In this episode of the Green Minds podcast, host Kriszta Vásárhelyi (eco-trainer, psychologist, and member of the Ecoliteracy Hub) speaks with Gábor Tóth, social artist and founder of Souldom , about individual initiative as a core eco-competence and its role in building meaningful, sustainable communities.
Gábor shares how his ecological and social awareness emerged early in life, shaped by a deep dissatisfaction with formal education and dominant social narratives. He reflects on how systems focused on productivity, conformity, and seriousness often fail to nurture curiosity, self-knowledge and purpose—leaving many young people disconnected from both themselves and the world around them.
A turning point came when Gábor encountered people who had stepped outside conventional paths and openly shared their journeys of learning, experimentation, and service. This inspired his commitment to creating communities where young adults can explore identity, meaning, and responsibility together, rather than feeling isolated or pressured to “have it all figured out.”
Throughout the conversation, individual initiative is explored as the starting point for meaningful change. Gábor emphasises that transformation begins when people stop waiting for permission and start acting from their own questions, discomforts, and values. He encourages listeners to treat frustration, anger and dissatisfaction not as problems to suppress, but as signals pointing toward what needs attention and care.
The episode offers practical insights into turning reflection into action—through journaling, mind-mapping, open brainstorming and creating safe spaces for collective thinking. Gábor highlights that sustainable initiatives are rarely built alone. They grow through collaboration, trust and the ability to invite others into a shared process.
The conversation concludes with a hopeful message: meaningful social and ecological change does not require perfection or heroic action. It begins with small steps, honest questions, and the courage to act. As Gábor reminds us, don’t wait to be chosen—choose yourself.
This episode explores:
- individual initiative as a key eco-competence for sustainability and social change
- how dissatisfaction and discomfort can become starting points for meaningful action
- the role of community in supporting self-discovery, learning, and responsibility.
- practical tools for turning reflection into real-world initiatives
- and why cultural wellbeing and ecological sustainability are deeply connected.