Welcome to Existential Tetherball!

Ep. 7 - Intelligence

Today, on EPISODE SEVEN of Existential Tetherball, Rachel and Gordon explore intelligence. They jam on definitions/meanings/assumptions of (and around intelligence), the nature of intelligence and new ways of understanding, new models for engaging with intelligence, notions of participation and stewardship of intelligence, and the significance of neurodiversity and the sensing body. intelligence is the living application of knowledge and learning. How do we cultivate a relationship with lifelong learning? What are we learning in the service of? Even more! The impact of conditioning and trauma on how we sense, think, problem solve and create, the embodiment of cognition and neurodiversity, an off-road but important exploration of fate, free will, and choice, the relationship between intelligence, oppression, and neurodiversity, and the reconfiguration of a healthier paradigm. It emphasizes the need to break free from hierarchical supremacy and embrace neurodiversity as an extension of biodiversity. Takeaways * Exploration of intelligence – incomplete maps at best, partial and erroneous ones at worst (the ironly! not logical!) * Stewardship of intelligence involving attention, intention, and learning * Neurodiversity anchors in a triadic model, acknowledging interconnectedness and distinct experiences * The limitations of IQ tests in measuring intelligence; measuring versus contextualizing and orienting (neurodiversity in systemic ecological design) * "Intelligence" etymology = "discernment, choice"; the role of intelligence in being influence, influencing and discernment Chapters * 00:00 Definition and Meaning of Intelligence; Needs Update * 10:56 Stewardship of Intelligence * 18:46 Neurodiversity and Embodied Intelligence * 27:34 The Impact of Conditioning and Trauma Schema on Sensing and Perception * 37:29 Fate, Free Will, and Choice * 49:27 Reconfiguring Our Relationship with Intelligence - Personal, Collective

Welcome to Existential Tetherball!

Hello there! Welcome to Existential Tetherball – a podcast designed to explore depth meaning in the service of stronger connections. In this intro, your hosts, Rachel Fell and Gordon Smith, share a bit about the what and the why behind this new series, touching on themes of curiosity, untapped relationship with meaning, co-creativity, openness, the pragmatism of shared exploration, and the possibilities generated through existential exploration. Both Rachel and Gordon are professional neurodivergent coaches/guides committed to creating a refuge and playspace for neurodivergent, existentially-minded people seeking resonance, inspiration, and community. Existential Tetherball guests and listeners are intense, complex, and sensitive people who prefer curiosity to conclusions and the well-worn of convention.

Ep. 6 - Synchronicity (Karin Eglinton)

We're elated to have Karin Eglinton (karineglinton.com [http://karineglinton.com]) join us for this episode (six!) of Existential Tetherball. Our tether this go around: SYNCHRONICITY // Karin Eglinton – a psychic reader, energy healer, astrologer, spirit worker, and psycho-spiritual coach and mentor – joins Gordon Smith and Rachel Fell to explore synchronicity and meaning. Karin begins by sharing a definition from Jeffrey Kripal, in Authors of the Impossible: "Jung’s category of synchronicity, for example, is all about what we could easily and accurately call meaning events, that is, a moment in space and time where and when the physical world becomes a text to be read out and interpreted, where and when the event is structured not by causal networks of matter but by symbolic references producing meaning."    Karen sees synchronicity/meaningful coincidence as a collection of phenomena that connect the inner and the outer world in the sense of "meaning events" above. Some are "signs from the Universe", messages from deceased loved ones, from Spirit Guides, or moments of increased coherence with Self and Life. Other times they're flashes of precognition or spontaneous psychic perception. Together in Episode 6, Rachel, Gordon, and Karin co-explore: -Definition/s of synchronicity -Making meaning of meaningful events; inner proessing, translation, art of noticing/listening, somatic awareness, etc. -Reciprocity and interplay of inner/outer worlds, influenced and influencing, participatory nature of being -The intention and art/practice of living a synchronisitic life (personal stories of synchronicities shared as well!) -Trauma, ownership/attribution, nervous system, maps of meaning and psychic signals -The science behind psychic phenomeonon -Yes, more! (Rachel tries to ask Karin a question that comes out like a charctuterie board at once point) This episode will resonate with those who've experienced/are interested in "the little hop," deja vu, somatic resonance, symbology, communication, human intelligence and communication with a living universe. Thanks so much again for joining us, Karin!

Ep. 5 - Pilgrimage (BK)

Hi friends! In episode five, Gordon & Rachel welcome their friend BK. The conversation explores the concept of pilgrimage as a transformative journey. Together, the group dives into the meaning of pilgrimage by exploring and sharing experiences, learnings, and the archetypes associated with pilgrimage. Also discussed: the distinction between structured/un and intentional/un pilgrimages, the sacredness of pilgrimage and the meaning of sacred. Through storytelling, BK, Gordon, and Rachel also touch on the call and magnestism of pilgrimage as well as pilgrimage as a form of ritual, containment, and integration. In short, you can expect delightful stories, curiosity, and a wonderful group jam sesh highlighting the profound impact of pilgrimage on personal growth and transformation. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Pilgrimage * 12:06 Archetypes of Pilgrimage * 18:01 Structured, Unstructured, Intentional, Unintentional Pilgrimages * 26:02 Personal Pilgrimage Experiences * 35:04 Pilgrimage as Rituation and Containment * 42:09 Growth and New Abilities * 52:07 The Pilgrim's Journey

Ep. 4 - Story (Laura Hope-Gill)

Episode FOUR - can you believe it? (We can't.) This episode focuses on story, narrative, and "awen" (the flow of creative inspiration), featuring Laura Hope-Gill (https://laurahopegill.com/ [https://laurahopegill.com/]). (FYI: Laura and Gordon both live in Asheville and have collaborated on a number of interesting creative projects.) Together, Laura, Gordon, and Rachel jump into the wilderness of meaning related to story: living reality as a living story, and the transformative power of narrative and storytelling. As they journey together, they touch on "awen" (defined as creative flow, of Gaelic/Celtic orgins) and its significance in shaping our experiences of the inner world and of story. As they continue, the conversation explores sovereignty in one's relationship with story and the internalized narrator's identity and role in storytelling. Little hops abound as we explore the dynamics and complexities of self and narrative/narration and "the inner narrator/s," (as well as TBI experiences, and the mysteries of 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald'). Laura shares pandemic project related to enlightment and notes that "achieving enlightment" as patriarchal and Rachel goes on to get ealthy individuation and the inner wilds, and the little hop and narrative medicine. Themes of narrative medicine, creative-imaginational intelligence, information and "exformation," as well as the inner wilds and the existential vagus nerve round out their collaborative jam. Takeaways * Stories as indicative of our relationship with our inner worlds, inner wilds * Living reality as story, story as living reality * Who's narrating? (Control, meta-identity, inclusion, and flow) * The transformative power of storytelling * Narrative Medicine and creative intelligence * The "Little Hop" Chapters * 00:00 Story: Wavelengths & Channels * 19:07 Awen: The Creative Flow * 30:03 Sovereignty in Relationship with Story * 36:19 Encountering the Inner Narrator * 46:25 The Little Hop and Narrative Medicine