Episode Details

In this week’s episode, Amrit interviews Michael Bayliss, a vocal advocate within the environmental and post-growth movements.

What is post-growth?

The world economy focuses on infinite growth: growth in national production, growth in profits, growth in consumption, growth in financial markets, growth in population. Several political ideologies such as capitalism, socialism and communism, have come to accept that economic growth is the way.

All growth inclinations have led to huge changes in terms of the relationship between humans and the earth, and the relationships we have with each other. They sustain that these changes are good, but these changes harm the earth’s ability to sustain us.

Post Growth is an emerging perspective. It is about building on the existing aspects of our world that are sustainable in order to create resilient futures. This includes strengthening ecologically and socially sustainable practices, while recognizing the finite resources of planet earth.

Michael is a critical thinker who trusts in campaigning for alternatives to infinite growth. His work is focussed on advocacy regarding choice for small families and for working cooperatively with our global neighbours to create equitable societies that do not rely on perpetual growth.

Clearly there are lots of things to be concerned about and some things need to change. In this chapter, Amrit and Michael interchange perspectives and some differing viewpoints as they turn stones over and have the right conversations to keep going towards the future that we see and want to call in.

Michael strongly believes that if you don't have an intimate relationship with people you can't make decisions on their behalf properly and that a diversified well being economy is not about how many things we have, but how much we are valued and validated by the people around us.

Additionally, there is an interesting conversation about spirituality and activism.

Way back, Michael used to be very argumentative. Doing the inner work on spirituality helped not only his ego get over with being wrong but has also made him more humble. They also have insights about focusing on what one wants to see more of in the world, playing the hero to the victim and how important it is to find a balance in between spirituality and activism. Staying out of language and always coming from a place of compassion and engagement is the only way.

In this episode you will have access to different alternatives to infinite growth. You will learn how to make a proper use of resources, start making an impact and how to engage with somebody else who has another set of values.

“The intersection between spirituality and activism can result in compassionate advocacy and engagement for a better word”

“It is really nice once your ego can get over with being wrong”

If you would like to learn more about Holistic Activism, to bring together activism and mindful practices, please go to: https://holisticactivism.net/ 

If you would like to learn more about post growth please go to Post-Growth Australia Podcast: https://pgap.fireside.fm/ 

If you would like to listen to Michael Bayliss’ contemplative, existential, art rock music with a a collective stream of consciousness, please go to: https://shockoctopus.bandcamp.com/

About Michael Bayliss:

Michael Bayliss has been an activist for the past decade within the environmental and post-growth movements. 

He is the host of the Post-Growth Australia Podcast,  which he has launched since July to interview exper