"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, that will be enough." —Eckart Tolle
Is it too woo-woo? We wondered about that. But no matter what you believe or practice, this is the season of reflection. We say goodbye to one year and usher in the next. We can’t help but appraise our effect on the world, or proximity to our ideals, and our dreams and to-dos for our next spin around the sun.

In episode five of season two, Tim and Tuesday venture into the heart of their change work: equity. How do we distribute power and wealth? How do we relate across lines of race, class, and gender, and how do we keep these considerations on the table in all of our work and in our working relationships?

BALLE — The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies — gathered some of the most brilliant minds in the world, both urban and rural, who practice macro ideas at the micro level. While the scope and scale of everyone’s individual work runs the gamut, everyone at BALLE gatherings shares one thing in common: they root their impact in real-life, beyond the conceptual or academic. 

In episode four of season two, Tim and Tuesday explore the nature of moving from a start-up mindset to next-phase growth. As enthusiastic prototypers and experimenters, how do we know one phase is done and it’s time to capture learning and institutionalize? When do we call it, and how do we grow?

Today’s activism will only have an impact if it’s a bigger and bigger tent. We need people and ideas and voices of all sorts on all fronts. Whether it’s a shift in our politics, our food, our academia, our consumerism, our manufacturing, or our agriculture, Bioneers is a roll-up-your-sleeves What can we create together next? for people on the leading edge of change—no matter where, or from what angle.

In episode three of season two, Tim and Tuesday explore the often talked-about, always sought-for, and ultimately elusive ideal of balance. In our journeys to reach ‘success’ — to have the greatest possible impact for a better tomorrow — what can we bring to our daily life to protect and renew our energies today?

Sometimes, the past can be a teacher for the worse. If we’re looking for it, the past gives us plenty of evidence for why we should resist change (It’s failed before), protect the status quo (Let’s choose the devil we know rather than the devil we don’t), or dig our heels in with certain people, ideas, or organizations (We just don’t mix). But if we frame it the right way, the past can be a teacher for the better. The past can point us right.

For episode two of season two, Tim and Tuesday interview Jacob Watkins of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, Jacob has brought a remarkably different point of view, resulting in an incredibly rich field of learning for the unlikely trio.

This Thanksgiving season, take some time to make the most of every convening. Because the best way to show gratitude — as leaders of organizations, teams, projects, or movements — is to live it by treasuring the time and the value of others.

In the first episode of season two, Tim and Tuesday explore one of the most prescient requirements of equitable change: the generosity necessary to successfully working through difference. How can we draw out and celebrate such a critical ingredient when that ingredient cannot be forced, but earned?

This week, we’re cheering loud and proud for all the young people taking up space and making noise for their birthright: a livable and sustainable planet. Can any one of us make it happen? Nope. No way. But together, the mindset shifts and heart shifts are tectonic. Go kids go!

Friends, I’ve been tired. Very, very tired. On the edge of burnout-tired. The work is good. I love the work. But this was a kind of tired that was settling deep in my bones, not solvable by a good night of sleep or even a week off. I had stopped hearing my own song — my own knowing and inner compass, so over-stimulated with new input and responsibility. Have you felt that feeling before? When we do, we need a dedicated pause to find it again.

No day we spend together—as long as we're trying our best—is misspent. Even when something has been irrevocably blown down by the conditions around us. The more important thing is not what has been lost, but how we rally in the chaos to come together and create something new.

That’s right, folks! We’re very excited to kick off the second season of FIND THE OUTSIDE: THE PODCAST, with new conversations, insights, and interviews available on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen starting on October 1, 2019! Listen and share every second Tuesday, for all the latest learning, methodologies, stories, and reflection on making change for a more equitable, revitalized world.

I love the middle of change. The creative chaos when everyone is stretched, relationships are tested, and assumptions dissolved. Uncomfort abounds as a green light to show we are learning, stepping OUTSIDE what we know and into the fertile ground of the unknown.

Graphic recording is an emergent piece of theatre. It’s not about comprehension. There will be no pop quiz. It softens our listening by signalling a different space. Just listen, keep your mind open. Together, we’re creating something. It may not be perfect, but isn’t it great?

When Carolyn Townsend joined Sport Nova Scotia, she entered a passionate team of collaborators. They had energy, devoted partners, and a unique approach to working together, with plenty of opportunities for improvement and growth. But sometimes, a fresh set of eyes means we see what long-time team members cannot. In this guest piece for The Outside, Carolyn writes about how to keep a clear frame of view on our organization, our team, and our work together — whether we’re brand-new or years in — and why it matters.

‘Change’ designed to fit on a billboard is constrained by the size of a single billboard. We all know that. I’m not sure any of us would see that in the airport and think, “Right on! My organization needs to address child poverty / invent new energy / distribute more food / design the city of tomorrow. I’m going to book a call with ABC Consulting and get it done by next Tuesday!” But when we’re working towards long-game change, you’re going to be uncomfortable. Which is exactly how you’re supposed to feel, if the change is going to be real.

On one day, Otto Scharmer may be just the right thing to nudge people ahead. On another, we may pull out some Art of Hosting rules to make sure everyone’s listening openly, or we may map out a series of Agile-inspired sprints to get everyone’s sleeves rolled-up. None of the theories above are big enough to hold what we do. We use pieces of them all and are attached to none. Isn’t it freeing?

A story goes that The Beatles felt they played their best music live, in front of an audience. That people listening is what made the music come alive. It’s the same for every art, every interaction, and every collaboration: the quality of listening you give will impact what people say and how well they say it.