Wonderstruck

Plants are our ancient teachers, whispering and nudging… if only we’d listen. Dr. Monica Gagliano is an evolutionary ecologist who has turned the green world into something wonderfully surprising. Her research reveals plants that listen, remember, make choices and even teach one another. Some can sense eclipses before they happen. Others communicate in ways we’re only just beginning to catch up with.In 2008, Monica did something bold: she stepped out of academia and followed her curiosity into the forest, literally. Blending scientific experimentation with Amazonian plant ceremonies and the guidance of shamans, she helped spark the field now known as plant intelligence. Since then, her work has captured imaginations around the world, appearing in The New York Times and the National Geographic. In this episode, we explore:✦ Pushing back against the scientific status quo✦ Letting nature show you what it knows✦ Welcoming indigenous plant teachings into scientific practice✦ Paying attention as a joyful act of devotionMonica invites us into a playful and daring question: what do plants actually know… and what might they be trying to tell us?Chapters0:00 Intro: Science, wonder, and pushing boundaries03:03 Initiation on the Great Barrier Reef12:53 “Plants rescued the scientist in me”20:57 Monica’s first experiments with plants 27:10 Bringing empathy into science32:37 "More-than-human" is a place37:33 It's the human that needs saving42:44 Indigenous science and plant communication50:54 The ancient tree that spoke to her56:14 Trees synchronize during solar eclipse01:03:51 Attention is the beginning of devotionFollow Monica:Website: https://www.monicagagliano.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_monicagagliano_Follow Wonderstruck:Website: https://wonderstruck.orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderstruckpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderstruckpodApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw

What if the cracks in our world aren't flaws, but thresholds into the unknown? In this episode of Wonderstruck, we sit with philosopher, poet, and playful trickster Bayo Akomolafe. Bayo's vision invites us to linger in mystery rather than rush to solutions. He takes us into the unfolding terrain of post-activism, where possibility, not certainty, becomes our guide.In this conversation, we explore:✦ How physics becomes philosophy… and poetry offers a new way of seeing✦ How AI unsettles our ideas of consciousness and what it means to be human✦ His vision of an “autistic politics,” shaped by those who move differently through the world✦ The role of sanctuary and sacred spaces in times of upheavalThis is less a conversation of answers than of reimagining; an invitation to pause, to listen otherwise, and to encounter the mystery shimmering inside the fractures of our time. In these transformational times, Bayo is a rare and radical voice, urging us to reimagine how we see the world.This episode of Wonderstruck invites you into that space. Chapters0:00 Introduction5:31 Autistic perception and expanded awareness12:30 AI is redefining intelligence18:58 The Ship of Theseus and posthumanism25:50 A moment of wonder at the moon40:00 Second sound and postactivism 55:38 Liminality and the Cracks1:06:50 Death, Eshu and Jesus as trickster 1:14:51 Making sanctuary and examining life's glitchesFollow Bayo:Website: https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayoakomolafe/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bayoakomolafeampersand Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayo.akomolafe/Emergence Network: https://www.emergencenetwork.org/ Follow Wonderstruck:Website: https://wonderstruck.orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderstruckpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderstruckpodApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw

Fungi are everywhere. Under our feet, in our food, in our medicines. Yet they remain one of the most overlooked kingdoms of life. In this episode of Wonderstruck, we speak to mycologist Giuliana Furci, a self-taught champion for fungi and founder of the first NGO in the world dedicated to fungal conservation, the Fungi Foundation. She reveals how mushrooms shape ecosystems, inspire culture, and hold ancient knowledge. They are alchemists of decay, transforming death and toxins into the fertile ground of new life. From sacred candlelit ceremonies to songs created with a cloud forest that has rights, Giuliana’s stories may change how you see the world forever.We explore:How fungi sustain life on Earth and make our survival possibleDocumenting indigenous relationships with fungi, from birth control to healingThe Song of the Cedars with Robert Macfarlane, Cosmo Sheldrake, César Rodríguez-Garavito Sacred mushrooms, Mazatec culture and Maria SabinaWhy protecting fungi may shape the future of our planetGiuliana’s story is a testament to what can happen when we follow our calling and, in the words of Giuliana's mother, that something doesn't have to be done in order for us to do it! Chapters: 0:00 Intro: A fateful encounter with fungi5:56 Mycology 101: Fungi's role in life on Earth9:37 Studying fungi with experience and intuition15:07 Don Pfister’s invitation to Harvard23:13 The Song of the Cedars and forest rights30:13 Documenting indigenous relationships with fungi37:38 Surprising fungal uses across cultures41:27 Fungi communication and sacred ceremonies47:49 National Geographic award and impactFollow Giuliana: Website: https://giulianafurci.com/Instagram: @giulifungiFungi Foundation https://www.ffungi.org/LET THINGS ROT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpjWh1TXthMFlora, Fauna, Funga Documentary National Geographic Society: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DsnWcWeyoIThe Song of the Cedar by Cosmo Sheldrake and Robert Macfarlane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH_timp2S3E&list=RDHH_timp2S3E&start_radio=1Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455147/is-a-river-alive-by-macfarlane-robert/9780241624814 Follow Wonderstruck:Newsletter: https://newsletter.wonderstruck.orgWebsite: https://wonderstruck.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw

A lot of what Jeffrey Kripal writes about and explores doesn’t fit into our current worldview. A professor at Rice University, where he holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought, Jeff specializes in extreme religious experiences, a new comparativism in the study of religion, the paranormal, and the extraordinary dimensions of human existence. He helped create the groundbreaking GEM Program (Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism) and serves on the board of the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California.From UFOs/UAPs to near-death experiences, psi phenomena, and mystical visitations, Jeff’s work challenges us to rethink reality itself. As he puts it, “The paranormal is trying to get our attention. Reality is not what we think it is.” His 13 books, including Authors of the Impossible, Mutants and Mystics, The Flip, How to Think Impossibly, and the upcoming three-volume set The Super Story, invite readers to explore the limits of current-day thought and the vast potential of the unknown.In this conversation, we dive into grief, humor, and the transcendent. Jeff suggests that laughter can help us step outside our worldview, grief can open us to the impossible, and humanity’s tendency to dismiss the extraordinary may actually conceal profound truths. With meaningful observations like “Certainty is a big problem” and “Reality is transcending itself,” Jeff invites us to embrace the mysteries that defy explanation and to see the impossible as a gateway to deeper understanding.Chapters:0:00 Intro: Reality is not what we think5:31 Psychoanalysis and spiritual experiences13:17 John Mack's UFO research at Harvard18:06 The impossible and expanding worldviews24:04 Consciousness: brain vs. perception models29:31 Grief, humor and paranormal experiences36:44 UFOs as a "wedge issue" in science43:17 Historical perspectives on UFO phenomena50:46 Wonder, awe and the "impossible"About Wonderstruck:The Wonderstruck Podcast with Elizabeth Rovere is a deep yet lighthearted exploration of the mystical, metaphysical, transcendent, transformative, esoteric, and ecstatic aspects of human experience. It bridges science, spirituality, and philosophy through engaging conversations with scientists, scholars, experts, and experiencers.In this season of the Wonderstruck Podcast, we delve into the profound mysteries of existence, exploring the depths of human consciousness, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. Through engaging conversations with professors, neuroscientists, comedians, healers, poets, psychotherapists, group therapists, philosophers, activists, and authors,we invite listeners to challenge conventional thinking and embrace a multidimensional understanding of reality.Wonderstruck Links:https://wonderstruck.orghttps://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw

What if pain wasn’t just a problem to fix, but a portal to something deeper?Diane Goldner didn’t set out to become a healer. As an investigative journalist writing for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, she approached energy healing with the sharp eye of a skeptic, ready to expose what didn’t hold up. But instead, she found something that flipped her world upside down. Today, she’s an internationally recognized healer and medical intuitive, helping people unlock their body’s hidden wisdom in ways the medical field could learn from.In this episode, Diane shares the story of her awakening into the world of subtle energy — and how she now helps others access the hidden intelligence of the body. We talk about the surprising signals our pain carries, what it means to receive shaktipat, and why the boundary between science and mysticism may not be a boundary at all.This is a conversation about seeing differently — about tuning in to what lies just beneath the surface, and discovering that healing might be less about fixing, and more about remembering who we really are.Chapters:0:00 Intro: Reality is more mutable than we realize5:06 Diane's journey from skeptic to energy healer10:27 What is energy healing and subtle energy?15:45 Examples of energy healing in action26:26 How Diane perceives energy during healings32:35 The relationship between science and spirituality38:41 Princeton's research on mind-matter interaction46:44 Why energy healing sometimes doesn't work54:39 The role of love in the healing process1:04:23 Chakras and their role in energy healing1:14:17 Diane's experiences with spiritual figures1:16:25 How changing consciousness changes reality1:20:59 Closing thoughts on imagination and perceptionAbout Wonderstruck:The Wonderstruck Podcast with Elizabeth Rovere is a deep yet lighthearted exploration of the mystical, metaphysical, transcendent, transformative, esoteric, and ecstatic aspects of human experience. It bridges science, spirituality, and philosophy through engaging conversations with scientists, scholars, experts, and experiencers.In this season of the Wonderstruck Podcast, we delve into the profound mysteries of existence, exploring the depths of human consciousness, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. Through engaging conversations with professors, neuroscientists, comedians, healers, poets, psychotherapists, group therapists, philosophers, activists, and authors,we invite listeners to challenge conventional thinking and embrace a multidimensional understanding of reality.Wonderstruck Links:https://wonderstruck.orghttps://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVwDiane's Books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Diane-Goldner/author/B001K8F9G6

John Cleese and Dr. Iain McGilchrist are good friends who share a deep appreciation for the power of humor and a fascination with neuroscience and consciousness. McGilchrist recalls falling asleep laughing at an episode of Fawlty Towers—only to wake up the next morning still laughing.Cleese has spent a lifetime using humor not just to entertain but to challenge rigid thinking, expose absurdities, and reveal truths hiding in plain sight. McGilchrist, a psychiatrist, philosopher, and neuroscientist, has transformed our understanding of the mind, particularly how modern culture leans too heavily on the left hemisphere’s need for certainty—often at the expense of creativity, nuance, and vision.In this special episode of Wonderstruck, co-hosts Elizabeth Rovere and Mary Attwood bring us a spirited “quadrologue” exploring humor, creativity, and consciousness. Cleese reflects on how comedy topples hierarchies, sharpens perception, and fosters resilience, while McGilchrist explains why humor itself depends on the brain’s ability to shift perspectives—something the right hemisphere thrives on.Together, they unpack how laughter, play, and spontaneity expand our ways of thinking, helping us loosen up in a world that often takes itself far too seriously.As Cleese puts it: "If humor isn’t woven into the fabric of the cosmos, I need to know why not."Chapters:0:00 Intro: Humor and consciousness5:07 Humor as a democratizing force10:23 Criticism and self-laughter in comedy15:26 Humor's role in consciousness and creativity20:42 Theory of mind and humor26:56 Free will and determinism debate32:45 Unlearning and the importance of humor38:55 Creativity, relaxation, and uncertainty44:40 Introversion and never being bored48:38 Art, consciousness, and cosmic valuesAbout Wonderstruck:The Wonderstruck Podcast with Elizabeth Rovere is a deep yet lighthearted exploration of the mystical, metaphysical, transcendent, transformative, esoteric, and ecstatic aspects of human experience. It bridges science, spirituality, and philosophy through engaging conversations with scientists, scholars, experts, and experiencers.In this season of the Wonderstruck Podcast, we delve into the profound mysteries of existence, exploring the depths of human consciousness, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. Through engaging conversations with professors, neuroscientists, comedians, healers, poets, psychotherapists, group therapists, philosophers, activists, and authors,we invite listeners to challenge conventional thinking and embrace a multidimensional understanding of reality.Wonderstruck Links:https://wonderstruck.orghttps://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw

A lot of what Dr. Alex Gomez-Marin explores challenges the boundaries of traditional science. A physicist and neuroscientist, Alex leads the Behavior of Organisms Laboratory at the Instituto de Neurociencias in Alicante, Spain, and serves as the director of the Pari Center in Italy. His groundbreaking work spans neuroscience, physics, and the study of consciousness, with a focus on what he calls “the edges of consciousness.”In this episode, Elizabeth joins Alex for a mind-expanding conversation about the limits of science as it’s traditionally understood. As Alex highlights, “What is funded is what gets studied,” meaning that the edges of consciousness are often dismissed as fringe and ignored by mainstream science. But materialism is not the only game in town—"science is far more than materialism and reductionism."From his transformative Near-Death Experience (NDE) to his pioneering research on phenomena beyond the five senses, Alex bridges science, spirituality, and the humanities. He explains the receiver model of consciousness, which suggests that the brain functions more like an antenna than a generator, and explores phenomena such as remote viewing and telepathy, pushing the boundaries of what mainstream science considers possible.Together, they discuss Alex's neuroscience research on blind individuals who “see” with their hearts called E.O.V., telepathy as the blending of thought and knowing, and the concept of reality as an evolving perception. Alex’s unique perspective invites us to question everything and embrace the unknown, reminding us that the cracks in the matrix may reveal that reality is far richer than we ever imagined.Chapters:0:00 Intro: Near-death experience and neuroscience5:07 The Pari Center and exploring consciousness10:04 Sharing a profound near-death experience16:59 Science beyond materialism and reductionism28:24 Different philosophical approaches to consciousness34:44 The need for listening in scientific discourse40:50 Studying extraocular vision scientifically47:40 Using science to validate extraordinary experiences51:52 Outro: Exploring the edges of consciousnessAbout Wonderstruck:The Wonderstruck Podcast with Elizabeth Rovere is a deep yet lighthearted exploration of the mystical, metaphysical, transcendent, transformative, esoteric, and ecstatic aspects of human experience. It bridges science, spirituality, and philosophy through engaging conversations with scientists, scholars, experts, and experiencers.In this season of the Wonderstruck Podcast, we delve into the profound mysteries of existence, exploring the depths of human consciousness, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. Through engaging conversations with professors, neuroscientists, comedians, healers, poets, psychotherapists, group therapists, philosophers, activists, and authors,we invite listeners to challenge conventional thinking and embrace a multidimensional understanding of reality.Wonderstruck Links:https://wonderstruck.orghttps://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw

Vandana Shiva is not just an activist, she is a visionary, a force of nature, and a firebrand for a world in crisis. She doesn’t merely challenge the mechanistic view of life; she dismantles it with the precision of a physicist and the passion of a poet. In its place, she offers something far more powerful: a universe alive with intelligence, diversity, and self-organization. This is a cosmos where everything pulses with meaning.A scientist and warrior for the Earth, Vandana bridges worlds that many see as separate such as quantum physics and ancient wisdom, or science and spirit. Her message is meaningful: matter is not inert; it is consciousness in motion. From the sacred cycle of soil, food, and humanity to the concepts of autopoiesis, and symbiosis she reveals the elegant, often invisible web that connects us all.She warns against the dangerous illusion that nature is a machine to be manipulated. In reality, the Earth is a living system, responsive and intelligent, and when we exploit it as if it were lifeless, we create imbalance, and what she calls the metabolic disorder of Gaia. Climate change, in her view, is not just an environmental crisis, rather, it is a profound disruption of life’s symphony, a call to return to harmony before it is too late.But Vandana is not here to preach despair; she is here to ignite transformation. She speaks of joy as an act of resistance, humility as the gateway to true wisdom, and creativity as the very essence of life. The same Shakti, the regenerative power that makes trees grow, rivers flow, and galaxies spin, exists within us, and is inexhaustible and eternal.In this conversation, Vandana invites us to awaken not just to the urgency of the moment but to the deeper truth of our existence. We are not separate from nature; we are nature. And when we embrace this reality, we don’t just sustain the world, we help it flourish. With unwavering courage, wisdom, and love, she calls us to step into a regenerative future, where we become stewards, co-creators, and protectors of the great, living Earth that carries us all.Chapters:0:00 Intro: Quantum physics and healing the planet5:49 Living in consciousness vs. mechanistic thinking11:00 Principles of quantum thinking in everyday life16:19 Earth University: Nature as the teacher22:25 Seed freedom and biodiversity preservation28:01 Finding joy in interconnection and service33:12 Humility and elevated consciousness36:43 Quantum physics and divinity40:51 Story of women's strength from natureAbout Wonderstruck:The Wonderstruck Podcast with Elizabeth Rovere is a deep yet lighthearted exploration of the mystical, metaphysical, transcendent, transformative, esoteric, and ecstatic aspects of human experience. It bridges science, spirituality, and philosophy through engaging conversations with scientists, scholars, experts, and experiencers.In this season of the Wonderstruck Podcast, we delve into the profound mysteries of existence, exploring the depths of human consciousness, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. Through engaging conversations with professors, neuroscientists, comedians, healers, poets, psychotherapists, group therapists, philosophers, activists, and authors,we invite listeners to challenge conventional thinking and embrace a multidimensional understanding of reality.Wonderstruck Links:https://wonderstruck.orghttps://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw