How Do We Shift From Extraction to Contribution? A Conversation with Rob Lubberink

Rob's research in Malawi on material arrangements and entrepreneurial behavior led to a profound insight: it's not just entrepreneurs who have agency—the everyday materials and systems around us shape what's possible. Using the metaphor of a football coach with a new team every year, Rob describes the challenge of creating learning experiences where students understand systems thinking, recognize their multiple roles in society, and most importantly, shift from asking "what's in it for me?" to "what am I contributing?" This episode explores how Rob uses the Doughnut Economics model, biomimicry sensory experiences, and work with practice partners to help students see that regeneration isn't just about agriculture—it's about fundamentally changing our relationship with all actants, human and non-human alike.Key themes: Distributed agency, systems thinking, material arrangements, Doughnut Economics, shifting from extraction to contribution