School of Humanity

Marika' s purpose is to bring a glimpse of the humanitarian work into your living room. The School of Humanity podcast brings fascinating conversations, powerful stories and inspiring guests to talk about mental health, leadership and purpose when working in the worlds most complex crisis.

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Episodes

Why putting yourself is key for working in the humanitarian sector.

In this episode, I talk to Rashad Nelms, humanitarian, global strategist and executive coach, who helps others to achieve their full potential. Why is putting yourself first so crucial for achieving your full potential in the aid sector and anywhere you work? While it can be very rewarding as an aid worker, this job is also no exception. For some of us, it can become draining over time when putting in long hours. That’s why it’s important to remember the age-old rule of flying in an airplane: pu...

Jul 04, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 11

Why we never plan our lives and careers and what to do about it. A conversation with Humanitarian Master Coach Kate Roberts

We often pass a large portion of our lives without a plan, only to question the choices we made later on. We might have taken the first job and became comfortable. In our 30's, we then come to realize that some of us never got the long term contract in the humanitarian sector or the career we desired. In a conversation with Humanitarian Master Coach Kate Roberts, with over 20 years of experience in humanitarian settings, we explore why we don't plan our careers and life and what to do about it....

Jun 06, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 9

How the discipline you learn in sport benefits your life

In this episode, I talk with Liberty, who is an international successful tennis player and now coach, about the importance of discipline as a mindset on the pathway to success. Shortcuts in life, the lack of commitment or hard work will show eventually and Liberty will share his lessons from sports and how they apply to our life that will help us to truly achieve our goals.

May 02, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Why we cannot ask for help? The taboo of seeking psychosocial support in the aid sector.

A humanitarian aid worker sent an email to the counsellor seeking help but it went to all staff. She wanted to disappear from the face of the earth because everyone knows now but why do we feel embarrassed? Why is it such a taboo to ask for help? These are the questions we will explore in this podcast episode together with Omneya Makhlouf, who not only sent out this email but talked about it on all her social media platforms. It is more important than ever since COVID-19 pandemic where for insta...

Apr 04, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 7

The impact of emergency work on personal relationships. A conversation with Psychotherapist Mark Snelling

In this episode, I talk to psychotherapist Mark Snelling and former aid worker about how our very own childhood has potentially influenced subconsciously our decision to join the humanitarian sector. In conversations with aid workers, you will hear a long list of issues that we are dealing with on a regular basis: long working hours, management issues, loss of motivation, problems too big to solve and painful events and trauma. But sooner or later, we start to talk about the main issue: relation...

Mar 07, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Relationships in the aid sector: a conversation with Love Coach Pauline Busson

Humanitarian organizations have paid increasing attention in recent years to the psychological wellbeing of aid workers. But one major challenge aid workers continue to face is being left out: that of deeper levels of relationships. What is the impact of humanitarian work on personal relationships of those who deliver it? In a conversation with Pauline Busson, a former aid worker turned Love Coach who has helped hundreds of clients to turn their relationship life around to finally have fulfillin...

Feb 07, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Why success without fulfillment leads to burnout

In this episode, Marika speaks with award winning lifestyle blogger Mimi about her journey in Zimbabwe and how passion, purpose and success in the job are two sides of the same coin. The pathway to get there might not be what we expect: mastering emotions in our life fundamentally influences all aspects, from the relationships we build, the life we have, and the career we have. This is what fulfillment is all about.

Jan 03, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 4

The perfect humanitarian. But what if heroes also fail?

In this podcast, Gemma Houldey talks about how systems of power impact the mental approaches in the humanitarian sector. While 90% of the workforce is national, are mental health approaches appropriate for the sector and the context? What decision-making processes are in place that create a culture conducive for vulnerable conversations to be held about the challenges and struggle as a humanitarian? Join us in a fascinating conversation on an entirely new angle to mental health in the aid sector...

Dec 06, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Care for those whose job it is to care for others

In this episode, CoCreate Humanity talks about why a culture of care is so important for those whose job it is to care. We often think of ourselves in the humanitarian sector as the heroes who come in to help others, but might break in the process after seeing months and years on end poverty and war. That's why we need to change our mindset and this episode will tell you how.

Nov 01, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Are we unbreakable? How to deal with severe stress in the humanitarian sector

While working in the humanitarian sector is very rewarding, its not without its challenges. International aid workers live far away from their social support network, at times face security risks and move every couple of years across continents. In this episode, my guest Manav, a humanitarian with over two decades of experience talks about the ups and downs of the job

Oct 03, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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