The Movement We Need ~ with Starhawk

Buy me a coffee Support The Movement We Need on SubstackThis episode is less a conversation and more of a training to support us in navigating both collective and everyday stress. It includes helpful practices for those on the frontlines of active movements or those simply seeking more steadiness in daily life.You might want to:Listen with friends, partners, or affinity groupsOn your own, during a moment of rest or spaciousnessIn short segments, rather than all at onceHave a pen and paper for reflection, journaling, or noting what feels usefulBe in a comfortable place to sit, lie down, or move gentlyAnd for those of you who have time to deepen into the practice this training episode offers, I might suggest carving out some physical space and the next 45 or so minutes to actively move through the practices I am about to share.

This is a sort of emergency podcast responding to the events of the last week, where we’ve seen yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, an out-and-out murder of a beautiful young man, Alex Pritti.What we’re witnessing is a great moral battle.Listen to the full episode as I share an excerpt from my book “The Fifth Sacred Thing,” where Maya tells a story during a ritual of scenes from many years prior, where the old women march out into the street, tear them up, and plant trees in the face of the advancing army.

This episode is a conversation with my co-teacher and long-time friend, Charles Williams, about the principles and practices of permaculture, and how they can address ecological and social challenges. We touch on the ethics of permaculture, including care for the earth, care for people, and fair share… and how these principles can be applied to create sustainable systems.To support my work - buy me a cuppa!Visit EarthActivistTraining.org to explore all courses and our upcoming Advanced Permaculture Certificate Program beginning this month.Earth Activist Training: Our advanced offerings support both practical skills and whole-systems thinking, from hands-on permaculture design, soil building, water catchment, and regenerative systems to a multi-year Diploma in Permaculture Design. Courses in disaster preparedness and resilient design prepare you to create homes and communities that can withstand ecological and social disruptions, while collaborative leadership training builds the skills to work effectively in groups and facilitate meaningful change. We also have a FREE seminar on Flood Mapping coming up on Jan. 26th. Learn more here.Episode book reference—Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World, by Tyson Yunkaporta

In this episode, I offer my thoughts after deep reflection on what has unfolded over the past 10 or so days around the U.S invasion of Venezuela, and the murder of Renee Good.For me, this has been enraging. It’s been upsetting. It’s been hard to even write about it because what do I say about it that hasn’t already been said a hundred times at this point? But I do want to say this…These are the acts of desperation. These are not the acts of a confident government. This is not just this one incident with ICE, but what it represents about the way ICE is being deployed. We need to up our resistance. And in doing that, I think we need to first acknowledge how effective our resistance has been. Horrific things are happening, but they have not done that without opposition. And the opposition continues to grow.Even in the face of such atrocity, let us continue to build the movement we need.

I really hope the new year is going to be a better year than 2025. 2025 started off pretty rough, reeling from the impact of the election, going into it with a sense of tremendous dread about what was to come. But I am less fearful than I was a year ago that it’s going to bring a descent into all-in-one fascism. I’m more hopeful that it is going to continue to build resistance and build a movement that can actually bring us into a more just, balanced, and nourishing world. Because it’s a new year, I think it might be a good time to take a pause and think for a moment about the world that we actually want. Enjoy this meditation, which you can listen to this New Year’s Eve, or in the coming weeks as you, too, root a little deeper into what you value, and therefore, HOW you wish to move forward.

I have recently started to develop a set of ideas looking at various permaculture principles and how they might apply to our current political situation.In this episode, I talk about a permaculture principle, "Feed What You Want to Grow," and its application to political and social systems as they relate to ethics and principles of permaculture, care for the earth, people, and future.Please consider becoming a paid member of my Substack. Paid members ensure all of my content, writings, teachings, and podcast episodes remain free for our entire community. Your membership really is a membership for all of us. Thank you!

Please consider becoming a paid member of my Substack. Paid members ensure all of my content, writings, teachings, and podcast episodes remain free for our entire community. Your membership really is a membership for all of us. Thank you!In this episode, I share my thoughts on the pervasive influence of patriarchy and toxic masculinity, from connections through cultural narratives perpetuated by figures like James Bond and the real-world implications seen in scandals like the Epstein files. These things shape societal views on power, gender, and relationships. Let’s talk about it.

In this special conversation, I talk with two great friends, Jay Jordan and LM Bogad, who happen to be behind some very well-known actions!We talk about tactical frivolity and creative resistance, revisiting the history and impact of movements like Reclaim the Streets and the Clown Army. There needs to be humor, creativity, and community in activism, and they not only remind us of this… they make it a core part of their planning.We also talk about the challenges of sustaining activism, the role of art in protest, and the need for diverse forms of participation.This episode really is a look into the world of creative activism with two leaders in the space of engagement. Enjoy!Get to know L.M. Bogad: www.lmbogad.com

The veil is thin. In this episode, I share some reflections on the intersection of spirituality and politics… and how this season of Samhain, Halloween, All Hallows’ Eve, and Día de los Muertos can be a profound teacher. As we approach this year’s Spiral Dance on November 1st, I also look back on the early days of this now 47-year-old ritual and how it’s woven together community, activism, teachings, and spirit.Every death nourishes some kind of new fertility, new rebirth, new regrowth. Journey with me in this episode to explore these questions, and to honor this season of transformation and remembrance.Join The Spiral Dance HERE

Why is Planning a Ritual Like Planning a Protest?In this episode I look at low-risk actions, like No Kings Day, in building a broad base for activism that we can all take part in. And, as we near this year’s Spiral Dance, I talk a little bit about fostering renewal and community through the intersection of political action and ritual.Want to join The Spiral Dance on November 1st? Gather with us in person, or online from anywhere in the world! Get your tickets to the Spiral Dance HERE.This years Spiral Dance intention: With hearts broken open, we channel our love and rage into action to defend justice and the sacred.

If we are going to organize and mobilize the movement, we must work together effectively. Humans are complicated, but we can do remarkable things when we collaborate as communities of care and action.So, what does it mean to be an organizer? In this episode I talk about some of the core problems that can fracture a well intentioned group of activists, as well as offer solutions so we can create the movement we need, including:The role of an organizer in building alliances and supporting existing movements.The challenges faced by older activists and the importance of inclusive strategies.Insights on organizing effective protests, including logistics and crafting impactful narratives.The role of social media in modern activism.The importance of celebrating victories to sustain motivation and community spirit.Encouraging ordinary people to make extraordinary impacts in the fight for justice and democracy.This podcast is an extension of my teachings and many years of work in activism and justice. Your support through monthly membership on Substack is invaluable, and helps make all I do possible. You can also like, share, and get the word out! All support counts. Thank you!

In this conversation with Alfred Decker, we talk about the potential of permaculture and refugee support. Alfred shares about the initiative ‘Permaculture in Palestine,’ sharing more about the historical context of migration and the importance of integrating people care into permaculture practices. We were also joined by Sherry Maran, who is part of the steering committee for the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Of course, the nature of this conversation has evolved rapidly since it was recorded two months ago. And today, the collective effort to unite during this challenging time remains vital.

I am back home and settling in after a full summer’s teaching schedule in Europe and have a few stories to share from my time away. In this episode of The Movement We need, I reflect on some of the collaborative success stories I witnessed while visiting eco villages in France and Ireland… as well as past experiences in the Ukraine. Together, we will look at flexibility in our values, autonomy and agency, conflict resolution, and creating environments for deep connection and community growth.I also invite you to join me for a six-week online course “Empowering Collaborative Groups,” which begins next Tuesday, September 30th. Learn more about the content of this course here.Books referenced:The Empowerment Manual – by StarhawkCreating a Life Together – by Diana Leafe Christian

Meet José and Rafaela, two visionaries transforming a rural community in Portugal into a thriving cooperative and eco-village. I speak with José and Rafaela about the inspiring journey they have been on of hope, innovation, and a call to action for a sustainable future.Their example, faith, and efforts are a blueprint of a future that is possible.Learn more and connect here: Instagram - @Centro_Co.ReWebsite – www.co-re.infoContact: centro@co-re.info

This episode, recorded during my summer travels and teachings, explores stories of displacement and belonging across Palestinian, Jewish, and German communities.My guests are Tabea Tabazah (Palestinian/German) and Larry Faust (German). Through their stories, they offer perspectives that invite us into deeper listening and understanding as medicine for these times.This was a truly hear connected conversation, showing great inner resolve and compassion, and a willingness to meet the most challenging parts of ourselves and our heritage on the path toward justice and healing for all.Resources and links:StaatsraisonEmpathyforpeace.de

In this moving episode, we hear directly about the raw and heart-wrenching challenges faced by Ukrainian youth amidst the ongoing war. I spoke with Alexandra Chernomashyntseva and Marharyta Kurbanova, two women from Ukraine, who share their experiences working with young people in the war-torn regions. We learn about a new kind of resilience and courage in these youth as they navigate trauma and displacement. Through art camps and community support, Alexandra and Marharyta are showing up in profound ways for Ukraine's next generation.(As I’m traveling this summer, I’ve shifted the focus of this podcast to highlight some of the amazing people I’ve been meeting as I teach and travel. Time Zones and technical glitches have held us up for a few weeks, but we hope to get back on track and I’ll be home in mid-September!)Thank you to Alexandra and Marharyta for your work with the youth of Ukraine, and for sharing this important story. Here are links to donate to their important work:Base UA NGO website (the NGO we are officially working through). https://baseua.org/donate/Direct PayPal option - donate@baseua.orgIn all cases comment "Donation for the Art Camp" should be added, so the accountant knows which account the money should be transferred to.

In this episode, I talk with my co-teacher, Hiinahcit, Petrina Dezall, where she shares her work with plant medicines and the concept of Future Ancestors. Hiinahcit is of the Hesquiaht Band, of the Nuu Chah Nulth Nation, and in this conversation, she offers important teachings, insights, and lessons from her work with O.U.R Ecovillage… inviting us to consider our roles, presence, and consciousness, in a world where every action contributes to what we leave for future generations. Thank you, Hiinahcit, for so generously sharing your time and wisdom with this community.

Over the next few months, I will be traveling to some amazing parts of the world and will be doing something a little different on The Movement We Need Podcast. As I visit, work, and teach with a number of intentional communities and eco-villages, I’ll be speaking with teachers, friends, and collaborators about their experiences and expertise in community building.In this episode, I interview my friend Brandy Gallagher, founder of Our Ecovillage. It’s late in the evening, and we have had some fun dancing with internet drop-outs and technology gremlins - but we made it! We talk about creating eco-villages and intentional communities, the regulatory hurdles faced, and nurturing deep relationships. Join us for a great conversation on creating sustainable, cooperative cultures in today's world.As always, your support helps make this work possible. Sharing these posts and podcast episodes with your communities helps more people access my free teachings and offerings. And if you can, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on my Substack!

In this episode of The Movement We Need Podcast, I continue to look at permaculture principles as effective tools to guide our outlook and experiences in movement building.Observing nature can inform effective strategies for social change, particularly through the lens of protests and nonviolent movements. 🌱Protests are a great example. They impact so much more than what we immediately see, including their ability to build community, influence military morale, and challenge corporate power.

In this conversation, I ask the question: What if we had taken a regenerative approach to conflicts in the Middle East?As we enter this new vision of The Movement We Need Podcast, I look at permaculture ethics and principles for a regenerative approach to understanding and addressing conflicts. As always, your support makes it possible for me to continue offering this work for free so all may access it. Consider becoming a paid subscriber on my substack!