How Forests Can Shape the Future of Peace | Graseilah Coolidge | TEDxFolsom
"What if the path to peace doesn’t begin in a war room, but in a forest? In this deeply personal and provocative talk, former intelligence analyst Graseilah Coolidge challenges conventional diplomacy and reveals how nature immersion can dissolve division, heal emotional wounds, and spark a new path toward peace. Through powerful storytelling and her groundbreaking framework—Nature Diplomacy—she offers a bold solution to one of humanity’s oldest struggles: conflict.
" Graseilah is a former intelligence analyst turned visionary entrepreneur, dedicated to redefining peacebuilding through the lens of Nature Diplomacy. With a master’s in Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and International Conflict Resolution, her life journey took her to conflict-affected regions around the world. But it was in the stillness of ancient forests that she discovered a deeper path to reconciliation—one that begins within.As the founder of Epic Gatherings, she curates transformative forest immersions and retreats that foster healing, connection, and collaborative leadership. Graseilah believes peace is not only negotiated in political chambers but cultivated through embodied experiences in nature. Her work bridges global policy insight with the wisdom of the land, offering a grounded, human-centered approach to diplomacy and social change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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