What Works

EP 461: My Nemesis

Feb 15, 2024

In this episode, the host reflects on beliefs about quality of life influenced by Star Trek's Data, discussing technoableism, self-judgment, and narratives of overcoming. They explore societal expectations, identity, and disabilities, raising thought-provoking questions. The episode ends with an introduction to a transformative course on reshaping perspectives on work-life balance and success.

21:43

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Quick takeaways

Beliefs shape interactions with others, influencing relationship dynamics and perceptions of fulfillment.

Techno-ableism critique in Star Trek highlights societal biases towards conformity and the importance of celebrating differences.

Deep dives

Beliefs Impacting Relationships and Friendships

Beliefs, whether conscious or not, can significantly impact our interactions with others and how we perceive our relationships. The speaker shares a personal experience of questioning the belief that having a large friend circle is essential for a fulfilling life. Through therapy, she learns that it's not about fitting the norm but finding what works for her individually, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and reshaping beliefs that influence our relationship dynamics.

Embrace Your True Self

00:55

The Drive for Self-Improvement and Agency

01:54

Introduction

2min

Exploring Beliefs About Friendship and Self-Worth

3min

Exploring Beliefs and Identity Through Star Trek Nemesis

5min

Exploring Identity, Aspiration, and Techno-Abolism

10min

Embracing Differences and Rethinking Work

3min

Our beliefs leave an indelible mark on how we interact with others and our environment. Even when those beliefs aren't conscious.

Beliefs about quality of life are a whole other can of worms. Who gets to decide the relative quality of a life? Or what lives are worth living? And how do our beliefs about quality of life and worthiness impact the way interact with others and the way we treat ourselves?

In this episode, I reflect on how my beliefs about quality of life were influenced by my favorite Star Trek character, Data. I discuss technoableism, narratives of overcoming, and the unnecessary self-judgment we can put ourselves through on the path to becoming like everyone else.

Footnotes:

Rethink Work: An 8-week cohort-based course
Star Trek: Nemesis
Against Technoableism by Ashley Shew
"Valuing Disability, Causing Disability" by Elizabeth Barnes
More on "narratives of overcoming" in my book, What Works

If you're a sci-fi nerd like me, check out my limited podcast, Strange New Work, wherever you listen to podcasts!

All new episodes of What Works are available in written essay form at whatworks.fyi

***

If you’re questioning your relationship to work but finding it difficult to make lasting changes, I’d love to help.

I’m committed to helping you confront and deconstruct big assumptions that compete with your good intentions. And that’s exactly what we’re doing in my new 8-week cohort-based course, Rethink Work.

We’ll examine the beliefs, stories, and systems that keep us hustling—even when it hurts—so you can make changes that last and create a more sustainable approach to work.

(00:00) - My Nemesis
(00:13) - Introduction
(03:44) - Rethinking Beliefs That Impact Quality of Life
(05:21) - Star Trek: Nemesis
(09:45) - Human-Shaped Hole
(10:36) - Technoableism
(15:07) - Narratives of Overcoming
(17:40) - Bad-Difference versus Mere-Difference
(19:48) - You're invited to Rethink Work

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What Works

EP 461: My Nemesis

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Beliefs Impacting Relationships and Friendships

Techno-Abolism and Self-Identity

Embracing Individuality and Challenging Norms

Embrace Your True Self

The Drive for Self-Improvement and Agency

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts