Beyond Listening

Listening circles are one of the simplest — and most powerful — practices for building connection in groups. But why do they work so well? In this episode, Adam and Miriam explore how listening circles help regulate the nervous system, create psychological safety, and transform group dynamics. In a time when stress, polarization, and disconnection are rising, practices that help people slow down a...

In honor of International Women’s Day, we bring you a special episode of the Beyond Listening Podcast . Today, we celebrate the power, resilience, and wisdom of women by hosting five extraordinary guests who have courageously walked their unique paths in the world. Each of these women brings a powerful story of leadership, perseverance, and strength. Guests: Dr. Mona Armijo (Florida, USA) – A trai...

In this episode, Miriam Jones and Adam Rumack dive into why they have chosen to do women and men focused leadership work this year. From examining the dynamics of power and the challenges women face in leadership to the necessity of self-reflection and personal growth, this conversation sheds light on how both retreats foster personal development and empowerment. This conversation however isn’t ju...

In this chat around the fireside, Atz Kilcher shares his deep connection to music, nature, and the journey of self-acceptance. Reflecting on his childhood, he explores how the wilderness shaped his understanding of himself and the world around him. Atz reveals the therapeutic power of music and how returning to nature can help veterans and others find peace, purpose, and personal growth. Weaving s...

In this heartfelt episode of Beyond Listening, we sit down with veteran and musician Andrew to explore his journey from the military to a powerful career in songwriting. Andrew shares his early roots in punk rock and country music, how music helped him cope with the aftermath of his military service, and the transformative experiences he’s had through the Heroes Healing Homestead initiative, co-ho...

In this episode, Adam and Miriam, co founders of Open Circle, dive deep into the complexities of guiding change, offering practical insights into both horizontal and vertical transformations. They emphasize the critical need for understanding and accepting change, while also exploring the common resistance humans face, often rooted in our fear of loss. Throughout the conversation, they address the...

Kiersten McCartney, “Coach K”, the program director and co-founder of Arena Adaptive, shares her journey and passion for engaging people with disabilities in exercise, fitness, and sport. She discusses the origins of her passion and the intentional community-building approach she takes in her work.  The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to adaptive fitness, healthcare challenges f...

In our latest episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of nature and its profound effects on the brain with Amy McDonnell, a research fellow at the University of Utah Applied Cognition Lab. Meet Our Guest: Amy McDonnell Amy McDonnell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her background in neuroscience and environmental psychology. Her research at the University of Utah Applied C...

Deciding how to Decide This conversation between Open Circle Founders, Miriam Jones and Adam Rumack, explores the topic of decision-making and challenges the assumptions we have about how and why decisions are made. It discusses the definition of decisions and power, both at an individual and group level. The conversation encourages questioning the structures and methods of decision-making and pro...

Purpose and values. These simple words hold huge meaning, and potential impact, for how we act in the world. Welcoming a kindred spirit this week, Adam and Brandon are joined by fellow wilderness expedition leader and founder of leadership development organization StoneWater, Phil Kornachuk. Phil’s work is rooted in purpose and values, recognising its importance for his own development and his wor...

How do we become optimistic about uncertainty? The modern world can be scary. AI is making its mark, anxiety levels are rising, and leaders are faced with more uncertainty than ever. Enter John Sanei: futures strategist, bestselling author, international keynote speaker, adviser to Fortune 100 companies, global expert at Singularity University and much more. A tireless educator, John is passionate...

Welcome, for a fascinating insight into a truly singular human - international conflict mediator, college professor, senior consultant and facilitator for the Arbinger Institute, and NBA analyst for ESPN, Chad Ford. Chad has experienced a lot personally and professionally, and pours these experiences into his writing - fuelling a dedication for helping humanity overcome our differences and reconci...

Resiliency, compassion, community, safe haven, mentorship. These are just some of the fruits of a powerful conversation shared with two committed and inspiring individuals, Coach Ellis and Coach Moore of More Than Fitness. Founded in 2018, More Than Fitness seek to serve the young people of their local community through mindfulness and exercise - creating a program that pushes physical limits, sha...

Welcome to a reflection on the process of change. Three years after the pandemic, it’s important to take a step back and take stock.  What on earth just happened? And how can we move on? Adam and Miriam fly solo again this week, sharing a candid discussion on how to reintegrate after disruption to our routines, philosophies, organizations and in the world as a whole. They share their own experienc...

Integrity, capability, commitment. Welcome to a rounded reflection on the role of trust within our communities, organizations and in society as a whole. Trust is a practice, not a skill - a lifelong process of evaluation and maintenance.  Sharing reflections on the ‘three kinds of trust’ and the cyclical parallels of our professional lives and the natural world, today’s discussion reveals the inne...

We are all one human tribe, travelling on the journey of life together. This message reveals itself as central to today’s discussion between Adam, Brandon Harding and guest Mike Waldron, founder of 23rd Veteran. Speaking candidly on his own experiences as a young adult in the Marine Corps, Mike reveals the scale of the difficulty he experienced when re-integrating into society, his journey toward...

Joining us for a moving discussion on race, class and the power of education is Roblin Webb, Founder and CEO at Freedom Prep School in Tennessee. Roblin J. Webb, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Prep Charter Schools, has dedicated her life’s work to striving for equality for all people. A passionate advocate for civil rights, Roblin outlines her definition of the movement - and revea...

Outdoors is where the magic happens. Today we welcome Dustin Diefenderfer, the founder of MTNTough Fitness Labs. A passionate advocate for the power of the outdoors to renew and develop our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, our discussion with Dustin reveals a passion for transforming lives. He shares the life experiences that showed the path to founding the company in 2016, unv...

“There is wellness to be found in the wild.” Our circle today sees hosts Adam and Miriam joined by Brandon Harding, our Wilderness program director. With a series of co-facilitated wilderness trips planned for 2023 and 2024, today’s conversation gives an insight into the topics, themes and discussion to be covered. Each of our speakers share candidly their own pivotal experiences in nature, compar...

Community is build on collaboration, creativity and trust. Our guest today is Mark Matzeldelaflor, a former Navy Seal and founder of Guardian Grange, a veteran-powered regenerative agriculture and healing network. He shares thoughts from his journey, unfolding a life which has navigated themes of organisation, disorder and trauma. Reflecting on how life in the military posed challenges for re-inte...

Intersectionality, nuance, integrity, compassion, presence. These key tenets rise to the surface in our conversation with dear friend Pranidhi Varshney. The founder of Yoga Shala West, a community-supported Ashtanga Yoga studio in West LA, Pranidhi shares experiences from her personal life, her yoga practice and her quest for creating more nuanced relationships with our lives and each other. Touch...

Fostering community takes perseverance. Today we welcome Orion Kriegman, Executive Director with the Boston Food Forest Coalition. Orion’s journey in life has shown him the depth of global social inequity and instilled in him a desire to be the change. Recounting experiences volunteering as a graduate student to living in a newly post-apartheid South Africa, he now leads the non-profit BFFC in tra...

How can we practically connect with our animating spirit ? Walking us through the process is today's guest and yogic thinker, James Boag. We discuss the restrictive quality of our school systems and habits, experiencing invention as discovery and the power of circle practice to foster soul-nourishing laughter, learning and fulfilment. His life journey - from English origins to Japanese and Indian...

Conventional descriptions of leadership often miss a piece - the dual components of Soul and Sprit. Our hosts Adam Rumack and Miriam Jones dive into what they describe as one of the ‘most magical and mystical parts of their work’. Reflecting on their experiences of leadership in life, the discussion builds on recent episode,  exploring enchantment and our animating spirit. With the next Leade...

What lives on the overlap of hard science, Jungian psychology and enchantment? Dr Joseph Cambray is the former Harvard Medical School faculty who has spent decades answering that question. With remarkable insight, Joseph breaks down enchantment, disruption and coincidence and takes us through how they have each in turn challenged and ultimately transformed him. The human experience is interconnect...