The RegenNarration

Nora Bateson is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and educator. She wrote, directed and produced the beautiful documentary, ‘An Ecology of Mind: A daughter’s portrait of Gregory Bateson’ - perhaps the world’s most renowned pioneer of systems thinking. And she has most recently developed the vital concept of ‘warm data’ – breathing life back into the deeply problematic phenomenon of ‘big data’.

In a recent conversation with Douglas Rushkoff on the Team Human podcast, Nora said we need to solve everything at once. Incremental change just doesn’t cut it. Anthony and Nora talk about this idea further here. What does systems thinking offer us with regards to changing our lives and institutions in such a transformative way? And how do we do it?

Nora has summed up her work by saying that she re-frames ecology and society by playing with possible shifts in perception, embracing complexity and increasing tenderness.

“Given that all of the situations that we need to face now are complex - climate change, culture change, economic volatility, all kinds of mental illness … - all of those things require an understanding of complexity to address.”

How does Nora’s work on ‘warm data’ address all this? How is it going in the growing number of organisations inviting her presence? How do we live our daily lives with this in mind? And what does improvisation have to do with it?

Nora visited Australia for the first time earlier this year, and spoke with Anthony in Perth.

With thanks to Peter Le Breton and Daryl Taylor.

Music:
Let Them Know, by Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.

Due to licencing restrictions, our guest’s nominated music can only be played on radio or similarly licenced broadcasts of this episode.

Find more:
Nora blogs here.

Nora tweets here.

The International Bateson Institute.

The film ‘An Ecology of Mind: A daughter’s portrait of Gregory Bateson’.

Watch the film here.

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!

Michael Shuman is an economist, lawyer, author, entrepreneur, and globally recognised expert on community economics. He is also one of the architects of the crowdfunding reforms that became the “JOBS Act,” signed into law by President Obama in April 2012. Michael is re-writing the story of business and development, to one that makes much more sense if your interest is in creating more prosperous, equitable and regenerative societies.

It all revolves around local business. And moving away from the ‘protectionism’ inherent in the massive public subsidies that often prop up large transnational companies. A dollar spent in local business, Michael argues, compared to a dollar spent in non-local business, generates on average 2-4 times the income, jobs, and other positive knock on effects.

Observations like these, and the stories of communities and cities putting this into action, have only become more compelling since his 2006 book ‘The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition’.

Michael and Anthony talk here about some of his life’s work and observations – what’s changed, what still needs to change, and how do we go about that change? How do we get global finance to go to more of the right places, how do we grow where there really are no limits, and what is the sort of economy that can bring about what we’re really after in life?

Michael conducted a workshop at local Perth landmark, City Farm, in February. We caught up during the lunch break for this conversation.

Music:
Let Them Know, by Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.

And the acoustic tune accompanying the introduction is by Jeremiah Johnson.

Due to licencing restrictions, our guest’s nominated music can only be played on radio or similarly licenced broadcasts of this episode.

Find more:
Michael’s website, which includes info on Michael’s most recent book, published by Chelsea Green – ‘Local Dollars, Local Sense: How to Move Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Real Prosperity'.

With thanks to Gilbert and Village Well for having me along to City Farm for the day. For more on Village Well, and its Place School, visit their website.

And for the story of the first social enterprise in Australia to successfully engage the new equity crowd funding laws, raising more than $2m, tune in to episode 28 to hear Rob & Emma-Kate from Food Connect.

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!

Welcome to episode 35 of this podcast, the first since we changed name from Rescope Radio to The RegenNarration. We’re launching with this special conversation featuring Stephen Jenkinson, an internationally distinguished culture activist, teacher, ceremonialist, author and farmer. He’s currently touring with his new book 'Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble'.

Eldership is such a vital part of human life – of human cultures – and lost to our peril. It’s been a recurring theme on this podcast, since the very first episode with John Fullerton. 'Come of Age' is said to make the case that we must birth a new generation of elders, one poised and willing to be true stewards of the planet and its species.

Stephen shares a range of eloquent insights here, on what this might mean for both the older folk among us, and the young. Where do we find wisdom, a joy that isn’t sought as distraction, and an embrace of limits as inherent to our humanness?

The conversation explores a number of particularly moving encounters in Stephen’s life, and what they taught him about such ‘humanness’, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence, death-defying potions, and anxiety and despair about the world and what we’re doing in it.

It all culminates with an extended music production from the last time Stephen was in Australia.

Stephen joins Anthony online from his farm in the Ottawa Valley, with the river ice thawing.

Music:
Mother Canoe, by Stephen Jenkinson & Gregory Hoskins, from the Nights of Grief & Mystery album.

The acoustic tune accompanying this episode is by Jeremiah Johnson.

Find more:
Orphan Wisdom features more on Stephen, including the full range of upcoming events, starting Friday 26 April 2019 at The School of Life in Melbourne. A special week-long master class will be run from 6 May on North Stradbroke Island.

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!

Today we have a special announcement. The Rescope Radio podcast is about to sprout into an independent production called The RegenNarration. Over the last year in particular, the podcast has found an increasing number of you listening, supporting and corresponding about how much you’ve been appreciating the conversations. So we’re going to dedicate more time to the podcast this year, as it becomes an independent venture, and hope you’ll join us on the journey. 

To do that, of course, simply follow the podcast. If you’ve already followed us, you’ll keep receiving episodes as you always have. Just with a new name and look. 

So why this name? Anthony introduces it here, along with a little background, in this brief announcement episode.

Stay tuned next week for episode 35, the first with the new name. And as ever, the podcast remains a listener and worker supported endeavour. So please continue to donate where you can, and we’ll offer opportunities to become a subscribing patron or partner of the podcast too. For now, thanks as always for your generous support, thoughtful messages and gracious listening. See you next week!

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!

Feel the energy in the room with this special extra, as we hear Albert in a Q&A session after the West Australian premiere screening of ‘Undermined: Tales from the Kimberley’. The session was hosted by Narelda Jacobs, local Noongar woman and the first Aboriginal female newsreader to anchor a leading commercial station’s news service in Australia.

Albert talks further here about what the Kimberley means to him, how people can get involved in creating the dialogue he’s inviting, and how he feels about one of the most profoundly moving parts of the film. We hear from a number of elders featured in the film too, who’d also made their way to Perth to be in the audience for the premiere.

Title slide image credit: Bodhan Warchomij.

Find more:
Listen to the main episode 34, Undermined: Award-winning documentary from the Kimberley, with Aboriginal leader Albert Wiggan. (You'll find a range of links in the show notes there too.)

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!

Listeners last year might remember our series produced on location in the spectacular Kimberley region of Western Australia. This year, the Kimberley is coming to us – through an award-winning documentary film that premiered nationwide in February. It’s called Undermined: Tales from the Kimberley.

Australia’s vast Kimberley region is under threat, with the ‘old industrial’ model of mining, pastoralism and irrigated agriculture driving an unprecedented land grab. The film investigates the politics of an area now forebodingly branded ‘the future economic powerhouse of Australia’, including what this means for the country’s First People and their unique cultural landscapes.

The world premiere sold out all screenings at the Melbourne International Film Festival in late 2018, and it’s been cleaning up awards at film festivals around the country since.

Young Aboriginal leader Albert Wiggan is a key protagonist and co-producer of the film. He’s also an Indigenous Ranger, sits on a number of boards including the Kimberley Land Council, and is a world class musician who has toured with the likes of John Butler. In this watershed moment, he sees opportunity for a ‘meaningful conversation’ about a future that is more fitting for the Kimberley, and beyond.

Anthony caught up with Albert just after he’d introduced the West Australian premiere to a full house in Perth.

Music:
Let Them Know, by Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.

Due to licencing restrictions, our guest’s nominated music can only be played on radio or similarly licenced broadcasts of this episode.

Find more:
Listen to the special Extra for this episode, featuring Q&A with Albert after the premiere screening.

On the film.

On Albert.

Get involved.  

You can also listen to last year’s series on location in the Kimberley - episodes 21, 22 and 25.

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!

We’re signing off for the year with an episode of highlights from our wonderful array of guests throughout 2018. With sincere thanks for tuning in, continuing to share and rate the podcast, and of course for donating and supporting its production. It couldn’t happen without you. Thanks also for getting in touch throughout the year to tell us how much you’ve valued the podcast, and what you’d like to hear in future. 

It’s been great to see our listener numbers spike this year, and even more fulfilling to hear how the stories are landing and what the podcast means to you. Thank you very much! Have a wonderful festive season and we hope to join you again for a regenerative new year.

Track list:

1. 2018 Theme, featuring Let Them Know, by Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (& a range of guests from 2017)
2. Paul Hawken (ep 13), accompanied by Gone Clear, from the album Modern Country by William Tyler
3. Frances Jones & David Pollock from Wooleen Station (ep 16), recorded live in Melbourne
4. Tim Winton (ep 17), with ocean sounds at Ningaloo Reef
5. Denise Fitch (ep 18)
6. Evan Pensini (ep 19)
7. Mary Crooks (ep 20)
8. Dr Anne Poelina (ep 21)
9. Song for the Mardoowarra, by Gwen Knox in collaboration with Anne Poelina, played by Mick Stevens, and sung by the Broome Primary School Choir
10. Martin Pritchard (ep 22)
11. Richard Heinberg (ep 23)
12.  Frank Fisher (ep 24)
13. Chris Henggeler (eo 25)
14. Jacqueline Henggeler (ep 25 Extra)
15. Dr Mary Graham (ep 26)
16. Moira Lanzarin (ep 27)
17. Emma-Kate Rose (ep 28)
18.  Katherine Trebeck (ep 29)
19. Damon Gameau (ep 30)
20. Hugh Mackay (ep 31)
21. Charles Massy (ep 32)
22. Sounds of Severn Park (Charles’ farm)
23. Back home by the Indian Ocean.

Due to licencing restrictions, most of our guests' nominated music can only be played on radio or similarly licenced broadcasts.

Title slide image: Anthony producing episode 16 at Wooleen Station, by the Murchison River in Western Australia (pic: Olivia Cheng).

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!

In this special extra, Charles Massy lends a little more context to his work, including an exploration of the roots of the industrial agriculture system and its effects on people, land and the rest of the living world.

Within that, the conversation pays particular attention to some of the astounding new developments around the notorious glyphosate-based herbicide RoundUp. It goes on to try to make more sense of why humankind has ended up where we are today, and of course how we can harness this understanding towards most effectively changing this dangerous trajectory.

Music:
Gone Clear, by William Tyler off his album Modern Country.

Find more:
Listen to the main episode with Charles, An Underground Insurgency (you'll find links to more info there too).

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!

Charles Massy has become an extraordinary hub of knowledge, wisdom and stories of regeneration. Specifically in regenerative agriculture, and alongside that, the art of human transformation. His latest book 'Call of the Reed Warbler’ continues to make an enormous impact in Australia, and Charles has just embarked on an overseas tour behind the release of an updated international edition. Paul Hawken appears on the inside sleeve, saying this about the book:

“Charles Massy has written a definitive masterpiece that takes its place along with the writings of Aldo Leopold, Wendell Berry, Masanobu Fukuoka, Humberto Maturana, and Michael Pollan. No work has more brilliantly defined regenerative agriculture and the breadth of its restorative impact upon human health, biodiversity, climate, and ecological intelligence.”

Charles writes and talks about the growing repertory of stories of what are in some cases extraordinary tales of regeneration – including his own. He also takes a look behind that regeneration, at how change happens not just in the land, but in the landscape of our minds.

Charles and Anthony pulled up a pew at the farm, Severn Park, a few weeks ago, for this conversation.

Music:
By Jeremiah Johnson.

Due to licencing restrictions, our guest’s nominated music can only be played on radio or similarly licenced broadcasts of this episode.

Find more:
Tune into the special extra with Charles, Cultivating Regeneration from Industrial Wastelands.

For more on Charles & Call of the Reed Warbler, see the original Australian edition.

And the updated Chelsea Green international edition.

An extract of this episode was published by the good folk at Matters Journal.

Send us a voicemail

Support the show

Please share this episode or the trailer with a friend, follow the podcast, and subscribe if you can.

The RegenNarration is independent and ad-free, with hundreds of episodes freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you're enjoying the podcast, I hope you'll consider becoming a paid subscriber, from as little as around $1 a week, to gain access to a great community, subscriber events and giveaways, and to help keep the show going, on Patreon or Substack (where you'll find some writing, photography and tunes too).

You can also donate directly via the website (avoiding fees) or PayPal.

I hope to see you at an event soon, even the shop. Thanks so much for your support!