The Inner Work of an Activist | Davin Hutchins of Greenpeace International

It was truly an honor to join the Inner Green Deal podcast with Tamsin Walker, a conversation that grew out of a workshop I helped lead at Greenpeace on nature connectedness and inner development. That workshop, and the subsequent invitation to the podcast, felt like a rare chance to discuss not only the external work we do as activists, but also the inner journeys that support and sustain us. After years spent focused on campaign strategy, I have come to realize that real, lasting change is not just about pushing harder. It is also about making time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature and with our deeper selves.

During the episode, I shared how practices like mindfulness, spending time outdoors, and slowing down have shaped my own resilience and approach to activism. I spoke about childhood experiences in nature, the meditative quality of cycling, and the importance of listening to both ourselves and the world around us. One key point I wanted to make is that in this era of overlapping crises and organizational pressure, contemplative practices are not a luxury, but a necessity. When activists nurture hope, kindness, and community, our work becomes not only more sustainable, but also more creative and impactful. The “We Are Nature” campaign at Greenpeace was born from this realization, recognizing that seeing ourselves as part of nature leads to more regenerative approaches to change.

I genuinely enjoyed the conversation and appreciated Tamsin’s thoughtful questions and openness. It is rare in our field to be invited to look beneath the surface and discuss what keeps us grounded, hopeful, and connected. I finished the recording inspired by the idea that a broader cultural shift is possible, where inner development and collective action truly go hand in hand. My hope is that listeners are encouraged to cultivate their own resilience, and to remember that kindness and community are powerful forms of activism.