my north stars
This page is dedicated to the thinkers, mentors, and voices that have, in some form or another, shifted the way I see the world. These are not just sources of inspiration—they have challenged me to examine the deeper systems at play in modern life, to question the stories we live by, and to explore what it might mean to live a more purposeful, meaningful, and sustainable way of being.
The individuals featured here have shaped my perspective in ways that go beyond fleeting motivation. They have set me on a different course, altering how I think, begin to live, as well as imagine the kind of world we could—and should—be working toward, both as individuals and as a collective. They are the inspiration behind this website, and their work continues to inform my own journey.
I don’t claim to always fully grasp or embody everything they teach. Much of what they share is a wellspring of knowledge and insight that remains beyond my current understanding—but that’s precisely the point. Their ideas stretch the boundaries of my thinking and invite me to grow. They remind me that learning is a lifelong process, and that humility is essential when facing the immense challenges of our time.
As this page reflects my own evolving journey, the list of North Stars may grow or change over time. Each addition marks another step forward in my exploration of what it means to reconnect—with ourselves, with each other, and with the planet.
I invite you to explore their work as well. These are voices that push back against the trappings of modernity and the idea that advancement does not necessarily mean betterment. They offer an alternative—a chance to see the world, and our place in it, through a fresh and more grounded lens.
May their wisdom guide and inspire you, as it has for me.
toby newton
Toby Newton is not only one of my North Stars but perhaps the most significant person in shaping who I am today. Without his influence, I may never have been inclined to even begin encountering the work of thinkers like Nate Hagens and Tom Murphy. Finding the right words to describe the impact he has had on me really defies linguistic interpretation—words simply do not suffice. His influence is too profound and has fundamentally shaped the core of my thinking and being.
For the past 13 years, Toby has been my Head of School, but more importantly, he has been my mentor. He is the creator of Human Technologies, a subject unique to ICHK, the school where I work, and one that lies at the heart of both my professional and personal growth. At its core, Human Technologies is about The Art and Craft of Being Human. It goes beyond teaching students to learn about or to learn how to do: at its heart, it’s about learning to be. It is a course unlike any other, blending disciplines such as anthropology, philosophy, psychology, big history, and the sciences—not as separate entities but as interconnected technologies that together form a larger whole. You can read more about this transformative subject on ICHK’s school website.
I’ve had the privilege of heading Human Technologies for the past three years, and for the past eight, I’ve worked in the department in a leadership capacity. Yet throughout this time, I’ve also been a student of the course myself. Under Toby’s mentorship, I’ve learned to think deeply about what it means to be human and what it means to live the good life. His guidance has always been thoughtful, wise, and gracious. Despite his immensely demanding role as Head of School, Toby has never once made me feel like I was asking too much of his time. His generosity, patience, and care embody what it means to be human.
Toby’s motto, work hard and be nice, is more than just words—it’s a mindset that permeates the culture of our school and the way he leads. His vision for education is nothing short of revolutionary. He sees beyond the outdated model of rote learning for exams, which so often leaves students with little of lasting value. Instead, Toby champions an education that is meaningful and purposeful—one that prepares students for life, not just for tests.
On a personal level, Toby has provided me with the kind of education I feel I lacked growing up in the north of England. His influence has given me a sense of purpose and direction, and his advice—always careful, considered, and wise—has guided me through countless challenges. One of the qualities I admire most about him is his capacity to bide his time. In a world that often rushes to quick fixes, his efforts to implement change with great care and thoughtfulness is a quality I strive to emulate in my own life and work.
Over the years, Toby has become more than a mentor; he is a genuine friend and someone I will continue to look towards for guidance throughout my life. He has given me the tools to think deeply and live purposefully, and for that, I am forever grateful. He is the epitome of what it means to be a North Star—a guide, a teacher, or more accurately, a shaman: someone who leads others to greater wisdom with care and foresight.
nate hagens
Nate Hagens: a North Star and thinker who has profoundly influenced how I understand the world and humanity's place within it. A systems thinker, educator, and host of the podcast The Great Simplification, Nate brings humility, thoughtfulness, and an openness to changing his mind to some of the most pressing topics of our time. What sets him apart is not just his depth of knowledge, but his ability to synthesise complex systems—ecological, economic, and societal—and make them accessible to a general audience.
At the heart of Nate's work is the idea of The Human Predicament. This phrase refers to the interconnected challenges humanity faces in the 21st century, including ecological overshoot, resource depletion, economic instability, and our inability—both individually and collectively—to respond effectively to these crises. While these challenges may seem overwhelming, Nate's approach is not one of despair but of understanding and education. He believes that by recognising the limitations of our systems and our biology, we can begin to make better decisions for the future.
Another central idea in Nate’s work is The Great Simplification. This refers to the likely transition humanity will experience as we move away from a growth-based, fossil fuel-powered economy to a more localised and less resource-intensive way of life. While this may sound daunting, Nate frames it as an opportunity to reimagine how we live—focusing on what truly matters, such as relationships, community, and living in harmony with the planet. Importantly, his perspective is not about doom or fear, but about preparation, resilience, and finding meaning in a rapidly changing world.
What I find most inspiring about Nate is his drive to educate people on these urgent issues. He doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but he invites us to grapple with the big questions and to think critically about the systems we're part of. His humility and willingness to adapt his views as new information emerges make him a unique and trustworthy voice in a time of uncertainty.
If you’re new to Nate’s work, I highly recommend starting with this video, where he provides an introduction to The Great Simplification and lays out the key ideas that drive his work. It’s an eye-opening and thought-provoking watch that may challenge how you see the world—but in the best possible way.
Nate Hagens has helped me see the world through a new lens: one that acknowledges the challenges ahead while embracing the possibility for connection, meaning, and a better way of living. I hope his work inspires you as much as it has inspired me.
dr. rangan chaterjee
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee is one of my North Stars and a source of endless inspiration when it comes to understanding and improving wellbeing. His work has greatly impacted my personal life, my professional practice, and my thinking about what it means to live a good life.
Dr. Chatterjee’s openness, honesty, and genuine nature are qualities I admire deeply. Despite his medical training, he embraces a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, remaining open to new ideas and perspectives. This willingness to think beyond conventional medicine and explore the interconnectedness of mind and body deeply aligns with my own beliefs.
One of the most influential concepts he has introduced me to is his Four Pillars of Health model, which offers a simple yet powerful framework for looking after our wellbeing. The pillars—Relax, Eat, Move, and Sleep—serve as a practical guide to achieving balance and improving overall health. This holistic approach resonates deeply with my own values and has provided a foundation for both my personal habits and my work as an educator.
Dr. Chatterjee’s podcast, Feel Better, Live More, has been another major source of inspiration. Through his thoughtful interviews with a diverse range of guests, he explores topics that delve into the mind, body, and the connections between them. Many episodes have directly influenced units of work and lessons I’ve helped to develop and teach as part of the Human Technologies curriculum at ICHK, the school where I teach. His insights have also inspired mini bulletin pieces that I’ve written and shared with the wider school community.
There are countless episodes that have shaped my thinking, but one stands out in particular: How To Reinvent Your Life - Powerful Habits That Really Work. One powerful insight shared in this episode is that nothing is inherently offensive. Dr. Chatterjee prompts us to consider how our perception of offense is rooted in our internal responses rather than external triggers. In short, it's a reminder that we have a choice in how we perceive and respond to situations, which helped me reflect on my own outlook and patterns of thought.
Dr. Chatterjee frequently quotes Edith Eger, a Holocaust survivor, who said: “The greatest prison you live inside is the one you create in your own mind.” This quote is pinned to my fridge and serves as a daily reminder. It helps me reflect and bring clarity to my thoughts and perspectives, especially at the end of a long day when I can sometimes feel overwhelmed.
Dr. Chatterjee’s work has not only deepened my understanding of wellbeing but has also provided me with practical tools and fresh perspectives to share with others. His commitment to empowering people to feel better and live more fully is a vision I admire and strive to embody in my own work.
tom murphy
Tom Murphy is another of my North Stars whose work has heightened my own urgency of the need to educate myself and learn more about the ecological crises in much greater depth, and consider my own place in the web of life with greater humility. A self-described “recovering astrophysicist”, professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego, and and author of the blog Do the Math, Tom explores the intersection of energy, sustainability, and humanity’s future with clarity, humility, and a profound respect for the natural world. His work challenges us to confront the scale of the problems we face and the unsustainability of modern life, while offering thoughtful pathways forward.
I was introduced to Tom’s work through my Head of School, Toby Newton—another of my North Stars—and his YouTube series Metastatic Modernity quickly became a cornerstone of my thinking. For anyone new to Tom’s work, I recommend starting with two key videos from the series: Here We Are (which provides context for why he created the series) and Metastatic Modernity (where he describes the nature and consequences of modernity).
One of the most impactful ideas Tom presents is his framing of humanity’s time on Earth in the context of natural history. He highlights the immense damage we’ve caused in a relatively fleeting period of time, describing modernity as a “momentary firework display” that is both dazzling and destructive. His blunt characterisation of modernity as “unhinged” struck a chord with me, helping me put into perspective the unsustainable systems we’ve built and continue to rely on.
At the heart of Tom’s work is a clear and urgent message: the way we are living is fundamentally unsustainable. The planet simply cannot continue to support humanity’s current trajectory. Yet, rather than resorting to despair, Tom offers practical and powerful insights into how we might live differently. In his video, What Can I Do, he outlines steps we can take to reconnect with nature and live with greater restraint—concepts that have begun to influence the way I live my own life. His emphasis on showing restraint is something I try to remind myself, as much as I can, as it offers a way to live more intentionally and harmoniously with the world around us.
For a more extensive overview of his work, I recommend exploring Tom’s blog, Do the Math. Here, he delves into the hard realities of energy limits, exponential growth, and sustainability, offering a rigorous exploration of humanity’s challenges.
What I admire most about Tom is not just his intellect but his humility and passion for the natural world. Despite his growing reputation as a voice on sustainability, he remains approachable and grounded. On a personal note, he even took the time to respond to my email and participate in a panel discussion for the final unit of the Human Technologies course—an experience that left a lasting impression on both myself and our students in the school where I work.
Tom Murphy’s work has helped me better understand the challenges of modernity and the importance of appreciating nature. I hope his work inspires you as much as it has inspired me.