The Tao of WAO is a podcast about the intersection of technology, society, and internet culture – with a dash of philosophy and art for good measure. Hosted by Laura Hilliger and Doug Belshaw of We Are Open Co-op. This podcast is listener-supported. Join our Book Club to stay up-to-date on book recommendations from our fantastic guests!
Season 9 (current)
After a very organised Season 8, Laura and Doug use Season 9 to ramble chat. In this season, we talk about goofy websites, AI taking over and tools we like. For a bit of variety and spice (and to remind people we’re 🤔 ), we invite a guest mid-season to talk about a utopian future.
We would love your comments on this project. Why not head over to our SoundCloud and add a comment at exactly the point in the episode where you have a comment or question?
Transcripts
Also available wherever you get your podcasts!
Previous Seasons
Season 8
Season 8 is part of a submission for the Winter 2023 Special Edition of The Journal of Media Literacy. It focuses on Shaping a Media Literate Society: Exploring the Future Landscape of Media and Information Literacy. Read more about Season 8 here.
Season 7
Season 7 focused loosely on AI. With a variety of guests thinking about AI’s application in human development, workforce development, the public sector and more, this season picks apart recent AI jargon and offers insight into our collective future.
Season 6
This season of the Tao of WAO podcast is focused on Co-ops and cooperativism, so we delve into topics ranging from Co-op Spirit to Co-op Economy. Our guests include Micky Metts, Emily Goligoski, John Atherton and John Bevan.
Season 5
The fifth season to the Tao of WAO podcast is focused on learning, so we delve into topics ranging from guests education pathways to what their favourite pass times are. Guests include Elizabeth Godwin, Aaron Hirtenstein, Pedram Parasmand, Anne Hilliger, Julie Keane and Mark Otter.
Season 4
Season 4 of the Tao of WAO has an amazing line-up of guests. We talk about restorative justice, having impact in social organisations, open source tech, futurism, how educational institutions are looking at the climate crisis and a wide range of other things. Our guests are Kayleigh Walsh, Heather Leson, and Bryan Alexander.
Season 3
In the third season of the Tao of WAO, we talk to about the difference between groups and networks, our cooperative dormancy policy, verifiable credentials, misinformation and social impact games. Our guests are Anne Hilliger, Bryan Mathers, John Bevan, Alex Worrad Andrews, Kerri Lemoie, and Adam Procter.
Season 2
Season 4 of the Tao of WAO has an amazing line-up of guests. We talk about restorative justice, having impact in social organisations, open source tech, futurism, how educational institutions are looking at the climate crisis and a wide range of other things. Our guests are Kayleigh Walsh, Heather Leson, and Bryan Alexander.
Season 1
This is the introductory season to TAO of WAO. Listen as hosts Laura Hilliger and Doug Belshaw chat about cooperatism, digital detox, geriatric millennials and more. Our guests this season are Bryan Mathers and John Evans.