Episodes

  • The Transformative Power of Rituals in Modern Communities with Betty Ray

    The Transformative Power of Rituals in Modern Communities with Betty Ray
    Jun 18 2024
    In this episode of the Cohere Podcast, hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas talk with community expert Betty Ray about the profound impact of rituals on personal and community well-being. Betty shares her extensive experience and research on the role of rituals in fostering belonging, purpose, and navigating transitions. The conversation delves into practical applications of ritual in both online and offline communities, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to create meaningful and supportive community spaces. Summary and Key Topics: 00:00:00 - Introduction Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas introduce the episode and guest, Betty Ray, highlighting her extensive background in community leadership and her recent focus on the positive role of ritual. 00:02:00 - Understanding Ritual Betty explains the concept of ritual, its historical context, and its benefits, emphasizing its role in fostering belonging, purpose, and helping individuals navigate transitions. 00:06:23 - Betty's Career and Community Rituals Betty shares her career journey, detailing her experiences with community rituals at organizations like Live365, Edutopia, and Minnesota Public Radio, and discussing the importance of creating rituals in community settings. 00:11:17 - Mechanics of Ritual Betty outlines the specific structures that differentiate rituals from routines and habits, and provides examples of how rituals can be designed and implemented in daily life and community contexts. 00:19:31 - Current Work and Projects Betty talks about her current initiatives, including the Center for Ritual Design and Pandora’s Way, focusing on creating meaningful rites of passage for young people and supporting families through technological transitions. 00:24:00 - Addressing Challenges in Rituals Discussion on potential negative aspects of rituals and how they can be misused, emphasizing the importance of intention and positive, pro-social purposes. 00:27:00 - Evolution and Flexibility of Rituals Betty and the hosts discuss how rituals can evolve and adapt to different cultural and personal contexts, and the importance of keeping rituals meaningful and relevant. 00:29:40 - The Future of Rituals and Closing Thoughts Betty shares what excites her most about the future of rituals and her projects, expressing hope for the positive impact they can have on communities and individuals. About our guest(s): Betty's Website: Pandora's Way: Betty's Soundcloud:
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    33 mins
  • Shaping Tomorrow Together: Scott Smith and Susan Cox-Smith on the Dynamics of Futuring

    Shaping Tomorrow Together: Scott Smith and Susan Cox-Smith on the Dynamics of Futuring
    Apr 2 2024
    In the Cohere podcast episode, hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas, along with guests Scott Smith and Susan Cox-Smith, delve into the shift from traditional forecasting to the dynamic practice of futuring, as explored in their works How to Future and Future Cultures. They discuss the importance of evolving strategic frameworks to foster anticipation and adaptability, particularly in navigating complex crises. The conversation highlights the role of online communities in driving innovation and building future resilience. Through insights and case studies like the UNDP Future Trends and Signals System, they advocate for viewing "future" as an active process and emphasize the critical role of communal networks in shaping responsive and anticipatory cultures. "It's incredibly important for futures to be opened up to a wider group of people because you can't have better futures just for one." Susan Cox-Smith Mentioned in this episode: Links to relevant materials mentioned during the episode About our guest(s): Website: Books: Future Cultures: Author Bios and Contact Information: Call-to-Action(s): If you liked this episode, check out: and Subscribe to the Cohere Podcast For more reflections about the intersection of community and design, subscribe to the Cohere Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave a review of the Cohere Podcast Have you listened to the Cohere Podcast? We would love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review and let us know what you think about the show. Your feedback helps us improve and make the podcast even better. ADD EMAIL Share your thoughts about future guests / topics of exploration: ADD EMAIL Check out #BookDNA for a list of books, articles, and whitepapers featured on the Cohere Podcast
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    38 mins
  • How the Humanistic Values in Organizational Development Can Guide Communities with Dr Sharon Varney and John Hovell

    How the Humanistic Values in Organizational Development Can Guide Communities with Dr Sharon Varney and John Hovell
    Mar 12 2024
    In the latest thought-provoking episode of Cohere, hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas welcome two distinguished and returning guests. First up, we have Dr. Sharon Varney, a dynamic force in the realm of leadership and organizational development. With a rich background spanning complex organizations across manufacturing, utilities, travel, banking, oil and gas, Sharon's encounter with complexity theory in the early 2000s sparked a profound shift in her approach to leadership and change practice. Her academic journey, combined with her hands-on experience, has led to groundbreaking work in leadership and organizational development across various sectors. Sharon is also closely associated with Henley Business School, where she continues to advance the intersection of academia and practical application. Her book, ‘Leadership in Complexity and Change,’ draws from her award-winning doctoral research and offers a hopeful, practical guide backed by a robust academic foundation. Joining Sharon, we have John Hovell, a visionary leader at the intersection of Knowledge Management (KM) and Organization Development (OD). As the Managing Director and co-founder of STRATactical, John is renowned for his innovative approaches to combining OD and KM strategies to address contemporary challenges. His work on creating conversational leadership through the synergy of Knowledge Management, Organization Development, and Diversity & Inclusion offers fresh insights into how organizations can foster more dynamic and inclusive environments. Today, we're eager to explore the nuances of Organization Development, or OD, and discuss how OD principles can shape community dynamics in a meaningful way. With Sharon's expertise in navigating the complexities of leadership in changing environments and John's forward-thinking strategies on knowledge management and organizational development, today's episode promises to be a rich tapestry of ideas and insights. So, stay tuned as we dive deep into these fascinating topics, offering you perspectives that are as enlightening as they are practical.
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    47 mins
  • Art School Every Day with Dave Gray: Insights from School of the Possible

    Art School Every Day with Dave Gray: Insights from School of the Possible
    Feb 17 2024
    On this episode of the Cohere podcast, co-hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas interview Dave Gray, Chief Possibilitarian at School of the Possible. They delve into being a "possibilitarian," exploring how this mindset fosters innovation and openness to new ideas. Dave shares the  School of the Possible founding story, an experimental learning community that challenges conventional education models. The discussion covers how critical thinking and creativity are encouraged and the practical application of knowledge to solve real-world problems. Listeners will discover how embracing possibility can transform learning and personal growth. "Art school is very different than a lot of other types of education. It's focused on making and creating and doing things with your hands and making things happen in the real world. So, in one sense, there was a whole approach to learning that I picked up in art school. And also, when you graduate from art school, it's not like there's a lot of people waiting with jobs for you. You have to apply those creative thinking skills to designing your life, thinking about What is it that you want to create in the world? How are you going to make your way in the world? And it's really interesting to watch all of my peers and colleagues, all trained in creativity, all figuring it out in different ways. It all stems from this idea of "what are you going to create and what are you going to make?" In a lot of types of education, you can just solve the problem in a way that everyone before you solved the problem.  When you're in an art school, you're not allowed to solve problems in the way they've been solved before. You're required to think about a different way or a new way."  Mentioned in this episode: Links to relevant materials mentioned during the episode   About our guest(s):  Chief Possibilitarian at School of the Possible Author, and LinkedIn:   Call-to-Action(s): If you liked this episode, check out: and Subscribe to the Cohere Podcast For more reflections about the intersection of community and design, subscribe to the Cohere Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave a review of the Cohere Podcast  
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    30 mins
  • Teasing Out the Best Insights and Ideas From a Volatile 2023

    Teasing Out the Best Insights and Ideas From a Volatile 2023
    Jan 16 2024
    As we begin 2024, Lauren and Bill would love to hear from you! Please send your suggestions, feedback, and ideas for topics and guests to .  Welcome to our special year-end 2023 review of the Cohere podcast. This year, we marked a significant shift in our approach. We moved away from the constraints of seasonal formats, embracing topical series that have allowed us to delve deeper into various themes, synchronizing seamlessly with our ongoing work and research. Let’s walk down memory lane and revisit some of the most insightful moments from this year's episodes. Venessa Paech sheds light on the evolving definition of AI and its interplay with power dynamics. John Hovell joined us to discuss the essence of conversational leadership. A key part of this conversation was defining what conversation truly means. Meena Palaniappan's insights into impact measurement, resilience, and behavioral change in human-centered social networks were compelling. Esteban Kolsky joined us to discuss how we might navigate the customer experience landscape.  In our episode with Ed Finn,Ed Finn, the founding director of the Center for Science and the Imagination at Arizona State University we discuss how to build imaginative capacity. Social learning theorists, the Wenger-Trayners, joined us to help us explore the concept of learning partnerships in communities of practice. Dr. Mihaela Vorvoreanu came on the show to help us unpack trust and fabrication in large language models. This conversation is crucial for understanding generative AI. We explored the rich history and the exciting future of the Maker Movement with Dale Dougherty. Jeremiah Owyang helped us consider how we might navigate the AI surge. Jeremiah tackles the rapid evolution and acceleration of digital technology cycles. Dr. Rob Hopkins to help us imagine tomorrow and to teach us how to travel to a better future. We ended the year looking back at the hype of cryptocurrency and exploring what is still happening in this space with Reneé Barton. Reneé offers insights into cryptocurrency market trends. We thank our listeners for joining us on this enlightening journey and look forward to another year of engaging and insightful conversations in 2024. Stay tuned! Again, please send us your feedback, ideas and suggestions to hosts@coherepod.com.
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    48 mins
  • Decoding Crypto Adoption with Reneé Barton: A CRADL Report Deep Dive

    Decoding Crypto Adoption with Reneé Barton: A CRADL Report Deep Dive
    Jan 4 2024
    In the last episode of 2023 for the Cohere podcast, co-hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas welcome Reneé Barton, Manager of Impact Research at the Crypto Council for Innovation. They delve into the CRADL report, the crypto industry's first in-depth ethnographic study, which illuminates the varied motivations behind crypto adoption and highlights opportunities for industry refinement. Barton elaborates on the meticulous research methodology that captures diverse user experiences, revealing overlooked use cases and challenging assumptions about crypto's role in equitable wealth distribution. The conversation also touches on the hurdles of user experience in crypto adoption, potential risks, and the practical application of the research for stakeholders. The episode concludes with insights on future explorations and where to access CRADL's pioneering work. Mentioned in this episode:    About our guest(s):  Renée Barton is passionate about connecting research and analysis to the design and implementation of policies, programs, and places that equitably leverage, distribute, and create access for all to the benefits of technology. She looks beyond data and econometric analysis to understand how people and communities engage with the policies, products, and places that shape their lives.    As the Manager of Impact Research at the (CCI), Renée leads research to provide evidence-based insights on the real-world value of crypto on the lives of people and their communities. By sharing insights, expertise, and facts about the global crypto ecosystem, CCI supports governments and institutions worldwide in efforts to shape inclusive policy and regulation that fosters innovation and grows access for all to a new ecosystem of tools and services. As a researcher and project lead at the , funded by the , Renée led primary ethnographic research to help organizations and policymakers understand why people are turning to crypto.   In her prior capacity as a consultant she has advised a range of public and private entities including governments, universities, philanthropic organizations, major tech companies, startups, and minority-serving venture funds, on topics including economic development, the structuring of policies and programs, and implementation strategy at the intersection of technology, communities, and inclusive growth.   Call-to-Action(s): If you liked this episode, check out: and For more reflections about the intersection of community and exponential technologies, subscribe to the Cohere Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share about future guests / topics of exploration. Check out #BookDNA for a list of books, articles, and whitepapers featured on the Cohere Podcast.
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    30 mins
  • Imagining Tomorrow with Rob Hopkins: Cultivating Community and Shaping the Future

    Imagining Tomorrow with Rob Hopkins: Cultivating Community and Shaping the Future
    Nov 30 2023
     In this episode of the Cohere podcast, co-hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas interview Rob Hopkins, Ph.D., co-founder of Transition Network and author, on the power of community imagination in shaping our future. Dubbed a "guest from the future," Rob shares his insights on creating spaces for collective dreaming and the journey towards a healthier relationship with the internet. They discuss the ingredients for successful community initiatives, the role of imagination activists, and overcoming barriers to our creative potential. With storytelling as a pivotal theme, Rob also touches on the concept of 'embodied futuring.' The conversation concludes with a teaser into the intriguing research for his upcoming book.  
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    41 mins
  • Community Ecosystem Development: A Conversation on the State of Practice

    Community Ecosystem Development: A Conversation on the State of Practice
    Nov 2 2023
    In this episode of the Cohere podcast, hosts Bill and Lauren engage in a reflective conversation about the ongoing transitions and emerging trends in community practice. Drawing from their extensive experience, they discuss the evolution of community roles, exploring how a broader approach to community ecosystem development is taking shape.  
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    33 mins