Conversation with Tom Mansfield - the Norwegian Sequel

Forest Serendipity and the Art of FlowIn this special sequel recorded in the heart of the Norwegian woods, host Tomo Hamakawa reunites in person with Tom Mansfield. Recorded at 7:30 a.m. amidst the bursting new green of a Norwegian spring, this episode serves as a live reflection on the first We Are Gaia gathering—a gathering for global stewards of the Cards for Life project.Moving beyond their initial zoom conversation from a year prior, this episode explores the profound synchronicities and serendipities that emerged when the Slow Flow Glow philosophy met the reality of the forest.The Magic of SynchronicityThe conversation centers on the goosebump moments that affirmed this gathering was meant-to-be:The Lined-up Launch: In a moment of pure coincidence, the original podcast interview with Tom was released on May 27th—the exact day the global group arrived in Norway—creating an immediate shared field of attention and awareness among participants from Kenya, Brazil, China, and beyond.The Andean Connection: Before arriving, Tomo discovered photos of two Peruvian shamans Agustin and Santos - Q'ero elder and Pampamesayoq (Earthkeeper) from the high Andes - on the retreat venue's website. Tomo had just met them in Japan months earlier, leading to a magical long-distance connection with the local host.The Natural SFG Cycle: Without prior planning, the three-day retreat structure mirrored the Slow Flow Glow trilogy perfectly: Day 1 focused on Being (Slow), Day 2 on Dynamics (Flow), and Day 3 on Doing (Glow).Relationships Before TasksTom shares his guiding mantra for the retreat: relationships before tasks. In a world that demands "maximizing mileage" and "strategy mind maps," this sequel discusses the courage required to surrender to the flow and prioritize human connection over productivity.Sensory Forest ReflectionsThe episode is underscored by the "beautiful background music" of birdsong and the "soft and mellow" energy of the woods. Listeners will journey with Tomo and Tom as they reflect on:Lying on crunchy moss that felt like "Gaia’s own sofa".Discovering traces of beavers along the river—natural engineers of their own flow structures.The "abundant hosting" of Anne-Lise at a beautiful old Norwegian farm, where the group found a cozy home for healing and emergence_____Tom Mansfield is the founder of Pale Blue, a coaching and consulting organization that supports individuals and teams in finding alignment with planetary health. Established in 2019, his work is deeply informed by an ecosystemic approach to personal development, blending his background training in Permaculture and NLP with a focus on participatory learning. Tom is the creator of Cards for Life, a 72-card tool born from his desire to bridge inner development with ecological restoration, allowing users to navigate complex life challenges through infinite combinations of concepts. His professional journey is unique, spanning 15 years in the built environment—ranging from his early craft as a tradesman restoring old buildings with natural materials to his current leadership roles directing programs for the Bio-leadership project. ⁠LinkedIn⁠Tomo Hamakawa. Social entrepreneur, accidental hotelier, regenerative facilitator, strategic advisor, father of 4 kids - living in Ubud, Bali.  ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Please share your comments, questions, and requests!⁠https://forms.gle/2UqGMwUw6BS66cGF7