Virtual Walk Talk Listen with Maria Modigh (episode 138)

Summary

In this insightful episode of 'Walk, Talk, Listen,' host Maurice Bloom engages in a profound conversation with Maria Mudik, a former COO and current board member of the 29k Foundation. Maria, originally from Greece but raised in Scotland, shares her journey from a career in law to her work with the United Nations and eventually to social entrepreneurship. The discussion delves into the mission of the 29k Foundation, which is to advocate for and integrate science-based skills and qualities that lead to purposeful, sustainable, and productive lives. Maria highlights the importance of inner development and its role in addressing global challenges. The podcast also touches on the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), a framework for personal growth and societal improvement, and the need for collective action across various initiatives to create a better future. Maria emphasizes the impact of individual actions and the power of kindness, leaving listeners with a call to reflect on their purpose and consider how they can contribute positively to the world.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The mission of the Inner Development Goals (IDG) is to advocate, facilitate, and integrate science-based skills and qualities that help individuals live purposeful, sustainable, and productive lives, aiming to bring the power of inner development to address global challenges faced by humanity.
• 🎓 Maria Mudik, originally from Greece, grew up in Scotland and has lived in various European cities. Her multicultural background influenced her worldview and career choices, emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity and interconnectedness.
• 📚 Maria's educational journey began in law, transitioning through various roles, including working for a global law firm and the UN, before focusing on social entrepreneurship, reflecting her quest for purpose and contribution to society.
• 💡 The 29k Foundation, co-founded by Maria, developed the 'Aware' app, which has had a significant impact on mental well-being, providing tools equivalent to several therapy sessions for many users, and was recognized as a 'Best Hidden Gem' by Google in 2023.
• 🤝 The 29k Foundation operates on a nonprofit and open-source model, emphasizing the importance of providing free and accessible mental well-being tools to as many people as possible, aiming to improve global decision-making and problem-solving.
• 🌿 Maria is currently in a period of reflection, considering her next steps after transitioning from her role as COO to a board member at the 29k Foundation, with a focus on collective action and cross-sectoral collaboration for societal and environmental betterment.
• 👥 The 'Aware' app has a wide user base, ranging from youth to individuals in their 90s, with a significant portion of users being women in their late 20s to late 40s, highlighting the app's broad appeal and effectiveness.
• 🧘 The Inner Development Goals (IDG) initiative, which Maria is involved in, aims to identify and promote the development of skills and qualities necessary for individuals to address global challenges and create a regenerative future.
• 🌱 Maria emphasizes the importance of acting on the Inner Development Goals, suggesting that knowing about these qualities is not enough; it is the application and collective action that can lead to meaningful change.
• 👶 There is a noted increase in hopelessness and resignation among youth, particularly in Sweden, with rising mental health issues, drug use, and violence, indicating a need for more functional narratives and concrete interventions to build hope and agency.
• 🌟 Maria's message encourages individuals to reflect on the purpose and meaning of their work, questioning whether their actions contribute positively to the world and advocating for small shifts towards making a global impact.

Q & A

What is the mission of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs)?

The mission of the IDGs is to advocate, facilitate, and integrate science-based skills and qualities that help individuals live purposeful, sustainable, and productive lives, with the aim of bringing the power of inner development to all global challenges faced by humanity.

How does Maria's upbringing in Scotland with Greek parents influence her perspective on cultural diversity?

Maria's upbringing with two cultures allowed her to see the world with many different perspectives, cultural contexts, and sensitivities from a young age. This experience made her aware of the complexity and interconnectedness of societies, which has stayed with her and influenced her career and life choices.

What is the role of the 29k Foundation?

The 29k Foundation aims to develop inner capacities that enable individuals to not only cope but thrive in life for a more flourishing world and planet. It provides platforms or apps that are nonprofit, open source, and free for users, with the goal of supporting mental well-being and inner development.

How does the 29k Foundation ensure the sustainability of its free platforms?

The 29k Foundation is funded through a mix of philanthropic money, corporate partnerships, and institutional funding. It aims to build out its own independent revenue through partnerships, supporting organizations with their communities' well-being and inner development, while keeping the platforms free for individuals.

What is the demographic of users for the 29k Foundation's apps?

The 29k Foundation's apps have a wide demographic, with users ranging from age 15 to over 90 from over 200 countries. The majority of respondents have been women in their late 20s to late 40s, but the platform is designed to be inclusive and serve a broad audience.

Why did Maria transition from her role as COO to a board member at the 29k Foundation?

Maria transitioned to a board member role as part of a restructuring of the organization to open it up and stay true to its original vision. The new structure allows for a collective or project-based team approach, enabling more project teams and organizations to support the platform's development and outreach.

What are Maria's plans for the future after her time with the 29k Foundation?

Maria has dedicated the autumn to regenerate after intense years of work and to reflect on her next steps. She is considering opportunities where she can focus on collective action across several initiatives, striving for less silos and more collaborative, cross-sectoral collaborations.

How does Maria perceive the current state of youth in Sweden regarding mental health and spirituality?

Maria observes an unprecedented pandemic of hopelessness and resignation among youth in Sweden, with a sharp increase in mental health issues, drug use, self-harm, and eating disorders. She notes a disconnect within and across communities and a need for a more functional narrative and concrete interventions to build hope and a sense of agency.

What is Maria's view on the role of individualistic society in the current trajectory of humanity?

Maria believes that the individualistic focus in society is leading to destructive behaviors and taking humanity further away from its social nature. She sees a need for a radical shift towards systems and structures that support a more interconnected and collaborative approach to building a better world.

What is the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) initiative, and how is the 29k Foundation involved?

The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) initiative aims to identify and promote the development of skills and qualities necessary for a more regenerative future for people and the planet. The 29k Foundation is one of the initiating partners of the IDGs, supporting its strategic development and helping to raise awareness and advocacy for the initiative.

How does Maria suggest we can create a more peaceful world despite the numerous initiatives that seem to have limited impact?

Maria suggests that individuals have the power to imagine and act on a better world. She believes in the power of the few to impact the many and emphasizes the importance of initiatives that provide opportunities and access to tools for personal development, which can lead to systemic change.