Brackish (formerly Making Design Circular with Katie Treggiden)

In this episode, Katie speaks with Bernadette Russell, a storyteller, author and passionate tree planter whose work invites us to pay closer attention to the quiet magic of everyday life. Bernadette weaves together stories, community action and environmental care into a body of work that is both deeply hopeful and fiercely grounded.“Hope isn’t passive – it requires action. It’s a practice.” - Bernadette RussellWe cover:- What inspired her to do a daily act of kindness for 366 days – and how it changed everything- The role of hope in dark times, and how it coexists with grief, rage and despair- Why kindness is more powerful than we think – and often quietly everywhere- Stories from her tree planting, storytelling, and community projects- The media response to the 2011 London riots – and why it fuelled her mission- The difference between performative and meaningful action – and why small matters- The tension between anger and hope, and how we hold both- What it means to notice goodness, and how it can change how we feel in the world“It provided me with an opportunity to look at the same garden, but from a different window.” - Bernadette RussellThis conversation is a gentle, powerful reminder that hope doesn’t require perfect circumstances, and kindness doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful.More from Bernadette:Website: www.bernadetterussell.comInstagram: @bernadetterussellBooks: Conversations of Kindness & How to Be Hopeful (these are affiliate links)More from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Nature-inspired poetry: https://brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/t/poetryResources mentioned:BBC Ideas Documentary on 366 Days of KindnessTrees for Cities and Street Trees for LivingThe Spiritual Poems of Rumi (this is an affiliate link)Check out my full Bookshop.org podcast reading list to find links to all the books mentioned throughout Season 6 of Brackish.What next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

Trigger Warning: We discuss the sudden loss of a loved one. If this is something you are experiencing right now or have a sensitivity towards, please listen with caution. In this episode, Katie speaks with Stefanie Cheong, an artist jeweller and educator based in Scotland, whose work sits at the intersection of geology, anthropology, and environmentalism.Stefanie explores the deep time stories of our planet through jewellery, objects, and collaborations — from cutting Scottish rocks to creating new materials from waste. Together, they discuss the GeoAnthropology Project, the emotional resilience of making, and how creativity, community, and connection can forge defiant hope even in the face of grief and crisis.“When everything else felt out of control, making gave me something I could do, something I could control.” - Stefanie CheongWe cover:- How Stefanie’s dyslexia shaped her creative process and love of making- The alchemy of metal and her discovery that it can be infinitely recycled- Why she chose to create her own ethical supply chain by finding and even making her own rocks- The GeoAnthropology Project — exploring human evolution through rock, from Stone Age flint to future fossils- What it feels like to work with rocks that are three billion years old- Her collaboration with architect Andy Campbell on Sitting Pretty — a bench that embodies deep time and material storytelling- How grief and creativity can coexist, and how making became a form of grounding and healing- The ritual of her Moon Rocks practice — working with one rock for each lunar cycle- Reclaiming hope through connection, action, and community — from People Planet Pint to Making Design Circular“Crisis can be a turning point — it means things can only get better.” - Stefanie CheongThis episode is a beautiful exploration of how creativity, geology, and grief intertwine. Stefanie reminds us that making is not only a way of storytelling through materials, but also a path back to ourselves. Through deep time, connection, and collaboration, she shows that even in crisis, there’s space for renewal and for hope forged in stone.More from Stefanie:Website: https://www.stefaniecheong.co.uk/Follow Stef: @stefaniecheong and @stefanieyinglincheongMore from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Nature-inspired poetry: https://brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/t/poetryResources mentioned:People Planet Pint / People Planet Pastry – global sustainability meetupsMaking Design Circular Podcast, with Katie & Lauren ChangBrackish, Season 6 Ep 12 with Helen BowkettResearch into the physiological effects of sewingCheck out my full Bookshop.org podcast reading list to find links to all the books mentioned throughout Season 6 of Brackish.What next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Emmi Salonen, a Finnish graphic designer, creative director and educator, about creative wellbeing, burnout recovery, and how nature, travel and making connect us back to purpose.Emmi is the founder of London-based Studio Emmi, known for championing Positive Creativity – the belief that design can foster wellbeing, connection, and sustainable choices. In this conversation, she shares the story behind her new book The Creative Wellbeing Handbook, how burnout changed her approach to creativity, and why building a creative ecosystem might be your most important project yet.“Your creativity doesn’t exist in a silo – it’s interdependent, like everything in nature.” - Emmi SalonenIn this conversation, Kerry shares her personal and professional journey, from working in egg mayonnaise factories and funding bid writing to co-founding a business with her sisters and how all of it led to the creation of work that is rooted in community, joy and transformation.What unfolds is a rich, honest and deeply human exploration of how we keep going when things feel hard, why creativity is a powerful force in social justice, and how we build structures that truly support wellbeing, not just perform it.We cover:- Emmi’s journey from burnout to building a model for creative wellbeing- How solo travel sparked her first creative idea after a long pause- The power of making, nature, and deep observation- What creatives can learn from traditional craft cultures- The five areas of Emmi’s “Creative Ecosystem” model – and how they map to the design process- Why presence, rest and joy are creative tools too- The book-writing process and gathering 100+ creative voices from around the worldThis episode is a gentle yet powerful invitation to rethink what it means to live and work creatively — especially when the spark feels far away.Through Emmi’s story of burnout, recovery, and deep solo travel, we’re reminded that creative energy isn’t something we force — it’s something we nourish. From volcanic landscapes to hand-carved bus stops, her journey weaves together beauty, slowness and connection as tools for coming back to ourselves.Whether you’re in a creative rut, craving spaciousness, or simply curious about building a more sustainable relationship with your work, this conversation is a quiet balm — full of warmth, wisdom and the kind of insight that lingers long after listening.More from Kerry:Studio Website: www.emmi.co.ukBook site: www.creativewellbeingbook.comFollow Emmi: @studioemmi on Instagram and LinkedInPre-Order Emmi’s book: The Creative Wellbeing Handbook – out November 12“Fundamentally, you are already enough. This book isn’t another to-do list – it’s an invitation to breathe in.” - Emmi SalonenMore from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Nature-inspired poetry: https://brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/t/poetryResources mentioned:Course: Sustainable Branding via DomestikaOnline Course: The Science of Well-Being by Yale UniversityCheck out my full Bookshop.org podcast reading list to find links to all the books mentioned throughout Season 6 of Brackish.What next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Kerry Tottingham, a social change designer and Strategic Lead of A Brilliant Thing CIC. Kerry’s work sits at the intersection of healing, systems change and creativity, and through her framework Healing-Centred Design®, she helps leaders and organisations transform adversity into energy, action and impact.“Hope isn’t an emotion. It’s an everyday action.” - Kerry TottinghamIn this conversation, Kerry shares her personal and professional journey, from working in egg mayonnaise factories and funding bid writing to co-founding a business with her sisters and how all of it led to the creation of work that is rooted in community, joy and transformation.What unfolds is a rich, honest and deeply human exploration of how we keep going when things feel hard, why creativity is a powerful force in social justice, and how we build structures that truly support wellbeing, not just perform it.We cover:- Kerry’s unconventional route to founding A Brilliant Thing CIC with her sisters- How the Healing-Centred Design® methodology works and why it matters- The shift from seeing hope as passive to practicing it as an active daily choice- What it means to move from pain to power, both personally and collectively- The role of sensory experiences, creativity and joy in designing systemic change- Why saying “not this” is a great place to start but not where we should stop- How Kerry’s team challenges conventional working norms- A look at her new book: Healing-Centred Transformation (June 2025)This episode is a beautiful reminder that healing and hope aren’t things we wait for, they’re things we build, bit by bit, through the choices we make every day.Whether you’re designing a programme, leading a team, navigating chronic illness, or simply trying to find your way through a difficult season, Kerry’s work offers a grounded, creative, and deeply human approach to doing it differently.More from Kerry:Website: https://brilliantthing.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrytottingham/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrilliantthing/More from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/coachingNature-inspired poetry: https://brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/t/poetryResources mentioned:Healing-Centred Transformation by Kerry Tottingham (This is an affiliate link)The Brilliant Club – a learning space and coaching programme for leaders living with chronic conditionsThe Brilliant Box – a deck of coaching cards for reflection, group development and values-led strategyBrilliant Thing, Desire Paths - Create desire paths to get work done (and meet our needs)Invisibilia (podcast) – Unseeable forces control human behavior and shape our ideas, beliefs, and assumptions. Invisibilia—Latin for invisible things—fuses narrative storytelling with science that will make you see your own life differently.Out of the Box project by Special ProjectsBrackish - S6 E9: Sas Petherick & Blackout Poem #5Check out my full Bookshop.org podcast reading list to find links to all the books mentioned throughout Season 6 of Brackish.What next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Helen Bowkett, a jack-of-all-trades craftswoman, Cornish Hedging Trainer, co-founder of the Cornwall Rural Education and Skills Trust (CREST), and Director of the Landwise Collective CIC.“The hedge is a portal to the wild and to deep time. It holds stories and seeds and something we’re on the edge of remembering.” - Helen BowkettHelen is a woman of many hats (and muddy boots). With a background spanning traditional craft, coach education, regenerative agriculture, and community project development, Helen brings a rare depth to her work, blending ancient skill with modern ecological thinking. At the heart of it all is a deep reverence for land, people, and place.In her 50s and loving it, Helen reflects on a life shaped by doing, not just dreaming. From milking cows before school on her family smallholding, to years spent at sea as a gig rower and coach, to training as a boat builder and restoring old cottages with her husband—her story is one of soulful graft, craft, and stewardship.Helen now stewards 13 acres of land in West Penwith, the most ancient hedging system in Cornwall. Through her teaching at Hillside Farm and the Landwise Collective, she offers training that’s not just about skill but about reconnection. Her approach to hedging is slow, relational, reflective, and rooted in community. It’s about empowering people to become active stewards of their places, to honour craft as a living lineage, and to rewild their hearts while tending the land.We cover:- What a Cornish hedge really is a stone-faced earth bank with roots in ancient farming, not just a wall or a hedgerow- The cultural, ecological and spiritual weight of the craft, from 3,800-year-old hedges to modern day biodiversity corridors- Why working with stone is an act of meditation, healing and reconnection and how it supports flow, rhythm, and mental well-being- What makes a good hedger (spoiler: it’s more mindset than muscle)- Being a woman in a male-dominated craft and how Helen’s approach invites women to work with their bodies, not against them- The difference between a craft hedge and a field hedge and why her work at Landwise is building something slower, wider, and more regenerative for the future- Hedges as metaphor, for boundaries, belonging, biodiversity, grief, legacy, and hopeIf you’ve ever felt the tug of the land, the need to slow down, or the quiet call to do something meaningful in the face of uncertainty, this conversation will move you. Tune in now and meet the woman who’s quietly weaving craft, care, and hope into the Cornish landscape, stone by stone.More from Helen:Website: https://crestcornwall.co.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550482445752More from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/coaching Nature-inspired poetry: https://brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/t/poetryResources mentioned:Active Hope by Joanna Macy (this is an affiliate link)Theory U by Otto Scharmer (this is an affiliate link)WWF’s Living Planet Report – referenced for biodiversity loss statsWhat next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Sarah Hakewill, a Coastal Coach, Culture & Change Strategist, and Londoner turned seaside dweller, about the power of cold water, community, and the sea as a space for reimagining our lives.“Being in the water is one of the only times my neurodivergent brain powers down. It’s like being transported to another universe.” - Sarah HakewillAfter 40+ years in London, Sarah moved to Margate during a time of personal upheaval and discovered the life-changing magic of daily tidal pool swims. Her journey from burnout to blue health led her to train as a certified Blue Health Coach in 2024 and combine 20+ years of culture change work with nature-based facilitation. Through her work, Sarah helps people and purpose-led businesses reconnect with what matters — through strategic retreats, coaching, and community-building by the sea.We cover:- How the stillness of the sea created space for healing and self-connection- Why midlife can be the perfect time to rewild yourself and ask what truly matters- The concept of “Naturehood” and building thriving ecosystems of people, purpose, and place- Blue health and “blue mind” as an antidote to burnout and digital overload- The power of tidal pools, cold water, and coastal community- Creative clarity, beginner’s mind, and noticing everyday magic- Making purpose-led work feel joyful, hopeful, and grounded in natureMore from Sarah:Website: https://seaofpurpose.com/More from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/Nature-inspired poetry: BrackishResources mentioned:Exeter University Research about coastal space being more accessible for people in lower socio-economic groups: https://news-archive.exeter.ac.uk/featurednews/title_754908_en.html#:~:text=Coastal%20living%20benefits%20mental%20health,those%20more%20than%2050km%20away.Blue Mind by Wallace J Nichols (affiliate link)Going Coastal Blue (Blue Health Coach Training)What next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Lucy Beckley, a writer, poet, and creative writing facilitator based in Cornwall, about creativity, motherhood, and defiant hope. “We don’t always get what we’re expecting when we pay attention. But often, we find something just as beautiful.” - Lucy BeckleyLucy holds an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing from Cambridge University. Her poetry has been shortlisted for multiple awards, including the Benjamin Zephaniah Future Writers Competition, and she runs workshops, retreats, and creative spaces that invite others into the joy and magic of writing.We cover:- How becoming a mother sparked Lucy’s decision to take her writing more seriously- Why writing often happens "in the seams" of daily life and how to honour that- Creating space to write as a form of resistance and healing- The powerful practice of metaphorically “emptying your pockets” before writing- How co-writing sessions and creative communities can combat the loneliness of writing- Lucy’s Small Acts of Attention cards and the magic of playful prompts- Embracing liminal spaces, the present moment, and the everyday poetry of life- The role of writers in cultivating “defiant hope” in a noisy worldThis conversation with Lucy is a gentle reminder that creativity doesn’t require grand gestures or perfect conditions; it thrives in the small moments, the quiet observations, and the spaces we carve out for ourselves.Whether you’re writing in the margins of your day, capturing ‘flapping thought ribbons’, or simply noticing the light through your window, you’re engaging in a deeply human, hopeful act. Lucy’s words invite us to slow down, pay attention, and honour the magic in what might otherwise go unseen. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, this kind of intentional noticing and the creative expression that flows from it is a radical, defiant kind of hope.More from Lucy:Website: www.lucybeckley.comInstagram: @lucybeckleyLinkedIn: Lucy Beckley | LinkedInX: Profile / XSubstack: https://lucybeckley.substack.com/More from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/Nature-inspired poetry: https://brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/t/poetryResources mentioned:Books:Small Acts of Attention Cards – a creative prompt tool for writers of all levels:Professional Writing MAPostgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative WritingAnaïs Nin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana%C3%AFs_Nin and Bio — The Anaïs Nin FoundationTrying with Emma BarnettOn Connection by Kae Tempest (this is an affiliate link)Matrescence by Lucy Jones (this is an affiliate link)Everyday Wonder by Sophie Howarth (this is an affiliate link)Instructions for Life by Mary Oliver, PoetWhat next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Sas Petherick, a self-belief coach, writer, speaker, and podcast host whose work explores the connection between self-doubt, self-trust, and meaningful living.  “Every small thing you do to create the world you want to live in has epic ripple effects that you may not see.” – Sas PetherickSas believes that healing our self-doubt is one of the most important contributions we can make to ourselves, our families, our work, and the world. She holds a Master's degree from Oxford, and their research on self-doubt was published in the International Journal of Coaching and Mentoring. She has developed an evidence-based, trauma-informed, ICF-accredited coaching methodology for cultivating self-belief.Over the past decade, she’s supported hundreds of women navigating self-doubt in their personal and professional lives. Their top 1% rated podcast, Courage & Spice, has over half a million downloads, and she’s worked with high-profile organisations like BBC Worldwide and Pinterest. Now living by the beach in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, with their partner Ash and pooch Bodhi, Sas spends their time imagining a post-capitalist world, exploring consciousness, and listening to obscure UFO podcasts. Sophie’s work spans theatre, film, and audio, and she is passionate about amplifying voices from both marginalised human and more-than-human communities. She is the founder of Teatro Vivo and SHH Productions, and currently serves as Creative Director at CHANGE Festival.“You’re going to experience failure and rejection anyway, why not do it while doing something you actually care about?” - Sas PetherickWe cover:- The personal and collective cost of self-doubt and how to recognise its disguises- Sas’s own journey from City burnout to self-belief coaching and sobriety- Why exquisite self-care is a radical act of defiance against capitalism- Reframing success through the lens of meaning, joy, and compassion- What it means to live a brave life and why discomfort is not the enemy- The connection between midlife, the inner wild, and returning to nature- The power of small actions and ripple effects in a world of despair“Taking exquisite care of yourself is not indulgent. It’s an act of rebellion.” - Sas PetherickThis episode is an invitation to pause, to ask better questions of ourselves, and to cultivate self-trust as an anchor through uncertainty. Whether you’re in a season of burnout, transition, or craving more meaning in your work and life, Sas’s insights offer a grounded, hopeful compass for what’s next.More from Sas:Website: https://www.saspetherick.comInstagram: @saspetherickSubstack & Podcast: Courage & SpiceMore from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/Nature-inspired poetry: BrackishResources mentioned:Books:Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown (this is an affiliate link)Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit (this is an affiliate link)If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon BlackieAll Fours by Miranda July (this is an affiliate link)The Middle Passage by James Hollis (this is an affiliate link)Falling Upward by Richar Rohr (this is an affiliate link)SubstackThings to do when you feel s**t, To Reality With Love by Nora PopovaJoeli Caparco & The Crumb, Brackish with Katite TreggidenWhat next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Sophie Austin, a multidisciplinary director, writer and producer, about how storytelling can become an act of regeneration, resistance, and community building. Sophie’s work spans theatre, film, and audio, and she is passionate about amplifying voices from both marginalised human and more-than-human communities. She is the founder of Teatro Vivo and SHH Productions, and currently serves as Creative Director at CHANGE Festival.“I want to find the people I trust in the long grass. That’s where I choose to make my work.” - Sophie AustinIn this conversation, Sophie she reflects on what it means to live and create at “the edge”—of comfort, of fear, and of systems—and how reconnecting with wonder can unlock new ways of seeing, sensing, and showing up in the world. You’ll hear how Sophie’s storytelling was transformed through motherhood, why she invites people to walk with her in the dark, and how improvisation, play, and community shape every project she leads. From her collaborative writing desk in the Oxford Botanic Gardens to her powerful film Climate Criminals, Sophie shares how she brings people together to co-create stories of hope and courage, even in the face of crisis.We cover:- How Sophie went from running immersive theatre in supermarkets and high streets to storytelling for environmental and social justice- Why she describes herself as a “wild storyteller” and what walking in darkness can teach us- The power of saying “yes, and…” and how it opens doors to deeper creative collaboration- Her interactive public art project What Happens Next and what it taught her about community- The behind-the-scenes story of Climate Criminals, the people it centres, and why its process mattered more than the product- Why the values of curiosity, creativity, bravery, and trust are essential for living and leading in uncertain timesMore from Sophie:Website: https://www.sophiejaneaustin.com/Instagram: @sophiejanesnapsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiejanedoes/Teatro VivoMore from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/Nature-inspired poetry: BrackishResources mentioned:https://youtu.be/pjkHtXRpyI4CHANGE FestivalWhat next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Alex Dunkley - a writer, musician, and independent funeral celebrant – about creativity, courage, and the quiet power of ritual.Alex weaves all three aspects of her work in and alongside each other kaleidoscopically, and identifies as being AuDHD. Her work invites stories into the room—whether that's through song, ceremony, or the written word—exploring how narrative can hold space for grief, joy, and everything in between. She’s deeply fascinated by the stories of our land and the songs they inspire. When not leading community choirs or sitting in a library researching rituals, you’ll find her on the coast path, filling her pockets with stones and listening to birdsong on the wind.“We need to live intentionally to really be active in the way we are in the world.” – Alex DunkleyIn this conversation, we explore the liminal – those tender in-between places – and how creativity and ritual help us to navigate them. Alex shares her journey from orchestras in London to community choirs in Cornwall, to her soul-stirring work as a celebrant. We talk about the ritual space between death and funeral, and the need for more honesty and intention in how we grieve and remember.We cover:Alex’s journey through music, community work, and into celebrancyWhy she believes ritual doesn’t need to be grand – just intentionalThe deep significance of the time between someone dying and their funeralHer experience writing beside a sacred fugu and the creative awakening it sparkedThe tension between logic and belief – and what happens when you choose to trust your own experience🎙️ Plus: Alex performs Shapeshifter, a haunting and poetic piece written in the fugu itself – a moment of myth, memory, and music that will stay with you long after listening.This episode is rich with story, personal reflection, and a kind of grounded magic. If you’ve ever struggled to claim a creative identity, yearned for more connection to the seasons or the land, or wondered how to make sense of the unexplainable, this one’s for you.More from Alex:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexdunkleywrites/Website: www.soulfulceremonies.co.ukMore from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/Nature-inspired poetry: BrackishResources mentioned:Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererMoth Tales Open Mic Night (Falmouth)Dyski, Creative residential workshops in Cornwall with a focus on immersive, experimental & place-based learningThe Writers’ Block, the writing centre in Cornwall, a place to write and a unique approach to developing confidence and skills in writing for everyone.What next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more and pre-order This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie speaks with Juliet Bennett, to explore how wild swimming, coaching, and nature combine to create powerful, transformative experiences. From the clarity of lake water to coaching on windswept beaches, Juliet shares her journey into blue health, her love for cold water immersion, and how outdoor coaching is opening up new ways for people to find purpose, hope, and connection."I added the word 'broken' to my brand because I needed people to know that there was space for them, however they arrived." – Amy WilsonWhat we cover:- Juliet’s first magical evening river swim- Why lake swimming is her non-negotiable weekly ritual- How volunteering as a water safety guide helped sharpen Juliet’s intuition- What “blue health coaching” is and how it changes the coaching dynamic- Real stories of coaching breakthroughs using natural landscapes- The link between hope, purpose, and taking action in uncertain timesIf you’re craving more meaning and connection in your life, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on the power of nature to ground us, shift our thinking, and bring us back to what matters.More from Juliet:LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-bennett-01918995/More from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/Nature-inspired poetry:BrackishResources mentioned:Coaching Outdoors conference: https://www.henley.ac.uk/events/coaching-outdoors-live-2Guardian Article: The Guardian view on rising sea levels: adaptation has never been more urgentA Poem For Every Night of The Year by Allie EsiriWhat next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more and pre-order This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie Treggiden speaks with Amy Wilson. Amy is an artistic and adventurous soul, wielding the epic powers of creativity daily at her studio, Acorn. She is passionate about creating brands, stories, and art in the world that shift paradigms and expand perspectives. Amy advocates for childlike play, the power of the imagination, Mother Earth, and the future - among other things! She is abstract, imperfect, free, and wildly creative."I added the word 'broken' to my brand because I needed people to know that there was space for them, however they arrived." – Amy WilsonWhat we cover:- Our shared experience of the challenges and joys of different seasons, and how the natural world impacts moods and energy levels.- Amy’s journey of transitioning from corporate design work to embracing her identity as an artist and creative. She discusses the importance of looking to nature as a source of inspiration and wisdom.- The concept of "front-end dreamers" - those who are pioneering new ideas and solutions, and the bravery and resilience required to forge that path.- The importance of choosing hope, even when it's challenging, hope is an active choice, not just a passive state.- We share strategies for maintaining hope in the face of adversity.- We reflect on the humbling experience of connecting with nature and the larger cosmic forces at play, and how that perspective can ground and inspire their creative work."I think for a long time, I thought that the answer was to just be more clever, or to work harder or to find a better solution. But actually, I think now the answer is to feel more." – Amy WilsonMore from Amy:Website: https://www.acornacorn.com/More from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/Nature-inspired poetry:BrackishResources mentioned:Art is the Highest Form of Hope Hope in the Dark by Rebecca SolnitThe BioLeadership FellowshipWhat next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more and pre-order This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

 In this episode, Katie Treggiden speaks with Kirsty Tanner, a Scottish multi-disciplinary artist, designer and maker, living in Liverpool. She runs design studio Tom Pigeon alongside her personal practice working across paint, textiles and collage. Kirsty's childhood in rural Scotland meets her love of Modernist design and Brutalist architecture, combining abstract expressions of nature with strong architectural line and negative space. Kirsty has worked on collaborative collections with clients including Tate Modern, The Barbican, V&A and Team GB. When not in the studio Kirsty can usually be found in the garden, at a flea market or in the sea! “I love my brain. It goes in all these different directions. I'm not going to beat myself up about it anymore. This is just the way I am.”“I crave being by the water... There is something special about the way you see the land when you're in the water. There's a sense of isolation, a disconnection that I absolutely love.”“My own creativity is giving me joy and hope. The new relationship is exciting. There are possibilities.”"Curiosity is the antidote to hopelessness."What we cover:– Kirsty discusses her childhood growing up in a small town in rural Scotland– What led Kirsty to start exploring painting and the draw to have your hands in nature– The Call of the Wild, when mid-life is cracking you wide open – we reflect on the challenges and opportunities of navigating midlife transitions, including coming to terms with neurodivergent traits, and the creative strengths that a non-linear thinking style can drive– The importance of self-compassion and finding ways to reconnect with nature and creativity.– The power of artist residencies - carving out time and immersing yourself in unfamiliar spaces and locations– Strategies for finding hope and optimism in difficult times, including the power of small daily pleasures.More from Kirsty:Website:  https://www.kirstytanner.com/ and https://www.tompigeon.com/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kirstytanner_studioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tompigeonstudioPinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/tompigeonstudio/More from Katie:Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Website: https://katietreggiden.com/Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/Nature-inspired poetry: https://brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/Resources mentioned:Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererWyl Menmuir – multi award winning author based in CornwallBio-Leadership FellowshipCards for Life by Thomas Mansfield / Pale Blue https://paleblueperspective.com/cards-for-lifeThe Lengths / @thelengths_studio – Where Kirsty did her residency in the Highlands What next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me.Click here to find out more and pre-order  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie Treggiden speaks with Joanne Lamb, an Irish artist based in London, who creates delicate woven vessels inspired by nature and the Celtic Wheel of the Year."I want each of the baskets to tell a story, they are imbued with a sense of time and place for me. The power of telling stories helps us connect with nature, event the earliest humans have done that." – Joanne LambWhat we cover:* Joanne's artistic process and how she creates delicate vessels that look "grown rather than made"* Reconnecting with Irish heritage and Celtic traditions after growing up disconnected from them* Using the Celtic Wheel of the Year as a framework for deepening connections to nature* The importance of storytelling and "creating a new path through old wisdom"* How art can help us notice and appreciate seasonal changes* Finding hope through creativity and community during challenging timesMore from Joanne:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannelambstudio* Website: https://www.joannelambstudio.co.uk/* Exhibit: "Constructed" at Gallery 57 in West Sussex* Workshop: Woven textiles & expressive basketry workshop, April 2025More from Katie:* Instagram: @katietreggiden.1* Website: https://katietreggiden.com/* Blue Health Coaching: https://makingdesigncircular.org/* Nature-inspired poetry:Resources mentioned:* Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer* Slow Seasons by Rosie Steer* Works by Mary Oliver* Works by Nan Shepherd* Gaia by James Lovelock* Deep Work by Cal Newport* Flowers, Flora in Contemporary Art at Saatchi Gallery, 12 Feb - 5 May 2025What next?If all this talk of defiant hope has got you wondering where you can find some, I have something for you. Cultivating Hope is my three-part mini-course and it’s the three steps I move through whenever I start to feel despair tugging at my edges.You will move out of ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode and into a calm and connected state, reconnect with nature, and find aligned actions that you can take now to keep you to remind you that you can make a difference.In the current climate, hope is an act of defiance, and it’s one I hope you’ll take with me. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Brackish, Katie speaks with Agnes Becker, artist, science communicator, and creator of We Are Stardust, about bridging the gap between art and science, connecting with nature, and finding freedom in creative expression.Brackish is a term used to describe water that is a mixture of saltwater and freshwater, for example, where a river meets the sea. I first encountered it sitting in a boat in just such water and it immediately became one of my favourite words. I am fascinated by intersections, liminal and littoral spaces, overlaps and interconnections, and I want to use this space to explore all of those things – the ideas that don’t fit into neat boxes.So, I’ll be exploring those things here – the places where craft meets nature, where the rules don’t apply and ‘shoulds’ start to fall away. From occasional ‘salty’ language to refusing to adhere to feminine standards of beauty or behaviour, I am leaning into my brackish era – and I’m doing it here with some brilliant women and non-binary folks who are doing the same.Key Topics* Agnes shares her journey from a career in science communication to creating art that blends science and nature, emphasising the importance of awe and wonder* The evolution of Agnes’ work from precise scientific illustrations to co-creating with nature including her recent river art collection and shift toward more experimental, nature-based creative processes* They discuss their shared passion for nature and the importance of reconnecting with the natural world along with exploring the concept of "The Call of the Wild" and the benefits of nature connection, including reduced stress and increased compassion.* The value of getting to know individual species deeply (such as blackbirds and their nesting habits) and the importance of noticing subtle seasonal changes* How nature connection can help shift perspective away from human-centric thinkingHighlightsThe Call of the Wild"I distinctly remember this one meeting where we were meeting with a funder... sitting in a basement where there was no natural light at all... I had a really clear vision of being in the woods; a pine forest. I can still see it right now, and I was carrying logs. I was wearing some long linen clothes. I could almost smell the wood smoke in that moment... that was the beginning... that was this call of the wild that I talk about a lot of my work, this Call of the Wild being like, nudge, nudge nudge. This isn't quite right for you, you need to be looking elsewhere."Nature Connection & Wonder"Instead of just walking past by and saying, ‘yeah, there's a nice bird, singing a lovely song that's good’. Start asking; ‘I wonder where its nest is. I wonder where its mate is. I wonder if it's laid any eggs...’ suddenly the whole world opens... Curiosity opens things up, rather than closes things down."Seasonal Awareness"It's really helpful to mark these times so that you can root yourself into the season, not suddenly find yourself in the middle of summer and all of this time and Spring has just passed you by... we're at this time where it's still winter... but there are little stirrings of life. You've got your snowdrops coming up... the catkins are starting to drop. There's little signs of new beginnings and new life."Connect with Agnes* Website: wearestardust.uk* Instagram: @wearestardustuk* Free Wild & Imperfect Workshop* Substack: Your Wildly Enchanted LifeConnect with Katie:* Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Books & resources we mentioned:If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon BlackieBraiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (this is an affiliate link)The Emerald Podcast with Joshua SchreiAwe by Dacher Keltner (this is an affiliate link)Drawing Correspondence's Watermark course – April 2025Artists: Jo Lewis & Lucy WillowThe world of Stonehenge - Past exhibit at The British Museum, LondonCheck out my full Bookshop.org podcast reading list to find links to all the books mentioned throughout Season 6 of Brackish.Useful Links:Try out a nature-informed coaching tool - Find a spot in a blue (or green) space where you can spend some time without being interrupted and try out this ‘four directions meditation’ to reflect on the sustainability journey you’re on and try out a nature-informed tool at the same time.Spread the Word:Please share Brackish with wild abandon – and show us some love by following, subscribing or leaving a review. All that good stuff tells the ‘algorithm Gods’ to show the podcast to more people, and that can only be a good thing, right?Dive deeper:You can find the poem I shared on this episode along with other poems, nature-connection prompts, and short personal essays on her Substack. Brackish is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.About Katie Treggiden:I’m Katie Treggiden (she/they). I am a spoken word poet, a craft, nature and sustainability writer, a certified Blue Health Coach™ and the author of Brackish here on Substack. I grew up in Cornwall and as a child, I took for granted that you could catch mackerel for the barbeque from a day boat, find grasshoppers between molehills on the lawn, and watch bats catching insects at dusk. When I returned in 2017, it was not the county I remembered. There were no longer enough mackerel for it to be worth taking a boat out fishing, and as for the grasshoppers, molehills and bats? Nowhere to be seen. In fact, the Living Planet Report published by the WWF in 2024 estimates a 73% loss in biodiversity in roughly the time I’ve been alive. That stat, and the lack of meaningful action to reverse it, breaks my heart daily.But Baba Dioum said,In the end, we will conserve only what we love;we will love only what we understand.”So I am a storyteller. If I can help people to understand and connect with nature through my poems, short stories, books and Blue Health Coaching™, perhaps we can reverse that decline.I am also a woman in my middle years who is feeling ‘the call of the wild’ so strongly that it sometimes feels selfish to honour it. But this work is not just about the planet, because if ‘we are nature healing herself,’ we need to heal ourselves too. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

Brackish is a term used to describe water that is a mixture of saltwater and freshwater, for example, where a river meets the sea. ‘I first encountered it sitting in a boat in just such water and it immediately became one of my favourite words. I am fascinated by intersections, liminal and littoral spaces, overlaps and interconnections, and I want to use this space to explore all of those things – the ideas that don’t fit into neat boxes.So, I’ll be exploring those things here – the places where craft meets nature, where the rules don’t apply and ‘shoulds’ start to fall away. From occasional ‘salty’ language to refusing to adhere to feminine standards of beauty or behaviour, I am leaning into my brackish era – and I’m doing it here with some brilliant women and non-binary folks who are doing the same.’In this episode of Brackish, Katie speaks with coach Joeli Caparco about reframing our approach to winter, New Year's resolutions, and life cycles. Joeli (she/they) works with overachievers, perfectionists, overthinkers, and people pleasers to help them create lives they love and businesses that fit within those lives.Episode SummaryJoeli and Katie explore why the "New Year, New You" narrative is problematic, especially in the Northern Hemisphere's winter season. They discuss viewing the year as a circle rather than a linear progression, and delve into the four feminine archetypes - particularly what the mother phase means if you don’t have kids, and the often-overlooked Enchantress phase.Key Topics* Why "New Year, New You" messaging is rooted in capitalism and diet culture* The importance of viewing the year cyclically rather than linearly* Understanding winter as a time for rest and dreaming* The seed catalogue metaphor for winter planning* The four feminine archetypes: Maiden, Mother, Enchantress, and Crone* Reframing your middle years through the lens of the Enchantress archetypeHighlightsHappiness should come first, rather than being a reward for achieving external goals"And I remember a conversation that we had, when I said something like, well, if I do x, y and z, then I'll achieve this, and then I'll be happy. And you were like, Well, how about if you do the things that make you happy, then you'll be happy. So obvious, but my little brain just went, ‘Oh, I didn't realize that was an option! I just get to do the things that make me happy now?’ Well, yeah, and this is another symptom of all of the culture that creates this January new you idea. It's that your happiness is external to you, that you have to earn it."The Enchantress archetype represents a powerful phase of wisdom and authenticity"From 60 to 80, those would be your wintering years, those would be your elder years, those would be your crone years. So it really brings in this kind of third quarter where, if you think about the energy of the season of autumn and if you think about the energy of your premenstrual part of your cycle. If you have or had a cycle where you're like, I don't give a single thought about what someone else thinks of me. Like, I'm raging. All of your emotions are heightened, all of that is what we're thinking about when we think about Enchantress. The Enchantress is, to me, the typical, or like the archetypical... badass woman, right? Like she's done with... she knows who she is. They know who they are. They have figured out their place in family and in world, and now they're ready to shed their shoulds."Winter is naturally a time for rest, reflection"If you imagine the Wheel of the Year, if we just think about the four seasons of winter, spring, summer and autumn, in spring, all of the plants are coming up that we've planted them in winter. And in spring, you really need to be tending to those tiny baby shoots. They have to be protected before they can go outside. So spring, things are starting to emerge. Our baby animals are coming out. In summer, we're really in the height of things growing things. It could be potentially a harvest time, although normally we would think about harvest time as autumn, but I think summer is really that height of working in the fields, traditionally, if we were farmers, and also playing because the days are long. Autumn, we're really harvesting. We've got to get everything in. We've got to get things canned. We have to prepare for the dark winter. But then what are we doing when we come back around to winter? We're getting out our seed catalogs, and we're thinking, what am I going to plant?"Winter WisdomJoeli's tip: Tune into how your body feels and what it's craving - there's no "right" way to winter. Some people need rest, others find energy in the darker months.Katie's tip: Keep the fairy lights up after Christmas to maintain some cosy warmth through winter.Connect with Joeli* Website: joelicoparco.com* Instagram: @joelicaparcoConnect with Katie:* Instagram: @katietreggiden.1Books we mentioned:Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Birkman (this is an affiliate link)It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now by Barbara SherCheck out my full Bookshop.org podcast reading list to find links to all the books mentioned throughout Season 6 of Brackish.Useful Links:Try out a nature-informed coaching tool - Find a spot in a blue (or green) space where you can spend some time without being interrupted and try out this ‘four directions meditation’ to reflect on the sustainability journey you’re on and try out a nature-informed tool at the same time.Spread the Word:Please share Brackish with wild abandon – and show us some love by following, subscribing or leaving a review. All that good stuff tells the ‘algorithm Gods’ to show the podcast to more people, and that can only be a good thing, right?Dive deeper:You can find the poem Katie shared on this episode along with other poems, nature-connection prompts, and short personal essays on her Substack. Brackish is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.About Katie Treggiden:Katie Treggiden (she/her) is a craft, nature and sustainability writer, certified Blue Health Coach™ and the author of Brackish on Substack. She grew up in Cornwall and as a child, took for granted that you could catch mackerel for the barbeque from a day boat, find grasshoppers between molehills on the lawn, and watch bats catching insects at dusk. When she returned in 2017, it was not the county she remembered. There were no longer enough mackerel for it to be worth taking a boat out fishing, and as for the grasshoppers, molehills and bats? Nowhere to be seen. In fact the Living Planet Report published by the WWF in 2024 estimates a 73% loss in biodiversity in roughly the time she has been alive. Baba Dioum said, “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand.” So Katie is a storyteller. If she can help people to understand and connect with nature through her poems, short stories, and Blue Health Coaching™, perhaps we can reverse that decline – and feel a whole lot better in the process because we are not separate from nature, as much as modern living might try to convince us we are. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie talks to Elle Bower Johnston. Elle (she/they) is a body witch. Their work is the alchemisation of breathwork, somatic, and rest practices with witchcraft and folk magic. She works with creatives, witches, queers, change-makers, weirdos - folks who might not necessarily feel like they belong in ‘wellness’ or ‘spiritual’ spaces - to help them get into deeper their relationship with their body and connect with their magic.Her work is queer- and trans-centred, trauma-conscious, and rooted in unravelling colonialism and capitalism from the ways we relate to our bodies. They believe that our personal practices can be microcosms of liberation that spiral out and create a better world.During this Katie & Elle discuss:The societal pressure to stay "busy" and how it often undermines our well-beingHow moving through space—whether walking, driving, or traveling by train—enhances mental clarity and creativity. Understanding different types of rest and exploring rest from various perspectives—physical, mental, spiritual, and social.The liberating power of saying "no" and how starting from a place of refusal can help reclaim energy and create space for true rest.The paradox of needing to slow down in an urgent world You can connect with Elle hereWebsite: ellebowerjohnston.comInstagram: @ellebowerjohnstonFree Notion dashboard of rest practices for rebels - Radical Rest Portal Here are some highlights:The Pressure of Productivity "Nobody comes up to me and says, ‘You seem inspired at the moment or happy or well-rested.’ It’s always, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so busy,’ as if productivity is the only measure of success. But what about asking if my work is bringing me joy?”Embracing the Chaos of Rest "Rest isn’t just about napping or yoga Nidra. It’s anything that connects your mind and body, bringing you back to a sense of wholeness. It’s about exploring different layers of self and finding coherence, whether it’s through traditional practices or something as simple as revisiting childhood movies."The Power of Saying No"Starting from a place of refusal is a form of reclaiming energy. We often move with this sense of ‘I have to, I have to,’ but by saying no, we allow ourselves to drop back, be present, and reclaim rest as an act of self-care."The Importance of Listening to the Body"Listening to your body is key. It’s not just about what your mind wants but also what your body needs. Sometimes, rest is about allowing your body to guide you, trusting its signals, and respecting the need to pause, breathe, and reset." Books, Podcasts & Articles we mentioned:Experiments in Imagining Otherwise by Lola OlufemiThe BBC’s Witch podcastEmergent Strategy by Adriene Marie Brown Making Design Circular Conference – 2024LEARN HOW TO TALK ABOUT YOUR ECO-EFFORTS WITH CONFIDENCE so you can connect with values-aligned clients and customers without the fear of getting called out.10 am–5 PM BST Thursday 05 September 2024A 1-day virtual conference for purpose-driven founders making imperfect progress towards genuine environmental sustainability.Broken: Mending and repair in a throwaway worldKatie’s sixth book celebrates 25 artists, curators, menders and re-makers who have rejected the allure of the fast, disposable and easy in favour of the patina of use, the stories of age and the longevity of care and repair. Accompanying these profiles, six in-depth essays explore the societal, cultural and environmental roles of mending in a throwaway world.Cultivating Hope, 3 part mini course: Are you ready to cultivate hope in the face of the climate crisis? Sign up to Katie’s three-part free mini course that will help you move through feelings of helplessness, reconnect with nature and take aligned action.Making Design Circular membership: An international membership community and online learning platform for environmentally conscious designers, makers artists and craftspeople – join us! Spread the Word:Please share Making Design Circular with Katie Treggiden with wild abandon — with your friends, family, and fellow purpose-driven founders of making-based businesses or wherever interesting conversations about creativity happen in your world! If you love what you’re listening to, show us some love by following Circular with Katie Treggiden in this app and leaving a review. All that good stuff tells the ‘algorithm Gods’ to show the podcast to more people, and that can only be a good thing, right?Sign up for our my e-newsletter ‘Weekly(ish) Musings for Curious, Imperfect and Stubbornly Optimistic Environmentalists’ - just click here.And find me on the Interwebs:  @katietreggiden (Twitter, TikTok), & @katietreggiden3908 (YouTube) & @katietreggiden.1 (Instagram) – and if you’re a designer, maker, artist or craftsperson, join me on IG @making_design_circular_ About Katie:Katie Treggiden is the founder and director of Making Design Circular – an international membership community and online learning platform for environmentally conscious designers, makers artists and craftspeople. She is also an author, journalist and podcaster championing a hopeful approach to environmentalism. With more than 20 years' experience in the creative industries, she regularly contributes to publications such as The Guardian, The Observer, Crafts Magazine and Dezeen. She is currently exploring the question ‘Can craft save the world?’ through her sixth book, Broken: Mending & Repair in a Throwaway World (Ludion, 2023), this very podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie talks to Rosie Murphy. Rosie is a consummate communicator and connector.She is just one of a broad ecosystem of architectural workers uniting for greater social justice and environmental consciousness in all aspects of the built environment. She is an advocate for networks such as Black Females in Architecture, HomeGrown Plus and Architects Climate Action Network. Rosie's work is centred on youth engagement, creating creative opportunities and experiences for children and young people to be empowered, informed and activated citizens of the future. Rosie works collaboratively across boundaries of design, education and activism in the UK and her new community in Aotearoa, New Zealand.During this Katie & Rosie discuss:The importance of a non-linear approach to design thinkingCollaboration as an expression of hope How true collaboration requires honesty about power imbalances and a commitment to sharing power where possible, even when it’s challenging.The idea that collaboration can be deeply informed by observing and learning from natureChallenges in collaborationThe importance of integrating cultural identity into design work You can connect with Rosie hereWebsite:  https://rosiemurphyme.wixsite.com/onlineportfolioInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rosiemurphy.meLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/contact-rosiemurphy/  Here are some highlights:Embracing Non-Linear Design Thinking"So this non-linear cycle includes points like ideation, reflection, prototyping and testing, so a lot of aspects of the design process that we're very familiar with, but I feel with a greater sensitivity to community, to ancestry and history, and to a great sensitivity to nature and resources, and yeah, in the way that it's laid out in this koru, this spiral which itself is taken from nature."Understanding Power Dynamics in Collaboration"…power is absolutely the most important and most essential aspect of collaboration... collaboration is not equal, there are many different forms of collaboration from community engagement to citizen participation, all the way up to citizen empowerment."Learning from Nature’s Wisdom"I just wanted to share a quite beautiful Maori proverb or saying that I was just introduced to recently, which is erere kau, mai te awa nui, mai te kahui, maunga ki tangaroa, pō au te awa, pō te awa, pō au. And that means the river flows from the mountain to the sea, I am the river, the river is me. And for me, that is truly understanding the fact that we are not separate to nature, we are not separate to the natural world, that the way that we operate is part of this global environmental system." Books, Podcasts & Articles we mentioned:Against the Loveless World by Susan AbulhawaDrunk Women Solving Crime Podcast with hosts Hannah George and Taylor Glenn Making Design Circular Conference – 2024LEARN HOW TO TALK ABOUT YOUR ECO-EFFORTS WITH CONFIDENCE so you can connect with values-aligned clients and customers without the fear of getting called out.10 am–5 PM BST Thursday 05 September 2024A 1-day virtual conference for purpose-driven founders making imperfect progress towards genuine environmental sustainability. Broken: Mending and repair in a throwaway worldKatie’s sixth book celebrates 25 artists, curators, menders and re-makers who have rejected the allure of the fast, disposable and easy in favour of the patina of use, the stories of age and the longevity of care and repair. Accompanying these profiles, six in-depth essays explore the societal, cultural and environmental roles of mending in a throwaway world. Cultivating Hope, 3 part mini course: Are you ready to cultivate hope in the face of the climate crisis? Sign up to Katie’s three-part free mini course that will help you move through feelings of helplessness, reconnect with nature and take aligned action. Making Design Circular membership: An international membership community and online learning platform for environmentally conscious designers, makers artists and craftspeople – join us! Spread the Word:Please share Making Design Circular with Katie Treggiden with wild abandon — with your friends, family, and fellow purpose-driven founders of making-based businesses or wherever interesting conversations about creativity happen in your world! If you love what you’re listening to, show us some love by following Circular with Katie Treggiden in this app and leaving a review. All that good stuff tells the ‘algorithm Gods’ to show the podcast to more people, and that can only be a good thing, right?Sign up for our my e-newsletter ‘Weekly(ish) Musings for Curious, Imperfect and Stubbornly Optimistic Environmentalists’ - just click here.And find me on the Interwebs:  @katietreggiden (Twitter, TikTok), & @katietreggiden3908 (YouTube) & @katietreggiden.1 (Instagram) – and if you’re a designer, maker, artist or craftsperson, join me on IG @making_design_circular_ About Katie:Katie Treggiden is the founder and director of Making Design Circular – an international membership community and online learning platform for environmentally conscious designers, makers artists and craftspeople. She is also an author, journalist and podcaster championing a hopeful approach to environmentalism. With more than 20 years' experience in the creative industries, she regularly contributes to publications such as The Guardian, The Observer, Crafts Magazine and Dezeen. She is currently exploring the question ‘Can craft save the world?’ through her sixth book, Broken: Mending & Repair in a Throwaway World (Ludion, 2023), this very podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

**This episode was originally an Instagram Live, so at the point of going live on the podcast, the rest challenge we talk about has already happened – however, the Making Design Circular Conference is happening on Thursday 05 September 2024 – find out more get your ticket for that HERE >>> ** In this episode, Katie talks to Jo Casey. Jo Casey is an Autistic and ADHD speaker and business coach who helps fellow quirky-brained entrepreneurs align their business strategies with their unique mental wiring. With over 20 years of coaching experience and 15 years of successfully wrangling her own neurodivergent business, Jo has mastered the art of turning cognitive curveballs into powerful business assets.Their innovative approach enables established entrepreneurs to work smarter, often achieving twice the results in half the time - without having to start from scratch or pretend to be neurotypical. At a time when neurodiversity is finally getting its moment in the spotlight, Jo's work is redefining success in the business world, proving that neurodivergent traits can be entrepreneurial superpowers in disguise.Jo's expertise has sparked meaningful conversations about neurodiversity in business, challenging traditional norms and paving the way for a more inclusive (and interesting!) approach to entrepreneurship. They’ve been featured in the Huffington Post, Kind Over Matter, and Tiny Buddha, among others.When not kicking the business world up the butt, Jo can be found curating the perfect playlist for her latest textile crafting session or passionately explaining to puzzled friends why Jesus Christ Superstar is, without a doubt, the greatest musical ever written.During this Katie & Jo discuss:The difference between physical tiredness and sensory overload How to spot the signs of sensory overloadHow to prevent sensory overload and take care of yourself when it happensHow neurodivergent folk sometimes need sensory rest, but sometimes sensory stimulationWhy physical and sensory rest is so important for purpose-driven founders of making based businesses making imperfect progress towards genuine sustainability  You can connect with Jo here:Website: https://www.jocasey.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocaseyb/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoCaseyB/…and Jo has an amazing energy mapping tool, which will help with some of the stuff we discussed, which you can access here: https://www.jocasey.com/nd-energy-kit/ Here are some highlights:Depletion versus Nourishing“One of the concepts we talk about is the things that deplete you and things that nourish you – and I really like that concept because I could be doing something that is really calm, but I’m finding it really quite depleting, or I could be doing something that is really energetic, but you’re finding it really nourishing. I really like this idea of what is depleting and what is nourishing.”  How to know when you’re experiencing sensory overload“Treat yourself like a glorious experiment... tune into to what’s going on in your body.” On rest as disruption “These are my needs – and it’s perfectly fine, in fact it’s admirable, to meet my needs. Exploitative capitalism teaches us to exploit resources to the point of depletion and we are our own primary resource.” Being the change we want to see“There is something about being the change that we want to see in the world – and having emotionally grounded, rested, healthy people, we ‘re much more likely to be able to inspire that in others… one of the things we know from neuroscience is that when we’re running on adrenaline and cortisol, the creative activity in our brain is really limited… so our ability to solve problems drops down and if there was a time when we needed people to come up with solutions to really complex, thorny problems, it’s now.” Books, Podcasts & Articles we mentioned:Emergent Strategy by Adriene Marie BrownMaintenance Phase podcast with Aubrey Gordon and Michael HobbesLaziness Does Not Exist by Dr Devon PriceHow To Discover Your Environmental Superpower – Making Design Circular short course Making Design Circular Conference – 2024LEARN HOW TO TALK ABOUT YOUR ECO-EFFORTS WITH CONFIDENCE so you can connect with values-aligned clients and customers without the fear of getting called out.10 am–5 PM BST Thursday 05 September 2024A 1-day virtual conference for purpose-driven founders making imperfect progress towards genuine environmental sustainability. Broken: Mending and repair in a throwaway worldKatie’s sixth book celebrates 25 artists, curators, menders and re-makers who have rejected the allure of the fast, disposable and easy in favour of the patina of use, the stories of age and the longevity of care and repair. Accompanying these profiles, six in-depth essays explore the societal, cultural and environmental roles of mending in a throwaway world. Cultivating Hope, 3 part mini course: Are you ready to cultivate hope in the face of the climate crisis? Sign up to Katie’s three-part free mini course that will help you move through feelings of helplessness, reconnect with nature and take aligned action. Making Design Circular membership: An international membership community and online learning platform for environmentally conscious designers, makers artists and craftspeople – join us! Spread the Word:Please share Making Design Circular with Katie Treggiden with wild abandon — with your friends, family, and fellow purpose-driven founders of making-based businesses or wherever interesting conversations about creativity happen in your world! If you love what you’re listening to, show us some love by following Circular with Katie Treggiden in this app and leaving a review. All that good stuff tells the ‘algorithm Gods’ to show the podcast to more people, and that can only be a good thing, right?Sign up for our my e-newsletter ‘Weekly(ish) Musings for Curious, Imperfect and Stubbornly Optimistic Environmentalists’ - just click here.And find me on the Interwebs:  @katietreggiden (Twitter, TikTok), & @katietreggiden3908 (YouTube) & @katietreggiden.1 (Instagram) – and if you’re a designer, maker, artist or craftsperson, join me on IG @making_design_circular_ About Katie:Katie Treggiden is the founder and director of Making Design Circular – an international membership community and online learning platform for environmentally conscious designers, makers artists and craftspeople. She is also an author, journalist and podcaster championing a hopeful approach to environmentalism. With more than 20 years' experience in the creative industries, she regularly contributes to publications such as The Guardian, The Observer, Crafts Magazine and Dezeen. She is currently exploring the question ‘Can craft save the world?’ through her sixth book, Broken: Mending & Repair in a Throwaway World (Ludion, 2023), this very podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Katie continues last week’s conversation with Tamu Thomas a renowned transformational life coach, dedicated to guiding women towards achieving work-life harmony by embracing holistic well-being practices that align with their nervous system. Katie & Tamu explore:The term ‘high-functioning freeze’Defiant hope & rage Activism v Martyrdom And of course, the final quick fire round of season 4!You can connect with Tamu hereWebsite: https://www.livethreesixty.com/ and https://www.womenwhoworktoomuch.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamu.thomas/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livethreesixty/Learn more about Tamu’s membership here: https://live-three-sixty.mykajabi.com/membership Here are some highlights:I learned that it was unsafe for me to express rage “Rage is part of the human experience, rage, emotion, energy in motion, rage is energy in motion that says you've got to make a change, whether it's externally or internally, but instead, we hold on to it, and have a lot of like, bitterness and resentment inside. And we get sidetracked with that. So we avoid the real issue. And we make it all about the anger or the rage.”Empowerment to build momentum"My life is mine, square with a life of service means that your life has to be of service to you too. Because if your life is not a service to you too, if you are giving away all of your lifeforce energy, you're not actually doing activism, you're doing martyrdom. Our planet doesn't need any more martyrs. Social justice causes for human beings, animals around the world doesn't need any more martyrs what they need, or what these things we believe in need, is for us to be and this word, sometimes it gets on my nerves, but it is for us to be empowered. Because when we are empowered, rather than doing things in fits and spurts, we can actually build momentum and have a compounding effect. And I say this to my clients. And I say to myself all the time. Social justice is not just if it's not just for you too, we don't need any more martyrs. "Books & Podcasts mentioned:10x Is Easier Than 2x, Benjamin HardyUpstream Podcast Broken: Mending and repair in a throwaway worldKatie’s sixth book celebrates 25 artists, curators, menders and re-makers who have rejected the allure of the fast, disposable and easy in favour of the patina of use, the stories of age and the longevity of care and repair. Accompanying these profiles, six in-depth essays explore the societal, cultural and environmental roles of mending in a throwaway world.Cultivating Hope, 3 part mini course: Are you ready to cultivate hope in the face of the climate crisis? Sign up to Katie’s three-part free mini course that will help you move through feelings of helplessness, reconnect with nature and take aligned action.Making Design Circular membership: An international membership community and online learning platform for environmentally conscious designers, makers artists and craftspeople – join us! Spread the Word:Please share Making Design Circular with Katie Treggiden with wild abandon — with your friends, family, and fellow designer-makers or wherever interesting conversations about creativity happen in your world! If you love what you’re listening to, show us some love by following Circular with Katie Treggiden in this app and leaving a review. All that good stuff tells the ‘algorithm Gods’ to show the podcast to more people, and that can only be a good thing, right?Sign up for our my e-newsletter ‘Weekly(ish) Musings for Curious, Imperfect and Stubbornly Optimistic Environmentalists’ - just click here.And find me on the Interwebs:  @katietreggiden (Twitter, TikTok), & @katietreggiden3908 (YouTube) & @katietreggiden.1 (Instagram) – and if you’re a designer, maker, artist or craftsperson, join me on IG @making_design_circular_About Katie:Katie Treggiden is the founder and director of Making Design Circular – an international membership community and online learning platform for environmentally conscious designers, makers artists and craftspeople. She is also an author, journalist and podcaster championing a hopeful approach to environmentalism. With more than 20 years' experience in the creative industries, she regularly contributes to publications such as The Guardian, The Observer, Crafts Magazine and Dezeen. She is currently exploring the question ‘Can craft save the world?’ through her sixth book, Broken: Mending & Repair in a Throwaway World (Ludion, 2023), this very podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brackishbykatietreggiden.substack.com/subscribe