The Decade Podcast

We’ve come up with a new term to use! To JOLT, Journaling Out Loud Together. Melker and Jonathan often find themselves chatting and exploring how their conversations with all fantastic guests in this podcast connect to the guiding question of “How on earth can we live together?”. Jonathan and Melker hope that you will tag along when they share their personal experiences and explorations throughout this podcast journey. It will be a chance for you as a listener to get to know them a bit more and get new perspectives on the episodes being released so far.  Hope to see you in there and we’re very curious to hear your thoughts and reflections, so do not hesitate to reach out.  /Jonathan & Melker 

Join us for Part 1 of an enlightening two-part series with Johanna Wallin, a transformational mentor coach and facilitator who specializes in emotional fitness for business leaders and entrepreneurs. Johanna works closely with individuals who are pushing boundaries and stepping outside their comfort zones. Whether you’re a business leader, founding partner, or part of a team where collaboration is essential, Johanna’s methods are centered on Emotional Fitness, a key component for fostering trust and deepening relationships—starting with the one you have with yourself. In this episode, Johanna explains what Emotional Fitness is and how we can actively train it to benefit not only our personal well-being but also our business success. We dive into the common personal challenges that many sustainability professionals face, such as feelings of “I’m not doing enough” or questioning, “Will it really make a difference in the end?” Johanna offers insights on how to navigate these challenges with a new mindset and approach. Tune in as we explore how changing our inner landscape—our thoughts and emotions—can lead to powerful, lasting change in our personal and professional lives. Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon! More about Johanna: https://newparadigmcoaching.se/omjohannawallin.html

In this episode you'll have the opportunity to get practical on your path towards your authentic self. It's the first out of three episodes based on Carl Lindeborg's book The Authentic Shift - Inner Development For a Changing World. For more than twenty years, Carl has worked with people and organisations as an advisor, consultant and teacher, both in Sweden and internationally. Deeply curious about human development, Carl has sought out learning in many places, from studying with the Dalai Lama at his home in Dharamsala to participating in global networks such as Conscious Capitalism.  In this episode, Carl illuminates the concept of creating a healthy inner climate for growth from three key areas: positive inversion, inner coaching, and self-compassion. Discover how our negativity bias shapes our perception of reality and the liberating power of radical acceptance and its role in fostering resilience and inner strength. Learn how a gratitude practice can shift your mindset and cultivate a fertile ground for growth, as well as exploring how to cultivate your inner coach. Tune in now to uncover the keys to creating a healthy inner climate for growth and unlock your journey towards your authentic self with us, and Carl Lindeborg. You want to practise right? Here you go, in this link you can find guided questions to be used on your journey towards your authentic self.

How can we be of service to the world to the best of our abilities while at the same time optimizing our personal well-being? That's the million-dollar question for sustainability professionals! The well-being of sustainability professionals directly impacts their ability to drive positive change. When these professionals are supported, they can innovate, collaborate, and lead more effectively, amplifying their contributions to society. Today's guest, Sophie Gripenberg holds a double bachelor's degree in peace- and development studies and economics, and a master's in socio-ecological resilience for sustainable development. She has created an inspiring career working for the UN with a focus on human rights, being a self-employed sustainability consultant as well as focusing on creating awareness on how sustainability professionals can improve their wellbeing while working for a better world. This episode is packed with wisdom and insights on how to find the right work-life balance as a sustainability professional. We explore how nurturing our well-being and finding tools to navigate personal challenges empowers us to be more effective advocates for a sustainable planet and society. Find out more about Sophie here.

How can economcis be used as a tool in the transition towards a better world? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation in our latest episode featuring Assistant Professor Anna Nordén. We explore the practical side of economic policies and the fascinating world of behavioral economics. Anna shares insights on how economic policies can drive positive societal change and the bottom-up approach of using nudges for influence. We also discuss her involvement in the project 'Ownershift'—a think tank dedicated to enabling women's financial autonomy through increased ownership. Discover the subtle yet impactful ways economics can shape our lives and communities. This episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories that invite you to reflect on the role of economics in creating a more inclusive and empowered society.

Imagine a world where people lived in harmony with one another, freely exchanging knowledge and resources, and celebrating the diversity that existed within the world. The people recognized that each creature had its own unique gifts and talents, and worked together to create a society that was just and equitable for all beings. Dive into a realm of creativity and connection in the world of Nakãya with our latest episode featuring David Lindberg, the visionary founder of the Nakãya Project. In this captivating conversation, we explore the genesis of Nakãya, a world he crafted with the intention to serve as a scaffold for humanity to connect with their true nature. It began with David playfully experimenting with AI, resulting in visually stunning creatures that captivated the hearts and minds of nearly hundreds of thousands of people. In our conversation, we unravel many dimensions of this project and David’s own awakening journey. We talk about his own upbringing, his career within film making where he reached his ultimate goal of working with big artists like Avicii, but, at the same time, not feeling fully content with his life. Together we explore what role Nakãya could play in the transition to a world where humanity would thrive while at the same time living in harmony with nature. The Nakãya Project on Instagram

In this episode, we're joined by Anders Wijkman, a thought leader in sustainability and systemic change. Together, we delve into the pressing need for systemic change in our current societal structures. Anders shares his perspectives on what's wrong with our existing systems and the essential shifts required to foster sustainability. We go beyond the conventional measurement of GDP to explore the deeper purpose of civilization. What does it mean to truly thrive as a society, and how can we redefine success in a way that prioritizes well-being and environmental harmony over mere economic growth? Anders offers a wealth of knowledge and insights on the path to a more sustainable and equitable world. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation as we discuss systemic change, the redefinition of societal purpose, and the future we envision for our planet.

We sit down with the Olympian gold medalist Björn Ferry, a former Swedish biathlete with a passion for sustainability. Björn shares his inspiring journey and commitment to creating a more sustainable future. Join us as we explore the importance of connecting to a compelling narrative for sustainability and how it can inspire meaningful change. Björn and his wife have set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions for their family by 2025. In our conversation, he discusses the steps they are taking to reach this target and the broader implications for personal and global sustainability. This episode is packed with great tips on how you can continue to take steps on your sustainability journey. Björn brings a unique perspective on goal-setting and determination in driving positive change.

Once we know what's right, how can we empower positive change towards that belief? Join us as we dive deep into the world of values-driven leadership with Mary Gentile, the creator of the groundbreaking pedagogical approach known as "Giving Voice to Values" (GVV). GVV is more than just a curriculum; it's a powerful, action-oriented methodology that equips individuals with the tools and strategies they need to transform their values into meaningful action. Mary Gentile joins us to unravel the core principles of GVV and discuss how it can be harnessed as a catalyst for enacting positive change. Our engaging conversation revolves around a pivotal question: Once we've identified our values and discerned the necessary changes, how do we effectively turn those aspirations into reality? Mary Gentile shares insights on how we can connect with our authentic selves, allowing us to better understand our behaviors and actions in situations where change is desperately needed. In this episode you’ll discover the actionable steps and strategies that can empower you to become a values-driven leader who not only identifies what's important but also takes purposeful steps towards realizing these values. Whether you're an aspiring leader, an experienced professional, or simply someone passionate about making a difference, this episode will inspire and guide you on your journey to becoming an effective change-maker. https://givingvoicetovaluesthebook.com/

Join us in an insightful conversation with Dr. Samer Nameer, the co-founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of Enerpoly, a groundbreaking energy storage company dedicated to global energy access and decarbonization. In this episode, we explore Enerpoly's mission to deliver the energy storage solutions of tomorrow. Dr. Samer Nameer sheds light on how he and his colleagues created their patented zinc-ion battery technology. We delve into their commitment to long-term viability and how their innovative process allows for scalable production, making clean and sustainable batteries accessible to a wide range of applications, from residential to grid-scale. Throughout our conversation, we discuss the advantages of zinc-ion batteries compared to traditional lithium batteries, highlighting the safety and sustainability aspects. Dr. Nameer also shares valuable insights into the challenges faced by the current battery industry and how Enerpoly's technology aims to meet the growing demand for energy storage. Lastly, Dr. Nameer offers his personal perspective on being an entrepreneur in today's business landscape and the significance of innovation in driving positive change. Tune in! /Jonathan & Melker https://www.enerpoly.com/

Join us as we explore the concept of the regenerative renaissance with Rieki Cordon. He describe himself as a mapmaker working to enable a thriving world for both people and the planet. In this episode, we discuss the limitations of many of today's systems, which prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability, and explore how the regenerative renaissance offers a more holistic approach to design, governance and ownership. At its core, the Regenerative Renaissance seeks to move beyond the limitations of traditional sustainability efforts, which focus on reducing negative impacts on the environment and society, towards a more proactive and regenerative approach that aims to restore and enhance ecosystems and communities. It seeks to foster more symbiotic relationships between humans and the natural world, and to promote a more equitable and just society. Through our conversation, we gain insights into how the regenerative renaissance can help us reimagine our relationship with the natural world and create more resilient systems. Learn more about the Regenerative Renaissance and Seeds: https://explore.joinseeds.earth/regenerative-civics-alliance/regenerative-renaissance-orientation-episodes https://explore.joinseeds.earth/regenerative-civics-alliance/season-1-explore-the-growing-diversity-of-regen-projects

Can the methods of the 12-step program help us recognize and honestly take stock of our shared destructive addictions? Can they even help free us from the systemic failures that threaten life on the planet? In this episode we explore the intersection of addiction, recovery, and sustainability. Todays guests, Johan Reunanen and Gustaf Skarsgård share their personal experiences with addiction and the recovery through the 12-step program, and offer insights about how personal and destructive addictions, such as alcohol or drugs, reflect the societal addictions that prevent us from facing the climate crisis. We also talk about how the process of recovery can provide a foundation for guiding us in our process of creating a more sustainable and just world for future generations and how self-awareness, acceptance and accountability are vital factors in that process. Join us in this intriguing episode as we truly delve into our core question "How on earth can we live together?"

In this episode the two hosts behind this podcast talk about what has been most alive for them the past year. Jonathan and Melker revisit their purpose with this podcast and dive a bit deeper into meaningful terms such as pragmatic optimism and planetary stewardship. They also talk more openly about what they do outside this podcast project, such as being consultants within sustainability and writing a book about values and regenerative entrepreneurship.  We do these episodes annually to talk summarise the past year and share more about ourselves. If you want to get to know the voices behind this podcast a little bit better, this episode is for you.  Kindly, Jonathan & Melker

Why is life confusing, challenging, and messy? Why is there pain, fear, and darkness? Why is everything always changing? What is life really about? These are some of the questions today’s guest Nils Von Heijne has been experiencing and exploring more deeply since 2014. Nils is invited back to once again share his perspective about the impact and purpose of personal development, and the role it plays in creating a sustainable world. Nils is a man of many crafts, he’s a serial entrepreneur, shaman, holistic coach, advisor and change maker and has started around 20 companies. One of his recents contributions is the recently published book with the title; 42 - a simple guide to explore and live your life (and change the world while doing it) The book consists of four core questions; Who am I? Why am I here? What should I do? How should I do it? He says that the book has almost been writing itself throughout his explorative journey since 2014, which started with his first visit to burning man. Connect with Nils: https://nilsvonheijne.com/

“Relationships are the key to a successful career and a happy life, and the most effective way to build relationships is with great communication and meaningful conversation.” This is what today’s guest and master mind Andrew Horn is passionate about. He dedicates his work to help others to connect better to their authentic selves and other people. Amongst other things, we talk about a framework he developed called social flow, which guides you to be more authentic, curious and present in your life. Andrew Horn is a serial entrepreneur, life coach, speaker and writer. He did his first TEDx talk at 21, he has created companies such as Dreams for Kids DC and Tribute.co, and is also passionate about “men’s work” where he started the non-profit organization Junto. https://www.itsandrewhorn.com/

What would happen if there were no more coral reefs? Coral Gardeners is on a mission to revolutionize ocean conservation and generate collaborative action around the world to save our coral reefs! In this two part episode we talk with Karine Toumazeau who’s their head of strategy. The devoted team at Coral Gardeners have set up an ambitious goal, planting 1 million corals and telling the story of the reef to 1 billion people by 2025. Hear us talk about the journey of how coral gardeners started with a small group of young people in French Polynesia on the island of Mo’orea, the sister island of Tahiti. The small group were first hand witnesses to the rapid degradation of the coral reefs and decided to take action. This small group of young locals have now grown to an international collective of scientists, engineers, creators and advocates who are determined to save the reef! No Reef, No Ocean, No Air! www.coralgardeners.org

Do you want to learn how to change the narrative on climate change so we can act from courage and excitement, and not fear? Today's guest Anne Therese Gennari says, “When it comes to climate change, we’re asked to panic. But fear will never drive long-term, sustainable change, so it’s time we tell a new story. Climate Optimism is not about taking a step back and hoping for the best to happen. It’s about diving into awareness and choosing a path of resilience, action, and hope!” Anne Therese is a speaker, educator, environmental activist, author, and podcaster. She’s currently writing a book with the title: How to shift the narrative about climate change and find courage and choose change that will be published this fall. This episode is packed with many great insights on how to find optimism about climate change. We talk about what climate optimism is and myths around it, common barriers to action for the climate, and how science shows that optimism can serve as an antidote towards that inaction. See you in there! /Jonathan & Melker https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/

Personal development is a key component in navigating today's VUCA-World (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex & Ambiguous). Tomas says "Democracy will not function if everyone in society is adapting to what peers and culture are expecting of people. We need a critical mass of independently thinking and feeling people who can reinvent purpose on their own. Do we live in crappy times? No. We live on the threshold of a new world. Let's give birth to it. Together." Based on his understanding of human and societal needs in a world that is in many ways falling apart, Tomas has committed himself to facilitate the co-creation of a more conscious society. He's the founder of the Ekskäret Foundation and is involved in many other fascinating initiatives like Inner Development Goals, 29k, Emerge, K9 Co-living. He's written three books, The Market Myth, The Nordic Secret, and The World We Create. See you in there! /Jonathan & Melker Get in touch with Tomas: http://www.tomas-bjorkman.com/

Why is imagination so crucial for humanity in 2022? The latest IPCC report is telling us that we have a small shrinking window for change, and it’s shrinking fast. What if, could actually be the two most important and powerful words in our world right now. Todays guest Rob Hopkins, the author of What Is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want, says “Physics demands that we re-imagine everything, our food system, education system, transport system, economic system. All transformative projects starts with great what if questions, and if we keep coming back to our imaginative spaces, our imagination grows, followed by a sense of what’s possible grows, and that’s what we need to see in the world, now more than anything.” By listening to this episode you will learn how you to become more imaginative, both in your personal and professional life, what a great “What if-question?” with transformative capacity is and tons of inspiration and insights from some of the amazing transformative stories behind Rob’s work.  See you in there! /Jonathan & Melker https://www.robhopkins.net/

Willem Ferwerda has an impressive resumé, he studied tropical ecology and environmental science in Amsterdam and Bogotá. He has worked in several countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia on tourism, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems. He’s been the director of IUCN Netherlands, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the largest international union of nature organizations, states, and scientists. Ferwerda is also appointed Special Advisor Business & Ecosystems at the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, (Switzerland). He holds board or advisor positions at several institutions such as the World Land Trust (UK), the Charles Darwin Foundation (Galapagos, Ecuador), the Lippe-Biesterfeld NatureCollege Foundation (NL), and is an ambassador of the Dutch Platform on Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Economy. Ferwerda is also a member of the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration. In 2013 he founded Commonland, an organization that scales up existing ecosystem restoration projects by developing companies that will generate investment returns. Its goal is to contribute to the Bonn Challenge, a multinational agreement to restore 150 million hectares in 20 years.  In our conversation, we talk about how Commonland with their 4 Returns, a science-based framework transforms degraded ecosystems by focusing on 4 key returns over the course of 20 years. The 4 returns are return of inspiration, natural, social, and financial capital. We hear Willem speak passionately about his vision of a world that truly values nature and he explains what skills and capabilities he feels are needed within ourselves to be able to collectively restore our landscapes.  4 Returns Platform UN Decade on Restoration