Organising from Elsewhere Podcast

In this episode, we explore The Art of Collective Ownership with Ivo Schmetz — designer, musician, activist, and long-time steward of Amsterdam’s free spaces. After graduating from art school in Maastricht, Ivo “accidentally” stepped into the squatting movement and helped occupy both the OLVG hospital (1998–1999) and the iconic OT301 (1999–present). These experimental spaces shaped his life’s work: not just as a hybrid designer and videomaker, but as a builder of collective projects that challenge ownership, power, and separation. As a board member and programmer at OT301 and one of the driving forces behind Amsterdam Alternative, Ivo has spent the last decade publishing a bi-monthly free newspaper, hosting public debates and cultural events, developing Vrij Beton to realize new collectively owned spaces, and creating a multimedia web documentary on collective ownership. In this conversation, he reflects on 25 years of living, creating, and organising in community — and what these free spaces can teach us about interdependence, autonomy, and the future of the commons.

00:00 Introduction to Collective Ownership
02:26 Welcome to the Podcast
03:07 The Squatting Experience Begins
03:24 Life in the Squat
04:39 Organizational Challenges and Growth
08:31 The Move to OT 301
09:23 Navigating Legal and Social Changes
09:59 The Role of Artists in Gentrification
13:05 Establishing a New Collective
14:34 Organizational Methods and Decision Making
18:55 Balancing Individual and Collective Needs
27:10 Evolving Organizational Structures
34:27 Amsterdam Alternative and Future Vision
44:04 Personal Engagement and Motivation
45:12 Exploring Organizational Culture
47:06 Challenges and Decision-Making Methods
47:48 Radical Innovations in Organizing
51:31 Collective Ownership and Neutralizing Ownership
54:28 Interconnectedness and Organizational Structures
01:01:22 Role of Assimilation and Gentrification
01:06:07 Ownership and Collective Wisdom
01:09:15 Inspiration and Small Initiatives
01:28:45 Final Thoughts and Future Collaboration


www.ivoschmetz.nl
www.amsterdamalternative.nl
www.collectiveownership.net

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In this episode, host Tulia welcomes Erika Koskela, an enrolled member of the Brown Valley Tribes of California and a dedicated advocate for indigenous language and cultural revitalization. Together, they explore the deep connections between intuition, language, and identity, discussing Erika’s work on the Flathead Reservation in Montana and her experiences with nonprofit organizing rooted in indigenous values. The conversation delves into the challenges of moving beyond hierarchical, colonized models, the importance of spirituality and collective wisdom, and the process of reclaiming ancestral knowledge and capacities often suppressed by modern society. Through personal stories and reflections, Tulia and Erika highlight indigenous approaches to leadership, community, and relationality, inviting listeners to reflect on their own roots, relationships, and ways of being in the world.


0:00 Introduction & Intuition
2:41 Meet Erika & Her Work
4:11 Language, Identity, and Revitalization
8:07 Organizing Beyond Hierarchy
14:15 Spirituality, Intuition, and Indigenous Knowledge
15:55 Relationality and Community Healing
24:12 Leadership, Power, and Humility
28:51 Reclaiming Ancestral Capacities
35:33 The Collective Beyond Humans
38:56 Closing Reflections

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In this episode of "Organizing from Elsewhere", Niki sits down with Anshul Aggarwal, a farmer at AuroOrchard in Auroville, India, to explore the deep interconnectedness between land, food, and human consciousness. Anshul shares insights about the spiritual and ecological experiment that is Auroville, the history and mission of AuroOrchard, and his personal journey into farming. They discuss the importance of service to the land, the evolving nature of human consciousness, and the challenges and aspirations of creating sustainable, conscious communities. The episode offers a rich dialogue on reimagining how we grow food, connect with nature, and organize as a society, emphasizing the need for openness, humility, and constant learning.

00:00 Introduction to Interconnectedness and the Land
00:35 Exploring New Ways of Organizing
02:30 Welcome to the Podcast
03:39 Anshul Aggarwal's Journey and Auroville's Vision
06:24 The Role of Food in Human Culture and Consciousness
08:26 Personal Reflections and the Philosophy of Farming
17:28 Interconnectedness and Human Unity
23:24 Spiritual Experiences and Collective Transformation
25:49 Exploring the Concept of Awe and Overwhelm
26:59 Challenges and Constraints in Auroville
28:56 The Role of Community in Overcoming Mental Logic
29:49 Social Issues and Decision Making in Auroville
31:41 Learning and Experimentation in Communities
38:45 The Interconnectedness of Individual and Collective Growth
44:21 The Future of Human Evolution and Posthumanism
49:25 Embracing Openness and Emergence
50:52 Closing Thoughts and Invitation to Dialogue

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Let's explore new ways of organizing to navigate the collapse of current systems and build for a resilient future. This week's conversation hosts Richard from Novara Media, who discusses his experiences with organizing in contexts ranging from music schools to anti-fascist movements. The discussion delves into the impact of different organizational strategies and highlights the need for radical new visions that challenge the status quo. The episode concludes with a critical reflection on the left's difficulty in articulating positive futures and stresses the importance of not letting figures like Elon Musk dominate the narrative of what's possible.

00:00 Introduction: Articulating Positive Futures
00:36 Exploring New Ways of Organizing
02:26 Introducing Richard: Background and Experience
03:44 Organizing in Music and University
07:51 Anti-Fascist Organizing in the UK
12:13 Decision Making in Anti-Fascist Movements
15:15 Challenges and Tensions in Horizontal Organizing
19:35 The Role of Fear and Vertical Structures
31:09 Historical Context of Anti-Fascism
38:40 Mass Movements and Collective Exuberance
43:30 The State's Indifference to Activist Movements
45:14 Energy Transitions and Government Interests
46:05 The Ineffectiveness of Mass Arrests
47:16 Organizational Challenges and Learning
49:46 Adapting to Changing Political Contexts
55:37 The Role of Togetherness in Political Movements
01:05:45 Strategies for Post-Collapse Survival
01:23:11 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

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In this episode, Gully engages in a profound conversation with Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, delving into the complexities of creating a sense of interconnectedness within activism. They discuss Gail's personal experiences with plant medicine and spirituality, the theoretical role of separation in modern capitalist systems, and the challenges of implementing regenerative cultures and organizational methods based on interconnectedness. The episode explores the tension between getting things done and addressing trauma, power dynamics, and the limitations of hierarchical and horizontal organizing structures. The dialogue seeks to find practical approaches to fostering interconnectedness within social movements.

00:00 Building Community and Facing Challenges
02:36 Introduction to Gail and Her Work
03:57 Exploring Separation and Organizational Dynamics
04:56 Addressing Violence and Scarcity
05:38 Indigenous Wisdom and Avoiding Assimilation
06:26 Life's Intelligence and Personal Reflections
07:26 Neurodivergence and Personal Growth
08:26 The Role of Trauma and Resilience
09:02 Organizing from Elsewhere and Collective Intelligence
09:50 Challenges in Activism and Regenerative Practices
15:14 The Importance of Shared Purpose
36:13 Holacracy and Organizational Methods
45:07 Leadership and Group Dynamics
54:09 Exploring Fractal Growth and Decision-Making
54:51 Decolonizing the Mind and Somatic Approaches
56:06 Facilitation and Resource Allocation
58:34 Scaling and Collective Intelligence
01:01:44 The Pink Boat Story: A Lesson in Non-Violent Organizing
01:07:57 Reflections on Interconnectedness and Power
01:16:55 Practical Approaches to Interconnectedness
01:40:03 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

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🌍🌱 New worlds won't grow from old ways of organising.

Welcome to Organising from Elsewhere — a podcast weaving activists, researchers & facilitators in an emergent exploration of how we listen, move, and decide together in a time of global unraveling.

From somatics to science, Indigenous wisdom to systems thinking, we’re reimagining collective action from the ground up — beyond extractive habits, toward relational ways of being.

Follow us to join the journey. The first episode is coming soon! 🎧💥

#MovementBuilding #NewWaysOfOrganising #DecolonizeNow #EmergentCultures #OrganisingFromElsewhere

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