31. On building community – across the divides and beyond the doom // ASHLEY FITZGERALD

Is it possible to look clear-eyed at the enormous challenges we’re facing today, and still do something practical and creative in the face of that? What happens when we engage with nature and people in an embodied way, rather than through their representations in statistics and media? And how do we stand up for what we believe in without falling into the dehumanising tribalism of us versus them?Ashley Fitzgerald holds a PhD in environmental sociology, is the creator of the Rizoma Field School and a host of the Doomer Optimism podcast. She also organises Doomer optimism events, bringing together constellations of writers, thinkers, farmers, and practitioners, from all sides of the political spectrum. We met on a hot day in downtown Chicago, among the tall skyscrapers facing the river.LINKS: * Doomer Optimism Podcast* Ashley’s Rizoma Field school* Perception gap studySHARE AND SUBSCRIBE🎙️ The FoT Substack is now live! Become a free or paid subscriber and receive newsletters direct to your inbox.🎧 All episodes and more at ⁠forestofthought.substack.com⁠.💜 Support us on ⁠Patreon⁠ or Substack.⁠🎵 Our theme music is by Christian Holtsteen. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit forestofthought.substack.com