Lucent's inspiring picks
During what has been a tough and turbulent year, we are all looking for things to inspire and uplift. Here, the Lucent team share some of their top picks.
Charlotte’s picks
If you are looking for a long read over the break, Charlotte Ravenscroft suggests you take a look at The Dawn of Everything by David Wengrow and David Graeber. As Charlotte says, “this is a profound rewrite of human history, showing the diversity and complexity of societies over millennia. It raises questions about whether we have become ‘stuck’ believing our current systems are inevitable and unchangeable – when history suggests otherwise.”
Charlotte’s other top read was Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, an indigenous American botanist, on the teachings of plants. It weaves together traditional wisdom, science and her own life story beautifully.
Lakshmi’s picks
Lakshmi Sundaram acknowledges that her feed can be filled with dreary and depressing news and she needs a counterbalance. For reflections on how campaigns have won and shifted narratives across the globe, she’d suggest the podcast series Words To Win By by Anat Shenker-Osorio.
And she’s also spotted one to watch in 2023: “Lots of organisations, including those we are working with, are grappling with the concept of co-leadership so I am excited to see what emerges from this project through the next year”.
Wendy’s picks
If you are searching for personal stories and inspiration from all different walks of life, Wendy Rayner-Hall suggests you take a look at Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat. Wendy comments: “There are hundreds of podcasts here so you are sure to find something to inspire you.”
Katherine’s picks
If you haven’t had a chance to listen in, Katherine Rake recommends you tune into Generation Change on BBC Sounds. As Katherine reflects: “Issues of racial justice, violence against women, poor housing and poverty have continued to play out through 2022. The lives and stories of those campaigning across the generations are moving and inspiring.”
And if you are looking for an inspiring read, Katherine can also recommend Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit which according to Katherine is “simply a beautifully written account of ordinary people achieving extraordinary social change".
We hope you enjoy these picks!