In honor of International Women’s Day, we bring you a special episode of the Beyond Listening Podcast. Today, we celebrate the power, resilience, and wisdom of women by hosting five extraordinary guests who have courageously walked their unique paths in the world. Each of these women brings a powerful story of leadership, perseverance, and strength.

Guests:

• Dr. Mona Armijo (Florida, USA) – A trailblazer working with Military SEALs, one of the few women among these honorable men.

• Mossy Kilcher (Alaska, USA) – The eldest daughter of the iconic homesteading family featured on Discovery Channel’s Alaska The Last Frontier.

• Michelle Duval (Sydney, Australia) – Founder of Marlee, a pioneering global AI company.

• Liesl Coleman (Oregon, USA) – Leader at The Curry Watershed Partnerships in Curry County Oregon.

• Dr. Tjanara Goreng Goreng (Australia) – A First Nations Australian leader, joining from India, where she is engaged with a women’s university dedicated to UN peacekeeping efforts.

This episode explores the many facets of womanhood, identity, community, and the sacred connections that women forge. Our guests share their personal journeys, reflecting on resilience, courage, leadership, and the evolving roles of women across cultures. We also discuss the importance of psychological safety, inner strength, and the transformative power of feminine leadership in today’s world.

Join us in celebrating International Women’s Day by listening, sharing, and contributing to this vital conversation.

We invite you to be part of this global celebration by joining our free International Women’s Day online gathering on March 8th at 9 AM PST. Share your story, listen to others, and connect in a powerful community of women and allies.

Key Takeaways:

• The energy within a circle of women is profoundly powerful.

• Women often carry the weight of their communities and families.

• Personal journeys are interconnected, shaping identities and experiences.

• Spirituality can play a significant role in self-discovery and resilience.

• Women’s voices and stories contribute to a larger, evolving narrative.

• Connection to nature provides solace and a sense of belonging.

• Sharing experiences empowers and uplifts others.

• Diversity in women’s perspectives enriches collective wisdom.

• Recognizing the sacredness of womanhood strengthens individual and communal identity.

• Community support is essential for growth, healing, and transformation.

Links

Celebrating Women's Stories: A listening circle for International Women's Day Register here

Walking Wild on the Feather River; a retreat for women walking their path in the worldMore information here

Mossy Kilcher: Wikepedia and a short film on youtube with her

Michelle Duval: LInkedin. and her organization, Marlee website and you can see her on a previous episode of our podcast here

Liesl Coleman: Her bio on the website and the website of the organization she has run and built for the last 20 years or more, Curry Watershed Partnership

Dr Tjanara Goreng Goreng: LInkedin and her website here and you can see her on our podcast here
Dr Mona Armijo: LInkedin and an interview about her book here

In this episode, Miriam Jones and Adam Rumack dive into why they have chosen to do women and men focused leadership work this year.

From examining the dynamics of power and the challenges women face in leadership to the necessity of self-reflection and personal growth, this conversation sheds light on how both retreats foster personal development and empowerment. This conversation however isn’t just about retreats—it’s about embracing who you are, overcoming societal norms, and connecting with others in meaningful ways.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on collaboration, courage, and the journey to empower oneself and others

In this chat around the fireside, Atz Kilcher shares his deep connection to music, nature, and the journey of self-acceptance. Reflecting on his childhood, he explores how the wilderness shaped his understanding of himself and the world around him. Atz reveals the therapeutic power of music and how returning to nature can help veterans and others find peace, purpose, and personal growth. Weaving stories of his time in Fox Canyon at the head of the Kachemak Bay in Alaska and the art of basket weaving, he illuminates how these practices connect us to nature and the wisdom of community, healing, and shared experiences.

November 2nd: Songs from the Wilderness

Topa Insitute, Ojai California

On November 2nd join Atz Kilcher for an unforgettable evening in the serene beauty of the Topa Topa Mountains. Celebrate the powerful journey of veterans healing through nature and music. Featuring performances by Atz Kilcher, Andrew Wiscombe, Stephen Covell, Kate, and Secily Anderson, this concert brings the stories and songs of veterans to life in a way that inspires, uplifts, and connects us all.

All proceeds from this event will support veterans' healing trips to Heroes Healing Homestead, a place where veterans connect with nature, each other, and themselves in the magical setting of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay. Help us give back to those who have served by supporting this incredible cause. Families welcome.

More Information and Buy Tickets here

Special Experiences:

In this heartfelt episode of Beyond Listening, we sit down with veteran and musician Andrew to explore his journey from the military to a powerful career in songwriting. Andrew shares his early roots in punk rock and country music, how music helped him cope with the aftermath of his military service, and the transformative experiences he’s had through the Heroes Healing Homestead initiative, co-hosted by Atz Kilcher and Operation Encore.

Andrew opens up about his time in the military, his struggle with PTSD, and how songwriting became an essential outlet for processing the trauma. He also discusses a profound revelation he had during a trip to the Heroes Healing Homestead in Alaska, a healing retreat for veterans. Andrew describes how this experience unlocked deep memories, leading him to confront past trauma and begin a journey of healing.

Through raw honesty, Andrew talks about the challenges of balancing a sensitive heart in a military environment, shedding the tough exterior, and reconnecting with his true self through music and nature. We also get a special treat as Andrew performs two of his songs, including the emotional "Alone with You" and the poignant "Working Man’s Mile," both of which speak to themes of resilience, authenticity, and finding peace in unexpected places.

We wrap up with a look ahead to the upcoming *Healing Heroes: Songs from the Wilderness* concert in Ojai, California, featuring Andrew, Atz Kilcher, and other talented musicians. Join us as we explore how nature, community, and music can create powerful healing experiences for veterans and beyond.

Show notes:

Andrew Wiscombe website

Learn more about the event: Healing Heroes: Songs from the Wilderness

Donate to the work of HHH and Open Circle Foundation 

Learn more about Heroes Healing Homestead

Learn more about Open Circle Foundation

Learn more about Operation Encore

In this episode, Adam and Miriam, co founders of Open Circle, dive deep into the complexities of guiding change, offering practical insights into both horizontal and vertical transformations. They emphasize the critical need for understanding and accepting change, while also exploring the common resistance humans face, often rooted in our fear of loss.

Throughout the conversation, they address the challenges individuals and organizations encounter when guiding change, from managing resistance to recognizing what is truly essential. Adam and Miriam reflect on how our evolutionary attachment to status and identity can make embracing change difficult, sometimes leading to anxiety, depression, or a lack of meaning.

Key Takeaways:

Links

Vertical and Horizontal Change: article by Adam Ruumack

Open Circle Training: Guiding Change (October 2024)

Research Report: Positive Effects of time spent in nature

Research Report: Positive effect of Listening Circle and Mindfulness

Kiersten McCartney, “Coach K”, the program director and co-founder of Arena Adaptive, shares her journey and passion for engaging people with disabilities in exercise, fitness, and sport. She discusses the origins of her passion and the intentional community-building approach she takes in her work.

 The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to adaptive fitness, healthcare challenges for people with disabilities, and the importance of inclusion and understanding. Coach K shares insights on her work, the impact of her programs, and the need for greater awareness and support for individuals with disabilities. 

We also delve into the significance of treating people with disabilities as individuals and the value of adaptive sports. Coach K shares her experiences in creating inclusive fitness programs and starting an amputee soccer team.

Links:

More Than Fitness

Arena Adaptive Promotional Video

So Everybody Can Move website

Open Circle Foundation

Get in contact with Coach K and Arena Adaptive:

In our latest episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of nature and its profound effects on the brain with Amy McDonnell, a research fellow at the University of Utah Applied Cognition Lab.

Meet Our Guest: Amy McDonnell

Amy McDonnell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her background in neuroscience and environmental psychology. Her research at the University of Utah Applied Cognition Lab focuses on the intersection of wilderness therapy, neuroscience, and environmental neuroscience. Amy's quest to identify biomarkers and neural signatures of the nature experience is groundbreaking, providing valuable insights into how nature impacts our brain and overall well-being.

In this episode, we cover... 

Show Notes

Contribute to the Open Circle Foundation and our ongoing research partnership with the Cognition Lab. We are together creating greater access to the transformative power of Nature for all.

Deciding how to Decide

This conversation between Open Circle Founders, Miriam Jones and Adam Rumack, explores the topic of decision-making and challenges the assumptions we have about how and why decisions are made. It discusses the definition of decisions and power, both at an individual and group level.

The conversation encourages questioning the structures and methods of decision-making and provides a framework for deciding how to decide. It explores different types of decision-making methods, factors to consider in decision-making, and the pitfalls and benefits of each method. The conversation also delves into the power dynamics and leadership styles involved in decision-making. It concludes by emphasizing the need for agile decision-making and the importance of transparency and trust in the decision-making process.

Takeaways

Shownote Links

Link to Deciding how to decide model and Leadership Qualities Presentation

Purpose and values.

These simple words hold huge meaning, and potential impact, for how we act in the world.

Welcoming a kindred spirit this week, Adam and Brandon are joined by fellow wilderness expedition leader and founder of leadership development organization StoneWater, Phil Kornachuk.

Phil’s work is rooted in purpose and values, recognising its importance for his own development and his work mentoring, coaching and inspiring growth in individuals, leaders, sports teams and elite

Reflecting on his journey, he reveals the steps he took to starting StoneWater, the lessons he learned from over two decades in the military, the ongoing lessons of business and the lifelong mission of cultivating moral authority.

How do we become optimistic about uncertainty?

The modern world can be scary. AI is making its mark, anxiety levels are rising, and leaders are faced with more uncertainty than ever.

Enter John Sanei: futures strategist, bestselling author, international keynote speaker, adviser to Fortune 100 companies, global expert at Singularity University and much more.

A tireless educator, John is passionate about using practical neuroscience to elevate consciousness and build a brighter

In the discussion, he outlines his story, dissects the meaning of purpose, reflects on AI, and casts a revealing light on the