, and come to mean something, and how process relates to our understanding of what it is to be human. Covered: self-perception and self as process, the role of the sensing body, developing witnessing mechanics and capacities that deepen our relationship with "in formation." Stick with us - while this stuff can be squishy, it's absolutely fascinating and perhaps foundational to our phenomenology and experience of being alive and relating - intrapersonally, and interpersonally. Also explored: the interplay between information, perception, and the understanding of self (they emphasize the importance of cultivating a conscious and neutral awareness of one's own experiences and responses, and why this matters). Diving deep into choice and attention and intention, courage and fear, self-awareness what that really means. Gordon shares, a story of developing more embodied awareness of witness via process-oriented art therapy, and Rachel shares an experience of walking herself through a panic attack. They round it out with another why - the importance of developing meta awareness and embodied cognition as essential as we navigate an increasingly fracturing reality. Somewhere in there, Rachel introduces her triadic consciousness model, and Gordon is intrigued. Another Chris Farley SNL reference shows up along the way as well. Takeaways Information as "in formation," as a process and a verbHumans as complex processors, body-minds working with infromation and in formation all the timeMetacognition redefined as meta awareness - YESCultivating conscious awareness and why it mattersThe significance of developing meta awareness and navigating a fracturing reality Chapters 00:00 Engaging with "In Formation"02:55 The Meaning of Process06:53 Process Orientation and Self-Perception10:00 Sensing Body and Perception15:01 Witnessing and Neutrality19:59 Metacognition and Natural Intelligence28:45 Exploring Metacognition & Meta Awareness29:19 Embodied Semantics and Depth Meaning30:19 Relationality and Sensing Body31:33 Internal and External Relating32:30 Choice and Intention33:11 Courage and Fear33:54 Self-Awareness and Witnessing42:26 Story Time: Process-Oriented Art Therapy, Metawareness and a Panic Attack57:56 Triadic Consciousness

  5. Jun 23

    Ep. 9 - Levity

    Levity - jokes, inappropriate humor, the policing of behavior, relatability, naturally opposing forces, the imbuing of lightness, fart noises, baking soda... This episode's got a lot going on (as always seems to be the case, tbh). In this episode, Rachel & Gordon jam on levity - what it is (defined - present day usage, etymological deep dive) as well as what it means and evokes for them personally. They dive in by exploring connotation, and inferred shared meaning around social convention and humor... AND THEN dive into a more physiologic and physical exploration of levity as an opposing force to gravity; natural intelligence finding ways to lighten, imbue lightness. Levitate shows up ('to rise in by virtue of lightness') and what does an felt sense balance of levity and gravity feel like? Together, Gordon and Rachel roam, coming back to IRL applications, more tricker and comedic, and also, going beyond to touch into "shining a light on" and "creating space" as well as "speaking truth" as potential forms of levity. They also get curious: what does levity do in any given situation? How does levity work in relational context? Very important and brilliant: Gordon gets an idea about giving away whopee cushions at his funeral. In a word rife with polarity, how does a force like levity influence the gravity and seriousness of our curerent context? What does levity have to do with the nervous system, with space, with play, and neuroplasticity? Tune in for another fun and "the good kind of meandering" co-exploration and find out!

  6. Jun 2

    Ep. 8 - Multiplicity and Coherence

    We're back! In Episode 8, G and R jam on "Multiplicity and Coherence." Covered: We start with "multiplicity" - exploration of meaning, many Michael Keatons; also: visualizing atomic and cellular multiplicity and coherenceWe then move to "coherence" - an exploration of meaning (external and internal), key themes: connection and "co"herence (in contrast to "adherence); "nonduel" and "nondual"Ways of observing, assessing, measuring, recognizing coherenceUnifying themes here (also, the core functions?) of observation and perspective (see also: quantum physics and the power, influence of witness) Wait, there's more! What about the relationship between individuated forms and the elasticity of forms?What about the relationship between coherence and uncertainty tolerance?Metaperspectives on multiplicity and coherence as process!Jamming on unique frameworks, hyperstructures of meaning, containers, therapeutic models, and symbolsThe role of the observer in understanding and integrating various aspects of the self (self-coherence/identity)The coherence between somatic and intellectual intelligences... how we connect with each, know where we are, and tune in more holistically... And still, even more! Zooming in and zooming out - an important skill to developConsideration of the various relationship between individual and collective humanity - "stigmergy" and calling back to our episode with Bee Mayhew (Ep. 2)The slow existential and spending time in definition, meaning = important (that's why this podcast exists, lol)Coherence as process and part of larger process(es) - fractal connection, anyone?The dynamic nature of identity and changeCoherence as fine grained felt sense AND alignment with choice, intention, self-determinism...

  7. May 27

    Ep. 7 - Intelligence

    Today, on EPISODE SEVEN of Existential Tetherball, Rachel and Gordon explore intelligence. They jam on definitions/meanings/assumptions of (and around intelligence), the nature of intelligence and new ways of understanding, new models for engaging with intelligence, notions of participation and stewardship of intelligence, and the significance of neurodiversity and the sensing body. intelligence is the living application of knowledge and learning. How do we cultivate a relationship with lifelong learning? What are we learning in the service of? Even more! The impact of conditioning and trauma on how we sense, think, problem solve and create, the embodiment of cognition and neurodiversity, an off-road but important exploration of fate, free will, and choice, the relationship between intelligence, oppression, and neurodiversity, and the reconfiguration of a healthier paradigm. It emphasizes the need to break free from hierarchical supremacy and embrace neurodiversity as an extension of biodiversity. Takeaways Exploration of intelligence – incomplete maps at best, partial and erroneous ones at worst (the ironly! not logical!)Stewardship of intelligence involving attention, intention, and learningNeurodiversity anchors in a triadic model, acknowledging interconnectedness and distinct experiences The limitations of IQ tests in measuring intelligence; measuring versus contextualizing and orienting (neurodiversity in systemic ecological design)"Intelligence" etymology = "discernment, choice"; the role of intelligence in being influence, influencing and discernment Chapters 00:00 Definition and Meaning of Intelligence; Needs Update10:56 Stewardship of Intelligence18:46 Neurodiversity and Embodied Intelligence27:34 The Impact of Conditioning and Trauma Schema on Sensing and Perception37:29 Fate, Free Will, and Choice49:27 Reconfiguring Our Relationship with Intelligence - Personal, Collective

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    Welcome to Existential Tetherball!

    Hello there! Welcome to Existential Tetherball – a podcast designed to explore depth meaning in the service of stronger connections. In this intro, your hosts, Rachel Fell and Gordon Smith, share a bit about the what and the why behind this new series, touching on themes of curiosity, untapped relationship with meaning, co-creativity, openness, the pragmatism of shared exploration, and the possibilities generated through existential exploration. Both Rachel and Gordon are professional neurodivergent coaches/guides committed to creating a refuge and playspace for neurodivergent, existentially-minded people seeking resonance, inspiration, and community. Existential Tetherball guests and listeners are intense, complex, and sensitive people who prefer curiosity to conclusions and the well-worn of convention.

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Existential Tetherball invites complex thinkers and sensitive souls to explore nuance, meaning, and the wonder of the embodied subjective. Dynamic guests join dynamic hosts, Rachel Fell and Gordon Smith, for fun, deep, and provocative existential play. Each episode begins with an idea, a phrase, or even just a single word – our tether. Together, we explore the worlds within these words and ideas; the connections, associations, and meaning-making made meaningful by lived experience and co-creativity.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Fell & Gordon Smith
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rachel Fell & Gordon Smith
  • Show Website
    Existential Tetherball

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