The archive

Writing

Ideas, observations and lived experience—kept together as an invitation to think more deeply.

Introspection and Reflection

5 Years Sober

A couple of weeks ago I had my sobriety anniversary. 5 long years ago I made the decision that alcohol wasn’t serving me, and I stopped.

· Richie

Introspection and Reflection

Storytelling: A Kaleidoscope of Connection

There’s something magical about stories. They weave disparate moments into meaningful patterns, connecting the threads of our lives in ways that evoke emotion, provoke thought, and leave us wondering at the synchronicities of existence.My earlier piece Story Telling: A Window to the Inner World explores how stories can be and have been used for generations to encode and decode meaning As I reflect even deeper on storytelling, I find myself drawn to two distinct ways of seeing the world — one ge

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

The Alchemy of Urges: A Meditation on Breath, Being, and Thought

Urge (n.)Etymology: Derived from the Latin urgēre, meaning "to press, push, or drive." Over time, the word evolved to describe a compelling force—both internal and external—driving one toward action. An urge is a manifestation of pressure, whether physical or metaphorical, to move, act, or respond.What gives rise to our urges? I have practice meditation for many years now.

· My Mate Marv

Technology and AI

Strategic Hybrid Work: Empower Teams, Secure Your Future

How secure is your hybrid workspace? Are you empowering your teams to thrive, or are you inadvertently exposing your business to unnecessary risks? Hybrid work is here to stay, but success demands more than passive adoption.

· My Mate Marv

Technology and AI · The Wundr Space Approach

Strengthening Your BYOD Strategy: Practical Solutions for Secure and Compliant Workspaces

In today’s fast-paced work environment, flexibility and adaptability have become essential for business success. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) approach has naturally emerged as a preferred solution, empowering employees to use personal devices for work. This convenience, however, must be balanced with thoughtful security measures to protect both business and personal data.At Wundr Space, we believe technology should evolve to meet human needs, not the other way around.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

The Life of Pi: Breathing, Swimming, and Watching the Wake

Life constantly calls us to balance between being present and moving forward. In navigating our personal and professional lives, we often oscillate between stillness and momentum. Three metaphors illuminate this journey: just keep breathing, just keep swimming, and looking at the wake. Each offers unique guidance for grounding ourselves, driving forward, and reflecting on the past.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

Witnessing Sustainability: Lessons from Breath, Body, and the Great Container

Today, I sat in meditation, coupling two audio guides: Nothing Here but You by Mooji and a Breathing Routine led by Wim Hof. These practices, seemingly distinct, merged into a profound moment of insight about sustainability — within myself and the world around me.As I followed Mooji’s guidance, I became acutely aware of what he refers to as the "natural functioning" of all that is. Within me, my heart continued to beat, my cells continued their endless dance, and my body held its structure.

· My Mate Marv

The Wundr Space Approach

Expanding Perspectives: Introducing Positional Thinking and Linguistic Coaching Techniques

In our work with clients, we’ve found that growth and clarity often emerge not from solving problems outright but from exploring perspectives — shifting angles, reframing questions, and engaging with the complexity of the challenge at hand. To support this, we’ve developed and refined techniques designed to guide strategic visioning and coaching.

· My Mate Marv

Communi Team · The Wundr Space Approach · Teamwork and Leadership

Communi.Team: A New Way to Co-Create in Wundr Space

A Shared Journey of Co-CreationIn today’s digital age, the screen and keyboard create a distance that strips something essential from human communication, removing the subtle yet powerful cues of body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. This absence of communicational nuance often fosters misunderstanding.

· My Mate Marv

The Wundr Space Approach

Reflecting on Our Journey with The Hire Partner: Achieving Milestones, Building Partnerships

At Wundr Space, we strive to foster partnerships that aren’t just about business but about shared purpose, trust, and meaningful collaboration. Our recent engagement with The Hire Partner stands as a testament to this ethos, showcasing what’s possible when alignment, expertise, and communication come together.

· My Mate Marv

Technology and AI

Exploring Software Assets in an Evolving Information Security Landscape

To generate the image above, I typed "File Server". The output — a fitting expression of the confusing and messy concept of information assets in the modern world. As technology unfolds at an unprecedented pace, the realm of information security faces new challenges and opportunities. AI-supported automation is reshaping how we approach security, creating a complex landscape where information and software assets blur the lines between primary and supporting roles.

· My Mate Marv

Uncategorised

Building Trust in the Age of AI: Ensuring Ethical Deployment

When we think about Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology, we often focus on its potential — enhancing public safety, streamlining law enforcement operations, and locating vulnerable individuals. But as with any tool of power, trust is the critical factor.

· My Mate Marv

The Wundr Space Approach

Get Used to Storming: The Uncomfortable Truth of Progress

The pace of technological evolution has become a constant hum in our lives — relentless, iterative, ceaselessly demanding. We find ourselves at the mercy of change, beckoned to adapt, innovate, and grow, whether we’re ready or not.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

The Sacred: Immutable Truths

There’s a word that calls to us, even when it’s not spoken. It resonates through the stories we tell, the journeys we take, and the moments that refuse to fade, no matter the passage of time. That word is sacred.But what does it mean for something to be sacred? For me, sacredness is not a claim made lightly. It is what stands firm under scrutiny, untouched by doubt, impervious to decay. It is what echoes with a timeless truth, a resonance that says, “Nothing real can be threatened.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

A New Dawn: Reflections on Family, Gratitude, and Consciousness

I learnt this morning that last night was a strange one. As if tethered by some unseen thread, my family and I lay restless, unable to fully surrender to sleep. Today is my mother’s birthday, and perhaps, in the quiet hours, we all felt the stir of something significant — an ancestral echo, a collective memory. As I meditated in the morning’s stillness, my thoughts travelled to my parents, my sisters, my children, my nieces and nephews, and to Abi, my wife.

· My Mate Marv

Uncategorised

"Sort of Agile" will cost you time and money…

You’ve implemented Scrum, you’ve got you your sprints set up, you have a backlog, you have a scrum master, you have 15 extra hours of meetings, and…. You still have very little confidence your team will deliver…. or even struggle to know what they’re doing?“We’re sort of Agile…” means you’re probably not. I wish my customers would stop saying it. Implementing a framework without the foundation is akin to building a bridge...

· Richie

Introspection and Reflection

Re-Membering: A Reflection on Wholeness, Spirit, and Cycles

In the still of meditation, I found myself contemplating the meaning of re-membering. Not just recalling a memory, but the act of bringing together the members that make up the whole — the mind, the body, time, space, life, death, and even each other.These wonderings led me to ask: Are these all members of spirit?The Language of Re-Membering and Dismembering: Unpacking Meaning and StoryWords have power, and sometimes the deeper meanings lie hidden beneath the surface.

· My Mate Marv

Uncategorised

Facial Recognition: A Reflection of Human Instincts and the Ethics of AI

A friend and former colleague of mine recently brought to my attention the BBC’s coverage of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology being piloted in Hampshire. It stood out to me as its particularly close to home (well... it is my home, I live in Hampshire).

· My Mate Marv

The Wundr Space Approach

Ground Control to Major Tom

"Ground control to Major Tom…” — a message of intended connection and guidance. But as the song unfolds, we see what happens when communication breaks down. When Major Tom, lost in space, becomes a symbol of isolation, cut off from his mission, from humanity, and ultimately from himself. It’s a reminder that while technology can propel us to incredible heights, it can also leave us drifting if we don’t stay grounded in our mission and connected to each other.

· My Mate Marv

The Wundr Space Approach · Teamwork and Leadership

King of the Road: Stop, Look and Listen

Leaders and teams often make sweeping statements, especially in organizations that don’t really foster transparency. When people can’t see what’s going on, they can assume the worst.

· Richie

The Wundr Space Approach

Hola! I'm Jorge

Hello, friend! Marv has been talking about Rich, me, and our plans for a while now, so it’s about time I introduced myself. My name is Jorge. I am an experienced Software Development Leader with a unique combination of strong technical skills, charismatic leadership, and a business-focused mindset. When I work with Rich and Marv, I see myself as the tactician—the one in the development room building useful and profitable software.

· Jorge

The Wundr Space Approach · Teamwork and Leadership

Two Ears, One Mouth: The Ping Pong Game of Active Listening

In my recent post The Ping Pong Effect: Why Teams Need to Keep the Ball in Play, we exploredThe importance of building and maintaining a shared understandingAnd how, in an era of rapid technological change and high agility team work, it can feel like we’re all playing a never-ending game of ping pong — constant volleys of ideas, information, and problems bouncing back and forth. But what if we paused for a moment?

· My Mate Marv

The Wundr Space Approach

Well... I'm Richie

As you may or may not know, I've started a new journey, an idea hatched a long time ago with two very dear and awesomely capable friends.

· Richie

The Wundr Space Approach

Meet the Fellowship

Every great journey is made stronger by the people you travel with, and I’m incredibly fortunate to have two of the best by my side: Jorge Bergasa and Richie Taylor.

· My Mate Marv

The Wundr Space Approach

Open For Business

Day 70: There is nothing scarier than the idea of leaving what is good for the hope of what may be exceptional. What you do not realise, at that moment, is that you have already decided. The path forward is now about to become comfortable with that choice, through all the mental gymnastics, justifications, explanations, and processing that it may bring. In the end, you already know. You are not finding your answers. You are finding your courage.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

Navigating Surrender: Vulnerability, Spiritual Authority, and Personal Autonomy – Part 1 of more than 1

When we reach moments of deep crisis or profound questioning, the idea of surrendering to a higher power often emerges as a beacon of hope. In this vulnerable state, we are left open to be taken advantage of – be it by some religious institute, a gang, a charismatic cult leader or any other un-toward predatory agent seeking to exploit human weaknesses.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection · The Wundr Space Approach

An Evolving Transformation — Introducing a New Chapter

Dear Readers,It’s been a while since I last shared my thoughts and musings with you, and I want to start by expressing my gratitude for your patience and interest. The past few months have been a period of deep reflection, exploration, and growth — a true voyage of discovery.

· My Mate Marv

The Wundr Space Approach · Teamwork and Leadership

The Ping Pong Effect: Why Teams Need to Keep the Ball in Play

As we continue to shape our service offerings in line with our mission, values, principles and experiences, we’re reminded of a crucial aspect of any organisational journey: The importance of building and maintaining a shared understanding This shared understanding is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing process, essential for aligning on goals and driving meaningful solutions.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

Kinship: The Binding Force of Our Journeys and Traditions

In a previous exploration – The Eternal Tapestry and the Journey: Exploring the Deeper Meanings of -hood and -ship, we delved into the profound meanings of the suffixes "-hood" and "-ship," revealing how they shape our understanding of relationships and roles within our communities.

· My Mate Marv

Uncategorised

Pivot!!

Since my last post about my "Pivot Year," I

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

#KeepingItReal: Code-Switching as a "Survival Tactic"

I was inspired by a friend; Jonathan Tunde-Wright. He is a wonderful coach and I recommend you check him out if you are in need of some help with introspection and guidance. He made the following statement in the context of #keepingitreal:"Code-switching is a survival tactic, not a betrayal of self.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

The Eternal Tapestry and the Journey: Exploring the Deeper Meanings of -hood and -ship

Language, in its rich and varied forms, often carries layers of meaning that go beyond simple definitions. For a while, I’ve been reflecting on the etymology and deeper implications of two particular suffixes: "-hood" and "-ship." These suffixes, though seemingly ordinary, offer profound insights into our relationships and roles within the tapestry of life.The Eternal Tapestry of -hoodThe suffix "-hood" evokes a sense of belonging to a timeless, almost sacred institution.

· My Mate Marv

Technology and AI

Five Dysfunctions of a DAO: Part 1 - The Absence of Trust

In the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain technology and decentralized systems, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) have emerged as a revolutionary model for collective decision-making and governance. DAOs leverage smart contracts and decentralized protocols to operate without centralized leadership, aiming to create more transparent, democratic, and efficient organizations.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

Illusory Duality: 1 x 1 = 2... Say What Now?

Duality is a concept that permeates our understanding of the universe, manifesting in everything from light and dark to the balance between masculine and feminine energies.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

Story Telling: A Window to the Inner World

In the journey of understanding our own psyches, many frameworks offer valuable insights into the intricate workings of our inner worlds. Among these, Carl Jung’s contributions stand out, particularly his exploration of archetypes and the collective unconscious. However, as we delve deeper into these concepts, it becomes apparent that they are part of a broader tapestry of narratives that help us navigate our psychological landscapes.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection

The Pivot Year

My sister was gifted a book during a training session she attended. She generously passed this gift on to me sensing that it was my time to read it rather than hers. This book was The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest.Day 1:"The courage with which you enter today will become the fate that you meet tomorrow. Will you continue to replay the memories of yesterday, or will you meet the moment and make the most of what is in front of you now?

· My Mate Marv

Technology and AI · Introspection and Reflection

Marvin the Paranoid: AI is Creeping on Me

As a child, I imagined Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the lens of robotics—a physical, often humanoid representation that walks, talks, and interacts with the physical world. This image has been etched into public consciousness by decades of science fiction.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection · Technology and AI

The Blind Men and the Elephant: Embracing AI to Understand Our Shared Humanity

In our digital age, polarized debates rage across internet platforms, often reducing complex human experiences to binary oppositions. Marcus Aurelius insightfully reflected, "Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." This profound observation invites us to consider our nature and the complexities of moral judgment, a theme mirrored in the parable of the blind men and the elephant.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection · Technology and AI

Art Official Intelligence: An Etymological Wundring

"In a time whose change and whose rate of change eclipses much of what came before, the ability to see what was once might seem like a waste of time." ~ Stephen JenkinsonEmphasis on Origins: How did this all come to be? Today, I take a leaf from the tree of Stephen Jenkinson. For me, Stephen is an example of a very wise man, whose work, ideas and practices I have been so fortunate to to have encountered and to have been greatly inspired by.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection · Technology and AI

Which is more powerful: Human intuition or AI language models?

In the realm of awareness, humans and AI language models stand at opposite ends of the spectrum. While humans possess subjective awareness, imbued with sentience and emotions, AI models exhibit non-subjective awareness, devoid of consciousness and empathy.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection · Technology and AI

Unleashing the Power of AI: Building Effective and Equitable Economies

In the rapidly evolving world of AI, the potential for building effective and equitable economies is immense. AI has the power to revolutionize industries, enhance productivity, and drive innovation. However, it is crucial to ensure that the adoption of AI is done in a way that is fair and inclusive, benefiting diverse individuals and communities.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection · Technology and AI

Are we at risk of undervaluing "thinking as a human"?

I wondered to myself if "the capacity to think as a human" will be valued appropriately in the future as artificial intelligence continues to evolve and exceed, by most measures, human intelligence. I engaged in dialog with ChatGPT and here is the insight that was shared.... As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and surpass human intelligence in certain domains, the value of human thought and qualities will likely evolve as well.

· My Mate Marv

Introspection and Reflection · Technology and AI

The Wholeness of Intelligence

This morning, I sat and meditated, contemplating the awareness from which my consciousness and intelligence emerges. I often question and dissolve my sense of self by asking "who am I?" I am still aware but the beginning and end of what I consider "myself" melts away. I realised there is no subjective sense of self as far as this ever-developing AI goes.

· My Mate Marv