What inspires us

We look with curiosity to the world, and take our inspiration from many different things. When we wander physically or digitally, alone or with others, we bump into new topics or dive deeper on others. Ranging from science to crafts, conventions or mountain hikes, the daily news or a chat on the bus with a stranger (and many more).

All of this allows us to stretch our minds and broaden our perspective. With that we find parallels and solutions for client challenges or life-hacks in odd places. Nature is a big source of inspiration to us as it always demonstrates the eternal balancing act as well as endless creative and interlinked solutions to thrive under all conditions – where we thoroughly realise that we are part of nature, in it, and not separate from it.

On this page, we share some of the stuff that we find interesting/inspirational for all sorts of reasons. We’ll keep updating with what we encounter in our daily lives. May it bring something good to you, too!

Waterbear – Now screening impactful stuff

A whole free streaming platform off the beaten track is Waterbear. This is dedicated to showing only films and series that are contributing to making the world a better place. Documentaries (5 minutes to full length movies) about nature, NGOs, climate action or people and culture – thought- and action provoking – with a sense of humour and realistic optimism over the whole.

Simon Sinek – Glass half … where’s the faucet?

We also enjoy a good podcast, when we’re on the move, doing chores or just relaxing. One that always leaves us with a smile and something to think about – or immediately put into practice – is “A bit of optimism” – where Simon Sinek (yes, the one from “Start with why”) has thought provoking conversations with all sorts of experts and leaders in their own field – ranging from military to science, arts, medicine and business.

GoodNews – Let the sunshine in

We know that people are evolutionary hardwired to take notice of bad stuff more than good stuff – essential to survival to be wary of dangers. These days it is easy to see only bad news as the media bombards us with it from all corners of the world – you have to numb or arm yourself to stay positive. Fortunately, there is a lot of good news, too – and sites like the good news network help by spreading that and lifting moods. It’s a bit US oriented, but we’ll forgive them for that. 😉

Gapminder – Just sticking to the facts

Is what we think is true really true? What biases skew our worldview and our daily business? The Gapminder foundation helps with facts and psychology, explaining and rebutting common misconceptions – regarding pretty important stuff that most people are wrong about. Supported by wonderful visualisations of all sorts of data they allow you to test and challenge your thoughts and as they call it “upgrade your worldview”. And find out that very many important things in the world are actually getting better. The way they present information also inspires us to get messages across in alternative ways – and always check the facts.

Biomimicry – No need to reinvent the wheel

As we love nature and its magnificent ways of adaptation and collaboration, Biomimicry is another theme that inspires us. (site in Dutch here). Many challenges that we face in industrialised or other man made environments can be solved by looking at “how nature does it”. Whether it is flow of goods (or vehicles), circular models, product design or advertising – nature has ways we can copy and drive sustainable positive results.

Doughnut economics – Not edible but still sweet stuff

Kate Raworth’s Doughnut economics – meeting the needs of all people (a social foundation) within the means (boundaries) of the living planet. What we like is both the visual simplicity of the model and the fact that it still makes you challenge EVERYTHING – as it really promotes different ways of thinking instead of a fixed set of rules. Apply it to the scale that is relevant and palatable for your case/cause: your person, your company, your country and eventually the world.