Working Together to Restore Sanity in Turbulent Times with Margaret J Wheatley, Ph.D.

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Wheatley discusses the importance of creating "islands of sanity" in disruptive times to restore and awaken the human spirit. She emphasizes the need to face reality, understand the current landscape, and contribute meaningfully. Wheatley outlines five stages for solving complex problems: cooling (listening), enrichment (understanding diverse perspectives), magnetizing (inviting missing voices), compassionate destruction (letting go of old patterns), and pattern language (creating healthy groups). She advocates for conscious communities based on shared values and human qualities, and stresses the importance of being present, curious, and grateful. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

Margaret J Wheatley, Ph.D. is an internationally acclaimed writer, speaker, and teacher.  She began caring about the world's peoples in 1966 as a Peace Corps volunteer in postwar Korea. She is cofounder and President Emerita of The Berkana Institute, a charitable foundation that works with people around the world to strengthen their communities using the wisdom and wealth already present in their people, traditions, and environment. She is a guide in leading people back to understanding who we are as humans, being able to create the conditions for our basic qualities of generosity, contribution, community, and love. She is a grand contributor in creating an Island of Sanity in the midst of wildly disruptive seas. 

Margaret J Wheatley's books include:

• Leadership and the New Science  (Berrett-Kohler 1998)
• Turning To One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope in the Future (Berrett-Kohler 2009)
• Perseverance  (Berrett-Kohler 2010)
• So Far from Home: Lost and Found In Our Brave New World (Barrett-Kohler 2012)
• Who Do We Choose To Be: Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity (Berrett-Kohler 2017)
• Restoring Sanity: Practices to Awaken Generosity, Creativity & Kindness in Ourselves and Our Organizations (Berrett Kohler 2024)
• Opening to the World As It Is: Poems of Experience (Berkana Publications 2024)

To learn more about the work of Margaret Wheatley go to www.margaretwheatley.com.

Topics explored in this dialogue include:  

• Why it is important to have a clear picture of the current landscape without denial or cynicism
• How to find trustworthy informational resources
• Why it is important to check in to perspectives different from your own
• What is the need for creating conscious communities to counteract isolation
• What are the five stages of solving complex problems
• How “good listening” is active rather than passive and needs the skill of stamina
• What is meant by pattern language
• What is the importance of being spiritual warriors for the human spirit
• Why finding moments of joy is important in coping with despair
• What is meant by the term “a dwelling mind”

Host: Justine Willis Toms    Interview Date: 3/14/2025   Program Number: 3838

Music Playlist

From Album: Timeless
Artist: Jami Sieber

Opening Essay: Track 01 The Invitation
Music Break 1: Track 03 River of Sky
Music Break 2: Track 07 Following My Fathers
Music Break 3: Track 09 River of Rain