Who else to conclude our 'Rushmore' semester, each episode of which has focused on a different person whose life and works inspire our imagined utopia, but the patron saint of the Solacene himself- Hayao Miyazaki. This conversation touches on lessons we can learn from the animation maestro's life and career, as well as specific parts of his films w…

We can learn a lot from aesthetics like minimalism, and cottage core; but what aspects of these digital lifestyles are unsustainable in the real world. With the case study of Netflix famous, Marie Kondo, we are inspired to live simple lives full of joy, mental clarity, and beauty.Contact and Zines: https://www.solacene.org…

Architecture is frozen music, and music is liquid architecture. Antoni Gaudí was a late 19th century Catalonian architect who changed the city of Barcelona forever. This week we discuss the life and work of this man and how his artistic style and reverence for nature can inspire us in our everyday lives.Contact and Shop: https://www.solacene.org…

Our journey along the utopian Solacene Mt. Rushmore continues: rather than discussing an inspirational figure from history, this discussion sees us pluck one from our imaginations. Gustave, the everyman, who will embody beauty, sustainability, and tactility, like all true Solacites can. Contact the hosts or check out our ZINES and CLOTHES: https://…

The phenomenon of the "literally me" character, though age-old, has gained new fervor in our age of pop culture and the internet. This episode features a discussion of said heroes through the utopian Solacene lens- rather than talking about those characters we identify with, we each focus on one who can act as an aspirational figure, a narrative no…

What are the idols attempting to fill the void of spiritual meaning in our culture? How can world religions be united with ecological concerns to solve modern problems? What exactly is Zen Christianity?This episode features a discussion of these questions and more, as we continue our 'Rushmore' semester with a focus on author, professor, and expert…

If you look up the definition of aquarium in the dictionary, you may know about Jeanne Villepreux-Power. This episode we dissect the incredible life of this naturalist, inventor, and artist. Lessons of imagination, nature as teacher, and octopus. Contact and Shop: https://solacene.bigcartel.comDoor Solacene

2016 was a wild year. Amidst all its political turmoil and celebrity deaths, one loss hit hardest of all. Seismic enough to shift our entire timeline, some might say. His name was Harambe, and this is his story. ...Contact the hosts or check out our handmade Solacene zines here: https://www.solacene.org…

On this episode, we continue designing our utopian Mount Rushmore... using the real Mount Rushmore as inspiration. It's a conversation about conservationist, writer, and youngest U.S. President ever- Theodore Roosevelt. What lessons can be learned from his life, both in and out of politics?Contact the hosts or buy a handmade Solacene ZINE here: htt…

This episode, the third in our season of utopian 'rushmore' figures, sees a discussion on Ernest Hemingway and his literature. What can be learned from his terse prose and energetic life? How can an imagined future incorporate such lessons, both on individual and societal levels? What is a 'Tommy'? Listen to find out!Contact the hosts or buy a hand…

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.”Today we discuss the bard himself: what we can learn from his life and apply to our conception of the utopian Solacene, how theatre is the art of personal growth, and why the 'renaissance man' should make a …

In the first episode of out biography semester, we dive into life and love of Sappho; an ancient Greek poet. Sappho's legacy has inspired artists for thousands of years, and we wanted to see how her life can inspire more meaningful connection and community in the Solacene. Contact: https://solacene.bigcartel.com…

Today completes our trio of episodes exploring the 'Solarpunk' aesthetic with a discussion of technologies that may populate the world of said aesthetic. From ancient social customs to existing household novelties, and futuristic fancies (electric frogs!), these 10 technologies are sure to knock your solar socks off. Click the link to discover our …

There aren't many solarpunk stories. Whether that's because of the relative unpopularity of the aesthetic, its focus on architecture rather than people, or the difficulty of inserting compelling narratives into idyllic settings, this podcast seeks to fill the gap! Listen to here us outline potential arcs and archetypes for the budding genre, while …

Solarpunk: big friendly cities, futuristic architecture, and greenery in every nook and cranny. But is this 'aesthetic' something viable which can help us shape the world, or just another one of many escapist hashtags? Listen to hear our thoughts, as well as comparisons to other online subcultures like cottagecore and dark academia!Contact the host…

In a meta conversation about conversation, Aaron and Alicia reflect on lessons they have learned from life and podcasting about how to be a better speaker. In this episode they also discuss how the places and mediums we communicate through impact our relationships.Contact and Shop: https://solacene.bigcartel.com/contact…

Zip lines or pogo sticks? Portable gaming or robot assistants? Termites??? This episode is a game of 'would you rather' regarding our ideas for a utopian future. LISTEN and play along!Contact us or check out our handmade beautiful sustainable tactile Solacene ZINES: https://www.solacene.orgDoor Solacene

This week is the FINAL in our semester about fashion in the ideal future. We each chose one last topic to get on our soap box (or should we say shoe box) about. Without too many spoilers, Aaron has a monologue about toes and Alicia about education, what else is new? To wrap it up we review the highlights and key takeaways from the semester.Contact …

This week we review and predict fashion trends from this year and next. Trends are much more than the clothes we wear, they reflect the social, economic, artistic, and political environment. We dive into the deeper environmental meaning of what we will be wearing in the future. Some of our favorite trends: bows, red, and sock shoes.Contact and Shop…

In a future where fashion is returned to an art rather than a product, will there still be room for luxury? On this episode we imagine a high fashion industry that is generative for people and planet. Of course in true Solacene fashion we imagine a walkway show (get it, because its slow fashion?). Contact and Shop: https://solacene.bigcartel.com…

This episode features a discussion of everything that happens after clothes are made, bought, and worn- their treatment and eventual 'end of life'. How can things be more circular in the Solacene? Why is thrifting so popular with Gen Z? What is Alicia's favorite stain??? Listen to find out!Buy a handmade Solacene zine or garment here: https://www.s…

In our "everything but fashion" episode of the fashion semester, we do a deep dive on hair and make-up ad how these aspects of self expression can contribute to community. We also discuss how fast homewares have taken over the internet and what economic theory we can larn from this phenomenon to transition from acceleration to degrowth. Finally, Aa…

What do Gregorian chants, arts and crafts, and spoken word have in common? They all inspire fashion in the Solacene. This week we dive into the art movements that shape Solarpunk fashion, and spend some time breaking down the relationship between ecological degradation and human exploitation in the fashion industry.Book Recommendations:To Die For b…

This week we discover the historic innovations that inspire and contribute to the fashion of the Solacene. Some highlights are biomimicry in design, a look at ancient shoes, and how wedding dresses are solarpunk.Contact and Shop: https://solacene.bigcartel.comDoor Solacene

On this week's episode we design a solarpunk mall that features thrift shops, rotating meal halls, and scarecrow mannequins. For part two we go into our favourite movie costumes and the lessons we can learn from them. Like how we can dress more naturalistically like Elio in Call me By Your Name or how to be more stock like Marco from Porco Rosso.Co…

"It's a small world after all..."...but does it have to be? Globalization in fashion is the subject of today's podcast, especially how we can retain local identities and the idea of the 'exotic' in a beautiful sustainable tactile future. We also discuss the various ways degrowth and fashion might converge, and a very special garment of the week whi…

This episode sees us discuss the fashion magazine: part tabloidy obsolete relic, part glossy irl Pinterest. How could these exist in a future that is beautiful, sustainable, and tactile?We also rank sports uniforms by their Solacene-ness. Check out our own handmade zines, or the Solacene "merch": https://www.solacene.org…

Advertising has a bad wrap (rightfully so). This week on Solacene, we imagine a way advertising in the fashion industry can be more transparent, less intrusive, and as beautiful as a work of art. Listen to hear the advertising traps we have fallen into and tips on how to avoid them for yourself.Zines, Clothes and Contact: https://solacene.bigcartel…

This week we take a trip to the future, where fashion isn't killing the planet. I know what you may be thinking, everyone is wearing greige shapeless clothes. Believe it or not, this doesn't have to be the case! Listen to learn about designers like Jesse Lee, Ganit Goldstein and Christy Dawn who are paving the way towards exciting sustainable fashi…

Does the ideal world feature microplastics? What about wearable seaweed? Listen to find out! Check out the zines or buy some beautiful sustainable tactile handmade Solacene TULIP SHORTS here: https://www.solacene.orgDoor Solacene

Clothes(being close to us) play a key role in the presentation of personas and the manifestation of individual identities. Do the clothes maketh the man, or does the man maketh the clothes? Listeneth to this week's episode to hear us ponder such questions, as well as discuss DYES and all our favorite Solaceney colors of clothes. Purchase a zine or …

As we jump into a semester of talks about beautiful, sustainable, tactile fashion, a sort of glossary is necessary; cue the ABC's episode. This week we define and discuss the words necessary to engage with the world of sustainable fashion. Some more frivolous, while others historical, these 26 words will introduce new and revitalize old topics to t…

Clothes- whether they fascinate or bore you, you definitely (hopefully) wear them. But such a massive industry as fashion is riddled with problems in its current state. Listen to hear our thoughts on what the role of clothing in the utopian Solacene would be, as well as how it relates to previous topics covered on this podcast. And a new Solacene s…

Ah, the Solacene... a beautiful, sustainable, tactile imagined future full of hope and dragonflies. But how to bring about this utopia??? Whereas most episodes of our podcast strictly focus on describing a better world, today's is about the process of creating one. We discuss activism and 'changemaking' in its various forms, and determine which met…

"The Sea! Alas! I have not yet beheld it. But deep in the hearts of all my kindred lies the sea-longing, which it is perilous to stir. Alas! for the gulls. No peace shall I have again under beech or under elm."So says Legolas, so says Aaron in this week's episode, when describing the irrational yearning both he and Alicia feel for life on the sea. …

Gretchen Rubin's book 'Life in Five Senses' details the journey of finding one's mindfulness through taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing- those abilities which are integral to our navigating the world, but which often go unappreciated or even unnoticed. This episode sees us discuss the book through a Solacene lens, as well as sharing our own 's…

What do you think about mentorship? Is it just a gross, old-fashioned concept like the russet potato? We think a beautiful, sustainable, tactile future would encourage close relationships of learning and modelling. Listen to find out why! Contact the hosts or buy a handmade Solacene zine here: https://www.solacene.org…

It's been a long 18 episodes discussing what the internet would look like in a beautiful, sustainable, tactile future. This episode concludes the semester with a discussion of our personal takeaways, as well as potential design ideas for a localized Solacene social media platform. Also Aaron gives us an update on his recent nightmares. Contact the …

This conversation covers the various ways in which different internet 'personalities' have succeeded (or struggled) in pivoting their 5 minutes of fame into full careers. Ft. Salt Bae, pewdiepie, and "bad luck brian". We also discuss the topic of brand loyalty, especially as it pertains to digital brands ('Mac vs PC' etc.), and some different indus…

What if each town had a building full of exciting, innovative, sci-fi technology you could visit like a library? This could allow society to curiosity for the digital world, while minimizing its intrusion into the real world.This building concept is explored in full in this conversation. We discuss fun architectural ideas, prospective activities, a…

Born too late to explore the earth, born too early too explore the universe, born just in time to spend hours listening to crinkling leaves and 'stress relieving jelly sounds' on the internet. This episode sees us delving into the weird world of ASMR and its distinctly modern feel, as well as how it might feature in an ideal future.We also discuss …

The long-awaited "what I internet in a day" episode has arrived. Aaron and Alicia break down how they use the internet in an average day and make suggestions on how their habits could shift to living a more Solacene life.Zine and Contact: https://www.solacene.orgDoor Solacene

"If we resist our emotions, we resist being human."This episode features a conversation about the internet's impact on our emotions- both in the short term (how we feel during and immediately after scrolling) and the long term way it shapes us. Along these lines, we also discuss NARCISSISM and the ugly beautiful concept of the 'influencer'. Contact…

How has internet lingo impacted our language skills? Is the internet a good place to discuss politics? Are moderation and censorship the same thing? We answer all these questions and more on this week's episode of Solacene! ft. sheep.Zine and Contact: https://www.solacene.orgDoor Solacene

Imagine an internet browser that is aesthetic, has no ads, and promotes mindful internet usage (reducing dependence). This week we design a new internet browser, discuss trolls on the internet, and finally dissect the trend that is "there are no more trends".Contact and Zine: https://solacene.bigcartel.com…

eCommerce has already defied expectations in surpassing 'brick and mortar' stores for various industries. It is convenient and widespread. But is it beautiful? Sustainable!? TACTILE? Listen to today's episode to find out our thoughts on whether there is room for Amazon in a hypothetical utopia, as well as more general notes on the Internet's potent…

Imagine a device ecosystem that enables health, wellbeing, and true connections with our community. This week we dive into the pros and cons of the devices in our lives and piece together a vision for how these devices can evolve (or go extinct) in the ideal future. Featuring ten tips to reduce your screentime today!Zine and contact: https://solace…

Going down the rabbit hole of what lurks in kids videos on YouTube is a scary prospect. This episode sees us discussing this 'demonic' 'content', as well as the more general phenomena of the iPad kid, reaction videos, and how brainrot culture has become mainstream. We also talk about how nice it would be if the world were free of these things! Cont…

Content. CONTENT. c o n t e n t. How you read this word might be part of the problem. In this episode we discuss how to fix the evil infinite Internet's ploy to reduce all beauty into a single stream of... stuff.We also talk about TikTok (it is bad, but probably in more ways than you ever imagined!). And each tried to create a Solacene meme. So sil…

A deep dive into memes, their history, and cultural significance brings us all over the map of the internet. This brings us to analysing what forms of art are exclusive to the internet such as Vlogs and Interfacing. We also discuss online gaming and how that will manifest in the Solacene.Zine and Contact: https://solacene.bigcartel.com…