Newport Lakes Stories and Contributive Practice

Recently I spoke to The Systems SandBox on an episode of their podcast about the transformative role storytelling plays in systems thinking. I shared how stories not only inspire change but also build the essential connections that sustain it.

Storytelling is at the core of how I work. Whether I’m tackling a community project, writing about ecological restoration, or shaping governance policies, storytelling helps connect people to the systems around them, helps them to imagine how things could be and therefore what actions are needed.

But, what exactly is systems thinking? It’s all about seeing the bigger picture. Instead of looking at problems in isolation, you view them as part of an interconnected system like an ecosystem, a neighbourhood, our body or an organisation. It’s about understanding relationships, identifying root causes, and creating solutions that last.

But systems thinking can feel abstract. That’s where stories come in. They make the big picture relatable. They show people what’s possible and invite them to be part of it.

Take the Paddock project. I shared a story about transforming a plain patch of dirt into something extraordinary; a space designed to bring back species like the sugar glider, the golden sun moth, and even the legless lizard (yes, it looks like a snake). It wasn’t just about the environment, it was about people. The project team helped everyone imagine healthy energy positive homes, a healthy abundant ecosystem, and a flourishing community.

The vision was simple, but it helps people to care and feel connected to their place and its potential. And that’s the power of storytelling.

Connect with me here on my blog or my other social media accounts to chat more about storytelling and systems thinking. And if you want to learn more, listen to my episode on The Systems SandBox podcast to dive deeper.