Jean Houston and Anneloes Smitsman

“Patterns of millennia have prepared us for another world, another time, another era. At the same time, the virus pandemic, unlike any ever known in human history or pre-history, has confused our values, uprooted our traditions, and left us in a labyrinth of misdirection. Factors unique in human experience are all around us—the inevitable unfolding towards a planetary civilization, the rise of women to full partnership with men, the daily revolutions in technology, the media becoming the matrix of culture, and the revolution in the understanding of human and social capacities. The Zeit is getting Geisty as the old story itself is undergoing the sacred wound in order that it too grows and addresses the multiples of experience and complexity of life unknown to our great grandparents. We have become so full of holes that perhaps we are well on the way to becoming holy.”

Jean Houston from her chapter contributed to the book Dawn of an Era of Well-Being

We are certainly living in “interesting times” to quote the arch left-handed blessing from the Chinese. So what does that mean for us? Through the anxiety and tumult, perhaps we are finding our way to transformation to a better world, and there may be a light at the end of the tunnel of these interesting times. Fortunately there are people like our guests Jean Houston and Anneloes Smitsman to offer some guidance during this very complicated historical epoch, because we need to get it right. The world may seem to be in chaos, but this would not be the first time humanity has undergone cataclysmic circumstances and made giant strides forward; the Renaissance was proceeded by the Dark Ages is a notable example. But the stakes are higher this time. In today’s conversation, Jean and Anneloes join Fred, Ervin, and Alison to analyze the situation and consider why we should feel optimistic in the midst of the uncertainty—and the steps we must collectively take to turn a breakdown into a breakthrough.

Jean Houston, PhD, is an innovative scholar, futurist, and researcher in human capacities, social change, and systemic transformation. She is one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement and one of the foremost visionary thinkers and doers of our time. She has been a key player in the empowerment of women around the world, and was awarded the Synergy Superstar Award 2020 by the Source of Synergy Foundation for her exemplary work inspiring us to source our highest human capacities. A powerful and dynamic speaker, and renowned for her gifts as a mythic storyteller, Dr Houston holds conferences, seminars, and mentoring programs with leaders and change agents worldwide. 

She has worked intensively in over 40 cultures, lectured in over 100 countries, and worked with major organizations such as UNICEF, UNDP, and NASA, as well as helping global state leaders, leading educational institutions, business organizations, and millions of people to enhance and deepen their own uniqueness. She has authored nearly 34 published books and a great many unpublished books and manuscripts. Dr Houston is Chancellor of Meridian University and has served on the faculties of Columbia University, Hunter College, Marymount College, The New School for Social Research, and the University of California. Dr. Houston was also President of the American Association of Humanistic Psychology, and is presently the Chair of the United Palace of Spiritual Arts in New York City.

Anneloes Smitsman, Ph.D., LLM, is a visionary scientist, bestselling author, futurist, system architect, and leadership catalyst for the transition to a thrivable civilization. She is Founder and CEO of EARTHwise Centre and a founding member of the Creative Board of the Laszlo Institute. She is the co-author of the “Future Humans Trilogy” series with Dr. Jean Houston, the lead author of the r3.0 Educationa