Welcome to another episode of If I Ruled the World, where I ask my guests what they would do if they ruled the world! In today’s episode, we delve into the heart of personal and planetary transformation with George Thompson. A system change practitioner, filmmaker, Tai Chi teacher, and a communicator of Daoist philosophy, George shares his profound journey from the Wudang mountains of China back to the heart of modern civilisation, exploring how ancient wisdom can guide us through today’s challenges.

Episode Highlights:

The Interconnection of All Beings:

George begins by reflecting on the interconnected intelligence of all beings—how nature's quiet wisdom reminds us of our deep ties to the world around us and within us.

System Change Through Personal Transformation:

Detailing his path through personal crises to finding resilience in Taoist practices, George explains how individual transformation is inseparably linked to broader societal change.

Insight, Practice, Community:

The mantra that has shaped George’s approach—gaining insights through deep reflection, maintaining growth through consistent practice, and building resilience within a supportive community.

Economic Reflections:

A surprise revelation from George about his background in economics leads to a deep dive into the flaws of our current economic system and the potential for a new paradigm based on real growth—emotional, community, and ecological rather than mere GDP.

A big thank you to our wonderful sponsors Triodos Bank UK for making this podcast happen, and to The Wildlife Trusts for their continued support.

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Connect with our guest:

• George Thompson

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Mentions & Resources

• Loosing Yourself (George’s new film)
• Dacher Keltner - Books
• The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible - Charles Eisenstein
• Less is More - Jason Hickel

Give us your feedback and tell us what you would do if you ruled the world!

“All you have when the shit hits the fan is each other... Often that is enough.” Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of "If I Ruled the World." Today, I sit down with Joe Glenton, a former British soldier turned journalist and anti-war activist. Joe shares his transformation from a ‘good’ military operative to a voice for peace, dissecting the complexities of military ethics and the true cost of war.

• Military Lessons: Joe opens up about the valuable and harsh lessons he learned during his service, emphasising the importance of solidarity amongst peers when facing dire situations. He reflects on how this lesson of mutual dependence and team ethic, though squandered in the military, is crucial for societal progress.
• Critique of Military Use: Joe critically assesses how military solidarity is often exploited and misused, pointing out the need for a system that genuinely fosters community and support rather than conflict.
• The Role of Media and Public Perception: The conversation takes a deep dive into how media representations can distort public perceptions of war and military actions. Joe and Gillian discuss the role of media in shaping narratives that justify war and overlook its devastating impacts.
• The Importance of Dialogue and Community: Throughout the episode, the emphasis remains on the power of dialogue and community building. Joe advocates for open conversations and collective actions as the pathways towards meaningful system changes and a more peaceful world.

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You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.

Connect with our guest:

• Joe Glenton - ForcesWatch

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Mentions & Resources

• Veteranhood - Joe Glenton
• Soldier Box: Why I Won't Return to the War on Terror - Joe Glenton

Give us your feedback and tell us what you would do if you ruled the world!

Since recording this episode, Kamala Harris has been nominated as the US Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. So strap yourselves in for a seriously timely conversation about leadership challenges for women of colour! Today, I’m joined by Majora Carter, an urban revitalisation strategy consultant and real estate developer, who is famously known for her pioneering work in green urban planning in the South Bronx.

Episode Highlights:

Majora's Early Influence:

• Growing up in South Bronx, Majora shares her personal evolution amidst the neighbourhood's challenges and the stark realities of urban decline and systemic racism. Her journey from witnessing the destructive fires of the 70s to becoming a beacon of hope and change lays the foundation for this conversation.

Greening the Ghetto:

• Majora recounts her pioneering TED Talk and the inception of sustainable projects like the South Bronx Greenway. She discusses the complexities of introducing green spaces in urban areas and the resistance that sometimes follows from within the community.

The Backlash and Public Perception:

• A profound segment where Majora reflects on the public backlash she faced after gaining national attention, encapsulated by her portrayal in the media as a hero turned betrayer of her own community.

Environmental Justice and Economic Development:

• Majora outlines her strategies for combining environmental sustainability with economic development, emphasising green job training and community empowerment. She delves into the intricate balance of enhancing neighbourhood conditions while fostering local employment.

Vision for Urban Communities:

• If she ruled the world, Majora shares her broader vision for urban communities globally — from policy changes to grassroots initiatives that prioritise both environmental sustainability and social equity.

Follow the show:

You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.

Connect with our guest:

• Majora Carter

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Mentions & Resources

• Majora’s Ted Talk - Greening the Ghetto
• Reclaiming Your Community Book

Brace yourselves, this one is a little different…My guest this week, Stella Marie, shares her explorations into animism and her personal & ancestral connections to the land. A heavy lean into discussions about the sacredness of all life, indigenous wisdom, and the potential transformative power of reconnecting with traditional knowledge systems is at the heart of this conversation. This episode delves into Stella's personal story of spiritual awakening and recovery from loss & addiction through reconnecting with nature, the potential of therapeutic psychedelics, and the broader implications for ecological and collective healing.

Key Points Discussed:

The Power of Animism: Stella explains animism as seeing the world where every entity, human or non-human, is a sovereign being.

Cultural Roots and Indigenous Wisdom: Insights into how reconnecting with her Celtic roots transformed Stella’s view of the world and her place within it.

Psychedelics and Healing: Stella shares her personal experiences with psychedelics and how they aided her mental health and spiritual growth.

Ecological Justice and Social Change: How ancient practices and modern struggles intersect in the fight for a more just and sustainable world.

Reconnecting with Nature: Stella emphasises the importance of community, seasonal living, and the inherent wisdom of natural cycles in fostering a deeper connection to the earth.

Stella’s powerful story and insights offer a compelling look at the intersections of personal healing, cultural identity, and ecological awareness. This episode invites listeners to consider how embracing ancient wisdom and fostering deeper connections with all forms of life can help address modern challenges and transform our world for the better.

Give us your feedback and tell us what you would do if you ruled the world!

Follow the show:

You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.

Connect with Stella:

• Instagram
• TikTok

Follow Gillian

Instagram

Website

Mentions & Resources

• UN Document on definition of ‘Indigenous’
• Psychedelics Society

“Indigeneity is ancient, but it’s also present and future.” Today, we explore the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. Gillian is joined by Leah Penniman, a dedicated farmer, soil enthusiast, mother, and co-founder of the Afro-Indigenous Centered Community Farm in New York State, known as Soul Fire Farm.

Revisiting Youthful Idealism:

• Hear a powerful recording from Leah’s high school graduation speech, questioning the motivations behind our life choices and our impact on the planet.

Reflections on Personal and Social Identity:

• Leah discusses her unique experiences as a black woman in science and nature, challenging the notion of being an outlier and emphasising the universal quest for belonging and purpose.

Farming as Activism:

• With over 30 years of farming experience, Leah intertwines social justice with agriculture, detailing her journey from a youth activist to founding Soul Fire Farm, which focuses on food justice and community empowerment.

Cultural and Ancestral Influence:

• Exploring the impact of her parents' activism, Leah highlights the importance of understanding and honouring our roots, both cultural and environmental.

Environmental Justice and Systemic Issues:

• Leah offers a comprehensive analysis of systemic injustices that exacerbate environmental degradation, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to address these intertwined crises.

Follow the show:

You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.

Connect with Soul Fire Farm:

• https://www.soulfirefarm.org/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillians_voice/

Website: https://www.gillianburkevoice.com/

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Mentions & Resources

• LION (Land in Our Names)
• Lauret Savoy
• Global Grid Potential
• Schumacher Institute
• Indigenous map of the world

What would you do if you ruled the world?

If you have any insights or feedback on

Work, wealth, people & planet…Welcome back! Today, we dive into the profound impact of work on our lives and society. Our guest, Polly Smythe, a journalist and labour movement correspondent, offers her perspective on the transformation of work, the erosion of worker protections, and the intersection of labour rights with broader social and environmental issues. What would you do, if you weren’t working all the time?…

Historical Context and the Modern Work Crisis:

• Polly provides a historical overview of the labour movement, connecting past struggles to current challenges in the workplace. She discusses how the labour movement's focus has shifted over time and its implications for workers today.

Impact of COVID-19 on Work Dynamics:

• The pandemic has intensified workplace exploitation, highlighting the vulnerability of 'essential workers'. Polly shares firsthand observations of increased workloads under the guise of pandemic protocols, setting a new, unsustainable standard for labour expectations.

Journalism and Labour Representation:

• The decline of industrial reporting has left a gap in accurate and empathetic coverage of labour issues. Polly stresses the importance of media in shaping public understanding and policy regarding labour rights.

Economic Inequality and Corporate Power:

• Discussion on the widening gap between the wealthy and the working class, exacerbated by corporate practices aimed at maximising profits at the expense of worker welfare. This segment ties in with a critique of current economic models that favour capital over labour.

Vision for a Redefined Work-Life Balance:

Proposals for systemic change include moving to a 4-day work week to improve quality of life and address environmental concerns. Polly advocates for rethinking work not just as a necessity but as a component of a fulfilling life, aligned with personal and societal well-being.

This episode challenges us to rethink our roles within the modern economy and the true cost of our current work practices on personal and environmental levels. It calls for a return to a more equitable system where work serves humanity, not just the interests of a wealthy few.

Follow the show:

You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.

Connect with our guest:

• Polly Smythe - Novara Media

Follow Gillian

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillians_voice/

Website: https://www.gillianburkevoice.com/

Mentions & Resources

In today's episode, we meet Tyrique Glasgow, a South Philadelphia native who transformed his life from a trajectory marked by gun violence and incarceration to one of community service and mentorship. Tyrique is the founder of the Young Chances Foundation, a community organisation that addresses the deeper systemic issues affecting urban communities, such as access to quality nutrition, generational trauma, and environmental pollution.

Community and Personal Transformation:

• Tyrique shares his personal journey from surviving multiple shootings and imprisonment to becoming a pivotal community figure. His transformation began with mentoring local youths, eventually leading to the creating of the Young Chances Foundation.

Environmental and Social Impact:

• Philadelphia's history of industrial pollution and its effect on public health, particularly respiratory conditions, is highlighted. Tyrique discusses how these conditions contribute to the broader context of violence and community despair.

Holistic Community Support:

• The foundation's approach goes beyond addressing immediate needs, focusing on systemic changes that provide sustainable support and empowerment. Initiatives include access to healthy food, mental health services, and youth mentorship programs.

Challenges and Barriers:

• Tyrique points out the obstacles faced by community members, from bureaucratic hurdles that prevent children from participating in recreation to the pervasive violence that impacts daily life.

Vision for the Future:

• A passionate discourse on what leadership and systemic change should look like, emphasising education, community engagement, and environmental justice.

This episode offers a profound look into how interconnected systems of disadvantage and environmental degradation contribute to cycles of violence and poverty. Tyrique Glasgow's story is one of hope and determination, showcasing how one individual's change can lead to community-wide transformation. His insights challenge us to think critically about the root causes of urban violence and the broader societal changes needed to foster true community resilience and growth.

Follow the show:

You can follow ‘If I Ruled the World’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred platform of choice.

Connect with our guest:

• Young Chances Foundation

Follow Gillian

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillians_voice/

Website: https://www.gillianburkevoice.com/

Mentions & Resources

In this moving and powerful episode, Gillian delves into the Grenfell Tower tragedy with Ed Daffarn, a resident and activist who foresaw the disaster. Ed shares his first-hand account of the events leading up to, during, and following the devastating fire on June 14, 2017, that claimed 72 lives and destroyed 127 homes in West London.

Forewarning and Neglect:

• Ed details the persistent warnings issued by the residents about the tower's safety issues, which were systematically ignored by the management and local authorities. These included concerns over faulty fire doors, sprinklers, and the dangerous cladding that ultimately exacerbated the fire.

The Night of the Fire:

• The tragedy unfolded dramatically and swiftly, leaving residents with little time to react despite previously being instructed to stay put in their apartments during a fire—a policy that proved fatal given the rapid spread of smoke and flames.

Aftermath and Abandonment:

• In the wake of the fire, survivors found themselves neglected by official aid, with the community stepping in to provide immediate relief. Ed's narrative highlights the stark abandonment by the state and the resilience of the Grenfell community.

Ongoing Injustice:

• Years after the incident, the lack of accountability remains a significant issue, with no criminal prosecutions and ongoing delays in legal proceedings that add to the survivors' and victims' families' grief and frustration.

Community Mobilisation:

• The formation of Grenfell United by survivors and bereaved families illustrates the proactive steps taken by the community to seek justice, improve housing safety regulations, and ensure such a disaster never happens again.

Societal Reflections:

• The episode reflects on broader themes of social inequality, the disregard for lower-income communities, and systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy. Ed discusses the implications of profit over safety and the need for profound systemic change.

This episode serves not only as a remembrance but also as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for justice and systemic reform. It underscores the critical need for societal vigilance and proactive governance to prevent future tragedies. The conversation with Ed is a powerful call to action for accountability, safety, and respect for all communities.

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Connect with Grenfell United:

• Intagram
• Website

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