Mapping Transformation – cathy-mae karelse, Rufus Pollock & Gretchen Steidle

Mapping Transformation – cathy-mae karelse, Rufus Pollock & Gretchen Steidle

Author: Mind & Life Institute July 10, 2026 Duration: 1:08:00
To conclude this mini-series, guest host Jamie Bristow is joined by Gretchen Steidle, cathy-mae karelse and Rufus Pollock to step back from individual approaches explored so far and consider the wider field they are collectively helping to shape. As interest in contemplative approaches to social and ecological transformation continues to grow, how do we make sense of a rapidly expanding landscape of people, projects, organisations and ideas? Together, they discuss the importance of mapping emerging fields: not simply to catalogue what exists, but to help practitioners find one another, foster collaboration, identify gaps, and make the field more visible to researchers, funders and institutions. The conversation also explores what it takes for an emerging movement to develop coherence, legitimacy and shared purpose. Bringing the series to a close, it offers a hopeful bird's-eye view of a field that is beginning to recognise itself, and asks what might be needed for its next stage of maturity. cathy-mae karelse, PhD, a changemaker and scholar practitioner who leads Climate Youth Resilience, a global south-facing program that approaches climate resilience and systems change from the inside out.  Rufus Pollock, who is co-founder of Life Itself and the Second Renaissance Initiatives and is focused on inner-led social change to renew our civilization's foundations.  Gretchen Steidle, Director of Spirituality and Social Change at the Garrison Institute and Chief Weaver for the Conscious Change Collective, a network of practitioners Full show notes and resources

At the heart of Mind & Life is a simple, profound question: what is a mind, really? This isn't just a philosophical puzzle but a practical exploration of the mental habits that define our days. The conversations hosted by the Mind & Life Institute gently dismantle the walls between disciplines, weaving together insights from neuroscience and psychology with the lived wisdom of contemplative traditions. You’ll hear dialogues that feel less like interviews and more like shared discoveries, where a philosopher and a meditation teacher might find common ground on how attention works, or where a scientist discusses the social impact of compassion training. Each episode is an invitation to look inward with curiosity, examining how practices like meditation aren't about escape but about engaging with our inner world more skillfully. This podcast operates from the conviction that understanding our own minds is foundational to addressing broader cultural and societal challenges. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the mechanics of their own thoughts and emotions and sought a deeper, evidence-informed conversation about transformation. Tune in for a thoughtful blend of rigorous inquiry and personal relevance, where ancient questions meet modern investigation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mind & Life
Podcast Episodes
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