The Wisdom & Action Podcast

In June 2024, Berry sat down with the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall for a deeply moving conversation about her life, legacy, and hopes for the future. Reflecting on decades of groundbreaking work with chimpanzees and tireless advocacy for the planet, Dr. Goodall shared her wisdom, humour, and enduring belief in human potential. This exchange, originally recorded as a personal conversation, now feels especially poignant. We’re releasing it as a podcast episode in celebration of her extraordinary life and to honour the profound impact she made on the world and everyone who had the privilege to learn from her.Also, here’s the rewilding video Berry mentions in the intro, and here’s the video about Wouda Jane mentions at the end of the episode. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Berry sits down with Thupten Jinpa, longtime translator and companion to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for a conversation about compassion, transformation, and what it means to live a spiritual life in the modern world. Jinpa shares his extraordinary journey of monkhood, lessons he learnt from the Dalai Lama, and muses on profound teachings such as the “second arrow”. Also, here’s the rewilding video Berry mentions in the intro!Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected LeaderAnd finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Berry sits down with Matt Kuperholz —a seasoned computer scientist, business advisor, and creative mind with over 30 years’ experience bringing AI solutions to life. Matt isn’t just tech-savvy—he’s an AI optimist who’s been living and breathing technology since childhood. This sprawling, exploratory conversation is perfect for listeners with burning questions about AI’s present and future, ethics, and what it all means for humanity right now.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Wisdom and Action podcast, Berry sits down with Sam Lee, the acclaimed British folk singer, song collector, and environmental activist. Sam shares his remarkable journey from apprentice song collector to national treasure, revealing how ancient music, oral tradition, and nature are deeply intertwined. The conversation flows from the magic of ancient trees to the revival of thousand-year-old songs, exploring what it means to be a "song keeper" in the modern world and why these traditions matter now more than ever.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Berry welcomes Sjane and Alexandra—co-founders of Red School and pioneers in menstruality education—for a conversation that invites us to rethink our relationship with the rhythms of our bodies and lives. Sjane and Alexandra bring profound insight and warmth to questions rarely asked: How can we reclaim the power of our cycles? What does it mean to lead from a place of deep listening and inner authority? And how might honouring menstruality unlock new possibilities for healing, leadership, and collective flourishing?Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kaj Löfgren has spent his life building movements, nurturing communities, and turning bold ideas into reality. Kaj is a social innovator, systems thinker, founding force behind the School of Life Australia, Regen Melbourne, and is also the Head of Small Giants Labs and member of the Small Giants Founders Circle. In this episode he brings a unique perspective on embracing complexity and weaving wisdom into action, asking questions such as: How do we create the conditions for new possibilities? What does leadership look like in an era of crisis? And how do we foster communities that can truly thrive?Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music is Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you sit down with someone who’s spent their life not just designing buildings, but reimagining the very systems that shape our world? In this episode, Berry welcomes Indy Johar—architect, philosopher, and co-founder of Dark Matter Labs—for a conversation that dives deep into the heart of what it means to live wisely and act boldly in an entangled world. Indy brings a rare mix of big-picture thinking and practical wisdom to questions that can feel almost too big to tackle: How do we move beyond outdated ideas of individualism? What does it look like to build institutions—and even cities—that nurture fairness, resilience, and genuine connection? And how do we find hope and agency when the scale of our global challenges feels overwhelming?Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and EmpathySmall Giants Academy - Interconnected LeaderAnd finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you sit down with someone who’s spent their life building bridges—across continents, industries, and even generations? In this episode, Berry welcomes Sandrine Dixon-Declève, co-president of the Club of Rome, for a candid conversation about hope, courage, and finding wisdom in the chaos of our times.Sandrine brings warmth, honesty, and a touch of humour to topics that can feel overwhelming: climate crisis, misinformation, and the urgent need for global cooperation. She shares stories from her own family’s history of resilience, her early days working with European policymakers, and what it’s like to lead a legendary organisation that’s often misunderstood as “the Illuminati for good.”Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we create the world we want to see? On this episode of Wisdom & Action, Ariel Burger shares his journey from a curious teenager to a mentee of Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel. Ariel reflects on Wiesel's transformative influence, the power of questions, and the intersection of spirituality, art, and social change. As an author, educator, and founder of the Witness Institute, Ariel takes us through what it means to be a regulated human, how stories have the power to transform the world, and why joy is so important to hold in our pursuit for a better future. Books: Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom by Ariel BurgerWant to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenny Gray is the Chief Executive Officer to Zoos Victoria and a global champion for conservation efforts. In her time at Zoos Victoria, she has spearheaded efforts into saving Victoria’s endangered species, and educated people on how we can all play a part in the conservation of our natural environment. We chat about conservation, leading with empathy and why there is still hope for our native world’s future. With thanks to Zoos Victoria for the recording of the Christmas Island pipistrelle bats. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Wisdom in Action, I speak with Alexander Beiner, cultural thinker and author of The Bigger Picture, about the urgent need for new frameworks to navigate our complex world. We delve into Alexander's journey—from his early fascination with psychedelics and consciousness to founding the influential platform Rebel Wisdom, and explore the role of culture in shaping society– and why real change begins with a shift in collective values and beliefs. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katrine Kielos (previously Katrine Marçal) is the bestselling author of Who Cooked Adam Smith’s Dinner? In this episode Katrine unpacks feminist economics, illuminating the unpaid, often invisible labor women perform in supporting the traditional workforce. We explore the concept of the "economic man" and question why our economic systems undervalue relational work and care. It’s a thought-provoking conversation that invites listeners to reimagine the next economy, one that truly values humanity's collective efforts.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My friend Doug Abrams is a multiple New York Times-bestselling author as well as an editor, literary agent, film producer, and life adventurer. Doug shares his inspiring story, from overcoming a tough childhood to collaborating with creative legends like Nelson Mandela and Jane Goodall. We dive into the power of storytelling, why it matters so much right now, and how it shapes how we see ourselves and the world. Plus, Doug explains the difference between having knowledge and actually living with wisdom. This is a deep, fun, and uplifting chat that will nurture your soul.Books:The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World with the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas AbramsWant to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Lowry is the CEO of Bush Heritage Australia and a dear friend. In this episode we dive into Australia's ecological challenges, conservation strategies, and explore what a critical triage phase of saving threatened species and ecosystems with limited budgets looks like. Rachel’s heartfelt advocacy and grounded counsel offer a compelling vision for a sustainable, reforested Australia, and I am thrilled to share this episode with you. With thanks to Zoos Victoria for the recording of the Christmas Island pipistrelle bats. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roman Krznaric is a phenomenal thinker, writer, social philosopher with a PhD in political science who has written books I cherish, such as The Good Ancestor, How to Think Long Term in a Short Term World, Empathy, The Wonder Box and his latest book, History for Tomorrow, Inspiration from the Past for the Future of Humanity. In this conversation we chat about how history can inform future planning, explore the concept of cathedral thinking and dive into what hope means in the current state of the world.Three-horizon framework: Where the horizon meets the stars Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and EmpathySmall Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christiana Figueres is one of my heroes. A globally recognised leader in climate change advocacy and diplomacy, Christiana is an author and speaker who played a pivotal role in facilitating the historic Paris Agreement in 2015. We speak about finding hope and forging resilience in the face of climate catastrophe, and dive into what it means to transform pain and grief so that we can keep showing up to fight the good fight.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with the legendary Seth Godin—author, entrepreneur, marketing guru, and teacher. We delve into the power of tribes and storytelling, the role of community in making the world a better place, and the impact of technology on our lives. Seth shares his journey from endless travel to shifting his focus to climate activism with the Carbon Almanac, and we discuss the challenges of navigating modern life, the importance of sense-making, and the crucial role of curation in fostering meaningful connections. It’s a big one folks. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that explores how we can all contribute to a more resilient and hopeful future.Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we have Jacqueline Novogratz , entrepreneur, author and trailblazer who is the founder and CEO of Acumen, a nonprofit global venture capital fund whose goal is to use entrepreneurial approaches to address global poverty. Jacqueline shares her transformative journey from the world of banking to the forefront of reimagining finance's role for societal change, and reflects on the irony of capitalism's tools: often wielded for wealth accumulation, yet overlooked when it comes to fostering real, tangible evolution. Want to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music is Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Rasmus Nørgaard shares his unique perspective on the connection between property development and systems thinking. You might wonder how these two converge, but as Rasmus’ journey unfolds, it becomes evident that the built environment plays a pivotal role in the larger systems we navigate. What sets Rasmus apart is not just his heart, it’s commitment to a triple bottom line and incorporating economic, social, and planetary considerations into his builds. Join us for a fascinating exploration that looks to redefine success and sustainability in property development and the housing economy. Links mentioned:The Doughnut for Urban DevelopmentThe Overview EffectBerry’s work in property development:The Commons The Sociable WeaverThe Cape - Sustainable Living Cape PatersonWant to turn this wisdom into action?Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me in this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Riane Eisler, a distinguished social systems scientist and cultural historian. Riane’s personal journey– fleeing the Nazi regime as a child– deeply informs her dedication to understanding and addressing the roots of violence and oppression in human societies.Together, we explore Riane’s groundbreaking concepts such as partnership societies and dominator societies, and dive into what the caring economy means within our current system, and how we can forge a new path forward. At the age of 93, Riane embodies invaluable wisdom crucial for our era, and I can’t wait for you to listen. Books Mentioned:The Chalice and the Blade by Dr. Riane EislerThe Real Wealth of Nations by Dr. Riane EislerNurturing Our Humanity by Dr. Riane EislerResources: The Partnership Technology Toolkit: An Essential Resource for a Better FutureWant to turn this wisdom into action?Visit https://www.smallgiants.com.au/wisdomandaction to find out more, or email us at podcast@smallgiants.com.au.Small Giants Academy - Impact SafariSmall Giants Academy - The Mastery of Business and Empathy Small Giants Academy - Interconnected Leader  And finally if you want information delivered straight into your inbox, follow the Small Giants Academy newsletter here.Berry xProduced by AudiocraftTheme Music: Acquila by Monique DiMattina Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.