Shows
The ADDAThe Inheritance of Trauma: Genetics, Resilience & Decolonising Victimhood with Dr. Rana Dajani | Ep. 14What if trauma carries a hidden gift; biological adaptability for future generations?Join host Deepa Mirchandani and guest Dr. Rana Dajani as they unpack a ground‑breaking epigenetic study on three generations of Syrian women and discuss why decolonising science starts with decolonising our own minds.This conversation is from one of our Group ADDA sessions and in it we share Deepa’s conversation with Dr. Rana and also snapshots of the rich group discussion that followed. We had participants from India, Kenya, the USA, Spain and the UK and what ensued was lively and heartfelt.We hope...2025-06-1253 min
The ADDAThe Inheritance of Trauma: Genetics, Resilience & Decolonising Victimhood with Dr. Rana Dajani | Ep. 14What if trauma carries a hidden gift; biological adaptability for future generations?Join host Deepa Mirchandani and guest Dr. Rana Dajani as they unpack a ground‑breaking epigenetic study on three generations of Syrian women and discuss why decolonising science starts with decolonising our own minds.This conversation is from one of our Group ADDA sessions and in it we share Deepa’s conversation with Dr. Rana and also snapshots of the rich group discussion that followed. We had participants from India, Kenya, the USA, Spain and the UK and what ensued was lively and heartfelt.We hope you...2025-06-1253 min
The ADDAThe Inheritance of Trauma: Resilience & Decolonising Victimhood with Dr. Rana Dajani | Ep. 14What if trauma carries a hidden gift; biological adaptability for future generations?Join host Deepa Mirchandani and guest Dr. Rana Dajani as they unpack a ground‑breaking epigenetic study on three generations of Syrian women and discuss why decolonising science starts with decolonising our own minds.This conversation is from one of our Group ADDA sessions and in it we share Deepa’s conversation with Dr. Rana and also snapshots of the rich group discussion that followed. We had participants from India, Kenya, the USA, Spain and the UK and what ensued was live...2025-06-1253 min
The ADDAAhimsa in the Modern World: The Power of Non-Violence with Rajni Bakshi | E. 10In this episode, Deepa Mirchandani shares a conversation with Rajni Bakshi, an award-winning journalist and author known for her work on social, political, and economic issues. Her celebrated book, Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom, reimagines value, exchange, and monetary systems driven by equity. Rajni also hosts Ahimsa Conversations, a channel exploring the modern relevance of non-violence.The conversation explores corporate sustainability, the role of social and environmental responsible investment, and the challenges posed by violent structures and systems in our global society. They reflect on activism,, and the value placed on money, alongside Rajni’s critique of the East India Co...2025-06-022h 10
The ADDADisplaced, Not Erased: Refugee Stories with Olivier Nkunzurwanda | Ep. 12"We may all be refugees, but we don't live the same stories." – Olivier NkunzurwandaWhat does it mean to have control over your own story?In this episode of #theADDA, Deepa Mirchandani chats to Olivier Nkunzurwanda, a social entrepreneur who turned displacement into action. Forced to flee the DRC, Olivier arrived in Uganda as a refugee. But instead of being defined by that label, he built something that would change lives - the Refugee Innovation Centre, a space where digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and education empower people to shape their own futures, and provides the skills to...2025-06-021h 11
The ADDAEmbracing Endings: Grief In All Its Forms with Emily Bazalgette | Ep. 13In this episode, Deepa Mirchandani speaks to Emily Bazalgette, a facilitator, coach, and grief tender who supports the creation of graceful endings. She’s also the author of GriefSick, a writing project that speaks to chronic illness and grief.Emily joins Deepa to explore the quiet ongoing griefs we rarely speak of: chronic illness, endings without ceremony, and the illusion of control in a world that is constantly changing. Their conversation delves into Emily's reflections on longing for ritual, for ways to mark the unspoken losses of daily life, and the strange aliveness of grief. Th...2025-06-011h 39
The ADDAEmbracing Endings: Grief In All Its Forms with Emily Bazalgette | Ep. 13In this episode, Deepa Mirchandani speaks to Emily Bazalgette, a facilitator, coach, and grief tender who supports the creation of graceful endings. She’s also the author of GriefSick, a writing project that speaks to chronic illness and grief.Emily joins Deepa to explore the quiet ongoing griefs we rarely speak of: chronic illness, endings without ceremony, and the illusion of control in a world that is constantly changing. Their conversation delves into Emily's reflections on longing for ritual, for ways to mark the unspoken losses of daily life, and the strange aliveness of grief. They consider why disabled and ch...2025-05-081h 39
The ADDADisplaced, Not Erased: Refugee Stories with Olivier Nkunzurwanda | Ep. 12"We may all be refugees, but we don't live the same stories." – Olivier NkunzurwandaWhat does it mean to have control over your own story?In this episode of #theADDA, Deepa Mirchandani chats to Olivier Nkunzurwanda, a social entrepreneur who turned displacement into action. Forced to flee the DRC, Olivier arrived in Uganda as a refugee. But instead of being defined by that label, he built something that would change lives - the Refugee Innovation Centre, a space where digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and education empower people to shape their own futures, and provides the skills to share their stories and experiences.Th...2025-05-081h 11
The ADDAHow Cognitive Biases & Shortcuts Hinder the Human Condition with Matt Klein | Ep. 11In this episode, Deepa Mirchandani sits down with Matt Klein, cultural theorist, strategist, and Head of Global Foresight at Reddit, to explore the value of global trends and why you need to dig deep to understand what they reveal about human behavior today and in the future.As algorithms conspire to shape our realities and quick fixes dominate our thinking, Matt and Deepa discuss the challenges of critical thought, the power of cultural foresight, and whether seeing the patterns and connections between the nodes in an era of blinders and biases can actually give us hope.We hope you enjoy...2025-05-081h 14
The ADDAHow Cognitive Biases & Shortcuts Hinder the Human Condition with Matt Klein | Ep. 11In this episode, Deepa Mirchandani sits down with Matt Klein, cultural theorist, strategist, and Head of Global Foresight at Reddit, to explore the value of global trends and why you need to dig deep to understand what they reveal about human behavior today and in the future.As algorithms conspire to shape our realities and quick fixes dominate our thinking, Matt and Deepa discuss the challenges of critical thought, the power of cultural foresight, and whether seeing the patterns and connections between the nodes in an era of blinders and biases can actually give us hope.2025-05-081h 14
The ADDAAhimsa in the Modern World: The Power of Non-Violence with Rajni Bakshi | E. 10In this episode, Deepa Mirchandani shares a conversation with Rajni Bakshi, an award-winning journalist and author known for her work on social, political, and economic issues. Her celebrated book, Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom, reimagines value, exchange, and monetary systems driven by equity. Rajni also hosts Ahimsa Conversations, a channel exploring the modern relevance of non-violence.The conversation explores corporate sustainability, the role of social and environmental responsible investment, and the challenges posed by violent structures and systems in our global society. They reflect on activism,, and the value placed on money, alongside Rajni’s critique of the East India Company an...2025-05-082h 10
The ADDARadical Love and The Messiness of Showing Up with Satish Kumar | Ep. 9In Episode 9 Deepa Mirchandani shares a conversation with Satish Kumar, a peace pilgrim, activist, and founder of Resurgence Magazine and Schumacher College. Satish has inspired thousands over decades to connect deeply with the land, their communities and themselves.The group session explored what it means to show up with radical love, the struggles of working in the impact and regenerative worlds and how to deal with the complexities of our time. The multifaceted conversation covered topics like education systems, societal expectations, and challenging norms. Guiding us through this conversation, Satish offered us the chance to understand and feel into...2025-05-0850 min
The ADDARadical Love and The Messiness of Showing Up with Satish Kumar | Ep. 9In Episode 9 Deepa Mirchandani shares a conversation with Satish Kumar, a peace pilgrim, activist, and founder of Resurgence Magazine and Schumacher College. Satish has inspired thousands over decades to connect deeply with the land, their communities and themselves.The group session explored what it means to show up with radical love, the struggles of working in the impact and regenerative worlds and how to deal with the complexities of our time. The multifaceted conversation covered topics like education systems, societal expectations, and challenging norms. Guiding us through this conversation, Satish offered us the chance to understand and feel into what...2025-05-0850 min
The ADDABuilding Regenerative Enterprises with Integrity & Purpose with Robin Rutchik | Ep. 8Welcome to the ADDA, a space for better conversations.This Group ADDA is thrilled to have Robin Rutchik, director of Tuqtuqilal, a regenerative centre that promotes community development through artisanal production, agroecology, ecotourism and education in rural Guatemala. Robin’s lived there for over a decade, bringing her learning in permaculture and green building design to the organisation’s philosophy of earth care, people care and fair share. When it comes to designing “village projects” or regenerative land programmes, the environmental intentions are often noble and get much consideration, but the engagement, involvement and permission of the local, host communities are ofte...2024-11-2643 min
The ADDAWhat is Permaculture? A Freedom Seeker’s Journey with Elyes Mkacher | Ep. 7In episode 7, we are thrilled to be in conversation with Elyes Mkacher. Elyes is a regenerative farmer, a holistic thinker, a professional permaculture designer and educator. He’s the founder of Dar Emmima, a permaculture education center based in Chebba, Tunisia, you can find the link to Dar Emmima and Elyes’ in the show notes below. I hope you enjoy our conversation!You can find more of Elyes's work here: Dar Emmima Course in partnership with the Design School for Regenerating Earth Elyes' TedX talk - "Dare to be Free"The ADDA is brought to you by The Deep & Mean...2024-10-221h 44
The ADDAHow Do We Understand Systems Change with Gemma Drake | Ep. 6This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Gemma Drake, a designer, systems thinker and coach for social change. In this conversation we explore the challenges and differences between systems thinking and design, what that means for those of us that work in social change and how we hold spaces for multi-stakeholder systems design, particularly when they all don’t always necessarily agree. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and learn together freely. Hope you enjoy it!The ADDA is brought to you by The Deep & Meaningful Co...2024-09-2626 min
The ADDAHow Do We Understand Systems Change with Gemma Drake | Ep. 6This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Gemma Drake, a designer, systems thinker and coach for social change. In this conversation we explore the challenges and differences between systems thinking and design, what that means for those of us that work in social change and how we hold spaces for multi-stakeholder systems design, particularly when they all don’t always necessarily agree. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and learn together freely. Hope you enjoy it!The ADDA is brought to you by Th...2024-09-2626 min
The ADDAExploring Heteronormativity with Dr. Ester McGeeney | Ep. 5This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with the phenomenal Dr. Ester McGeeney who has been a friend for over 20 years. Ester is also the co-author of the manual Great Relationships and Sex Education which provides educators with over 200 activities to guide working with young people on topics as wide ranging from consent, to navigating relationships, and of course, heteronormal. In this conversation, we talk about what heteronormativity is, why it’s important and how what the “norm” is has been predetermined by history and a set of values that are not only antiquated, but offensive. We cover...2024-09-2552 min
The ADDAExploring Heteronormativity with Dr. Ester McGeeney | Ep. 5This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with the phenomenal Dr. Ester McGeeney who has been a friend for over 20 years. Ester is also the co-author of the manual Great Relationships and Sex Education which provides educators with over 200 activities to guide working with young people on topics as wide ranging from consent, to navigating relationships, and of course, heteronormal. In this conversation, we talk about what heteronormativity is, why it’s important and how what the “norm” is has been predetermined by history and a set of values that are not only antiquated, but offensive. We cov...2024-09-2552 min
The ADDAWhy ‘War’ Is Never the Right Metaphor with Dominika Noworolska | Ep. 4This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Dominika Noworolska, who is a Transcontextual researcher & facilitator. In this conversation, Dominika explores the complexities of the use of metaphors and how it’s damaging to always be “at war” on things like drugs, terror, cancer..well, you name it. Not only does the use of such tropes mean that we’re constantly in a state of anxiety, it shapes how we are able to respond to the challenges, both individually and collectively. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and lear...2024-09-2535 min
The ADDAWhy ‘War’ Is Never the Right Metaphor with Dominika Noworolska | Ep. 4This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Dominika Noworolska, who is a Transcontextual researcher & facilitator. In this conversation, Dominika explores the complexities of the use of metaphors and how it’s damaging to always be “at war” on things like drugs, terror, cancer..well, you name it. Not only does the use of such tropes mean that we’re constantly in a state of anxiety, it shapes how we are able to respond to the challenges, both individually and collectively. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share an...2024-09-2535 min
The ADDAExploring Colonial Narratives and Media Bias with Meera Dattani | Ep. 3This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Meera Dattani who is the Senior Editor of Adventure.com and a travel and culture journalist. In this conversation, Meera explores the intrinsic biases and the lazy decision making that still exist in the media’s portrayal, both in writing and in visual representations of communities. She shares examples of how the “colonial lens” is nuanced but permeates throughout mainstream media to perpetuate and exploit stereotypes and how that harms our societies. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and le...2024-09-2531 min
The ADDAExploring Colonial Narratives and Media Bias with Meera Dattani | Ep. 3This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Meera Dattani who is the Senior Editor of Adventure.com and a travel and culture journalist. In this conversation, Meera explores the intrinsic biases and the lazy decision making that still exist in the media’s portrayal, both in writing and in visual representations of communities. She shares examples of how the “colonial lens” is nuanced but permeates throughout mainstream media to perpetuate and exploit stereotypes and how that harms our societies. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and learn...2024-09-2531 min
The ADDAHow Neighbourhood Economics can Improve Our Lives with Siddharth Sthalekar | Ep. 2This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Siddharth Sthalekar, an old friend who is the founder of the Neighbourhoods Foundation, which creates digital social spaces that enhance social coordination, sense-making, and community self-determination. In this conversation Sid talks about how his experience in finance has helped him rethink what our economic systems could and should be and how the Neighbourhoods platform can help shape a more equitable, multi-dimensional future. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and learn together freely. Hope you enjoy it!...2024-09-2035 min
The ADDAHow Neighbourhood Economics can Improve Our Lives with Siddharth Sthalekar | Ep. 2This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Siddharth Sthalekar, an old friend who is the founder of the Neighbourhoods Foundation, which creates digital social spaces that enhance social coordination, sense-making, and community self-determination. In this conversation Sid talks about how his experience in finance has helped him rethink what our economic systems could and should be and how the Neighbourhoods platform can help shape a more equitable, multi-dimensional future. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and learn together freely. Hope you enjoy it!The ADDA is...2024-09-2035 min
The ADDAUnderstanding The DNA of Racial Trauma with Joshua Isaac Smith | Ep. 1This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Joshua Isaac Smith, who is the Leadership Fellow and Co-Facilitator of the Society of Leadership Fellows. In this conversation, we explore what racial trauma is and how this permeates intergenerationally and influences the very DNA of those that experience and live with it. We explored everything from the impact of microaggressions to systemic institutional racism and how these affect the body as well as the mind. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and learn together freely. Hope you...2024-09-1915 min
The ADDAUnderstanding The DNA of Racial Trauma with Joshua Isaac Smith | Ep. 1This is a snapshot of one of our group conversations with Joshua Isaac Smith, who is the Leadership Fellow and Co-Facilitator of the Society of Leadership Fellows. In this conversation, we explore what racial trauma is and how this permeates intergenerationally and influences the very DNA of those that experience and live with it. We explored everything from the impact of microaggressions to systemic institutional racism and how these affect the body as well as the mind. The rest of the conversation was held in confidence for participants to be able to share and learn together freely. Hope you enjoy...2024-09-1915 min
The Climate ConnectionTaking the temperatureThe opening episode of The Climate Connection considers what the ELT Community is already doing – and what it should be doing – about the climate crisis. The first interview is with Harry Kuchah Kuchah, President of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language, who provides some general guidance on this issue whilst also talking specifically about his work in Cameroon and with young learners. Picking up some of Harry’s main themes, Deepa Mirchandani and Chris Graham talk about their forthcoming report Language Teaching for the Planet, which brings together the reflections and id...2021-05-1145 min