Me and We
In the “Me & We” podcast, we learn to develop our “me” as we influence our “we”. How do we have less suffering and more fun in whatever situation we find ourselves in? How do we take action based on our values? Can we be who we are with more ease? Hosts Bonnie Macbride and Mallika Bush share frames and tools with real-life examples, offering this podcast to help you access your life energy, make use of your emotions, and find more satisfaction in your life and relationships.
In season one, you will learn the 9 building blocks that Bonnie Macbride has developed. These frames and tools can be applied to every context through relationships, with a particular focus on primary, intimate partnerships.
Me and We
#37 - Working with Our Political Climate
Navigating Political Climate and Emotional Challenges
Mallika and Bonnie discussed the challenges of navigating the current political climate in the United States. They explored how to manage emotions and make choices that lead to less suffering and more influence. Mallika shared her experiences with a family email chain, where she felt disconnected and struggled with the desire to participate in discussions about political issues. She expressed a desire for a deeper layer of conversation, focusing on curiosity and understanding. Bonnie guided Mallika through the process of observing the system without judgment, acknowledging emotions while maintaining a neutral stance. They also touched on the importance of separating values from actions and the potential for feeling disconnected from others in the political climate.
Finding Balance and Expression in Context
Bonnie and Mallika discussed the importance of finding balance and expression in different contexts. They talked about the need to acknowledge and accept similarities, rather than constantly focusing on differences. The conversation centered around the idea of finding the right balance between expressing oneself and avoiding escalation or compliance.
Navigating Political Outrage and Anxiety
Mallika and Bonnie acknowledged that people often get caught up in outrage and lose sight of their own enjoyment, leading to a desire to change the context or the people in power. When people feel their preferred party is in power, there is still a lot of outrage directed at other citizens who don't agree with them. How can we handle this widespread outrage and anxiety?
Compartmentalizing and choosing the level of context one wants to work with in a particular moment is one way to manage our emotional suffering. Mallika asked for strategies to break the compulsion to be in an outrage state, and Bonnie suggested using tools like comparing current context to past ones, and finding relief in moments of relief.
Self-Awareness and Activism Challenges
Bonnie and Mallika discussed the importance of self-awareness and tracking one's own thought processes. They emphasized the need to check in and assess one's own experiences, rather than just reacting to situations. They also touched on the challenges of being an activist and the need to recognize the power of others who may not be as committed to taking action. The conversation ended with a reflection on the potential influence one can have on others by recognizing and addressing their own limitations.
Managing Emotions and Reactions Effectively
In the end, Bonnie and Mallika explored the idea of rehearsing different responses to an email thread, acknowledging the potential for retaliation and the importance of pacing oneself. Could one redirect the conversation to a more positive direction, while being prepared for potential backlash?
How are you working with your own experiences, to get out of suffering, regarding the current political climate?
Bonnie's book is available in paperback!
"Me And We: Finding Your Voice and Influencing Relational Interactions"
Send us your questions! Email them to meandwepodcast@gmail.com
Find out more about our work:
Bonnie's Website: bonniemacbride.com
Mallika's Website: rootedrelationships.com
Thank you to Jessica Carson Chen for the music for the show.
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Thank you to Positron Productions for producing and editing the show.