Welcome to Awedacious Ideas, a summary of what we’re reading, listening to and contemplating as we build a case for awe in the change-making space.
If you’re new here, we’re so glad we’ve serendipitously landed in your inbox!
This week’s recap
We’re *dying* for you to listen to our latest Awe Effect episode about death and awe featuring death doula Paul Simard. Warning: It may leave you open to talking about death.
Based on the above-mentioned conversation with Paul, we explored what it might mean to become death doulas for dying systems. Economic systems, systems of oppression, and extractive systems. If you missed it, check out our article Doulas for Dying Systems. We’re dead serious about it.
Collaboration announcement! We’re partnering with House of Beautiful Business to develop a special case study at their gathering in Tangier, Morrocco. Our focus? Exploring how experiences of awe at gatherings like this connect and inspire people to take action. More below.
What we’re reading
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
“There are moments in everyone’s life when an experience of integration with the world transcends the business of survival - like seeing a grandchild for the first time, witnessing an Olympic record broken or the uncommon bravery of an ordinary citizen. For many, the experience of attending the dismantling of the Berlin Wall or of witnessing the emergence of Nelson Mandela from twenty-seven years of imprisonment may have been such a moment.
Some find admission to the realm of possibility at a religious gathering, some in meditation, some by listening to great music. Often people enter this state in the presence of natural beauty or at the sight of something of infinite magnitude, an expanse of ocean or a towering sky. These are moments when we forget ourselves and seem to become part of all being.”
What we’ve been listening to
MARO is a Portuguese singer-songwriter. She wrote a song called ‘saudade saudade’ that speaks to me on another level these days.
The Portuguese word ‘saudade’ doesn’t have a direct English translation, but the closest might be ‘yearning’. It speaks to a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia. Yearning for something so indefinite as to be indefinable. Yearning for the little wonders. Yearning for moments of awe.
Between the two of us... a moment of awe?
Excited to share the Awe Exchange will be collaborating with the incredible House of Beautiful Business team again this year in Tangier, Morocco for their "Between The Two of Us" gathering to develop a special case study.
Our focus? Exploring how experiences of awe at gatherings like this connect and inspire people to take action.
Having felt profound awe myself at past House events, I can't wait to dig deeper into how we harness the power of those moments. The program unfolds between May 2-5 with over 50 brilliant speakers from the intersecting worlds of technology, arts, philosophy, civic leadership.… Tickets are still available here.
Are you an organization interested in identifying opportunities for awe to weave into changemaking strategies?
We are currently looking for case study partners and collaborators to develop a case for awe in impact.
We are seeking organizations who are:
Open to integrating awe into climate strategy, programs, or activations
Imagination driven, data informed
Inspired to be part of the first generation of organizations exploring awe-based change-making
Curious? Questions? Reach out laura@awe.exchange