Rachel Uwa is the founder of The School of Machines, Making & Make Believe, which provides one-of-a-kind hands-on learning experiences in the areas of art, technology, design, and human connection. Centred around the philosophy of lifelong learning, they are on a mission to nurture critically-minded individuals to be more deeply engaged with their surroundings and with themselves. 

Tune in to hear how tech and human connection come together in Rachel’s work! 

Check them out: http://schoolofma.org/ 

Key points in part 2: 

Our ideal worlds 

Drones to human experience - beyond borders and politics 

Cereal party, daddy issues and more exciting classes at School of MA 

We all have the capacity to care and act - activism as care - we can all do something 

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This conversation with Nicky Wilkinson, executive director of Firetree Philanthropy is a peek into the funders’ world, from Firetree Philanthropy’s perspective and approach as well as a glimpse into what other funders look at and some prevalent conversations in the Philanthropy circle. Here are some key points from this episode.  The starting of Firetree Philantropy and their link to Southeast Asia.  Prioritizing on trust centred type practice Where the money comes from affects how the funder behaves What is the role we can play as a private trust? Supporting experimental funding work, networks and social infrastructure Shifting power dynamics in a human way Minimizing reporting requirements, being interested in what organisations are learning Funding local led work, no proposals asked: Things that Firetree Philantropy looks at Funders to be aware of the role they can play in the ecosystem to create change How funders fund is as important as what they fund Insights about how Firetree's non-profit partners reacted to the pandemic   The vital importance of legitimizing rest and restoration; no shame, no guilt  Check them out: https://www.firetree.org [email protected]

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What’s the value of arts and cultural education? How do you build a social enterprise supporting creatives? Let Jeff tell you all about it. Jeff M. Poulin is an American educator, non-profit administrator, and social entrepreneur whose work takes a justice approach towards uncovering transformative youth-led local solutions for complex global challenges. He’s a performer, teaching artist, and activist turned social entrepreneur who is creating social impact through supporting young creatives and their adult allies around the globe.  Key points in this episode: Youth activism and social impact in the United States Understanding how young artists can be their most effective advocates for the issues they care about Unlearning, bridging, navigating, and holding tensions within current structures that govern policy, culture, and education Building the path with humility and generosity Creative Generation’s social entrepreneurship journey Social transformation through challenging hierarchies and norms that create oppressions and adding their creative element Creative capabilities to have to positively impact the world Listen and not be afraid to act Check them out: https://creative-generation.org Instagram: @campaign4genc

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"I just want to create a company where really badass people get to do the work that they love and that they are so good at and get paid really well and do it from anywhere in the world.” -Beth Salyers Beth Salyers is a public school teacher turned entrepreneur who leads Custom Learning Atelier, which utilises the art and science of learning to accompany you through the discomfort of growth and increase your positive impact on the world. Key points in this episode: From public school teacher and systemic inequalities to entrepreneur Teaching the great social conditioner - change what that normal feels like through intersection of art and science. Change happens in margin - staying at growth edge long enough Showing up in places with the kind of people you want to work with - showing up where its safe to ask What is my zone of sustainable service and staying there while respecting what it is for others - valuing multiple ways of knowing the self in the world Staying in discomfort is the work Check them out: https://www.customlearningatelier.com

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Jolene Lum is the co-founder of Urban Tiller, a next generation farm-to-table agribusiness, founded in 2020. They work closely with local farmers in Singapore to deliver fresh produce to customers within hours of harvesting. They have expanded operations to Hyderabad in India in December 2020, and hope to bring value-added services and support to smallholder and new-age farmers in the region as they grow.

Key points of this episode:

Building a local produce ecosystem

Thinking about food in land scarce Singapore.

A different way of looking at jobs and careers.

Questioning the true cost of growing food during Covid-19.

Who cares and whose jobs would pay them enough to care?

Passion as a mix of care, emotional connection and curiosity

Support community keeping the entrepreneurship journey going

Challenges of being a young founder

How do you align what people care about as an entrepreneur?

Check them out at https://urbantiller.com/home and get your fresh greens!

Check out INSEP's Reconnection Playground 

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Laura is a social impact strategist and designer, co-founder of The Spaceship (education program that teaches change makers how to solve global challenges with business) and Demopunk (connecting carbon sequestering projects with real estate). She previously led Fashion Revolution in Singapore and Malaysia which opens up many conversations around the enivronmental impact of fashion.

Key points in this episode:

Intersecting and creating new opportunities through cross sector collaborations

Systems approach to creating change

Good and bad in every impact - questioning your work

Understanding value

Intersecting arts and social innovation

Tips to funding application

How to pitch your process

Advice for young change makers

https://www.laurafrancois.com

https://www.thespaceship.org

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What happens when a millennial talks to a boomer about change making in the midst of a climate crisis? Jack Sim is a successful entrepreneur and the founder of World Toilet Organisation. He became a milionaire at age 29, then retired from the business world at age 40 and dedicated his life to social impact. WTO supported in implementing 110 million toilets in India and built 13 blocks of Rainbow Schools Toilets in rural China. Its founding day 19 November in 2001 has become World Toilet Day, now celebrated worldwide each year towards improving the state of toilets and sanitation globally. In 2013, all 193 countries of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted 19 November as the official UN World Toilet Day. Jack has received awards from all over the world, including her majesty queen elizabeth commonwealth points of light award, luxembourg peace prize for activist, reader’s digest asian of the year and hero of the environment by time magazine. Key takeaways of episode: Greenwashing and consumption Tackling the climate crisis through frugality Redefining success Negotiation tips around different agendas Guerrilla marketing Royal Flush: Humour and media P.S. If anyone’s giving drumming lessons in Singapore, get in touch with Jack! https://www.worldtoilet.org  

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“I never felt ever that there was a path just right for me... We need more people that create paths because the current paths are not good enough.”

This episode is about not being afraid to cross disciplines and boundaries. There are many opportunities that exist when we create a path across domains.

Key points in this episode:

Laura Fischer is an interdisciplinary artist, activist and researcher focused on trauma and healing. Her work weaves creative approaches with scientific methods (and vice-versa) and focuses on trauma - often with an activist agenda. She has spoken at conferences and events in the UK and Europe, including several keynotes and TEDx. Laura is an honorary research associate at King's College London and gives regular lectures at Central Saint Martins and University College of London.

https://www.laurafischer-trauma.co.uk

Instagram: @brains_and_brushes

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