Astonished

In a time when despair and apocalyptic thinking dominate public discourse, what does it mean to remember our capacity for imagination, astonishment and wonder? Can we find alternatives to the pull toward cynicism and fear and learn to astonish others and ourselves into a state of genuine aliveness? An invitation to step forward with courage to remember that we are far earlier in the human story than we think.

This week is hosted as always by Lizzie Winn and Justin Wise of Thirdspace.

This is Turning Towards Life, a weekly live 30 minute conversation hosted by Thirdspace in which Justin Wise and Lizzie Winn explore living with depth, attentiveness and care. Find us on FaceBook to join in the lively conversation on this episode. You can find videos of every episode, and more about the project on the Turning Towards Life website, and you can also watch and listen on Instagram, YouTube, and as a podcast in all the usual podcast places.

Episode Overview
00:00 Introduction to Turning Towards Life
03:00 The Power of Unplanned Conversations
06:22 Exploring the Source: Astonishment
12:00 Falling Apart and Becoming Whole
19:43 Astonishment in Our Lives
27:10 Responding to the World
34:55 Conclusion

Our source for this week:

On the mountain tonight the full moon
faces the full sun. Now could be the moment
when we fall apart or we become whole.
Our time seems to be up—I think I even hear it stopping.
Then why have we kept up the singing for so long?
Because that’s the sort of determined creature we are.
Before us, our first task is to astonish,
and then, harder by far, to be astonished.

From ‘Astonishment’ by Galway Kinnell

Photo by Jorge Gardner on Unsplash

Join Our Weekly Mailing: www.turningtowards.life/subscribe
Support Us: www.buymeacoffee.com/turningtowardslife
---

Join Us Live in 2026

Turning Towards Life Live Season 3, from 16 September 2026
Our Turning Towards Life live programme of community, learning and reflection runs in six month seasons, in person on Zoom once a month. We're very excited about it. A chance to expand beyond the bounds of a podcast into forming a community of learning and practice.
You can find out more and join us here: www.turningtowards.life/live

Learn Coaching with Thirdspace

Foundations of Integral Development Coaching
Our two-day immersive introduction to integral development coaching. An opportunity to begin to learn to support others in deep, life giving discovery and development.

You can read more 'Foundations' and book a place here:
www.wearethirdspace.org/foundations-of-coaching

You can hear us talk about the philosophy of our coaching programmes here:
www.turningtowards.life/coaching

And our year-long Professional Coaching Course details are here:
www.wearethirdspace.org/professional-coaching-course


Join Our Weekly Mailing: www.turningtowards.life/subscribe
Support Us: www.buymeacoffee.com/turningtowardslife