Sense-making in a Changing World
Morag Gamble: Permaculture Education Institute
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Join Morag Gamble, global permaculture ambassador, in conversation with leading ecological thinkers, activists, authors, designers and practitioners to explore 'What Now?' - what is the kind of thinking we need to navigate a positive and regenerative way forward, what does a thriving one-planet way of life look like, where should we putting our energy. In this changing world and in challenging times, we offer these voices of clarity and common sense.
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3 days ago
Big Picture Activism with Helena Norberg-Hodge and Morag Gamble - World Localization Day Series Part 4 of 4
Welcome to the fourth and final part of this special localisation series on Sense-making in a Changing World podcast with internationally claimed localisation activist Helena Norberg-Hodge .
We all know that a radical shift in the way humanity is living is essential for our future. Where do we spend our energy as activists to have the most impact possible? Here we explores the concept of Big Picture activism - acting locally and globally simultaneously and what role permaculture can play. In the first 3 parts we talked about the global economy, localising our food system and the importance of focussing our efforts on building community and restoring ecosystems. Here in part 4 we dive big picture activism.
Helena is the founder and director of Local Futures, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to renewing ecological and social wellbeing by strengthening communities and local economies worldwide.
Helena has just released a new film, *Planet Local: A Quiet revolution*. Her first book *Ancient Futures*, written in 1991 has been translated into 40 languages and sold over 1 million copies. She’s been the subject of hundreds of articles and written many books, including her latest book, *Local is Our Future: Steps to an Economics of Happiness *which accompanies her award-winning documentary, also called *The Economics of Happiness*. Helena’s work spans almost five decades, with support and collaboration from leading ecological thinkers. She has been the recipient of a right livelihood award, also known as the alternative Nobel peace prize and also the Goi Peace Prize.
I first met Helena back in 1992 at Schumacher college, and was absolutely inspired by the work that she was doing and subsequently volunteered with her in Ladakh or little Tibet.
So again grab your notebook, listen with friends, follow up by watching Helena’s films and delving into her study group materials and* localisation action guide,* and feel free to share widely.
Before we begin, I’d like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which I’m meeting with you today. I’m here on the unceded land of the Gubbi Gubbi people and on the banks of the Moocaboola river.
So sit back and enjoy, and thank you so much for being here as part of this series of conversations with Helena Norberg-Hodge.
This podcast series is hosted by Morag Gamble and brought to you by The Permaculture Education Institute.
Please rate and review this podcast in the Apple Podcast app, Spotify, or wherever you listen. By giving this podcast a five-star review, we can help bring Permaculture into other people’s lives
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Jun 8, 2022
The Food System with Helena Norberg-Hodge and Morag Gamble - World Localization Day Series Part 2 of 4
Welcome to the second of this special 4 part series on Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast. I am talking with a pioneer of the new economy movement - internationally claimed localisation activist Helena Norberg-Hodge about the food system. Relocalising the food system is central to creating a shift in the global economy, restoring communities and regenerating landscapes. Regenerative food systems are locally-adapted biodiverse agro-ecosystems deeply connected to place and community.
Helena is the initiator of the global celebration of World Localization Day which is being celebrated on 21 June in 2022. Together with Helena, we are celebrating all month with weekly conversations, but also a screening of her new film Planet Local: A Quiet Revolution and hosting a Masterclass together.
Helena is the founder and Director of Local Futures, an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to renewing ecological and social wellbeing by strengthening communities and local economies worldwide.
Helena's first book Ancient Futures has been translated into 40 languages and sold over 1 million copies. She's been the subject of hundreds of articles and written many books, including her latest book, Local is Our Future: Steps to an Economics of Happiness, which accompanies her award-winning documentary, also called the Economics of Happiness.
Helena's work spans almost five decades and she collaborates with leading ecological thinkers. She's been the recipient of a Right Livelihood Award, also known as the alternative Nobel Peace Prize and also the Goi Peace Prize for contributing to “the revitalization of cultural and biological diversity, and the strengthening of local communities and economies worldwide.”
I first met Helena back in 1992 at Schumacher College, and was absolutely inspired by the work that she was doing and subsequently volunteered with her in Ladakh (Little Tibet).
This is the first of our series of conversations about localisation. A new episode will be released each Wednesday
* the global economy
* the food system
* community and ecology
* big picture activism
So grab your notebook, listen in with friends, follow up by watching Helena's films and delving into her localisation action guide.
Before we begin, I'd like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which I'm meeting with you today and pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging I'm here on the unceded lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people and on the banks of the Moocaboola [Mary] River.
Thank you so much for being here as part of this series of conversations with Helena Norberg-Hodge.
We'd love for you to leave a review and give us a lovely star rating. These really help the algorithm to find this podcast and share it further. Thank you.
Morag Gamble
Permaculture Education Institute
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Jun 6, 2022
Community and Ecology with Helena Norberg-Hodge and Morag Gamble - World Localization Day Series Part 3 of 4
In episode three of our four-part conversation for World Localisation Day, Morag Gamble talks with Helena Norberg-Hodge about the central role of community and ecology in our world. And, how localising both of these things can improve the health of people and the planet.
Helena is a filmmaker, author and founder and director of the international non-profit organisation, Local Futures. Helena and I first met in 1992, working on the Ladakh Project over the other side of the Himalayas in the Indus Valley. This time we spent together (and since) as well as her film, Ancient Futures, led Evan and me to work in Permaculture. Thirty years later, I’m still inspired and motivated by Helena’s wisdom and mission.
In this episode, Morag and Helena discuss:
* How healthy communities nurture healthy happy children;
* The pitfalls of modern education systems and consumer cultures that pit children (and adults) against each other;
* The role of elders in communities;
* How indigenous knowledge and rural living has been systematically depreciated;
* The relationship between nature, animals and human happiness;
* How we can reconnect with place, even when we live away from our ancestral lands;
* What individualism looks like in modern cities and how we can break away from unhealthy lifestyles.
This podcast is brought to you by The Permaculture Education Institute.
Please rate and review this podcast in the Apple Podcast app, Spotify, or wherever you listen. By giving this podcast a five-star review, we can help bring Permaculture into other people’s lives.
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Jun 1, 2022
World Localization Day Series Part 1 of 4: The Global Economy with Helena Norberg-Hodge and Morag Gamble (Episode 75)
Welcome to the first of this special 4 part series on Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast. I am talking with a pioneer of the new economy movement - internationally claimed localisation activist Helena Norberg-Hodge. She initiated a global celebration of World Localization Day which is being celebrated on 21 June in 2022, but we are celebrating all month with weekly episodes with Helena.
Helena is the founder and Director of Local Futures, an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to renewing ecological and social wellbeing by strengthening communities and local economies worldwide.
Helena's first book Ancient Futures has been translated into 40 languages and sold over 1 million copies. She's been the subject of hundreds of articles and written many books, including her latest book, Local is Our Future: Steps to an Economics of Happiness, which accompanies her award-winning documentary, also called the Economics of Happiness. Helena has just released a new film, Planet Local: A Quiet Revolution
Helena's work spans almost five decades and she collaborates with leading ecological thinkers. She's been the recipient of a Right Livelihood Award, also known as the alternative Nobel Peace Prize and also the Goi Peace Prize for contributing to “the revitalization of cultural and biological diversity, and the strengthening of local communities and economies worldwide.”
I first met Helena back in 1992 at Schumacher College, and was absolutely inspired by the work that she was doing and subsequently volunteered with her in Ladakh (Little Tibet).
This is the first of our series of conversations about localisation. A new episode will be released each Wednesday
* the global economy
* the food system
* community and ecology
* big picture activism
So grab your notebook, listen in with friends, follow up by watching Helena's films and delving into her localisation action guide.
Local Futures is also releasing a brand new film this month called *Bringing the Economy Home: The Rise of the Worldwide Localization Movemen*t. We will be screening this on June 20 at the Permaculture Film Club. Helena will be joining live in conversation at this event.
Before we begin, I'd like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which I'm meeting with you today and pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging I'm here on the unceded lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people and on the banks of the Moocaboola [Mary] River.
Thank you so much for being here as part of this series of conversations with Helena Norberg-Hodge.
(Part 1 of this series was originally released in late 2021)
Morag Gamble
Permaculture Education Institute
We are collaborating with Local Futures and World Localization Day to bring this series to you.
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May 18, 2022
Episode 74: Living Democracy with Tim Hollo and Morag Gamble
Welcome to this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World - being released at a critical moment in history here in Australia - the cusp of the Australian Federal election.
A few months ago I interviewed my amazingly talented friend Tim Hollo, author, musician, climate activist, community leader, Director of the The Green Institute Founder of Green Music, catalyst of so many community initiatives, AND currently a Greens candidate for the seat of Canberra in our current Federal Election. (I knew he was going to be way too busy for such a long and relaxed chat in the weeks leading up to election day).
Almost 2 years ago I called a group together here in Australia informally called "Leadership in a Changing World" and it is through this that I came to meet and know Tim, and deeply understand the depth of his scholarship, compassion and action.
I wish for our governments at all levels to be filled with people with the heart and thinking that Tim shares, and the practical skills and ideas too - what a different world and kind of democracy we would be experiencing
Please take the time to listen - even if you are not in Australia. This is not campaigning - it is deep and thoughtful exploration about what Tim calls Living Democracy - actually the title of his forthcoming book published by UNSW Press .
In his book, he offers bold ideas and a positive vision for the future. While it might be the end of the world as we know it, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. In fact, around the globe, people and communities are beginning a whole new journey.
Often we can feel disempowered in the political process, but political will is what we need to bring the changes necessary, and Tim encourages us that the power to change lies within all of us, and change will happen not by working individually, but by working together in communities to re-imagine our local areas that begin to seed change everywhere through transformative collective action.
I wish Tim all the best at the election this weekend, and wish us all a climate safe and just future.
This show is hosted by Morag Gamble, founder of the Permaculture Education Institute.
Before we begin, I’d like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the unceded lands from which I’m speaking with you, the Gubbi Gubbi, and pay my deep respect to their elders past present and emerging. I’d like to recognise their ability to care for this land, the waters, and biodiversity for so many thousands of years.
Remember to subscribe so you get notification of these weekly podcast episodes, leave a lovely review (it helps the algorithms to find and share our little podcast).
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May 11, 2022
Episode 73: Regenerating Australia with Damon Gameau and Morag Gamble
In this episode, Morag Gamble talks with Damon Gameau about his latest film, Regenerating Australia. The Permaculture Education Institute's Film Club is hosting a free livestreaming on May 20th. BOOK HERE.
Damon Gameau is an award-winning filmmaker, author, father and activist. His 2015 movie, That Sugar Film, broke Australian box office records, and his other feature-length film, 2040, was one of the highest-grossing Australian documentaries of all time.
His latest offering, Regenerating Australia, is a short film that explores what Australia could look like in 2030 if we listened to the needs of its people. Based on interviews with a diverse group of Australians about their hopes for the future, the film features well-known voices like Kerry O’Brien, Sandra Sully, Gorgi Coghlan, Tim Flannery, Larissa Behrend and David Pocock.
Morag and Damon discuss:
* Creating a safe space for young people to talk about climate change and take action;
* The power of storytelling for creating change;
* The upcoming Australian Federal election;
* There is no saviour coming to combat climate change – it requires action from the network of changemakers within Australia and the world – our very own mycelial network;
* What the Northern Rivers flooding in NSW taught us about the importance of localisation and self-governance;
* How we measure success now and how we might measure it in the future;
* Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics;
* The problem with apocalyptic storylines;
* How do we put climate change solutions front and centre so they’re funded;
* What drives change;
* Regenerating Songlines Australia, a continent-wide network that connects regenerative projects and practitioners led by First Nations peoples and inclusive of all Australians;
* The rise of regenerative farming in Australia, contributed partly by Southern Cross University’s Regenerative Agriculture Course;
* How we can incentivise regeneration of our land;
* Gregory Landau’s recently formed Regen Network;
* Australia's reliance on fossil fuels and reluctance to give them up;
* The power of Indigenous knowledge and the role it can play in healing our planet.
This podcast is bought to you by The Permaculture Education Institute.
Please rate and review this podcast in the Apple Podcast app, Spotify, or wherever you listen. By giving this podcast a five-star review, we can help bring Permaculture into other people’s lives.
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May 4, 2022
Episode 72: Transformative Adaptation with Rupert Read and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World show, it is my delight to welcome Rupert Read - public scholar and climate activist. He is based in England, but I spoke to him in France where he was leading a residency on eco-spirituality and the moderate flank (something you’ll hear more about)
Rupert Read is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK, former spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion and co-founder of the Green Activists Network, GreensCAN. He is the author of several books, including This Civilisation is Finished and Parents for a Future. His new book, Why Climate Breakdown Matters, is due to be published in the summer. The book he is working on with Permanent Publications is about Transformative Adaptation. He has also written for The Guardian, The independent, The Ecologist, Permaculture Magazine, Resilience (and many more) and a frequent guest on BBC radio and TV.
He was part of the group that catalysed the British governments declaration of a Climate and Ecological Emergency and a reviewer of the recent IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) report - one he describes as the scariest yet.
In the show we talk about Transformative Adaptation, the Great Turning - and how we can turn faster, taking action vs being an activist, Thrutopia - stories that can help us through the changes and disruptions that are our new normal, the kinds of messages that shine through the fear, despair and overwhelm.
Rupert says, our world needs a positive and radical change - quickly - emergency transformative adaptation. Civilisation as we know it is over, but collapse is not inevitable. We need a new way of thinking, about politics, about philosophy, and about our role in the world - something like a permaculture rebellion of [pr]activism myceliating rapidly everywhere. And for Australian listeners, he offers some encouragement for voters in the coming Federal election.
This show, Sense-Making in a Changing World, is hosted and sponsored by my organisation Permaculture Education Institute and our globally recognised Permaculture Educators Program .
I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the unceded lands from which I’m speaking with you, the Gubbi Gubbi, and pay my deep respect to their elders past present and emerging. I’d like to recognise their deep care for this land, the waters, air and biodiversity.
Please leave a lovely review (it helps the bots to find our little podcast).
And finally, I’d love for you to share this with a friend or group to open conversations for positive practical change.
Morag Gamble
CEO/Founder, Permaculture Education Institute
Check out the video version over at our youtube - and subscribe there too.
Help us ripple support refugee action to create local permaculture food resilience through our registered charity. We send 100% - please donate at Ethos Foundation
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Apr 20, 2022
Episode 71: Regenerating Culture and Earth with Joe Brewer and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast it is my delight to welcome back to the show - regenerative designer, practitioner, author, climate activist, and visionary, Joe Brewer - a transdisciplinary scholar who is dedicated to healing and regenerating the earth, and connecting with people who want to participate in the urgent global action.
Joe is the author of The Design Pathway for Regenerating Earth (2021) Chelsea Green and founder of the Earth Regenerators, Design Institute for Regenerating Earth.
Joe talks directly and practically to the fact that humanity is confronted with threats unprecedented in the history of our species. Jo shares the urgent need to describe the “how” we can address the converging threats of ecological overshoot and civilization collapse.
Every episode of this show is hosted and sponsored by my organisation, the Permaculture Education Institute - the host of the globally recognised Permaculture Educators Program .
I’d like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the unceded lands from which I’m speaking with you, the Gubbi Gubbi, and pay my deep respect to their elders past present and emerging. I’d like to recognise their deep care for this land, the waters, air and biodiversity.
Please leave a lovely review (it helps the bots to find our little podcast).
And finally, I’d love for you to share this with a friend or group - to myceliate the ideas and open conversations for positive practical change.
Morag Gamble
CEO/Founder, Permaculture Education Institute
Check out the video version over at our youtube channel - and subscribe there too.
Help us ripple support refugee action to create local permaculture food resilience through our registered charity. We send 100% - please donate at Ethos Foundation
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Mar 27, 2022
Episode 70: Speaking up for the Planet and Peace. Morag Gamble with Satish Kumar
In Episode 70 of the Sense-Making in a Changing World I am delighted to welcome Satish Kumar back to the show . Satish is the world-renowned peace activist, founder of Schumacher College, long time editor of Resurgence Magazine, former Jain Monk who has walked across the world for peace, met with world leaders and peace leaders such as Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama and the Pope.
He is a very dear friend who I wish I could see more often but we live across the oceans. In our conversation, Satish shares a message of the potency of living a life of elegant simplicity and speaking up for the what matters.
Satish is the author of many books - including Pilgrimage for Peace: The Long Walk from India to Washington (2021) and Elegant Simplicity (2019)
_________________________
Every episode of this show is hosted and sponsored by the Permaculture Education Institute - the host of the globally recognised Permaculture Educators Program.
The intro music is arranged and played Kim Kirkman and friends.
Before we begin, I’d like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the unceded lands from which I’m speaking with you, the Gubbi Gubbi, and pay my deep respect to their elders past present and emerging. I’d like to recognise their ability to care for this land, the waters, and biodiversity for so many thousands of years.
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Feb 25, 2022
Episode 69: Tiny Gardens with Acadia Tucker and Morag Gamble
It's my pleasure to welcome back to the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast - author, climate activist, regenerative farmer and tiny gardener, Acadia Tucker. Acadia is also an ambassador for regenerative agriculture with the Rodale institute .
Acadia was actually my very first guest on this podcast. We explored the themes in her first 2 books - Growing Perennial Foods: A field guide to raising resilient herbs, fruits, & vegetables , Growing Good Food: A citizen’s guide to backyard carbon farming I am delighted to welcome her back to the show to talk about her latest book Tiny Victory Gardens: Growing Food without a yard. We get super practical in this chat because I know its something so many people are keen to learn about - particularly if you are renting
Every episode of this show is hosted and sponsored by the Permaculture Education Institute - the host of the globally recognised Permaculture Educators Program . The intro music is arranged and played my very talented friend and neighbour Kim Kirkman and the sound is edited by my fabulous niece Rhiannon Gamble.
Before we begin, I’d like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the unceded lands from which I’m speaking with you, the Gubbi Gubbi, and pay my deep respect to their elders past present and emerging. I’d like to recognise their ability to care for this land, the waters, and biodiversity for so many thousands of years.
I hope you enjoy this practical tiny garden conversation as much as I did
Thanks everyone for tuning in to this Sense Making in a Changing World Episode. I am delighted to be able to share my conversation with Acadia Tucker with you.
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Feb 8, 2022
Episode 68: Web of Meaning with Jeremy Lent and Morag Gamble
Welcome to the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast. I'm Morag Gamble and my guest in this episode is acclaimed author, educator and philosopher Jeremy Lent. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
Jeremy, described by Guardian journalist George Monbiot as “one of the greatest thinkers of our age,” investigates the underlying causes of our civilization’s existential crisis, and explores pathways toward a life-affirming future.
*BOOKS BY JEREMY LENT*
Jerermy's award-winning book, The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity’s Search for Meaning, examines the way humans have made meaning from the cosmos from hunter-gatherer times to the present day. His new book, The Web of Meaning: Integrating Science and Traditional Wisdom to Find Our Place in the Universe, offers a solid foundation for an integrative worldview that could lead humanity to a sustainable, flourishing future.
*JEREMY'S ORGANISATION AND NETWORK*
Jeremy is the founder of the nonprofit Liology Institute focussing on connecting science and traditional wisdom to lay a solid foundation for a worldview of interconnectedness - a worldview that will enable humans to thrive on our planet harmoniously and sustainably.
Since we recorded this conversation, Jeremy has also launched the Deep Transformation Network Jeremy, which I am helping to moderate.
Jeremy also shares in his blog.
*PODCAST HOST*
This show is hosted by speaker, filmmaker, humanitarian, author and global teacher of permaculture teachers and Permayouth mentor, Morag Gamble of the Permaculture Education Institute.
*SUBSCRIBE FOR WEEKLY PODCAST NOTIFICATIONS*
Become a subscriber to get notifications of my weekly podcast episodes, and please leave Sense-Making in a Changing World a lovely review (it helps the bots to find our little podcast), and please feel free to share :-)
The original intro music, recorded here in the ecovillage where I live, is arranged and played my very talented friend and neighbour Kim Kirkman and the sound is edited by my fabulous one-and-only niece, Rhiannon Gamble.
I’d like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the unceded lands from which I’m speaking with you, the Gubbi Gubbi, and pay my deep respect to their elders past present and emerging.
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Dec 8, 2021
Episode 67: Rewilding with Claire Dunn and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-making in a Changing World, I'm joined by best-selling author and educator, Claire Dunn, who currently resides in Naarm Melbourne in Wurundjeri country. Back in 2014, she released a book, My Year Without Matches sharing a personal story of her year on a wilderness survival program and the profound shift she experienced as she rewilded her existence, her way of thinking, and her body.* *
Now back in the city, the city that has experienced the longest lockdown in all the world throughout this COVID period, Claire opens a new conversation - that of how to rebuild your life, right where you are. There's wilderness everywhere, inside and out.
Her new book released in June called *Rewilding the Urban Soul: Searching for the Wild in the **City is* a conversation about this. I hadn't seen Claire for a couple of years, so it's been great to reconnect. I hope you enjoy this conversation.
SUBSCRIBE to receive weekly episodes and leave us a lovely review - it makes a di…
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Nov 22, 2021
Episode 66: Permaculture and Development. Chris Evans and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World I'm talking with Chris Evans. Chris been living and working entirely in the permaculture development world for over three decades.
His work in Nepal is inspirational and has influenced many programs globally. He fell in love with Nepal way back in 1985 when he was living there as a volunteer for community forestry programs. But he realised soon that that international development models weren't actually working. That's when he discovered permaculture and enrolled himself in a permaculture design course with Bill Mollison.
Since completing the course, he's helped to adapt permaculture to the Himalayan context and brought learning opportunities to thousands of small farms, creating demonstration centres, local curriculum and resources, school programs , leading permaculture courses, training the trainer courses, and also helping with the establishment of barefoot trainers who go as needed to the villages to help build resilience in fa…
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Nov 12, 2021
Localisation and The Global Economy: Helena Norberg-Hodge with Morag Gamble Part 1 of 4
Welcome to the first of this special 4 part series on Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast. I am talking with a pioneer of the new economy movement - internationally claimed localisation activist Helena Norberg-Hodge. She initiated a global celebration of World Localization Day which is being celebrated on 21 June in 2022, but we are celebrating all month with weekly episodes with Helena.
Helena is the founder and Director of Local Futures, an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to renewing ecological and social wellbeing by strengthening communities and local economies worldwide.
Helena's first book Ancient Futures has been translated into 40 languages and sold over 1 million copies. She's been the subject of hundreds of articles and written many books, including her latest book, Local is Our Future: Steps to an Economics of Happiness, which accompanies her award-winning documentary, also called the Economics of Happiness.
Helena's work spans almost five decades and…
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Nov 12, 2021
Climate Conversations 4: Gender Day from the Blue Room at COP26 - Morag Gamble talks with May East
* Welcome to this special series of climate conversations recorded during COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow , November 2021.*
In November, while the global climate conference (COP26) was taking place I recorded a series of conversations. I did wish I could have been there to be part of this global connection of movements and activism happening around the meeting of world leaders who are putting their plans on the table to limit climate change to below 1.5. Disappointingly, the Australian PM embarrassed himself with putting fossil fuels ahead of the planet. I decided it didn't make sense for me to fly there, but I still wanted to know what was going on, and share this with you, so each couple of days I checked in with friends who were there.
In this video, I am talking with May East live from the Blue Room at COP26 in Glasgow as Little Amal has entered - the giant puppet of a 10yo Syrian refugee girl who has walked 8000kms to reach the event visiting so many communities along the wa…
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Nov 11, 2021
Climate Conversations 3: Fritjof Capra reflects on COP26 with Morag Gamble
*Welcome to this special series of climate conversations recorded during COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow , November 2021.*
In November, while the global climate conference (COP26) was taking place I recorded a series of conversations. I did wish I could have been there to be part of this global connection of movements and activism happening around the meeting of world leaders who are putting their plans on the table to limit climate change to below 1.5. Disappointingly, the Australian PM embarrassed himself with putting fossil fuels ahead of the planet. I decided it didn't make sense for me to fly there, but I still wanted to know what was going on, and share this with you, so each couple of days I checked in with friends who were there.
In this conversation, Fritjof Capra - world renown scholar-activist, systems thinker, author, educator - joins Morag Gamble of the Permaculture Education Institute to share his reflections on COP26 and the shift in thinking and action needed to a…
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Nov 8, 2021
Climate Conversations 2: Big Picture Activism - Morag Gamble speaks with Helena Norberg Hodge
* Welcome to this special series of climate conversations recorded during COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow , November 2021.*
In November, while the global climate conference (COP26) was taking place I recorded a series of conversations. I did wish I could have been there to be part of this global connection of movements and activism happening around the meeting of world leaders who are putting their plans on the table to limit climate change to below 1.5. Disappointingly, the Australian PM embarrassed himself with putting fossil fuels ahead of the planet. I decided it didn't make sense for me to fly there, but I still wanted to know what was going on, and share this with you, so each couple of days I checked in with friends who were there.
In this Climate Conversation, author-activist and founder of Local Futures Helena Norberg-Hodge, joins me to explore her perspective of what's going on at the global climate conference.
We begin with an overview of the big picture issues that s…
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Nov 7, 2021
Climate Conversations 1: What's going on in the COP26 community events? Morag Gamble speaks with Rob Hopkins in Glasgow
* Welcome to this special series of climate conversations recorded during COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow , November 2021.*
In November, while the global climate conference (COP26) was taking place I recorded a series of conversations. I did wish I could have been there to be part of this global connection of movements and activism happening around the meeting of world leaders who are putting their plans on the table to limit climate change to below 1.5. Disappointingly, the Australian PM embarrassed himself with putting fossil fuels ahead of the planet. I decided it didn't make sense for me to fly there, but I still wanted to know what was going on, and share this with you, so each couple of days I checked in with friends who were there.
Together we explore:
What's happening on the streets at COP26?
What's going on in the various forums and venues?
What are their reflections of what is being said, what's next?
We also explore what it is we can all be doing in response to climat…
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Nov 2, 2021
Episode 65: System Re-setting - Alana Marsh with Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-making in a Changing World, I am delighted to be in conversation with Alana Marsh - Systems Resetter, Wayappa Wurrk Practitioner and Aboriginal Systems thinker.
Alana is aligning systems of knowing, being and doing from a place of abundance, health, gratitude and joy, and is creating an alive Aboriginal hub in inner east Melbourne. She talks too of nourishing the nest within our own skin so we can nourish and influence others. I know that I certainly felt so much calmer and more grounded after talking with Alana for this hour.
Alana and I are also part of the Regenerative Songlines Australia Network. Permaculture is the way I have found to apply systems thinking in a while systems ways, Wayapa Wuurk is Alana's. I am so thrilled to be able to share this warm and uplifting conversation with you about living systems and living well, and resetting systems.
*LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORLD OF PERMACULTURE WITH **MORAG GAMBLE*
Explore the permaculture films, articles…
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Oct 18, 2021
Episode 63: Patterns of Connection, Fritjof Capra with Morag Gamble
It is my absolute delight to be welcoming to the Sense-Making in a Changing World show, someone I consider to be a leading ecological thinker/activist of our time - international best-selling author, scientist, writer, educator - Fritjof Capra - someone I am honoured to call a mentor, inspiration and very dear friend.
Our conversation in this episode spans a five decade history of ecological and youth movements, being part of a community of elders, the importance of permaculture and agroecololgy, peace, learning communities, ecoliteracy, earth ethics and social change.
About 30 years ago Fritjof Capra and I met at Schumacher College in the UK at a residential course he was leading with a global learning community. This experience transformed my life. I felt a deep sense of coming home in the thinking, ethics, philosophy and way of being, and this firmly grounded my subsequent actions. I can pinpoint this as the catalyst for what I do now.
I was in my early 20s, still at university,…
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Oct 11, 2021
Episode 62: Never Ending Food with Stacia Nordin and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, I am joined by the wonderful Stacia Nordin - a registered Dietician, and co-founder of NeverEndingFood in Malawi where she has been living 25 years, after coming to Africa with the US Peace Corp to work in nutrition education with HIV sufferers .
Never Ending Food focuses on permaculture designs with indigenous resources for sustainable nutrition. There are hundreds of indigenous resources in Malawi (and wherever you are, too) that are foods, medicines, fuel, fibres - and everything else we need for an active and healthy life.
Stacia has created an abundance of resources that make permaculture nutrition accessible - a freely downloadable Sustainable Nutrition manual, flyers and drawings. She has been a sustainable nutrition advisor to the world food program, the FAO, and USAID
I recently collaborated with Stacia (and others) to launch the global Permaculture Nutrition Network and webinar series . You can watch our first event here…
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Sep 30, 2021
Episode 61: What Future with AI? with Mo Gowdat and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, I am joined by quite a different guest than you will usually find on this show to explore something that will have enormous implications for our life and work - Artificial Intelligence (AI) - and already does.
Mo Gowdat is author of Scary Smart: The Future of Artificial Intelligence and How You Can Save Our World released on 1 October 2021 and also international bestseller, 'Solve for Happy' in 2017.
While I am right on the edge of my field of knowledge, experience and comfort here, this is Mo's world. He has worked as a big-tech executive for 30 years and was formerly the chief business officer of Google [X] - the 'moonshot lab' exploring things like driverless cars and AI and candidly shares his thoughts on the dangers and possibilities.
Woven through our discussion is also the exploration of purpose. As an executive of one of the biggest companies of the world, he says the richer he got, the more unhappier he became - something…
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Sep 22, 2021
Episode 60: Regrarian - Darren Doherty with Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World I am joined by the legendary Darren Doherty - a 5th generation land manager and trainer from the Bendigo region of Victoria, Australia. He's developed his own regenerative farming training platform, the Regrarians (Regenerative + Agrarian), inspired by many practices including PA Yeoman's Keyline Scale of Permanence, Fukuoka, Allan Savory's Holistic Farm Management, Permaculture and others.
Darren has trained thousands of people in 50 countries and been involved in the design of thousands of properties. You can find his thinking in the Regrarians Handbook and associated training programs.
Darren's family is also deeply involved in Regrarians, local food projects, their own farm, film-making and a cafe/artspace in Castlemaine - Cream Town.
*FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DARREN'S WORK*
*Regrarians*: www.regrarians.org
*Film*: Polyface: A world of many choices http://www.polyfaces.com/
*Regrarian Youtube* https://www.youtube.com/c/RegrariansLtd…
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Sep 15, 2021
Episode 59: Net-Positive Design with Prof Janis Birkeland and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World it is my honour and delight to be speaking with a giant in the world of design, Professor Janis Birkeland. Janis has dedicated her personal, professional and academic life to figuring out what is genuine ecological and social sustainability and how we can work towards it.
She was drawn to exploring and reimagining the design of our cities, the places where we live and work to explore this question. She first became an architect and urban designer, then transferred into city planning. Later she became a lawyer to better understand the barriers to systems change.
Janis originated the theory of Net-Positive Development and Design and is the author of many books - Positive Development, Design for Sustainability and more recently Net Positive Design and Sustainable Urban Development which includes an app ...as well as 100s of papers.
Janis has been a Professor of Architecture at QUT, Professor of Sustainable Architecture at the Universi…
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Sep 8, 2021
Episode 58: The Atlas of Disappearing Places with Christina Conklin and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, I am delighted to share with you a conversation I had recently with the wonderfully insightful artist, writer and researcher, Christina Conklin exploring the impact of the climate crisis on our oceans and cities around the world, and the possibilities for hope.
Christina and co-author, Marina Psaros have recently released *The Atlas of Disappearing Places**: Our Coasts and Oceans in the Climate Crisis * published by New Society Press - a beautiful yet confronting work to help us see the devastating impact of the climate crisis as well as the opportunities for individual and collective action. The atlas shares stores of twenty places around the world and explores "the impacts of climate change - changing chemistry, warming waters, strengthening storms and rising seas - using the metaphor of the ocean as a body to draw parallels between natural systems and human systems."
This book doesn't shy away from the existential threats and of…
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Sep 1, 2021
Episode 57: The Good Life with Hannah Maloney and Morag Gamble
Join me in this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, as I chat with Hannah Maloney - Nipaluna/Hobart-based permaculture writer, designer, educator, film-maker and change-maker who has just released her first book, The Good Life: How to Grow a Better World - a positive book about how our everyday actions and decisions can be significant climate action.
I first met Hannah's dad when we were starting Northey Street City Farm in Meanjin/Brisbane. Lots of the original herbs came from his nursery. She grew up in this inner city herb nursery and inherited a love of plants and met many amazing mentors along her journey into a permaculture life. For the past 15 years, Hannah as been creating permaculture projects of all kinds with the bigger picture always of contributing to a climate safe future, and establishing her own urban permaculture home and garden on a steep hillside.
In 2015 she was awarded the Tasmanian ‘Young Landcare Leader Award’ for her work with Good Life Permacult…
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Aug 25, 2021
Episode 56: Designing for Hope with Dominique Hes and Morag Gamble
I am so delighted to welcome Dr Dominique Hes to the Sense-Making in a Changing World Show. In this episode we explore what it means to design for life to thrive and deeply listen to Country in the face of multiple crises.
Dominique is an award winning educator with over 25 years of experience in universities, communities and professional organisations with focus on design, placemaking, regenerative development, biophilia and urban greenery. Dominique has degrees in botany, engineering and architecture and brings an interdisciplinary approach to all her work. She is an Adjunct Fellow at the Cities Research Institute at Griffith University and Honorary Fellow at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute at the University of Melbourne.
Her passion is teaching people their potential agency in contributing to a thriving future. She is also author of Designing For Hope: Pathways to Regenerative Sustainability with co-author Chrisna du Plessis, and Chair of the Board of Greenfleet - a le…
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Aug 17, 2021
Episode 55: Being in Service of a Regenerative Future with Trish Hansen and Morag Gamble
Being in service of a regenerative future is what shapes Trish Hansen's choices and decisions about the projects and collaborations she puts her energy into. It is my great delight to welcome Trish to the Sense-Making in a Changing World show.
Trish is a prominent thought leader in the fields of creative health and wellbeing, the creative and cultural life of places public art, and the 'vibe' of neighbourhoods and cities. She was recently the President of the Australian Institute for Urban Studies, is a Director of the South Australian Living Artist Festival and is Founding Principal of Urban Mind Studio, Ambassador for Good Design Australia and a Fellow of the Centre for Conscious Design. Together we are part of the new Regenerative Songlines Australia network.
Come and join us in conversation here as audio, or over on the Sense-Making in a Changing World Youtube.
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* Download this list of 10 of Morag's favourite books.
* Morag's 4 part introduct…
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Aug 11, 2021
Episode 54: 2021 Kofi Annan Changemaker: Irene Nagudi with Morag Gamble
My wonderful guest on this episode is a 2021 Kofi Annan Changemaker, a Ugandan permaculture gardener and educator living in near the capital city of Kampala, Irene Nagudi. Through this work she is also a peacemaker, climate activist and conservation educator. She dreams of starting a permaculture education farm outside of the city to give youth a fresh perspective on a way to move forward - a good example to show what is possible. Currently she runs a permaculture program called Kichini Gardeners - encouraging people with just tiny spaces to grow kitchen gardens and recycle their wastes. Connect -Learn - Lead is her motto.
The recent International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in August 2021 tells us that climate change is human induced, happening faster and affecting people and places everywhere. People like Irene are stepping up around the world to influence positive change in as many ways they can.
Irene was infuriated by being part of groups where young people were sideli…
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Aug 3, 2021
Episode 53: Future Dreaming with Ross (Timmulba) Williams and Morag Gamble
It is my great pleasure to welcome Ross William to the Sense-making in a Changing World show. Ross, who's traditional name is 'Tummulba' means lightning, is a proud Bindal person of Townsville to Burdekin regions (on his father’s side). Bindal people are star people. On his mother’s side he is connected to the Islands and peoples of Erub and Mer Islands of the Torres Straits. He is part of two indigenous led initiatives here in Australia - Future Dreaming Australia and Regenerative Songlines Australia.
I loved talking with Ross and so grateful for how generous he was in helping us to understand indigenous land management practices and perspectives and ways of restoring and regenerating Australian ecosystems and ways of knowing too. We talk about regeneration, governance models, Australian food, dance, energy, the stars, dark matter, the unseen, water, climate change, continuing semi-subsistence lifestyles of remote indigenous communities. He describes songlines too - the stories o…
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Jul 28, 2021
Episode 52: Sharing Big Ideas with Chhaya Bhanti and Morag Gamble
How do you communicate big ideas that stick and spread in local communities? Listen in. Sustainability communication is one of the many talents of my guest on this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, Chhaya Bhanti. Chhaya is the Founder and Director of Vertiver- a women-owned, Indian social enterprise full of designers, storytellers, artists, researchers and passionate environmentalists. They create engaging campaigns to cultivate positive change around issues of waste, forests, biodiversity, climate action, ecosystems conservation, water, and sustainable agriculture - also through Iora Ecological Solutions
Chhaya was a brand designer living the high life in New York when she woke up to the inherent waste and destruction that her industry and own work were creating. She returned home to India, took time out to reacquaint with her country (riding her bicycle down the Himalayas from Ladakh!), and then set up her own communications company to be a positive influence in the world…
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Jul 20, 2021
Episode 51: Courage to Change - Transitioning to a Life and Career in Permaculture. Juan Lugo with Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World it is my delight to share with you this conversation with Juan Jose Lugo Bernal from Quito, Ecuador from Pangea Regenera. Juan and I met through the Ecoversities program of Re-imagining Higher Education .
He recently recorded an interview with me about my work - you can listen here - and we then recorded this conversation about his
- the courage it took to shift from being an engineer to a life in permaculture
- his permaculture program at the public hospital - with garden time prescribed by the doctors
- his emergent skill in dowsing and intuitive design
I think Juan's story is so powerful - expressing the doubts and fears many of us have felt at some time in our lives - and the possibilities to chose a different reality and work with deep purpose and joy.
I hope you enjoy this episode. I loved chatting with Juan. Don't forget you can pop over to the podcast youtube channel to watch this conversation too.
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Jul 12, 2021
Episode 50: Polish Permaculture with AgroPermaLab and Morag Gamble
Welcome to this wonderful conversation on the 50th podcast episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World hosted the Permaculture Education Institute.
I am joined by two wonderful permaculture educators and designers from the AgroPermaLab in Poland - co-founder/, Joanna Bojczewska and urban gardener/educator/activist Klaudia Kryńska - both social anthropologists.
The way they are sharing permaculture embraces cultural and artistic dimensions and inspires people to engage, think and act differently. The way they are approaching permaculture education embraces traditional culture, contemporary culture, climate emergency and creativity.
AGRO-PERMA-LAB is a grassroots organisation, integrating political and popular education in Agroecology, Permaculture and Food Sovereignty. They create innovative training for community leaders, activists and educators; develop community research tools and publish audio-visual materials.
I became aware of the work of AgroPermaLab at the International For…
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Jul 7, 2021
Episode 49: Connecting Young Farmers with Joel Orchard and Morag Gamble
There's a new generation of farmers emerging around the world - changing the narratives, the ways of growing food, the way of being in connection with the land, the food system itself. Here in Australia, Joel Orchard, founder and coordinator of Young Farmers Connect. Young Farmers Connect is a not for profit organisation setting out to support younger people to gain the skills, support, and community to step up and thrive as contemporary, regenerative farmers/agrarians
Did you know that the average age of a farmer in Australia is almost 60! That's almost retirement age. Who are going to be the farmers of the future? These young farmers aim to inspire others to get involved, and help others gain an appreciation for what farmers do and to thank a farmer for each meal.
Join Joel and me in conversation in this podcast episode as we explore the work of Young Farmers Connect, food systems change and how permaculture is part of this new story.
Find them on Facebook
Listen to the audio ver…
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Jun 30, 2021
Episode 48: Permaculture Professional with Andy Goldring and Morag Gamble
What does it mean to live your life as a professional in the world of permaculture? There are many ways of course, and in this episode I am delighted to welcome Andy Goldring to the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast to share his story. Since 1999, Andy has been the CEO and Coordinator of Permaculture Association (UK) . He has dedicated his working life to coordinating permaculture programs and events and helping to make permaculture far more widely accessible in the UK, and connecting globally.
Permaculture is about designing for one-planet living and creating a new culture, a new story, of a positive future. Andy shares about many of the programs he's involved with that are actively working toward this.
Hearing how Andy has made permaculture his profession is so inspiring. It is becoming increasingly obvious that this work - reimagining, redesigning, resilience, restoration, regeneration, reconnection - is so essential. The world certainly needs more people diving into permac…
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Jun 22, 2021
Episode 47: Permaculture Neo-Peasantry with Artist as Family and Morag Gamble
It is my delight to welcome Artist as Family to the Sense-making in a Changing World podcast.
You can follow Artist as Family as they head off on their new cycling adventures around Australia here, watch their wonderful series of practical videos on Youtube, and feel great inspiration from their Instagram sharings.
Artist as Family are Meg Ulman, Patrick Jones, Blackwood (Woody), and back in the day, Zephyr and of course Zero (their dog). I am so happy to share this conversation with you. I have been a long admirer of their creative and radical approach to permaculture
Before covid, my family had the great pleasure of visiting their home in Daylesford, Australia in Djaara Mother Country. They live on a quarter-acre permaculture plot which is home to their School of Applied Neopeasantry at Tree Elbow University. Artist as Family is a practice - a unique form of performance art, comprising how they live, get their food and medicine, and move around; performing modes of life making the…
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Jun 16, 2021
Episode 46: Nurturing Conditions for Change with Scott Williams and Morag Gamble
It is my absolute pleasure to welcome my friend, Scott Williams, UN Advisor, author, marathon runner, Warm Data host and explorer of right relationship to the Sense-making in a Changing World Show.
Scott is a fellow Australian who is based in Geneva, Switzerland. He is fully immersed in the world of nurturing transformational and regenerative development addressing the biggest issues of our time, right in the heart of global governance. He holds a deep understanding of how the UN and global monetary systems work, and is part of high level working and advisory groups.
Recently during a Warm Data conversation he mentioned the structural global monetary inequities at play that effect the majority world. Because for decades I have been actively involved in community-based work in the Global South, including refugee settlements, I was intrigued to find out more. I am grateful to Scott for taking the time to explain the global economic system to me, and explore ways of nurturing the condit…
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Jun 8, 2021
Episode 45: Regenerative Food Systems Education with Caroline Aitken and Morag Gamble
Join me in conversation this week on the Sense-Making in a Changing World podcast with fellow permaculture educator, Caroline Aitken who lives on the edge of Dartmoor in England. For the past couple of years, Caroline has led the development of the first ever regenerative food and farming undergraduate and Masters program in the UK, and it has just opened at the innovative ecological university, Schumacher College. Caroline has designed the program to give students opportunity to explore leading-edge alternatives to mainstream agricultural practices and food systems, to visit leading local regenerative farms, get growing too.
It's fabulous to hear how permaculture is being woven so intricately through some of the most innovative programs in the world. I was delighted to catch up with Caroline to hear all about it, and thrilled to be able to share this conversation with you here.
Caroline apprenticed as a permaculture teacher with UK permaculture pioneer and author, Patrick Whitefield…
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Jun 2, 2021
Episode 44: Imagining the Best Version of Us - Dr. Millie Rooney and Morag Gamble
Join me and Dr Millie Rooney as we dive into her explorations of the kinds of future people want and the new stories people are imagining.
Millie is the National Coordinator for Australia reMADE, a vision-based collaboration of everyday people and community leaders working to build a country where people and planet come first. As a kid she spent hours collecting toothbrushes outside supermarkets for Gulf War refugees and, although wasn’t allowed to watch movies for fear of scary themes like ‘divorce’, was aware from a young age of scarier things like ‘war’. As a result Millie’s dream was to become a butterfly dancer on stilts, catch the eye of a journalist and make it to the front page of the paper so that there could be some good news for once. Is it any surprise she ended up involved in Australia reMADE?
Millie grew up in Canberra on Ngunnawal country and although now calls Tasmania home, she misses the dry scrappy dirt, the warble of the magpies and the smooth, flat bi…
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May 25, 2021
Episode 43: Permaculture Teaching Farm with Suzie Cahn and Morag Gamble
I had such fun with this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World. I am joined by my great friend Suzie Cahn, a leader from the Irish permaculture world and active in permaculture education globally. She is an adventurous teacher who's worked with communities from Mongolia to Belize.
Back in 2008, Suzie and her husband Mike established Carraig Dúlra - social enterprise, community education, nature connection and permaculture hub in County Wicklow and is exploring her Irish indigeneity through this lens.
Suzie and I met at a climate change conference in Findhorn Scotland a few years back and just clicked. She coordinates a Climate Justice Centre in Ireland piloting community-led approaches to Climate Action and is active in ECOLISE (the European network for community-led initiatives on climate change and sustainability). She deeply involved in the transition and permaculture movements
You can hear her speak about her many threads of interest in her own podcast Cailleach (you'll h…
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May 19, 2021
Episode 42: One Acre Farmer with Brett Cooper and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, I am excited to share with you my conversation with one-acre permaculture farmer, Brett Cooper from Limestone Permaculture in Stroud, NSW.
Brett and his family moved from the city and busy full time jobs and health issues to this country property. They now source their entire income from their beautifully designed small-scale permaculture farm with 11 sources of income - including food, courses, tours, accommodation, consulting and very importantly - the gift economy.
Listen in & be inspired by the transition story Brett shares. It is such a wonderful story - motivating, uplifting and enabling!
You can also Limestone Permaculture on Youtube - made by Happen Films.
And check out these links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LimestonePermaculture/
Simply Homesteading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyHomesteading.Nici
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/0zDigga/videos
Instagram: @limestone_permaculture
You can also catc…
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May 11, 2021
Episode 41: Your Life, Your Planet with Geoff Ebbs and Morag Gamble
My guest in this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World is Brisbane-based author, Geoff Ebbs. His latest book is Your Life, Your Planet published by Australian Geographic. Over the decades as a dedicated environmental activist, he has many ways of explored ways of being a change-maker - politician, comedian, lecturer, author, engineer, actor, radio host (and guest) .... Since 2005 he has been curating an online news site, The Generator.news
His focus in Your Life, Your Planet is about building a community of earth care [pr]activists . The book is a toolkit full of tips that will help you to reduce your environmental footprint and live well.
Our conversation focussed on the many ways of 'being the change.'
Enjoy.
Catch the youtube version here.
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* Download this list of 10 of Morag's favourite books.
* Morag's 4 part introduction to permaculture video series.
________________________________
*FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PERMACULTURE
*Join me to l…
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May 4, 2021
Episode 40: Regenerative Economics with Jonathan Dawson and Morag Gamble
It is my absolute delight to welcome Jonathan Dawson to the Sense-Making in a Changing World show. Jonathan is Program Lead of the Masters of Regenerative Economics at Schumacher College in England.
Jonathan & I met many years ago here at Crystal Waters Ecovillage visiting with my friend, Amanda Cahill CEO, The Next Economy. Jonathon was for many years the president of the Global Ecovillage Network & a long time resident of Findhorn. Jonathan kindly hosted my family at his community in Totnes, UK.
He is author of Gaia Education's UNITAR endorsed Sustainable Economics Curriculum drawn from best practice with ecovillages globally - a curriculum adopted by UNESCO. He is also author of Schumacher Briefing 12 Ecovillages: New Frontiers for Sustainability, Green Books, 2015, & has worked in small enterprise development in Africa & South Asia.
You can watch the youtube version of the podcast here.
*PERMACULTURE AS TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION
*In my twenties, I studied at Schumacher College,…
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Apr 27, 2021
Episode 39: Schumacher College with Pavel Cenkl and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, it is my delight to welcome Dr Pavel Cenkl, Head of Schumacher College and Director of Learning at Dartington. We talk about the kind of higher education we need in the world today, and explore the innovative and immersive programs offered at the College - from Holistic Science, Regenerative Food and Farming, Ecological Design Thinking, and more.
Pavel has worked for more than two decades in higher education where there is learning with practice and thinking with embodiment. He has been at the college now for a few years and developing new courses too at the intersection of movement practice, ecological thinking, and environmental philosophy.
Pavel is also a passionate endurance and adventure runner. Over the past five years through a project called Climate Run. Pavel has covered hundreds of miles in the Arctic and subarctic on foot to bring attention to the connections between our bodies and the more-than-human world in the face o…
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Apr 20, 2021
Episode 38: Coalition of Everyone with Willow Berzin and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, it is my delight to welcome Willow Berzin - a wonderfully creative designer & thinker, and founder & chief assembler of the Coalition of Everyone. Through this she brings people together to hold conversations that renew trust, disrupt the politics of fear and build a politics of hope. Her key focus is on contributing to regeneration through designing pathways for transition and real systems change - deep democracy which puts people and the planet first.
Willow and I are both part of Regenerative Songlines Australia and she is a core member of Regen Melbourne inspired by Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics.
You can watch the youtube version here.
Other projects include:
* *THE FUTURENOW PROJECT*
* *REGEN INCUBATOR* If you have an idea/s for a regen project that you want to make happen, but are looking for ways to help realise it, please email willow@coalitionofeveryone.com to register your interest to join a new Regen Incubator…
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Apr 13, 2021
Episode 37: Marine Permaculture with Brian von Herzen and Morag Gamble
It is my pleasure to share with you this Sense-making in a Changing World conversation with Dr Brian von Herzen, the executive director at Climate Foundation, initiator of the marine permaculture movement and member of the Permaculture Education Institute. Marine permaculture has been featured on the 2040 Movie and in Paul Hawken's latest book, Drawdown.
Listen in to find out more about Marine Permaculture - what it is, how it works, what benefits it has for ecosystem restoration and reversing climate change, as well as local livelihoods in the global south and contribution to land-based permaculture systems. Marine permaculture is an innovation in permaculture that has the potential to make a significant contribution. Brian is working closely with permaculture co-founder David Holmgren, to describe how the terrestrial and marine permaculture approaches align, and how the permaculture principles are incorporated into the marine context.
You can watch a previous permaculture mastercla…
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Apr 6, 2021
Episode 36: Natural Sequence Farming with Stuart Andrews and Morag Gamble
This week I had the great pleasure of talking with highly sought-after farmland restoration and rehydration expert, Natural Sequence Farmer, Stuart Andrews about what we need to be doing to restore Australian farming landscapes, ecosystems and food systems. We also explore the close connection between Natural Sequence Farming and Permaculture. There are pure gems in this conversation. I thoroughly enjoyed this chance to catch up with Stuart again.
Stuart Andrews is a farmer who has dedicated over 30 years of his life to understanding, practicing and teaching land rehabilitation techniques. He was raised at the 1500 acre “Tarwyn Park” in NSW, the celebrated home of Natural Sequence Farming, pioneered by his father Peter Andrews OAM. Natural Sequence Farming (NSF) is now internationally recognised as a significant innovation in sustainable agriculture and land care, and the story of Tarwyn Park has featured many times on the ABC program Australian Story - and here on another episode…
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Mar 30, 2021
Episode 35: Earth Laws Warrior with Michelle Maloney and Morag Gamble
It is my great pleasure to welcome Dr Michelle Maloney to Sense-Making in A Changing World. I've known and worked Michelle for years and deeply respect her clarity and commitment to the earth. Michelle is widely known as an Earth Laws (Peaceful) Warrior . She is an extraordinary connector of changemakers and host of wide-reaching networks and challenging conversations. At the core of her work, Michelle advocates for systems change, in order to shift industrialised societies from a human-centred, to an Earth centred governance system.
We talk here about her work and the intersections with permaculture. I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation.
*More about Michelle*
*Dr Michelle Maloney is a lawyer and advocate for Earth centred law and governance.* She is Co-Founder and National Convenor of the *Australian Earth Laws Alliance* (AELA), Adjunct Senior Fellow, *Law Futures Centre*, Griffith University; and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and *Future Dreaming A…
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Mar 23, 2021
Episode 34: Design for Resilience and Regeneration with Sarah Queblatin and Morag Gamble
I am so happy to introduce you to Sarah Queblatin - the co-founder of Green Releaf in the Phillipines in this episode of Sense-making in a Changing World. Sarah and I met as part of Re-Alliance - a global permaculture humanitarian initiative, we are both permaculture teachers, Global Ecovillage Network Ambassadors and members of Permaculture for Refugees.
We also have a connection because she is one of the key leaders of a brand new program for youth run by the Global Ecovillage Network Oceania and Asia - which my daughter, Permayouth co-founder, took part in just recently called ReGEN Nations. This is the kind of enabling collaborative ecosystem she designs - others include Re:Source Regeneration Labs with Green Releaf, and the 4 Returns Labs with Commonland.
We also share our activism roots in peace and both work towards whole systems change through education.
Sarah is passionate about transforming the narrative of Disaster Risk Reduction or DRR, into that of Designing for Resilie…
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Mar 16, 2021
Episode 33: Culture Design with Joe Brewer and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, it is my pleasure to welcome culture designer, Joe Brewer who describes his work as being in service to humanity and the planet. Joe and I have know of each other for some time, but this is the first time we meet and talk. We both live bioregionally-embedded permaculture lives and focus on regenerative design and education globally. Thank you for join us here in conversation.
I see Joe as one of the most interesting and brilliant ecological thinkers of my generation and I just loved the chance to explore so many ideas with him. We talked about what it means to live regeneratively, how change happens and what he sees are the seeds of regenerative culture.
Joe created the Center for Applied Cultural Evolution and the Design Institute for Regenerating Earth which holds "the vision to see entire communities gain the ability to guide their own evolutionary processes to become more healthy and resilient in our rapidly changing world."
H…
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Mar 9, 2021
Episode 32: Planet Schooling with Lucy Legan and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, we take a dive into the kind of education the planet (and humanity) needs us to share with the young people in our lives ... of all ages. My guest is author, educator, activist and cultural creative - Lucy Legan. Lucy has recently launched her latest book, *Planet Schooling **. *She is also co-founder of the most substantial permaculture/regenerative education centre in Latin America, Ecocentro IPEC which she started about 25 years ago in Brazil with her partner, Andre Soares that has hosted thousands of learners and visitors. Lucy like me lives and breathes a permaculture life and I am so inspired by the work that she has done around the world following her passion for earth care, people care and fair share. She has implemented permaculture and ecoliteracy education programs (planet schooling) in so many contexts - from schools to festivals around the world.
I invite you to join us in this conversation about the many dimensions of…
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Mar 2, 2021
Episode 31: Permaculture Publishing with Maddy Harland and Morag Gamble
In this episode I am speaking with my friend and colleague, Maddy Harland from England. Maddy is the cofounder of both Permanent Publications and the Permaculture Magazine with her husband Tim. Their publishing company has released over 100 permaculture books (including two of her own) since 1992 and she has created over 100 issues of the magazine.
Maddy has made an incredible contribution to permaculture through publishing and she is an educator, speaker, author and global regeneration activist as an advisor to the Cloudburst Foundation, and founder of the Sustainability Centre in East Meon.
Maddy talks candidly about how she's found balance during the lockdowns. walking ancient Celtic trails, gardening and beekeeping. She also talks about how she rapidly redesigned her permaculture publishing business using permaculture principles in 2020 to meet the new conditions - Brexit and the pandemic - and come out with greater strength and focus. She says with everything that has happened,…
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Feb 23, 2021
Episode 30: Declare to Care with Cate McQuillen and Morag Gamble
Welcome to Episode 30 of Sense-Making in the Changing World (watch here on youtube) with *Cate McQuillen* - the creative powerhouse behind EMMY Award winning Dirt Girl World, Get Grubby TV that are screened on ABC TV and other amazing children's programming. I see it as brilliant permaculture education - offered in the most FUN way for kids (and their families) everywhere. For over a decade Cate has been breathing life and heart into this wondrous world for children to inhabit and explore with profound impacts personally and culturally - for the kids, for the families and communities.
From her home in the Northern Rivers area of NSW, Australia - Cate's Dirt Girl World has reached 126 countries and millions of people each week. Her team include partner, Hewey Eustace - writer of all the amazing Dirt Girl World songs, Dirt Girl herself, Scrap Boy and of course, Costa the Garden Gnome - otherwise known as the Logie-winning ABC Gardening Australia host.
Rippling out from Dirt Girl, Cate…
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Feb 13, 2021
Episode 29: Permaculture and Cultural Emergence with Looby Macnamara and Morag Gamble
It is my delight to welcome permaculture teacher and author, Looby Macnamara from England back to the Sense-Making in a Changing World show to explore her timely new book *Cultural Emergence: Toolkit for Transforming Ourselves & the World *which is full of resources, strategies and ideas we need in the world now.
Last time Looby and I recorded a conversation (and I had no voice!) we were in her garden in England (in pre-covid times). This conversation recorded over zoom is really part 2 - a follow up now that her 4th book has been released by Permanent Publications who also produce the Permaculture Magazine
Looby is a thought leader and innovator in the social permaculture space and has been teaching permaculture for nearly 20 years. Her first book was the first to focus on the people care ethic *People & Permaculture*. Looby is also author of *7 Ways to Think Differently* and Strands of Infinity.
As well as running the Applewood Permaculture Centre with her partner Chris Evans and…
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Dec 16, 2020
Episode 28: Permaculture at Findhorn with Maria Cooper, Craig Gibsone and Morag Gamble
This week you are in for a treat on Sense-making in a Changing World Podcast.
Come with me on a walk and talk through the iconic Findhorn community in Scotland with Findhorn College permaculture teacher, Maria Cooper, exploring how permaculture is applied - and discover a beautiful permaculture garden and life philosophy at the home of Craig Gibsone - an elder of the Findhorn community. Permaculture here is love in action.
Both Maria and Craig share deep insights about living a permaculture life and ways of growing abundance in a cool climate - having fresh food year round.
Originally from Australia, Craig has been a central figure in the development of permaculture and ecovillage education at Findhorn and has lived at Findhorn for 50 years.
Maria moved more recently to Findhorn. She is deeply involved in the transition and permaculture movements locally and internationally, and runs the Permaculture Design Courses and Ecovillage Design Education programs.
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Dec 10, 2020
Episode 27: Slow Clothing - Jane Milburn with Morag Gamble
What a pleasure to share this conversation with you today on Sense-Making in a Changing World with my wonderfully talented friend, Jane Milburn.
Jane is a Slow Clothing champion and 2019 Churchill Fellow. She presents a compelling case for why we need to change the way we dress. She is also the founder and creative force of Textile Beat - inspired by her growing understanding of the impacts of our clothes on people and planet, and our own personal health.
Jane published *Slow Clothing: Finding meaning in what we wear** *in 2017 and throughout it presents a new narrative about clothing that is regenerative. Slow clothing is more than just wearing natural clothes . Jane has a whole slow clothing philosophy which she shares through her slow clothing manifesto: *think, natural, quality, local, few, care, make, revive, adapt, salvage.
*Jane offers a beautiful everyday practical philosophy that is accessible to everyone everywhere, that brings us to wholeness through living more simply, c…
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Dec 1, 2020
Episode 26: One Planet Living with Tao Wimbush and Morag Gamble at Lammas Ecovillage, Wales
For this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World Podcast , I am in Lammas Ecovillage, Wales with the founder, Tao Wimbush. I loved visiting this community and was so warmly welcomed by Tao. I hope you enjoy this conversation - full of so many practical tips for one planet living.
Lammas is an off-grid permaculture village with a community of 50 adults and many children, with interesting natural homes and is the first One Planet Development Ecovillage in the UK. Tao tells me how it is possible to buy land and build a home like his for around 20,000 UK Pounds. That's incredible! There is a lot of potential for young people to create land-based communities like Lammas in the Welsh countryside very affordably. We tour his house - it's beautiful and hand-crafted from local resources.
Tao and I talk about the ideas behind One planet Development, how the village works and why people come there. He helps others make a shift to this way of life through education and consulting and is an e…
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Nov 25, 2020
Episode 25: Permaculture Life and Work - Matt Powers with Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-making in a Changing World, I am thrilled to share with you this conversation with fellow permaculture [pr]activist, Matt Powers who is based on the north west coast of the USA.
Matt Powers is an permaculture author, educator, seed saver, gardener, and entrepreneur focused on radically transforming the entire K-12 education system. Like me, his world revolves around permaculture thinking and action.
Matt, a former public high school teacher with a Masters degree in Education, is the author of the first government accredited permaculture curriculum in North America (fully cited, peer-reviewed, & aligned to national standards), and his work continues to spread in schools, colleges, and universities globally with over a dozen books in 6 languages and 9 online courses. You can download his Permaculture Education Standards.
Hi recent book Regenerative Soil is the ultimate book on soils for permaculture practitioners - one for your own shelf, and a special gift fo…
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Nov 18, 2020
Episode 24: Pattern Mind with Joel Glanzberg and Morag Gamble
It is my delight to share this conversation with Joel Glanzberg today on Sense-making in a Changing World.
Joel, based in New Mexico is a tracker, a regenerative design practitioner and permaculture teacher/builder/farmer/designer/thinker. He has been immersed in permaculture for over 30 years and loves what permaculture offers- particularly the way of seeing and being in the world from a pattern perspective, of bringing vitality and regeneration, and to cultivate a capacity to see the beauty of the world we are a part of - the beauty of life.
Joel first took a permaculture design course in 1986 and studied with Bill Mollison too. Through many decades of deep connection with permaculture in many contexts - with First Nations communities, with education and design - Joel shares how his understanding and perception of permaculture has changed over the years and where he sees permaculture people offering their highest potential in the context of the world today.
Joel is a founding part…
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Nov 11, 2020
Episode 23: Real Food with Cyndi O'Meara and Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense Making in a Changing World, I am speaking with my dear friend Cyndi O'Meara - best-selling author of *Changing Habits Changing Lives, *nutritionist, activist, film-maker, TEDx speaker, and founder of Changing Habits whole food company and the Changing Habits Farm - a regenerative farm in Maleny. Cyndi is a thought leader pushing the boundaries of our understanding of what is good food - uncovering what is wrong in our current food system - why it is making us so sick. For Cyndi, everything begins and ends with food.
In this conversation we explore permaculture, health and good food. We've actually been collaborating for some time on her farm and through my course, The Incredible Edible Garden Course which she also offers through her Nutrition Academy.
Cyndi graduated with a degree in Nutrition from Deakin University in 1984 where her special interest was ancestral foods. At the end of her degree she was so disillusioned by the nutritional guidelines that she…
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Nov 3, 2020
Episode 22: City Repair with Mark Lakeman and Morag Gamble
It is such a pleasure to welcome to the Sense-Making in a Changing World show, Mark Lakeman from Portland Oregon - city repairer, urban permaculture designer place-maker community design facilitator, urban designer and thought leader.
Mark is the co-founder of the not-for-profit organisation, the City Repair Project (Urban Permaculture education) and is the Principal and founder of Communitecture - a cutting edge design firm that works with sustainable building projects at all scales.
As well as being a permaculture designer, Mark is an architect, a landscape architect and a regenerative designer. He works on ecovillages projects, cohousing projects and social housing through a permaculture lens, and through his organisation he has been responsible for over 1200 placemaking projects throughout the city of Portland and beyond.
I had heard of Mark’s work for a long time and was so curious to find out more. This conversation is the first time we had met. What Mark does is deeply insp…
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Oct 27, 2020
Episode 21: Permayouth with Ego Lemos and Morag Gamble
It is my absolute delight to share with you my conversation with Ego Lemos from Timor Leste on Sense-Making in a Changing World.
Ego is a humble yet radical positive change-maker, who grew up in the tumultuous time of the Indonesian occupation. His work over the decades with Permaculture has caused it to mushroom in his country. He is largely responsible for permaculture being a compulsory subject for EVERY primary school aged child in his country. Permaculture is in the National curriculum and starting to extend to high schools too. Since 2011 he has lectured about Permaculture at the National University and invites students to come and learn practical permaculture skills around the countryside (which they get credit for).
Ego has launched Permakids and Permayouth and the camps he's been running since 2008 always have well over a thousand youth! They arrange many 3 day workshops for the youth to build great practical skills. Ego also organises permaculture teacher training, Water Yo…
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Oct 20, 2020
Episode 20: Cultural Emergence with Looby Macnamara and Morag Gamble
In Episode 20 of Sense-Making in a Changing World Podcast, I am delighted to chat with internationally recognised thought leader, Looby Macnamara.
Looby is a permaculture teacher, social permaculture facilitator & cofounder of Applewood Permaculture Centre in Herefordshire, England, with her partner Chris Evans (co-founder of the Himalayan Permaculture Centre).
Looby has authored 3 permaculture books:
* Cultural Emergence: A toolkit for transforming ourselves and the world (2020)
* People and Permaculture: Designing personal, collective and planetary wellbeing (2012)
* 7 Ways to Think Differently: Embrace Potential, respond to life, discover abundance (2014)
In this conversation, Looby & I talk about her work with cultural emergence & ways to create real livelihoods with permaculture. The late, Polly Higgins, who wrote the forward to People and Permaculture, said 'permaculture is the biggest job creation scheme in the world'!
Cultural Emergence is framework & toolkit that Lo…
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Oct 13, 2020
Episode 19: Gaian Ecology - Dr Stephan Harding with Morag Gamble
It is my great pleasure to welcome my dear friend Stephan Harding to the show today. Dr Stephan Harding, the Deep Ecology Research Fellow from Schumacher College, is a world-renown Gaian Ecologist, musician, walker, nature-lover, film-maker, father, and is co-founder of the Masters of Holistic Science at Schumacher College with the late Professor Brian Goodwin. His is also the Dartington Estate Ecologist in Devon and author of Animate Earth: Science, Intuition and Gaia, and just recently, Gaia Alchemy. His book Animate Earth was made into a film - see here. Stephan Harding is also co-creator of the Deep Time Walk along the Devonian coastline
Join me in conversation with Dr Stephan Harding as we walk and talk - exploring Gaia, James Lovelock and Schumacher College. He is a long time colleague of James Lovelock, creator of the Gaia Theory, who is now 101. Our conversation was recorded pre-covid when I was last at the College teaching with Stephan and others on the Beyond Development cou…
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Oct 7, 2020
Episode 18: Permaculture Humanitarian Kym Blechynden with Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World, my guest is permaculture humanitarian, Kym Blechynden. As an aid worker with the Red Cross, Kym has worked in some of the most challenging places on earth - post conflict regions, disaster zones.I am in awe of the work she does and the calm courageousness and humanity with which she does it.
Kym's background is in public health, food security & nutrition. She's worked extensively throughout Australia and internationally in places like Bangladesh, Chad, Pakistan, Vanuatu, DPRK, Mongolia, Japan, South Sudan, Philippines, Pakistan, Myanmar, Laos, Nepal, Cambodia, Fiji, Malaysia, Jordan, Turkey, Syria, Maldives, PNG, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Sri Lanka, Thailand, DPRK and many more.
She shares with us her insights about what permaculture aid and humanitarianism is and how permaculture it helps design integrated and appropriate responses to disasters and crises.
Kym is a permaculture teacher and has lectured in international nutrition an…
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Sep 29, 2020
Episode 17: Pandemic Gardening with Dr Nick Rose and Morag Gamble
What is the role of growing food at home or community gardens in the pandemic? Why have so many people taken up gardening? Who's doing it? What impact has it had on their lives?
A new Pandemic Gardening survey found that a huge 98% of survey respondents said they will continue food gardening after the pandemic. Surprisingly, 19% said they couldn't have made it without their garden. The survey team received hundreds of comments about how very important food gardening is. Respondents described it as liberating, essential, and life-saving. There were comments like: 'it gives me hope and peace". "gardening gives me purpose in a way that I haven't got from working" & "there is a future when you garden."
Join me as I discuss the role of gardening during the pandemic with Dr Nick Rose - leader of the survey team, urban agriculture champion, Churchill Fellow, Exec. Director of Sustain Australia, lecturer in Food Studies at William Angliss College, host of the national Urban Agriculture Forum…
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Sep 22, 2020
Episode 16: The Next Economy with Dr Amanda Cahill and Morag Gamble
What is change? How does change happen? What is the kind of leadership we need in the world today? These are just some of the questions I explore today with my wonderful guest on Sense-making in a Changing World, Dr Amanda Cahill. We know our current economic system is not working for a majority of the people on the planet, so what is the next economy, and how do we transition to a society that supports wellbeing of people and planet?
I am thrilled to share this conversation with Amanda as we explore leadership, transition, power, way-finding, change and resilience. I truly value Amanda's perspective - as a thought leader in this space, and a dear friend.
Amanda is CEO of The Next Economy, founder of the Centre for Social Change, an Associate of University of Qld and the Sydney Policy Lab . She was a content expert/ advisor for the 2040 movie, and featured in the movie too talking about the importance of educating girls, particularly in the global south. I joined her as a guest on a…
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Sep 15, 2020
Episode 15: Regenerative Cultures with Daniel Christian Wahl and Morag Gamble
What does it mean to design a regenerative culture? How we can become regenerative by design? What we can be doing in our daily lives to be part of the urgent change we need to see in the world? These are the questions we explore today.
It is my great pleasure to share with you on Sense-making in a Changing World today, a conversation I recorded with Daniel Christian Wahl PhD as we walked through the ancient olive terraces around the medieval monastery, Son Rullan on the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean. We met there last year for the first time - the beginning of a friendship after knowing of each other's work for years. We both are deeply involved in ecovillages, education, regenerative design and have a deep affiliation with Schumacher College, the Global Ecovillage Network and Gaia Education.
Daniel's book, Designing Regenerative Cultures, published in 2016 is essential reading - helping us to reframe the crises we currently face and exploring how we can live our way into…
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Sep 8, 2020
Episode 14: Food Connect with Emma-Kate Rose and Morag Gamble
My guest this week on Sense-Making in a Changing World is my amazing friend and fellow community food advocate and [pr]activist, Emma-Kate Rose. Emma-Kate has always been such an inspiration to me, and when you hear the projects she's involved with, I think you'll understand why.
She leads the ground-breaking community food enterprise, Food Connect, and is co-founder, with her partner Robert Pekin, of the Food Connection Foundation and the Food Connect Shed.
The Food Connect Shed is a local space for the creative local food economy to shift towards healthier, fair and regenerative food system. This was an amazing achievement - bringing 500 community farmers and supporters to raise $2 million dollars in an equity crowdfunding campaign to purchase the warehouse they'd rented for 12 years. I am super proud to be one of the Food Connect Shed Careholders (not shareholders).
Emma-Kate is also the Chair of the Queensland Social Enterprise Council, a fellow at the Yunus Centre for Social Bu…
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Sep 2, 2020
Episode 13: Collective Imagination with Rob Hopkins and Morag Gamble
In this episode I am delighted to be sharing with you a conversation with Rob Hopkins, champion of the collective imagination, author of 'From What is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want' and co-founder of the Transition Town Movement that emerged out of an extended permaculture design course he was teaching in Ireland.
His other books include:
The Power of Just Doing Stuff: How Local Action can Change the World (2013)
The Transition Handbook: From Oil Dependency to Local Resilience (2008)
The Transition Companion: Making Your Community More Resilient in Uncertain Times (2013)
I caught up with Rob in his home town of Totnes last year - nearby to Schumacher College where he is a regular contributor. We recorded this interview in the Transition Town Totnes office. He is one of the most ethical and interesting thinkers I know with a grounding in permaculture too. It's no wonder he was voted one of the Independent's top 100 environmentalists and t…
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Aug 25, 2020
Episode 12: Education with Satish Kumar and Morag Gamble
It is my great pleasure and honour to welcome Satish Kumar to the show today - world-renowned ecologist, thinker and educational visionary. Satish is the founder of Schumacher College and the Small School in Devon, England. He is Emeritus Editor of Resurgence & Ecologist and founder of Green Books. The BBC Natural World program, Earth Pilgrim takes us out into Dartmoor walking with Satish exploring his Soil, Soul, Society philosophy.
Walking and simple living is a key thread in Satish's life as a former Jain monk born in Rajasthan, and a member of Vinobe Bhave's 'walking university'. Back in the early 1960s, when he was just 26, he set out on a 13,000km peace pilgrimage with a friend and no money. They visited key nuclear nations and visited leaders with peace tea. In London, they met Lord Bertrand Russell the 90 year old who was jailed for peace activism and inspired them.
It was in 1992 that I first met Satish at Schumacher College, just a year after the college had opened. I spent…
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Aug 18, 2020
Episode 11: 1 Million Women with Natalie Isaacs and Morag Gamble
It is my pleasure to welcome Natalie Isaacs, founder and CEO of 1 Million Women to the Sense-making in a Changing World show today.
For 10 years, Nat has been inspiring and engaging a movement of women and girls around the world to act on climate. No more than every this is so important. 1 Million Women lead programs on all kinds of things from food waste, plastics, fashion, consumerism, carbon footprint, and show how to lead a low-carbon life everyday. She advocates taking on the climate emergency through the way we live - because it is empowering, it is something we can all do and launch us in to being active.
Just this week, 1 Million Women is launching a new campaign asking us all to divest from the fossil fuel industry. The way we live and what we do with out money matters!
Natalie is also the author of Every Woman's Guide to Saving the Planet - a book that is packed full of practical how-to's and shares the story of how she transformed her life from being a climate bystander t…
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Aug 11, 2020
Episode 10: Permaculture [Pr]activism with Sierra Robinson, Morag Gamble & Maia Raymond
It is a delight to share this conversation with 18yo permaculture leader, Sierra Robinson, on the show today on International Youth Day 2020. Sierra is an articulate and inspiring permaculture activist (practical activist = [pr]activist) and teacher from Vancouver Island, Canada. She gave a brilliant permaculture TEDx talk when she was 17yo in Seattle entitled Beyond Sustainability: A Call for Regeneration. Sierra is also a Regional Crew Director for Earth Guardians - a global youth organisation run by and for young people. She's an aspiring filmmaker and when we spoke to her, she had just finished her homeschooling.
Sierra has been around permaculture for 10 years and completed her first permaculture design course when she was only 12yo. She is now reaching so many people with her knowledge, skills and passion and sharing permaculture through the Earth Guardians.
Come and listen in to this conversation with Sierra, me and Permayouth representative, Maia Raymond (my daughter - 13yo a…
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Aug 4, 2020
Episode 9: Teaching Permaculture with Rosemary Morrow and Morag Gamble
Today on Sense-Making in a Changing World, I am thrilled to welcome Rosemary Morrow - a respected teacher of permaculture teachers around the world, an elder in the Permaculture movement and author of the permaculture classics, Earth Users Guide to Permaculture, Earth Users Guide to Teaching Permaculture and Permaculture Teaching Matters. Rosemary is also the cofounder of Permaculture for Refugees.
I would call much of what Rosemary does permaculture service work - offering permaculture education in some of the most challenging regions of the world - because that is where it is needed most. She has worked in places like Cambodia, Bangladesh Timor Leste, Kashmir, Uganda, Afghanistan and the Middle East and she only goes where she is invited. This is the 2/3 world - the 'edgey' places of society where permaculture is so valued for surviving and thriving with little. Permaculture on the edge is the theme of her most recent writings to be released as new chapters in the updated version of…
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Jul 28, 2020
Episode 8: The Simple Home with Rhonda Hetzel and Morag Gamble
In this episode, I am joined in conversation by my dear friend Rhonda Hetzel - award-winning blogger (32 million + views) and best-selling author of Down to Earth and The Simple Home. Rhonda's blog is also called Down to Earth. You can find her on Instagram too.
Rhonda and I speak about finding pleasure and purpose in a simpler way, and of being home-based. We spoke in the midst of the covid-19 lockdown here in Queensland Australia via zoom. Around the world, we continue to be encouraged (or mandated) to stay home for extended periods of time. This calls us to reconsider what a more local home-based life means for us, and how we can make it work.
In our conversation we also explore how to make ends meet. The pandemic has brought a massive shift in patterns of work. For over a decade, Rhonda has been sharing simple practical advice for how to do more with less - with simple practical elegance.
In the introduction to her blog, she writes:
'If you haven't already discovered the power…
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Jul 21, 2020
Episode 7: Systems View of Life with Fritjof Capra, Morag Gamble and the Permayouth
It is my great pleasure to welcome Fritjof Capra, my dear friend and teacher, to Sense-making in a Changing World podcast exploring the systems view of life and the links with permaculture. Two special guests join me, my 14yo daughter, Maia and 12yo Eve -two of the founders of Permayouth.
I first met Fritjof in 1992 when he was teaching a residential course at Schumacher College and interviewed him for my first short film, Think Global: Eat Local - a Diet for a Sustainable Society in 2005.
Fritjof Capra, Ph.D., is a scientist, educator, activist, and author of many international bestsellers that connect conceptual changes in science with broader changes in worldview and values in society. The main focus of his environmental education and activism has been to help *build and nurture sustainable communities*.
* Fritjof's first book published in 1975, The Tao of Physics, was incredibly popular. It in 1975, it is still in print in more than 40 editions worldwide. In this book he expl…
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Jul 15, 2020
Episode 6: Ecovillages with Kosha Joubert and Morag Gamble
In Episode 6 of *Sense-Making in a Changing World* I warmly welcome you to join me in conversation with Kosha Joubert - her last interview as CEO of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) - an organisation she has been deeply involved with for over 15 years. She has lived in ecovillages for 25 years - currently Findhorn in Scotland, previously Sieben Linden in Germany, has visited communities in 40 countries & advocated for ecovillages in the UN.
Kosha is also the co-founder of Gaia Education, co-author of the Ecovillage Design Education curriculum, editor of Ecovillage: 1001 ways to heal the planet and is now transitioning into her new role with the Pocket Project "to contribute to the healing of collective & intergenerational trauma" with Thomas Hubl.
Through my conversation with Kosha, we see that ecovillage living is so diverse & can happen anywhere - where you are right now - urban or rural, in all countries & contexts, and that the underpinning principles value & respect the the r…
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Jul 7, 2020
Episode 5: Permaculture Fiction with Linda Woodrow and Morag Gamble
In Episode 5 of Sense-Making in a Changing World, I am delighted to talk with Linda Woodrow, a well-known permaculture author. Her book The Permaculture Home Garden (Penguin 1996) and regular articles have introduced many to permaculture over the past decades. She also blogs about food and permaculture here. This week, Linda is releasing her first novel, 470 - which is also the first permaculture cli-fi novel either of us know of.
I caught up with Linda via zoom in her garden to talk about her permaculture journey and of course about her new book, published by Melliodora (David Holmgren's publishing house).
Grab a cuppa and join us in our garden conversation about permaculture, intentional communities, raising children in a permaculture environment, permaculture in Cuba, climate change, writing, hope, despair and resilience.
And pick up a copy of Linda's novel HERE.
ABOUT LINDA'S PERMACULTURE NOVEL* 470*
In the 2030s, as the world spirals into ecological and economic meltdown, thr…
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Jul 1, 2020
Episode 4: Permaculture with David Holmgren and Morag Gamble
In this fourth episode of *Sense-making in a Changing World,* I am delighted to welcome Dr David Holmgren, co-originator of permaculture to explore how permaculture can help us practically navigate these challenging times and create locally resilient communities.
Grab a cuppa and enjoy this wide ranging conversation. It is always a delight to talk with David!
David lives at his permaculture property, Melliodora in Hepburn, Central Victoria, with his partner Su Dennett. Here's a video of Melliodora that featured recently on ABC Gardening Australia with Costa Georgiadis.
David's most recent book is the incredible manual, *Retrosuburbia**: A Downshifter's Guide to a Resilient Future.* There's a pay-what-you-feel digital download available too and study materials to work with your local community and an active Retrosuburbia facebook community you can get involved with.
Melliodora publishing is just about to release a their first novel, 470 by Linda Woodrow (my next guest). Link coming…
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Jun 23, 2020
Episode 3: Regen Cities with Jason Twill and Morag Gamble
In this third episode of *Sense-making in a Changing World,* I am delighted to welcome Jason Twill, globally recognised pioneer in regenerative urbanism. Together we explore what a regenerative city looks like and how we can take clear steps toward transforming our urban habitats.
About *Jason Twill*
With a career spanning over 20 years in urban development, Jason has been at the forefront of built environment transformation. A globally recognised pioneer in innovation districts, alternative housing and regenerative urbanism, Jason’s work is informing the next generation of city making. His career experience includes mixed-use developments throughout New York City, Seattle and beyond. He's a Director of Urban Apostles, co-founder of the International Living Future Institute and originator of the Economics of Change project. In 2018, Jason founded and launched the City Makers’ Guild, an education, advocacy and research group promoting more equitable and inclusive cities.
*Transcr…
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Jun 17, 2020
Episode 2: Storytelling with Mariam Issa & Morag Gamble
In this episode of Sense-making in a Changing World, I speak with, Mariam Issa, story-teller, author, speaker, community gardener, community-builder, human rights activist and ambassador for the Refugee Council of Australia.
A few years ago I met Mariam at an Australasian Permaculture Conference where she was a keynote speaker. We've been dear friends ever since. She has come to stay with me here in the ecovillage and I have visited her at the RAW Garden - a community garden in her suburban backyard in Melbourne.
Mariam arrived in Australia as a refugee over 20 years ago from Somalia, via Kenya. We speak together in the middle of Refugee Week here in Australia 14-20 June.
Mariam talks of how, through permaculture she found a way to belong in her new home, to connect, to contribute and help others. In her backyard, Mariam created a community garden where people come to grow, harvest and share delicious lovingly-prepared food right there in the garden. There are regular cooking classe…
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Jun 10, 2020
Episode 1: Citizen Gardener with Acadia Tucker & Morag Gamble
In this first episode, I am joined by Acadia Tucker - new generation regenerative farmer, plant lover, author and climate activist from New Hampshire, USA . She sees small scale regenerative farming and local food growing as an act of positive change - for the health and wellbeing of families, communities, the land and earth's systems. Acadia encourages us to join the movement of Citizen Gardening and the growing of perennials, as a 20th century version of the victory gardens during WWII where 20 million Americans took to their gardens to grow 80% of the country's food needs.
What is happening in the world right now requires big picture thinking and local action. A citizen gardener is a [pr]activist. Join the movement - transform your garden, community garden, allotment, verge garden, or school garden into an abundant perennial food oasis that draws down carbon, mitigates climate change, rewilds the landscape, brings community together and restores local ecological systems.
*Acadia's…
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Jun 4, 2020
Welcome to Sense-Making in a Changing World
Welcome to the SENSE MAKING IN A CHANGING WORLD podcast where we explore the kind of thinking we need to navigate a positive way forward.
I’m your host Morag Gamble - permaculture educator & global ambassador, filmmaker, ecovillager, Warm Data host, food forester, mother, [pr]activist & all round lover of thinking, communicating & acting regeneratively.
For a long time it has been clear to me that to shift trajectory to a thriving one-planet way of life, we first need to shift our thinking. The way we perceive ourselves in relation to nature, self & community.
How do we make sense of this, to know which way to turn, to know what action to focus on so our efforts are worthwhile, nourishing & towards resilience, regeneration & reconnection?
What better way to make sense than to join together with others in open generative conversation. In this podcast I will share conversations with my friends and colleagues - people who inspire & challenge me with their ways of thinking, connectin…
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