themichellesmith
@themichellesmith.bsky.social
Governance guide for regenerative culture. Convergent Facilitation, ProSocial, Open Space Technology, consent-based governance. Practitioner: NVC, permaculture, forgiveness. Especially love dogs, rivers and otters. Oh, and Terry Pratchett.
After 12 years working with communities, organizations, and businesses, we hear the same thing over and over:
"Once people experience working with respect for each other's consent, they don't want to go back."
"Once people experience working with respect for each other's consent, they don't want to go back."
January 27, 2026 at 10:15 PM
After 12 years working with communities, organizations, and businesses, we hear the same thing over and over:
"Once people experience working with respect for each other's consent, they don't want to go back."
"Once people experience working with respect for each other's consent, they don't want to go back."
We call it ‘consent-based' but in reality how we respond to objections defines whether or not we’re in a culture of consent.
In the section “Objections and Dissent” we share what we've learned about sensing, naming, and responding to objections when they show up. buff.ly/U8d43uH
In the section “Objections and Dissent” we share what we've learned about sensing, naming, and responding to objections when they show up. buff.ly/U8d43uH
January 23, 2026 at 2:30 PM
We call it ‘consent-based' but in reality how we respond to objections defines whether or not we’re in a culture of consent.
In the section “Objections and Dissent” we share what we've learned about sensing, naming, and responding to objections when they show up. buff.ly/U8d43uH
In the section “Objections and Dissent” we share what we've learned about sensing, naming, and responding to objections when they show up. buff.ly/U8d43uH
We call it ‘consent-based' but in reality how we respond to objections defines whether or not we’re in a culture of consent.
In the section “Objections and Dissent” we share what we've learned about sensing, naming, and responding to objections when they show up. buff.ly/U8d43uH
In the section “Objections and Dissent” we share what we've learned about sensing, naming, and responding to objections when they show up. buff.ly/U8d43uH
January 22, 2026 at 2:01 PM
We call it ‘consent-based' but in reality how we respond to objections defines whether or not we’re in a culture of consent.
In the section “Objections and Dissent” we share what we've learned about sensing, naming, and responding to objections when they show up. buff.ly/U8d43uH
In the section “Objections and Dissent” we share what we've learned about sensing, naming, and responding to objections when they show up. buff.ly/U8d43uH
"When we are alone we’re afraid. When we are together they fear us.”
I heard this Monday on the way to be with the monks who are walking for peace.
I don’t actually want anyone to fear us. Fear is what spawned all this, after all. And who do I consider as "them"? Who is "us"? I'm convinced...
I heard this Monday on the way to be with the monks who are walking for peace.
I don’t actually want anyone to fear us. Fear is what spawned all this, after all. And who do I consider as "them"? Who is "us"? I'm convinced...
January 21, 2026 at 9:52 PM
"When we are alone we’re afraid. When we are together they fear us.”
I heard this Monday on the way to be with the monks who are walking for peace.
I don’t actually want anyone to fear us. Fear is what spawned all this, after all. And who do I consider as "them"? Who is "us"? I'm convinced...
I heard this Monday on the way to be with the monks who are walking for peace.
I don’t actually want anyone to fear us. Fear is what spawned all this, after all. And who do I consider as "them"? Who is "us"? I'm convinced...
How soon will the City of @asheville.bsky.social begin Participatory Budgeting?
Through Paris’s 'participatory budgeting,' residents as young as eight years old can propose major urban projects, over 1,000 of which have been implemented.
Anyone in Paris Can Decide How the City Spends Its Money
Through 'participatory budgeting,' residents as young as eight years old can propose major urban projects, over 1,000 of which have been implemented.
reasonstobecheerful.world
January 14, 2026 at 10:58 PM
How soon will the City of @asheville.bsky.social begin Participatory Budgeting?
Consent is a Principle. A principle serves as a foundation for decisions, whatever processes you're using, This Protocol is a principled pattern that you can use in many different situations when things are uncertain, messy or complicated, always guided by the #consentprinciple.
January 13, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Consent is a Principle. A principle serves as a foundation for decisions, whatever processes you're using, This Protocol is a principled pattern that you can use in many different situations when things are uncertain, messy or complicated, always guided by the #consentprinciple.
After twelve years of researching, practicing, & accompanying #consent-based #decisionmaking across diverse teams and contexts, we're excited to our new e-book "Nothing About Us Without Us" is now available—and it's completely free! buff.ly/xo2VchN
January 7, 2026 at 3:45 PM
After twelve years of researching, practicing, & accompanying #consent-based #decisionmaking across diverse teams and contexts, we're excited to our new e-book "Nothing About Us Without Us" is now available—and it's completely free! buff.ly/xo2VchN
Nourishing a Bioregional Economy www.resilience.org/stories/2025...
Nourishing a Bioregional Economy
In this live online event, Donna Morton (cofounder of Salmon Returns) and Michael Shuman (community economist) share their knowledge of investing locally and building bioregional institutions.
www.resilience.org
January 2, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Nourishing a Bioregional Economy www.resilience.org/stories/2025...
Reposted by themichellesmith
A word on burnout & feeling strung out because "I can't save all the things that need saving."
Democracy is supposed to be a mosaic and a relay race. We never have to take care of the whole ourselves.
In fact if we do, it kinda stops being democracy.
Democracy is supposed to be a mosaic and a relay race. We never have to take care of the whole ourselves.
In fact if we do, it kinda stops being democracy.
September 27, 2025 at 3:18 AM
A word on burnout & feeling strung out because "I can't save all the things that need saving."
Democracy is supposed to be a mosaic and a relay race. We never have to take care of the whole ourselves.
In fact if we do, it kinda stops being democracy.
Democracy is supposed to be a mosaic and a relay race. We never have to take care of the whole ourselves.
In fact if we do, it kinda stops being democracy.
Reposted by themichellesmith
Solutions to our problems are everywhere — and we’ve written about hundreds of them.
Our smart, bright, weekly newsletter is the uplift you’ve been looking for: ow.ly/jMLz50WUgk1
Our smart, bright, weekly newsletter is the uplift you’ve been looking for: ow.ly/jMLz50WUgk1
September 9, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Solutions to our problems are everywhere — and we’ve written about hundreds of them.
Our smart, bright, weekly newsletter is the uplift you’ve been looking for: ow.ly/jMLz50WUgk1
Our smart, bright, weekly newsletter is the uplift you’ve been looking for: ow.ly/jMLz50WUgk1
The Omni-Win Project
omniwin.substack.com?r=qlatl&utm_...
omniwin.substack.com?r=qlatl&utm_...
The Omni-Win Project | Duncan Autrey | Substack
...where you can learn about the people, tools, and ideas that already exist to solve the crisis of our democracy and heal our political divisions, so that together we can co-create a future where eve...
omniwin.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Omni-Win Project
omniwin.substack.com?r=qlatl&utm_...
omniwin.substack.com?r=qlatl&utm_...
Reposted by themichellesmith
"The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself."
August 6, 2025 at 12:54 PM
"The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself."
Follow @reasonstobecheerful.world for good news in the world
For remote Kashmiri communities where electricity is scarce or unreliable, an age-old natural refrigeration method remains as valuable as ever.
reasonstobecheerful.world/lessons-for-...
reasonstobecheerful.world/lessons-for-...
August 4, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Follow @reasonstobecheerful.world for good news in the world
Reposted by themichellesmith
🌿#SaturdayReflections
What does evolution mean to you? And how do you think it affects our current time?
#Evolution #Science #TVOL #History
What does evolution mean to you? And how do you think it affects our current time?
#Evolution #Science #TVOL #History
August 2, 2025 at 11:32 AM
🌿#SaturdayReflections
What does evolution mean to you? And how do you think it affects our current time?
#Evolution #Science #TVOL #History
What does evolution mean to you? And how do you think it affects our current time?
#Evolution #Science #TVOL #History
Come visit #Asheville and #WNC. We're open and for not at least it's not crowded! It's like Asheville in the 90's but with way more cool and beautiful places!
At the reopened Hi-Wire Brewing on Lyman Street in the RAD this afternoon. Colorful, just like it was before the flood. Lots of brews, new seating, and a great spot to sip and talk. #asheville #riverartsdistrict #hiwirebrewing #nikonzfc
July 30, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Come visit #Asheville and #WNC. We're open and for not at least it's not crowded! It's like Asheville in the 90's but with way more cool and beautiful places!
Reposted by themichellesmith
Friends in the #Asheville, North Carolina, area should check out a free photography exhibit, "Where the Waters Fell: Helene." Join the opening reception on Friday, Aug. 1, 5-9 p.m. with music, food and a panel discussion. #Helene https://loom.ly/45cgvXQ
Where the Waters Fell: Stories of Loss, Persistence, and Becoming
Free photography exhibit & gathering with music, food & panel. Prints support Beloved Asheville & recovery after Hurricane Helene.
www.eventbrite.com
July 27, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Friends in the #Asheville, North Carolina, area should check out a free photography exhibit, "Where the Waters Fell: Helene." Join the opening reception on Friday, Aug. 1, 5-9 p.m. with music, food and a panel discussion. #Helene https://loom.ly/45cgvXQ
Reposted by themichellesmith
7/25/25💡Meanwhile.. in #Asheville #NC 🙏🇺🇸🙏
July 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
7/25/25💡Meanwhile.. in #Asheville #NC 🙏🇺🇸🙏
Y’all. The entire #WNCrestaurant industry recieved a USA Today Award for response,reslience after Hurricane Helene. I felt really touched when I read this 🥹https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/food-dining/2025/02/12/best-restaurants-of-the-year-across-usa/75970608007/ #Mountainstrong #Asheville
What's the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year.
From buzzy Instagram-worthy spots to tried-and-true small-town standbys, these are USA TODAY's top restaurants across the United States in 2025.
www.usatoday.com
February 13, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Y’all. The entire #WNCrestaurant industry recieved a USA Today Award for response,reslience after Hurricane Helene. I felt really touched when I read this 🥹https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/food-dining/2025/02/12/best-restaurants-of-the-year-across-usa/75970608007/ #Mountainstrong #Asheville
Rainbow over downtown #Asheville. View from my neighborhood. #RisingTogether #MountainStrong #ImbolcSeason
February 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Rainbow over downtown #Asheville. View from my neighborhood. #RisingTogether #MountainStrong #ImbolcSeason
Reposted by themichellesmith
Yes, this administration is dangerous and cruel, but they are also shockingly dim and incompetent.
Opportunities are everywhere.
Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉
Opportunities are everywhere.
Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉
January 30, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Yes, this administration is dangerous and cruel, but they are also shockingly dim and incompetent.
Opportunities are everywhere.
Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉
Opportunities are everywhere.
Make everything as hard as possible. Resist every demand. Refuse entry without a warrant. Don’t take the buyout. Their problem solving skills are 📉
I went and got it. Here it is for your enjoyment. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.cia.gov/static/5c875f3ec660e092cf893f60b4a288df/SimpleSabotage.pdf
There is, now in the public domain, a guide book written by US intelligence in WW2 for resistance movements in occupied Europe. It detailed ways to hinder occupiers by means both spicy & bland; derail meetings with extraneous points, insist on perfect paperwork, etc.
TLAs have their uses.
TLAs have their uses.
January 28, 2025 at 2:43 AM
I went and got it. Here it is for your enjoyment. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.cia.gov/static/5c875f3ec660e092cf893f60b4a288df/SimpleSabotage.pdf
The nerdiest tech group you never heard of-Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)-seems to have been developing, demonstrating regenerative governance & leveraging collective intelligence for over 40 years! @identitywoman.bsky.social joins the GRC's #regengovernance call this Wednesday. GRC.earth
Home | Global Regeneration Colab
Imagine a regenerative future for nature and society. This is the vision the members of the Global Regeneration CoLab, a makerspace for changemakers, are working towards.
GRC.earth
January 28, 2025 at 2:13 AM
The nerdiest tech group you never heard of-Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)-seems to have been developing, demonstrating regenerative governance & leveraging collective intelligence for over 40 years! @identitywoman.bsky.social joins the GRC's #regengovernance call this Wednesday. GRC.earth