The Klosters Forum Podcast

 In this episode of The Cultural Turn, host Hannah MacInnes is joined by acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Rolf Sachs at The Klosters Forum. Rolf shares how visual art cultivates empathy, why caring for our planet must become an instinct rather than a chore, and how human authenticity stands apart in the age of AI. From Swiss roots to transforming a flooded studio into an exhibition on rising tides, Rolf reveals how humour, materiality, and creative vision can turn climate anxiety into active engagement.

In this episode of The Cultural Turn, host Hannah MacInnes sits down with Danielle Turkov Wilson, Founder and CEO of Think-Film Impact Production. As an actionist, Danielle operates at the intersection of cinema and political strategy, turning narratives into measurable systemic change. Together, they explore the mechanics of impact producing, how films like Dark Waters helped ban toxic PFAS chemicals, why empathy is a skill that must be taught and practiced, and how independent film can bridge political divides to drive real-world climate and social solutions.

 Can art help us navigate climate grief and inspire true systemic change? In our very first episode of The Cultural Turn, host Hannah MacInnes sits down with Alison Tickell, CEO of Julie’s Bicycle, to discuss the transformative power of art and culture. Together, they explore how creative expression gives us space to process climate grief, reconnect with our shared humanity, and spur local communities into environmental action.

In this episode, landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom joins host Hannah MacInnes to discuss how Bangkok is reclaiming its identity as a water-based city. From creating massive flood-retention parks to building Asia’s largest urban rooftop farm, Kotchakorn shares how nature-based design can help cities adapt to a changing climate while breaking down the bureaucratic silos that stand in the way of resilience. 

Can technology and nature coexist to create truly resilient urban environments? Host Hannah MacInnes explores this question with ecological engineer Dr. Nadina Galle, who describes how a digital revolution is finally reaching urban ecology. In this episode, Nadina dives into the "Internet of Nature," detailing how tools like LiDAR and real-time sensors are allowing us to better map, monitor, and manage the green spaces in our cities. She addresses the common fear that technology replaces our connection to the wild, arguing instead that these tools act as a catalyst for human empathy and deeper engagement with the natural world around us.

In this episode of The Resilient City, host Hannah MacInnes and Kirsten Dunlop (CEO, Climate KIC) discuss how real change needs a complete, systematic change that goes beyond individual solutions. Kirsten explains that big, radical shifts only happen when there is a crisis, and the change is almost always "incredibly messy," but it is possible. She defines resilience as the fundamental capacity to keep trying and investing in solutions that make life measurably better, rather than snapping back to the old normal.

In this episode of The Resilient City, host Hannah MacInnes is joined by inspiring activist and author Rob Hopkins. Rob reveals his unique, radical approach to climate action: taking audiences on a theatrical "time machine" journey to a successful 2030. He argues that we must abandon the language of collapse and instead cultivate longing for an "irresistible" future, bringing back evidence that people can really feel and believe, from rooftop farms to bicycle rush hours, to prove that change is possible. This is a crucial conversation about why hope, imagination, and small, collective actions are the most powerful tools for global resilience.

In this episode of The Resilient City by The Klosters Forum, host Hannah MacInnes is joined by Sonam Choden, Lead Researcher at ReBuilt Bhutan. Drawing on her 20+ years of experience, Sonam shares her mission to transform the built environment from a carbon emitter into a bio-based, resource-efficient system. She discusses Bhutan's unique challenge of moving away from high-carbon materials and returning to nature-based solutions, like engineered bamboo. Sonam reveals how this pioneering work in regenerative built environments is shaping the vision for Bhutan's future "Ghelifu Mindfulness City".

In this episode of The Resilient City by The Klosters Forum, host Hannah MacInnes is joined by world-renowned architect, engineer, and inventor, Carlo Ratti.

Carlo, Professor at the Politecnico di Milano and at MIT, and founding partner of CRA–Carlo Ratti Associati, and Director of the Biennale Architettura in Venice, shares how cities can move beyond the concrete by using artificial intelligence and data as a tool to help nature thrive. From mapping urban trees to optimising green spaces for maximum cooling and using smart systems for water management, Carlo delves into how we can harness the combined intelligence of people, nature, and technology to build cities that are more sustainable and resilient.

How can we create cities that are truly resilient to climate change? The answer lies in engaging the public. In this episode of The Klosters Forum's Resilient Cities podcast, host Hannah MacInnes explores the crucial role of public engagement with Dr. Jennifer Lenhart, WWF's Global Cities Lead.

Jennifer, who has extensive experience in urban sustainability and community engagement, explains why it's essential to bridge the gap between city leaders, urban planners, and residents. She discusses how involving the public in decision-making processes can lead to more effective and equitable solutions for the environmental challenges facing our cities.