Humanity as a Keystone Species

How the evolution of human identity systems is the key to unlock global change

My sabbatical has been a profound journey into the deepest inner work of my life, exploring somatic therapy, sacred medicine, and movement practices like surfing and freediving. These experiences have radically altered my understanding of myself and my role in the world.

A few months ago, while listening to a podcast with Zach Bush, I was struck by a powerful question that has lingered with me since: What prevents humans from acting like other keystone species in nature?

This question led me to embark upon the creation a the Keystone Leadership Program, which I am co-developing in the open with close colleagues. Our goal is to guide cohorts of leaders through immersive rites of passage in nature, aiming to ignite systemic change from the inside out. This idea of keystone leadership came to me unexpectedly, yet it feels like the culmination of everything I’ve learned in my 17 years working in startups.

In the same way that we have learned to design disruptive products and complex software…