I've just come back from spending a week in a house surrounded by forest in Connecticut. It had no internet, so I got away from the keyboard and the scrolling and spent time reading, resting and reflecting.
On my way there I stayed two nights with the vibrant and thoughtful Juanita Brown and her pa...
Stories in a word...
German journalist Uwe von Seltmann fell in love with the Yiddish language and culture and has written many books about music, writers and history. These days he tours giving readings through Germany and the world. Here he talks about a favourite Yiddish word "die Levone" or moo...
Do you ever feel you speak a different language to other people? And I'm not talking about all the flavours of English out there (which believe me, are wide and varied, the idioms will get you every time!).
Two words I use a lot are PRACTICE and PRACTITIONER. I often hear crickets when I mention th...
Stories in a word...
Just in case you're a fan of the Netflix series "The Witcher", Gabi von Settlzmann tells where it came from.
Stories in a word...
Polish artist Gabi von Seltzmann talks about the true meaning of the Polish word "Wiedźma" or witch. It means a woman with knowledge or wisdom. In the old Slavian traditions, she knew about herbs, healing and had contact with ancestors and magic. In the middle Ages the word ind...
Stories in a word...
The Danes have a particular focus on what they call "seeing eye to eye" or "being at the same eye level." Moving past the time of the sovereign kings, Denmark's people had to work together to rebuild their society. Being at eye level is a stance and a value. Toke Paludan Møller...
Stories in a word...
Toke Paludan Møller talks us through the Danish concept of "dannelse", which is all about educating your "humanbeing-ness." The Danish Folk High School system -- still renowned around the world -- focuses on balancing knowledge and skills with supporting people to become humans...
Have you ever been asked what you felt is missing in the world? How did you respond?
While I've talked, written and worked a lot with story, there's a powerful flipside of the coin that very few people seem to be paying attention to. Story is a powerful tool, a human superpower, the secret sauce to...
How do you keep deepening your practice? Who are your practice mates, mentors, coaches and cheerleaders?
I've met a lot of successful #people and many of them are lonely. They are missing a #community where they can stop being the #leader and be hosted for once; a place where they can also be in lear...
What does collective intelligence mean for democracy and governance? If you've been curious, then check this out...
My chapter -- incidentally number 28 -- is called "To Transform the Community, Change the Story" and features Percolab's work with the FabCity initiative. It makes fascinating reading!
T...
On Monday I celebrated my birthday in Tisvilde, a small town I like very much on the Northern coast of Denmark. At the intersection of forest and ocean there's a stillness and a slowness that feels like a blessing.
Last night I sat on a rock talking with a friend on Facetime, showing her the house ...