Phenomenal Conversation #43 The Economies of Living Systems with Damaris Matthijsen

In this conversation, Damaris Matthijsen of Economy Transformers invites us to reimagine the very foundations of economic life. Moving beyond critique, she shares a living practice rooted in four interwoven dimensions:

🌱 Relational Ownership: Stewarding resources as living relationships, not assets for control.

🔁 Peer Governance: Decisions arising from shared purpose, not imposed hierarchies.

🪞 Personal Transformation: Inner work as the ground for economic change.

🌾 New Organisational Structures: Practical models where money flows like water, and ownership becomes care.This is not a future dream—it’s a living reality taking root in communities, schools, and businesses.

➤ Join the conversation subscribe comment share and like

More on Damaris and her organisation Economy Transformers (in Dutch).

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Phenomenal Conversations are crafted and curated to expand imagination, ask profound questions and promote generative enquiry in order to embrace the magnitude of the polycrisis and contribute towards a (Re)Generative Worldview

Connect with Dave Pendle the founder on his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Generative You⁠⁠

In Phenomenal Conversations #42 Myth as Living Patterns for Renewal and Hope,

Kristina Dryza invites us into a mythic way of seeing and being—where archetypes live within us, myths guide us through chaos, and deep renewal begins in ritual and descent. This dialogue is soulful exploration of embodiment, sacred participation, and what she calls “mythic hope."

Main Themes:

- Archetypes as Energetic Templates: Archetypes are not just story types—they’re living patterns that shape our inner and outer experience long before language emerged.

- Embodiment Over Explanation: True change comes not through understanding alone, but through embodied engagement—through ritual, theatre, and lived experience.

- Mythic Posture, Not Control: We are invited to shift from managing life to participating reverently in its unfolding, listening for deeper invitations within our experiences.

- Collective Descent for Renewal: Our avoidance of darkness—grief, complexity, underworld journeys—feeds modern crisis. Renewal calls for sacred descent in community.

- Myths as Maps for Chaos: Myths are not old stories, but living blueprints—guides that help us navigate this age of upheaval with meaning and soul.

- Myths as Maps for Chaos: Myths are not old stories, but living blueprints—guides that help us navigate this age of upheaval with meaning and soul.

- Mythic Hope: A deep, soulful trust in what is unseen and eternal—not a hope of outcomes, but of alignment with what wants to be born through us.

About Kristina here

Her Tedx Talk ---

Phenomenal Conversations are crafted and curated to expand imagination, ask profound questions and promote generative enquiry in order to embrace the magnitude of the polycrisis and contribute towards a (Re)Generative Worldview

• Connect with Dave Pendle the founder on his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Generative You

Phenomenal Conversation #41

Part 2 Rewilding the Mind for a Regenerative World with Jessica Boehme - A live co-created podcast In the second part of Eko-Philosophy – Rewilding the Mind for a Regenerative World.

Jessica Boehme, myself and a small group of participants journeyed deeper into a collective inquiry on what it means to live wisely in disrupted times.This shared exploration brought forward core insights about belief, rhythm, and presence: This live conversation exemplifies what it means to be in dialogical and generative enquiry together. Issues explored included;

🔹 Unlearning Modern Beliefs -The group questioned dominant cultural assumptions like human exceptionalism, linear progress, and the pursuit of one truth. What if these inherited beliefs limit our ability to relate regeneratively with the Earth and each other?

🔹 Reclaiming Natural Cycles- Over Linear Goals Instead of always striving forward, participants explored what it means to live by seasonal rhythms. Stories of gardening and presence revealed how surrendering to life’s cycles can reshape how we think, feel, and act.

🔹 Holding Complexity as a PracticeThe group reflected on the courage it takes to live fully into both joy and sorrow, simplicity and uncertainty. Might the art of "being with what is" be a vital regenerative skill?This was not a debate. It was a felt exploration into the heart of living philosophy

Website for ⁠Jessica⁠ https://www.jessicaboehme.com/

Her blog on ⁠Substack⁠: https://jessicaboehme.substack.com/about

Her ⁠Institute for Practical Eko-Philosophy https://www.institute-pep.com/

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Phenomenal Conversations are crafted and curated to expand imagination, ask profound questions and promote generative enquiry in order to embrace the magnitude of the polycrisis and contribute towards a (Re)Generative Worldview

• Connect with Dave Pendle the founder on his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Generative You

Phenomenal Conversation #40 - Eko-Philosophy – Rewilding the Mind for a Regenerative World 1/2,

Brings to life the practical and poetic possibilities of a new way of thinking, sensing, and being. During this intimate and thought-provoking interview, Jessica Boehme shares her personal and philosophical journey from engineering to eco-philosophy. Drawing from her experiences in sustainability research, systems thinking, and spiritual inquiry, Jessica invites us to explore what it means to live wisely in a world on the brink.

Episode 2 is a 'Live Podcast' recording of the collective enquiry engaged in after this interview with Jessica. To be published in the week following this interview's launch.

Key themes included:

- Philosophy as a practical, lived practice. Jessica describes how philosophical inquiry can move from abstract theory into daily, embodied decisions and life experiments.

- Relational worldviews that reconnect us with the more-than-human. We explore the idea that individuals are not isolated entities, but part of an interconnected ecological and cosmic web.

- The struggle to embody philosophical insights in everyday life. Living by relational or regenerative principles isn't easy—it challenges comfort and calls for deep integration.

- "Philosophy Gyms" as spaces for collective sense-making. Jessica introduces her work bringing philosophy into organizations through dialogic, reflective spaces for deeper inquiry.

- The role of embodiment in reflection and transformation. She emphasizes that real philosophical practice engages the full self: body, heart, mind, spirit, and relationship.

- Re:Wilding philosophy—bringing thought back to the body, the Earth, and community. Re:Wilding Philosophy calls for returning philosophical thought to its roots: relational, ecological, and transformational.

Website for Jessica

Her blog on Substack:

Her Institute for Practical Eko-Philosophy

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Phenomenal Conversations are crafted and curated to expand imagination, ask profound questions and promote generative enquiry in order to embrace the magnitude of the polycrisis and contribute towards a (Re)Generative Worldview

• Connect with Dave Pendle the founder on his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Generative You

  
  

Phenomenal Conversation #40 The Life's Journey of an Eco-Spiritual Warrior with Dave Hampton

What if the sustainability movement had a soul?

In this raw and revelatory episode, we trace the path of Dave Hampton—a former GB rower and pioneering sustainability consultant—whose life journey maps the rise, collapse, and reimagining of environmental consciousness. I call him an eco-spiritual warrior because he embodies a rare blend of scientific rigor, personal vulnerability, and moral courage.🔍 In this episode, we explore:- The roots of privilege and neurodiversityDave H reflects on how his early success in maths and physics masked deeper struggles—and how both giftedness and pain shaped his truth-telling edge.- Rowing as metaphor and medicineA late entry to the sport, rowing became his escape, his body’s awakening, and an early connection to the flow of nature.- The myth of "sustainability"After years pioneering green building standards, Dave witnessed how sustainability was co-opted—reduced to profit metrics and stripped of its soul.- Spirituality as a response to disillusionmentTurning inward, Dave found healing in mentors, Schumacher College, and practices that honored the wounds unspoken in traditional activism.- Champions for the Earth: a new calling for athletesHe shares how elite sportspeople, once “champions of the world,” are now stepping up as champions for the Earth—with voice, visibility, and vulnerability.- The cost—and power—of civil disobedienceFrom Parliament roads to local XR groups, Dave opens up about facing arrests, isolation, and why collective action still gives him hope.👉 Tune in now for a conversation that challenges, heals, and inspires. This isn't just a podcast. It’s a call to live courageously, and spiritually, in an unravelling world.-About Dave HamptonChampions for Earth https://championsforearth.com/about/Dave's Marlow FM Radio Show https://www.facebook.com/groups/theecoshow/posts/2082237475545041/

Phenomenal Conversations are crafted and curated to expand imagination, ask profound questions and promote generative enquiry in order to embrace the magnitude of the polycrisis and contribute towards a (Re)Generative Worldview

• Connect with Dave Pendle the founder on his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Generative You⁠

Phenomenal Conversation #39: Evolving the Male Psyche for a New Era with Rudy Waele

In this episode, Rudy de Waele shares his journey and insights on the evolution of masculinity in the 21st century.Key points covered:

1️⃣ Rudy’s BackgroundRudy transitioned from working at the forefront of art, technology, culture, and innovation to leadership development, regeneration, focusing on men’s work. His shift was shaped by his time at Singularity University, where he recognised the risks of a tech-dominated future lacking human connection, and by his immersion in Socratic Design and regenerative practices while living in Turkey.

2️⃣ COVID as a Turning PointWhen the pandemic struck, Rudy lost his career as a futurist speaker, causing a profound identity crisis. The collapse of his “provider” role led him to deeply question his self-worth, ultimately pushing him into inner work and the formation of men’s circles.

3️⃣ Main Challenges Facing Men Today Rudy identifies key issues men face:

• Lack of purpose and direction
• Difficulty expressing and processing emotions
• Struggles in intimate relationships
• Loneliness and lack of male bonding
• Societal pressure to achieve
• Disconnection from the body and intuition
• Unwillingness to integrate feminine energy
• Many of these challenges, he argues, stem from unresolved relationships with fathers and a constant need to prove worth.

• Be vulnerable without judgment
• Explore limiting beliefs and inherited trauma
• Heal both wounded or immature masculine and feminine energies
• Rebuild emotional literacy and connection
• Develop a sense of belonging and shared growth

4️⃣ Impact of Technology and AlgorithmsThe conversation highlights how online algorithms can reinforce toxic masculine ideals by steering young men into filter bubbles, exposing them to unhealthy role models. This digital landscape often replaces the real-world community, deepening isolation, especially among younger men.

5️⃣ The Power of Men’s CirclesRudy’s core response is building community through men’s circles. In these spaces, men are encouraged to:

6️⃣ Path to Healthy MasculinityThe ultimate goal is to help men transition from a state of suffering or victimhood to one of empowerment. Rudy emphasises reconnecting with inner truth, integrating personal wounds, embracing “king” and “warrior” energies, and living intentionally through practices like mindful routines and connection with nature.

More about Rudy's work here

His Unconditional Men Blog on Substack

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Phenomenal Conversations are crafted and curated to expand imagination, ask profound questions and promote generative enquiry in order to embrace the magnitude of the polycrisis and contribute towards a (Re)Generative Worldview

• Connect with Dave Pendle the founder on his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Generative You⁠⁠

Phenomenal Conversation #38 Foregrounding the Beloved Community with Karima Kadaoui

In this intimate conversation, Karima Kadaoui invites us into the living, breathing world of Tamkeen—a process rooted in deep listening, co-reflection, and the co-creation of what she suggests is Makan Makeen*: a safe, love-nurturing space where imagination blooms and everyone belongs.Together, in the interview we explore:

• How the act of questioning the questions reveals deeper truths about ourselves and our communities
• The poetic power of language—across Arabic, French, and English—to liberate thought and awaken presence
• A reimagining of transformation not as a fixed destination, but as something that unfolds moment by moment
• The possibility of recognizing beauty and humanity, even in places where pain and violence have taken root
• How a North African village came to name itself “The Village of Humanity” after engaging in co-creation through Tamkeen

This is a conversation for educators, regenerators, facilitators, and culture-makers seeking to dwell in the fertile unknown—and meet one another, again, as fully human.

• Watch. Reflect. Share

* Makan Makeen: A space for becoming. https://tamkeencommunity.org/makan-makeen/

More about Tamkeen here: https://tamkeencommunity.org/

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  Phenomenal Conversations are crafted and curated to expand imagination, ask profound questions and promote generative enquiry in order to embrace the magnitude of the polycrisis and contribute towards a (Re)Generative Worldview

  • Connect with Dave Pendle the founder on his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Generative You⁠⁠

Phenomenal Conversations #37 with Dr. Swan Dao | A Journey into Tradition, Embodiment & Devotion

What happens when philosophy isn’t enough? When intellect meets devotion, and tradition becomes lived experience?

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, Dr. Swan Dao shares his deeply personal path through inherited religious traditions, embodied spiritual practice, and the art of soulful living.

✨ Key Highlights:

• Rooted Yet Restless: Raised in a culturally rich family spanning Buddhist, Caodaist, Catholic, and Anglican traditions, Dr. Dao’s spiritual curiosity was sparked by a sense that something deeper was missing.

• From the Mind to the Body: Dissatisfied with purely intellectual inquiry, he shifted toward felt experience — living out spiritual truths beyond theory, especially within monastic and devotional settings.

• Honoring Tradition Without Being Bound by It: Instead of rejecting religious heritage, Dr. Dao explores how we can reclaim wisdom from ancestral traditions without falling into dogma.

• Walking Many Paths at Once: He invites us to consider a “meta-modern” spirituality — holding multiple ways of being without collapsing them into one fixed truth.

• Theater as Devotion: Turning to physical theater, Dr. Dao speaks of art not as self-expression, but as a sacred response — a way to deepen our human presence.

• Soul Work in Community: Beyond one-on-one therapy, he emphasizes collective healing through community practices, like the Zeg Forum, and a vision of cross-disciplinary growth.

👁️‍🗨️ This episode is a treasure for anyone exploring spiritual embodiment, ancestral traditions, artistic devotion, or soul-centered transformation.

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Phenomenal Conversations are crafted and curated to expand imagination, ask profound questions and promote generative enquiry in order to embrace the magnitude of the polycrisis and contribute towards a (Re)Generative Worldview

• Connect with Dave Pendle the founder on his website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Generative You⁠⁠