'What The Fika?!': Stories for Life

Our stories shape our world, by shaping the way we think, feel and act every day.

The converging systemic crises we are facing – climate, ecological, social, health – are symptoms with a root cause: an economic design based on the outdated and harmful narrative that we are separate from nature and each other.

Paddy will chat about the practical steps, grounded in modern science, ancient wisdom and common sense, that we can all take to shape stories that can redesign our economy.

He'll look at how by shifting two particular stories, captured in his book 'Stories For Life', we can all weave a healthier narrative of interconnection, and help redesign an ‘economy in service to life’.

Paddy spent over a decade working as a market researcher, innovation and brand consultant.

Now, he’s an independent strategist who takes various steps to encourage action on the climate and ecological emergency, focused particularly on how communication and imagination can help us create a more beautiful world.

He is the co-founder of the Reset Narratives Community, co-author of Stories For Life, and a consultant to various organisations, campaigns and efforts, from Extinction Rebellion to the UNFCCC Climate Champions.

Great teams that build great products need diverse sources of inspiration and learning.

Lots of businesses often do ‘lunch and learn’ sessions. We think this pinches people’s lunchtime, meaning they are often multi-tasking and distracted.

So instead we borrowed a concept from the Swedes 🇸🇪 to start ‘What the Fika?!’: our monthly-ish afternoon inspiration session.

• Fika is a concept, a state of mind, an attitude and an important part of Swedish culture. It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee (or tea) and a little something to eat. Fika cannot be experienced at your desk by yourself. That would just be taking coffee and cake. Fika is a ritual.

• Swedes consider it important to make time to stop and socialise: to take a pause. It refreshes the brain and strengthens relationships. And it makes good business sense: businesses have better teams and are more productive where fika is institutionalised.

We love this description as it’s all about hanging out together, away from our day-to-day, while seeking inspiration from all walks of life.