This fourth instalment of Let’s Explore Magazine looks into the theme of Empowerment, through 20 contributed stories by storytellers from across the globe. The variety of interpretations, thought-provoking essays, very personal curiosity-driven experiences and stunning images aim to inspire you to go on your own quest.
To help you document your own thoughts, this issue comes with a dedicated notebook, in which you can collect your ideas and make references to passages in the magazine. Being neatly tucked away in the back cover, you will always have your thoughts close to the original inspiration.
Contents & Features
Features
- A New York state of mind • by Kenneth Grøning Petersen
- Hold a picture to never let go • by Aileen van Leeuwen
- Humanitarian power play • by Nathalie Meier
- Travelling heavy • by Tom Price
- Death Clapped • by Kat Savage
- Godhūlikāla; India’s Forgotten Elders • by Carly Clarke
- I was at the office but left my true self at home • by Anouk Schaap
- I am autistic am I • by Allysse Riordan
- The Lifeboat Station Project • by Jack Lowe
- Empowering change as a vector of love • by Anneloes Smitsman
- Sirens; Embracing the sea’s dangers • by Rachael Talibart
- Kick-ass Queens • by Melinda Waters & Kim Hanskamp
- Seedlings of power • by Virginia Vigliar & Matilda Cini
- Breaking the masters’ grip • by Matthieu Dandoy
- Chains of enslavement • by Matthieu Dandoy
- Learning from courage • by Matthieu Dandoy
- Authenticity Inc. • by Steyn Hoogakker
- When Language becomes Power, Culture becomes Resistance • by NATV
- How Language shapes Reality • by Jesse van ‘t Hull & Javier Perroud
- Changing the system by changing the narrative • by Raki Ap
- Self & system • by Julian Stodd
- Sustainability heroes, captured on camera • by Robert Langkjær-Bain & 5Media
Interludes • by Abd elMalik Nounouhi
- The source
- Inner waves
- Revive and rise
- The art of spiritual lettering
Editor's Letter
While making the Perseverance issue, I started to notice a shift in editorial content. The stories were oriented more on human interest, social awareness, and (personal) impact. Often, still linked to creative projects and travel-related insight. But a seed was planted in my mind that would grow slowly but surely in the years that followed.
Right when I was thinking about starting with a new issue, I decided to volunteer in the refugee camps located on the Greek island of Lesbos. Besides the day-to-day work for the NGO I had joined, I initiated a storytelling and photography project with residents of the camps.
This project showed me the power sincere and purpose-driven storytelling has. Adding to this experience, the realisation that the editorial voice of my magazine was shifting, I went back to school to learn more about how to combine these elements in a meaningful manner. I saw an opportunity to elevate the magazine. I went for it because it made sense to me.
The following months rekindled my curiosity for exploring new ideas and reminded me of my vision for Let’s Explore Magazine. Besides a literal exploration of place, it represents discovery. It stands for my belief in a world where people are open-minded & sincerely curious about what others have to say, learn from their stories and strive to live an inspired and inspiring life. Once again putting curiosity driven inspiration first felt invigorating. It enabled a sense of purpose. What I started to experience as empowering.
My exploration into redefining the voice of the magazine landed me in a new bubble of storytellers. As a result, long-form essays and think pieces made their introduction to the submitted story ideas. It brought another level of depth to the publication and informed a redesign.
One of the first things you have probably noticed is that the theme now sits centre-stage in the masthead. The curated contents of the magazine informed other design choices. For instance, contributors shared their inspiration for their feature or included links for further reading. This marginalia encourages exploration beyond the confinements of this issue. Scan the QR-code on the story’s pages with your phone’s camera for easy access to the marginalia.
The aim is to present as many different insights as possible and inspire with photography, art and poetry. The journey of collecting, curating and publishing curiosity driven inspiration continues. I hope you will join me on that exploration.
For now, Let’s Explore Empowerment.
All Issues
A Global Collaboration of Explorers
Let’s Explore Magazine is a thematic publication that thrives on curiosity and the spirit of exploration in the broadest sense of the word. This passion project brings together storytellers from across the globe, creating a rich variety of thought-provoking and visually stunning content. With each issue crafted at its own pace, the magazine celebrates the art of meaningful storytelling and global collaboration.
