What if policymaking wasn’t just about data, efficiency, and institutional logic—but also about presence, inner clarity, and connection with nature?

Dr. Ora-orn Poocharoen is a pioneering Thai academic and the founding Director of the School of Public Policy at Chiang Mai University. She brings a deeply grounded, embodied, and fresh approach to how public institutions do policy. From bringing in grounding into workshops with the Thai military, to leading a national task force on the PM 2.5 air pollution crisis, Ora is actively bringing more Light into the regeneration of our planet.

In this conversation, Ora shares how her personal awakening—realizing the cost of disconnecting from her emotions—led to radical shifts in her life. She now blends spirituality and self-inquiry into spaces as unlikely as military and climate policy.

Ora is bringing to life a vision for a new paradigm: authentic public policy—one that sees not just systems, but souls

📌 Themes & Timestamps

Unpacking Authentic Public Policy (06:39)

Ora's Understanding of Authenticity (13:39)

Ora’s Awakening to Authenticity (16:50)

Authentic Policy Workshops with the Thai Military (29:28)
What happens when you ask army generals to connect with the earth? Ora shares powerful stories from her workshops with the Thai armed forces.

Bridging Spirituality and Ecology in Climate Action (41:29)
From “soul cities” to forest-based policy design, Ora discusses how spirituality is showing up in her work with Thailand’s Climate Change Department.

Smart Sustainable Governance (43:46)
A paradigm of policy: beyond efficiency and effectiveness, towards systems infused with spirit, justice, and wellbeing.

PM 2.5 Challenge in Chiang Mai (50:03)
Ora talks about leading Thailand’s air pollution response and the complexity of building consensus between scientists, farmers, foresters, and citizens.

Closing Reflections on Living Authentically in Times of Change (54:55)

🔗 Connect with Ora-orn Poocharoen

• School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University

• Ora-orn on LinkedIn

🎧 Connect with Light Forest

• Website: lightforestworld.substack.com

• Twitter: Light Forest & @devlewis18

• Instagram: @lightforestworld & @daiyisi

🎶 The music for this episode was produced by me using Bandlab and original soundscapes.

The short Light Forest animation at the start of the video is made by Ian Pinto.