Rob Hopkins

In this episode we are exploring a question sent in by subscriber Joy Cherkaoui. One of the things a future in which imagination is able to flourish will need is spaces in which imagination and creativity are invited. Intentionally. These can take many forms, but we need them. What then are the ingredients of such spaces? What makes a good one? Who gets to create them? How can we ensure that they support and reflect the diversity of the place in which they are situated? 

One of the few rays of hopeful sunshine in the UK’s currently bleak political landscape is the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill. In fact, I feel like it is such a vitally important development that I want to use this article to urge you to get behind it, while also offering a rather different perspective on why I feel it matters so much.

Doughnut Economics is rapidly moving from the fringe to the mainstream. Amsterdam in Holland was recently confirmed as the first ‘Doughnut City’, using the model to underpin its economic development strategy. Many other cities are also moving towards adopting this powerful and fascinating tool for reimagining cities and their economies. Our question in this episode, your mind-expanding piece of summer listening, is “what if every city used Doughnut Economics?’

Allow me to present one of my very favourite episodes of ‘From What If to What Next’ thus far. The question we explore in this episode is ‘What if imagination were a universal right?’ My guests to explore this are Ariane Conrad, writer, activist and ‘book doula’ (editorial consultant and collaborative author) who tends to collaborate with authors who defend the rights of people and planet, and Dr. Masum Momaya who has worked at the intersection of arts, culture, social justice and human rights for more than 20 years as an educator, museum curator, writer and activist.

I recently appeared on the ‘Green Dreamer’ podcast discussing imagination, Transition, and ideas from ‘From What Is to What If’. Green Dreamer, with its host Kamea Chayne, features grounding conversations with thought leaders paving the way towards ecological regeneration, intersectional sustainability, and true abundance and wellness for all. 

As we start, hopefully, to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected older people, many people have experienced an end to their lives that was lonely and traumatic. How different would the world feel if its priorities had changed to being one where the end of life was treated with the same love and reverence as birth?  My two guests for this episode are Mike Grenville and Mary Nally.

One of the benefits of the lockdown has been an awful lot less mowing of lawns in public spaces. There are many places I walk regularly where the grass is now several feet tall, and I love it. In the recent blog I co-authored with Rob Shorter, ‘Introducing the Imagination Sundial’, we suggested a number of ‘practices’ that could be used to refire and to nurture the collective imagination. I would like to suggest that leaving lawns uncut should be added to that list. Hear me out.

One of the best things about having written ‘From What Is to What If’ is the messages I get from people talking about how they have used it in their own lives and how it has been a catalyst for very real change. This story is from Rikey Austin (on the right in the picture […]

In our fourth episode, ‘What if doctors’ surgeries became catalysts for Transition?’, we bring together two of the UK’s most pioneering doctors to explore what a very different future for healthcare could be like. What would it be like if doctors’ surgeries were key players in the wider Transition of the community, actively stimulating a reimagining of food, energy, community and much more?

We know it’s only part of the picture, as one could never hope to capture the full unknowing wonder that is the imagination. But it’s often the part, when shown in talks, that people take photos of or ask for afterwards, and so we thought we would introduce it to you and it’s main elements in the hope that it is something you may find useful.