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Cohere Podcast

By: Bill Johnston
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  • Summary

  • Cohere will go beyond discussions of online community, social networks and social media and look at the bigger picture - perhaps the biggest picture: the complex, digitally augmented global community we now all belong to, whether we like it or not! The Big Idea: Complex human networks have sprung up globally, driven in large part by exponential technologies such as AI, automation, and space-based internet. Imagine what will happen when three billion more people come online in the next five years! For organizations, a planet-wide network of logged-on human beings brings both limitless opportunities and unprecedented threats. As we increasingly use social technologies to augment human experiences, the Cohere podcast asks, what’s the best path forward? How should we navigate, evaluate, and administrate a complex technological landscape so we can protect, promote, and empower our human networks? How will we ensure that digital communities deliver on the promise of enhancing our lives, both individually and collectively? And what steps must we take to ensure our approach to community development is sustainable, democratic, and morally sound?
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Episodes
  • The Transformative Power of Rituals in Modern Communities with Betty Ray

    The Transformative Power of Rituals in Modern Communities with Betty Ray
    Jun 18 2024
    In this episode of the Cohere Podcast, hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas talk with community expert Betty Ray about the profound impact of rituals on personal and community well-being. Betty shares her extensive experience and research on the role of rituals in fostering belonging, purpose, and navigating transitions. The conversation delves into practical applications of ritual in both online and offline communities, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to create meaningful and supportive community spaces. Summary and Key Topics: 00:00:00 - Introduction Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas introduce the episode and guest, Betty Ray, highlighting her extensive background in community leadership and her recent focus on the positive role of ritual. 00:02:00 - Understanding Ritual Betty explains the concept of ritual, its historical context, and its benefits, emphasizing its role in fostering belonging, purpose, and helping individuals navigate transitions. 00:06:23 - Betty's Career and Community Rituals Betty shares her career journey, detailing her experiences with community rituals at organizations like Live365, Edutopia, and Minnesota Public Radio, and discussing the importance of creating rituals in community settings. 00:11:17 - Mechanics of Ritual Betty outlines the specific structures that differentiate rituals from routines and habits, and provides examples of how rituals can be designed and implemented in daily life and community contexts. 00:19:31 - Current Work and Projects Betty talks about her current initiatives, including the Center for Ritual Design and Pandora’s Way, focusing on creating meaningful rites of passage for young people and supporting families through technological transitions. 00:24:00 - Addressing Challenges in Rituals Discussion on potential negative aspects of rituals and how they can be misused, emphasizing the importance of intention and positive, pro-social purposes. 00:27:00 - Evolution and Flexibility of Rituals Betty and the hosts discuss how rituals can evolve and adapt to different cultural and personal contexts, and the importance of keeping rituals meaningful and relevant. 00:29:40 - The Future of Rituals and Closing Thoughts Betty shares what excites her most about the future of rituals and her projects, expressing hope for the positive impact they can have on communities and individuals. About our guest(s): Betty's Website: Pandora's Way: Betty's Soundcloud:
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    33 mins
  • Shaping Tomorrow Together: Scott Smith and Susan Cox-Smith on the Dynamics of Futuring

    Shaping Tomorrow Together: Scott Smith and Susan Cox-Smith on the Dynamics of Futuring
    Apr 2 2024
    In the Cohere podcast episode, hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas, along with guests Scott Smith and Susan Cox-Smith, delve into the shift from traditional forecasting to the dynamic practice of futuring, as explored in their works How to Future and Future Cultures. They discuss the importance of evolving strategic frameworks to foster anticipation and adaptability, particularly in navigating complex crises. The conversation highlights the role of online communities in driving innovation and building future resilience. Through insights and case studies like the UNDP Future Trends and Signals System, they advocate for viewing "future" as an active process and emphasize the critical role of communal networks in shaping responsive and anticipatory cultures. "It's incredibly important for futures to be opened up to a wider group of people because you can't have better futures just for one." Susan Cox-Smith Mentioned in this episode: Links to relevant materials mentioned during the episode About our guest(s): Website: Books: Future Cultures: Author Bios and Contact Information: Call-to-Action(s): If you liked this episode, check out: and Subscribe to the Cohere Podcast For more reflections about the intersection of community and design, subscribe to the Cohere Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave a review of the Cohere Podcast Have you listened to the Cohere Podcast? We would love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review and let us know what you think about the show. Your feedback helps us improve and make the podcast even better. ADD EMAIL Share your thoughts about future guests / topics of exploration: ADD EMAIL Check out #BookDNA for a list of books, articles, and whitepapers featured on the Cohere Podcast
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    38 mins
  • How the Humanistic Values in Organizational Development Can Guide Communities with Dr Sharon Varney and John Hovell

    How the Humanistic Values in Organizational Development Can Guide Communities with Dr Sharon Varney and John Hovell
    Mar 12 2024
    In the latest thought-provoking episode of Cohere, hosts Bill Johnston and Dr. Lauren Vargas welcome two distinguished and returning guests. First up, we have Dr. Sharon Varney, a dynamic force in the realm of leadership and organizational development. With a rich background spanning complex organizations across manufacturing, utilities, travel, banking, oil and gas, Sharon's encounter with complexity theory in the early 2000s sparked a profound shift in her approach to leadership and change practice. Her academic journey, combined with her hands-on experience, has led to groundbreaking work in leadership and organizational development across various sectors. Sharon is also closely associated with Henley Business School, where she continues to advance the intersection of academia and practical application. Her book, ‘Leadership in Complexity and Change,’ draws from her award-winning doctoral research and offers a hopeful, practical guide backed by a robust academic foundation. Joining Sharon, we have John Hovell, a visionary leader at the intersection of Knowledge Management (KM) and Organization Development (OD). As the Managing Director and co-founder of STRATactical, John is renowned for his innovative approaches to combining OD and KM strategies to address contemporary challenges. His work on creating conversational leadership through the synergy of Knowledge Management, Organization Development, and Diversity & Inclusion offers fresh insights into how organizations can foster more dynamic and inclusive environments. Today, we're eager to explore the nuances of Organization Development, or OD, and discuss how OD principles can shape community dynamics in a meaningful way. With Sharon's expertise in navigating the complexities of leadership in changing environments and John's forward-thinking strategies on knowledge management and organizational development, today's episode promises to be a rich tapestry of ideas and insights. So, stay tuned as we dive deep into these fascinating topics, offering you perspectives that are as enlightening as they are practical.
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    47 mins
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