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In Our Nature
Why do we feel so overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected and lost...and what does that have to do with what's happening on our planet?
This show explores the hidden connections and deeper patterns that are forming our inner struggles and the wider crises unfolding around us. From mental health to ecological collapse, productivity culture to planetary grief, from burnout to reconnection, join me to poke around in the stories, systems and patterns shaping this extraordinary time...
...and then let's riff on what becomes possible when we stop pretending it’s fine and feel the feels.
Your host is me: Siobhán Friel. I'm a mental health practitioner, a Work That Reconnects facilitator and I was probably a lavender plant in a past life.
This podcast offers a way to make sense of your inner and outer world, especially if you were shaped by capitalism (like me) and not by a lineage of ecological literacy, love and wisdom.
You haven't missed the boat. There are many boats and this is one. Get in.
In Our Nature
What Happens When Our Spiritual Grounding & Our Meaning-Making Frameworks for Life Stop...Helping?
Nice to see you, but this is a non-episode so don’t get too comfy.
I'm calling on your input around a theme that’s come up in our recent episodes: what happens when your usual ways of grounding yourself, like your spiritual, philosophical, religious, or therapeutic frameworks and orientations, suddenly feel completely insufficient, particularly in the context of collapse, breakdown and unravelling of systems, structures and species?
I’m inviting you to:
- Share your thoughts, experiences, or questions on this theme for a possible third episode in this series
- And / or join a small, closed, interactive conversation with me on this topic if it calls to you.
That’s wrapped up in the first few minutes but I linger for 15 more to gently open it up with some light prodding:
- What happens when your usual meaning-making tools stop working...and why that’s not your fault (you don't need to just "see more" or "deepen your grounding")
- Why so many modern spiritual and therapeutic frameworks struggle to hold the weight of collapse
- The Western decontextualisation of ancient wisdom traditions...and how that leaves us unprepared for reality
- Why thought-centred approaches to well-being (like non-duality, self-help, and coaching) feel out of place amongst actual, material breakdown of ecosystems, economies, and societies
- Why “suffering is just a thought” or “an illusion” baffles us when rivers are poisoned and species are vanishing
If you’ve ever felt more lost after trying to lean on spiritual teachings when confronting the magnitude of collapse, or you feel confused and bewildered and disillusioned by the beliefs that once gave you clarity and comfort, you might get something here. Don't be alone. I'm your ally in this one.
Mentioned / next steps:
Part one of conversation in this area : It's In Our Nature to Unravel & Collapse (& Why Seeing This Can Actually Help Anxiety)
Part two: The Profound Gifts That Only Collapse & Breaking Down Can Reveal
Submit a story, question, or comment for a possible part three episode, and/or register your interest for a small, closed circle conversation here.
Email me here.
If you’d like updates and invitations, hop on to my Friends List. I write on Substack too—come hang out there if you wanna.
Gosh what a lot of links
Thank you for listening. You are the the brilliance of an unfurling petal 🌺
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