The Lightfoot Podcast

Bruce Parry is an explorer and documentary maker best known for his BBC series Tribe. He's also a really wise and lovely guy who in my opinion has one of the most interesting and inspiring messages out there. We trace his evolution from Christian military man to Rational Animist and explore the many lessons he learned from living with Indigenous peoples all over the world. We focus in on the key messages of his documentary Tawai, discuss the life changing impact of his encounter with the Penan people and and touch on how Bruce is attempting to embody such experiences in his life today. https://www.bruceparry.com

Scoutleader Wiley and I discuss the psychological perks and deep healing possibilities of cultivating a practice of ritual art. We unpack what it means to foster an arcane intellect and delve into the hot topics of gender and race identity exploring Scout's broader philosophical framing in the process. I enjoyed this conversation immensely and hope you do too.    https://www.facebook.com/the.arcaneintellect

Emil and I discuss some of the more nuanced critiques of Metamodernism and highlight the central importance of finding love in our lives. We explore the danger of cults forming around developmental theory and Emil shares an update on upcoming Hanzi publications. We dream of Metamodern monasteries and unpack the core ideas from the Hanzi article Obedience As Laughter: From The Great Dicator To The Great Spectator and Emil leaves us with some prescient words from David Foster Wallace. I really enjoyed spending this conversation and I hope you do too. https://metamoderna.org/obedience-as-laughter-from-the-great-dictator-to-the-great-spectator/ Emil is now also offering online courses in Metamodernism - More information available here- https://dandelion.earth/events/611d47beb79408000ced75a3

A little update from me.

This week I’m joined by Justin Scott Campbell for a fascinating conversation about the connections between identity, social change, racial justice and the somatic experience. We explore some of the themes in Justins writings and trace his developmental arc from professor to diversity trainer to somatic coach. We also delve into the ideas of Octavia Butler, Ursula Le Guinn and Adrienne Maree Brown. Justin even coaches me in real time around how best to structure communities of practice that don’t crumble under the pressure and weight of looking more directly at uncomfortable truths. I hope you enjoy basking in Justins wisdom as much as I did. https://linktr.ee/justinscottcampbell

This week I'm joined by Stephanie Lepp for a far reaching discussion around what it means to have a deep reckoning. We explore the ethics of apologising, the art of forgiveness and the fundamental importance of understanding how people can radically change their world views. Stephanie shares what it's like to be Alex Jones for a day and also speaks to the profoundly transformative power of ritualised days of atonement. I really enjoyed spending this time with Stephanie and hope you do too. https://www.infinitelunchbox.com/ https://www.reckonings.show/

This week I'm joined by Helena Norberg-Hodge for a passionate discussion around the importance of localisation. We touch on her time in Ladakh and trace how the unique experience of being exposed to a culture almost entirely free of Western influence has motivated and informed her campaign against globalisation ever since. We unpack the pervasiveness of multinational corporate influence, ask what role technology should play in a regenerative future and highlight how relocalising our food production is one of the key leverage points for bringing about an economics of happiness. I feel Helena has such an important message to share with the world so I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. https://www.localfutures.org

This week I speak with Jeremy Lent who I believe to be one of the most important thinkers of our time. We trace the thread of ideas connecting his first book The Patterning Instinct with his new book The Web Meaning and explore the limits of scientific reductionism in relation to unifying science and spirit. We touch on the fascinating origins of Neo-confucianism and even speak to the profound metaphorical implications of rainbows. I had my world view gently expanded at multiple points throughout this conversation and left feeling a like I'd been drinking some kind of intellectual ayahuasca. I feel there is tremendous value in the philosophical case Jeremy puts forward for why and how we can move towards an Ecological Civilisation. It was a pleasure and a privilege to spend this time with him. https://www.jeremylent.com/the-web-of-meaning.html

This week Miriam and I take a deep dive into her wealth of experience weaving community. We explore her journey in cultivating 10 years of integrally informed intentional community and unpack both what helped and hindered the group from crystallising their communal coherence from a series of peak states into a solid stage. Miriam also shares her insights from two decades of counselling into what kind of psychospiritual work might help prepare us for deeper experiences of connection, safety and love in our relationships. She also offers a some guidance for how best to hold space for others as they unfold along their path. I found so much wisdom in her word and feel really grateful to have shared in the conversation together.  https://miriammartineau.com

Right off the bat Arran and I delve into some shadow work together before exploring how our Western culture seems perfectly engineered to avoid facing it's own dark side. Arran outlines his relationship to Jungian psychology and shares some of what he's learned in his process interviewing a series of leading thinkers in that world. We discuss the huge potential and giant pitfalls of approaching shadow work in the context of the sense making web and also touch on how difficult it is to dedicate oneself to 'the spirit of truth' and not end up in sticky situations because of it. We talk about the promise of a fully committed, embodied and lived experience of a tribe committed to shadow work together and outline the critical tension between cynicism and hope. Arran has a keen and broad mind and this conversation left me feeling connected and inspired.   https://www.arranrogerson.com https://www.goldenshadow.org