The Wisdom & Action Podcast
How can we get ourselves out of the mess that we’re in and leave a world we want to gift our children and future generations? Join Small Giants Academy co-founder, Berry Liberman, as she speaks with brilliant people around the world who are exploring meaningful interventions for a hopeful future on the Wisdom & Action podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
In June 2024, Berry sat down with the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall for a deeply moving conversation about her life, legacy, and hopes for the future. Reflecting on decades of groundbreaking work with chimpanzees and tireless advocacy for the planet, Dr. Goodall shared her wisdom, humour, and enduring belief in human potential. This exchange, originally recorded as a personal conversation, now feels especially poignant. We’re releasin...
In this episode Berry sits down with Thupten Jinpa, longtime translator and companion to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for a conversation about compassion, transformation, and what it means to live a spiritual life in the modern world. Jinpa shares his extraordinary journey of monkhood, lessons he learnt from the Dalai Lama, and muses on profound teachings such as the “second arrow”.
Also, here’s the rewilding video Berry m...
In this episode, Berry sits down with Matt Kuperholz —a seasoned computer scientist, business advisor, and creative mind with over 30 years’ experience bringing AI solutions to life. Matt isn’t just tech-savvy—he’s an AI optimist who’s been living and breathing technology since childhood. This sprawling, exploratory conversation is perfect for listeners with burning questions about AI’s present and future, ethics, and what it all m...
In this episode of the Wisdom and Action podcast, Berry sits down with Sam Lee, the acclaimed British folk singer, song collector, and environmental activist. Sam shares his remarkable journey from apprentice song collector to national treasure, revealing how ancient music, oral tradition, and nature are deeply intertwined. The conversation flows from the magic of ancient trees to the revival of thousand-year-old songs, exploring w...
In this episode, Berry welcomes Sjane and Alexandra—co-founders of Red School and pioneers in menstruality education—for a conversation that invites us to rethink our relationship with the rhythms of our bodies and lives. Sjane and Alexandra bring profound insight and warmth to questions rarely asked: How can we reclaim the power of our cycles? What does it mean to lead from a place of deep listening and inner authority? And how mi...
Kaj Löfgren has spent his life building movements, nurturing communities, and turning bold ideas into reality. Kaj is a social innovator, systems thinker, founding force behind the School of Life Australia, Regen Melbourne, and is also the Head of Small Giants Labs and member of the Small Giants Founders Circle. In this episode he brings a unique perspective on embracing complexity and weaving wisdom into action, asking questi...
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 ...
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, misinfo...
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 regulat...
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 ...
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 c...
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 listen...
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...
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 wi...
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 t...
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 ...
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 i...
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.
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 conve...
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.
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