In this episode of Ordinary People Walking Extra-Ordinary Path, Life Itself Co-Founder Sylvie Barbier is joined by Liam Kavanagh. Liam reflects on his transition from observing environmental changes to spearheading initiatives like the Climate Majority Project. From his childhood curiosity and nourished creativity to his adult inquiries into the nature of thought and emotion, Liam shares how an openness to people from all walks of life, a thirst for understanding truth, and a dedicated meditation practice have shaped his unconventional journey.
His story invites us to question societal norms and embark on our own journey of spiritual inquiry in service of an awakening society.
#ordinarypeople #climatechange #meditation #buddism #curiosity #adhd #secondrenaissance
About Liam Kavanagh
Liam Kavanagh is co-founder of Life Itself and Director of the Climate Majority Project.
About Sylvie Barbier
Sylvie Barbier is a French-Taiwanese performance artist, entrepreneur and educator. She co-founded Life Itself to build a wiser future through culture, space and community.
Ordinary People is a podcast series that delves into the lives of individuals who have defied societal expectations and embarked on extra-ordinary paths despite their seemingly ordinary backgrounds. Join us as we dive deep into their lives, uncovering their motivations, beliefs, practices, and moments of transformation. We demystify hero worship and share accessible narratives of real individuals who have transcended societal expectations and norms. Each guest delicately navigates the balance between introspection and worldly engagement. Listeners are offered empowerment, kinship and inspiration for embarking on their own extra-ordinary journey.
Chapters
0:00 - Liam's path from economist to climate activist
03:12 - Growing up, family values and curiosity
10:06 - Creativity, ADHD, and family support
14:47 - Living in a squat, visiting Compton, and encountering gang violence
25:45 - Buddhism and the book that opened my mind
35:40 - Economics, neuroscience, and understanding the emotional holes of economic ideas
42:35 - Meditation and practice
53:15 - Questioning societal norms and the thirst for enquiry
A Conversation with Liam Kavanagh