At Good Vibrations Society, talks and workshops are at the heart of meaningful connection and growth. Beyond the music, these sessions provide a space to explore new ideas, spark creativity, and engage in open dialogue. From thought-provoking talks by inspiring speakers to hands-on workshops that foster learning and collaboration, they offer opportunities to connect deeply with others and yourself. These moments of shared knowledge and curiosity are what make the festival a truly enriching experience.

What the Forest Teaches talk with Emma Thorp
A quieter, contemplative session exploring the wisdom of Ashdown Fores: how nature mirrors our patterns, reveals our blind spots, and invites us to let go. Emma: ‘I’ve led through growth, change and burnout. I’ve walked away from a successful career, and built something more aligned with who I really am. Thorp Coaching brings together the…
Neurodiversity is Biodiversity with Tansy Dowman
What if neurodivergence wasn’t a disorder, but a vital expression of life’s intelligence?In this moving, rebellious and tender talk, Tansy Dowman invites us to reimagine neurodiversity through the lens of biodiversity. Drawing from her lived experience as a neurodivergent woman, her work with nature-based wellbeing, and her deep relationship with the land, she explores how…
Music for All – Making Music Changes Lives
Music for All is dedicated to changing lives across the UK by improving access to music making. We are a passionate, focused and ambitious UK charity helping disadvantaged music makers experience the joys and far-reaching benefits of making music. Established 28 years ago, Music for All has a track record in providing support. Over the…
Nature-Inspired Family Singing Circle with Amy
Join Amy for a relaxed and joyful nature-themed singing circle for all ages and abilities. Learn short, uplifting songs about rivers, trees, and the world around us—taught by ear, with no experience needed. Through easy melodies, simple harmonies, and playful rhythms, you’ll explore your voice in a fun and playful way. Come connect with yourself,…
Birds of the forest talk with Ash Walmsley
Ashdown Forest is an important landscape for many threatened and vunerable species, which many people love to visit just for the chance that they might see something rare and exciting. But what are the bird species that call this place home? This talk explores some of the most impressive, (and some very secretive and hardly…
Tree Wisdom as Cultural Heritage and Source of Wellbeing with Yannick Dubois
Tree Wisdom as Cultural Heritage and Source of Wellbeing. This talk brings together perspectives from botany, ecology, folklore, and history, and looks at how trees (especially native ones like oak) can help us reconnect with a deeper sense of place, meaning and belonging. Yannick Dubois is the author of Ancestral Oak and the founder of…
Raptors of Ashdown Forest and Falconry show and tell with Ross Hicking
Birds of Prey you can find on Pippingford & the working birds here. Discover fascinating facts on falconry and meet Guido the Chiliean Blue Eagle. Local to Pippinford Park, Ross works with birds of Prey on the Ashdown Forest and is an expert in falcony.
Change the Narrative to Change the Future with Benita Matofska
“The world has only one border. It is called humanity. The differences between us are small compared to our shared humanity.” Nadia Murad, Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist and Nobel Prize winner. Benita will share some positive stories of change happening around the world to illustrate and evidence her point. Sending out those Good Vibrations……
The Perfect parent Myth with Kim McCabe
A talk all about relieving the pressure to be flawless – just real tools, shared wisdom, and a chance to grow together Kim McCabe is the author of From Daughter to Woman, a parenting guide praised for its wise and practical support through the teen years. A child development expert featured on BBC and Sky…
Seven Plants to save the world with Karl Elliot-Gough
A path-defining exploration of herbs which, using only seven key plants, provides a revolutionary guide on how you can support the planet and all humankind. Born from nearly a decade of working solely and closely with these seven plants, Karl Elliot-Gough’s groundbreaking book presents a new paradigm for understanding our relationship with plants, encouraging all…
Ecology, the land and livestock with Tristram and Ross
Ecology on the landscape scale in our beautiful part of the world here in Sussex. Ross will be discussing the challenges facing the habitat and how land managers can overcome them and his role in making this happen. One of the greatest tools to help achieve this is the revival of ancient hardy breeds grazing…
Firebirds Firewalking
Walk on Fire, Find Your Power at Good Vibrations Festival! Are you ready to conquer your fears and unlock your inner fire? Join us at the Good Vibrations Society Festival for a transformative firewalk experience with Firebird Firewalks! Imagine yourself walking across a bed of hot coals. Feel the surge of empowerment as you defy limitations and discover a strength you never knew you…
Pine Martens Missing from Ashdown Forest talk with Sue Blanch
Find out about native Pine Martens that used to live in Ashdown Forest and how they live. Discover why they disappeared from here and find out what they would need to thrive again. Learn about The South-East Pine Marten Restoration Project which is assessing the feasibility of reintroducing them in Kent and East Sussex –…
Post Festival Mycelium toolkit – embed your festival wisdom into every day life with Andrew Allright and Michelle Manjarrez
A dynamic heart-centered 60-minute closing session where Andrew shares his radical transition from finance to nature-aligned living, fused with Michelle’s grounding rituals and relational wisdom. Together, they introduce the MY/Compass Life Storyboard—a nature-inspired framework to crystallise festival insights into lifelong action.
History of the Ashdown Forest talk with Ash Walmsley
130million years in 30 minutes! A very brief talk about the history of Ashdown Forest. How society and human hand has shaped the Forest to what we know and love today. From an early age Ash has been passionate about wildlife and conservation. Growing up in the Yorkshire countryside provided early experiences that led him…
The mouse and the mushroom blooms with Sophie Bresnahan
“The Mouse and the Mushroom Blooms”, an educational, whimsical tale with the mushroom kingdom at its centre. The 32-page rhyming story follows a little lost mouse who doesn’t know of her own special magic, so she ventures into the forest to find it. The mushrooms, mycelium and even tiny spores help her on her journey.…
Reading Winnie The Pooh with Kirsteen Whitby
Come and join Mrs. Whiby in journey with the local superstars – Winnie The Pooh and friends. Kirsteen Whitby is a retired local teacher with a great passion and skill in story telling.
How making music remakes your mind with Simon Saunders OBE
Representing Music For All, Simon will be speaking on the power of music and its potential to remake your mind! for infomation on Music For All can be found here – https://www.musicforall.org.uk/ Simon is a communications technologist. He is an Honorary Professor at University of Bristol and has worked for the likes of Ofcom and…
Forest Flyers –
Take your festival experience to new heights with Forest Flyers. Our beginner-friendly aerial circus workshops offer adults the chance to try aerial hoop and silks, in a fun and supportive environment. Taught in small groups by professional aerialists who know what it’s like to face both fears and thrills, you don’t need to be an…
Guided forest walk with Tom Forward
Come take a walk with an expert guide to see and hear some of the wildlife that call Ashdown Forest its home. Suitable for all ages, a relaxed walk into some of the nearby woods and meadows looking for butterflies, dragonflies, birds and more. With a lifelong passion for watching wildlife and a degree in…