Anselm Pahnke: “I welcomed the unknown and it became my companion.”
Anselm Pahnke is a geophysicist and oceanographer, author, award-winning documentary filmmaker, founder of a small town, builder of tiny houses, extreme adventurer, and keynote speaker. His life and work focus on one key question: How can we find direction in an uncertain world and summon the courage to explore new paths?
From a young age, he was intrigued by the forces that motivate people and those that restrain them. To explore these dynamics, he studied geophysics and evolutionary biology. After finishing his thesis, he deliberately chose not to pursue the safer option of a master’s program at a large corporation, instead following his inner voice.
He set out on a 14-month expedition along the African Rift Valley to the Omo Valley, the birthplace of humanity, and then spent three years cycling solo around the world. In the daunting silence of deserts, the solitude of savannahs, and through encounters with vast landscapes and diverse cultures, he gained inner clarity. He learned to trust his intuition, view uncertainty as a teacher, and confront fear. This experience fostered the confidence that he could accomplish every future goal, both externally and internally.
The journey evolved into a deep research process: What happens when we listen more attentively to our inner emotional world? How does courage develop? Why is trust the foundation for all change? His documentary about cycling across Africa became the most successful film of its kind in the past seven years.
Anselm Pahnke Lecture topics (excerpt)
- Brain or heart?
Balancing strategies between logic and intuition
- Live safely or experience life?
Boldly venturing into new territory
- Struggle or act?
Embracing uncertainty as a learning process
In his presentations, he demonstrates how intuition, experience, and trust interplay, why uncertainty can present opportunities, and what psychological conditions are necessary for courage to emerge and transformation to succeed.
Even now, Anselm Pahnke intentionally seeks out uncertainty. He collaborates with neuroscience institutes, takes part in studies on brain activity and emotional responses during transformation processes, and applies these insights to understand how individuals and organizations make courageous decisions.
Additionally, Anselm offers the workshop ‘Courage Rooms – Secure Inside, Courageous Outside’ upon request to help participants put the lessons from his lectures into practice.
“Courage is like a muscle. It grows through action.”
Customer feedback on Anselm’s keynote:
“Anselm, our discovery on the topic of resilience, moved us deeply. He combines sincerity with warmth and shares his extraordinary story in a way that not only captivates but also encourages reflection. He opens new perspectives and leads us toward self-discovery. After his talk, his warm and appreciative demeanor was especially sought after, and he dedicated himself to personal conversations with great commitment.”
– Christine Aly – ITpoint Systems AG CH
