In this engaging conversation, Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist known for his work on morality and happiness, interviews Scott Barry Kaufman, who discusses his book, "Rise Above." They explore the cultural narratives that can trap us in victimhood and how to reclaim resilience and agency. Topics include the myths surrounding self-esteem, the complex relationship between trauma and narcissism, and the impact of social media on identity. They emphasize fostering emotional strength and personal empowerment to navigate modern life's challenges.
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insights INSIGHT
Honest Love Counters Victimhood
The victim mindset is harmful because it confines us to emotional fragility and limiting beliefs.
Honest love balances acknowledging real feelings with openness about growth possibilities.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Self-Extraction From Special Ed
Scott took himself out of special education after a teacher questioned why he remained there.
This moment empowered him to reclaim agency and prove his potential.
insights INSIGHT
Vulnerable Narcissism Limits Potential
Vulnerable narcissism involves entitlement based on perceived suffering or fragility.
This mindset often blocks self-actualization more than intelligence or creativity.
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In *Rise Above*, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman challenges the myths surrounding emotional management, self-esteem, and sensitivity, offering actionable solutions to empower individuals to take control of their lives and achieve their full potential. The book draws on over two decades of research to help readers shift from a victim mindset to an empowerment mindset.
Let Your Light Shine
How Mindfulness Can Empower Children and Rebuild Communities
Ali Smith
Andres Gonzalez
Atman Smith
Let Your Light Shine shares the Holistic Life Foundation's approach to empowering children through mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. The authors, Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andres Gonzalez, detail their work in Baltimore schools, which has led to significant improvements in student behavior and academic outcomes. The book provides practical tools for educators and parents to implement similar mindfulness practices in their communities.
The Body Keeps the Score
Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Bessel van der Kolk
In this book, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma reshapes both the body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores various treatments, including neurofeedback, meditation, sports, drama, and yoga, which activate the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to aid in recovery. The book emphasizes the power of relationships in both causing and healing trauma and offers hope through descriptions of novel approaches to treatment. It is based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists in the field[1][2][5].
In a special role-reversal episode of The Psychology Podcast, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is interviewed by renowned social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt to discuss Scott’s brand-new book, Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential. This powerful conversation explores how modern culture can reinforce limiting beliefs and emotional fragility, and how we can instead reclaim agency, resilience, and meaning in our lives. Scott opens up about the myths of self-esteem, the emotional toll of victimhood culture, and the surprising strengths that come from sensitivity. Together, Scott and Jonathan unpack the cultural narratives that hold us back and offer practical strategies for developing emotional strength and personal empowerment in an age of anxiety.
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