Ethics and Awakening: Why Spiritual Growth Isn’t Enough

Ethics and Awakening: Why Spiritual Growth Isn’t Enough

Kimberley Theresa Lafferty and Jac O’Keeffe explore the critical but often overlooked role of ethics in the spiritual path, challenging the assumption that awakening alone leads to maturity. Through personal stories, developmental insight, and hard-earned wisdom, they reveal how true spiritual integrity requires psychological integration, relational accountability, and a lifelong commitment to ethical embodiment.
Why Philanthropy Is the Most Powerful Lever for Systemic Change

Why Philanthropy Is the Most Powerful Lever for Systemic Change

This episode introduces a groundbreaking developmental map of philanthropy, revealing how the field is evolving from strategic rigor to empowerment-driven justice — and now toward a new paradigm of integrative systems change. Josh Leonard and Robb Smith explore how philanthropic institutions hold the unique freedom and leverage to become civilization’s steering mechanism, capable of addressing root causes rather than symptoms in the age of the metacrisis.
How Can DEI Survive? (And Should It?)

How Can DEI Survive? (And Should It?)

Keith Martin-Smith offers a bold, developmental critique of modern DEI, tracing its evolution from fairness-based policy to postmodern orthodoxy. He explores how inclusion can become exclusion when empathy gives way to ideology—and outlines how DEI might survive by embracing complexity, dissent, and shared humanity.
Terminal Crisis: The Economic World War Has Begun

Terminal Crisis: The Economic World War Has Begun

The global system isn’t collapsing — it’s transforming. In this urgent episode, Robb Smith reveals why the U.S. is facing a historic terminal crisis, what comes next in the 700-year cycle of capital accumulation, and how a new world order — or global anarchy — is already taking shape.
Caught in the Algorithmic Undertow

Caught in the Algorithmic Undertow

Bruce Alderman and Josh Leonard explore the slow, invisible pull of digital systems — algorithms, platforms, attention economies — that subtly yet profoundly shape our beliefs, behaviors, and social worlds.
The Shadow of Trump

The Shadow of Trump

Psychotherapist and developmental theorist Kim Barta joins Keith Martin-Smith for a deep dive into the psychological and developmental dynamics surrounding one of the most polarizing figures of our time: Donald Trump.
A Grand Strategy for the Transformation Age

A Grand Strategy for the Transformation Age

In this powerful second installment of Big Picture Mind, Robb Smith presents a sweeping yet grounded vision for the future of the integrative worldview — one that meets the historic demands of our moment and invites each of us into a shared project of planetary coherence.
The Occupational Hazards of Awakening

The Occupational Hazards of Awakening

In this profound dialogue, Kimberley Lafferty and Santiago illuminate the occupational hazards of awakening, exploring the bliss and challenges of ego dissolution and emptiness within daily life. They offer deep insights and practical wisdom for integrating profound spiritual experiences into authentic human living.
Men, Meaning, and the Rise of the New Right

Men, Meaning, and the Rise of the New Right

The modern world is demanding more from men than ever before—strength and sensitivity, resilience and vulnerability, leadership and collaboration—yet many feel lost without clear role models or cultural support. This conversation explores the forces shaping modern masculinity, the allure of strongman archetypes, and the path toward a truly integrated, evolved form of masculinity that balances power with presence, agency with empathy, and tradition with transformation.
A Sociology of Big Pictures: Network Strategy for a 21st Century Worldview

A Sociology of Big Pictures: Network Strategy for a 21st Century Worldview

The Institute of Applied Metatheory (IAM) presents A Sociology of Big Pictures: Network Strategy for a 21st Century Worldview by Robb Smith, an in-depth exploration of how grand integrative frameworks emerge, compete, and evolve within the modern attentional landscape. As we enter the Transformation Age — marked by rapid geopolitical, technological, ecological, and epistemic shifts — Smith argues that the need for a coherent, integrative worldview has never been greater.
The Turquoise Dialectic: Expand Your Cosmology Through Integral Dialogue

The Turquoise Dialectic: Expand Your Cosmology Through Integral Dialogue

Corey DeVos and Dr. Keith Witt explore the turquoise dialectic—a mode of deep, integrative conversation where perspectives evolve rather than compete—touching on themes of honesty, trust, intergenerational transmission, and the ways our personal cosmologies shape reality. From the psychology of deception to the ancestral patterns we unconsciously carry, this discussion invites listeners to examine how they construct meaning, engage in dialogue, and participate in the ongoing evolution of consciousness.
Evolving Love: The Secret Path to Awakening

Evolving Love: The Secret Path to Awakening

This conversation explores how love evolves alongside human development, revealing how our relationships reflect and shape our consciousness. Through personal stories, integral psychology, and esoteric wisdom, Kimberley Theresa Lafferty, Dr. Daniel Stickler, and Dr. Mickra Hamilton uncover how intimacy, shadow work, and sacred partnership can become profound paths of transformation and awakening.
Transform Your Motivation System

Transform Your Motivation System

Why do so many high achievers feel like they’re never enough, no matter how much they accomplish? In this episode, Dr. Keith Witt and Corey deVos explore the hidden meta-motivation systems that drive us — sometimes to greatness, but often to exhaustion.
IAM Spotlight: The Cultural Complexity Index

IAM Spotlight: The Cultural Complexity Index

Brendan Graham Dempsey introduces the Cultural Complexity Index (CCI), a groundbreaking initiative that empirically measures cognitive complexity in historical texts, revealing patterns in human meaning-making across time. By analyzing symbolic representation rather than collective belief systems, the CCI provides fresh insights into cultural evolution while distinguishing individual cognitive development from broader social dynamics.
The Big Picture Mind: What Every Elite is Missing

The Big Picture Mind: What Every Elite is Missing

In this first episode of The Big Picture Mind, Robb Smith explores the rapid, self-reinforcing change that is driving a global metacrisis across governance, technology, culture, and meaning. To navigate this, he calls for the rise of Big Picture Minds—people who can think integratively, restore coherence, and actively shape the future rather than be overwhelmed by it.
Polarization and the Algorithmic Undertow: Integral and Critical Realist Perspectives

Polarization and the Algorithmic Undertow: Integral and Critical Realist Perspectives

Bruce Alderman explores how our rapid transition into a globally networked information environment has created unprecedented challenges for human cognition, social cohesion, and collective meaning-making and sensemaking.
Exploring Teal and Turquoise Psychotherapy

Exploring Teal and Turquoise Psychotherapy

This discussion unpacks the essence of integral psychotherapy, exploring how Teal and Turquoise approaches integrate all psychologies into a dynamic framework that optimizes healing and growth. With practical insights into productive self-awareness, the role of spirituality, and the interplay of life’s processes, Corey and Keith illuminate the path toward deeper wholeness and transformative relationships.
Making Sense of the Extraordinary

Making Sense of the Extraordinary

In the debut episode of Evolving Spirit, Kimberley Theresa Lafferty invites us into a raw and heartfelt exploration of extraordinary experiences—those profound moments that challenge our understanding of reality and connect us to deeper meaning. From developmental insights to the importance of ethical grounding, Kimberley offers a sophisticated framework for integrating these transformative encounters into our lives with wisdom, compassion, and community.
A View From Somewhere: An Introduction to Metatheory and Planetary Sense-Making

A View From Somewhere: An Introduction to Metatheory and Planetary Sense-Making

Bruce Alderman and Mark Edwards explore how integrative metatheory can illuminate and address the interconnected crises of our time. Through themes such as navigating hyperobjects, the role of storytelling in fostering collaboration, and the challenges posed by algorithmic fragmentation, they advocate for integrative thinking that balances big-picture reflection with grounded, actionable practice.
What We’ve Learned: 2024 Reflections and Looking Ahead to 2025

What We’ve Learned: 2024 Reflections and Looking Ahead to 2025

The Institute of Applied Metatheory (IAM) is revolutionizing how we tackle global challenges by applying integrative metatheories—holistic frameworks that unify knowledge across disciplines. In this episode, Robb Smith and Josh Leonard reflect on IAM’s 2024 accomplishments and share an inspiring vision for 2025, highlighting leadership, collaboration, and storytelling as keys to driving transformational change.
What Were They Thinking?!? Decoding the 2024 Election

What Were They Thinking?!? Decoding the 2024 Election

David and Keith explore how individuals intersect between different vertical developmental stages (Amber, Orange, Green) and cultural value stacks (traditional, modern, and progressive) in order to make meaning and navigate complex electoral decisions, with a specific focus on the 2024 U.S. election, unpacking the interplay between cognitive development, cultural alignment, and systemic factors in understanding the diverse rationales behind people's voting behavior.
Escaping the Drama Triangle: Presence, Problem-Solving, and Relational Mastery

Escaping the Drama Triangle: Presence, Problem-Solving, and Relational Mastery

Corey deVos and Dr. Keith Witt explore one of the most common yet misunderstood aspects of human interaction: the tension between drama and problem-solving. They dive deeply into the "Drama Triangle," a psychological framework that reveals how the roles of victim, rescuer, and persecutor trap us in cycles of dysfunction. These dynamics, while often personal, are also embedded in cultural systems, politics, and even therapy itself.
Breakdown of the World System: Q&A with Robb Smith

Breakdown of the World System: Q&A with Robb Smith

Recorded on Election Night 2024, this Q&A session with Robb Smith offers an in-depth exploration of the profound challenges facing America in the wake of the election results. As the nation grapples with critical questions about the future — such as choosing between reform and revolt, addressing increasing polarization, and recognizing the urgent need for evolved leadership — Robb offers a deep exploration of these complexities through the lens of integral theory.
An Integral Metatheory of Conservatism

An Integral Metatheory of Conservatism

In a time of political upheaval and societal change, understanding the deeper currents that shape our worldviews is more crucial than ever. Join Robb Smith in this enlightening presentation recorded during our recent election watch party, where he delves into the rich tapestry of conservatism through the lens of integral theory.
1 2 3 4 39