Dumbo Feather Podcast

What happens when you sit down with someone who’s spent their life not just designing buildings, but reimagining the very systems that shape our world? In this episode, Berry welcomes Indy Johar—architect, philosopher, and co-founder of Dark Matter Labs—for a conversation that dives deep into the heart of what it means to live wisely and act boldly in an entangled world. Indy brings a rare mix of big-picture thinking and practical wisdom to questions that can feel almost too big to tackle: How do we move beyond outdated ideas of individualism? What does it look like to build institutions—and even cities—that nurture fairness, resilience, and genuine connection? And how do we find hope and agency when the scale of our global challenges feels overwhelming?Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and EmpathySmall Giants Academy - Interconnected LeaderAnd finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Sm

What happens when you sit down with someone who’s spent their life building bridges—across continents, industries, and even generations? In this episode, Berry welcomes Sandrine Dixon-Declève, co-president of the Club of Rome, for a candid conversation about hope, courage, and finding wisdom in the chaos of our times.Sandrine brings warmth, honesty, and a touch of humour to topics that can feel overwhelming: climate crisis, misinformation, and the urgent need for global cooperation. She shares stories from her own family’s history of resilience, her early days working with European policymakers, and what it’s like to lead a legendary organisation that’s often misunderstood as “the Illuminati for good.”Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.

How do we create the world we want to see? On this episode of Wisdom & Action, Ariel Burger shares his journey from a curious teenager to a mentee of Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel. Ariel reflects on Wiesel's transformative influence, the power of questions, and the intersection of spirituality, art, and social change. As an author, educator, and founder of the Witness Institute, Ariel takes us through what it means to be a regulated human, how stories have the power to transform the world, and why joy is so important to hold in our pursuit for a better future. Books: Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom by Ariel BurgerWant to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina

Jenny Gray is the Chief Executive Officer to Zoos Victoria and a global champion for conservation efforts. In her time at Zoos Victoria, she has spearheaded efforts into saving Victoria’s endangered species, and educated people on how we can all play a part in the conservation of our natural environment. We chat about conservation, leading with empathy and why there is still hope for our native world’s future. With thanks to Zoos Victoria for the recording of the Christmas Island pipistrelle bats. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Wisdom in Action, I speak with Alexander Beiner, cultural thinker and author of The Bigger Picture, about the urgent need for new frameworks to navigate our complex world. We delve into Alexander's journey—from his early fascination with psychedelics and consciousness to founding the influential platform Rebel Wisdom, and explore the role of culture in shaping society– and why real change begins with a shift in collective values and beliefs. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katrine Kielos (previously Katrine Marçal) is the bestselling author of Who Cooked Adam Smith’s Dinner? In this episode Katrine unpacks feminist economics, illuminating the unpaid, often invisible labor women perform in supporting the traditional workforce. We explore the concept of the "economic man" and question why our economic systems undervalue relational work and care. It’s a thought-provoking conversation that invites listeners to reimagine the next economy, one that truly values humanity's collective efforts.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My friend Doug Abrams is a multiple New York Times-bestselling author as well as an editor, literary agent, film producer, and life adventurer. Doug shares his inspiring story, from overcoming a tough childhood to collaborating with creative legends like Nelson Mandela and Jane Goodall. We dive into the power of storytelling, why it matters so much right now, and how it shapes how we see ourselves and the world. Plus, Doug explains the difference between having knowledge and actually living with wisdom. This is a deep, fun, and uplifting chat that will nurture your soul.Books:The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World with the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas AbramsWant to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by Au

Rachel Lowry is the CEO of Bush Heritage Australia and a dear friend. In this episode we dive into Australia's ecological challenges, conservation strategies, and explore what a critical triage phase of saving threatened species and ecosystems with limited budgets looks like. Rachel’s heartfelt advocacy and grounded counsel offer a compelling vision for a sustainable, reforested Australia, and I am thrilled to share this episode with you. With thanks to Zoos Victoria for the recording of the Christmas Island pipistrelle bats. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roman Krznaric is a phenomenal thinker, writer, social philosopher with a PhD in political science who has written books I cherish, such as The Good Ancestor, How to Think Long Term in a Short Term World, Empathy, The Wonder Box and his latest book, History for Tomorrow, Inspiration from the Past for the Future of Humanity. In this conversation we chat about how history can inform future planning, explore the concept of cathedral thinking and dive into what hope means in the current state of the world.Three-horizon framework: Where the horizon meets the stars Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and EmpathySmall Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christiana Figueres is one of my heroes. A globally recognised leader in climate change advocacy and diplomacy, Christiana is an author and speaker who played a pivotal role in facilitating the historic Paris Agreement in 2015. We speak about finding hope and forging resilience in the face of climate catastrophe, and dive into what it means to transform pain and grief so that we can keep showing up to fight the good fight.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with the legendary Seth Godin—author, entrepreneur, marketing guru, and teacher. We delve into the power of tribes and storytelling, the role of community in making the world a better place, and the impact of technology on our lives. Seth shares his journey from endless travel to shifting his focus to climate activism with the Carbon Almanac, and we discuss the challenges of navigating modern life, the importance of sense-making, and the crucial role of curation in fostering meaningful connections. It’s a big one folks. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that explores how we can all contribute to a more resilient and hopeful future.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music

Today we’re sharing a wonderful archival conversation with Helena Norberg-Hodge. Helena is a linguist, author and filmmaker, and the founder and director of the international non-profit organisation Local Futures. Helena is leading the way to the new economy and a return to the local and by doing so, she is contributing to the revitalisation of cultural and biological diversity. If you’re interested in joining our webinar mailing list, or want more information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - Climate Leadership Accelerator Small Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is with Canadian culture activist, Stephen Jenkinson. Stephen has worked extensively with people who are dying and their families, from major Canadian hospitals and medical schools to collaborations with musicians and storytellers. He is the creator and principle teacher of the Orphan Wisdom School and is also an award-winning sculptor and traditional canoe builder! I really hope you enjoy this deep and honest conversation. If you’re interested in joining our webinar mailing list, or want more information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - Climate Leadership AcceleratorSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and EmpathySmall Giants Academy - Interconnected LeaderBerry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re so excited to share this past conversation with master storyteller, Joan Scheckel. Joan has a preternatural gift for story structure, emotional rhythm and throughline. At the core of everything she does is the theory that we can tell stories that heal, stories that are generated from connection, meaning, purpose and feeling, rather than from conflict. If you’re interested in joining our webinar mailing list, or want more information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - Climate Leadership AcceleratorSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and EmpathySmall Giants Academy - Interconnected LeaderBerry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi friends, we’re taking a break from normal recording to bring you a beautiful bridge season. It’s a mix of some of our webinars and live conversations that we've had at the Small Giants Academy. Esther Perel has transformed many of our lives and relationships through her intimate and insightful books and podcast. Her work has changed the way we think about love, connection and sex. In this conversation, Esther and I get into the nuances of modern relationships, and explore how they are more complex today than ever before. The lessons she imparts are as relevant today as ever. If you’re interested in joining our webinar mailing list, or want more information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - Climate Leadership AcceleratorSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and EmpathySmall Giants Academy - Interconnected LeaderBerry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme

Hi friends, we’re taking a break from normal recording to bring you a beautiful bridge season. It’s a mix of some of our webinars and live conversations that we've had at the Small Giants Academy. Our second guest is the incredible Krista Tippett, Founder of the On Being project and host of its tender, wise and ever-evolving body of shows, public events, podcasts and conversations. In this conversation we speak of fear and the power of its force in the human body and our lives, the healing power of words, intergenerational friendships and more. There is so much in here and I know you will find something that speaks to you. If you’re interested in joining our webinar mailing list, or want more information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - Climate Leadership Accelerator Small Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - In

Hi friends, we’re taking a break from normal recording to bring you a beautiful bridge season. It’s a mix of some of our webinars and live conversations that we've had at the Small Giants Academy. Our first guest, Pádraig Ó Tuama, is a poet and theologian, whose work centers around the themes of language, power conflict and religion. It’s a fantastic episode, and we’re so excited that we can share this previously archived webinar with you!If you’re interested in joining our webinar mailing list, or want more information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - Climate Leadership AcceleratorSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and EmpathySmall Giants Academy - Interconnected LeaderBerry xProduced by: AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we have Jacqueline Novogratz , entrepreneur, author and trailblazer who is the founder and CEO of Acumen, a nonprofit global venture capital fund whose goal is to use entrepreneurial approaches to address global poverty. Jacqueline shares her transformative journey from the world of banking to the forefront of reimagining finance's role for societal change, and reflects on the irony of capitalism's tools: often wielded for wealth accumulation, yet overlooked when it comes to fostering real, tangible evolution. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music is Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Rasmus Nørgaard shares his unique perspective on the connection between property development and systems thinking. You might wonder how these two converge, but as Rasmus’ journey unfolds, it becomes evident that the built environment plays a pivotal role in the larger systems we navigate. What sets Rasmus apart is not just his heart, it’s commitment to a triple bottom line and incorporating economic, social, and planetary considerations into his builds. Join us for a fascinating exploration that looks to redefine success and sustainability in property development and the housing economy. Links mentioned:The Doughnut for Urban DevelopmentThe Overview EffectBerry’s work in property development:The Commons The Sociable WeaverThe Cape - Sustainable Living Cape PatersonWant to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want in

Join me in this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Riane Eisler, a distinguished social systems scientist and cultural historian. Riane’s personal journey– fleeing the Nazi regime as a child– deeply informs her dedication to understanding and addressing the roots of violence and oppression in human societies.Together, we explore Riane’s groundbreaking concepts such as partnership societies and dominator societies, and dive into what the caring economy means within our current system, and how we can forge a new path forward. At the age of 93, Riane embodies invaluable wisdom crucial for our era, and I can’t wait for you to listen. Books Mentioned:The Chalice and the Blade by Dr. Riane EislerThe Real Wealth of Nations by Dr. Riane EislerNurturing Our Humanity by Dr. Riane EislerResources: The Partnership Technology Toolkit: An Essential Resource for a Better FutureWant to turn this wisdom into action?Visit https://www.smallgiants.com.au/wisdomandaction to find out more, or email us at podcast@smallgian