Grounded Futures Show

We sat down with Maya Motoi, an unschooled half “Japanese” half Dutch "Canadian" person who is queer, an anarchist, and a feminist who currently lives in Japan. We heard their story about moving solo from Japan to Vancouver at age 13, nerded out about Japanese culture, specifically animation, and the radical alternatives in Japan. The importance of  listening to your gut, being present with all the beauty, and picking the right “fruit!” We dove into  the intersections of work, social justice, sitting in the discomfort, and finding ways to thrive together in a capitalist world.

“I’ve always been a really big fan of listening to other peoples stories” - Maya Motoi

We sat down with the Indigenous artist John Velten to talk about the importance of creating and learning with and for each other, finding anchors in actions and mentors, listening to your whole self and the land, the healing of pulling from all your lineages, and so much more

“It’s a language in itself, this art form. And so, I’ve spoken, through formline design, my interpretation of our environment. And I feel like that’s where the art form stems from, for all these years too. “

The Grounded Futures hosts sat down with Lee Camp -- the intrepid political comedian and head writer and host of the hit show "Redacted Tonight with Lee Camp.” We talk with Lee about his teen years, how he got into comedy, the power of comedians in upending capitalism, the role of technology in creating a hopeful future, and the necessity of satire in busting open the corporate thought box. “Lee is the Che Guevara of comedy,” said Paul Provenza, and this conversation proves this to be true — that revolution can be joyful, fierce, and that laughter is crucial.

We’re opening 2021 with an incredible conversation our hosts had with Margaret Killjoy,  a transfeminine author, musician, and podcaster. In this episode we look at what it means to prepare for end times, the ethics of getting paid as an artist/anarchist/activist in a capitalist system, and so much more!

It’s a New Year’s Eve, 2020 Wrap Up, Bonus Episode of the podcast! The Grounded Futures crew comes together to reflect on the show so far, talk about the challenges of this year, and finding hope and ways to thrive through it all. They also look at their experiences as youth or younger kids and how that influences them now and the decisions they make.

Joey, Liam, Jamie-Leigh, carla and Kitty, dive into some magical and grounding ideas and stories. New terrain for some of us is covered, as we hear about what it means to be multiple. The conversation explores how to thrive amid COVID, vicarious joyful healing through community (in particular through youth), and they each choose their favourite word (for now)! This is the last episode of the Grounded Futures Show in 2020, and it’s a joyful close to the year!

Joey, Liam, Jamie-Leigh, and carla sat down with Ruby Smith Díaz to talk about surviving the teen years, finding belonging and self through subcultures, the devastating impacts of capitalism and white supremacy on BIPOC bodies, the importance of movement joy and much else.

Deviating from the path that has been laid out by our culture and society can be an intimidating and liberating journey. This episode of the Grounded Futures Show brings MJ Brownlee, anarchist, anti-capitalist, and longtime friend of carla bergman, into conversation about his experiences with schooling, finding his own path, and being in relationship with himself and those he loves. He discusses how an anti-capitalist approach to schooling can open up experiences and create the ability to explore different trades, arts, skills and, ultimately, opportunities to build resilient, self-sufficient communities. He also touches on being a paramedic in the current COVID-19 pandemic, and how he is shifting his path once again in order to continue finding joy and thriving.

The Grounded Futures hosts are in conversation with community organizer Kian Cham. Youth hosts Liam Joy and Joey ask Kian about finding ways to thrive as a trans youth and adult under capitalism. Kian talks about turning to street culture and martial arts as a teen, the role of mentorship in his journey, and what it means to be an anticapitalist working towards a decolonial future. He also shares how he has been finding the sweetness in the everyday during the COVID-19 pandemic, and why this time of huge collective uprising gives him hope.