How To Not Lose Your Sh!t Can Politics Be Self-Care? (with Heather Cox Richardson)
Oct 1, 2025
Heather Cox Richardson, a historian and insightful Substack writer, joins to explore how political engagement can serve as a form of self-care. She discusses the mental benefits of staying informed, highlighting how community connections help reduce anxiety. Heather emphasizes active civic participation over passive news consumption, arguing it revitalizes personal well-being. The conversation touches on grassroots movements' power, the importance of local elections, and how small actions can significantly boost morale in activism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Politics As Mutual Self-Care
- Political and wellness work can reinforce each other when community engagement is reciprocal rather than transactional.
- Katie Paris argues showing up as your full self makes civic work restorative and more effective.
Choose Reading Over Doom-Scrolling
- Avoid doom-scrolling and prefer structured news reading that reveals patterns and pressure points.
- Heather Cox Richardson recommends putting the phone down when overwhelmed and find a friend to do something positive.
Creativity As A Coping Tool
- Writing and creative pattern-making can act as coping mechanisms and sources of meaning.
- Heather sees crafting her newsletter as art that organizes her thoughts and calms anxiety.
