Episode 4: Rebirth

 Rebirth can mean different things to different people. For some it speaks of seasonal cycles, of vegetation renewed, and natural processes. Yet for others, and historically, it also holds more metaphysical connotations, of resurrection, or reincarnation. A renewal and a renaissance, a rebirth can seem to offer a second chance, the opportunity to reset the clock, and begin again from the beginning. Yet will this time be any different? And would we want it to be? To what extent does rebirth mean a break with the past, and to what extent does it imply a recycling of it, an ultimate continuity, an eternal return? And to be reborn, does something first have to die? Can we bridge these gaps between a physical, and a more spiritual, or cultural renewal? What are the dangers of wanting to wipe the slate clean? And what is the potential.-- Siv Watkins is an academically trained microbiologist, independent scholar, and ritualist. She is the founder of Microanimism, a platform for examining and developing relationships between humans and the microbial world, and she specializes in helping folks sit at the murky intersection of science and esotericism. Since 2003, Siv has held scientific positions in industry, commercial, and academic research and faculty settings. Her doctoral studies examined communities of bacteria in satellite wastewater treatment systems, and she has also performed scientific research in the areas of conservation microbiology, freshwater pollution and bioremediation, environmental virus population analysis, and the use of microbiomes and microbial communities in sustaining responsible stewardship of the extended natural environment. Originally from the UK, she currently lives near Albuquerque, New Mexico (homeland of the Pueblo peoples) where she makes home with two cats, one horse, and one human man. Carlos Zepeda began his academic career in economics and international development focusing on solidarity economics and the politics of alternative development in Latin America. Inspired by his experience studying and working first with the Jesuits, and later, as political advocacy campaigner for international development NGOs and civil society organisations in El Salvador and Central America, Carlos explored how power shapes the root causes of social and environmental degradation. His work has investigated how poor people, especially women, suffer social exclusion from the human right to water.As Assistant Director in Policy and Practice, Carlos works as a catalyst to network and translate the Institute’s cutting-edge research on integral ecology into action. He mediates between the Institute’s academic research on integral ecology, on the one hand, and national and global policy actors, global civil society actors, faith communities, and the public at large, on the other. Carlos lives in Petersfield, at the heart of the South Downs National Park in Hampshire, England with his wife and two children. He loves walking and cycling in the countryside, creative art and literature, listening to West African kora music, and dancing Latin American rhythms (a wide range!).Alastair Mant is Director of Business Transformation at the UK Green Building Council.Alastair leads the scoping and delivery of co-created projects that provide the built environment industry with tools and guidance to radically improve its environmental and social impact. Current project topics include net zero carbon, climate resilience, circular economy, biodiversity, and innovation.  He is a Member of the RICS and a Practitioner of IEMA.Away from work, Alastair's favourite hobbies are Japanese culture and rugby, and he has very fond memories of the 2019 rugby world cup in Japan. He previously spent three years in Japan teaching English and exploring the archipelago's amazing natural and built environments.Explore more London National Park City Podcasts