What good is a poem? Is poetry really a tool for transformation? And what about poetry and the spirit of systemic as well as personal change?

In this conversation, Mark Vernon and Josiane Smith explore the ways in which poetry offers us an education in the energetics of our times, how it can be used in surprising places to console and challenge, how there is a poetic way of life as well as writerly practice, and how poetry can become part of the mundane everyday.

Josiane reads two of her poems, "The Nightingale" and "Do we have enough faith?” which can be found here - .rockpa.org/poetry-philanthropy-and-climate-action-opening-reflections-at-the-skoll-world-forum/. She reads from Audre Lorde’s essay, “Poetry Is Not A Luxury”. She explains how poetry can be an invocation and Mark and Josiane hope that the podcast itself shares in that soulful emergence.

Josiane is a poet, philanthropic advisor and Quaker trustee. For more see - https://www.linkedin.com/in/josianesmith

For more about the Realisation Festival see - https://realisationfestival.com/

What is the function of myth and story? How can they help us become more human? What do they teach us about the nature of reality and how we might orient wisely in a time such as ours when the world is in turmoil?

In this conversation, Michael Bready of the Realisation team explores these questions with writer, mythographer and master storyteller, Martin Shaw.

With warmth, wisdom and wit Martin shares from his deep experience as a wilderness guide, lover of mythology, and christian thinker.

Why is seeing simply so valuable? How can we relearn from nature a reimagining our of lives? What does it mean to tackle contemporary troubles with joy and devotion? And what role might myth and ritual play in the rediscovery of pathways to the future?

Mark Vernon talks with Sarah about these questions and more.

Sarah is speaking at The Realisation Festival held in St Giles House, Dorset, 26-29 June 2025.

For more about the festival see - https://realisationfestival.com/

For more about Sarah see - https://sarahwilson.com/

Her substack can be found here - https://sarahwilson.substack.com/