Ben Reason, one of the early pioneers of Service Design and co-founder of the boundary pushing agency Livework joins Martin and Brian for a thoughtful discussion on navigating the liminal spaces and the systemic changes that are shaping our world as we know it. Ben's thought-leadership on designing in the Anthropocene was the stimulus for recording this conversation but it builds on the work of many other thinkers in this space.We challenge the allure of scale, examining the benefits of diversity and decentralization over a singular homogeneous approach to moving society forward. Ben references the current state of disruption - such as Florida's housing crisis and California's recurring wildfires - and the role of technology in scaling alternative systems while we also explore the advantages of devolved and decentralised power highlighting the political and human factors that drive change and the current systems that may stifle it.The conversation also spotlights the evolution of design and its profound impact on companies today. From exploring the digital mindset and the emergence of in-house design to the geopolitical influences that shape design practices, our conversation covers an array of topics - all of which are linked when you zoom out from the detail. Finally, we investigate the challenges of designing in a more life-centered way and how design can serve as an instrument in addressing these challenges. We hope you enjoy this reflective conversation with Ben and find some useful and interesting jumping off points for your own exploration of Liminal thinking.

Livework: https://liveworkstudio.com/

Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breasy/

Design for the Anthropocene:https://www.slideshare.net/Livework/design-for-the-anthropocene-252901562

Being LiminalIs a podcast about the changing nature of Leadership in Business Transformation. Brian and Martin explore the mindset and skills currently missing in Business Leadership of Transformation that when present contribute to the 30% success rate of Large-Scale Business Transformation and Change.The podcast explores Systems and Design Thinking as a necessary approach to leading through the Liminal State that is a Transformation programme. Each episode is either a research interview with a Guest Expert or a working discussion session between the hosts Martin Dowson and Brian Hoadely as they develop the content that will form their new book: Being Liminal. This podcast is your opportunity to eavesdrop on their research and writing process.

Podcast Website: www.beingliminal.com

Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/being-liminal/id1690994247

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7aJYpbWWZ85SBt27pfUgDo

Martin Dowson on LinkedIn

Brian Hoadley on LinkedIn

In this episode Brian and Martin are in conversation with Bethany Jarroussié. Bethany is on the design leadership team at BP and her career as a design leader has seen her take on distinctly non-design type activities. It's a conversation that covers, how, if we're honest about the nature of transformation, it can be very unpredictable, and with that comes a need to create psychological safety for teams. There are great examples of leaders who created the environments in which it's okay to learn while doing with the inevitable discomfort and at times crashes that can come with this. You'll hear about Bethany's own journey into the world of work, which she describes as not traditional. She reflects on how that has had an impact on her as a leader and her leadership style, and her support for and the importance of social mobility. For those of you are following along with other episodes, you'll find a connection here between some of what Ola Gwozdz discusses, That the leaders that will be able to take us through the nature of the transformations that are ahead of us - will have had experiences themselves of having to deal with their own personal liminality.You'll find that Bethany draws deeply on this in nuanced conversation with deeply personal perspective on leadership. Bethany on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanyjarroussie

Being Liminal Is a podcast about the changing nature of Leadership in Business Transformation. Brian and Martin explore the mindset and skills currently missing in Business Leadership of Transformation that when present contribute to the 30% success rate of Large-Scale Business Transformation and Change.The podcast explores Systems and Design Thinking as a necessary approach to leading through the Liminal State that is a Transformation programme. Each episode is either a research interview with a Guest Expert or a working discussion session between the hosts Martin Dowson and Brian Hoadely as they develop the content that will form their new book: Liminal Leaders. This podcast is your opportunity to eavesdrop on their research and writing process.

Podcast Website: www.beingliminal.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/being-liminal/id1690994247

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7aJYpbWWZ85SBt27pfUgDo

Martin Dowson on LinkedIn

Brian Hoadley on LinkedIn

In this episode Brian and I are in conversation with Ola Gwozdz, a listener who reached out to share her perspective and we realised we just had to bring into our exploration. Ola helps us delve into the intricacies of identity, power dynamics, and the transformative potential of liminal spaces.

She describes herself as a Data Philosopher, a concept and articulation I find fascinating – using data not just as raw information but a medium or lens to understand and interpret deeper societal and human issues, behaviours and global societal shifts. She philosophises about the implications, meanings and narratives that data can reveal.

We discuss the challenges posed by some of those global shifts like AI and climate change, Ola reflects on the feelings of lost control experienced by many in today's rapidly changing landscape. Yet, amidst the complexities, she finds a glimmer of hope in the quiet voices championing new ways of thinking. she emphasizes the significance of timing in the emergence of new ideas and the role of identity in various communities

Our conversation also touches on the irony for her and for Brian & I of exploring liminal spaces, noting how such exploration can turn our own personal journey into a reflection of those very spaces.

This conversation really digs into the changing nature of leadership and the power of liminality – we’re really looking forward to hearing what you got out of this conversation… Links:Ola Gwozdz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olagwozdz/

Being Liminal

Is a podcast about the changing nature of Leadership in Business Transformation. Brian and Martin explore the mindset and skills currently missing in Business Leadership of Transformation that when present contribute to the 30% success rate of Large-Scale Business Transformation and Change.The podcast explores Systems and Design Thinking as a necessary approach to leading through the Liminal State that is a Transformation programme. Each episode is either a research interview with a Guest Expert or a working discussion session between the hosts Martin Dowson and Brian Hoadley as they develop the content that will form their new book: Being Liminal. This podcast is your opportunity to eavesdrop on their research and writing process.

Podcast Website: www.beingliminal.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/being-liminal/id1690994247

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7aJYpbWWZ85SBt27pfUgDo

Martin Dowson on LinkedIn

Brian Hoadley on LinkedIn