Connection Matters Podcast

What Can Nature Teach Us Today? Biomimicry, Community & Regenerative Design with Deborah Benham

Episode Summary

What happens when even nature connection experts forget to go outside? Marine biologist and biomimicry educator Deborah Benham shares her honest story of disconnection, cracked wellies, and the fifteen minutes that changed everything. We explore the Living Systems Alliance, designing like ecosystems, ghost moths, and how culture emerges when communities pay attention to the land. A conversation about remembering, returning, and creating regenerative futures together.

Episode Notes

Guest Bio

Deborah Benham is a marine biologist, nature connection practitioner, and biomimicry educator based in Dorset, England. She works with Transition Network International supporting community-led action across 60+ countries and is co-creating the Living Systems Alliance—a collaboration bringing biomimicry, permaculture, and regenerative design to communities worldwide. Deborah lives in the UK's largest cohousing community and is passionate about helping people reconnect with nature, learn from living systems, and become positive keystone species in their ecosystems.

Resources Mentioned

Deborah's Work & Resources:

• Becoming Ecological Citizens Framework: www.deborahbenham.com
• Living Systems Alliance
• Restoring Your Ecological Awareness Course (Biomimicry Institute)- AskNature Learning: Restoring Your Ecological Awareness: How Deep Reconnection Can Guide Nature-Based Wisdom and Solutions, will be facilitated by Dr. Deborah Benham an ecologist, accredited Biomimicry Educator, and global leader in regenerative community design, with nearly 30 years of experience across conservation, education, and community resilience.
  
  Many people feel disconnected from nature and overwhelmed by the scale of the ecological, climate, and biodiversity crises. This course offers a different starting point: one rooted in deep nature reconnection as a source of empathy, belonging, and positive action.
  Through simple, applied practices, participants strengthen their sensory and observational skills and begin building meaningful relationships with local places, species, and ecosystems. In doing so, they learn how living systems work and how humans can become a positive, regenerative force within them.

Deborah has offered the Connection Matters Podcast Listeners a 20% discount code: COURSE20.

Course details:

• Thursdays, March 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th | 11-12:30pm PT
• Recordings available
• No biomimicry experience required
• Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gNVBhcQs
• Code: COURSE20

Organisations & Networks:

• Transition Network International: www.transitionnetwork.org
• Biomimicry Institute & Ask Nature Database: www.asknature.org
• Permaculture Association (UK): www.permaculture.org.uk
• Global Ecovillage Network: www.ecovillage.org
• Learn Biomimicry: Self-guided courses and educator resources

Books & Influences:

• Rob Hopkins' work on imagination and transition
• Dr Lila June: Indigenous perspectives on regenerative human presence
• Janine Benyus: Biomimicry pioneer and founder
• John Young: Deep Nature Connection and 8 Shields model

Research:

• Zelensky et al. (2023): "Nature Connection as a Pathway to Personal and Planetary Health" (open access)

Media & Inspiration:

• Fix the News Newsletter: Weekly global good news stories
• Nature Culture Camp: Annual nature connection gathering (UK)

Connect with Deborah

Website: www.deborahbenham.com

LinkedIn- Deborah Benham
Email: Available via website

Connect with Leona

Website: www.leonajohnson.life
Instagram: @connection.matters.leona
Free Life Compass Assessment

Call to Action

Take Deborah's closing question on your next walk: What can I learn from nature today?

Then share what you discover—tag us on social media or leave a comment on the blog.

Want to go deeper?
📖 Read the full blog post with three practices you can start today
🎁 Take the free Life Compass Assessment to see where you're thriving and where you're longing for more
🌿 Join us at Nature Quest Weekend for an immersive nature connection experience- email dircetly for info
💫 Explore the Life Compass Curriculum for 6 months of connected self-leadership