In the financial and business world, we often face the awkward truth that high returns typically come at a high cost, whether through environmental degradation or societal harm. But what if we could step outside the traditional paradigm and imagine a new system—one where economic activity is generative, life-affirming, and restorative to both communities and the environment?
B. Lorraine Smith, in a recent Radical World podcast interview hosted by Jose Leal and Matt Perez, challenges us to shift our focus. Rather than asking, "Can financial returns be achieved without causing harm?" she invites us to ask bigger, more transformative questions: What would it look like to enable healing in our communities? How can we create conditions that allow both people and ecosystems to thrive? These questions move us beyond the current model of financial growth and into the realm of what Smith calls “magic.”
Magic vs. Fantasy: The Seeds of Transformation
Smith draws a powerful distinction between fantasy and magic. Fantasy, she explains, is a realm where anything is possible, like the whimsical notion of unicorns arriving by magic carpets. It’s fun and imaginative, but it doesn't offer a concrete path for change. On the other hand, magic is rooted in reality, based on what Smith calls "the imaginal cells of the universe"—the true potential that already exists but has yet to be realized.
Take the humble acorn as an example. It’s a tiny seed, yet it holds within it the entire potential of a mighty oak tree. Given the right conditions—proper soil, water, sunlight, and protection—it can grow into something massive and enduring. This is magic: the transformation that occurs when potential meets the right environment.
In the same way, Smith argues, the seeds of a new, regenerative economy already exist within our current systems. The question isn’t whether the seeds are there, but whether the conditions exist to allow them to grow. Are we creating environments that nurture innovation, healing, and connection, or are we stifling these possibilities by clinging to outdated economic models that prioritize short-term financial returns over long-term ecological and social well-being?
Shifting the Paradigm: From Jobs to Working Energy
One of the critical shifts Smith calls for is moving away from a narrow focus on jobs and toward what she calls “working energy.” Jobs, in the traditional sense, often confine our energy to maintaining the status quo. We work to keep the job, to fulfill the tasks assigned to us, and to support the structures in place. But this focus can limit our potential to contribute to something greater.
Smith and her co-host, Jose Leal, discuss how this "working energy" could be redirected toward regenerative efforts. Instead of pouring all our energy into a job for the sake of financial security, what if we used that same energy to support life-affirming projects? What if, instead of working to sustain the current system, we worked to create new systems that serve both people and the planet?
The key to unlocking this potential lies in creating the right environment—one where individuals are empowered to make decisions that prioritize life over profit. In many industries, people are already working toward this goal, planting seeds of change. But the challenge remains: How do we cultivate an environment that allows these seeds to grow?
Three Questions for Change
Smith offers a practical framework for those looking to contribute to this transformation. She suggests asking three questions, which she herself revisits regularly:
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What do I seek to change? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the challenges we face—climate change, inequality, broken economic systems. But focusing on a specific, tangible change helps to clarify our efforts. For Smith, the change she seeks is to shift the thinking of industrial leaders from "the economy works for profit" to "the economy works in service of life."
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What does it feel like when that change is true? Smith encourages us to imagine the change as if it has already happened. What does it look like when leaders make decisions in service of life? How does it feel to live in a world where the economy supports the well-being of both people and the planet? This exercise helps bring the vision to life and energizes us to keep pushing for it.
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What is one thing I can do this week to make that true? Big changes start with small actions. Whether it's having a conversation with a colleague, writing an article, or making a change in your own business practices, every step counts. Smith emphasizes the importance of acting with intention, no matter how small the action may seem.
Nurturing the Seeds of a Regenerative Future
The seeds of a regenerative economy are already here, but they need the right conditions to grow. By shifting our focus from financial growth to life-affirming practices, we can begin to unlock the magic that already exists within our world. As Smith reminds us, this is not fantasy—it’s a real, tangible possibility. It’s up to us to create the environments that will allow these seeds to flourish, transforming our economy into one that serves life rather than exploiting it.
In the words of Jose Leal, it’s not just about jobs; it’s about the energy we bring to the work of building a better future.
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