From PolyCrisis to PolyOpportunity: Creating Spaces for Transformative Change with Joel Fariss

In this episode of Facilitating Change, Cole talks with Joel Fariss of Holon Institute about navigating the complexity of our current moment and creating spaces for transformative community experiences. The conversation explores the poly opportunity - a play on "polycrisis" - which represents the multiple pathways and possibilities emerging during this time of planetary transformation. Joel shares insights from hosting gatherings in Berlin, New York, Tangier, and Istanbul that bring together diverse practitioners, dreamers, and change-makers.

Throughout their discussion, Joel emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the abundance of ideas to actually embodying new ways of being. He explores the tension between urgency and the slower work of cultural transformation, arguing that our culture's mythology of speed and productivity often undermines our capacity for genuine change. The conversation delves into practical approaches for creating gatherings that help people remember who they are, including mystery meetups, dedicated integration spaces, and intentionally unstructured time for emergence and connection.

Their conversation concludes with reflections on scale, decentralization, and the metaphor of spreading spores - trusting that transformative communities will grow organically without centralized control. 

Show notes:

Learn more about the PolyOpportunity series and join the June 2025 gathering in Istanbul: polyopportunity.com

Explore Holon Institute's work: holoninstitute.org