The Modern Maze

The Modern Maze

Step into ’The Modern Maze,’ a collective exploration of the challenges our society and Earth face today. Together, we delve into the origins of our global dilemmas, asking ourselves if changing our existing systems is enough for true change or if a deeper transformation within us all is needed. Let’s forge a path towards an ecologically sustainable and socially equitable world for everyone, one conversation at a time. themodernmaze.substack.com

Episodes

August 6, 2025 77 mins

When I say the word “narcissism” - what emotions, feelings, or thoughts arise in your body or mind?

It’s a word with heavy implications. Because of this, we tend not to associate ourselves with it. I can speak for myself when I say I’ve had a strong aversion to admitting my own narcissistic tendencies. And I know I’m not alone in this.

But what if these patterns show up more subtly than we expect? Do we see traces of narcissism playi...

Mark as Played

On our previous episode, Adrian Röbke and myself discussed the process to identify your unique niche to contribute to a regenerative and just future.

If you did not, check out part one of this conversation here.

But what now?

You might feel:

* ⁠ ⁠Uncertain on how to create collaborative & impactful projects

* ⁠ ⁠Anxious about being able to pay your bills when you pivot your career.

* ⁠ ⁠Overwhelmed by how to safeguard your well-being wh...

Mark as Played

We live in a time of overlapping crises.

It's a lot to take in.

You may feel:

⁠ ⁠- Overwhelmed by global problems, which create so much suffering.

⁠ - ⁠Frustrated about the slow pace of change while time is running out.

⁠ - ⁠Confused on how you can best contribute your talents to make a difference.

It often feels like a Modern Maze that keeps us powerless.

But, we can choose a different story.

In today’s podcast, Adrian Röbke, a network we...

Mark as Played

Wow what a year 2024 has been. In our final episode of the year, we pause to reflect on the state of our hearts, minds and souls as we navigate the turbulence we've faced.


Together, we'll craft a vision for 2025 - one born from our collective yearning for change and our shared journey.


What lies ahead for The Modern Maze will be shaped by our desire for wholeness, healing and a deeper connection to the world.




Mark as Played

How can we empower individuals and communities to shape their collective future?


In this episode, we welcome Caroline Sanz-Veitch from Regen Melbourne to explore the transformative power of participation in city planning.


Caroline dives into Regen Melbourne’s work on new urban governance, emphasising community engagement, storytelling, leadership archetypes and innovative democratic models. Together, we uncover how these ap...

Mark as Played

With our summers growing hotter and longer, we are confronting relentless heat that reshapes daily life. Heat waves have become our deadliest environmental disaster and will increasingly become more common as the planet continues to heat up.


 


We are joined by Emma Bacon, the founder and executive director of Sweltering Cities.


 


Sweltering Cities...

Mark as Played

In our latest episode, we'll explore how our modern worldview has fractured our understanding of reality, dividing us from nature, each other, and ourselves.


For most of human history, people lived with an intimate connection to the natural world, understanding that we are part of a living, breathing ecosystem. But over time, empires rose, and the European Enlightenment introduced a new way of thinking.


Nature became an obj...

Mark as Played

During the COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne, I began a daily gratitude practice to cope with rising anxiety and uncertainty. While life’s pace caused the practice to fade, the first half of 2024 brought intense challenges that made gratitude feel distant. However, once those challenges passed, I realised that gratitude had quietly sustained me, evolving from a daily ritual into a deep, unconscious connection with life’...

Mark as Played

In today’s episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Alison Whitten, the Director of Systems Lab at Regen Melbourne.


Launched in November 2023 and inspired by Doughnut Economics, the Greater Melbourne City Portrait (also known as the Melbourne Doughnut) is a platform that applies diverse inputs and perspectives to create a holistic picture of Melbourne’s movement towards a safe and just place for people and planet.


We ...

Mark as Played

In this episode, we continue our exploration into the origins of capitalism. Following the enclosures of Europe, the next chapter of this story follows the Age of Discovery, as Europeans took to the seas in search of resources, wealth and new trading routes. When Europeans started to colonise the Americas after 1492, they were not driven by the romance of 'exploration', 'discovery' and 'adventure' as our schoolbooks tell us.


Gu...

Mark as Played

I am so honoured and delighted to welcome Rachel Donald from Planet: Critical as our inaugural guest on The Modern Maze.


Rachel is a climate corruption journalist whose work at Planet Critical illuminates the intricate links between the climate crisis and global geopolitics.


In this episode, Rachel and I explore the ongoing global resource crises, highlighting how competitive resource acquisition among nations has escalated...

Mark as Played

Recently, I've been unable to get off my phone when I start looking at the news; it usually begins with one story, and then before I know it, it's been half an hour, and I've gone down the rabbit hole. After that, I feel emotionally and physically drained. Has something like this happened to you before? This is more common than you might think. Named "doomscrolling", refers to a state of media use typically characterised as someone...

Mark as Played

A question that I asked myself often but never knew the answer to was, "How did our economic structures emerge? Was it by accident, by design or a natural evolution of trades and markets?" I finally began getting the answers I was seeking when I read the book "Less is More" by Dr Jason Hickel, which revealed the history of capitalism and its not-so-gentle rise from the collapse of feudalism. 


 


In this episode, we will emba...

Mark as Played

In this episode, we embark on a journey through the provocative insights of Kate Raworth's "Doughnut Economics", the book that began my journey towards the Modern Maze. Diving into the heart of our modern economic system, we question the long-held pursuit of endless economic growth and its alignment with the realities of our planet and society. 


 


We explore the ambitious quest to redefine the very goals of economics, shift...

Mark as Played
April 13, 2024 21 mins

To ensure humanity's continued thriving, we must create an ecologically safe and socially just planet. Despite remarkable efforts by individuals and communities worldwide, we're currently grappling with multifaceted crises—from climate change to economic challenges, which threaten us with prolonged instability. 


 


Instead of racing collectively towards our shared goal of a safe planet that is just for all, we have created a...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

    My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

    Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.