Nature's Playbook
How can we include nature in the conversations that shape our lives and work?
For most of us, ‘nature’ isn’t a distant idea – we watch the birds, tend gardens, swim in rivers, walk in the woods, and feel the changing seasons.
We have a deep familiarity and affection for the living world – but it generally isn’t present in our everyday conversations as a partner, inspiration and guide.
That feels like a missing piece – and I’m running a few online conversational experiments to see how we might do this.
Who has a seat at the table?
Every conversation includes some voices and leaves others out.
We make space for colleagues, customers, budgets and deadlines – but how often do we consciously include nature?
What if rivers, forests, soils, birds or future generations had a seat at the table where things get discussed and decided?
And how could we even hold that conversation?
Nature’s Playbook is a small contribution to this growing area of inquiry.
What are the sessions like?
Each conversational experiment will have playful elements to bring forward creativity and imagination, and reflective practices to help us process deeper thoughts and feelings.
These aren’t polished sessions, and you don’t need any expertise to take part – just a willingness to explore with others.
Here are some of the conversational experiments coming up:
Everyday biomimicry
Can an organisation be more like a woodland? A dandelion? Or a herd of elephants?
Biomimicry is the ‘conscious emulation of life’s genius’ and is often used by engineers, architects, permaculturists and designers. But why stop there? In these creative and embodied experiments we’ll let life inspire the way we communicate, collaborate, adapt, build trust and more besides.
Annual Review with Mother Nature
A few years ago Apple ran an advert where Mother Nature breezes into a boardroom (literally floating in through a window) and holds the board to account for their environmental impact.
It’s a neat idea, and it made me wonder: what would it be like to have an Annual Review with Mother Nature?
Would you talk about your achievements, direction and growth – or would something else happen?
More-than-human dialogue
I find Joanna Macy’s ‘Council of All Beings’ and Ruth Catlow’s approaches to interspecies dialogue both humbling and inspiring.
Following their work, we’ll explore what happens when we take on the perspective of a tree, a river, a fox, a wildflower or a weed as we discuss everyday situations and challenges. You might hear yourself saying “Can I offer you the perspective of a fox on that…?”
Playback Theatre
Playback Theatre sees personal stories from the audience reenacted by the players. It’s a beautiful, tender form of theatre that reflects the deeper currents flowing through our stories – and our lives.
This online performance by a Playback Theatre group will draw on our stories of connection with the living world – from awe and intimacy, to disconnection and loss, followed by a reflective group process.
How to join
I hope you’ll get something from these sessions, and in the wider picture you’ll be helping me develop activities for teams and groups.
Upcoming sessions
These sessions are online, limited to 6 people each time.
⏵ Annual Review with Mother Nature
Wednesday 16 September – 6pm (UK)
Details and booking
Wednesday 14 October – 6pm (UK)
Details and booking
⏵ Everyday Biomimicry
Wednesday 8 September – 6pm (UK)
Details and booking
I’d love for you to join one of these conversations so we can learn together. If you have any questions fee free to get in touch.
A playful approach
Theatre director Joan Littlewood said, “If we don’t get lost we’ll never find a new way,” and I think that applies here.
These sessions fall somewhere in-between story, culture, habit and perception. It’s the messy middle ground where it helps to be both grounded and playful.
As Joanna Macy said:
“Perhaps play is more important than ever. Play can free us from taking ourselves too seriously – excessive seriousness is blinding.
“We don’t need to walk around in sackcloth and ashes and sobbing. Grief is natural, and so is laughter, and we can trust our own nature. We can trust life.”
