Sounds of SAND

#117 Minds Under Siege: Gabor Maté, Naomi Klein & Cecilie Surasky

Jan 30, 2025

Naomi Klein, an award-winning journalist and professor, joins trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté and moderator Cecilie Surasky for a deep dive into the intersection of trauma and political power. They discuss how collective trauma shapes identities and the dangers of weaponizing fear through media narratives. The conversation tackles the speed of converting recent Jewish trauma into spectacles and explores alternative narratives for healing. They emphasize the importance of compassionate dialogue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while advocating for transformative storytelling.

01:22:23

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Naomi Klein

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Quick takeaways

The panel highlights how political entities can exploit collective trauma narratives, prioritizing power over healing and justice, which risks deepening societal divisions.

Naomi Klein and Gabor Maté emphasize the importance of nuanced historical narratives to prevent dehumanization and foster empathy within conflicting groups.

Storytelling is presented as a vital mechanism for healing, allowing individuals to share their experiences and redefine identities beyond victimhood.

Deep dives

The Role of Trauma in Conflict

The discussion examines how trauma impacts collective identities, particularly how Jewish trauma, rooted in historical persecution, has been weaponized in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It highlights the complexity of these collective narratives, where trauma can foster a cycle of violence as the victim becomes the perpetrator. By reflecting on personal stories, the panel emphasizes that trauma isn't merely a past event; it's an ongoing influence that shapes societal reactions, identities, and policies. Understanding this intertwined relationship is crucial for healing and moving towards reconciliation, as failing to address these dynamics risks perpetuating historical cycles of pain.

Intro

2min

Trauma, Identity, and Historical Narratives

23min

Challenging Narratives of Identity and Trauma

25min

Exploring Healing and Narrative in State Building

3min

Challenging Apocalyptic Narratives in a Troubling World

5min

Navigating Trauma and Compassion in Conflict

20min

Empowering Change Through Family and Movement

2min

A Heartfelt Conclusion and Call for More Discussion

2min

In this SAND Community Gathering (January 2025), journalist Naomi Klein and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté explored the complex intersection of collective trauma, political power, and memory in a discussion moderated by Cecilie Surasky.

Drawing from Naomi’s recent analysis of how trauma has been weaponized in current conflicts, and Gabor’s deep understanding of trauma’s psychological impacts, their conversation examined how media narratives and political rhetoric weaponize fear and trauma to gain public support for military and political crimes. The discussion addressed the troubling speed at which the Oct 7 Jewish trauma is now converted into a spectacle through virtual reality experiences, museum exhibitions, and immersive memorials, while questioning who gets to control these narratives and to what end. Together, they explored alternatives for remembering that might lead toward healing rather than perpetuating cycles of violence.

We hear from several Community Gathering audience members with their questions in the second half of the episode.

Gabor Maté, M.D. is a specialist on trauma, addiction, stress and childhood development. After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Dr. Maté worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. Gabor is also the creator of a psychotherapeutic approach, Compassionate Inquiry, now studied by thousands of therapists, physicians, counselors, and others in over 80 countries.

Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author. She is a columnist with The Guardian. In 2018 she was named the inaugural Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair at Rutgers University and is now Honorary Professor of Media and Climate at Rutgers. In September 2021 she joined the University of British Columbia as UBC Professor of Climate Justice (tenured) and co-director of the Centre for Climate Justice.

Cecilie Surasky is the Director of Communications and Narrative at the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI), where she leads an incredible team focused on integrating strategic communications and narrative strategies. With a background in Religious Studies and Semiotics, Cecilie views all narratives as sacred, and believes that leaders, for better or worse, often serve as modern-day high priests. As former deputy director of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) she led impactful campaigns aimed at building a co-liberation movement and garnering support for Palestinian human rights.

Topics

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:45 Panel Introduction and Moderator

01:31 Exploring Trauma and Its Impact

02:44 Weaponizing Trauma in Conflict

06:14 Historical Context and Jewish Identity

10:54 Challenging Narratives and Identities

15:09 The Role of Trauma in Shaping Perspectives

30:35 The Impact of Trauma on Palestinians

32:17 Structures of Deliberate Traumatization

37:48 Healing and Moving Forward

41:50 Debunking Historical Myths