
Sometimes things just fall in a line. Come together beautifully. This was the case for me, as the ideas for establishing Permaculture Plus took shape. An interview here, a book bought in error there, a few conversations and pointers to a YouTube video or three — you know how these things escalate — and I was away. It wasn’t a single “a ha” moment, as Mark Spencer, my friend and co-host of sustainability podcast Climactic, would say, more a series of realisations, thought trips and ideas generated that triggered a deeper response. The unearthing of some concepts that, to use a cliche, had been bubbling away in the deepest, darkest recesses of my brain for years, if not decades.
Why not use permaculture as a way of systems thinking?
I knew that I wanted my new podcast (which will be released in September) to be a bit different and encompass new ways of thinking for listeners. So no pressure huh? :) But the more “things” came together, the more I realised that it wasn’t just I who wanted to break free from traditional modes of thinking, learn new ways of expression. It wasn’t just me who sought new clarity on everything from diet, to organic gardening, to systems thinking, to finding solutions within the everyday problems we face, to introducing meditation into one’s own life, to thinking of ways to tackle climate change. To name but a few.
It didn’t take much convincing to get my great friend Jon Moore on board. For Jon has been the key person I have turned to for interpretation of issues for decades. Though our discussions have ranged (or should I say raged!) from often opposing viewpoints, we have always come together in an understanding of mutual respect for each other’s intelligence.
Who better to start a podcast designed to demystify and make relevant, new ways of thinking based on permaculture thinking and principles?
The second inspiration, which seemed to come out of nowhere, was the book 7 Ways to think differently by permaculturist, poet and author Looby Macnamara. For now, I’ll say this slim volume — bought in error — crystallised my thinking on where I want to take the Permaculture Plus podcast. Stunningly, it “spoke” to me as some books do. Exactly the right reading, at the right time. I’ll be going into much more depth on the book’s wisdom in coming blog posts. Watch this space!
Thirdly, I’m grateful to permaculturalist and cafe owner Fiona Rossiter for putting the idea of a permaculture network (including podcast) back into the forefront of my brain. This in a fascinating interview I conducted with her at the back of her wonderful permaculture cafe Bissy’s in Orange NSW. The interview was for Climactic, and the ideas espoused by Fiona, brought back the learning (and thinking) I had done on the discipline (see below).
So why permaculture?
A number of years ago I completed a Permaculture Design Certificate, originally taken as a curiosity (I had always had an interest in organic gardening) and it instilled in me the absolute value of common sense. Indeed when I tried to explain the course to my parents, who had been brought up during World War II rationing, which continued well after the war in the UK, they were unimpressed, saying this “common sense” approach was “what they did to survive”. Everyone grew a wide variety of vegetables to fill a gap in supply as wartime privations grew, and the sense of community, with everyone relying on each other for survival, was strength in itself. Permaculture principles working right there!
This discussion with my parents was an important moment for me. Nothing is new under the sun, all “new” methods of thinking have their origins in that of our ancestors, of societies ancient and relatively modern. Of all cultures. We should not only be careful to respect and learn this wisdom but raise awareness of this phenomenon. The cyclical nature of systems thinking.
Therefore, everything we provide on the podcast and website should be both relevant to regular people and exhibit that “common sense”; pointed out by my Mum and Dad.
One of my goals is to distil this wisdom, whether for a big issue or small, through the podcast, to generate a sense of excitement, of interest, even a shift in thinking as I have experienced recently.
Most importantly though, I’d like this to be a podcast for you, the listener. Jon and I value your feedback and “spreading the word” as we seek to create something special, something that resonates, something that is based around common sense and relevance, is greatly appreciated.
Thank you! Look out for our monthly podcast in mid-September 2018.
We’ll keep you posted.
