Believing in either synchronicity or coincidence: Are the two approaches really so different?
When something in our daily lives catches our attention and it seems eerily related to something we are going through in our own lives, for some it may be synchronicity, a kind of sign; for others mere coincidence. Can we go beyond being one or the other? Should the two approaches be opposed to each other? We talk to four different experts with four different backgrounds on the meaning of synchronicity in our lives.
Early bird: Time to rethink our meaning of early rising? Camilla Kring of the B-Society tells all
If we want to have a successful day, we have to get up early, right? After all, the early bird catches the worm. But one initiative in Denmark shows us a different perspective. One that can be good for our productivity, health, businesses and schools. We talked to Camilla Kring: This is the story of the B-Society.
A dog is our best friend. But are we theirs? A professional perspective by Judith Versluis
In the West we all care for our domestic dogs in much the same way. We put our dog in a crate when we go to work, and we have to do things to remind him who’s boss. But just because we all do these things, does that make it okay? According to welfare professional Judith Versluis, there is room for improvement. This way we can also become our dog’s best friend. This is her story.
Before air conditioning (BAC): How did we ever keep our homes cool in the sweltering heat?
Once upon a time – let’s call it before air conditioning (BAC) – we kept our homes cool in the summer without electricity. Even in the desert. Nowadays we can’t imagine life without air conditioning. Despite the electricity bills and links to poor health and, ironically, to global warming itself. From Indian skywells to Middle Eastern windcatchers: Can we learn from age-old passive cooling methods?
Is a natural apple healthier than a ‘conventional’ one? Marco van Es about the bigger picture
Is a naturally-grown apple really that much healthier than a conventional one? We talk to Marco van Es of Bac2nature. His research foundation links crop soil, the microbiome, the quality of our immune system, and our health. Turns out, for more and more experts like van Es: It really is about the bigger picture.
Will working for ourselves ever stop being the ‘risky option’?
Conventional thinking tells us that between working for a company and freelancing, the latter is always the risky option. There is less stability and it’s not a responsible, grown-up choice. But while working for ourselves may not work for everyone, and while there are clear benefits to working for a company, are there no other sides to this story
The virtuousness of willpower and self control. Are things really that simple?
If only we had more willpower and self control to see things through. We would eat the right foods, exercise regularly, say no to alcohol, smoking and – god forbid – to drugs. Procrastination would never happen, and we would save money rather than spending it. We would be achieving all sorts of virtuous goals in life. We would be admirable. Right? Time to review an old perspective?
Dr. Niloo Dardashti on the power of understanding our ‘family dynamics’ at work
Most of us know a thing or two about what psychologists might call family dynamics. Why we clash with one person over and over again for no reason. Or how our reaction relates to our past. But do we also have this insight at work? If we did that, says psychologist Dr. Niloo Dardashti, it would improve everything at work: From colleague relations to our work performance.
The power of surrender: Dr. Kim D’Eramo about an unusal take in health
Dr. Kim D’Eramo talks to us about the idea of surrender in health. To surrender to what lies beneath the surface of our understanding of health, and about not getting in the way of the body’s healing ability. Are we ‘limited’ when it comes to our health? An increasing number of health experts say we are not. This is the story of Dr. D’Eramo
The new magical world of vegetable cuisine: An interview with Vegetable Chef Frank Fol
Not so long ago, we might have thought that a plant-based meal was missing something. Or that it was unhealthy. Can we change our views about food? Globally-renowned vegetable chef Frank Fol says we can and we are. Here he tells us about a whole new cuisine of taste, colour and magic: in our best restaurants and in our kitchens at home. A new world, he says, that is here to stay.
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