What is national pride all about and where does it stem from? Following a recent surge in the flying of the Union flag and St George's flag in parts of England this episode dives deeply into the meaning of national pride, the complexities and emotions it stirs up and the painful histories involved in the creation of nation states. From exploring a brief potted history of countries and colonialism to diving into some of the inherent human behaviours that stem from a need to belong, this episode is a chance to explore some of the behaviours, controversies and complexities that accompany flags and how we can move through some of these current challenges with a deeper sense of connection.

In this episode we mention the following:

• Beyond Civilisation - Daniel Quinn (PDF non-fiction)
• The Danger of a Single Story - Chimamanda Adiche (TedTalk)
• Tamar Nafar - Palestinian rapper and journalist (website)
• Notes on Nationalism, George Orwell (Essay)
• Politics JOE - Is the St George’s Cross Racist? (Video)
• Is England Flag Flying Campaign Patriotism or Provocation? (News report)
• Belonging, Owen Eastwood (Book)
• ‘This is Our Flag… We are Proud British Muslims’ (News article)
• The Wheel of the Year, Fiona Cook (Book)

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A new season is upon many of us at this time of year. Summer shifting into Autumn, the beginning of a new school year, a new work cycle. Maybe just returning to work after a rest. In all of the excitement of 'beginning again' there often comes also a slight pause within us all, asking us "Am I wanting to keep doing this? Is this allowing me to be all I want to be?"

This week, Rachel shares a poem from John O'Donohue called 'For a New Beginning' inviting us to listen to that quiet voice deep within us. We look forward to being back together for Season 4 of Two Inconvenient Women next week.

For a New Beginning

by John O'Donohue

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,

Where your thoughts never think to wander,

This beginning has been quietly forming,

Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,

Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,

Noticing how you willed yourself on,

Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety

And the gray promises that sameness whispered,

Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,

Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,

And out you stepped onto new ground,

Your eyes young again with energy and dream,

A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;

Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

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Our August break continues here at ThoughtBox, so this week we're sharing a short collection of previous episodes where we dive into the nuance of environmental wellbeing and what it means to learn to care for our planet. Some of the highlights from our past three seasons are this mini-series are below:

• Season 1, Episode 4: Falling in love with the world
• Season 2, Episode 7 (Exploring the inconvenience of nature connection): Are we connecting with nature, or just using it?
• Season 3, Episode 4 (Exploring the inconvenience of trees): What can a tree teach us about relationships?
• Season 3, Episode 12 (Exploring the inconvenience of earth-care): Why is caring for the planet essential for all life to flourish?

If you'd like to join us for any of the Triple WellBeing opportunities mentioned in the podcast, you can find more information at:

• Triple WellBeing Introduction workshop: a free, one-hour session (Wednesday 27th August 2025, 1pm-2pm BST)
• Triple WellBeing Practitioner Course: a one-day, online workshop (Friday 26th September 2025, 10am-3pm BST)
• Transforming Education Retreat: a three-day residential programme (Monday 6th - Wednesday 8th October)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our August break continues here at ThoughtBox, so this week we're sharing a short collection of previous episodes where we dive into the nuance of social wellbeing and what it means to learn to care fully for our communities, both local and global. Holly also shares a poem by Rosemary Wahtola Trommer called 'Belonging'.

Some of the highlights from our past three seasons are this mini-series are below:

• Season 1, Episode 14 (Gathering): Why do we gather—and what are we losing when we don’t?
• Season 2, Episode 3 (Empathy): Is the modern world making us less human?
• Season 3, Episode 1 (EDI): How do we hold onto humanity when the law lets go?
• Season 3, Episode 11 (People-Care): What can happen when we look to find our shared humanity in others?

If you'd like to join us for any of the Triple WellBeing opportunities mentioned in the podcast, you can find more information at:

• Triple WellBeing Introduction workshop: a free, one-hour session (Wednesday 27th August 2025, 1pm-2pm BST)
• Triple WellBeing Practitioner Course: a one-day, online workshop (Friday 26th September 2025, 10am-3pm BST)
• Transforming Education Retreat: a three-day residential programme (Monday 6th - Wednesday 8th October)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This August, we're taking a break here at ThoughtBox, so we're sharing a collection of previous episodes where we dive into the nuance of personal wellbeing and what it means to learn to care fully for ourselves. In this mini episode, Holly shares a poem on the theme of personal wellbeing, and introduces some of the highlights from our past three seasons, which make up this week's mini series:

• Season 1, Episode 2 (Rest): What if rest is the most radical thing we can do?
• Season 2, Episode 10 (Spirituality) Are we living in a spiritual vacuum?
• Season 2, Episode 12 (Resourcing): What does it mean to re-source ourselves?
• Season 3, Episode 10 (Self-care): What is self-care was actually a self-less act?

If you'd like to join us for any of the Triple WellBeing opportunities mentioned in the podcast, you can find more information at:

• Triple WellBeing Introduction workshop: a free, one-hour session (Wednesday 27th August 2025, 1pm-2pm BST)
• Triple WellBeing Practitioner Course: a one-day, online workshop (Friday 26th September 2025, 10am-3pm BST)
• Transforming Education Retreat: a three-day residential programme (Monday 6th - Wednesday 8th October)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when we allow ourselves to fall back in love with the world?

For many people it may feel obvious why we need to protect the earth and prevent run-away climate change and species extinction. Yet it may not be so clear as to how changing our relationship with the natural world is just as pressing – if not more so – than any environmental activism. When we take time to notice how incredible the natural world is, to understand and witness how the thriving of nature enables the thriving of ourselves, our appreciation of the importance of earth-care naturally grows. It’s hard to ‘stop and smell the roses’ in a culture that continues to celebrate ‘doing’ over ‘being’ and being in domination over nature, rather than being in relationship with nature. And yet when we start to see ourselves as part of nature, and allow ourselves to feel genuine connection with the more than human world, everything changes.

In this episode we talk about the inconvenience of earth-care and what it means to rewild ourselves, regenerate our thinking and reconnect with the whole of life.

We reference the following:

• It's a wonderful world - David Attenborough (BBC video)
• Is it time to reassess our relationship with nature? Open University (video)
• Incredible Edible (movement /website)
• Birds of paradise mating dance (BBC video)
• Why is environmentalism failing - Morgan Phillips (TedX Talk)}
• Wilding - Isabella Tree (Book / film)
• Nature Connection activities - ThoughtBox (free resources)
• Earth in mind - David Orr (book)

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Humans are a social species by design, with an inbuilt need to be with others, whilst qualities of care and kindness are innate in us all. Many of us are, however, living in a hyper-individualised world which encourages us to 'other' and separate from our communities, creating a culture of segregation and loneliness. In response, tides are turning across the world, as more and more people choose to look beyond the mainstream media stories and start instead to connect with our common humanity. We cannot be human alone - and it is our differences which make us so fascinating, and our diversity which allows our societies to flourish. And so what does it look like to live a life of care for others, and why is this in fact deeply good for us too?

In this week's episode, we explore the inconvenience of 'people-care', and the importance of nurturing caring and healthy communities in our lives - both near and far. We explore our connection to the behaviours of chimpanzees and bonobos; think about how to hold a deep legacy of colonialism within many cultures and reflect on some of the ways that acts of care for others can generate a deep sense of growth, healing and connection with ourselves.

In this conversation we reference the following:

• How to Citizen podcast - Barathunde Thursston (podcast)
• Who we are - or could be - in times of crisis - Rebecca Solnit (article)
• Jon Alexander - Citizens (book / movement)
• Bonobos & chimps - what our closet relatives tell us about being human (article)
• Watching the English - Kate Fox (book)
• Stories of Triple WellBeing - ThoughtBox (podcast)
• Dr Ezideen Shebab - Doctor / writer (linktree)
• Permaculture Principles (website)
• Brene Brown on empathy (video)
• The philosophy of ujamaa (article)
• Interpersonal Neurobiology - Dr Dan Siegel (website)
• Long for the Coast - Jamie Gould, musician (album)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Self-care gets a bad wrap. It's often at the very bottom of our agenda, seen sometimes as self-indulgent - selfish even. And yet being aware of ourselves, being present in our emotions and actions, being kind and caring to our own needs is far from selfish. When we tend to our selves - the analogy of the 'oxygen mask first' we are able to better support others, as we are more resourced and resilient to do so. The growing appreciation for us to look after our personal wellbeing is growing - and is now becoming a conscious part of educational spaces - and yet too often it sits as an add-on or 'bonus' element of how we live and learn together. So how can we learn to embed habits and practices of self-care into our daily rhythms in a culture fixated on more, more, more?

In this week's episode, we dive into the depths of personal wellbeing and acts of self-care, exploring what it means to drink deeply from the 'well of our being' and how we can bring self-care to the top of the agenda.

In this episode we reference the following:

• The Triple WellBeing Framework (PDF download)
• Why resourcing ourselves is key to a sustainable future - Rachel Musson (blogpost)
• Mental Health First Aid (training course)
• Interpersonal Neurobiology - Dr Dan Siegel (website)
• MHFA Mental Health Continuum (website)
• DfE's new RSHE Guidance (website)
• Stories of Triple WellBeing (podcast series)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.