Ep 4 Brenna Quinlan: Permaculture Creative

If you’re looking for reasons to be hopeful, this conversation with Brenna Quinlan will provide a lifetime’s worth. You probably know her as “that permaculture illustrator” - and boy, can she communicate complex environmental and social ideas with a few deft flicks of her paintbrush!But did you know that Brenna is also a brilliant thinker, permaculture educator and tiny-hut-dwelling resident of Melliodora?Yep. Brenna is a breath of fresh air and optimism, with oodles (of positive stuff!) to share about where humanity’s headed - and how we can make the transition altogether more joyful. Listen in. Smile big. Draw a (hopeful) picture. SHOW NOTESBrenna’s early love of art and “crashing” adult art classes.Her story of riding across the Americans in her early 20s, learning about farming and community.How she was “the right sized piece of the puzzle” when she fell into illustrating Retrosuburbia... and making creativity her career.Why she didn't stress about "using her uni degrees" and instead let creativity and opportunities germinate where they may.How and why to be part of a greater movement, rather than going it alone. The importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people.Her simple daily rituals and joyful pleasures featuring: goats, uphill bike rides, library books.Why cycles of day and night, the seasons and and end-of-day gratitude practice are essential parts of her existence.Why ‘alternative living’ is an opportunity to connect more with others, rather than persisting with unfettered individualism (the death of community?).How her life at Mellidora works: rent for work exchange, living alongside others, zero waste, a permie bubble. Why taking a leap of faith into a different life = nothing to lose. How she channels her environmental grief into positive forward motion.How to find what makes you come alive - and go for it!LINKS YOU'LL LOVEWebsite: Brenna Quinlan @brenna_quinlanBook: Retrosuburbia: The Downshifters Guide to a Resilient Future - David HolmgrenBook: On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal - Naomi KleinSupport the show