March 19, 2025 • 22 mins
In this episode of Resilience Gone Wild, host Jessica Morgenthal uncovers the fascinating journey of indigo, a plant that has shaped cultures, economies, and industries for centuries. Beyond its vibrant blue hue, indigo is a symbol of resilience and transformation, thriving in poor soil conditions and revealing its full potential only through a complex dyeing process.
The conversation dives into indigo’s deep cultural and historical significance, from ancient dyeing traditions to its dark ties with colonialism and forced labor. Jessica also examines the impact of synthetic dyes on the environment and how reconnecting with natural dyeing practices can restore balance with nature. This episode challenges listeners to uncover their own hidden superpowers, just as indigo reveals its true color through transformation.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:04):
Imagine standing in a sun drenched courtyard
thousands of years ago.
Skilled hands stir a bubbling vat,
releasing a sharp earthy aroma.
Bundles of cloth, once a dull beige,
emerge transformed,
flashing green at first, then deepening into a
mesmerizing
blue as they touch the air. This isn't
(00:26):
magic.
This is indigo.
And just like indigo,
resilience often works the same way.
Sometimes our greatest strengths remain unseen
until the right conditions allow them to emerge.
I'm Jessica Morgenthal, and this is resilience gone
(00:46):
wild. Today, we're diving into the fascinating world
of indigo,
its incredible journey from ancient fields to modern
fashion,
its role in history,
and what this plant can teach us about
resilience in our own lives.
Let's step back in time and begin this
journey.
(01:10):
Indigo isn't just a color, it's a plant
with a secret, a secret so extraordinary
that it became one of the most sought
after natural dyes in history.
So
extraordinary that it was named as one of
the colors of the rainbow, a distinction shared
with only a handful of hues recognized by
(01:31):
Isaac Newton himself
around 1675.
The earliest evidence of indigo used dates to
around 4,000
BC in Peru.
The plant has been cultivated in many places,
including India, Egypt, and China.
The earliest known fabric dyed with indigo was
found in the prehistoric
(01:51):
settlement
Huaca Prieta in Peru
and dates to 6,000 years ago.
The Greeks and Romans used indigo dye for
cosmetics,
medicine,
and painting
before 2,000 BC.
Many Asian countries such as India, China, Japan,
(02:13):
and Southeast Asian nations
have used indigo as a dye,
particularly for silk for centuries.
And yet, if you walked past an indigo
plant, you wouldn't know its power just by
looking at it. It doesn't announce itself like
a bright red poppy or a golden sunflower.
It grows humbly
with green leaves and small pink or violet
(02:35):
flowers.
Its legendary blue is invisible,
hidden,
locked away in its chemistry,
waiting for the right moment to be revealed.
And indigo's
power is not just in its ability to
create color.
It's in its ability to transform,
regenerate, and restore.
It thrives where others struggle,
(02:57):
growing in poor soil,
dry climates,
and depleted land.
But it doesn't just take from the earth.
It gives back.
Indigo is a nitrogen fixer, meaning it pulls
nitrogen from the air and restores it to
the soil,
making the land richer,
more fertile,
more alive.
It leaves the world better than it found
(03:18):
it. And here's the truly astonishing part. The
color indigo does not exist naturally in the
plant itself.
It must be coaxed out through an intricate
multistep process.
Ancient civilizations had to learn that indigo leaves,
when fermented in water,
release a precursor to blue pigment.
(03:40):
But even then,
the color remains hidden.
It only appears when the fabric is pulled
from the vat and exposed to oxygen,
turning from yellow green to deep blue before
their eyes.
This knowledge, how to extract and use indigo
spread across cultures
from the Mayans of Mesoamerica
(04:01):
to the dyers of Mali, from India to
Japan.
It wasn't just knowledge. It was wisdom
passed down,
refined, and in many cases, hidden away for
survival
and nearly erased.
Indigo has a dark history.
(04:22):
It wasn't just a trade good, It was
a currency,
a tool of power,
a driver of oppression.
It was called blue gold
because it was so valuable,
it shaped economies,
fueled colonial expansion,
and like sugar and cotton, became entwined with
slavery and forced labor. In colonial America, enslaved
(04:45):
people were forced to cultivate indigo under brutal
conditions.
It became a major cash crop in the
Carolinas,
alongside tobacco and rice.
In India, British Colonizers
exploited local farmers,
forcing them to grow indigo instead of food.
The conditions were so extreme
that in 1859,
(05:07):
the indigo revolt broke out, an uprising of
farmers refusing to be enslaved by the industry.
Their fight later influenced Gandhi's independence movement, a
testament to resilience in the face of oppression.
In West Africa,
the blue deep patterns of traditional indigo dyed
textiles
became cultural treasures,
(05:28):
symbols of identity and heritage.
Yet as colonial powers took control,
much of this artistry
was devalued and nearly lost.
For centuries,
indigo was controlled by the wealthy and the
powerful,
while those who cultivated it paid the price.
(05:50):
Then just as the world had been built
on natural indigo,
it was suddenly abandoned.
In 1897,
the German company BASF
created the first synthetic indigo in a lab.
It was cheaper,
faster,
no more waiting on plants, fermenting leaves,
or relying on skilled artisans,
(06:11):
just chemicals,
mass production
and an industrial revolution in blue.
And in the blink of an eye,
the world's reliance on natural indigo collapsed.
Today, nearly all the blue in denim jeans,
cotton shirts
and synthetic fabrics is dyed with petroleum based
indigo.
(06:31):
It's mass produced,
often with harmful chemicals that seep into our
waterways,
touch our skin and linger in the environment.
And yet, like the lost knowledge of traditional
dyeing,
there is hope.
The lost wisdom of natural indigo is being
rediscovered,
not just in dyeing traditions,
but in long forgotten variations of blue that
(06:53):
resisted time itself.
Take Maya Blue. For centuries, the exact process
to create Maya Blue was lost.
But through perseverance,
a Mexican indigenous researcher
determined to uncover his ancestor's wisdom
successfully recreated it. His journey was brought to
light by journalist Elena Kazimier,
(07:13):
who I interviewed for up close and personal
for last week's episode.
Like indigo itself,
this knowledge had been hidden,
waiting for the right conditions to be seen.
Indigo's resilience lesson is clear.
Your power is real even when it's unseen.
And when it emerges,
it doesn't just transform you. It regenerates
(07:34):
everything around you.
Blue is a color that evokes trust,
wisdom, and vastness.
The color of the sky, the sea, and
the unknown.
Psychologists have found that blue is linked to
stability
and depth,
(07:55):
which is why it is often used to
inspire confidence and clarity.
Historically, blue was rare and highly prized,
associated with royalty,
divinity
and sacred traditions across cultures,
from the lapis lazuli used in Egyptian tombs
to the deep indigos of West African textiles.
(08:16):
Its presence in nature from endless oceans to
boundless skies has always given it a sense
of mystery,
expansiveness,
and transformation.
We've all known moments when we doubted our
gifts,
when we felt unseen,
overlooked
or underestimated.
Just like indigo's blue doesn't exist until it's
exposed to oxygen,
(08:37):
our true power often stays hidden until the
moment it's needed most.
We often think of superpowers as something extraordinary,
being the strongest,
the fastest,
the loudest.
But real superpowers are something else entirely.
The unique gifts that set each of us
apart.
They're the abilities that, when fully owned and
(08:59):
expressed,
don't just help us thrive. They create a
ripple effect that benefits others, too.
Everyone has more than one superpower.
The challenge isn't whether you have them. It's
whether you've recognized them, owned them and are
using them to make the world better.
Some superpowers are easy to see, while others,
(09:19):
just like indigo,
need the right conditions to emerge.
Some people have the superpower of seeing the
good in challenges.
This is the ability to turn obstacles into
opportunities.
It's the gift of transformation,
of turning struggle into something meaningful.
One of my own superpowers is exactly this,
uncovering the good that comes from every challenge.
(09:42):
It's something I've leaned into again and again,
helping myself and others reframe difficulties into stepping
stones forward.
I've taken this superpower to bring hope, direction
and resilience to those who might otherwise get
stuck in their challenges or even totally give
up.
Those who just need someone to help them
find the lesson in a tough situation.
(10:04):
The growth,
the possibility.
There's the superpower of artistic expression for change.
Some people take their talent, painting, storytelling,
music, photography,
and use it as a force for awareness,
justice,
and healing.
They make the invisible visible.
Imagine an artist who paints murals in struggling
(10:25):
communities,
giving people a sense of identity and pride.
This kind of superpower amplifies voices,
sparks movements,
and shifts perspectives.
Other people have the superpower of making others
feel seen and worthy.
These are the people who walk into a
room and change the energy.
They make others feel valued,
(10:46):
heard, and understood.
They create safe spaces where people can thrive.
They build deep human connections,
strengthen relationships,
and bring out the best in people. Some
have the superpower of quiet strength and steadiness.
Not all superpowers are loud or visible.
Some are quiet,
steady forces that provide stability when everything else
(11:08):
is chaotic.
These people hold space,
remain solid
and keep others grounded,
creating trust, safety and deep lasting relationships.
There are those with power of vision,
seeing what others can't yet see.
Some people have an extraordinary ability to look
beyond the present moment,
(11:28):
to imagine what's possible when others only see
what is.
They're innovators,
pioneers and problem solvers who reshape industries,
challenge old ways of thinking
and move humanity forward.
There are limitless superpowers.
Whatever your superpower is, it's not just for
(11:48):
you.
Just like indigo's blue isn't meant to stay
hidden in the leaves,
yours isn't meant to stay buried.
What hidden superpower are you holding back?
Just like indigo's transformation doesn't happen on its
own, our strengths don't emerge by accident.
They require intention.
(12:09):
It's up to each of us to uncover,
nurture and bring forward the unique superpowers that
allow us and others to thrive.
Take a moment and ask yourself,
what's something you do naturally,
so naturally that you don't even realize it's
a gift?
What challenges have you faced in life and
(12:29):
what strength has come from them?
When do you feel most alive,
energized and in flow?
What do people thank you for?
What do you bring to a group that
makes things better?
Superpowers aren't about ego. They're about impact.
The key is to notice them, own them
(12:50):
and step into them fully.
To really connect with your strengths, try this
simple exercise.
Grab a piece of paper and draw a
circle in the center of the page.
Inside the circle, write my superpowers.
Around the circle, write down words that describe
what makes you uniquely you.
These could be skills,
(13:10):
personality traits, things you're passionate about, or the
way you show up for others.
Now,
next to each word, write one way that
superpower has positively impacted someone or something.
How has it helped others?
Where has it made a difference?
Look over what you've written.
(13:31):
Circle the one or two superpowers that feel
most important to explore right now.
This exercise will help you see the connections
between your strengths and your ability to create
change.
If you can, take a moment now, pause
the episode and do this exercise while it's
fresh in your mind.
And if you're listening on the go, set
(13:52):
a quick reminder to come back later.
Uncovering your gift is just the beginning.
The real magic happens when you put it
into action.
Whatever your superpower is, how can you bring
it forward in a way that makes a
difference?
Now that you've identified a superpower,
how can you take action in the next
(14:12):
twenty four hours?
Choose one step that brings it forward in
a meaningful way.
It could be as simple as sending a
message of encouragement to someone who needs it,
sharing your creative work with a wider audience,
volunteering your time or skills to uplift others,
speaking up about something that matters.
Your superpowers become stronger the more you use
(14:34):
them.
Just like indigo's blue remains invisible until it's
brought into the right conditions,
there are people around you whose strengths are
waiting to be revealed.
Who in your life has an untapped strength
that you can help bring to the surface?
Where can you hold space for someone's growth
rather than rushing them to perform?
(14:55):
How can you support resilience in your community,
making it easier for others to step into
their own power? The world doesn't just need
you to uncover your superpowers.
It needs you to help others uncover theirs.
That's how we create a win win win.
A win for you because stepping into your
strengths makes you more alive.
A win for others because your gifts uplift,
(15:18):
empower, and strengthen them.
A win for the world because resilience thrives
when everyone is contributing from their unique zone
of strength.
Indigo's wisdom is clear. What's hidden doesn't stay
hidden forever.
Strength that's buried can be uncovered.
Potential that's ignored can be nurtured.
And the moment your superpower is revealed, it
(15:40):
has the power to change everything.
Just as we uncover and bring forward our
own hidden strengths,
we have the opportunity
and a responsibility
to restore the hidden strengths of the natural
world.
Indigo and the ancient wisdom surrounding it can
(16:02):
help return our world to a healthier place,
but only if we take action.
For thousands of years, natural indigo dyeing was
a carefully tended,
sustainable craft.
It enriched the land rather than depleting it,
supported artisans rather than factories,
and left a minimal environmental footprint.
(16:22):
Then came synthetic indigo,
mass produced,
petroleum based and laced with toxic chemicals that
pollute our waterways,
seep into our clothing and contribute to environmental
destruction.
Today, nearly all commercial denim is dyed with
synthetic indigo.
The beautiful
deep blue color we love in our jeans
(16:43):
is now one of the most environmentally
harmful dyes on the planet.
We can change this. Choose natural indigo when
possible.
Seek out brands and artisans reviving traditional dyeing
methods. Support the denim deal. This initiative is
working toward a future where denim production is
circular
using recycled fibers and nontoxic dyeing processes.
(17:06):
Reduce, repair, and recycle your denim. Instead of
constantly buying new, extend the life of the
clothing you already own. By supporting natural indigo
and ethical fashion, we don't just save a
dye. We help restore a relationship between humans,
nature, and sustainability.
The global textile industry today is still plagued
(17:27):
by social injustice
and incredibly hard working conditions.
Many of the same power imbalances that shape
Indigo's colonial history
continue in modern fashion. Deal is working to
challenge this norm, helping to push the industry
towards circularity,
sustainability,
and fairness.
Supporting ethical fashion isn't just about protecting the
(17:47):
planet.
It's about valuing the people behind every stitch
and every shade of blue. The techniques for
sustainable plant based dyeing weren't just lost by
accident.
They were intentionally replaced,
undervalued,
and nearly erased.
But that knowledge was never truly gone. It
survived in hidden corners,
in oral traditions,
(18:08):
in the hands of artisans who refused to
let it disappear.
And today, we have the opportunity to help
bring it back.
Learn about and amplify indigenous textile artists and
dyers.
Buy directly from artisans when possible.
Support regenerative farming practices that grow natural dye
plants like indigo.
(18:29):
Challenge the dominance of fast fashion
that profits off stolen cultural designs
without supporting their original creators.
When we help protect and elevate ancient wisdom,
we're not just saving history.
We're building a future that is more just,
more sustainable, and more resilient.
Indigo teaches us a fundamental lesson.
(18:50):
Nature already knows how to regenerate.
The indigo plant restores the soil.
The natural dyeing process works in harmony with
ecosystems.
Artisans have spent centuries developing techniques
that don't harm the land,
water, or people.
If we want a thriving future, we don't
need to invent new solutions.
(19:11):
We need to listen to the ones that
already exist.
This episode was about bringing what's hidden into
the light
in ourselves,
in history,
and in the natural world.
But knowledge alone isn't enough.
We have to take action.
This podcast is built on a love for
(19:32):
nature,
resilience, and the belief that we learn best
from the wild world around us.
And we want this community to keep growing
so we can bring these messages to even
more people.
Here's how you can help.
Share this episode with someone who needs it.
If this message about uncovering hidden superpowers,
whether in ourselves, in history, or in nature,
(19:54):
resonated with you, pass it along.
You never know who might need to hear
this right now.
Leave a review.
Ratings and reviews help more people discover resilience
gone wild, and they mean the world to
us.
Join the conversation.
Find me on social media or at winwinwinmindset.com.
And let me know what hidden superpower are
(20:17):
you bringing forward?
Get more connected.
Subscribe to the resilience gone wild weekly newsletter
in the show notes
and support our work. Consider becoming a sponsor.
Let's build something bigger together.
In the next episode, I sit down with
Nicholas Proft,
founder of The Denim Deal, to talk about
(20:37):
how fashion, one of the most polluting industries
on the planet,
can actually become part of the solution.
We'll explore how circular denim production,
natural dyes, and ethical practices can help save
both people and the planet. If you've ever
wondered whether your everyday choices really make a
difference,
this is a conversation you won't wanna miss.
(20:59):
So as you step back into your world
today, I'll leave you with one question.
What hidden superpower
will you uncover?
Because the world doesn't need you to wait.
It needs you to bring your magic forward
now. Because when we embrace what's been unseen
and create the conditions for resilience to thrive,
(21:19):
that's when change begins. I'm Jessica Morgenthal, and
this is resilience gone wild. Until next time,
stay resilient,
stay connected, and let your hidden superpower be
seen.
This has been a production of BLI Studios
produced by me, Kai. Follow along with our
other BLI produced shows at balancinglife'sissues.com/podcast-BLI.
(21:44):
Got an idea for the show? Email me,
Kai, at balancing life's issues dot com. And
don't forget to stay in touch with your
host, Jessica, at jessica@winwinwinmindset.com.
Anything else to add, Miles?
Imagine standing in a sun drenched courtyard
thousands of years ago.
Skilled hands stir a bubbling vat,
releasing a sharp earthy aroma.
Bundles of cloth, once a dull beige,
emerge transformed,
flashing green at first, then deepening into a
mesmerizing
blue as they touch the air. This isn't
(00:26):
magic.
This is indigo.
And just like indigo,
resilience often works the same way.
Sometimes our greatest strengths remain unseen
until the right conditions allow them to emerge.
I'm Jessica Morgenthal, and this is resilience gone
(00:46):
wild. Today, we're diving into the fascinating world
of indigo,
its incredible journey from ancient fields to modern
fashion,
its role in history,
and what this plant can teach us about
resilience in our own lives.
Let's step back in time and begin this
journey.
(01:10):
Indigo isn't just a color, it's a plant
with a secret, a secret so extraordinary
that it became one of the most sought
after natural dyes in history.
So
extraordinary that it was named as one of
the colors of the rainbow, a distinction shared
with only a handful of hues recognized by
(01:31):
Isaac Newton himself
around 1675.
The earliest evidence of indigo used dates to
around 4,000
BC in Peru.
The plant has been cultivated in many places,
including India, Egypt, and China.
The earliest known fabric dyed with indigo was
found in the prehistoric
(01:51):
settlement
Huaca Prieta in Peru
and dates to 6,000 years ago.
The Greeks and Romans used indigo dye for
cosmetics,
medicine,
and painting
before 2,000 BC.
Many Asian countries such as India, China, Japan,
(02:13):
and Southeast Asian nations
have used indigo as a dye,
particularly for silk for centuries.
And yet, if you walked past an indigo
plant, you wouldn't know its power just by
looking at it. It doesn't announce itself like
a bright red poppy or a golden sunflower.
It grows humbly
with green leaves and small pink or violet
(02:35):
flowers.
Its legendary blue is invisible,
hidden,
locked away in its chemistry,
waiting for the right moment to be revealed.
And indigo's
power is not just in its ability to
create color.
It's in its ability to transform,
regenerate, and restore.
It thrives where others struggle,
(02:57):
growing in poor soil,
dry climates,
and depleted land.
But it doesn't just take from the earth.
It gives back.
Indigo is a nitrogen fixer, meaning it pulls
nitrogen from the air and restores it to
the soil,
making the land richer,
more fertile,
more alive.
It leaves the world better than it found
(03:18):
it. And here's the truly astonishing part. The
color indigo does not exist naturally in the
plant itself.
It must be coaxed out through an intricate
multistep process.
Ancient civilizations had to learn that indigo leaves,
when fermented in water,
release a precursor to blue pigment.
(03:40):
But even then,
the color remains hidden.
It only appears when the fabric is pulled
from the vat and exposed to oxygen,
turning from yellow green to deep blue before
their eyes.
This knowledge, how to extract and use indigo
spread across cultures
from the Mayans of Mesoamerica
(04:01):
to the dyers of Mali, from India to
Japan.
It wasn't just knowledge. It was wisdom
passed down,
refined, and in many cases, hidden away for
survival
and nearly erased.
Indigo has a dark history.
(04:22):
It wasn't just a trade good, It was
a currency,
a tool of power,
a driver of oppression.
It was called blue gold
because it was so valuable,
it shaped economies,
fueled colonial expansion,
and like sugar and cotton, became entwined with
slavery and forced labor. In colonial America, enslaved
(04:45):
people were forced to cultivate indigo under brutal
conditions.
It became a major cash crop in the
Carolinas,
alongside tobacco and rice.
In India, British Colonizers
exploited local farmers,
forcing them to grow indigo instead of food.
The conditions were so extreme
that in 1859,
(05:07):
the indigo revolt broke out, an uprising of
farmers refusing to be enslaved by the industry.
Their fight later influenced Gandhi's independence movement, a
testament to resilience in the face of oppression.
In West Africa,
the blue deep patterns of traditional indigo dyed
textiles
became cultural treasures,
(05:28):
symbols of identity and heritage.
Yet as colonial powers took control,
much of this artistry
was devalued and nearly lost.
For centuries,
indigo was controlled by the wealthy and the
powerful,
while those who cultivated it paid the price.
(05:50):
Then just as the world had been built
on natural indigo,
it was suddenly abandoned.
In 1897,
the German company BASF
created the first synthetic indigo in a lab.
It was cheaper,
faster,
no more waiting on plants, fermenting leaves,
or relying on skilled artisans,
(06:11):
just chemicals,
mass production
and an industrial revolution in blue.
And in the blink of an eye,
the world's reliance on natural indigo collapsed.
Today, nearly all the blue in denim jeans,
cotton shirts
and synthetic fabrics is dyed with petroleum based
indigo.
(06:31):
It's mass produced,
often with harmful chemicals that seep into our
waterways,
touch our skin and linger in the environment.
And yet, like the lost knowledge of traditional
dyeing,
there is hope.
The lost wisdom of natural indigo is being
rediscovered,
not just in dyeing traditions,
but in long forgotten variations of blue that
(06:53):
resisted time itself.
Take Maya Blue. For centuries, the exact process
to create Maya Blue was lost.
But through perseverance,
a Mexican indigenous researcher
determined to uncover his ancestor's wisdom
successfully recreated it. His journey was brought to
light by journalist Elena Kazimier,
(07:13):
who I interviewed for up close and personal
for last week's episode.
Like indigo itself,
this knowledge had been hidden,
waiting for the right conditions to be seen.
Indigo's resilience lesson is clear.
Your power is real even when it's unseen.
And when it emerges,
it doesn't just transform you. It regenerates
(07:34):
everything around you.
Blue is a color that evokes trust,
wisdom, and vastness.
The color of the sky, the sea, and
the unknown.
Psychologists have found that blue is linked to
stability
and depth,
(07:55):
which is why it is often used to
inspire confidence and clarity.
Historically, blue was rare and highly prized,
associated with royalty,
divinity
and sacred traditions across cultures,
from the lapis lazuli used in Egyptian tombs
to the deep indigos of West African textiles.
(08:16):
Its presence in nature from endless oceans to
boundless skies has always given it a sense
of mystery,
expansiveness,
and transformation.
We've all known moments when we doubted our
gifts,
when we felt unseen,
overlooked
or underestimated.
Just like indigo's blue doesn't exist until it's
exposed to oxygen,
(08:37):
our true power often stays hidden until the
moment it's needed most.
We often think of superpowers as something extraordinary,
being the strongest,
the fastest,
the loudest.
But real superpowers are something else entirely.
The unique gifts that set each of us
apart.
They're the abilities that, when fully owned and
(08:59):
expressed,
don't just help us thrive. They create a
ripple effect that benefits others, too.
Everyone has more than one superpower.
The challenge isn't whether you have them. It's
whether you've recognized them, owned them and are
using them to make the world better.
Some superpowers are easy to see, while others,
(09:19):
just like indigo,
need the right conditions to emerge.
Some people have the superpower of seeing the
good in challenges.
This is the ability to turn obstacles into
opportunities.
It's the gift of transformation,
of turning struggle into something meaningful.
One of my own superpowers is exactly this,
uncovering the good that comes from every challenge.
(09:42):
It's something I've leaned into again and again,
helping myself and others reframe difficulties into stepping
stones forward.
I've taken this superpower to bring hope, direction
and resilience to those who might otherwise get
stuck in their challenges or even totally give
up.
Those who just need someone to help them
find the lesson in a tough situation.
(10:04):
The growth,
the possibility.
There's the superpower of artistic expression for change.
Some people take their talent, painting, storytelling,
music, photography,
and use it as a force for awareness,
justice,
and healing.
They make the invisible visible.
Imagine an artist who paints murals in struggling
(10:25):
communities,
giving people a sense of identity and pride.
This kind of superpower amplifies voices,
sparks movements,
and shifts perspectives.
Other people have the superpower of making others
feel seen and worthy.
These are the people who walk into a
room and change the energy.
They make others feel valued,
(10:46):
heard, and understood.
They create safe spaces where people can thrive.
They build deep human connections,
strengthen relationships,
and bring out the best in people. Some
have the superpower of quiet strength and steadiness.
Not all superpowers are loud or visible.
Some are quiet,
steady forces that provide stability when everything else
(11:08):
is chaotic.
These people hold space,
remain solid
and keep others grounded,
creating trust, safety and deep lasting relationships.
There are those with power of vision,
seeing what others can't yet see.
Some people have an extraordinary ability to look
beyond the present moment,
(11:28):
to imagine what's possible when others only see
what is.
They're innovators,
pioneers and problem solvers who reshape industries,
challenge old ways of thinking
and move humanity forward.
There are limitless superpowers.
Whatever your superpower is, it's not just for
(11:48):
you.
Just like indigo's blue isn't meant to stay
hidden in the leaves,
yours isn't meant to stay buried.
What hidden superpower are you holding back?
Just like indigo's transformation doesn't happen on its
own, our strengths don't emerge by accident.
They require intention.
(12:09):
It's up to each of us to uncover,
nurture and bring forward the unique superpowers that
allow us and others to thrive.
Take a moment and ask yourself,
what's something you do naturally,
so naturally that you don't even realize it's
a gift?
What challenges have you faced in life and
(12:29):
what strength has come from them?
When do you feel most alive,
energized and in flow?
What do people thank you for?
What do you bring to a group that
makes things better?
Superpowers aren't about ego. They're about impact.
The key is to notice them, own them
(12:50):
and step into them fully.
To really connect with your strengths, try this
simple exercise.
Grab a piece of paper and draw a
circle in the center of the page.
Inside the circle, write my superpowers.
Around the circle, write down words that describe
what makes you uniquely you.
These could be skills,
(13:10):
personality traits, things you're passionate about, or the
way you show up for others.
Now,
next to each word, write one way that
superpower has positively impacted someone or something.
How has it helped others?
Where has it made a difference?
Look over what you've written.
(13:31):
Circle the one or two superpowers that feel
most important to explore right now.
This exercise will help you see the connections
between your strengths and your ability to create
change.
If you can, take a moment now, pause
the episode and do this exercise while it's
fresh in your mind.
And if you're listening on the go, set
(13:52):
a quick reminder to come back later.
Uncovering your gift is just the beginning.
The real magic happens when you put it
into action.
Whatever your superpower is, how can you bring
it forward in a way that makes a
difference?
Now that you've identified a superpower,
how can you take action in the next
(14:12):
twenty four hours?
Choose one step that brings it forward in
a meaningful way.
It could be as simple as sending a
message of encouragement to someone who needs it,
sharing your creative work with a wider audience,
volunteering your time or skills to uplift others,
speaking up about something that matters.
Your superpowers become stronger the more you use
(14:34):
them.
Just like indigo's blue remains invisible until it's
brought into the right conditions,
there are people around you whose strengths are
waiting to be revealed.
Who in your life has an untapped strength
that you can help bring to the surface?
Where can you hold space for someone's growth
rather than rushing them to perform?
(14:55):
How can you support resilience in your community,
making it easier for others to step into
their own power? The world doesn't just need
you to uncover your superpowers.
It needs you to help others uncover theirs.
That's how we create a win win win.
A win for you because stepping into your
strengths makes you more alive.
A win for others because your gifts uplift,
(15:18):
empower, and strengthen them.
A win for the world because resilience thrives
when everyone is contributing from their unique zone
of strength.
Indigo's wisdom is clear. What's hidden doesn't stay
hidden forever.
Strength that's buried can be uncovered.
Potential that's ignored can be nurtured.
And the moment your superpower is revealed, it
(15:40):
has the power to change everything.
Just as we uncover and bring forward our
own hidden strengths,
we have the opportunity
and a responsibility
to restore the hidden strengths of the natural
world.
Indigo and the ancient wisdom surrounding it can
(16:02):
help return our world to a healthier place,
but only if we take action.
For thousands of years, natural indigo dyeing was
a carefully tended,
sustainable craft.
It enriched the land rather than depleting it,
supported artisans rather than factories,
and left a minimal environmental footprint.
(16:22):
Then came synthetic indigo,
mass produced,
petroleum based and laced with toxic chemicals that
pollute our waterways,
seep into our clothing and contribute to environmental
destruction.
Today, nearly all commercial denim is dyed with
synthetic indigo.
The beautiful
deep blue color we love in our jeans
(16:43):
is now one of the most environmentally
harmful dyes on the planet.
We can change this. Choose natural indigo when
possible.
Seek out brands and artisans reviving traditional dyeing
methods. Support the denim deal. This initiative is
working toward a future where denim production is
circular
using recycled fibers and nontoxic dyeing processes.
(17:06):
Reduce, repair, and recycle your denim. Instead of
constantly buying new, extend the life of the
clothing you already own. By supporting natural indigo
and ethical fashion, we don't just save a
dye. We help restore a relationship between humans,
nature, and sustainability.
The global textile industry today is still plagued
(17:27):
by social injustice
and incredibly hard working conditions.
Many of the same power imbalances that shape
Indigo's colonial history
continue in modern fashion. Deal is working to
challenge this norm, helping to push the industry
towards circularity,
sustainability,
and fairness.
Supporting ethical fashion isn't just about protecting the
(17:47):
planet.
It's about valuing the people behind every stitch
and every shade of blue. The techniques for
sustainable plant based dyeing weren't just lost by
accident.
They were intentionally replaced,
undervalued,
and nearly erased.
But that knowledge was never truly gone. It
survived in hidden corners,
in oral traditions,
(18:08):
in the hands of artisans who refused to
let it disappear.
And today, we have the opportunity to help
bring it back.
Learn about and amplify indigenous textile artists and
dyers.
Buy directly from artisans when possible.
Support regenerative farming practices that grow natural dye
plants like indigo.
(18:29):
Challenge the dominance of fast fashion
that profits off stolen cultural designs
without supporting their original creators.
When we help protect and elevate ancient wisdom,
we're not just saving history.
We're building a future that is more just,
more sustainable, and more resilient.
Indigo teaches us a fundamental lesson.
(18:50):
Nature already knows how to regenerate.
The indigo plant restores the soil.
The natural dyeing process works in harmony with
ecosystems.
Artisans have spent centuries developing techniques
that don't harm the land,
water, or people.
If we want a thriving future, we don't
need to invent new solutions.
(19:11):
We need to listen to the ones that
already exist.
This episode was about bringing what's hidden into
the light
in ourselves,
in history,
and in the natural world.
But knowledge alone isn't enough.
We have to take action.
This podcast is built on a love for
(19:32):
nature,
resilience, and the belief that we learn best
from the wild world around us.
And we want this community to keep growing
so we can bring these messages to even
more people.
Here's how you can help.
Share this episode with someone who needs it.
If this message about uncovering hidden superpowers,
whether in ourselves, in history, or in nature,
(19:54):
resonated with you, pass it along.
You never know who might need to hear
this right now.
Leave a review.
Ratings and reviews help more people discover resilience
gone wild, and they mean the world to
us.
Join the conversation.
Find me on social media or at winwinwinmindset.com.
And let me know what hidden superpower are
(20:17):
you bringing forward?
Get more connected.
Subscribe to the resilience gone wild weekly newsletter
in the show notes
and support our work. Consider becoming a sponsor.
Let's build something bigger together.
In the next episode, I sit down with
Nicholas Proft,
founder of The Denim Deal, to talk about
(20:37):
how fashion, one of the most polluting industries
on the planet,
can actually become part of the solution.
We'll explore how circular denim production,
natural dyes, and ethical practices can help save
both people and the planet. If you've ever
wondered whether your everyday choices really make a
difference,
this is a conversation you won't wanna miss.
(20:59):
So as you step back into your world
today, I'll leave you with one question.
What hidden superpower
will you uncover?
Because the world doesn't need you to wait.
It needs you to bring your magic forward
now. Because when we embrace what's been unseen
and create the conditions for resilience to thrive,
(21:19):
that's when change begins. I'm Jessica Morgenthal, and
this is resilience gone wild. Until next time,
stay resilient,
stay connected, and let your hidden superpower be
seen.
This has been a production of BLI Studios
produced by me, Kai. Follow along with our
other BLI produced shows at balancinglife'sissues.com/podcast-BLI.
(21:44):
Got an idea for the show? Email me,
Kai, at balancing life's issues dot com. And
don't forget to stay in touch with your
host, Jessica, at jessica@winwinwinmindset.com.
Anything else to add, Miles?
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