Techno Spiritual Crossings

Peter Wolff

Techno-Spiritual Crossings is a project that seeks to make meaning - purpose, sense, wisdom - from the paradoxes that exist in our modern world by speaking with people who are intentional about their own growth and personal development and are also investing in the collective, community or wider society.  It explores the transformations that can encourage humans and society to justly move forward, together. ABOUT THE HOST: Peter Wolff is a traveler, writer, coach, yogi and healer (and also, in a past life, an engineer) whose recent work explores human and social themes of hiding, alienation and healing from deep loss. He works as a leadership and personal development coach, and helps creatives prepare for their careers. PODCAST TEAM: Emily Manthei is a writer, filmmaker, mystic and theologian who spends her free time as a curious observer and traveler. Her creative work explores cross-cultural differences and interfaith dialogue, building bridges between worlds. Her first feature film, Berlin Loop, will be available soon. Karthik Iyengar is a technologist and entrepreneur who is interested in eastern philosophy, non-dualistic religions, yoga and ethical leadership. He co-founded We Build Products GmbH, which focuses on product development for the financial industry. We would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts with us at hello@technospiritualcrossings.com.

Episodes

  1. What's the Price of Your Vote? Exposing the Cost of Corruption with Ilham Mohamed

    04/06/2025 ·  Video

    What's the Price of Your Vote? Exposing the Cost of Corruption with Ilham Mohamed

    Regional Director for Transparency International, Ilham (Imma) Mohamed, explains how power imbalances enable corruption—and why ending corruption is the foundational right that unlocks access to all other rights. In this episode, we explore personal prerequisites for social change such as empathy, open-mindedness, and the courage to speak up. Imma also discusses the challenges activists face when the stakes are high, and how digitalization both empowers and endangers those fighting for justice. Themes in this episode Holding Power to Account & Corruption as a Gateway: How the abuse of power not only erodes essential rights like healthcare and education but also creates a cascade of other injustices. Women at the Forefront of Change: The critical role of women's grassroots activism in challenging power imbalances and driving social transformation. Digitalization: Empowerment vs. Surveillance: Examining how technology can both promote transparency and enable surveillance, affecting the safety and effectiveness of activists. Inclusion, Exclusion, and Social Power Dynamics: Understanding how group dynamics and the “othering” of certain voices can influence both activism and policy change. Speaking Up and the Human Cost of Activism: The personal risks - peer pressure, family challenges, and systemic intimidation that come with standing up against corruption. Empathy, Open-Minded Leadership, and Community Building: How cultivating soft skills and peer learning strengthens activist networks and nurtures more effective, inclusive leadership. Real-Life Corruption Tactics: Insights into practices like ghost soldiers and vote buying, which reveal the mechanisms behind public fund misappropriation. Designing for Now Amid Broader Crises: Linking democracy and the climate crisis to the urgent need for practical, timely solutions in the fight against corruption.Show Notes • Transparency International – Ending the injustice of corruption by promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity: https://www.transparency.org/en • Women Living Under Muslim Laws – A transnational feminist solidarity network: https://www.wluml.org/ • Afghanistan’s Ghost Soldiers – Learn more about how ghost soldiers expose corruption in military systems: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59230564

    53 min
  2. Can Music Reveal Your Mind? Music as the language of connection with Elle Spencer-Lewis

    04/06/2025 ·  Video

    Can Music Reveal Your Mind? Music as the language of connection with Elle Spencer-Lewis

    In this episode, musician, composer, and technologist Elle Spencer-Lewis explores how music nurtures us, offers healing, and serves as a playful gateway to self-discovery. Drawing from her work in immersive interactive installations and neurofeedback experiments, Elle discusses how our innate musicality connects us at a deep, evolutionary level. We dive into cutting-edge projects-from video game inspired interactive cubes to brainwave sonification that challenge our perceptions of creativity, wellness, and digital design, all while addressing pressing questions around biometric data privacy. Themes in this episode: Healing Power of Music & Creative Agency: How music provides emotional support, fosters self-acceptance, and encourages us to play and let go of judgment. Innate Musicality & Identity: Embracing the idea that we are innately musical beings—a connection that spans from lullabies and war chants to everyday expressions of creativity. Interactive Experiences & Gamification: The transformation of music into an immersive, interactive experience, where participation turns into a playful exploration of sound and self. Music, Neuroscience, and Wellness: The pioneering use of EEG and neurofeedback to sonify brainwaves, allowing individuals to see and shape their inner states for mindfulness and therapeutic benefits. Digital Transformation & Design for Now: Navigating the new frontier of digital interactivity, where technology both enhances our connection to music and raises important questions about data privacy and security.Shownotes: Elle Spencer-Lewis – Emmy-nominated composer, music producer, and technologist whose work reimagines interactive musical experiences:  Circuitry of Life by Red Bull at Night – An immersive, four-story interactive cube that explores the evolution from analog to digital and its impact on human connection The Quantified Self Movement – Explore how people are using technology to track and understand their personal data, including brainwaves and other biometric signals Neurofeedback Explained – An accessible overview of neurofeedback, its benefits, and how it works to enhance focus and relaxation Biometric Data Privacy – Learn about the challenges and best practices for protecting your biometric data in an increasingly digital world

    39 min

About

Techno-Spiritual Crossings is a project that seeks to make meaning - purpose, sense, wisdom - from the paradoxes that exist in our modern world by speaking with people who are intentional about their own growth and personal development and are also investing in the collective, community or wider society.  It explores the transformations that can encourage humans and society to justly move forward, together. ABOUT THE HOST: Peter Wolff is a traveler, writer, coach, yogi and healer (and also, in a past life, an engineer) whose recent work explores human and social themes of hiding, alienation and healing from deep loss. He works as a leadership and personal development coach, and helps creatives prepare for their careers. PODCAST TEAM: Emily Manthei is a writer, filmmaker, mystic and theologian who spends her free time as a curious observer and traveler. Her creative work explores cross-cultural differences and interfaith dialogue, building bridges between worlds. Her first feature film, Berlin Loop, will be available soon. Karthik Iyengar is a technologist and entrepreneur who is interested in eastern philosophy, non-dualistic religions, yoga and ethical leadership. He co-founded We Build Products GmbH, which focuses on product development for the financial industry. We would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts with us at hello@technospiritualcrossings.com.