Fractal Friends

Hi Fractal Friends. Sorry, it’s been a while. I have some bittersweet news for you… After wrapping up the last series of episodes coming into the beginning of 2021, I found myself really wanting to find a way to put together my love for podcasting, my passion for conflict transformation and my real interest in trying to figure out how to improve our democracy.  And so, I've launched the Omni-Win Project. I’ve been making videos and essays which you can find at omniwin.substack.com and on YouTube. And… I’m making a new podcast!!! The Omni-Win Project Podcast launches on Monday, July 18th, and the trailer is available NOW. Search for The Omni-Win Project Podcast in your feed. Listen and subscribe.   And listen to the new episode on MONDAY, JULY 18th. If you’re a fan of the Fractal Friends podcast, you're going to love this new podcast. If you want to be really helpful, here are some steps you can take… 1) Listen to the new episode on the day it comes out. 2) Give it a rating and review. 3) Share it with your friends and on social media. 4) Tell the world how much you enjoyed Fractal Friends and how much you look forward to listening to this new podcast. Here are all the links you will want/need: Use this link for all podcast apps: https://pod.link/omniwin Subscribe to the Omni-Win Project newsletter: https://omniwin.substack.com/ Watch the podcast and other Omni-Win Project videos on YouTube: bit.ly/omniwin-youtube Episode Page: https://www.fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/omni-win

Bill Shireman is a republican environmentalist and activist dedicated to supporting solution-based politics. He is the co-author of In This Together: How Republicans, Democrats, Capitalists and Activists are Uniting to Tackle Climate Change and More and the Founder and CEO of Future 500. We talk about how our political system is designed to be ineffective, encourages us to fight with each other and will lead to the ongoing destruction of our lives and planet.  We talk about how we the people can and must take responsibility for fixing this system. It is time for us to realize that we are giving all of our power to the government and to businesses, but that they don't really exist. It's all people. A vast majority of us are eager and able to find solutions to our problems. We talk about complex systems, economics, the future of democracy and the fundamental importance of listening.  Episode Page: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/bill-shireman Bill Shireman: www.inthistoghetheramerica.org Future 500 https://www.future500.org/ Duncan Autrey: linktr.ee/fractalfriends Music: "Cripto Tango" by Tanghetto

Major Jim Uhlmann is a former green beret commando, father, neighbor, gardener, citizen and libertarian. He is a stewardship consultant and a full stack human system(s) engineer.  In this conversation we talk about facing the fact that we are humans who are living in a biological reality, with a drive to avoid pain and fear and move towards what we like, as well as survive and reproduce. We talk about strategies for creating change in the world, how stewardship is more effective than control, and the importance of mission focus. We talk about “Sensemaking” and how easily people are manipulated by information warfare; the enthusiasm of youth and the value of ensuring that leaders have experience and wisdom.  This is part of a series of episodes where I interview forward-thinking people from the conservative side of the political spectrum in the spirit of facilitating cultural healing, exploring new perspectives and demonstrating the power of compassionate conversation that is rooted in mutual human dignity.  More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/jim-uhlmann Duncan Autrey Links: linktr.ee/fractalfriends Music: "Clean Up Your Room" & “Make It Beautiful” by Akira the Don (feat: Dr. Jordan Peterson) https://linktr.ee/akirathedon

This is part of series of episodes where I interview forward-thinking people from the conservative side of the political spectrum in the spirit of cultural healing. Michael Brodeur is a Christian minister. Michael was raised in the heart of 1960s counterculture in San francisco, Michael is not your typical minister and this is not your typical conversation. Michael calls himself a bridge builder. He is the author of Revival Culture: Preparing the Church for the Next Great Awakening, co-founder and CEO of Destiny Finder, an online personal discovery and development system that helps individuals identify their spiritual gifts and passions, and the co-founder and CEO of Pastor’s Coach. In this conversation we talk about Michaels journey from a life sex, drugs and rock & roll and the Summer of Love of San Francisco to becoming a follower of Jesus. We talk about what it means to be imperfect humans in an imperfect world and the power of forgiveness to heal ourselves and others We talk about the implications of living in a secular pluralistic nation that’s struggling with ethical and other value-based decisions. And we talk about the importance of finding your purpose, calling or destiny in this life.  More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/michael-brodeur Michael Brodeur: michaelbrodeur.com destinyfinder.com pastorscoach.com Facebook: @michaelvbrodeur Instagram: @michaelvbrodeur Music: "Amazing Grace" by Kevin MacLeod

In this episode I talk with Alixa Garcia. Alixa is a musician, poet, artist and visionary and radical solutionary and a co-founder and co-creator of the amazing duo Climbing Poetree. As Climbing Poetree, Alixa and Naima have dedicated themselves to harnessing creativity as the antidote to destruction. In this conversation Alixa and I talk about real life and the beauty we are and that all that we can be. We talk about the power of art to communicate about interconnected themes such as the environment, race and economics, as well local and global issues. We turn around the idea that “hurt people hurt people” and emphasize the fact that "healed people heal people.” We remember the power of forgiveness and the fundamental importance of taking on the work of healing our own inner wounds This conversation is about shifting and expanding our perspective and remembering that we literally are the universe interacting with our self. This prompts us to consider how we can and need to engage with the multiplicity of narratives that we create and co-create. More Info & Resources at: www.fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/alixa-garcia Music: "The American" by Ryan Amador featuring Alixa Garcia

In this episode I talk with Mansi Kakkar. Mansi is a Pattern transcriber, mindset weaver, warrior goddess ad she is human fireweed. Mansi convener in complexity for regeneration. She is also a performing artist for the revolution and social transformation. In this conversation we talk about the power of ritual to help us mark transitions and call in forces that are beyond us. We talk about the process of integrating history and letting go so that we can consciously step into the process of evolution. We talk about the value of listening to desire and intuition as essential driving forces. And we talk about relationships as the elemental feature of the super organism that is humanity. And that opens the door to an exploration of powerful strategies for healing, transforming and rebuilding the world that we are in. More Episode Info & Resources at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/mansi-kakkar Mansi: www.mansikakkar.com and www.regenerativeinnovation.com Music: "Aasman Se” by The Snake Charmer

Wendy Wood is a conflict transformation colleague of mine. She's one of the co-founders of The Karuna Center for Mindful Engagement, the co-author of the book Do No Harm: Mindful Engagement for a World in Crisis, and a founding member of the Democracy Politics and Conflict Engagement (DPACE) Initiative of Mediators Beyond Borders International. Wendy's has worked on trauma healing and reconciliation in Rwanda and the transformation of conflicts throughout the United States. Wendy and Duncan work together on the DPACE Initiative where we are dedicated to bringing helping professionals bring conflict engagement skills to political organizations and social change movements. In this conversation we talk about the dual role of compassion, healing both ourselves and others. how great that is given the fact that harm also works in two directions. We talk about taking responsibility and increasing our ability to respond to the needs of others. We talk about the huge challenges that we face in the United States and the world, and we celebrate the fact that we have the solution to those challenges, if we choose to use them. Learn more about Wendy Wood at www.thekarunacenter.org Learn about the DPACE Initiative at www.dpaceinitiative.org Work with Duncan at: www.spokeandwheel.co More Episode Information & Resources at: www.fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/wendy-wood Music: "Om Mani Padme Hum" from Orange Free Sounds

Cheryl Davila is an elected member of the Berkeley City Council. Councilmember Davila is currently up for reelection and this conversation provides an intimate window into the experience of an elected representative who is working at the local level to address global and national issues while also communicating directly with the people she represents, who are also neighbors, family and friends. In this conversation we talk about her experience as a passionate yet common citizen coming into politics an outsider, and the tension between being a voice for her people and the pressure to play political games. We talk about her vision for laying the foundations for an economic and cultural recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while also addressing racial justice, climate change, demilitarizing the police and addressing homelessness. We talk about the need of all legislators to make difficult short term choices that also support long term change. While so much of the United States is paying attention to national politics, it is actually the local politicians like Councilmember Davila that are making the decisions that affect our day to day lives. Wherever you are, I hope that this conversation inspires you to reflect deeply on the importance of local politics during this election season. I hope it helps you remember that politics is made up of people like you and me. Your voice matters. So speak up, talk to your representatives and please vote. Here is Councilmember Davila’s Official Site. Here is Councilmember Davila’s Campaign Site. Visit Cheryl on Facebook @CouncilmemberCherylDavila and Instagram @cheryldavila.vote More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/cheryl-davila Music: "Remember Me" by the thrThrive Choir Watch the video here.

Austin Willacy is a musician, producer and musical mentor. Austin is a member of the Thrive Choir of Thrive East Bay, and The House Jacks. In this conversation we talk about finding your passion and then doing the work of growing into your best self. We talk about the role of mentorship and developing resilience through vulnerability. We talk about the power of music to connect our minds and hearts, and its power to build bridges across our differences. And we talk about the importance of slowing down, allowing space for long slow thoughts, creating space for our creativity to shine through and removing the barriers of shame and fear that hold back our highest expression. More Info at: www.fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/austin-willacy Music: "We Are One Love" by Austin Willacy and Patricia Bahia. Here it’s sung by the Thrive Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-nZnhXZW0Y Work with Duncan. DPACE Initiative: www.dpaceinitiative.org Spoke & Wheel: www.spokeandwheel.co

Pablo Lumerman is a conflict transformation colleague from Argentina. In this conversation we talk about the power of living in the present moment, the importance of remembering deep history and enacting our visions for the future. We discuss a comparative history of colonialism, race and racism between Argentina and the United States. We draw parallels between colonialism and gentrification and ponder how laws and bureaucracy are forms of cultural colonization that undermine indigenous culture and dialogue. As conflict transformation practitioners we talk about the greatly needed capacity of dialogue to help us reach across our differences and facilitate healing. And, given where we started, we talk about how the transformation of conflict requires us to think beyond neutrality to avoid repeating patterns of oppression. Pablo Lumerman Twitter: @plumerman Facebook: pablo.lumermansirote More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/pablo-lumerman Work with Duncan: www.spokeandwheel.co Music: "Klezmer Tango" by Duó Lerner Moguilevsky

In this episode I talk with Alla Weinberg. Alla is my business partner, and we are the co-founders of Spoke & Wheel the workplace relationship experts. In this conversation we talk about our vision of a future of work, where people are excited about the work they get to do and nourished by the people they get to work with. We talk about how teams, companies and organizations are constantly a balance between the interdependent polarities of power and love, and how they become generative when they can strike a balance between being productive and effective, on one hand, and inspire a sense of connection and belonging, on the other. We talk about Alla's new book A Culture of Safety and consider the essential ingredients for creating a safe and trusting team. And practical strategies for leaders to create and transform culture. And we talk about complex systems theory, spirituality and crochet. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/alla-weinberg-2 Music: "You Are Always Held" by Joyous Dawn

David Brubaker is a Professor of Sociology, and Author of a new book called When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of Polarization In this conversation we talk about polarization and what happens when conflict reaches its highest levels: people stop caring about the issues and the conflict turns personal. When this happens people start to believe that who wins or loses the conflict will have profound cosmic consequences, a battle between good and evil. They believe that the only solution will be separation from their enemy or the complete elimination of them. We talk about the causes of polarization which David distills down to a combination of inequality, a threat to identity & a stated grievance that people can rally around. We recognize that all of those elements are exacerbated by personal and generational trauma. The sources of our divisions run deep. We talk about strategies for living and leading in times of polarization. The upshot here is: honor your dignity, honor the dignity of others, speak your truth and then work to stay connected. Finally we talk about how the only way to transform polarization is to de-escalate the conflict. Given lessons from history, it's not pretty to imagine what happens if we don't. David suggests, and I agree, that we might need to take a collective timeout so that we can have a cool down period. Polarization is a big theme in this season of Fractal Friends and the perspective that David brings in this conversation is grounded, practical, and inspiring. Here is the transcript of our conversation. More Info at the episode webpage: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/david-brubaker David Brubaker: Cooperativebydesign.com Congregationalconsulting.org Music: "Birds of the Night" by Jen Myzel Work with Duncan: www.spokeandwheel.co

Sunshine Michelle is a spiritual leader, a visionary, an academic and a poet who is deep into her doctoral dissertation about Authentic Self-Expression of Black and Brown Women.Her academic inquiry is based on a sacred sister circle that she has been conducting over the last year in Berkeley, California. In this conversation we talk about finding and expressing your authentic self and the powerful rippling out of healing that is created when someone shares their self with the world. We talk about the intersectionality of oppression and liberation, black feminist theory and spirituality and how they all intersect with one another. This is a timely conversation, where we talk about navigating and calling in the profound transformation that the world is currently going through and how it is reflected in our own personal transformation experiences. And we talk about forgiveness, holy boldness, oneness, the whispers of our ancestors and so much more. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/sunshine-michelle-coleman Music: "We Survived" by Climbing PoeTree Work with Duncan: www.spokeandwheel.co

Sunshine Michelle is a spiritual leader, a visionary, an academic and a poet who is deep into her doctoral dissertation about Authentic Self-Expression of Black and Brown Women.Her academic inquiry is based on a sacred sister circle that she has been conducting over the last year in Berkeley, California. In this conversation we talk about finding and expressing your authentic self and the powerful rippling out of healing that is created when someone shares their self with the world. We talk about the intersectionality of oppression and liberation, black feminist theory and spirituality and how they all intersect with one another. This is a timely conversation, where we talk about navigating and calling in the profound transformation that the world is currently going through and how it is reflected in our own personal transformation experiences. And we talk about forgiveness, holy boldness, oneness, the whispers of our ancestors and so much more. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/sunshine-michelle-coleman Music: "We Survived" by Climbing PoeTree Work with Duncan: www.spokeandwheel.co

In this episode I talk with AddieRose Mayer and Ei Ei Samai. AddieRose is the Executive Director at SEEDS Community Resolution Center. Ei Ei is a Culture Designer at Samai Group. This conversation is grounded in reality-based optimism that’s rooted in our lived-experiences that show that not only is it possible to communicate across our differences, it is sure to create growth and healing for everyone involved. In this conversation we talk about how conflict transformation skills are a powerful antidote for many of the social and political issues that we face today. We talk about how living and thriving in diversity is amazing, and that it is also hard work. We get into the important differences between deconstructing systems and transforming systems. We discuss how each of us are able to consciously design the processes, systems and cultures that work best for us, and we talk about the important role of grief and grieving in any process of transformation. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/addierose-and-eiei Music: "Carry Forth" by Boondock Squad

In this episode I talk with AddieRose Mayer and Ei Ei Samai. AddieRose is the Executive Director at SEEDS Community Resolution Center. Ei Ei is a Culture Designer at Samai Group. This conversation is grounded in reality-based optimism that’s rooted in our lived-experiences that show that not only is it possible to communicate across our differences, it is sure to create growth and healing for everyone involved. In this conversation we talk about how conflict transformation skills are a powerful antidote for many of the social and political issues that we face today. We talk about how living and thriving in diversity is amazing, and that it is also hard work. We get into the important differences between deconstructing systems and transforming systems. We discuss how each of us are able to consciously design the processes, systems and cultures that work best for us, and we talk about the important role of grief and grieving in any process of transformation. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/addierose-and-eiei Music: "Carry Forth" by Boondock Squad

Steve McIntosh is a political philosopher and an author. His most recent book is called Developmental Politics: How America Can Grow into a Better Version of Itself. Steve is the founder of the think tank Institute for Cultural Evolution. Steve was on Fractal Friends in 2016. That conversation was called "Transcending Political Polarization." In this conversation we talk about the cultural challenges of current U.S. Politics and the potential for finding a cultural solution. We talk about the idea of cultural intelligence, the ability to see the positive and negative qualities of each political worldview including our own. We get deep into the nature of polarization and how to turn our polarizing tensions into generative progress. And we talk about developing our own sense of good. We talk about the rise of a new political worldview called "post-progressivism" that aims to integrate the existing spectrum of political perspectives, and bring forward the best of all of them. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/steve-mcintosh-2 Music: Beethoven's “Sonata No.31 in A-flat major, Opus 110” played by Julia Froschhammer.

Steve McIntosh is a political philosopher and an author. His most recent book is called Developmental Politics: How America Can Grow into a Better Version of Itself. Steve is the founder of the think tank Institute for Cultural Evolution. Steve was on Fractal Friends in 2016. That conversation was called "Transcending Political Polarization." In this conversation we talk about the cultural challenges of current U.S. Politics and the potential for finding a cultural solution. We talk about the idea of cultural intelligence, the ability to see the positive and negative qualities of each political worldview including our own. We get deep into the nature of polarization and how to turn our polarizing tensions into generative progress. And we talk about developing our own sense of good. We talk about the rise of a new political worldview called "post-progressivism" that aims to integrate the existing spectrum of political perspectives, and bring forward the best of all of them. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/steve-mcintosh-2 Music: Beethoven's “Sonata No.31 in A-flat major, Opus 110” played by Julia Froschhammer.

The guest in this episode is Ashok Panikkar. Ashok is committed to helping develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions that are vital to strengthening the culture of democracy in the face if the eroding of confidence in liberal democracies and the rise of illiberal and authoritarian regimes. This episode promises to get us to question everything we thought we know about democracy, rights and freedom. In this conversation we talk about how democracy depends on people understanding our interrelatedness and highlights the importance of developing quality relationships. We talk about how conflict and diversity are deeply connected with each other and how both require care and attention. The way that we engage with conflict and diversity can lead to either positive or negative experiences. We talk about facing reality, and how despite what it seems, we are living in the best time in history. We need to be thoughtful and careful about what parts we want to criticize or change, and what parts we want to keep the same. We talk about how our current culture (especially capitalism) encourages the "Commodification of the soul." We consider the power of understanding that as individuals we are pretty small in the big picture and this understanding can liberate us from the prison of identity and as free individual we can really embrace the joy of living in uncertainty and complexity. Music: "Temperature Rise and Fall" by Sky Nelson-Isaacs Episode Page Support Fractal Friends here Music: "Temperature Rise and Fall" by Sky Nelson-Isaacs

Jeremy Lent is an author and an integrator. He is the author of The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity's Search for Meaning. His work is to weave together knowledge from across disciplines, cultures and time. The conversation offers a vision for the future of humanity while also looking at the difficult reality of the times that we're living in. In this conversation We explore the dance between science, and spirituality. We dig into the cultural and ethical implications of taking a systems approach to life, and understanding the cyclical nature of things and our interdependence. We talk about how the cultural integration of this knowledge is going to be necessary for us to survive the times that we’re in. Whether it's politics, racism, ecological threats or the risk of losing ourselves in technology, we need to recognize and actively start living into an understanding of our interconnectedness. We talk about the meaning of meaning and how to find it in our personal lives and as a culture. The upshot: What's meaningful in your life? Do more of that. More Info at the Episode Website Music: "What Do We Do Now?" by Austin Willacy Jeremy Lent Resources: Website: Jeremylent.com Blog: Patterns of Meaning (patternsofmeaning.com) Book: The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity's Search for Meaning