Discussion: 

Jeremy Lent is an interdisciplinary author and systems-thinker whose work bridges history, philosophy, cognitive science, and ecology to examine how cultural worldviews shape the course of civilization. He is the author of The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity’s Search for Meaning, which traces the structures of human meaning-making across cultures and eras; The Web of Meaning: Integrating Science and Traditional Wisdom to Find Our Place in the Universe, which offers an integrative, life-affirming framework for rethinking humanity’s relationship with each other and the living world; and the forthcoming Ecocivilization: Making a World that Works for All, which lays out a practical and visionary case for transforming today’s extractive systems into a civilization grounded in ecological balance, justice, and mutual flourishing. Through his writing, speaking, and leadership, Lent has become a leading voice on the cultural roots of the metacrisis and the possibilities for deep transformation. 

Song Circle: 

Nick Demeris is a singer, composer, and facilitator who creates participatory music experiences that foster interdependence through live performance and interactive singing. Over the past fifteen years, he has developed the Human Instruments method, which explores the body as an instrument and helps people access the music that is always present.

Nick has performed at Carnegie Hall and collaborated with organizations including TEDx, UNICEF, Apple, the United Nations, and Sesame Street, and has worked with artists such as Bobby McFerrin and Quiara Alegría Hudes. His work has taken him to more than twenty countries, where he brings diverse groups together in shared musical expression.