https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/conversations-with-mother-earth--5053006
Have you possibly missed anything in your life to value? Well, yes, we should also consider “clean air and pristine lakes, rivers and oceans”.

This podcast will continually shine a spotlight on just some of the many facets of our home – our planet – or Mother Earth as I call Her – that deserve to be highly-valued by us.

We will lift the curtain on the often neglected side of what we should truly value in life. My guests will come from different countries – even continents – representing and reflecting the wide diversity of our World. Their stories will come from many areas but all will share their “Conversations with Mother Earth” and their views on one aspect of our lives.

We invite you to join us!]]>enEarth SciencesCopyright WebTalkRadiohttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/6db31ae33ea096ff8b1573f6c3b0b5f6.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/conversations-with-mother-earth--5053006Tue, 18 Jun 2024 21:04:57 +0000WebTalkRadioWebTalkRadiofeeds@spreaker.comWhat do we value the most in life? You might answer: family, friends, healthy food, a good book or maybe a nearby park. You might also value your real estate, paintings, jewelry, or stocks? Have you possibly missed anything in your life to value?...
Have you possibly missed anything in your life to value? Well, yes, we should also consider “clean air and pristine lakes, rivers and oceans”.

This podcast will continually shine a spotlight on just some of the many facets of our home – our planet – or Mother Earth as I call Her – that deserve to be highly-valued by us.

We will lift the curtain on the often neglected side of what we should truly value in life. My guests will come from different countries – even continents – representing and reflecting the wide diversity of our World. Their stories will come from many areas but all will share their “Conversations with Mother Earth” and their views on one aspect of our lives.

We invite you to join us!]]>false7723f8e0-9cfc-5521-8027-44ac715ef890episodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-mosaic-of-conversations--48636094The post A Mosaic of Conversations appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=107788Tue, 08 Feb 2022 01:52:21 +0000WebTalkRadioThis is a highlight sample of the 24 great Conversations I've had with extraordinary, legendary individuals from across our globe in this first series of "Conversations with Mother Earth". These 24 episodes culminate with this highlight finale.  Dear...The post A Mosaic of Conversations appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.]]>3254falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/love-will-save-us-with-dr-joy-martina-transformational-coach-and-bestselling-author--48404855The post Love Will Save Us with Dr. Joy Martina, Transformational Coach and Bestselling Author appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=107520Mon, 17 Jan 2022 12:12:00 +0000WebTalkRadioWe have arrived at the 24th episode of Conversations With Mother Earth and to celebrate we have a very exceptional topic today. This episode deals with a topic that we all wish and long for in our lives: namely love. More importantly, we will be...The post Love Will Save Us with Dr. Joy Martina, Transformational Coach and Bestselling Author appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.]]>3248falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/diversity-and-money-with-tanya-rolfe-co-founder-of-sophia--48311940


This podcast is called “Conversations With Mother Earth”. Thus, you might rightfully ask, what does Nature really have to do with our business reality? Well, the answer is: everything! We are Nature and thus in past episodes we have discussed the importance of healthy soil, water and organic food. 




https://youtu.be/-Jj25H-X80k




If we can learn one thing from Nature, it is that diversity makes our world more bountiful. Despite all good efforts, our business world is still quite homogeneous with men still leading the vast majority of companies despite at least 50% of business graduates in the leading economies being female.



The issue of inequality with gender looks even bleaker when we consider entrepreneurs seeking funding with women receiving only a shocking 3% of global venture capital. It is because of this issue that I welcome today’s guest Tanya Rolfe who is a known expert in this field as she has had a 15-year legal career as well as working with female founders and investors thorough the “Ladies Investment Club” and “Her Capital”. She is a co-founder of “Sophia” that provides capital and education for women to assist them to achieve their financial goals. Tanya is from the UK and is currently based in Singapore. 



In this episode, Tanya shares why she left her legal career in order to dedicate her attention to the disparity in venture capital financing, some personal stories that female entrepreneurs experienced in their quest for capital, how our education has to change, how she is educating her son to see his sister and how we women can support each other on our journey, be it the corporate career or as an entrepreneur. 



You will also learn a German expression: “Leben und leben lassen” which translates to “live and let live” and what it has to do with freedom of women. 



This episode has shed lots of light on the lack of gender diversity in the venture capital scene. You know that in Nature where there is light, there is life. Hence, let’s help Tanya’s projects shed light on aspiring female founders. 



Tune in… ]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=107414Sat, 15 Jan 2022 19:08:13 +0000WebTalkRadioDiversity is a very dominant topic at the moment but in a negative sense because far too frequently we learn of negative news about another irreparable loss of our biodiversity. Less obvious and reported, we become aware of losing more and more...


This podcast is called “Conversations With Mother Earth”. Thus, you might rightfully ask, what does Nature really have to do with our business reality? Well, the answer is: everything! We are Nature and thus in past episodes we have discussed the importance of healthy soil, water and organic food. 




https://youtu.be/-Jj25H-X80k




If we can learn one thing from Nature, it is that diversity makes our world more bountiful. Despite all good efforts, our business world is still quite homogeneous with men still leading the vast majority of companies despite at least 50% of business graduates in the leading economies being female.



The issue of inequality with gender looks even bleaker when we consider entrepreneurs seeking funding with women receiving only a shocking 3% of global venture capital. It is because of this issue that I welcome today’s guest Tanya Rolfe who is a known expert in this field as she has had a 15-year legal career as well as working with female founders and investors thorough the “Ladies Investment Club” and “Her Capital”. She is a co-founder of “Sophia” that provides capital and education for women to assist them to achieve their financial goals. Tanya is from the UK and is currently based in Singapore. 



In this episode, Tanya shares why she left her legal career in order to dedicate her attention to the disparity in venture capital financing, some personal stories that female entrepreneurs experienced in their quest for capital, how our education has to change, how she is educating her son to see his sister and how we women can support each other on our journey, be it the corporate career or as an entrepreneur. 



You will also learn a German expression: “Leben und leben lassen” which translates to “live and let live” and what it has to do with freedom of women. 



This episode has shed lots of light on the lack of gender diversity in the venture capital scene. You know that in Nature where there is light, there is life. Hence, let’s help Tanya’s projects shed light on aspiring female founders. 



Tune in… ]]>2178falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/renewable-energy-in-a-cup-with-matt-roebuck-quijote-kaffee--48236081


Whether we are coffee imbibers or not, we are all familiar with how coffee can affect our mood and the internet is full of memes about coffee addiction. I, and many of my acquaintances, love coffee. We are not alone. Over 60% of Americans do as well. Among Europeans, the Dutch lead the list of coffee-lovers while the Italians (surprisingly to me) are in the lower half of EU countries. 




https://youtu.be/pY7Xuu9reWk




Coffee, however, is not only a beverage that supplies us with our morning energy boost. More importantly, it is also fuels our social connections. In my native country of Croatia, having a coffee with friends offers a reason to share the latest gossip - especially if it can also be done as an excuse to escape the office. And in some places in Europe, one’s fortune can be predicted from the coffee ground patterns at the bottom of a cup! 



In this episode, my guest for “Conversations with Mother Earth” is Matthew Roebuck. And although I do not believe he will foretell your future, I invited him because of his work expertise gained at Quijote Kaffee from Hamburg, Germany which is setting new standards within the coffee industry. 



We will talk about transparent standards in the value chain, coffee quality and types, and people behind the energetic drink we enjoy. As Matt explained in this episode, each cup of coffee you and I enjoy is a result of the hard labour of so many people so far away from us. With every purchase of premium coffee we can show our appreciation for their hard work. 



A major insight was that the price of coffee does not need to increase in order to secure a decent pay for everybody along the value chain. We simply need to find the right brand that pay a decent wage to its farmers. Tune in…]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=107287Mon, 10 Jan 2022 12:22:00 +0000WebTalkRadioAfter more than 20 other Episodes -  and nearing the end of this Series - it is time to talk about another tasty treat, namely coffee! Whether we are coffee imbibers or not, we are all familiar with how coffee can affect our mood and the internet...


Whether we are coffee imbibers or not, we are all familiar with how coffee can affect our mood and the internet is full of memes about coffee addiction. I, and many of my acquaintances, love coffee. We are not alone. Over 60% of Americans do as well. Among Europeans, the Dutch lead the list of coffee-lovers while the Italians (surprisingly to me) are in the lower half of EU countries. 




https://youtu.be/pY7Xuu9reWk




Coffee, however, is not only a beverage that supplies us with our morning energy boost. More importantly, it is also fuels our social connections. In my native country of Croatia, having a coffee with friends offers a reason to share the latest gossip - especially if it can also be done as an excuse to escape the office. And in some places in Europe, one’s fortune can be predicted from the coffee ground patterns at the bottom of a cup! 



In this episode, my guest for “Conversations with Mother Earth” is Matthew Roebuck. And although I do not believe he will foretell your future, I invited him because of his work expertise gained at Quijote Kaffee from Hamburg, Germany which is setting new standards within the coffee industry. 



We will talk about transparent standards in the value chain, coffee quality and types, and people behind the energetic drink we enjoy. As Matt explained in this episode, each cup of coffee you and I enjoy is a result of the hard labour of so many people so far away from us. With every purchase of premium coffee we can show our appreciation for their hard work. 



A major insight was that the price of coffee does not need to increase in order to secure a decent pay for everybody along the value chain. We simply need to find the right brand that pay a decent wage to its farmers. Tune in…]]>2113falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/deep-treasures-with-andrew-lucas-guild-institute-of-gemology--48068410


This Conversation with Mother Earth will not just focus on our longtime fascination with gemstones. Rather, we will “unearth” one more reason to value gems and that is the hard and hazardous effort it takes to allow our precious relationship with gems to continue. 




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_GfALUj2LY




My guest in this episode, Andrew Lucas, has visited numerous gem extraction sites worldwide in countries such as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and Zambia. We filmed this episode face-to-face with Andrew, as he also presently lives in Shenzhen, China where he is the President of Guild Institute of Gemology and the Senior Vice President of Guild Gem Laboratories. 



In this conversation that goes deep - in the real sense of the word – Andrew shares his fascination with gemstones and his incredible breadth of experience with gemstones. He describes sustainable practices of gem extraction and refining. However, he does not mask some human exploitation events still happening in different parts of the world. 



Andrew also shares his favorite gems, which might not be easy, considering the length of his experience. In the end, we both agree though that Mother Earth is our most precious gem. 



Tune in…]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=107167Mon, 27 Dec 2021 06:35:00 +0000WebTalkRadioOne of the many treasures Mother Earth had bestowed upon us are gemstones. She patiently shapes and forms these precious mineral crystals for thousands - even millions - of years until they have the right colour and density. We humans have always had...


This Conversation with Mother Earth will not just focus on our longtime fascination with gemstones. Rather, we will “unearth” one more reason to value gems and that is the hard and hazardous effort it takes to allow our precious relationship with gems to continue. 




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_GfALUj2LY




My guest in this episode, Andrew Lucas, has visited numerous gem extraction sites worldwide in countries such as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and Zambia. We filmed this episode face-to-face with Andrew, as he also presently lives in Shenzhen, China where he is the President of Guild Institute of Gemology and the Senior Vice President of Guild Gem Laboratories. 



In this conversation that goes deep - in the real sense of the word – Andrew shares his fascination with gemstones and his incredible breadth of experience with gemstones. He describes sustainable practices of gem extraction and refining. However, he does not mask some human exploitation events still happening in different parts of the world. 



Andrew also shares his favorite gems, which might not be easy, considering the length of his experience. In the end, we both agree though that Mother Earth is our most precious gem. 



Tune in…]]>3090falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/etched-deep-with-roberto-gemori-tattoo-tribes--47993781


In this episode, we are covering the subject of tattoos. 



Yes, tattoos! 



While researching about New Zealand, I discovered the deeply-rooted tradition of tattoos within the Māori people. Going deeper, I discovered that there is a big difference between, for example, Polynesian and Māori tattoos. After more reading I then discovered I wanted to know much more!



This is why I reached out to Tattoo Tribes and Roberto Gemori agreed to join me. 




https://youtu.be/Jsp4wsWoa6E




Roberto has been designing tattoos professionally for almost two decades. He, like myself, has always been fascinated by myths and legends from around the world, as they often reveal the soul of a culture much better than its historical records. Among all of the arts, tattooing in particular is one that remains true to the roots of people. This is especially the case in Polynesia, where it is deeply related and interconnected to everyday life.



We talk about his motivation to research traditional tattoos and the difference between Polynesian and Māori tattoos. Roberto shares with us how the deep the connection between Mother Earth and tattoos is expressed, what role the community plays in this picture and where the traditional cultures got their ink from. 



Mother Earth is an inspiration for many art forms, even the permanent ones that adore our bodies. You will see that this episode will definitely leave a deep impression on you. 



Join us…



www.tattootribes.com]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=107110Mon, 20 Dec 2021 11:05:00 +0000WebTalkRadioToday’s topic will surprise you as you probably won’t have expected this subject. However, you will see that there is again a deep connection with Mother Earth. In this episode, we are covering the subject of tattoos.  Yes, tattoos!  While...


In this episode, we are covering the subject of tattoos. 



Yes, tattoos! 



While researching about New Zealand, I discovered the deeply-rooted tradition of tattoos within the Māori people. Going deeper, I discovered that there is a big difference between, for example, Polynesian and Māori tattoos. After more reading I then discovered I wanted to know much more!



This is why I reached out to Tattoo Tribes and Roberto Gemori agreed to join me. 




https://youtu.be/Jsp4wsWoa6E




Roberto has been designing tattoos professionally for almost two decades. He, like myself, has always been fascinated by myths and legends from around the world, as they often reveal the soul of a culture much better than its historical records. Among all of the arts, tattooing in particular is one that remains true to the roots of people. This is especially the case in Polynesia, where it is deeply related and interconnected to everyday life.



We talk about his motivation to research traditional tattoos and the difference between Polynesian and Māori tattoos. Roberto shares with us how the deep the connection between Mother Earth and tattoos is expressed, what role the community plays in this picture and where the traditional cultures got their ink from. 



Mother Earth is an inspiration for many art forms, even the permanent ones that adore our bodies. You will see that this episode will definitely leave a deep impression on you. 



Join us…



www.tattootribes.com]]>2522falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-power-of-rain-with-thomas-j-huggins--47902591


My final question is “Do you like to drink water?” Again, I presume all of you would again say “Yes”. The intent of these questions is to introduce today’s conversation of rain for without rain we obviously would not have any water to drink nor indeed any fruit juice as fruit comes from plants and trees that need rain to survive. 



We all know that rain is an invaluable source of life. However, too much rain can also be destructive, as with the recent tragic floods you likely have read about in Germany, China, Canada, Mozambique and other places around the world. 



My guest speaker in this episode is Thomas Huggins who is a leading researcher in what is called “cascading disasters”, which happens when one initial catastrophic event – such as a flood from too much rain – triggers a series of follow-up disasters. The intent of his research is to learn how we can eliminate these follow-up cascading disasters. Thomas is from New Zealand and his current position is Assistant Professor, Division of Science & Technology, BNU-HKBU United International College in Zhuhai, China. 




https://youtu.be/7Z6bsWISpsw




We discuss why we like rain, how rain is perceived in his home country New Zealand, about his research of “cascading events”, how some man-made projects contribute to disasters and why the Māori knowledge is important for his work. You can also hear how rain inspires a researcher who spends his time studying disasters. 



It is a very refreshing conversation. Tune in…]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=107003Mon, 13 Dec 2021 11:46:00 +0000WebTalkRadioI have a few warm-up questions for you to start this episode of Conversations with Mother Earth. The first question is “Do you like rain?” Chances are most of you would answer by saying “No”. In contrast, if I asked you “Do you like sunny days?” all...


My final question is “Do you like to drink water?” Again, I presume all of you would again say “Yes”. The intent of these questions is to introduce today’s conversation of rain for without rain we obviously would not have any water to drink nor indeed any fruit juice as fruit comes from plants and trees that need rain to survive. 



We all know that rain is an invaluable source of life. However, too much rain can also be destructive, as with the recent tragic floods you likely have read about in Germany, China, Canada, Mozambique and other places around the world. 



My guest speaker in this episode is Thomas Huggins who is a leading researcher in what is called “cascading disasters”, which happens when one initial catastrophic event – such as a flood from too much rain – triggers a series of follow-up disasters. The intent of his research is to learn how we can eliminate these follow-up cascading disasters. Thomas is from New Zealand and his current position is Assistant Professor, Division of Science & Technology, BNU-HKBU United International College in Zhuhai, China. 




https://youtu.be/7Z6bsWISpsw




We discuss why we like rain, how rain is perceived in his home country New Zealand, about his research of “cascading events”, how some man-made projects contribute to disasters and why the Māori knowledge is important for his work. You can also hear how rain inspires a researcher who spends his time studying disasters. 



It is a very refreshing conversation. Tune in…]]>2495falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/just-breathe-with-dan-brule-the-breath-legend--47801777


This episode’s guest Dan Brulé is a perfect person for this topic of breathing as he has decades of experience and is considered the legend of Breathwork. 




https://youtu.be/HhPyp0nLjcA




Dan is a modern-day teacher, healer, and a world-renown pioneer in the field of breathing. He is one of the creators of Breath Therapy and since 1970, Dan has personally trained over 250,000 people in 67 countries to use breathing for self-improvement, self-healing, and spiritual awakening. He has trained Olympic athletes and elite combatants such as martial art professionals.



He coaches leading medical experts, corporate executives, and peak performers including Tony Robbins. He is the author of several books including “Just Breathe: Master Breathwork for Success in Life, Love, Business and Beyond.” 



We talk about “good breathing”, how breath connects us to the spirit, how breath can easily help us influence our moods, what emotions get released during his work and why laughter is contagious. 



We finish with the Sanskrit proverb from his book:



“For breath is life, and if you breathe well, you will live long on earth”. ']]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106946Mon, 06 Dec 2021 07:03:00 +0000WebTalkRadioIn episode 6, we covered the topic of breath but from a perspective of understanding how breath connects us to Mother Earth and our direct environment. Today, we are again returning to this topic but from the overall perspective of personal health. As...


This episode’s guest Dan Brulé is a perfect person for this topic of breathing as he has decades of experience and is considered the legend of Breathwork. 




https://youtu.be/HhPyp0nLjcA




Dan is a modern-day teacher, healer, and a world-renown pioneer in the field of breathing. He is one of the creators of Breath Therapy and since 1970, Dan has personally trained over 250,000 people in 67 countries to use breathing for self-improvement, self-healing, and spiritual awakening. He has trained Olympic athletes and elite combatants such as martial art professionals.



He coaches leading medical experts, corporate executives, and peak performers including Tony Robbins. He is the author of several books including “Just Breathe: Master Breathwork for Success in Life, Love, Business and Beyond.” 



We talk about “good breathing”, how breath connects us to the spirit, how breath can easily help us influence our moods, what emotions get released during his work and why laughter is contagious. 



We finish with the Sanskrit proverb from his book:



“For breath is life, and if you breathe well, you will live long on earth”. ']]>3456falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sheltering-memories-with-kria-djoyoadhiningrat-slumfighters-international--47703096


However, home is not only a place where we shelter from the weather. It is also a place where our memories - be they joyful or unhappy moments - are shared and sheltered with our loved-ones. Above all, home is ideally where we feel safe. 


https://youtu.be/gZtG6Q7QCtg
Yet, as we discovered a few episodes back in our conversation with the courageous war refugee and social activist Muhammad Najam, over eighty million fellow human citizens do not have a home, thus denying so many of their basic human need - and what ought to be a human right - to a shelter, protection and a sense of dignity. 



My today’s guest is Kria Djoyoadhiningrat, an architect and leads a Foundation called Slumfighters International, based in the Netherlands and operating across the world. Kria and I discuss what home means to us humans, what role culture plays in longevity of buildings, what unexpected obstacles might occur when constructing with natural materials and how slums evolve. 



It is a Conversation that connects continents. Tune in…]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106832Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:52:00 +0000WebTalkRadioShould you be hearing or watching this episode of Conversations with Mother Earth from anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, then soon you will possibly be treated with your first frigid, winter frost. And, if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, then...


However, home is not only a place where we shelter from the weather. It is also a place where our memories - be they joyful or unhappy moments - are shared and sheltered with our loved-ones. Above all, home is ideally where we feel safe. 


https://youtu.be/gZtG6Q7QCtg
Yet, as we discovered a few episodes back in our conversation with the courageous war refugee and social activist Muhammad Najam, over eighty million fellow human citizens do not have a home, thus denying so many of their basic human need - and what ought to be a human right - to a shelter, protection and a sense of dignity. 



My today’s guest is Kria Djoyoadhiningrat, an architect and leads a Foundation called Slumfighters International, based in the Netherlands and operating across the world. Kria and I discuss what home means to us humans, what role culture plays in longevity of buildings, what unexpected obstacles might occur when constructing with natural materials and how slums evolve. 



It is a Conversation that connects continents. Tune in…]]>2230falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-philosophy-of-a-brush-stroke-with-xiongbo-shi--47604062


So, please use captioning and, as with so much in life, remember that “patience is a virtue”. Hence, please tolerate the less than ideal sound quality at the beginning because what Xiongboo shares throughout is truly enlightening and inspiring!



This Conversation with Mother Earth is a bit different regarding the setting as well. My guest in this episode is Professor Xiongbo Shi, who is, thankfully based in Shenzhen, China - as I am right now - and we are able to meet face-to-face. 




https://youtu.be/qRFofg8Jsdc




Do you remember being taught handwriting? In my childhood, in the former Yugoslavia, we were duty-bound by our teachers to write in very precise ways with all the alphabet letters slanted slightly to the right. More recently in my life, when I started to learn the Mandarin language, I became fascinated with writing the Chinese characters. They seemed to be an art form. What astounded me was the strict rigour and discipline that is applied when writing Chinese characters. Each stroke must follow a long-established certain order of movement and even a certain rhythm of motion. 



Calligraphy is also held in high esteem across East Asia - like in Japan and Korea - but in this episode we will focus on China. 



My guest today can share deep insights about Chinese calligraphy. He is Assistant Professor at Shenzhen University and has studied Art History in Christchurch, New Zealand and in Nanjing, China. He has also written scholarly articles and books about calligraphy. Xiongbo, welcome to Conversations with Mother Earth and especially for taking the time to meet with me in person for this episode.



We talk about calligraphy as fine art as well as the outer form and the inner qualities of calligraphy. Xiongbo demonstrates how to hold the brush for the calligraphy writing, as he writes down several characters. He also explains why it is possible for Westerners to appreciate Chinese calligraphy without speaking Chinese. At the end, Xiongbo elaborates why calligraphy and Mother Earth are so closely linked. 



Writing Chinese calligraphy is a philosophic lesson in mindfulness and thus one obviously needs to be fully present to appreciate the beauty of all the characters. 



Join us…]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106810Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:41:25 +0000WebTalkRadioMy apologies but this is our first episode with any technical sound problems.  So, please use captioning and, as with so much in life, remember that “patience is a virtue”. Hence, please tolerate the less than ideal sound quality at the beginning...


So, please use captioning and, as with so much in life, remember that “patience is a virtue”. Hence, please tolerate the less than ideal sound quality at the beginning because what Xiongboo shares throughout is truly enlightening and inspiring!



This Conversation with Mother Earth is a bit different regarding the setting as well. My guest in this episode is Professor Xiongbo Shi, who is, thankfully based in Shenzhen, China - as I am right now - and we are able to meet face-to-face. 




https://youtu.be/qRFofg8Jsdc




Do you remember being taught handwriting? In my childhood, in the former Yugoslavia, we were duty-bound by our teachers to write in very precise ways with all the alphabet letters slanted slightly to the right. More recently in my life, when I started to learn the Mandarin language, I became fascinated with writing the Chinese characters. They seemed to be an art form. What astounded me was the strict rigour and discipline that is applied when writing Chinese characters. Each stroke must follow a long-established certain order of movement and even a certain rhythm of motion. 



Calligraphy is also held in high esteem across East Asia - like in Japan and Korea - but in this episode we will focus on China. 



My guest today can share deep insights about Chinese calligraphy. He is Assistant Professor at Shenzhen University and has studied Art History in Christchurch, New Zealand and in Nanjing, China. He has also written scholarly articles and books about calligraphy. Xiongbo, welcome to Conversations with Mother Earth and especially for taking the time to meet with me in person for this episode.



We talk about calligraphy as fine art as well as the outer form and the inner qualities of calligraphy. Xiongbo demonstrates how to hold the brush for the calligraphy writing, as he writes down several characters. He also explains why it is possible for Westerners to appreciate Chinese calligraphy without speaking Chinese. At the end, Xiongbo elaborates why calligraphy and Mother Earth are so closely linked. 



Writing Chinese calligraphy is a philosophic lesson in mindfulness and thus one obviously needs to be fully present to appreciate the beauty of all the characters. 



Join us…]]>2360falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/printed-in-bali-with-putu-arnany-oprandi--47478568


Why am I dedicating an entire session to Batik, you might be asking? The answer is because weaving and designing cloth truly resembles and parallels life itself. Afterall, like designed cloth, our lives are an intricate pattern, woven by moments of joy, excitement, pride, and love, intertwined with grief, sorrow and loss. Each strand of cloth - like each of our lives - has a different colour and texture. 




https://youtu.be/n5UI-U7MGa4




Just because in today’s complex and busy world we rarely take the time to closely inspect the intricacy of the fabrics we use every day to clothe and keep ourselves warm, does not mean that there are not countless true artists, near or afar, weaving and designing textiles for us at this very moment. If we weren’t so preoccupied with other things, perhaps we would stop to wonder: where does the cotton of our shirts come from? Or, how is possible that our cashmere sweaters can feel so soft to the touch? And how is it that each fine thread, with its own unique vibrant colour, can be so artistically weaved into resplendent patterns?



All types of weaving and designing cloth have earned their right to be presented here in Conversations with Mother Earth but today’s focus is on a very distinctive textile renowned for its culturally rich and complex, colourful depth: Batik. It is a millennia-old art form brought meticulously to life by accomplished artisans repeating the processes of waxing, dyeing and boiling. 



To learn more about Batik, we are travelling to Indonesia, a country blessed with majestic landscapes and timeless cultural traditions. Our speaker is Putu Arnany Oprandi, the owner of Batik Popiler – a purveyor of some of the most stunning Batik products in the world.]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106702Mon, 15 Nov 2021 06:36:00 +0000WebTalkRadioThis episode of Conversations with Mother Earth is dedicated to the exceptionally beautiful printed cloth called Batik.  Why am I dedicating an entire session to Batik, you might be asking? The answer is because weaving and designing cloth truly...


Why am I dedicating an entire session to Batik, you might be asking? The answer is because weaving and designing cloth truly resembles and parallels life itself. Afterall, like designed cloth, our lives are an intricate pattern, woven by moments of joy, excitement, pride, and love, intertwined with grief, sorrow and loss. Each strand of cloth - like each of our lives - has a different colour and texture. 




https://youtu.be/n5UI-U7MGa4




Just because in today’s complex and busy world we rarely take the time to closely inspect the intricacy of the fabrics we use every day to clothe and keep ourselves warm, does not mean that there are not countless true artists, near or afar, weaving and designing textiles for us at this very moment. If we weren’t so preoccupied with other things, perhaps we would stop to wonder: where does the cotton of our shirts come from? Or, how is possible that our cashmere sweaters can feel so soft to the touch? And how is it that each fine thread, with its own unique vibrant colour, can be so artistically weaved into resplendent patterns?



All types of weaving and designing cloth have earned their right to be presented here in Conversations with Mother Earth but today’s focus is on a very distinctive textile renowned for its culturally rich and complex, colourful depth: Batik. It is a millennia-old art form brought meticulously to life by accomplished artisans repeating the processes of waxing, dyeing and boiling. 



To learn more about Batik, we are travelling to Indonesia, a country blessed with majestic landscapes and timeless cultural traditions. Our speaker is Putu Arnany Oprandi, the owner of Batik Popiler – a purveyor of some of the most stunning Batik products in the world.]]>2894falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/reinventing-ourselves-with-nadya-zhexembayeva--47369882


In past episodes of Conversations with Mother Earth, guest speakers have talked about some wide-ranging and very direct topics regarding caring for our Mother Earth. For example, if you have not already, I encourage you to watch the episodes about our planet’s soil, how winds bring change, discovering the diversity of bugs in our urban environment, the advantages of consuming organic chocolate and understanding the importance of oceans.



We have also discussed subjects that are less directly connected to Mother Earth BUT are equally crucial for our collective well-being on our planet such as storytelling, dance, and poetry. At the core of all these themes is something fundamental to us humans, namely our ability to creatively change as we adapt to our environment. These exact same traits can obviously also be witnessed by learning from the miracles that our Mother Earth has performed as She constantly manages how our planet must adapt and evolve. 




https://youtu.be/e19FkbusUw8




The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said that “we cannot step into the same river twice”. He is renowned for teaching that our World only exists because of the continual change of - and interchange between - ALL of the elements on our planet. He argued that the Laws of Nature must become a “moral law” for all human beings to follow. Now, over two and a half millennium after Heraclitus, his wisdom about everlasting change still resonates. This reference to Heraclitus and the role of change is meant to be a thought provoker to introduce today’s speaker on Conversation with Mother Earth. 



My guest Nadya Zhexembayeva was born and raised in the Soviet Union and a daughter of today’s Kazakhstan, she completed all her studies in the United States, including her PhD in Organisational Behaviour. Nadya and I have few things in common: we were both raised in Socialist states (the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia), we are both professors and TEDx speakers, both book authors and also consultants. I first heard of Nadya in 2015 due to her programme at INSEAD in Paris and I have been following her work since. 



In this fascinating conversation, Nadya reveals that change, destruction and construction are happening all the time, within us and outside. We also talk about creativity, how companies reinvent themselves in ever-shorter cycles and how companies can solve environmental problems and why everything is Nature. 



Nadya also has a special present for you, dear listeners. You get first 85 pages for free. Check out this link.



https://www.learn2reinvent.com/handbook



This concludes today’s Conversation With Mother Earth, brought to you by Grounded Press. Next week, we will wave our way all the way to Indonesia. Stay tuned…]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106611Mon, 08 Nov 2021 08:44:00 +0000WebTalkRadioMy guest in this episode has several nicknames: The Reinvention Guru and The Queen of Reinvention, to name just two. In past episodes of Conversations with Mother Earth, guest speakers have talked about some wide-ranging and very direct topics...


In past episodes of Conversations with Mother Earth, guest speakers have talked about some wide-ranging and very direct topics regarding caring for our Mother Earth. For example, if you have not already, I encourage you to watch the episodes about our planet’s soil, how winds bring change, discovering the diversity of bugs in our urban environment, the advantages of consuming organic chocolate and understanding the importance of oceans.



We have also discussed subjects that are less directly connected to Mother Earth BUT are equally crucial for our collective well-being on our planet such as storytelling, dance, and poetry. At the core of all these themes is something fundamental to us humans, namely our ability to creatively change as we adapt to our environment. These exact same traits can obviously also be witnessed by learning from the miracles that our Mother Earth has performed as She constantly manages how our planet must adapt and evolve. 




https://youtu.be/e19FkbusUw8




The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said that “we cannot step into the same river twice”. He is renowned for teaching that our World only exists because of the continual change of - and interchange between - ALL of the elements on our planet. He argued that the Laws of Nature must become a “moral law” for all human beings to follow. Now, over two and a half millennium after Heraclitus, his wisdom about everlasting change still resonates. This reference to Heraclitus and the role of change is meant to be a thought provoker to introduce today’s speaker on Conversation with Mother Earth. 



My guest Nadya Zhexembayeva was born and raised in the Soviet Union and a daughter of today’s Kazakhstan, she completed all her studies in the United States, including her PhD in Organisational Behaviour. Nadya and I have few things in common: we were both raised in Socialist states (the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia), we are both professors and TEDx speakers, both book authors and also consultants. I first heard of Nadya in 2015 due to her programme at INSEAD in Paris and I have been following her work since. 



In this fascinating conversation, Nadya reveals that change, destruction and construction are happening all the time, within us and outside. We also talk about creativity, how companies reinvent themselves in ever-shorter cycles and how companies can solve environmental problems and why everything is Nature. 



Nadya also has a special present for you, dear listeners. You get first 85 pages for free. Check out this link.



https://www.learn2reinvent.com/handbook



This concludes today’s Conversation With Mother Earth, brought to you by Grounded Press. Next week, we will wave our way all the way to Indonesia. Stay tuned…]]>2162falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/finding-peace-with-muhammad-najem--47265616


My today’s guest, Muhammad Najem, became a war reporter at that age, by filming the unspeakable events in his home country Syria and sharing with the world via social media an unfiltered glimpse into his now war-torn home. Until the age of 8, he had been living a football-loving, happy childhood with his family in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, just like many other kids. Then, in 2011, Muhammad got acquainted with the reality of war - food and water shortages, attending school in underground bunkers, as well as bombings, missiles and chemical warfare that killed so many - including children.




https://youtu.be/l-9YBujo46s




Today, he lives in Turkey but continues to fight for justice, especially for children that are experiencing their lives turned upside down by war. I first learned of Muhammad by reading The Guardian interview with Angelina Jolie who has been an UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for over a decade, has made movies about the horrors of war and is also a coauthor of the book “Know Your Rights and Claim Them”.  



This episode is about war as war steals peace from us. More than anything else, this episode is about finding peace. Tune in and find out…]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106573Mon, 01 Nov 2021 06:07:00 +0000WebTalkRadioWhat did you do at the age of 15? You probably went to school, met with your friends, played sports. You might have been in love.  My today’s guest, Muhammad Najem, became a war reporter at that age, by filming the unspeakable events in his home...


My today’s guest, Muhammad Najem, became a war reporter at that age, by filming the unspeakable events in his home country Syria and sharing with the world via social media an unfiltered glimpse into his now war-torn home. Until the age of 8, he had been living a football-loving, happy childhood with his family in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, just like many other kids. Then, in 2011, Muhammad got acquainted with the reality of war - food and water shortages, attending school in underground bunkers, as well as bombings, missiles and chemical warfare that killed so many - including children.




https://youtu.be/l-9YBujo46s




Today, he lives in Turkey but continues to fight for justice, especially for children that are experiencing their lives turned upside down by war. I first learned of Muhammad by reading The Guardian interview with Angelina Jolie who has been an UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for over a decade, has made movies about the horrors of war and is also a coauthor of the book “Know Your Rights and Claim Them”.  



This episode is about war as war steals peace from us. More than anything else, this episode is about finding peace. Tune in and find out…]]>1749falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/winds-of-change-with-renee-baribeau--47144883



https://youtu.be/_jbZoj5CNOA




Why are winds important? You will see in this episode that winds regulate weather patterns, offer a fresh breeze on a summer day and even pollinate. They are powerful changemakers that we sometimes fear and resist but that we cannot live without. 



My guest today is Renee Baribeau, who calls herself a “wind whistler” and who researched winds for her insightful book “Winds of Spirit: Ancient Wisdom Tools for Navigating Relationships, Health, and the Divine”. This is why I invited Renee to be my speaker about wind. Renee is also a practical shaman and go-to soul coach. She is from United States and calls the West Coast her home.



In this episode, she shares the motivation behind writing “Winds of Wisdom”, what “a wind whistler” and “a practical shaman” do and why she says that the wind existed first and how we can adjust our sails. We also talk about inner winds, sometimes even storms, and how we can navigate these. We both agree: Wind is life! And, without the wind, everything would stagnate and eventually die. 



Renee’s work is truly fascinating and multi-faceted, just like the winds. And just like we humans and our Mother Earth. 



Join us!]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106495Mon, 25 Oct 2021 13:54:47 +0000WebTalkRadioWhat do terms like Sirocco, Aeolian, Gale, Zephyr, Squall or Haboob have in common? They all are names of winds with different regional sources and strengths. Of course, there are many more, as every region has named winds in their own way. In my...



https://youtu.be/_jbZoj5CNOA




Why are winds important? You will see in this episode that winds regulate weather patterns, offer a fresh breeze on a summer day and even pollinate. They are powerful changemakers that we sometimes fear and resist but that we cannot live without. 



My guest today is Renee Baribeau, who calls herself a “wind whistler” and who researched winds for her insightful book “Winds of Spirit: Ancient Wisdom Tools for Navigating Relationships, Health, and the Divine”. This is why I invited Renee to be my speaker about wind. Renee is also a practical shaman and go-to soul coach. She is from United States and calls the West Coast her home.



In this episode, she shares the motivation behind writing “Winds of Wisdom”, what “a wind whistler” and “a practical shaman” do and why she says that the wind existed first and how we can adjust our sails. We also talk about inner winds, sometimes even storms, and how we can navigate these. We both agree: Wind is life! And, without the wind, everything would stagnate and eventually die. 



Renee’s work is truly fascinating and multi-faceted, just like the winds. And just like we humans and our Mother Earth. 



Join us!]]>2108falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/serendipity-by-action-with-christian-busch-author-of-the-serendipity-mindset--47026951


This is a topic all of us ought to be interested in because haven’t we all been in situations where we met extraordinary people when we least expected it. I am thinking of our spouses, friends, business partners, maybe even people we don’t like. Hence, my today’s guest is Dr Christian Busch, who grew up in Heidelberg, Germany, and who teaches at New York University (NYU) and the London School of Economics (LSE). At NYU, he directs the Global Economy Programme of the Center for Global Affairs.




https://youtu.be/BSotO5IUCUw




We talk about his concept of “smart luck”, how focus and serendipity work together and why we should avoid patterns to really open our minds to the unexpected. I really like this quote at the beginning of his book: “Imagine a world driven by curiosity, opportunity and a sense of connection, rather than by fear, scarcity and jealousy. A world in which enormous challenges such as climate change and social inequality are being tackled by solutions that are bold and up to the challenge. In our fast-changing world, many of the emerging problems are so complex that much of our future will be driven by the unexpected.”



The reason this quote resonates with me is that it echoes the core message of “Conversations with Mother Earth”, namely the need to imagine a world where we value each other again as fellow human beings, with each one of us striving to make a living for ourselves and families while respecting the delicate balance of Nature on our planet.



Imagine that despite our differences we accept, face and tackle our common problems together because we value the world in which we live. I am grateful for the serendipity that has brought you to my podcast “Conversations with Mother Earth”. Join us!]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106390Mon, 18 Oct 2021 10:18:00 +0000WebTalkRadioI confess I have to thank serendipity for today’s guest on “Conversations with Mother Earth”. I say this because my meeting with Christian Busch happened by chance and ended in a beneficial way - which is of course what serendipity actually means....


This is a topic all of us ought to be interested in because haven’t we all been in situations where we met extraordinary people when we least expected it. I am thinking of our spouses, friends, business partners, maybe even people we don’t like. Hence, my today’s guest is Dr Christian Busch, who grew up in Heidelberg, Germany, and who teaches at New York University (NYU) and the London School of Economics (LSE). At NYU, he directs the Global Economy Programme of the Center for Global Affairs.




https://youtu.be/BSotO5IUCUw




We talk about his concept of “smart luck”, how focus and serendipity work together and why we should avoid patterns to really open our minds to the unexpected. I really like this quote at the beginning of his book: “Imagine a world driven by curiosity, opportunity and a sense of connection, rather than by fear, scarcity and jealousy. A world in which enormous challenges such as climate change and social inequality are being tackled by solutions that are bold and up to the challenge. In our fast-changing world, many of the emerging problems are so complex that much of our future will be driven by the unexpected.”



The reason this quote resonates with me is that it echoes the core message of “Conversations with Mother Earth”, namely the need to imagine a world where we value each other again as fellow human beings, with each one of us striving to make a living for ourselves and families while respecting the delicate balance of Nature on our planet.



Imagine that despite our differences we accept, face and tackle our common problems together because we value the world in which we live. I am grateful for the serendipity that has brought you to my podcast “Conversations with Mother Earth”. Join us!]]>1860falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/being-one-under-the-surface-with-he-yaseen-khayyat--46917124


So far, the conversations were with entrepreneurs, professors, bug enthusiasts or bestselling authors. Today, we will zoom in from a viewpoint of a politician. 



So why are rivers and oceans such an ideal topic for Conversations with Mother Earth? Well, let’s start with oxygen production and storage of carbon dioxide in what is called a carbon sink. In addition, rivers and oceans regulate our climate and are popular destinations for our recreational activities. Linked with this are the multi-billion-dollar economies of global tourism, fishing, and transportation. But oceans are far more than climate regulators. As a little girl, I can still vividly remember my father encouraging me to dip my hand into the Adriatic Sea so I could connect to the whole world. 




https://youtu.be/J41hVlH9X0c




Today, my guest HE Yaseen Khayyat who had to make numerous decisions about the environment. In his role as the Minister of Environment for the Kingdom of Jordan he had to walk the tightrope between supporting aquatic tourism and commerce while at the same protecting Jordan’s delicate ecosystems. Yaseen and I worked together in the past, as he is also passionate about the circular economy. His powerful speech “One Dead Sea is Enough” has resonated with me ever since. The list of his contributions to the protection of the environment is extremely long and spans few decades. Today, Yaseen is Director of Environmental Affairs at the Royal Hashemite Court.



We talk about some of the toughest decisions he had to make during his time as the Minister of Environment, what prompted him to make his powerful speech “One Dead Sea is Enough!”, and how he walked the tightrope between the economic progress and ecosystem protection. He also shared what we as citizens can do to support decisions by our governments. 



The link to Yaseen’s speech “One Dead Sea Is Enough!” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mV3A__yZ2Y



So, stay tuned!]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106318Mon, 11 Oct 2021 06:12:00 +0000WebTalkRadioLast week, we dived into Oneness within the context of Chinese and Arabic poetry. This week, we are about to experience Oneness because we are going to dive deep - at least virtually - into the depths of rivers and oceans. And I will be taking you to...


So far, the conversations were with entrepreneurs, professors, bug enthusiasts or bestselling authors. Today, we will zoom in from a viewpoint of a politician. 



So why are rivers and oceans such an ideal topic for Conversations with Mother Earth? Well, let’s start with oxygen production and storage of carbon dioxide in what is called a carbon sink. In addition, rivers and oceans regulate our climate and are popular destinations for our recreational activities. Linked with this are the multi-billion-dollar economies of global tourism, fishing, and transportation. But oceans are far more than climate regulators. As a little girl, I can still vividly remember my father encouraging me to dip my hand into the Adriatic Sea so I could connect to the whole world. 




https://youtu.be/J41hVlH9X0c




Today, my guest HE Yaseen Khayyat who had to make numerous decisions about the environment. In his role as the Minister of Environment for the Kingdom of Jordan he had to walk the tightrope between supporting aquatic tourism and commerce while at the same protecting Jordan’s delicate ecosystems. Yaseen and I worked together in the past, as he is also passionate about the circular economy. His powerful speech “One Dead Sea is Enough” has resonated with me ever since. The list of his contributions to the protection of the environment is extremely long and spans few decades. Today, Yaseen is Director of Environmental Affairs at the Royal Hashemite Court.



We talk about some of the toughest decisions he had to make during his time as the Minister of Environment, what prompted him to make his powerful speech “One Dead Sea is Enough!”, and how he walked the tightrope between the economic progress and ecosystem protection. He also shared what we as citizens can do to support decisions by our governments. 



The link to Yaseen’s speech “One Dead Sea Is Enough!” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mV3A__yZ2Y



So, stay tuned!]]>2127falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-timeless-verse-with-dr-mengwen-zhu-and-professor-hamid-masfour--46810070


Let’s start with some history. The word poetry is derived from Greek, poises, but the earliest written poems were composed in Sumerian which was spoken in today’s Iraq. We may remember from school days the Epic of Gilgamesh. Egypt, Greece, Israel, India, the Roman Empire all contributed greatly to the field of poetry. Not to forget the later works of Dante, Shakespeare, or Lord Byron. The list is very long and many poets have influenced our lives. And, as we discussed in our second episode with the bestselling author Yejide Kilanko, some of the oldest verses were not ever even written down. 



Hence, I had what Germans call “Die Qual der Wahl” which translates into the “The agony of choice”. Which focus should I choose in this vast and endless sea of verses? 




https://youtu.be/Of-xafUuFmE




I have decided to focus on Chinese and Arabic poetry for two reasons. They are some of the oldest poetry cultures on our planet. Secondly, some verses are so timeless – like Rumi’s – that we still enjoy them today, 800 years later! 



My two guests today are both scholars of Literature. This is where their similarity ends. Dr. Mengwen Zhu is a Junior Fellow within the "Society of Fellows in the Liberal Arts" at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTECH) in Shenzhen, China, while Professor Hamid Masfour is an Associate Professor of English Literature and Cultural Studies at Sultan Moulay Sliman University, Beni-Mellal, in Morocco. 



We discuss the connection between poetry and philosophy, what defines poetry and what differentiates it from prosa and why poetry is a necessity. We talk about two societies where poetry thrived and how poetry and Mother Earth are linked. We finish with our favourite poems. I opted for the most famous Chinese poet Li Bai and his poem “Thoughts on a Tranquil Night”.



Before my bed a pool of light – 



O can it be frost on the ground?



Looking up, I find the moon bright; 



Bowing, in homesickness I am drowned.



From “Tang Poetry in Paintings”, translated by Xu YuanchongWe invite you to join us and take some time to explore A Timeless Verse.]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106216Mon, 04 Oct 2021 05:41:00 +0000WebTalkRadioOur topic today is likely one of the most complex ones on “Conversations with Mother Earth” - at least so far. I refer to poetry.  Let’s start with some history. The word poetry is derived from Greek, poises, but the earliest written poems were...


Let’s start with some history. The word poetry is derived from Greek, poises, but the earliest written poems were composed in Sumerian which was spoken in today’s Iraq. We may remember from school days the Epic of Gilgamesh. Egypt, Greece, Israel, India, the Roman Empire all contributed greatly to the field of poetry. Not to forget the later works of Dante, Shakespeare, or Lord Byron. The list is very long and many poets have influenced our lives. And, as we discussed in our second episode with the bestselling author Yejide Kilanko, some of the oldest verses were not ever even written down. 



Hence, I had what Germans call “Die Qual der Wahl” which translates into the “The agony of choice”. Which focus should I choose in this vast and endless sea of verses? 




https://youtu.be/Of-xafUuFmE




I have decided to focus on Chinese and Arabic poetry for two reasons. They are some of the oldest poetry cultures on our planet. Secondly, some verses are so timeless – like Rumi’s – that we still enjoy them today, 800 years later! 



My two guests today are both scholars of Literature. This is where their similarity ends. Dr. Mengwen Zhu is a Junior Fellow within the "Society of Fellows in the Liberal Arts" at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTECH) in Shenzhen, China, while Professor Hamid Masfour is an Associate Professor of English Literature and Cultural Studies at Sultan Moulay Sliman University, Beni-Mellal, in Morocco. 



We discuss the connection between poetry and philosophy, what defines poetry and what differentiates it from prosa and why poetry is a necessity. We talk about two societies where poetry thrived and how poetry and Mother Earth are linked. We finish with our favourite poems. I opted for the most famous Chinese poet Li Bai and his poem “Thoughts on a Tranquil Night”.



Before my bed a pool of light – 



O can it be frost on the ground?



Looking up, I find the moon bright; 



Bowing, in homesickness I am drowned.



From “Tang Poetry in Paintings”, translated by Xu YuanchongWe invite you to join us and take some time to explore A Timeless Verse.]]>2764falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/life-underground-with-professor-nancy-karanja-university-of-nairobi-kenya--46702501


For many of us, soil maybe simply dirt under our feet, and the cause of us getting irritated when our hands or shoes get dirty. Yet, that same soil under our feet is where and how our food grows. That dirt is also a home to millions of organisms hidden in a whole ecosystem underneath the soil’s surface. 



My guest today is Professor Nancy Karanja from University of Nairobi, Kenya, who has dedicated much of her career researching our soil and its health. The list of her accomplishments is so long that it would fill the whole podcast alone. 








https://youtu.be/-fwvjOaiN2Y




I will only say this much: Nancy is not only researching soil but rather life in all its beauty. That dark place where we put our tender seeds to eventually open-up, pierce the surface and become mature plants. Those of you who have gardens, or even just indoor plants, have seen this miracle of life unfolding.



We discuss the diversity that lies hidden from us, yet that has such a lasting influence on our health and well-being. We talk about what fuels life and how minerals, that we need for our bodies, are created. We also address some of the pressing challenges of our time like monoculture, food waste and food insecurity.  



It is an important conversation and an even more crucial understanding how we are connected to every single stalk of corn, every single blade of wheat, every single rice plant that was placed into soil as a seed. Those little seeds nourish our bodies now.



Life above and below surface is one.  ]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106188Mon, 27 Sep 2021 05:09:00 +0000WebTalkRadioToday, we are talking about a nurturing topic, in the real sense of the word, our Mother Earth’s soil. For many of us, soil maybe simply dirt under our feet, and the cause of us getting irritated when our hands or shoes get dirty. Yet, that same...


For many of us, soil maybe simply dirt under our feet, and the cause of us getting irritated when our hands or shoes get dirty. Yet, that same soil under our feet is where and how our food grows. That dirt is also a home to millions of organisms hidden in a whole ecosystem underneath the soil’s surface. 



My guest today is Professor Nancy Karanja from University of Nairobi, Kenya, who has dedicated much of her career researching our soil and its health. The list of her accomplishments is so long that it would fill the whole podcast alone. 








https://youtu.be/-fwvjOaiN2Y




I will only say this much: Nancy is not only researching soil but rather life in all its beauty. That dark place where we put our tender seeds to eventually open-up, pierce the surface and become mature plants. Those of you who have gardens, or even just indoor plants, have seen this miracle of life unfolding.



We discuss the diversity that lies hidden from us, yet that has such a lasting influence on our health and well-being. We talk about what fuels life and how minerals, that we need for our bodies, are created. We also address some of the pressing challenges of our time like monoculture, food waste and food insecurity.  



It is an important conversation and an even more crucial understanding how we are connected to every single stalk of corn, every single blade of wheat, every single rice plant that was placed into soil as a seed. Those little seeds nourish our bodies now.



Life above and below surface is one.  ]]>2946falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/every-breath-we-take--46596524


Linked with the topic of trees and other plants is, of course, how we breathe. With every breath we take our lungs continue their never-ending work to keep us alive. Breathing also continually connects us with the world around us. So today, fittingly, we will dedicate our broadcast to the topic of breathing. 



Today’s speaker is a person who spent most of her career in the business world, teaching the theories and rules of commerce to Business School students and consulting managers. As an academic researcher, lecturer and consultant, for the most part, she lived mostly “in her head”, creating lesson plans and also publishing business content.



To counterbalance this cerebral lifestyle, in her free time, she wrote books, one of them a children’s book. She felt deeply that the undertaking of writing each and every day provided her soul with the oxygen that kept her feeling alive. A reflective period that followed after a major loss allowed her to find her purpose and align the two lives. 



She is also a person whose work demanded that she travel the world whereby she richly benefited from experiencing new cultures. Despite the weariness of travel and setting up a new home over and over again, she also learned that the most challenging journey she ever confronted was to make the move from her head to her heart. 



Hence, who is today’s speaker? How can she help become more grounded, more connected with the world around us? How can she make you feel one?




https://youtu.be/NKSNGj4MI2c




As you will see, this is an essential Conversation with Mother Earth.  



Enjoy!]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=106092Mon, 20 Sep 2021 04:13:00 +0000WebTalkRadioThus far on Conversations with Mother Earth, we have covered natural chocolate, the compelling strategy of storytelling, admiring bugs in our urban environment, how our diverse lives can be connected through dance and how essential trees are to our...


Linked with the topic of trees and other plants is, of course, how we breathe. With every breath we take our lungs continue their never-ending work to keep us alive. Breathing also continually connects us with the world around us. So today, fittingly, we will dedicate our broadcast to the topic of breathing. 



Today’s speaker is a person who spent most of her career in the business world, teaching the theories and rules of commerce to Business School students and consulting managers. As an academic researcher, lecturer and consultant, for the most part, she lived mostly “in her head”, creating lesson plans and also publishing business content.



To counterbalance this cerebral lifestyle, in her free time, she wrote books, one of them a children’s book. She felt deeply that the undertaking of writing each and every day provided her soul with the oxygen that kept her feeling alive. A reflective period that followed after a major loss allowed her to find her purpose and align the two lives. 



She is also a person whose work demanded that she travel the world whereby she richly benefited from experiencing new cultures. Despite the weariness of travel and setting up a new home over and over again, she also learned that the most challenging journey she ever confronted was to make the move from her head to her heart. 



Hence, who is today’s speaker? How can she help become more grounded, more connected with the world around us? How can she make you feel one?




https://youtu.be/NKSNGj4MI2c




As you will see, this is an essential Conversation with Mother Earth.  



Enjoy!]]>666falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/trees-our-rooted-friends-with-wojciech-grajkowksi--46494274






Wojciech and I have not met before this interview but thankfully, I disocered him online and because of his extraordinary work. he has a Master's in Biology, a PhD in Biochemistry and presently works as a game developer. But, perhaps he is best known for his illustrated book "Trees: A Rooted History".



This interview is very special for me as I am talking to a fellow children's book author who also clearly loves trees as much as I do.




https://youtu.be/s34rEmcBRyg








We talk about Wojciech's path to writing his children's book, why we should value trees and how trees are part of a larger system and which he loves the most.



We invite you to listen to today's conversation.]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=105981Mon, 13 Sep 2021 04:50:00 +0000WebTalkRadioMy guest today is a fellow European. His name is Dr. Wojciech Grajkowski and he is from Warsaw, Poland. Wojciech and I have not met before this interview but thankfully, I disocered him online and because of his extraordinary work. he has a...






Wojciech and I have not met before this interview but thankfully, I disocered him online and because of his extraordinary work. he has a Master's in Biology, a PhD in Biochemistry and presently works as a game developer. But, perhaps he is best known for his illustrated book "Trees: A Rooted History".



This interview is very special for me as I am talking to a fellow children's book author who also clearly loves trees as much as I do.




https://youtu.be/s34rEmcBRyg








We talk about Wojciech's path to writing his children's book, why we should value trees and how trees are part of a larger system and which he loves the most.



We invite you to listen to today's conversation.]]>2979falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dance-with-me-with-mariko-drayton-esencia-flamenca-hk-and-pablo-burstein-tango-argentino-shenzhen--46393506


The vast Pacific Ocean lies between their respective home countries: Japan and Argentina. Mariko Drayton was born and grew up in Japan and then studied Marketing in Boston. Pablo Burstein was born and raised in Argentina, followed by his studies in Biomedical Engineering in Haifa, Israel.




https://youtu.be/fk5UbVlrKuc




Despite their past and vast geographic distances from each other, today Mariko and Pablo are separated by less than 30 km, with Mariko living in Hong Kong and Pablo in Shenzhen.



However, in addition to proximity, there is something else that now unites them and that is their passion for dance. Mariko is a solo performer and a teacher of Flamenco in Hong Kong, while Pablo and his wife Cheryl teach Tango Argentino here in Shenzhen. 



Today, they talk about their respective life journeys to dance and to their current residence, the history of flamenco and tango, what it means to them and, in today’s globalised world, is dance still an expression of a culture. Plus, we will connect music with our beloved Mother Earth. 



It is a dance session you won’t forget. Join us today.]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=105899Mon, 06 Sep 2021 05:33:00 +0000WebTalkRadioIn today’s episode, I am welcoming two guests. At a first sight, there are several things that may appear to separate them. Let’s begin with the geography. The vast Pacific Ocean lies between their respective home countries: Japan and Argentina....


The vast Pacific Ocean lies between their respective home countries: Japan and Argentina. Mariko Drayton was born and grew up in Japan and then studied Marketing in Boston. Pablo Burstein was born and raised in Argentina, followed by his studies in Biomedical Engineering in Haifa, Israel.




https://youtu.be/fk5UbVlrKuc




Despite their past and vast geographic distances from each other, today Mariko and Pablo are separated by less than 30 km, with Mariko living in Hong Kong and Pablo in Shenzhen.



However, in addition to proximity, there is something else that now unites them and that is their passion for dance. Mariko is a solo performer and a teacher of Flamenco in Hong Kong, while Pablo and his wife Cheryl teach Tango Argentino here in Shenzhen. 



Today, they talk about their respective life journeys to dance and to their current residence, the history of flamenco and tango, what it means to them and, in today’s globalised world, is dance still an expression of a culture. Plus, we will connect music with our beloved Mother Earth. 



It is a dance session you won’t forget. Join us today.]]>3161falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bug-adventures-with-viv-palmer-bug-woman-of-london--46288129


Be warned! We might be talking about some of your least favourite bugs. But please allow us to shed some light on these insect helpers that many people don’t like and some simply kill when in reality these creatures not only pose no harm to us but actually support and feed us. 




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljHcVtwviyU




Viv will share stories how she started her blog “Bug Woman - Adventures in London” and when and what motivated her to start her blog adventures. She will also share with us who her favourite bugs are, what we can do to value these little helpers (nocturnal ones as well) and what we can tell our children about insects. 



Viv’s work closely parallels the core message that this show continually shares with its audience, namely the urgency to value all plants, bugs, birds, rivers, oceans etc. We all are, after all, a small part of a bigger system called Life where each element has its own place and purpose. 



As you will hear in the next episode, in every heart - even the smallest - there is the rhythm of the heartbeat of life and love. 



Join us today!]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=105756Sun, 29 Aug 2021 18:01:00 +0000WebTalkRadioIn today’s episode, we are travelling - again virtually - to London, UK. We will be talking with Viv Palmer, the author of the blog “Bug Woman - Adventures in London”. Viv will take us to parks and roads close to her home and introduce us to a variety...


Be warned! We might be talking about some of your least favourite bugs. But please allow us to shed some light on these insect helpers that many people don’t like and some simply kill when in reality these creatures not only pose no harm to us but actually support and feed us. 




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljHcVtwviyU




Viv will share stories how she started her blog “Bug Woman - Adventures in London” and when and what motivated her to start her blog adventures. She will also share with us who her favourite bugs are, what we can do to value these little helpers (nocturnal ones as well) and what we can tell our children about insects. 



Viv’s work closely parallels the core message that this show continually shares with its audience, namely the urgency to value all plants, bugs, birds, rivers, oceans etc. We all are, after all, a small part of a bigger system called Life where each element has its own place and purpose. 



As you will hear in the next episode, in every heart - even the smallest - there is the rhythm of the heartbeat of life and love. 



Join us today!]]>1793falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/stories-from-our-mother--46200705


Today, I am taking you to a person from the cradle of humankind - Africa. We will be visiting Nigeria, at least virtually, a country in West Africa known for its oil reserves and being the largest country on the continent. Nigeria is also one of the world's most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations with more than 250 ethnic groups.



However, Nigeria is even richer with another resource. What could that be? 



Stories…



Nigeria is a country rich in storytelling. Electricity maybe a recent phenomenon that brought Nigeria and the world not only light but soon thereafter the radio, TV and the internet. However, storytelling is as old as humanity and Nigeria, as one would expect with its richness in cultural diversity, is blessed with a legacy of storytelling. 



My guest today is the bestselling author Yejide Kilanko, born and raised in Nigeria but now living in Ontario, Canada. Yejide’s first novel, published in 2012, “Daughters Who Walk this Path”, transports readers to her native Nigeria, telling a story of a spirited and intelligent young girl Morayo that brings attention to the kind of violence many women in the world suffer in silence. After reading this extraordinary novel I became a big fan of Yejide Kilanko.



Hence, it is an incredible honour for me to welcome one of my favourite authors as my guest today. We will discuss what storytelling means to humanity, how it influenced Yejide’s writing and how Mother Earth lives in our stories. Considering today’s buzz, we will also discuss if words have lost their meaning. We finish with an outlook regarding Yejide’s future work. 



Join us today as it is a remarkable story. ]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=105618Mon, 23 Aug 2021 07:02:00 +0000WebTalkRadioWith Yejide Kilanko, Bestselling Author Today, I am taking you to a person from the cradle of humankind - Africa. We will be visiting Nigeria, at least virtually, a country in West Africa known for its oil reserves and being the largest country on...


Today, I am taking you to a person from the cradle of humankind - Africa. We will be visiting Nigeria, at least virtually, a country in West Africa known for its oil reserves and being the largest country on the continent. Nigeria is also one of the world's most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations with more than 250 ethnic groups.



However, Nigeria is even richer with another resource. What could that be? 



Stories…



Nigeria is a country rich in storytelling. Electricity maybe a recent phenomenon that brought Nigeria and the world not only light but soon thereafter the radio, TV and the internet. However, storytelling is as old as humanity and Nigeria, as one would expect with its richness in cultural diversity, is blessed with a legacy of storytelling. 



My guest today is the bestselling author Yejide Kilanko, born and raised in Nigeria but now living in Ontario, Canada. Yejide’s first novel, published in 2012, “Daughters Who Walk this Path”, transports readers to her native Nigeria, telling a story of a spirited and intelligent young girl Morayo that brings attention to the kind of violence many women in the world suffer in silence. After reading this extraordinary novel I became a big fan of Yejide Kilanko.



Hence, it is an incredible honour for me to welcome one of my favourite authors as my guest today. We will discuss what storytelling means to humanity, how it influenced Yejide’s writing and how Mother Earth lives in our stories. Considering today’s buzz, we will also discuss if words have lost their meaning. We finish with an outlook regarding Yejide’s future work. 



Join us today as it is a remarkable story. ]]>2694falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-cacao-with-love-galia-orme-founder-and-ceo-of-choc-chick--46114724The post From Cacao with Love: Galia Orme, Founder and CEO of CHOC CHICK appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.]]>https://webtalkradio.net/?p=105592Mon, 16 Aug 2021 13:55:29 +0000WebTalkRadioMy very first guest on “Conversations with Mother Earth” is Galia Orme, Founder and CEO of CHOC CHICK, the home of raw cacao. Galia is now based in the UK, but her roots are in Argentina where some of her earliest childhood memories are of making –...The post From Cacao with Love: Galia Orme, Founder and CEO of CHOC CHICK appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.]]>1547falsefull