The Unmistakable Creative Podcast Christy Tennery-Spalding: Building Political Homes and Redefining Self-Care Beyond Capitalism
Nov 6, 2025
Christy Tennery-Spalding, an activist and writer focused on climate justice and indigenous rights, shares her journey from political awakening in D.C. to her advocacy in San Francisco. She introduces the concept of informed consent in organizing and critiques the capitalist approach to self-care, revealing her own burnout from chasing wellness perfection. Christy emphasizes anti-capitalist self-care, defining worth beyond productivity, and promotes intentional rest as a radical act. Her insights challenge traditional views on self-worth, participation, and activism.
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Growing Up Beside Power
- Christy grew up near Washington, D.C. and was drawn into protests and rallies from a young age.
- This proximity to power shaped her oppositional stance and early activist identity.
Organize With Informed Consent
- Christy uses informed consent as an organizing principle so participants know risks and feel empowered.
- She prioritizes safety, information and treating people as important, not just bodies in the street.
The Power Of A Political Home
- Finding a political home prevents activists from endlessly chasing every crisis and helps sustain deeper work.
- Christy emphasizes long-term community bonds as central to continued participation.
