Beyond human

What does it mean to have a relationship with something that isn't human? In this episode, Clare and Aileen look beyond romantic and family relationships to explore the many non-human relationships that shape our lives – from pets and nature to food, sport, places and time. They reflect on how these relationships can give us companionship, connection, belonging and a sense of being present in the world.

They explore what happens when we slow down enough to really notice our surroundings, from the presence of an animal to the experience of walking somewhere familiar in a completely different way. They discuss chronos and kairos time, the feeling of being in a flow state, and how activities such as cooking, baking and sport can either feel like another obligation or become opportunities for pleasure, creativity and connection.

The conversation also turns to the things we use to distract or soothe ourselves, including food and our phones, and the importance of noticing what is happening underneath those habits. Finally, Clare and Aileen consider some of the biggest non-human relationships of all: spirituality, faith, nature and death. They ask whether being more conscious of these relationships might help us live more fully in the present – appreciating the people, places and moments that are here now.