Future of Western Civilisation
By Nicholas Beecroft
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Podcast Description
Nicholas is a Consultant Psychiatrist who is exploring the Future of Western Civilisation through a series of interviews.
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German Identity and Patriotism: Adrian Wagner on the Future of Western Civilisation No.25 | Adrian is an emerging German leader. Aged 26, from the Millennial Generation”X,” he writes on social transformation and integral consciousness. In this interview, he discusses German Identity and Patriotism; the state of German consciousness, it’s healing and integration. He sets out his highest vision for Germany, the West and Global civilisation. He begins with his personal journey from what he calls a “liberal-left” to an integral consciousness. He describes his experience of processing the shadow cast by the Nazi period and coming to a more healthy, integrated and positive modern German identity and patriotism. Adrian believes that we need a positive, healthy national consciousness alongside our global, personal and other identities. We discuss what constitutes the boundary between a positive patriotism and a darker nationalism and racism. He brilliantly describes the role of healthy boundaries, self-confidence and assertiveness from the individual level to the national level. We test out how this applies to multiculturalism and in particular the integration of the Turkish diaspora into Germany. Does he agree with Chancellor Merkel said that “Multikulti” had failed. What’s a better, more positive vision for the future? Adrian gives his view on how Germany can assume its leadership role in Europe, particularly in the context of the Euro crisis. He finishes with his perspective on the British-German relationship. Adrian Wagner is someone to watch. Whatever path he follows, it’ll be something very interesting and transformational. At age 26, he is already writing on cultural transformation, values and integral world views. He trained in Spiral Dynamics with Don Beck, Theory U with Otto Scharmer, Tai Chi practice in India and at the end of his degree in Social Work. He participated in Field studies in value systems in the Middle East, India and the Philippines. Currently Adrian is developing with friends the YouthLeaders Program in the "Karma Youth" Project in Germany. He is studying Voice Dialogue with Cordula Mears-Frei and working as a freelancer for several Magazines related to Social Threefolding, integral Theory and Anthroposophy in a postmodern context. | 23 5 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali. Christianity in Complexity: Rejuvenating Democracy, Identity and Authority | Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali is one of the leading figures in the Church of England. He was the 106th Bishop of Rochester, for 15 years which made him the first non-white Diocesan Bishop in the Church of England. Prior to that he had been Bishop of Raiwind in Pakistan, his country of origin where he had a both Christian and Muslim family background. In 1999 he was elevated to the House of Lords. He has a prodigious academic record with much research into the role of Christianity in a pluralistic world, Christian-Muslim relations and on the teaching of Christianity in the modern world. Now he is President of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue. He courageously supports Christian leadership in many parts of the world where Christians suffer persecution. Bishop MIchael really understands the state we are in the Civilisational challenges we face and has the courage to speak the truth in the face of strong social pressure to stick to the Politically Correct hymn sheet. In this interview, Bishop Michael addresses the State of Western Civilisation; it’s strengths; what’s working really well; the challenges we face. He describes his positive vision for the future- his version of heaven on earth. He believes that we need a spiritual foundation for life and that we are living on past spiritual capital and that Christianity is essential to start regenerating that spiritual capital. Bishop Michael says what he thinks of being spiritual but not religious- whether or not that is an evolutionary step towards towards a global post-Ethnic pure form of spirituality without cultural and historical baggage. Could it be that the C of E is the first post postmodern religion which provides a lead for the others in recognizing their common path and accommodating all- the first post-postmodern, Integral, Global religion? He sets out his conditions for that to be possible. He says we need a shared story of who we are, what we believe, our values and history. He tells his version of that story and his own identity. He celebrates the strengths of Britain and talks about how he personally views the history of the British Empire and how we relate to that today. Clearly he sees Christianity as absolutely the central pillar of our history, identity, culture and values. Bishop MIchael comments upon the muted Western reaction to the persecution of Christians around the world. Why do the Western Elites turn a blind eye? How do we defend our freedoms, democracy and way of life from those who want to force their authoritarian and absolutist way upon us at a time when the pseudoliberal elite have made it at least taboo if not illegal to engage in debate and assert that Western or British values are better and in any case are our own right in our own country? What’s needed to sort out gang violence and social decay? How do we restore the healthy authority of a parent, teacher, policeman, doctor etc? Visit Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali’s Website Bio Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali was the 106th Bishop of Rochester, for 15 years, until 1 September 2009. He is originally from Asia and was the first non-white Diocesan Bishop in the Church of England. He was appointed in 1994. Before that he was the General Secretary of CMS from 1989-1994 and prior to holding this position was Bishop of Raiwind in Pakistan. He holds both British and Pakistani citizenship and from 1999 was a member of the House of Lords where he was active in a number of areas of national and international concern. He has both a Christian and a Muslim family background and is now President of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue (OXTRAD). Michael’s secondary education was in Pakistan. He read Economics, Sociology and Islamic History at the University of Karachi, and Theology at Fitzwilliam College and Ridley Hall, Cambridge. His interests have led him to research and study in several fields, | 17 4 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Love, Fear and the Destiny of Nations- Richard Barrett | Richard Barrett’s latest book is Love, Fear and the Destiny of Nations; the impact of the evolution of human consciousness on world affairs. Richard is a leading global expert on the evolution of human values, culture, leadership & consciousness in bus... | 11 4 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Herb Meyer’s Intelligence Briefing: Defending Western Civilisation | Herbert E. Meyer served during the Reagan Administration as Special Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence and Vice Chairman of the CIA’s National Intelligence Council. In these positions, he managed production of the U.S. National Intelligence Estimates and other top-secret projections for the President and his national security advisers. Mr. Meyer is widely credited with being the first U.S. Government official to forecast the Soviet Union’s collapse -- a forecast for which he later was awarded the U.S. National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, which is the Intelligence Community’s highest honor. In this interview with Dr Nicholas Beecroft, Herb says why Western Civilisation is worth defending, why it’s the best civilisation so far and why it’s fast becoming THE global civilisation. He is very optimistic for the future but believes that the biggest challenge we face is in helping all of the rest of the world make it into modernity whilst minimising dangerous threats. He draws upon his experience in the vanguard of the defeat of the Soviet Communist system to inform our strategy to deal with existing challenges including Islamic Fundamentalism, Iran, Russia, demographic collapse, lack of faith in our civilisation, energy security and the domestic culture war. Mr. Meyer is author of How to Analyze Information and The Cure for Poverty. Formerly an associate editor of FORTUNE, he has authored several books including The War Against Progress, Real-World Intelligence, and Hard Thinking. Mr. Meyer and his wife, Jill, are co-authors of How to Write, which is among the world’s most widely used writing handbooks. Mr. Meyer’s essays on Intelligence and Politics have been published in The Wall Street Journal, National Review Online, Policy Review and The American Thinker. Mr. Meyer is host and producer of The Siege of Western Civilization, a DVD that outlines the threats to America’s security, economy, and culture. These days, Mr. Meyer is a popular speaker on the lecture circuit. He delivers his overview of global trends and developments, entitled What in the World is Going On?, to corporations, business associations, student organizations and public affairs groups throughout the world. | 19 3 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Peggy Holman: Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity | Peggy Holman is a leading global expert in social technologies that engage “whole systems” of people from organizations and companies to communities in creating their own future. Her book The Change Handbook is a definitive how-to manual of 61 such engagement processes. Peggy is co-founder of Journalism that Matters. Most recently, her book Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity is “A roadmap for tackling complex challenges, Engaging Emergence provides stories, principles, and practices for inviting people to come together and turn disruptions into possibilities.” In this interview with Dr Nicholas Beecroft, Peggy gives her optimistic account of the emergence of a new civilisation by a broad base of people experimenting with new ways of being and doing. She describes how she thinks we can boost our cultural direction and self-confidence and sets out her highest vision for Western Civilisation. She says what’s great about America and the West right now- what we should preserve and build upon. She discusses the use of group processes to catalyse the evolution of our culture. Peggy believes that democracy is continuing to evolve for the better through increasing self-authorship. She describes Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology and World Cafe. Peggy gives her view on how we can integrate the dark, shadow side of our history so as to unlock our power and potential. | 29 2 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Neil Howe predicts the Future with Generational Theory | Neil Howe is a historian, economist, and demographer. He is Founding Partner and President of Life Course Associates. Neil is a renowned global authority on generations- who today’s generation are, what motivates them and how they will shape our future. He advises companies, governments and investors. He coauthored “Generations,” and “13th Gen”- about Generation X. He originally coined the term "Millennial Generation" in “Millennials Rising.” “The Fourth Turning” comes from an amazing piece of scholarly study which found cyclical patterns in generational behaviour, values and culture 400 years back into Anglo-American History. Published in 1997 reads as if he already knew about Sept 11 and the coming financial crisis. It’s an astonishingly accurate read about the present. In this interview with Dr Nicholas Beecroft, Neil explains the theory and sets out his observations of the current stage of the generational cycle during this “Fourth Turning” crisis period. He describes the interactions between all the various generations and predicts how the future in areas as diverse as security, immigration, family life and spiritual values. He discusses the implications for policy makers, investors and strategists as well as describing the leadership context, especially for the Boomers, Gen X and Millennial Generations. Neil says that whilst East Asia is in synch with Western Generations, the Islamic world is slightly out of synch which has huge implications for understanding current and future geopolitics. He gives some specific consulting advice for this project, the Future of Western Civilisation. | 22 2 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Don Beck on The Master Code: The Hidden Dynamics that Shape Individuals, Design Organisations and Transform Societies | Dr Don Beck interviewed by Dr Nicholas Beecroft on "The Master Code: The Hidden Dynamics that Shape Individuals, Design Organisations and Transform Societies" and the Future of Western Civilisation. Don wrote the following introduction to this interview: “The real question deals with the "Rise and Fall and then Rise" of Western perspectives on "civilization." I have often wondered why the so-called "Western Civilization" appeared to ascend in terms of complexity to "commanding heights" during the last few hundred years. This does not mean at all the "Westerners" are better humans, or should dominate any other social or geographic grouping. The work by Alfred. W. Crosby in 'The Measure of Reality:Quantification and Western Society 1250-1600 offers one reason. This activity replaced many of the myths, superstitions and fables with hard facts, the scientific method, and rationality. This was especially apparent in the field of medicine. It help give rise to the Age of Science and the birth and spread of the 5th Code of modernity. Add into the equation the stability, discipline, high ethics and ordered thinking from The 4th Code, and you have the Puritan value system. This is neither magic nor arrogance but does explain the transitions from pre-modern to modern. The English language helped, as did the strong and positive growth themes inherent in both Jewish and Christian thought. The celebration of life, in the present, and the hope of a heaven in an afterlife, can be strong elixirs. This does not mean everything was perfect and Civilization emerged as we climbed the ladder of "success" and material gain with all the displays of abundance. But it does suggest that this world-view also contained a repair kit in spite of failures and negative consequences to the rest of the world. Western Civilization continued to leap into new manifestations to add "post modern" to the evolutionary flow. And, in my view, that is the critical aspect of its over all code. Adam Smith clearly combined morality and a purpose filled society as a foundation for his promotion of the "invisible hand" that will raise all the boats. But we have also learned that if such a 'hand" extends from a sleeve full of greed, corruption, and wasteful extravagance, lit will self-destruct, as it has in recent decades. Same goes with simplistic versions of the 6th and humanitarian code that, alas, disrupted the critical contributions of the 4th (traditional-sacred) and 5th (materialistic-secular) which, when in balance, do the heavy lifting of populations as they deal with fundamental challenges and threats, producing sink holes in human emergence. Known as 'political correctness," it provide a false picture on what diversity really means. Our 21st Century society is full of examples. There is far greater expressions of caring and human sensitivity within the 7th and 8th Level thinking patterns. Yet, I firmly believe that the codes within Western Civilizations will now re brand themselves, re calibrate their range and scope, and adapt their essential components in a positive manner within the language, culture, religions and traditions of the entire Earth Society. Herein lies the power within the 7th Code, the capacity to re frame the 1st Tier assemble of adaptive intelligences while generating The Master Code, designed to deal with global issues that confront us all. When Professor Clare Graves spoke of the "momentous leap" of human nature, this is what he had in mind. We all have serious work to do. New world views await us as we climb the emerging peaks of our own conscious evolution. When the whole Spiral-full of value systems are engaged in dealing with these global issues, we have an opportunity to impact the whole in new dimensions and functions. The siege of 'perfect storms" now needs the brilliance of new sun rise, with new aspirations, effective tools, and a new and fresh spirit of humanity.” Dr. Don Beck 22nd February 2012. | 22 2 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Evolutionary Future of Us British- Chris Parish on the Future of Western Civilisation No.18 | or "Optimism and Patriotism for post-post modern enlightened liberals." Chris Parish is a leading voice in the emerging field of evolutionary spirituality. Having grown up as a postmodern liberal, he used to feel that patriotism was relic from a bygone age which had no relevance to the modern world. After all, it was associated with imperialism, racism, war, nationalism so it was best consigned to the history books. However as he travelled the world, he noticed that people from other countries, such as the USA or even liberal postmodern countries like Denmark, had a much more self-confident attitude to their national identity which they could celebrate in an uncomplicated way without feeling racist or backward. He came across a survey of indicators of wellbeing and subjective patriotism in which the British ranked very highly across all the objective measures of success and wellbeing but ranked themselves 104th, along with the Sudan and Yemen, in terms of attitude to their country. He realised that what marked Britain out was its huge fall in status from having been the most successful and dominant power for 200 years up till the middle of the 20th Century, then falling down to the second rank. Modern liberal Britons seemed to have difficulty coming to terms with the weight of this history. In this interview with Dr Nicholas Beecroft, Chris explores the British national identity from an enlightened, liberal, post-postmodern perspective. He discusses the wounds, traumas and shame of past wrongs associated with British patriotism and the way in which we have responded to that, often putting it unconsciously into shadow, unresolved and unintegrated. He unpacks all that and puts it in an integral, developmental, conscious, evolutionary context- understanding the history in its context and connecting our past, present and future as a stream of conscious spirit over time. Finally, he states his own patriotic feelings and beliefs and models how we can confidently embrace our patriotism and tribal parts in this evolutionary, conscious, still liberal, post-postmodern integral world view. Having spent nearly forty years pursuing spiritual illumination and philosophical understanding, he is a close collaborator, partner and student of spiritual teacher and cultural visionary, Andrew Cohen, in teaching Evolutionary Enlightenment: an approach to individual and cultural transformation that combines timeless wisdom with the particular challenges of our moment in history. Parish is the Managing Director of EnlightenNext UK, a popular speaker, skilled workshop facilitator and well-published author. Visit EnlightenNext Website | 19 2 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Catalyzing the Second Renaissance- Dr Robin Wood on the Future of Western Civilisation No. 17 | Dr Robin Wood is Founder and CEO of the Renaissance 2 Foundation. Imagine living in a Solar Civilisation powered completely by renewable energy, with people living in resilient habitats in tune with nature, operated by enlightened enterprises, wise culture and conscious, integral leadership aligned with a full spectrum of healthy values. Robin believes that crisis catalyses evolution through creativity and that this is the best time ever to be alive. In this interview with Dr Nicholas Beecroft, Robin shares his experience in helping thousands of business leaders and activists tune in to their passion and make their visions come true- to make money while doing good. Robin masters linking an encyclopedic knowledge of the big picture to the individual person and their business or mission. Robin describes his personal identification with Western Civilisation- what it means to him from his start as an anti-Apartheid activist, through consulting in silicon valley to the present day. The discussion includes the leadership tools requires for a “transactivist” and Integral Leader; integrating the wisdom of Africa into the West; the evolution of capitalism, synergising competition and co-operation, rejuvenating democracy, re-inventing the sacred, the emerging leadership of the millennial generation and, finally, his personal impulse for evolution. Join the Renaissance2 Global Meshwork and Make a Difference Visit Renaissance 2 website Buy the book from amazon in North & South America Buy the book from amazon in the UK Buy the book from amazon in France | 18 2 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Evolutionary Enlightenment- Andrew Cohen on the Future of Western Civilisation | Andrew Cohen is a leading spiritual teacher, a pioneer of Evolutionary Enlightenment- Integral, post-postmodern enlightenment. He is founder of EnlightenNext Magazine and EnlightenNext, a global network of centres of students and people who follow his teachings. Andrew teaches that Life is evolution and enlightenment is about waking up to this fundamentally creative impulse as your own deepest, most authentic self. This awareness enables us to play an active role in shaping the world of tomorrow. In this interview with Dr Nicholas Beecroft, Andrew assesses the state of Western Civilisation and describes his highest vision for the future. He explains how he chooses what structures, beliefs and attachments are worth keeping and those which have outlived their purpose and can be let go to make room for the new. He understands why a lot of people in the West enjoy the fruits of our civilisation but have lost faith in it and some have a nihilistic, self-destructive contempt for it. He believes we are the luckiest people ever to live and have a huge opportunity and responsibility to evolve ourselves and our culture for the better. He describes the postmodern pathology of “Boomeritis,” the cul-de-sac of relativism, anti-authority, anti-hierarchy and spiritual narcissism. Andrew responds to challenge of leading Europe which has become mostly secular, or spiritual but not religious and how that is responds to multiculturalism and, in particular, challenges from Islam as it goes through a turbulent period. Andrew addressed directly the question of who are we, what is truth and what is the foundation of authority in us? He describes healthy hierarchies and healthy judgment beyond postmodern egalitarianism. He says how he deals with the dark side, the shadow, our more primitive impulses in his life and teaching. Finally, he says how after decades of challenging himself to evolutionary enlightenment, how has he personally changed? | 8 2 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Lynne McTaggart- The Bond, The Field- The Future of Western Civilisation | Lynne McTaggart is the award-winning author of international bestselling books The Bond, The Field and The Intention Experiment. She is an internationally recognized spokesperson on the science of spirituality. In this interview with Dr Nicholas Beecroft, Lynne explores the Future of Western Civilisation using many fascinating examples from her work. If everyone took all her advice and lived in a super-connected, conscious, intentional, holistic, relational way, what would that be like? The Western World is in a crisis and that this represents a fantastic opportunity for us to renew and rebalance our culture. Lynne gives us an overview of how she sees the process we're experiencing. She discussed the Andaman tribes who escaped the Tsunami using their intuitive relationship with nature and have so much to teach us. How can we integrate the intuition and wisdom while keeping the best of the West? If one is in a public sector bureaucracy, top down, controlling, run by spreadsheets and treating people as cogs in a machine, how can you humanise it to run it as a living system made up of conscious beings with maximum human potential? What can we do to make a hospital more caring, more healing? Can we envision a welfare system which was empowering to recipients, fair to tax payers and healthy for society? How can we rebuild our atomised and damaged communities? Can we realistically change our culture like that by intention and evolution or shall we just carry on until there’s no choice and the crises of supra-ordinate goals make us change? | 8 2 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Howard Bloom- Inspiring Western Civilisation to thrive! | If we’re going to survive and thrive, Western Civilisation needs a vision- an exciting, energising one which engages our passions. Howard celebrates the unique success of Western Civilisation in increasing the length and quality of human lives. He shows how capitalism is an amazing motor of human development. He inspires us to look up to colonising space and solar energy to energise and excite our passions. And that’s just the start. Most people write one-idea books. Howard writes 150 idea books. From Solar Energy to Michael Jackson to Atheist Spirit to Bacteria to Geopolitics to Prince to Colonising Space to Evolution to Science to Democracy to Pop Culture to Truth via Capitalism, Soul, the Meaning of Life, Passion, Energy Security and Back. Howard Bloom is a unique specimen. He is a science geek who managed to rise to the top of the music business as the world's most successful PR consultant for Michael Jackson, Prince, Billy Joel, Queen, Bet Midler and many more. He is author of: The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition Into the Forces of History, Global Brain: The Evolution of Mass Mind From The Big Bang to the 21st Century, and The Genius of the Beast: A Radical Re-Vision of Capitalism. | 25 1 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Organisational Democracy and Freedom- Traci Fenton Interview | Traci Fenton is an expert in organizational democracy and the Founder and CEO of WorldBlu whose purpose is to unleash human potential and inspire freedom by championing the growth of democratic organizations worldwide. Her vision is to see 1 billion people working in free and democratic workplaces. Traci describes the 10 key features which make an organisation democratic- from modern entrepreneurial companies to the US Navy and CIA. Democratic culture in the workplace leads to improved engagement, creativity, productivity, meaning, health, energy and profit. She says where it works and where it doesn’t; who’s ready and who’s not. Worldblu supports businesses to transition from a Command and Control Model of organisation to an empowering democratic model by showing the structures, processes, rules, values, consciousness and type of leadership that are necessary to support democratic culture? She discusses how democracy can improve profits, strategy, governance, decision making, accountability and risk management. | 21 1 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Universe as a Living System- Elisabet Sahtouris Interview | Elisabet Sahtouris is an internationally known Evolution Biologist. In this interview with Nicholas Beecroft, Elisabet inspires us to understand the universe as a conscious, living system. She illustrates this with examples of how the theory applies to finance, science, housing, competition, co-operation, falling Western birth rates, welfare systems and medicine. She believes that we're undergoing a new Copernican revolution in science and that that represents a massive opportunity to rebalance the way we live. With her strong foundation in Western Science, she describes how our science is based upon civilisational assumptions which are in themselves untested but rather based upon faith. She believes that the non-living universe based upon solely energy and matter is the basic assumption we make without knowing it and she believes that we'd be better of trying out some science based upon the assumption that we are conscious beings living interconnected in a living, conscious universe. She shows how other cultures, especially Indian (Vedic) and Islamic have other assumptions. She takes us down to the level of bacterial, cells, mitochondria and adenosine-triphosphate to describe the origins of life and the fundamentals of a living system which she then expands up to the level of human society and the universe. Internationally known as a dynamic speaker, Dr. Sahtouris is an evolution biologist, futurist, professor, author and consultant on Living Systems Design. She shows the relevance of biological systems to organizational design in business, government and globalisation. She is a Fellow of the World Business Academy, an advisor to EthicalMarkets.com and the Masters in Business program at Schumacher College, also affiliated with the Bainbridge Graduate Institute's MBA program for sustainable business. Dr. Sahtouris has convened two International Symposia on the Foundations of Science and written about integral cosmologies. Her books include A Walk Through TIme: from Stardust to Us, Biology Revisioned, co-authored with Willis Harman, and EarthDance: Living Systems in Evolution | 15 1 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Re-integrating Wisdom into our way of life- Jim Garrison interview | What is wisdom? How is it distinct from knowledge, truth, logic and science? Is it gut feeling, heart-brain, neuro-cognitive short cuts, tapping into electromagnetic energy, consciousness, all of that or something else? How can we access and nurture our wisdom? How can we integrate it with the best of science and reason? Do they synergise or run in parallel or do they apply for different purposes? What would medicine (or psychiatry) be like if we accessed our wisdom? How do you envisage the world would be if we all learn to use our wisdom? Western Science and philosophy evolved for a reason- partly because they work and improve our lives (trains, computers, medicine) and partly because they took us out of mediaeval tyranny of superstition, religious fundamentalism and serfdom. We obviously don’t want to go back to that but are becoming aware that we threw out a few babies with the bathwater. What made you first realise that we needed to re-establish wisdom in our way of life? When we drop the rigor of science and reason, there’s a risk of falling back into superstitions and false beliefs which at best can be a waste of time, can be harmful. People have recommended all sorts of things based on their professed wisdom- coffee enemas, drinking your own urine, crystal pyramids...how do you discern what’s true from what’s wishful thinking, imaginary, delusional or manipulative? Jim Garrison is president of Wisdom University, Founder and President of the Gorbachev Foundation (USA) and the State of the World Forum. In this interview, Jim sets out his vision to restore wisdom to a central place in our way of life. He describes wisdom and its relationship to science and reason. He discusses how wisdom can be used in medicine, politics and says he believes it’s essential to our survival. Jim Garrison became president and chairman of Wisdom University on February 2, 2005. Dr. Garrison is also founder and president of the Gorbachev Foundation/USA, which set the stage for the establishment in 1995 of the State of the World Forum, a San Francisco based non-profit institution created to establish a global network of leaders dedicated to creating a more sustainable global civilization. With President Gorbachev as its convening chairman, the Forum brings leaders from around the world and representing a spectrum of disciplines to its annual and regional conferences, and has catalyzed the creation of several independent organizations. Dr. Garrison was born in China and grew up in Taiwan. After returning to the US, he began college at Pepperdine University (1969-70), attended the University of Tel Aviv in 1972, and received a B.A. magna cum laude in World History from Santa Clara University (1973). He then received a double M.T.S. in Christology and History of Religion from Harvard Divinity School (1975), and a Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology from Cambridge University (1982). Dr. Garrison published his first book in 1980, The Plutonium Culture (SCM). This was followed by The Darkness of God: Theology After Hiroshima (SCM/1982); The Russian Threat: Myths and Realities (Gateway Books/ 1983); The New Diplomats (Resurgence Press/1984); Civilization and the Transformation of Power (Paraview Press/2000); and America As Empire: Global Leader or Rogue Power? (Barrett Koehler/2004). Garrison is also active in Mosaic Networks, a business development company of which he is a founding partner. | 14 1 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Giving Voice to Values- Mary Gentile | If you already knew what was the right thing to do, how could you get it done? What kinds of stories, persuasion, strategies would you use? How can you effectively stand up for your values when pressured by your boss, colleagues, customers, or shareholders to do the opposite? Mary Gentile has spent 3 decades asking and answering this question around the world. Mary talks abut how her educational programme is empowering people to act on their values and to make their vision reality. She discussed how this applies in the financial crisis. She talks about the potential application to politics and how a values based approach can provide a constructive way forward in very emotionally charged conflicts. She describes how she navigates complexity- coexisting in the traditional, modern and postmodern worlds, how she deals with political correctness, absolutism and relativism. Above all, she shares her story on how individuals can be empowered to make their contribution to evolving our civilisation for the better. Mary Gentile is the Creator and Director of Giving Voice to Values Programme which is taught at well over 100 business schools globally and Senior Research Scholar at Babson College in Boston. Previously Professor at Harvard Business School, consultant on management education and leadership development, she is the author of numerous books and articles, including Giving Voice to Values, how to speak your mind when you know what’s right. You can find Mary's website and book link here: www.marygentile.com | 10 1 12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Project Heaven on Earth- Martin Rutte interview | Martin Rutte is interviewed about his Project Heaven on Earth. This is no. 8 in the series Exploring the Future of Western Civilisation. Martin has invited thousands of people to recall an experience of heaven on earth then to imagine they had a magic wand to bring it about all the time. He then invites then to take the first steps in that direction. The interview explores the process with examples and puts some challenges to Martin. | 30 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Caring For Care Homes- A Transformational Culture Change | Caring For Care Homes are an inspiring team whose social enterprise transforms care homes into heavenly care homes which aim for a high standard of life for elders in residential care. They promote an ethos of love, compassion and genuinely valuing people- the residents, the staff, the relatives and the community. They take the leaders, owners and staff through a 3 month transformational programme of individual growth and organisational culture change. They use the latest tools of personal transformation, leadership development and culture change to make Care Homes the kind of place we’d look forward to living in ourselves and where we’d be happy to place our loved ones. They seek to integrate Care Homes with the community including the families, schools, businesses and the wider community. They believe that we should all plan for our old age so as to maximise our chances of being fit enough to enjoy it and to ensure that the best social and business structures are in place to deliver the care we’ll need within a reasonable budget. Between them, they have a wealth of experience and some inspirational vision. In this programme, the team of Georgeanne Lamont, Peter Smith, Angeline Ruredzo, Steve Boley and Masana De Souza are interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys and Nicholas Beecroft as part of the series “Exploring the Future of Western Civilisation” of which we hope that heavenly Care Homes are to be a part. Short Version of Video: http://youtu.be/ngML5TBgoiM Playlist of Short Videos They say, "Imagine a care home where you go in and you see people living life fully. Living: Whether they are still very active or frail, they are involved with life and living it as fully as they are able, not just sitting round the edge of the room numbed out gazing at a TV. However limited they may be in their ability, they are using the resources they have, be it in the kitchen, with an animal, in the garden or laundry, with another person, writing or listening to music. Loving: You see people loving , connecting with each other and caring, pouring out a cup of tea for one another, listening to each other, being patient and kind, giving each other positive surprises like a note of thanks or simply saying thank you. Laughing: You see people laughing with one another : cheerfulness, smiles, fun and laughter are part of what makes life sweet. Never laughing at someone but often laughing with someone brings a sense of happiness. Laughter lightens the load and makes the whole business of growing older much happier. Learning: Curiosity and love of learning keep us young. Learning everyday something new be it about someone’s life in the past, or hopes for the future, some new facts, some new aspects of care; being involved in the U3A or finally studying for that OU degree; doing crosswords, using the internet, actively using our brains to learn and share. Together creating truly great care for older people We are passionate about ensuring that the care of older people is truly great care. Older people are not an industry – they are our mums and dads and one day they will be us. What sort of care do we want for those we love and for ourselves? Caring for Care Homes is dedicated to doing just what it says. If we take good care of the care homes and their staff, they in turn can take good care of residents. We believe that the last years of our lives should be some of the best years — and are committed to helping care homes to be great places to live and great places to work — homes where both residents and staff can live, love, laugh and learn everyday. And we see care homes being a central part of the community with strong intergenerational links.” Many care homes are doing a wonderful job. To support them in delivering the very best of care we provide tailor made transformational programmes that ensure they have the best staff giving the very best care." Caring For Care Homes Website | 29 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Transpartisan Politics: An invitation to appreciation of the present and visioning of a positive future | It's easy in current conditions for us to feel fearful or angry about the state of the world/country. There are a lot of bad things happening and many genuine threats to our way of life, freedom, prosperity and security. The trouble is thought that focussing on the negatives does not create the solutions nor does it attract others to help. I'd like to invite people to re-orientate to the positive and to share: - that which makes them really proud to be British, American, German...etc. - those things which are already great and worth preserving - their positive vision for the future to inspire others - examples of where it's working well already and how to get there When was the last time you saw a bunch of Guardian/New York Times readers give a Daily Mail reader/Fox News Viewer a group hug? It's not very likely is it? But it's necessary because neither have got all the answers and both waste most of their energy in conflict with each other. In America they call that the "culture wars." To get to a better place, we're going to need to step up to a more conscious, integral place where we take the healthy strands of all the parts and heal the wounded or broken ones. For example, when we talk about crime there are 4 main reactions: 1. Punish them. 2. Forgive them and love them 3. Blame poverty, poor parenting, racism, lack of opportunity 4. Rehabilitate them. The energy is wasted in fighting between these positions. They're all right and the solution needs to be composed of the healthy aspects of each. Naturally, people will gravitate to particular positions depending on their backgrounds, experience, emotional triggers, personality and situation. There's a great tool box, the Transpartisan Toolbox, used by "Reuniting America" and the Transpartisan Alliance, designed to get together people of very different, in fact all persuasions so as to address common goals and challenges. I really recommend trying it out. I interviewed Joseph McCormick about this. He tells of his personal journey from hardened Republican to an integral transpartisan leader who tries to embody the best of left/right, conservative/liberal, authoritarian/libertarian, nationalist/internationalist, individual/group, control/freedom, heart/mind, masculine/feminine, security/peace, power/love, courage/compassion and so on. This can be found at Reuniting America | 8 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Future of Capitalism- Jon Freeman interviewed on his 11/11/11 Manifesto | Here’s an interview I did with Jon Freeman on the Manifesto he co-authored with Roger Wetzel on the Future of Capitalism. Jon is a Director of the Centre for Human Emergence in the UK. In the interview, Jon lays out his vision for the future of capitalism. He describes the shift in values we need to make to relate differently to money to put it back in it’s place as our servant, not the other way round. He is informed by his deep knowledge of Spiral Dynamics which he describes as an upgrade to the human “operating system.” I thought the manifesto brilliantly and succinctly sets out the challenges and limitations of capitalism. It doesn’t prescribe particular strategies but rather posits some basic principles and values which might guide us in our debates about how to evolve it for the better. We’d be delighted to hear your response to Jon’s manifesto. | 4 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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John Bunzl on SIMPOL- simultaneous, global, bottom-up policy-making. | John Bunzl Interviewed by Dr Nicholas Beecroft. John is a leader of SIMPOL which promotes global bottom-up simultaneous policy making. | 30 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 22 | VideoCultural Evolution towards a Conscious Living System | -- | 30 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Occupy Wall Street- London. What’s their positive vision for the future? | I went to St Paul's Cathedral to interview the "Occupy Wall Street" protesters to find out if they have a positive alternative vision for the future. | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Remembrance and Patriotism 2011 | What makes people proud to be British? What would they be willing to defend? I went to the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in London to ask members of the public what drew them to the ceremony, what makes them proud to be British and what about Britain they treasure enough to defend. | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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British Patriotism- A Ugandan Perspective | Dr Nicholas Beecroft Interviews William Nkata Masembe on his perspective on British Patriotism as a Ugandan who lives in London. | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Trust, Natural Governance and Regulation | -- | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Organic Leadership Training | -- | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Evolution and Rebalancing- Organic Leadership | -- | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Organic Leadership | -- | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Inner Compass- Florence Nightingale | -- | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Psyplomacy- Human-centred Foreign Policy | -- | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Healthy Patriotism- Evolving beyond Multiculturalism | -- | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Freedom of Speech- Evolving beyond Political Correctness | -- | 29 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Introducing the series “Exploring the Future of Western Civilisation” | Dr Nicholas Beecroft is interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys on the purpose of the following series of interviews on the Future of Western Civilisation. I’m Dr Nicholas Beecroft, a Consultant Psychiatrist in London. I’m exploring the Future of Western Civilisation through a series of interviews. I want us to rejuvenate our energy, direction and self-confidence as a civilisation. My mission is to create a positive, appreciative space in which leaders at the evolutionary edge of our civilisation can share their experience and set out their vision for our future to inspire others. They are visionaries sewing the seeds of future transformation, all genuine, creative, courageous people who really care about who we are and where we’re going. By “civilisation”, I mean Western Civilisation- the one I’ve lived in; to one that’s transformed the world over the last 500 years; the one that’s gone global; the one that faces enormous threats, challenges and has the unprecedented opportunity to evolve to a really amazing future. When there’s so much changing all at once, old structures failing and a huge array of emerging threats, that all generates a lot of anxiety, pessimism and fear which distract us from putting energy into creating new solutions, generating new ideas and envisioning a better future. Behind the News Headlines, usually quietly, under the radar, there’s a lot of good stuff going on; the seeds of the future taking root in the present. There are lots of evolutionaries trying out new ideas, new technologies, new ways of organising and more integrated, conscious & balanced ways of thinking and being. Western Civilisation has been supremely successful in all kinds of ways of which we should be enormously proud. Science, technology, industrialisation, democracy, individual rights, personal freedom, property rights, the rule of law, Christianity, humanism, organisation, capitalism, feminism, civil rights, philosophy, music, art, even Imperialism have all, on balance, transformed the world for the better and have created new life conditions with new challenges and problems. In some cases, these advances had nasty side effects and some have become imbalanced. In others, they have replaced older structures and beliefs and many babies have been lost with the bathwater. Human civilisation is made up of human beings who are conscious beings and physical animals, all interconnected like a shoal of fish or a flock of birds. I’ve interviewed a huge range of people across a variety roles, professions, beliefs, politics, status, nationalities, religions, social classes and backgrounds. What is crystal clear to me is that whilst the world we live in is hyper-complex, we operate in it using a kind of mini-map of our civilisation in our minds which we used to navigate through the world, guided by our inner compass of intuition and rational thought. It is astonishing how similar these inner maps are and the patterns are clear. This is how we self-organise in what is a complex living system- just like a bee hive or wildebeest migration. Now we are super-connected by the internet, media and travel. We carry in our pockets access to billions of people and to just about all the knowledge that ever existed. Turning inwards we have access to to our instinctive intuition, heart, wisdom, common sense and judgement. Put together, that represents vast human potential and the most amazing opportunity for personal and cultural evolution ever. Looked at like that, just about all of our shared challenges and threats are solvable and a much better world is highly realistic. We’re engaged in conscious evolution of ourselves and our civilisation. There are a huge range of threats and challenges to The West and to the whole World. People focus their attention on different ones depending on their situation, beliefs and emotional make-up. The list is pretty depressing and overwhelming- so I’ve turned it into a list of positive questio | 22 11 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 34 Episodes |






