Denizen Podcast

This episode explores the importance of understanding and integrating various modes of cognition. It is the second in a three-part series with Robert Gilman, founder and president of The Context Institute, covering essential competencies for the regenerative era.

Jenny and Robert discusses the limitations of object perception and categorical thinking, the roles of visual and kinesthetic thinking, and the value of intuition. The episode also explores the concept of systems consciousness and its implications for living in harmony with life on Earth. Additional discussions include the impact of the Age of Enlightenment on modern thinking, the limitations of language, and the importance of cultural and contextual awareness in decision-making.

00:00 Introduction to Modes of Cognition

00:27 Meet Robert Gilman and Series Overview

01:03 Exploring Various Modes of Cognition

02:14 Understanding Cognition and Its Importance

03:43 Historical and Cultural Analysis of Cognition

05:50 Dominant Modes of Cognition

15:25 Visual Thinking and Its Richness

18:37 Kinesthetic Thinking and Somatic Awareness

24:51 The Importance of Intuition

25:07 Exploring the Concept of Intuition

26:32 The Role of Subconscious in Creativity

27:34 Interconnection of Consciousness

29:16 Balancing Different Modes of Cognition

34:02 Understanding Systems Consciousness

37:56 The Impact of Communication on Understanding

41:47 Developing a FUD Immune System

47:16 Sustainable Motivation and Future Pull

48:31 Conclusion and Resources

To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.

This episode on psychodynamics is part one of a three part series on essential skills for a regenerative future, in honor of Rober Gilman's 80th birthday. Robert is the founder and president of The Context Institute and a pioneer in the sustainability movement.

The conversation dives deep into psychodynamics and the importance of understanding our cognitive biases, nervous systems, and underlying motivations to foster cultural change. Robert explains how personal change is integral to cultural evolution, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual behaviors and societal transformation. Jenny and Robert discuss cultivating personal resilience, recognizing cognitive biases, healing past traumas, and fostering compassionate, curious, and creative interactions.

‍

00:00 Introduction to Psychodynamics and Cultural Change

00:24 Meet Robert Gilman: A Pioneer in Sustainability

02:04 The Importance of Personal Change for Cultural Transformation

05:45 Historical Context: From Agrarian Empires to the Age of Enlightenment

10:53 The Limitations of Modern Culture and Proposed Changes

24:08 Understanding and Partnering with Our Nervous System

32:18 Exploring Cognitive Biases

33:31 Understanding Motivated Reasoning

35:30 The Role of Cognitive Biases in Media and Relationships

37:31 Layers of Motivation

40:20 The Importance of Relationships

48:58 Embracing Internal Complexity

54:51 The Future of Human Evolution

56:48 Conclusion and Next Steps

To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.

In this episode of the Denizen podcast, host Jenny Stefanotti and activist Julia Rhodes Davis delve into the concept of 'white work,' which goes beyond confronting and dismantling racialized identities. They discuss the importance of understanding personal legacy, taking accountability for ancestors' actions, and taking actions individually to repair past harms. They also discuss the inner, interpersonal, and cultural aspects of this work. Julia emphasizes the importance of ongoing practice within a community setting.

00:00 Introduction to Solidarity and Whiteness

01:22 Meet Julia Rhodes Davis

01:34 Exploring White Work

02:13 Putting White Work within the Denizen Inquiry

02:32 Julia's Background and Evolution

05:25 Understanding Racialized Capitalism

07:51 Personal Stories and Ancestral Context

11:30 The Inner Work of Racial Justice

25:42 Misguided White Work and Diversity

32:17 White Work as a Lifelong Practice

33:17 Understanding Shame and Discomfort in Anti-Racism Work

34:57 Circles of Practice: Community and Storytelling

38:36 Depersonalizing and Understanding Racial Conditioning

46:41 The Role of Inner Work in Anti-Racism

48:28 Exploring Power Dynamics in Relationships

51:18 Rupture and Repair in Relationships

57:12 Building Solidarity Against Fascism

59:40 Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

Resources:

• Julia's website and writings: https://www.jrdavis.me/
• White Supremacy Culture - Still Here, Tema Okun

To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.

We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Tema Okun to the Denizen podcast for this important conversation. Tema is the author of the influential 1999 paper "White Supremacy Culture" and has been a leader in the racial justice movement for over 35 years. In this insightful episode, Jenny and Tema explore the pervasive influence of white supremacy culture in society. They discuss the concept's historical context, its impact on both personal and systemic levels, and the importance of recognizing internalized racist conditioning. 

Tema shares the journey of her original paper, detailing its attributes and their societal implications. She also outlines into the interconnectedness of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy.  Tema and Jenny reflect on the necessity of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a culture of appreciation as antidotes to these ingrained systems. The dialogue also highlights the significance of love, belonging, and making conscious choices in combating fear-based energies, ultimately advocating for a collective effort towards systemic change and personal transformation. 

Outline for the episode:

• 00:00 Introduction to Racist Conditioning
• 00:35 Meet Tema Okun: Activist and Educator
• 00:47 White Supremacy Culture and Denizen Community
• 01:54 Personal Reflections on White Supremacy
• 03:09 Understanding White Supremacy Culture
• 05:46 The Role of Fear in White Supremacy
• 09:26 Intersectionality and Systemic Context
• 12:27 The Origins of the 1999 Paper
• 24:55 Perfectionism and White Supremacy
• 29:04 Transforming Defensiveness into Curiosity
• 30:19 Qualified Paternalism and the Hero Complex
• 34:41 The Flaws of Capitalism and the Growth Imperative
• 36:35 The Importance of Process and Connection
• 38:32 Urgency and the Right to Comfort
• 45:33 Cultural Antidotes and Emotional Intelligence
• 53:14 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Resources:

• White Supremacy Culture website
• "White Supremacy Culture" original 1999 paper
• "White Supremacy Culture - Still Here" 2021 update
• Racial Equity Principles
• Tema's website: https://www.fiercelove.info/
• 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
• The New Rules of Marriage, Terrance Real

To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.

This conversation features Tyson Yunkaporta, academic, arts critic, researcher, and member of the Apalech Clan in far north Queensland. Tyson is the author of Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World; Right Story, Wrong Story: How to Have Fearless Conversations in Hell; and Snake Talk: How the World’s Ancient Serpent Stories Can Guide Us.

Unlike our typical episodes which focus on a topic, here Jenny embraces Tyson's generative cultural practice of yarning. Tyson describes a yarn as "like a conversation but taking a traditional form his people have always used to create and transmit knowledge."  Thus here we capture a raw conversation between Jenny and Tyson, touching on topics of whiteness, identity, modes of cognition, justice, and the hero complex.  Tyson shares the story behind each of the three books in his trilogy, touching on their relevance for the modern technologically driven era.

To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.