Everyone Is Right

Welcome to the Transformation Age We are living in one of the most extraordinary moments in human history. The world is shifting beneath our feet — politically, economically, technologically, ecologically, and spiritually. This new era is characterized by rapid, self-reinforcing transformations across all aspects of life. Unlike previous historical shifts, change itself has become the dominant force, creating a world that is increasingly difficult to navigate with traditional ways of thinking. This is the mission of The Big Picture Mind — to cultivate a way of thinking that can navigate these vast changes, helping us make sense of complexity rather than being overwhelmed by it. Why Big Picture Thinking? Too often, our world is shaped by small ideologies masquerading as big pictures—fragmented views that fail to address the depth and interconnectedness of our crises. “Big picture” minds are those that can rise above these limitations, synthesizing knowledge across disciplines, paradigms, and perspectives.

Watch the full 2-hour episode here: https://integrallife.com/a-view-from-somewhere-an-introduction-to-metatheory/ Mark and Bruce invite us to move beyond the illusion of an all-encompassing, detached perspective to embrace the richness of our situated, embodied viewpoints. By exploring humanity's innate capacity for storytelling — whether through ancient myths, indigenous traditions, or modern narratives — it highlights the collaborative power of shared meaning-making in navigating today’s complex global challenges. As we grapple with "hyperobjects" like climate change and cultural fragmentation, Mark and Bruce advocate for cultivating the skills to hold multiple perspectives, engage dialogically, and co-create integrative stories that can anchor our shared humanity while addressing the immense problems we face.

Watch the full episode here: https://integrallife.com/breaking-the-cycle-drama-problem-solving-and-relational-mastery/ In this episode, 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. Drawing from integral theory, Keith explains how drama is a signal of relational disconnection and unmet needs, while problem-solving is a path of self-awareness, connection, and growth. They discuss how therapy provides a transformative space by balancing unconditional acceptance with clear expectations for change, helping clients shift from reactive drama to creative problem-solving. Through rich examples—including Keith’s personal stories and r

The Sensemaking, Action, and Leadership Training (SALT) for Climate initiative tackles a crucial blindspot in today’s climate response: the lack of conscious, integrative sensemaking as a foundation for meaningful action. SALT for Climate brings together cutting-edge psychosocial research, skilled facilitation in human dynamics, and transformative Big Picture metatheories to help climate leaders address the psychological and systemic gaps in existing political, economic, and scientific paradigms.
 Through specialized training and coaching, SALT enhances the emotional, social, and consciousness capacities of those leading climate efforts, bridging the divide between climate policies and public understanding—a gap that often stalls progress and drives polarization. This scalable approach complements the scientific and technical aspects of climate action, fostering greater public engagement and supporting more impactful, integrative climate leadership. 
In this episode of IAM Insider, host Josh Leonard sits do

Watch the full episode here: https://integrallife.com/the-content-structure-fallacy-the-common-mistake-most-integralists-make/ What is the Content/Structure Fallacy? The Content/Structure fallacy refers to the mistaken assumption that a person’s surface-level beliefs or statements (content) directly correspond to their deeper developmental stage (structure). In reality, just because someone expresses ideas that seem to align with a particular developmental level doesn’t mean they are themselves operating from that level. In other words, it’s not what we believe, but how we hold those beliefs that reflects our stage of development. For example, someone might champion pluralistic (Green) values but do so with the rigid, dogmatic mindset of an earlier Amber stage. This is common in certain ideological movements where progressive values are enforced in authoritarian or dogmatic ways — a clear case of later-stage content being interpreted and enacted through an earlier-stage lens. It’s similar to memorizing th

In this insightful conversation, Corey DeVos and Beena Sharma explore the concept of vertical development and its importance in today's world. Beena, with over 30 years of experience in the field, shares her journey and evolving understanding of vertical development. The discussion covers several key areas: - The difference between horizontal and vertical development - Common challenges people face when growing into later stages of development - How vertical development can help address global challenges and metacrises - Practical advice and practices for fostering vertical development - The importance of polarity thinking in personal growth and understanding complex issues Beena emphasizes that vertical development is not a goal but an outcome of how we live and make sense of the world. She stresses the importance of integrating earlier stages of development and warns against complacency or self-congratulation at later stages. The conversation also touches on the application of vertical development to gl

In this fascinating and far-ranging discussion, Ken Wilber and Andrew Holecek explore the frontiers of integral theory and human consciousness. Ken shares some of the key insights from his latest book, "Finding Radical Wholeness," offering a novel and deeply insightful perspective on the nature of reality and human development. Listen as Ken and Andrew discuss Ken’s five-fold model of transformation: Waking Up: The traditional spiritual path of enlightenment or awakening, involving direct experiences of non-dual awareness or unity consciousness. This path is about recognizing our fundamental nature beyond the ego.
 Growing Up: Progressing through stages of psychological and cognitive development, from egocentric to ethnocentric to worldcentric and beyond. This path is about expanding our perspective and capacity for understanding complexity.
 Opening Up: Expanding our awareness and capacity across multiple intelligences or ways of perceiving and engaging with the world. This path is about actively cultivat

Keith Martin-Smith explores the potential and pitfalls of integral theory in addressing global challenges. He argues that while integral thinking offers valuable tools for understanding complex systems and human development, it often falls short in practice due to misapplication and ego-driven superiority complexes. Keith proposes a more nuanced approach: treating people as unique individuals, communicating integral ideas more skillfully, and focusing on practical applications rather than theoretical grandstanding. [line] At its best, Integral Theory is a powerful tool and map to help us to better understand ourselves and our world. The AQAL model – all quadrants, lines, levels, states, and types – has helped hundreds, perhaps thousands, better navigate the world with compassion and care, and wisdom and humility.   At its worst, integral Theory can lead to what Keith Martin-Smith calls the “insufferable integralist,” or someone who uses the theory to look down on others they deem “less evolved” then they ar

Modern law enforcement faces complex and evolving challenges that demand innovative solutions. High-profile incidents, such as the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Eric Garner, have intensified public scrutiny, leading to significant swings in perception and policy. To navigate this turbulent environment, integrative frameworks offer the most promising path forward. By addressing deep-rooted issues and promoting sustainable change, these frameworks provide the necessary tools for transformative progress in policing. In this wide-ranging roundtable discussion, the Institute of Applied Metatheory’s Josh Leonard hosts three leading experts in the field of integral policing to explore how applying big-picture, integrative frameworks could help address the complex challenges facing modern law enforcement. The three panelists for this conversation are Chris Orrey, a retired police lieutenant from California, Gestur Palmason, a former police officer from Iceland, and Ryan Johansen, the current Chief of

Watch the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/reintegrating-dei/ What does DEI look like if we remove the politically loaded terms and ideas and focus on a developmental understanding instead? What might we see if we ourselves can take a broader and deeper view into this divisive and important cultural moment that is reshaping our world? A postmodern view, one that has moved beyond the strict confines of rationality, is what has brought awareness of many of DEI’s principles and claims to the foreground of our culture. This developmental perspective can see things that pervious perspectives were blind to, and at its best, DEI shows us a world in which cultural assumptions, the social construction of the self, and the limitations of rationality and science can create powerfully unseen bias against certain groups. What does this look like, from the mature DEI viewpoint? What can it really see, what are its own hidden assumptions, and why is it causing so much societal friction that is overheating

Have you ever wondered how big-picture philosophical frameworks could revolutionize social innovation and drive meaningful change in the world? Are you curious about the integral movement’s journey over the last 20 years, and the social shifts that are now catalyzing the emergence of an entirely new era of integral leadership? In this first episode of the IAM Insider Show, Josh Leonard and Robb Smith discuss the founding and evolution of the Institute of Applied Metatheory (IAM), an international applied philosophy network dedicated to the education and application of “big picture” philosophical systems and metatheories. The conversation also reflects on the integral movement’s various phases and challenges over the years, the social shifts necessitating IAM’s emergence, and the four foundational hypotheses underpinning IAM’s work. In a world grappling with unprecedented crises, from climate change to social unrest, Robb and Josh investigate the critical necessity of an organization that unites and empower

Watch the full episode here: https://integrallife.com/healing-the-infosphere In today’s digital era, the infosphere is a vast and tumultuous sea of information, where news and data churn through the collective consciousness at breakneck speed. This relentless flow presents profound challenges as individuals and societies grapple with the complexities of discerning truth from misinformation, genuine discourse from manipulative rhetoric, and enduring values from fleeting trends. Amidst this chaotic backdrop, the need for a transformative approach to journalism becomes clear — an approach that not only navigates these turbulent waters but also seeks to calm them, providing clarity and insight in a world overwhelmed by the noise of perpetual connectivity. In this wide-ranging discussion, Corey deVos talks to Stefan Schultz, a journalist at Der Spiegel magazine, about his model for integral journalism that he has been developing over the past few years. This model, staggering in both its depth and its breadth,

Watch the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/the-art-of-integral-conversation Dr. Keith Witt and Corey deVos explore the concept of “turquoise dialectic” – a sophisticated form of integral discourse that emerges at the later stages of human development. Drawing upon their deep understanding of adult development and integral theory, they explore the feeling and transformative potential of the turquoise “we-space”, and how we might create the conditions for this type of conversation to unfold. What is a “turquoise dialectic”? The term “dialectic” originates in ancient Greece, signifying the various methods of reasoning and discussion in order to discover the truth. It is most often associated with the work of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, whose well-known process of “thesis, antithesis, synthesis” is often regarded as a fundamental aspect of integral thinking and sense-making. In this discussion, we refer to the term “dialectic” to represent a fluid, multidimensional form of discourse that ackno

The Lost Art of Adulthood: Reviving Our Rites of Passage [PREVIEW] by Integral Life

Listen to the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/the-psychology-of-splitting/ You are driving along in your car, your mind wandering from one place to the next, when suddenly someone cuts into your lane and causes you to slow down and miss the green light. At that moment, you feel a powerful rage erupt within you. You honk your horn, slam your steering wheel, maybe yell a cuss word or two in order to express your anger. “What an absolute jerk,” you think to yourself. A moment later, the rage passes, and you find yourself surprised by your own reaction. It was just a mild inconvenience, after all, and for all you know the other car was rushing due to some emergency you couldn’t possibly know about. “Why did I get so angry?” you ask yourself. “Why did I suddenly lose control? Where did all that patience and equanimity and empathy go?” Don’t worry, it didn’t go anywhere. You simply experienced a temporary state of psychological splitting, a momentary dissociation that all of us have encountered at

In this rich and wide-ranging dialogue, Corey deVos and Ryan Oelke explore the nature of integral awakening, drawing on their own experiences and the insights of integral theory. They discuss how awakening is a universal human potential, but one that is profoundly shaped by the unique "Kosmic address" of each individual - their particular stage of development, state of consciousness, typologies, cultural contexts, social conditions, and so forth. Corey and Ryan share how their own journeys of awakening have been both deeply personal and intimately connected with the larger integral community. They highlight the importance of having a supportive framework and community of practice to help navigate the often challenging and destabilizing terrain of spiritual growth. Integral theory, they suggest, provides a vital map for understanding the many dimensions of awakening, from the individual to the collective, from the psychological to the spiritual. The discussion also explores the potential pitfalls and shadow

Full discussion: https://integrallife.com/cancelled-the-battle-for-free-speech-in-the-integral-age/ In this thought-provoking episode, Keith Witt and Corey delve into the complex and contentious issue of cancel culture, examining its implications for free speech, academic freedom, and social cohesion. They explore why understanding the nuances of cancel culture is crucial in today’s polarized environment and how an Integral perspective can provide a holistic view that embraces complexity, encourages growth, and seeks balance. This approach helps make sense of the divisive issues at hand by considering multiple dimensions of human experience and societal structures, aiming to find pathways toward more inclusive and constructive discourse. Dr. Keith brings to the conversation a deep analysis of the psychological and cultural dynamics at play within cancel culture, emphasizing the importance of embracing dialectic engagement — a method of conversation that seeks to integrate opposing views — to foster our perso

The Seven Sins of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) — Highlights by Integral Life

Watch the full discussion here: https://integrallife.com/how-to-awaken-and-empower-the-integral-man/ Keith Martin-Smith and Jason Lange explore the challenges and ongoing evolution of masculinity. Watch as they delve into topics such as the impact of societal norms on men’s behavior, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the journey from traditional to more integrated forms of masculinity, bringing a wealth of insights to help men navigate their roles and identities in a rapidly changing social landscape.

Watch the full episode here: https://integrallife.com/transforming-self-society-and-the-spaces-between-us/ In this enlightening episode of The Ken Show, hosts Ken Wilber and Corey deVos embark on a profound journey through the multifaceted realms of systems theory, communication, and social evolution. They dissect the nuanced perspectives of “inside” and “outside” views in systems, delve into the transformative power of communication paradigms throughout history, and critically examine the influence of social media on the overall emergence of integral consciousness. The conversation ends with a powerful discussion on the symbiotic relationship between personal transformation and social transformation, advocating for a holistic approach to finding radical wholeness in an increasingly fragmented world. This dialogue serves as a beacon for those navigating the complex interdependencies of self, society, and the emerging global community.