Go Out and Talk to Strangers

S05E10 Radical Hope and Practical Utopias with Anne Beate Hovind | Future Library Project

What does it take to create something that lasts 100 years? To dream so big that the future feels close enough to touch?

Anne Beate Hovind knows. She commissions art in public spaces, but not just any art – meaningful actions of positive disruptions, geared with radical hope. Projects like the Future Library, where trees are growing today to one day become books for people not yet born, and Losæter, a communal urban farm reimagined as art.

With two decades of experience at the crossroads of culture, business, and public spaces, Anne Beate transforms cities from the heart outward, encouraging us all to think bigger, dream bolder, and act braver.

In this episode, we explore the story of the Future Library Project and what it takes to commission art for a century-long project. How taking risks can lead to the magic of the unexpected, and might we embrace the much-needed dance between linear and explorative thinking.

If you’ve ever wondered how imagination can shape the future, and what it really means to be a good ancestor - this episode is for you.

How good is it? We recorded it twice!

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E09 In Conversation with the Land: The Philosophy of Wonder with Martin Lee Mueller | ANCEP

What does it mean to truly be “in” a place? In Norwegian, the phrase for being outdoors translates to "being in" - a profound reminder of our inherent connection to the world around us.

Today’s guest, Martin Lee Mueller, holds a PhD in philosophy and serves as the General Secretary for the Arne Næss Center for Ecology and Philosophy in Oslo, Norway. A philosopher, author, and storyteller, his work invites us to rediscover our reciprocal relationship with nature.

This episode was recorded outdoors, in conversation with the land. Among the topics we explored:

• How to tune into a place.
• The transformative questions that led Martin to the Nordic landscape and shaped his understanding of the interplay between culture and place.
• Deep ecology as a Nordic branch of earth philosophy, inspired by Arne Næss and his love for the land.
• The lessons lichen, salmon, and other elements of the natural world offer in challenging the notion of human separation and superiority.
• Philosophy as a path to personal and collective liberation, breaking free from habits that no longer serve vitality.
• The importance of raising generations capable of independent thought.

Martin also shares insights into the Arne Næss Center’s mission to build a school that take us from wonder to wisdom and his vision of 100 years of listening.

If you’re curious about deepening your connection to the world around you, this episode is rich with inspiration and practical steps to begin.

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E08 Seeds, Soil, and Us: The Interconnected Wisdom with Andrew McMillion

What does it mean to save a seed? And how can something so small carry the potential to reshape our ecosystems - and ourselves?

In today’s episode, my guest is Andrew McMillion, a regenerative farmer, teacher, and passionate seed saver. Working with the Norwegian Seed Savers, Andrew is deeply involved in preserving Nordic cultivars and creating resilient, locally adapted ecosystems. But his work doesn’t stop there.

We explore the role seeds play in the broader web of life - how the health of the soil mirrors our own well-being, and how ecological science, slow solutions, and human-scale technologies can help us reconnect with the natural world. We’ll dive into permaculture, deep ecology, and the idea that by going inward, we can also transform the world around us.

How does a shift in perspective - one that centers life itself - change the way we approach the environmental crises we face today?

Stay until the end, where Andrew shares a poem that gave me goosebumps.

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E07 Time to Shift: The Power of Bold Moves with Antonio Bortolotti | Vacation Rental World Summit

What does it take to turn a dream into a thriving reality? – again and again?

In this episode, Antonio Bortolotti - Husband, Father, Visionary Dreamer, and the creative force behind the Vacation Rental World Summit - shares his remarkable journey.

From studying law in Germany to becoming a flight attendant, and ultimately building a dream vacation rental business in Sardinia, Antonio transformed his passion into the premier event for the vacation rental industry in Europe.

The conversation dives into the key turning points where Antonio’s inner compass guided him toward life-altering decisions. Insights emerge on mastering the art of living, recognizing when it's time to leave a comfortable career behind, and choosing entrepreneurship over stability. Antonio reveals what led him to create an empire in the hospitality industry and why it all started with a wake-up call.

This is a story of bold moves, expansive visions, and the quiet wisdom that comes with trusting the journey.

Tune in for more, and maybe your wake-up call awaits?

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E06 Circular Construction: Redefining the Future with Dominik Campanella | Concular

What if our buildings could carry the stories of the past while paving the way to a CO2-neutral future?

In this episode, I sit down with Dominik Campanella, CEO and Co-Founder of Concular, a Berlin-based company dedicated to transforming the construction sector.

Circular construction is often dismissed as a niche market for rural private residences - but is that really the case? In fact, this approach is quickly becoming a requirement in the future of architecture and city planning.

Dominik shares Concular's journey in developing innovative processes, digital tools, and circular value chains to create a more sustainable future - from insurance products to the urban mining hub in Berlin.

This episode will challenge your thinking on circular construction and its real-world applications.

Join us as we explore how innovation, sustainability, and the stories embedded in our built environment can shape a more connected and responsible world.

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E05 Deep Curiosity and the Rhythms of Creation with Rinat Sherzer

What if we celebrated ‘a night in?’

In this episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Rinat Sherzer, a visionary dreamer, passionate creator, and relentless advocate for both the earth and humanity.

Rinat, currently a PhD candidate at RMIT, brings a wealth of experience to our conversation. She is a biotech engineer, transdisciplinary designer and artist, social entrepreneur, and educator. Rinat divides her time between teaching at Parsons School of Design in New York and serving as the Head of Design & Innovation at Wix Studio, while also giving keynote speeches worldwide. Previously, she was the Head of Design Management & Innovation at Bezalel Academy.

Rinat combines principles from biomimicry and strategic design to create a cultural shift towards an egalitarian society. We explore the concept of "the rhythm of the egg"—an intriguing idea that challenges our conventional approach to life and success. Rinat’s perspective encourages us to slow down, appreciate the quieter moments, and find joy in simplicity.

Is the fastest always the winner? 

How can we turn inward and uncover the unique gifts within ourselves, especially in the context of Western society and the relentless summertime mindset? 

In an era rife with burnout, what is truly worth chasing? 

And what if we could replace fear with curiosity? 

Join us to discover how we can collectively drive a cultural shift towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E04 Anthropology, Environment, and Consciousness: Insights from Hunter-Gatherer Societies with Dr. Daniel Naveh

If I weren’t an architect, I would have become an anthropologist. My fascination with cultures from around the globe has fueled my imagination for as long as I can remember.

In this episode, I had the immense pleasure of hosting someone who has profoundly expanded my understanding of hunter-gatherer societies and their worldview, and what it means for our lives today and the current state of the world. Dr. Daniel Naveh, who lived with the Nayaka for over a year, joins us to share his insights.

Dr. Daniel Naveh is an anthropologist and an environmental studies lecturer at Tel Aviv and Bar-Ilan Universities. He spent over a year among hunter-gatherers in the forests of South India. His research focuses on the environmental perceptions, consciousness, and educational practices of hunter-gatherer societies.

Daniel shares his personal story of living with the Nayaka in India, highlighting the unique ways hunter-gatherers understand and interact with their environment and the relevance of this perspective to the current climate crisis. We also discuss how anthropological lessons from hunter-gatherers and additional scientific discoveries can help us reconnect with plants, animals, and the astonishing nature of reality.

What are the valuable lessons that modern societies can learn from the wisdom of hunter-gatherer cultures? Tune in to expand your understanding and discover how ancient wisdom can transform our modern world.

Buddhi online course in Anthropology, Environment, and Consciousness

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E03 Growing architecture: nature, time and the unknown with Ferdinand Ludwig | Baubotanik

Growing architecture is an innovative approach that integrates living plants into architectural designs, addressing ecological issues such as climate change adaptation and promoting sustainable living environments. This concept challenges traditional design methodologies by incorporating elements like growth, decay, chance, and probability into the creation of resilient and beautiful structures.

This episode's guest is Ferdinand Ludwig, a Professor of Green Technologies in Landscape Architecture and the Director of the Research Group Baubotanik at the Technical University of Munich. He co-founded OLA – Office for Living Architecture in Stuttgart, Germany, and is the author of the book “Growing Architecture – How to Design and Build with Trees.”

In our conversation, we explore the following questions:

• What inspired the concept of Baubotanik, and what challenges arise when designing with nature?
• How can we adopt a mindset that looks beyond our own lifetimes when planning and building structures?
• What are the three approaches to time in the context of living architecture?
• How can we understand cities as living systems and the concept of inhabitable forests?

Tune in to this episode to discover how Ferdinand Ludwig's groundbreaking work is reshaping our understanding of architecture and encouraging us to design with nature, time, and the unknown in mind.

Locations of the experiments mentioned on the episode:
Plane Tree Cube
Baubotanik Tower, Baubotanik Footbridge, Arbor Kitchen

Growing Architecture book

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E02 Following the Roots with Morningstar Khongthaw | Living Bridges Foundation

Have you ever heard about the living root bridges of Meghalaya?

This episode was recorded in Northeast India, in the enchanting state of Meghalaya, known as one of the wettest places on Earth. The Khasi people have developed an extraordinary method of creating living root bridges by weaving the roots of trees. These unique structures continue to grow stronger over time.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Morningstar Khongthaw, an environmental activist, founder and chairman of the Living Bridges Foundation, social entrepreneur, and tour guide. We delve into the Khasi mindset, the concept of time, the significance of roots, and much more.

Join us for a fascinating conversation about this incredible tradition and the wisdom behind it.

For show notes & links visit TNM official website

S05E01 How To Be a Stranger with Michael Bungay Stanier | MBS Works

Michael Bungay Stanier and I sat down for a conversation. If you hear seagulls in the background, it’s because this episode was recorded in the beautiful coty of Tangier, Morocco.

It began during a dinner he hosted as part of the House of Beautiful Business gathering, under the intriguing theme – How to Be a Stranger. We explored the delicate balance between having an outsider perspective and feeling a sense of belonging. What is your tendency?

This conversation was a combination of an interview and a coaching session. We dived into fascinating topics that Michael often explores in his coaching career, such as: when you want to do something that matters - how to begin, the true meaning of commitment, and the dance between thrilling, important, and daunting. Tune in to join the conversation.

For show notes & links visit TNM official website