30. “Beyond Trump: The failures that led to the Capitol riots”
An examination of the factors surrounding the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, looking beyond the actions of Donald Trump to consider the roles of political allies, news and social media, law enforcement, and longer-standing forms of extremism and racial division. The piece presents several perspectives on how these overlapping factors contributed to the events and what they might mean for American democracy.
28. “News” as propaganda
An examination of the close relationship between Fox News and the Trump White House, and the ways media, political power, and business interests can become deeply intertwined. Drawing on Jane Mayer’s reporting, the piece explores the movement of personnel between Fox and the administration, the influence of media narratives on political discourse, and the challenges this creates for the independence of journalism.
27a. Age of Aquarius, Summary
A summary of the astrological concept of the Age of Aquarius, tracing the symbolic themes associated with successive astrological ages from Leo through Pisces and into Aquarius. The piece explores ideas of individual consciousness, freedom, technology, collaboration, humanitarianism, and the movement from hierarchical systems toward networks and collective participation.
24. Global Challenges Are Directing Us Toward a Unity of Purpose
An exploration of how global crises, social division, and collective uncertainty can become catalysts for greater cooperation and unity. The authors consider the movement from separation and hierarchy toward wholeness, ethical responsibility, deeper listening, and a shared sense of purpose across differences.
23. Dismantling the Patriarchy Within
Anne Baring and Faranak Mirjalili explore how patriarchal patterns can be carried not only through social structures but also within the individual psyche. Drawing on Jungian psychology, dreams, the feminine and masculine principles, and the recovery of instinct and creativity, they consider how inner transformation may contribute to changing wider patterns of domination and disconnection. The conversation also connects these themes with relationships to the natural world, animal life, and the ecological challenges of our time.
13. How and Why Did We First Lose “Right Balance” with Mother Earth?
A reflection on how humanity may have lost its intimate relationship with the Earth and with one another. Drawing on Indigenous teachings, Goddess cultures, and Marija Gimbutas’s interpretation of prehistoric Europe, the piece considers the relationship between connection, reciprocity, patriarchy, exploitation, and our growing separation from the natural world. It ultimately asks what we can learn from older ways of relating to Earth and each other as we face today’s climate crisis.
10a. Giving Better Back
A practical approach to responding differently when conflict arises in an intimate relationship. Drawing from Mona Barbera’s Bring Yourself to Love and Internal Family Systems, “Giving Better Back” encourages us to meet criticism, agitation, judgment, or distance with greater curiosity, calm, compassion, clarity, and connection. Rather than trying to change our partner, the practice invites us to take responsibility for our own responses and create new patterns of relating.
22f. The Wisdom of Our Ancestors
David Korten draws on wisdom traditions from Africa, the Andes, Asia, and other cultures to explore a worldview grounded in interdependence, community, and care for the Earth. Through principles such as ubuntu and buen vivir, he examines how our ideas about purpose, power, economics, community, and education might shift toward greater wellbeing for people and the living world.
22d. An Interview with Francis Weller: Initiation, Trauma and Ritual
In this conversation, Francis Weller and Alnoor Ladha explore the relationship between trauma, initiation, ritual, and community. Weller reflects on how traditional and Indigenous cultures have used communal practices to hold grief and major life transitions, contrasting these with the isolation and individualism of modern culture. The dialogue considers belonging, soul, sacred relationship, and the need to restore community, ritual, and reciprocity in times of profound change.
22. Remembering and Honoring Indigenous Practices
Drawing from an interview with Francis Weller and Alnoor Ladha, this reflection explores what Indigenous and traditional cultures can teach us about restoring community, ritual, belonging, and connection with the natural world. It considers the wounds created by isolation, individualism, extraction, and separation, and asks what we might reclaim through communal healing, reciprocity, sacred relationship, and a deeper sense of our interconnected place within the living world.