In this episode, Simon Waller sits down with the sweary and sharp-witted Scottish writer Lizzie Davidson to explore the timely and deeply human topic: The Future of Meaningful.
Lizzie shares a bold and hopeful future scenario set in the aftermath of a great global reset — triggered by the trajectory we’re currently on: climate collapse, pandemics, conflict. But rather than dystopia, this is a world where consumerism has been replaced with connection, and the fundamentals of life — housing, food, education, healthcare — are no longer things people have to worry about.
As Simon puts it, this was “easily the most utopian scenario that someone has produced for the show so far.” But the conversation isn’t naive. Together, they unpack the real-world tensions between individualism and community, and the societal work required for such a future to emerge. It’s a vision rooted in deep congruence — a world where people show up the same in their work lives as they do in their personal lives.
They explore the joy in everyday things, the sticky process of imagining a better future, and how we might each become weak signals for the change we want to see — quietly lighting the way toward what’s possible.
This conversation is both deeply uplifting and quietly challenging. Because maybe meaning isn’t something we find. Maybe it’s something we practice.
GUEST:
TAKEAWAYS:
Meaning is intrinsically linked to belonging.
Utopian scenarios can provide insights into potential futures.
Community and collectivism are essential for human well-being.
Individualism may be an evolutionary dead end.
A reset can be a catalyst for meaningful change.
We can influence our future by living authentically today.
Meaningful practices can lead to greater happiness.
Weak signals indicate the potential for societal change.
Addressing intergenerational trauma is crucial for healing.
Finding joy in the mundane is key to a fulfilling life.