Episodes

  • Join me as we dive into the transformative world of biomimicry with renowned biologist and author, Janine Benyus. Drawing inspiration from nature's 3.8 billion years of evolution, biomimicry offers a profound new perspective on innovation, and Janine's groundbreaking work weaves solutions found in the natural world with human creativity, challenging us to rethink our approach to design and decision-making. 

    Want to turn this wisdom into action? Visit https://www.smallgiants.com.au/wisdomandaction to find out more, or email us at [email protected], or look at our Impact Safari: Rewilding The British Isles.


    Books mentioned: 

    Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature by Janine BenyusSilent Spring by Rachel Carson

    Initiatives mentioned:

    Biomimicry 3.8 Project Positive HOK - U.S. Coast Guard HeadquartersGreen Pod LabsAccommodate

    And if you want information deliver straight into your inbox, follow our newsletter Wisdom and Action Newsletter.


    Love,

    Berry



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Join us for this thought-provoking episode with Arielle Gamble, CEO of Groundswell, where she reflects on her transformative journey from art and human rights advocacy to leading a climate action platform. Arielle talks about her recent TED talk on legacies, navigating the intricate web of climate change, and her artistic approach to sense-making. We delve into the role of art, magic, and love in addressing global challenges and creating emergent solutions in the metacrisis. 


    Books mentioned:

    All We Can’t See: Illustrating the Nauru Files 

    God is an Octopus by Ben Goldsmith

    Wilding by Isabella Tree


    Listening mentioned:

    On Being with Krista Tippett


    Want to turn this wisdom into action?

    Small Giants Academy - Climate Leadership Accelerator: Into the Arena

    Small Giants Academy - Impact Safari

    Small Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy 

    Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  


    And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.


    Berry x


    Produced by Audiocraft

    Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Missing episodes?

    Click here to refresh the feed.

  • Join me as we delve into a transformative conversation with Isabella Tree, renowned author and rewilding innovator. Isabella shares her profound journey from inheriting a struggling farm in Sussex to pioneering a rewilding project that has sparked global attention.From the liberating decision to cease conventional farming practices to the introduction of free-roaming herbivores, Isabella's story embodies resilience, innovation, and deep respect for the natural world. 


    Want to turn this wisdom into action? Visit https://www.smallgiants.com.au/wisdomandaction to find out more, or email us at [email protected], or look at our Impact Safari: Rewilding The British Isles.


    You can also check out our friends at: 

    Knepp

    The Regenerators

    Odonata Foundation 

    World Wide Fund for Nature


    For investors, check out these exciting biodiversity and nature funds: 

    BCF fund from Sentient 

    Nattergal


    And finally if you want information deliver straight into your inbox, follow these newsletters: 

    Wisdom and Action Newsletter

    Bush Heritage

    Rewilding Britain


    Big love, 

    Berry x


    Produced by Audiocraft


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • We’re back with another amazing episode! Our guest this week is Anna Funder, an incredible Australian writer whose books Stasiland and All That I Am are prize winning international best sellers. Her most recent work, Wifedom, is an exploration of Eileen O'Shaughnessy, George Orwell's first wife who was almost successfully erased from history - until now. Anna shares her inspiration for the book, reflecting on her own experiences within a seemingly egalitarian marriage as she unravels the intricacies of patriarchy, a system deeply embedded in language and societal norms. We explore the complexities of gender dynamics, the invisible labor of women, and the need for accurate language to dismantle patriarchal structures so that we can foster a deeper understanding for envisioning new possibilities and emergent futures.


    Books mentioned:

    Wifedom by Anna Funder

    Stasiland by Anna Funder

    All That I Am by Anna Funder

    Stravinsky's Lunch by Drusilla Modjeska

    The Complete Works of George Orwell by Peter Davidson

    Animal Farm by George Orwell

    1984 by George Orwell


    Want to turn this wisdom into action? Visit:

    Small Giants Academy - Impact Safari

    Small Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy

    Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader


    And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.


    Berry x


    Produced by Audiocraft


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • We are so thrilled to introduce you to the legendary Nora Bateson! Nora is a celebrated filmmaker, writer, and president of the International Bateson Institute in Sweden. Her interdisciplinary work combines biology, cognition, art, anthropology, and psychology where she delves into ecological patterns in living systems. Nora introduces us to the concept of “warm logic” and “double binds” and challenges traditional ways of thinking that are rooted in linear causality. We also explore the difference between the "Situation Room" approach, driven by immediate problem-solving, and the holistic perspective of the "Meadow," which emphasises ongoing mutual learning, adaptability and context. It sounds like a lot, but we promise it's worth it. There's even a saucy poem in the mix! We are so excited for you to listen - let us know what you think by leaving a rating and review on your podcast app, or email us at [email protected] and visit us at https://www.smallgiants.com.au/wisdomandaction.


    Books mentioned:

    Small Arcs of Larger Circles: Framing Through Other Patterns by Nora Bateson Combining by Nora Bateson Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm by Isabella Tree

    Websites to explore:

    Warm Data Lab

    Bateson Institute 

    Nora’s blog

    Knepp

    Want to turn this wisdom into action?

    Small Giants Academy - Impact Safari

    Small Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy 

    Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader 


    And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.


    Berry x


    Produced by Audiocraft


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Welcome to the first episode of the Wisdom and Action podcast, brought to you by the Small Giants Academy. Join host Berry Liberman as she chats with Ben Goldsmith, a leading figure in green investment and the rewilding movement in the UK and Europe. The conversation navigates the complexities of valuing nature, rewilding, and the financial markets in the restoration process. As Berry and Ben explore the mysteries of our connection with nature, they touch on the profound impact of grief and loss, and Ben shares his personal journey about how nature became a source of solace and joy in the aftermath of losing his daughter Iris. Drawing from Ben's book, "God is an Octopus," and his podcast, " Rewilding the World with Ben Goldsmith," we’re introduced to systems thinking, biodiversity and how we can reweave ourselves back into the miracle of life on this planet. 


    Want to turn this wisdom into action? Visit https://www.smallgiants.com.au/wisdomandaction to find out more, email us at [email protected] or look at our Impact Safari: Rewilding The British Isles.


    You can also check out our friends at: 

    Knepp

    The Regenerators

    Odonata Foundation 

    World Wide Fund for Nature


    For investors, check out these exciting biodiversity and nature funds: 

    BCF fund from Sentient 

    Nattergal


    And finally if you want information deliver straight into your inbox, follow these newsletters: 

    Wisdom and Action Newsletter

    Bush Heritage

    Rewilding Britain


    Big love, 

    Berry


    Produced by Audiocraft


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • We’ve been brewing something special here at The Small Giants Academy and can’t wait to show you. The Wisdom and Action Podcast
 coming soon.


    Produced by Audiocraft


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Legendary Hollywood screenwriting teacher Joan Scheckel shares her insights about the true value of meaningful storytelling. Joan has refined a creative process called The Technique – a deep storytelling discipline so deep and profound, you dare not do it if you're not 100 per cent committed to your craft.Joan has worked on hundreds of films: from Little Miss Sunshine to Whale Rider to Transparent. Talking with Joan, we are in the presence of a true master.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • This week’s conversation is between Berry and Canadian culture activist Stephen Jenkinson. His work is really hard to classify. You may have read his conversation with Pierz Newton-John in issue 54 of Dumbo Feather magazine. Stephen has worked extensively with people who are dying, and their families. He’s worked in medical care, agriculture, and he’s also a canoe builder and sculptor. Stephen’s the author of Come of Age and Die Wise. He travels the world performing the Nights of Grief and Mystery Tour, coming to Australia in late 2023.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • This is episode 2 of our mini-series with Nate Hagens, where he and Berry explore the role of energy in our lives and in our economies, and how our short-term thinking around energy in the past two centuries in particular is bringing and will continue to bring huge implications.They wrestle with our collective behaviours and thinking, and unpack some of the adaptive solutions and opportunities available for us to work with the circumstances we are in.You can dive deeper into the work of Nate Hagens through his podcast and programs, “The Great Simplification".You can also explore more in our work over at smallgiants.com.au

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Gabor Mate is a Hungarian-Canadian physician who specialises in addiction and childhood development.His most recent book, a must read, is The Myth of Normal, all about trauma, illness and healing in a toxic culture. We apologise for the rough audio in this chat, but hope you'll still be able to take in many of the gems it harbours.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Introducing our new mini-series with Dumbo Feather favourite, Nate Hagens! You may remember our conversation with Nate from a couple of episodes back, where he gave us a big picture overview of the various interlocking crises of this moment, or what he calls "the human predicament."We are going deeper into this with a mini-series that unpacks a range of issues and asks the question, "What can our collective future look like?" In this episode, Berry and Nate explore the topic of human behaviour, and why that is critical to addressing many of the systemic challenges we face. If you haven’t listened to our first chat with Nate, go back now to The Good Society #1.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Dr Julia Kim is the Program Director of the Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan. Long time readers and listeners of Dumbo Feather will be familiar with the GNH framework, which many organisations, cities and communities around the world have implemented to shape a more sustainable and holistic vision of their success. Julia shares more on that and why Bhutan is such a rich place for leadership exploration in this chat with Small Giants Academy head of programs, Tamsin Jones.You can learn more about the Gross National Happiness Centre over at gnhcentrebhutan.orgJoin Small Giants Academy on an Impact Safari to Bhutan in 2023. Visit impactsafari.com for more

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • It's the brilliant, joyful and wise Esther Perel!Esther is the foremost expert on human relationships and sexuality right now on the planet, and author of the New York Times bestseller Mating in Captivity, which shook the ground beneath us with the concept of erotic intelligence.She is a cultural force & global icon, creator of two outstanding podcasts series: Where Should We Begin, which takes us into the therapy room as she counsels real couples through their conflicts, and How's Work? about the invisible forces that shape workplace dynamics.Esther joined us for an intimate event in Melbourne in November 2022 to launch her new game, Where Should we Begin, and her chat with our editor-in-chief Berry was a celebration of everything that brings us alive.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • In this episode, Kirsty chats with Frances Haugen, the woman who leaked internal documents that demonstrated a lack of empathy and care from Facebook executives about the impact that its products were having, particularly on young women and girls.Facebook has since changed its name to Meta, but its suite of products is the same: Facebook, instagram and WhatsApp are visited by billions of people globally, every day.Frances is a big thinker: she wants to be part of the story that changes the narrative around social media to a more inclusive, positive digital environment for everyone. If you want to know more about her plans for social media that’s good for humanity, head to franceshaugen.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • For the past couple of months, we’ve been exploring what the good society is all about, how we can create systems and communities that support people and planet to thrive. On this episode, we have a slightly different take on the topic. Dumbo Feather’s editor Kirsty de Garis is speaking with someone who had made her way into just about every kitchen in Australia with her gorgeous cookbooks – Hetty McKinnon. Hetty is a Chinese-Australian cook who established Arthur Street Kitchen in Sydney’s Surry Hills in 2011, and not long after released her first cook book, Community, which shared the much-loved vegetable recipes she was serving. Since then, many a fine cook books have followed, including her most recent: Tenderheart, a book about vegetables and unbreakable family bonds. Hetty spoke with Kirsty in September 2022.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Hi friends! This is our third episode in our Good Society series, where we unpack the current systems we live, work and play within and ask how they can do better and be better for people and planet. This week, Berry talks with Oliver Burkeman, a long-time columnist for The Guardian, where he wrote a column about productivity that ultimately lead to his latest book, 4000 Weeks - Time Management for Mortals. First, Oliver says, we need to accept that we can't do everything. Given that reality, what truly great options should we say no to - and grieve - while simultaneously building a good life?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • We’ve got episode two of our Good Society Series, where we’re unpacking the current systems we live, work and play within, and ask how they can be better for people and planet.What does it mean for us to thrive within our planetary bounds? What structures are getting in the way of that? Throughout this series, we look at who we want to be as a society & how we can use our heads, hearts and hands to get there.In this episode, Berry sits down with professor Dan Ariely, one of the world’s leading thinkers in behavioural economics. Dan’s a founding member of the Centre for Advanced Hindsight, which does all kinds of fascinating empirical research into human behaviour – particularly when it comes to money, health and the planet – and uses it to tackle complex socio-economic problems.Dan is particularly interested in irrationality, and how it is present in so much of the everyday decisions we make. He believes that with the right structures and systems in place, we can eliminate some of the opportunity to do things that we know aren’t good for us or the world.Dan serves as a Professor of psychology and behavioural economics at Duke University and is one of the faculty members on the Small Giants Academy Mastery of Business and Empathy.Some of his books include Predictably Irrational, Dollars and Sense and the Honest Truth about Dishonesty. You can also read our conversation with him in issue 55 of Dumbo Feather magazine, Creating the Next Economy.Learn more about Dan’s work over at danariely.com.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • We are excited to share the first in our 6-part series on the The Good Society, where we’re unpacking the current systems we live, work and play within, and ask how they can do better and be better for people and planet.What does it mean for us to thrive with another within our planetary bounds? What structures are currently getting in the way of that? What are the stories we need to be telling to get there?Throughout this series, we look at who we need and want to be as a society, and how we can use our heads, hearts and hands to get there. First cab of the ranks is the brilliant Nate Hagens, a speaker, educator & thought leader from the US, who tackles the big picture issues facing human society and our planet.Nate is Director of the Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future – an organisation focussed on educating and preparing society for the coming cultural transition.His podcast The Great Simplification, like much of his work, explores money, energy, the economy, and the environment – and brings in world leaders on these subjects to unpack how everything fits together, and where we go from here. Nate spoke with Berry about sense-making and the systems science underpinning many of the crises we currently face, and we loved it so much that we’re bringing him back for more! Stay tuned for Berry’s series with Nate which will go deeper into many more of the issues they chat about in his episode.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • You might have noticed a recent run of incredible female leaders on the show – well, they keep coming! This episode Berry sits with one of the world’s leading teachers of mindfulness meditation – Sylvia Boorstein. Sylvia is one of the people who literally brought buddhism to the West in the 1970s, and like many of them is Jewish. She is a mother, a grandmother, a psychotherapist, and a founding teacher of Spirit Rock, a world-renowned Buddhist meditation centre in Woodacre, California. The titles of Sylvia’s books are telling of her good humour and simple wisdom, among them including “Happiness is an inside job,” Road Sage, It’s Easier than you think, “That’s funny, You Don’t look Buddhist,” and our favourite, “Don’t just do something, sit there.” It was an honour for us to have this time with Sylvia, and to hear her reflections and hopes in the latter stages of her life.Sylvia will feature in our upcoming issue of Dumbo Feather magazine, if you’re not already a subscriber, go to dumbofeather.com and soak up more goodness like this in print.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.