Artist, designer, storyteller and independent researcher Alyen Foning resides in her ancestral home, the Lepcha community at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, with its sacred mountains and rivers.. Creating with fabrics, colours, music and design, Alyen’s work serves as a bridge between both the fields of art and research, and ancestral pasts and future generations.In this We As Nature episode, Alyen shares her journey from growing up in the city, disconnected from her Lepcha roots, to the psychotic breakdown she experienced in 2014 that changed her life forever. From this place of darkness arrived guidance from an unlikely source, and an invitation back to her lineage, community and shamanic traditions.In Alyen’s We As Nature story, she shares:How art has been a source of remembering her interconnection with the natural world since childhood.The breakdown she experienced whilst living in Goa that led her to discover her role as a shaman in her ancestral community.How her experiences as a Shaman have impacted her lifestyle, her art and her relationships.Guidance and a prayer, which came through after sharing her personal story.After Alyen’s story, in a twist to our usual format, we share some of the questions and answers from the live event.Links:Remembering our sacred Himalayan river Teesta and the Water Dragon— You Tube and Story with Artwork.The Story of the Muun, Female Shamans of the Lepcha tribe: A Video story session hosted by White Otter Academy.Alyen’s Instagram and Facebook profilesCreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy &  Laura Tyley Illustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

Bodyworker, cultural worker and author of “Liberated to the Bone”, Susan Raffo, shares her personal story of discovering the intrinsic connection between individual healing and our collective power to shape the systems we live in.In this episode, Susan highlights the impact of the histories held in our bodies, and with passionate and hopeful energy, offers the possibility of leaning into our aliveness as an act of social and ecological repair.In Susan’s We As Nature story, she shares:The impact of being raised in a political family and her childhood awareness of the energetic relations between people.How her direct experience of political activism at the UK Greenham Common occupation site has shaped her.How the hidden histories held in our bodies create fractures in our relationships and collective power. The potent effect cranial sacral therapy had on her baby daughter and how this led her to become a bodyworker.How she came to recognise individual healing and collective organising as fundamentally the same body of work, and how her vocation has evolved to embrace and champion this.Find out more about Susan’s work at The Healing Histories Project, REP, and on her website, where you’ll also find details of her books, ‘Liberated to the Bone’, ‘Queerly Classed’ and ‘Restricted Access’.CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

Movement artist, director & theatre-maker Gabrielle Moleta invites listeners into a creative process that dissolves the perceived boundaries between humans and the natural world. In this episode, Gabrielle shares her journey into Transformation and Imaginative Improvisation, and how this unique creative process helped her recognise the depths of her interconnectivity with the living world. Now the Founder of the Company Gabrielle Moleta, her work trains artists to fully absorb the essence of an animal and, through theatre, share the stories that emerge.In Gabrielle’s We As Nature story, she shares:Her unexpected journey from being a dance-obsessed child, uninterested in animals, to discovering her life’s work as a theatre-maker who spends years observing a single animal. The actor training that led her to Catherine Clouzot and the Transformation and Imaginative Improvisation approach and how this lineage was passed down to her.A window into the process of observing and absorbing the essence of animals and how this unlocks theatre characters and stories.How this work has changed the way she perceives and senses the world around her.The qualities that emerge in both actor and audience from coming into contact with this approachFind out more about Gabrielle’s work at Company Gabrielle Moleta and watch the Hawk Documentary here. Connect with Gabrielle on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

Elsie Harp, Founder of Divina Botanica, is a florist, folk herbalist, and mental health practitioner based in the South-West of England, where she grows seasonal, regenerative flowers in deep relationship with the earth and its rhythms. In this episode, Elsie shares her journey with anxiety and intergenerational trauma, and how the nurturance of the living world has become her greatest source of strength and support.In Elsie’s We As Nature story, she shares:Her childhood relationship with the aliveness of everything in the natural world, and how this sense of belonging to nature gave way to struggles with identity and belonging in her teenage and young adult years How debilitating anxiety led her to a transformative encounter with birch wood trees and a return to the nurturance of the living worldHow her journey of becoming a mother and working in NHS mental health services connected her with her own mother’s journey—raised in the townships in South Africa during the height of the apartheid—and the intergenerational imprint of this lineageHow her research into epigenetics intertwined with her connection to the natural world to become a passionate source of strength, and evolved into the offerings and practices she shares today The nuance and power of working with flower essences, describing the specific healing properties of the dandelion as an exampleFind out more about Elsie’s work at Divina Botanica, discover her upcoming workshops, and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

Lakshmi Venugopal is the founder of Inner Climate Academy and an experienced facilitator of Deep Ecology and the Work That Reconnects. Through chronic illness and the discovery of her ancestral past, Lakshmi’s story illuminates how individual health and ancestral healing are deeply intertwined with the health and healing of the Earth. Taking us on a profound journey from India to Australia and back again, Lakshmi shares how embodied remembering ignited deeper relations with the living world.In Lakshmi’s We As Nature story, she shares:Her adventures growing up in Kerala, South India, and how local ecological destruction gave rise to anger that dominated her teenage yearsThe chance encounter that led her to the work of Joanna Macy, enabling her to find the grief and love buried within her angerThe story of a quest through Kerala listening to women’s prayers and stories, which ignited an embodied understanding of apology’s power to restore relationsHow her struggle with endometriosis led her to understand the interconnections between chronic pain, ancestry, and the living world—a journey that eventually inspired her menstruation work with rural women in India, and paved the way for her founding of the Inner Climate AcademyHer experience living in the international township of Auroville, East India, recognised as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousnessYou can find out more about Lakshmi’s work at the Inner Climate Academy here.CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

Hip-hop artist and urban-food growing pioneer Ian Solomon-Kawall (aka KMT Freedom Teacher), shares his story of hope, grit and passion. During this episode, he describes the journey that led him to transform his late mother’s London garden into a dynamic community hub where permaculture, music and creativity ignite social change and empowerment. As the co-founder and CEO of award-winning CIC May Project Gardens, Ian has channelled the pain and grief of his childhood experiences and the challenges of dyslexia into what he calls ‘rays of light’ and ‘compassion to the max’."We use nature, food, and creative arts to work with marginalised groups - mostly young people, people of colour and refugees - to create social change. Having genuine care for the people around us and the environment is pivotal to our success."–Ian Solomon-KawallIn Ian’s We As Nature story, he shares:The impact of his mother’s physical and mental health and the insights it’s brought forthThe permaculturist who landed in his home by chance and transformed not only Ian’s garden but his life pathThe pitfalls and obstacles he faced when working in the music industry and charitable sectorThe challenges and strengths of having dyslexiaHow the three core principles of permaculture inform the May Project Garden ecosystem ethosThe journey of May Project Gardens, from a run-down patch of grass to a 16-yr old grassroots organisation engaging people from all over the worldThe influence of growing up in an all-female household and how this informed his approach to employment equalityHow the natural environment serves as a guide and reference point for his choicesFind out more about Ian’s work:May Project Gardens website and InstagramKMT website and InstagramLittle Seeds (opening spoken word)CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

Beekeeper and author of ‘Bee Wisdom - Teachings from the Hive' Sandira Belia shares her enchanting journey of learning and healing from the wisdom of bees. Born in France to a beekeeping mother, Sandira has bathed in the bee world from an early age and is now dedicated to shifting the focus away from honey production and bridging a reciprocal relationship between humans and bees. With the bees as her muse, Sandira has unveiled astonishing insights into their intelligence, complexity and beauty, as well as their ability to support human and planetary healing.“When we open our antennae we can learn from the bees about nature’s mysteries, healing processes and ourselves.”—from the Bee Wisdom principlesIn Sandira’s We As Nature story, she shares:A glimpse into her childhood as the daughter of a beekeeping mother, including an early experience of sitting calmly amidst swarming bees and why this felt safe.Her journey to the teachings of bee wisdom and how she unexpectedly came to care for bees in her adulthood after moving to the Tamera community in South Portugal.How living with the health condition Fibromyalgia led her to turn inward and deeply connect with the wisdom of the hiveThe healing properties of the ‘fruits of the hive’, such as bee venom and beeswax.Early in her story, Sandira describes a photograph from her childhood, which you can view here.Find out more about Sandira’s work:Bee Wisdom - Teachings from the Hive, by Sandira BeliaThe Bee Wisdom websiteCreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy & Laura TyleyIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In

Mercury Music Prize nominated folksinger, Sam Lee, has journeyed throughout the British Isles collecting the Indigenous songs of the lands and absorbing the ancient wisdom and knowledge embedded within them. In this episode, Sam shares his personal story of nature connection, and how he became a leader of pilgrimages to the Sussex countryside, where people gather in communion with the Nightingales for an inter-species collaboration of birdsong and music.In Sam’s We As Nature story he shares:How he came to discover the magical realm of the Nightingales and their amazing relationship with humansA glimpse into his inner-city childhood and the culture of music he grew up withThe ways in which Forest School Camps ignited his relationship with the wilderness and introduced him to rituals and folk musicHis fascination with devotional music from diverse communities across the globe, inspired by studying anthropology at Birkbeck and ethnomusicologyHis apprenticeship with Stanley Robertson - the last surviving member of an ancient lineage of Scottish travellers - who shared with Sam his profound repertoire and knowledge of ancient songsThe extraordinary power of music as a pathway to our re-enchantment with the natural worldThe purpose that has emerged in Sam’s life through learning how to hold your art and share it, and the importance of this being done in diverse communities that are open to allFind out more about Sam’s work:Website, Instagram, Twitter & FacebookThe Nest Collective Watch the short film, Singing With The NightingalesSinging With Nightingale eventsSong Collectors ArchiveSam Lee’s book, ‘The Nightingale: Notes On A Songbird’, is available hereThe music you heard in this episode can be found here, featuring Cosmo Sheldrake on the banjo, Tommy Black-Roff on the accordion and Sam Lee on the shruti box.CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy, Andrea Langlois and Laura TyleyIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In

In this episode, regenerative economist Della Duncan weaves together a story reconnecting nature and economics. From looking ‘upstream’ at root causes of inequality to reclaiming our role as natural economists, Della’s story covers so much ground, including the discoveries she’s made on her personal journey to ‘Right Livelihood’ and practical invitations towards exploring this for ourselves.In Della’s We As Nature story, she shares:The ‘Upstream’ metaphor she discovered while working as a Sexual Violence Counsellor, and how this led her to explore the roots causes of violence in the communityHow realisations about rising and widening inequality became the impetus for her to take a deeper look at our current economic systemHow studying with Eco-Justice Buddish Activist and Scholar Joanna Macy, author of ‘The Work that Reconnects,’ has been a deep source of learning and impactThe retreat that led her to see herself mirrored in nature in an experience of the ‘ecological self’How during her mindfulness journey she was ‘kicked off the cushion’ and began to apply mindfulness and compassion practices for the betterment of all living beings and the natural worldInsight into the notion of separation that underpins the vehicles of supremacy that are prevalent in today’s worldThe educational journey that has shaped her: from a degree in International Relations and Sociology to studying Authentic Leadership at Naropa University (a Buddhist university in Colorado), where she was first introduced to Buddhist economics, which then led her to complete an MA in Economics for Transition at Schumacher CollegeThe ways in which E.F. Schumacher and Satish Kumar have inspired her journeyThe broader meaning of ‘Right Livelihood’ and how this has shaped her lifeA short and simple meditation for connecting with the wide web of life A 3-part invitation to support each of us in exploring our own right livelihood journey Find out more about Della’s work: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and FacebookUpstream podcastCreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Andrea Langlois and Laura TyleyIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

In this episode, we’re joined by UK-based painter, sculptor, and muralist, Louis Masai. Nature is Louis’ muse, with his global art projects highlighting the sixth mass extinction, climate change, and species equality, as a means to ignite environmental reflection. Louis’ story reflects the circular nature of life and encapsulates the interconnected nature of all living things, as he inspires us to consider the legacy each of us leaves behind.In Louis’ We As Nature story, he shares:His childhood memories of mushroom hunting and the impact this had on himHow the natural world has taught him the circular nature of life, and how he has witnessed this circularity in his own embodied experiencesHis journey from fine art to graffiti, which led him to fall in love with art as an expression of his love for natureWhat he’s learned from living by the ocean and how this continues to influence his workHow time spent in the Amazon rainforest subconsciously influenced his artistic expressions of endangered speciesThe interconnectivity of science, community, and art that forms the bedrock of his projectsHow he sees his art as a mycelium, and the meaning behind this metaphorHis current community-based art project —holding the mission for Margate to become a plastic-free townThe individual’s role in biodiversity and what legacy means to LouisFind out more about Louis’s work:Louis’ website & All Fruits Ripe podcastLouis on Twitter, Instagram and FacebookCreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

In this episode, we are joined by National Geographic Explorer and political scientist KM Reyes, whose passion for conservation by respecting Indigenous land rights contributed to the protection of a vast area of critical habitat on the stunningly biodiverse Palawan Island in the Philippines. KM’s story is one of self-discovery through global exploration, where the experience of being lost and unsure of her place in the world took her on an unmapped journey that led her to find clarity of purpose and a sense of belonging.In KM’s We As Nature story, she shares:The impact of growing up as a first-generation Australian, born to Filipino parents.How the question ‘What am I?’ sparked a journey of connection to herself through Yoga, and marked the beginning of her connection to the natural world.The decision to drop out of university and embark on a global adventure.How learning multiple languages opened up doors to connect with other cultures and paved the way for her career to unfold.The realisations gleaned from time spent working with communities affected by narco-trafficking in Latin America.From human rights to environmental rights and how working with people led to working with the planet.The experience of both exclusion and inclusion based on her racial identity.How she returned to her roots and found a place of belonging on Palawan Island, the Philippines.Find out more about KM’s work:The Centre For Sustainability PHKM Reyes on Twitter and Instagram 30 x 30 South-East AsiaCreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

Painter, poet and Honorary President of the Black Environment Network (BEN), Judy Ling Wong, takes us on a captivating journey, illuminating the unforgettable imprint of her childhood experiences and surroundings. From 1950s Hong Kong to 1970’s London, Judy’s story invites us into a world where oneness with nature is a palpable experience. In Judy’s We As Nature story, she shares:A window into her childhood in 1950s Hong Kong.How the culture of her upbringing facilitated her to embrace the full aliveness and mysticism of life.A childhood experience that shaped her relationship with nature. Her journey across continents, from Australia to Berlin, and eventually London, which became her home.How her background as a traditional Chinese artist contrasted with the loneliness and commodification of being an artist in the Western world. How community art projects led to her role in the founding of the Black Environment Network (BEN).How she sees creativity as a tool to connect, awaken and change the world.Find out more about Judy’s work:Website Twitter Black Environment NetworkLinkedinCreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In

In this episode of We As Nature, Method Gundidza, Director of EarthLore Foundation-Southern Africa, shares his unique story of discovering a profound sense of belonging to the world. Method, a Zimbabwean national living in South Africa, discovered his calling in his early 40s when he was introduced to the philosophy and practice of Earth Jurisprudence by the Gaia Foundation. Method shares his journey from working at a company that sold coal, to becoming a successful accountant, to dedicating his life to working with rural farming communities restoring their Earth-centered ways of life.In Method’s We As Nature story, he shares:The unlikely unfolding of his career path that led him to dedicate his life to Earth Jurisprudence.A definition of Earth Jurisprudence and how time spent listening to nature cultivated an embodied understanding.His return to his homeland in the Bikita district of Zimbabwe, and how a reciprocal relationship developed with local elders, tapping into Indigenous knowledge and leading to the revival of traditional seeds, rituals and sacred sites.The humbling teachings he has received from plants and ritualsFind out more about Method’s Earth Jurisprudence work with The Gaia Foundation here, and with the Earthlore Foundation here. You can connect with Method on Linked IN.About Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama Malik

Filmmaker and explorer Bruce Parry, best known for his BAFTA award-winning BBC documentaries with Indigenous Peoples, shares the experiences that changed him and his worldviews forever. Coming from an institutionalised, military background, Bruce journeyed from seeing the world through the lens of hierarchy to having his eyes opened through unique experiences with Indigenous People that taught him that living in balance with the earth and with other humans is where we have all come from. His story is one that embraces the importance of community, deep inner contemplation, living with nature, and the healing modalities of the natural world.In Bruce’s We As Nature story, he shares:How the women in his life impacted his awakening to new perspectivesThe role plant medicines have played in his journeyThe revelations and transformation he experienced through immersing himself in multiple Indigenous communities across the worldHis perspective on what is required for humanity to move forward in harmonious ways rooted in interconnectednessLinks to Bruce's documentaries:TAWAITAWAI II - AyahuascaTAWAI III - MbendjeleYou can learn more about Bruce's work via his website and connect with him on Twitter and Instagram.CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.

Holistic activist and multi-passionate entrepreneur, Samantha Colli, shares her personal story of remembering that she is part of nature. From reaching burnout as a human rights lawyer to founding an initiative seeking to heal and regenerate eco-social ruptures, Sam’s story weaves childhood tales with global travels. She takes us on a journey of mind, body and spirit, revealing what led her to reconnect to the Mayan cosmovision of her ancestors, and how this has informed the unfolding of her life’s path.In Sam’s We As Nature story, she shares:The legend of the Mayan Aluxes (‘little people’) and what it taught herHow a decade spent working in human rights law perpetuated a story of separation from natureHer experience of burnout and how she emerged from thisHow reconnection to ceremony paved the way for new beginningsThe impact of her time at Schumacher collegeThe role of healing practices in moving from mind-dominance to feeling and being within her bodyHow she came to create the digital platform ‘El Telar de Maya’ and its foundational cosmovisionYou can listen to the El Telar de Maya podcast here and stay up to date with Sam's work by following El Telar de Maya on Instagram. CreditsCreative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing DiversityMusic Composer and Sound Producer: Dom MartinLive Event Production: Katy Molloy & Andrea LangloisIllustrations: Rohama MalikAbout Flourishing DiversityWe As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems. The events we produce, the narratives we amplify and the relationships we nurture seek to strengthen existing and emerging restorative cultures by supporting people to protect and deeply connect with the land on which they dwell and the multi-species communities they share these spaces with.You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.