From Mycelium to Movement

The Invisible Networks That Empower Us

Beneath the surface, out of sight and often unnoticed, an intricate web of life pulses through the soil. It’s quiet, persistent, and deeply interwoven. Mycelium, a fungal network, stretches beneath our feet, quietly binding the forest together. It is the lifeblood of the earth’s ecosystems, connecting trees, plants, and fungi in an underground conversation we will never hear, but one that sustains life above ground.

This hidden network doesn’t demand attention. It doesn’t strive for recognition. Yet, without it, the trees would falter, the forest would stagnate, and life would be fragile. The strength of a forest, much like the strength of a movement, doesn’t lie in the loudest voice or the brightest leaf. It’s the unseen work, the network of connection, support, and nourishment that sustains and transforms.

Just as mycelium creates an invisible web beneath the surface that fosters life, social justice movements, communities, and transformations thrive on networks of care, solidarity, and deep connection. These networks are often hidden from the surface world. They are the labour of those who work silently, sometimes without recognition, to create the conditions for radical change.

Let’s pause here.

Have you ever wondered about the people whose names we never hear, whose work supports the visible leaders of the movements? The unsung organizers, the community members, the quiet co-conspirators — these are the mycelial roots of change. Just like mycelium, their labour doesn’t always make the headlines or the highlight reel, but their impact is profound, spreading and connecting people in ways that bring true transformation.

The Hidden Power of Mycelium: How Movements Grow

The power of mycelium is subtle, yet it has the ability to transform entire ecosystems. It’s the way it communicates and nourishes, not by dominating, but by collaborating. It exchanges nutrients, supports trees, and creates a web of life that is stronger for its interconnection. Without this collaboration, no part of the forest would thrive.

Movements, too, require deep interconnection. They cannot exist on individualism or siloed efforts. True, radical change happens when we all recognize our place within the network. When we understand that our work is not separate bu interconnected with the work for others. I am fondly reminded of a sign I saw during the 2020 uprisings that two girls were holding up that said: “You know you messed up when the introverts are on the front line!” Whether it’s fighting for racial justice, gender equity, environmental sustainability, or educational reform, we need to connect the dots. Movements must learn to intertwine, to lift each other up, to collaborate, and most important — support one another’s growth.

So how do we apply the wisdom of mycelium to our work? Here are some strategies for application that I hope inspire you to put the “fun” in fungi ways of being:

Cultivate a Network of Trust

Mycelium only thrives when there’s a rich, fertile environment for it to grow. Without soil, it cannot spread. Similarly, in a movement, the foundation must be one of mutual trust and respect. Without trust, there is no room for real collaboration. As educators or leaders, we need to create spaces where trust can be fostered. Be vulnerable. Be open. Invite collaboration at every level. Loretta J. Ross reminds us that we “don’t need to agree with each other to be with each other.” Remember that real change starts in the soil and the foundational relationships that you build with others.

Interdependence is Key

Mycelium doesn’t work in isolation; it forms complex, reciprocal relationships. Trees share their nutrients with fungi, which in turn nourish the trees. This reciprocal exchange makes both parties stronger. Movements, too, rely on interdependence. The success of one group is tied to the success of the whole. When we prioritize collective well-being over individual accolades and investing in others, we strengthen our network. We need to support other movements and learn to give and receive with humility. Never forget to empower the community because a movement, an organization, a collective, or a learning community is only as strong as its weakest thread. We need to be there for one another.

Adaptability and Resilience

When mycelium encounters an obstacle, it doesn’t give up — it adapts. It reroutes, reshapes, and continues its work. This resilience is what makes the mycelial network so powerful. Movements must embrace this same resilience, recognizing that setbacks and challenges are part of the process. We build resilience by staying grounded in our values, but flexible in our approach. The world is ever-changing and so is the work of justice. When you face challenges, don’t retreat — adapt, learn, and continue pushing forward. Teach your students or community that resilience comes from understanding that the path is rarely linear.

Empower Others

Mycelium doesn’t just grow — it spreads. It creates new networks, expanding and multiplying. As leaders and educators, we must ensure that our work is generative. Our role is not just to lead, but to empower others to take on leadership. The future of any movement depends on the growth of new leaders. Nurture new voices, new ideas, and new leadership. Share your platform and encourage others to lead. Mentor with the goal of creating more leaders, not followers. A truly transformative movement does not rely on one leader — it thrives in a network of empowered individuals.

Patience and Persistence

Mycelium works slowly. It often takes years before the network becomes visible above the surface. Change doesn’t happen overnight. The mycelial network teaches us that true transformation is deep, slow, and persistent. Movements take time to grow and build momentum. There are no quick fixes. We need to remind ourselves and our communities that change is a long-term process. We are building for the future, even if the fruits of our labour are not immediately visible. By celebrating small victories and staying grounded in the larger vision, we teach others that patience and persistence are virtues, not weaknesses.

A Movement in Full Bloom: Where the Underground Meets the Sky

Just as mycelium nourishes the forest, movements nourish the soul of a society. They reach deep into the roots of injustice, pulling out the toxins that poison the earth and creating new, fertile ground for growth. But no movement is static. It must grow, adapt, and spread like the spores of a mushroom, creating new networks and extending its reach.

The beauty of this work is in its quiet power. The mycelial network never seeks the spotlight, but it is the bedrock of everything that grows above it. In the same way, movements don’t always need to be loud or flashy. true change happens when the network is strong, when we work from the ground up, and when we are connected, nourished, and empowered.

The heart of transformation is not in the surface-level noise, but in the silent, steady growth beneath the surface.

As you reflect on the power of mycelium, remember: the movements we build must also be rooted in patience, collaboration, and quiet persistence. Just as the trees rely on mycelium for survival, the movements for justice rely on us — the unseen, often uncelebrated, workers who hold the connections, the care, and the courage to create real, lasting change.

Here’s to being like mycelium: steady, deep-rooted, expanding unseen networks of care, breaking down what no longer serves us, and nourishing the growth of something new.

May we thrive in the unseen, transform what is broken, and make way for new possibilities.

Fungi reminds me of one very important lesson: we can always create new life from what was left behind.

Ever-evolving and composting,

Ms. K