Beyond the Petri Dish with George Tsakraklides

In this latest episode we speak with scientist, researcher and author George Tsakraklides about the deeper roots of humanity’s many crises. Drawing on his rich scientific background and corporate insight, George explores how our evolutionary wiring, societal structures and cultural narratives hinder meaningful change. We unpack the psychological forces driving self-destruction, the limitations of rational thought and the need to reconnect with a deeper sense of being. From the inherited challenges of activism in a world of algorithms to the quiet strength of grounded action and grief, this conversation offers a powerful lens on navigating despair and cultivating meaning in a collapsing world. George Tsakraklides is author of The Unhappiness Machine, In The Grip of Necrocapitalism, Beyond the Petri Dish, Frankenpolitics and other works exploring the deeper drivers of civilisational collapse and humanity’s self-destructive trajectory. With degrees in molecular biology, chemistry, food science, and Earth sciences, George spent two decades in social research, data analytics, and global brand strategy, working with major multinationals, gaining insight into the inner workings of profit-driven systems. After leaving the corporate world, George turned his focus to humanity’s broken relationship with nature and the repeating patterns of societal failure. This work has featured on Radio Ecoshock, Collapse Chronicles, Post-Doom Conversations and other platforms addressing environmental and civilisational crises. In this episode, we dive into the intersection of science, philosophy and ecological activism, as explored in George’s latest book, Beyond the Petri Dish. We examine why rational thinking alone falls short and the importance of reconnecting with the expansive Infinity State, a realm beyond reason, to achieve full embodiment. The conversation also delves into the psychological and societal forces steering humanity away from ecological wisdom, including the role of social media in fuelling addictive, reactionary behaviours. We critique the environmental movement’s entanglement with growth-based paradigms and explore the need for a more honest, existential reckoning with what it means to be human in an age of collapse. From the pitfalls of call-out culture in activism to the quiet power of tending a conservation garden, we reflect on the value of small, grounded acts in a world that often feels overwhelming. Finally, we explore the role of grief, acceptance and grounded hope in moving beyond paralysis, offering insight for those struggling with eco-anxiety and despair. For those who want to explore George’s work further, you can check out his website HERE (https://tsakraklides.com/). You can also find George on Substack here: (1) The George Tsakraklides View | Substack (https://georgetsakraklides.substack.com/) George’s latest articles on Substack are all recommended and highly pertinent to this episode. Some examples include: A Brief History of the Dopamine Dystopia (https://georgetsakraklides.substack.com/p/a-brief-history-of-the-dopamine-dystopia) Finding Meaning in An Increasingly Absurd World (https://georgetsakraklides.substack.com/p/finding-meaning-in-an-increasingly) The Meta Terror State: A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Aspiring Dictators (https://georgetsakraklides.substack.com/p/the-meta-terror-state-a-do-it-yourself) George also has an Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/george_tsakraklides/?hl=en) where you can view his garden restoration among other things. In this episode we also discuss how George’s work connects with Holistic Activism. You can read/download the 2025 edition of the Holistic Activism Booklet HERE (https://holisticactivism.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/holistic-activism-booklet-may-2025.pdf). Please feel welcome to support the work of PGAP through subscribing (https://pgap.fireside.fm/subscribe), through sharing this and other episodes with your networks, or by rating and leaving a review on Apple podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/post-growth-australia-podcast/id1522194099) or your favourite platform. We also welcome your feedback and ideas. Please contact us anytime on our contact form here (https://pgap.fireside.fm/contact). Post Growth Australia Podcast (PGAP) is made possible by the support of Sustainable Population Australia (SPA (https://population.org.au/)). All opinions, past work and legacies of our guests so not necessarily reflect those of PGAP or SPA. Special Guest: George Tsakraklides.