The Web of Us
The Web of Us explores the visible and invisible connections that shape our world.
Hosted by Claire Wathen, Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, and produced by Josie Colter and Ben Beheshty at Studio Goldstar, this podcast invites you to explore how networks show up across everything from our brains and natural systems to our communities and workplaces.
Guests from Oxford and around the world share unexpected career paths, insights from their fields, and reflections on a world often split into categories, siloes, and lanes.
Tune in for thoughtful, engaging conversations that help you navigate new perspectives, uncover shared experiences, and imagine new ways to connect, collaborate, and thrive.
Welcome to the Web.
Episodes
9 episodes
How movement connects our inner and shared worlds, with Alonzo King
“To make this world work, we have to be fanatically positive,” says globally renowned choreographer and founder of LINES Ballet Alonzo King on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Alonzo shares why movement is life, growing up wit...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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38:49
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The marvel and mystery of mycelium, with Sarah Watkinson
"Even though there may be all sorts of conflicts brewing, we can still talk as human beings who are fascinated; filled with wonder and curiosity," says Emeritus Research Fellow in Fungal Biology at the University of Oxford, Sarah Watkinson, on ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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52:56
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Why labels are an invitation to break and remake, with Gina Chavez
"At our essence, we're more like the birds flying; we don't actually care about the boundaries that man has put on things," says genre-bending, Grammy-nominated recording artist Gina Chavez, on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen,...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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42:05
Why trust starts with seeing the best in each other, with Premal Shah
"When people can vouch for people, friction from certain systems can disappear at scale," says the co-founder of Kiva and president of Branch, Premal Shah, on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Premal takes us behind-the-scenes ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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32:19
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How to navigate an entangled future, with Ian Goldin
"Developing a mindset which prepares us for this entangled future is the intellectual journey that we all need to go on," says the founding director of the Oxford Martin School, Ian Goldin on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, I...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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36:06
Opening doors between places and people, with Dr. Anne Makena
"Everything in Oxford is named Oxford this or Oxford that, and we were very deliberate in being named Africa Oxford not Oxford Africa, and that re-centers Africa in the conversation" says the Co-Director of the Africa Oxford Initiative, Dr. Ann...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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37:29
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Why the true currency of power is about who you uplift, with Paula Moreno
"When you understand the power game, you understand that you are not so critical for politicians," says former Colombian minister and founder of Manos Visibles, Paula Moreno on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Paula explores t...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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43:24
Systems thinking means systems acting, with Paulo Savaget
"We shouldn't be paralyzed by analysis, right? That’s the essence of solving systems," says Brazilian entrepreneurship engineer Paulo Savaget on The Web of Us. In conversation with Claire Wathen, Paulo shares why thinking like a computer hacker...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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31:12
