Shane Meyer-Holt - Unlearning Capitalism: Learning to Care, and Be Cared For (N342)
Apr 10, 2025
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Shane Meyer-Holt, a writer and speaker, delves into the profound effects of capitalism on our sense of self and relationships. He critiques how neoliberal values can overshadow our inherent need for care and belonging, particularly highlighting the emotional toll on caregivers, especially women. He advocates for community support and interdependence as alternatives to exploitative capitalist systems. The discussion also touches on the nuances of faith within capitalist frameworks, urging a shift towards inclusivity and genuine connection in spiritual communities.
Capitalism often undermines community care by promoting individualism and productivity at the expense of collective well-being.
Personal experiences of caregiving highlight the contrast between the richness of mutual aid and the pain of isolation, shaping views on care.
The concept of self-care can become burdensome when it pressures individuals to perform, shifting focus from health to ambition.
Vulnerability should be embraced as a natural part of community interaction, normalizing the expression of needs and fostering empathy.
Deep dives
The Importance of Care
Care is a vital aspect of human relationships, often emphasized in personal and community settings. When individuals are embedded in a network of care, they feel secure and valued, fostering deeper connections that enhance overall well-being. However, societal pressures, such as capitalism, can undermine the importance of care, instead promoting individualism and productivity at the expense of communal support. Recognizing and prioritizing care within our lives can shift the focus from individual success to collective well-being, nurturing environments where everyone can thrive.
The Role of Capitalism in Care
Capitalism often discourages long-term care and communal responsibility, emphasizing productivity and individual achievement instead. This creates a mindset where people view themselves as isolated individuals, measured by their output rather than their contributions to the collective good. In this framework, care is seen as a burden rather than a mutual responsibility, leading to feelings of guilt and inadequacy in those who cannot meet societal expectations. By challenging these capitalist narratives, individuals can begin to redefine success and value through the lens of community and interdependence.
The Influence of Personal Experience
Personal experiences significantly shape one’s perspective on care and relationships. Individuals who have experienced deep connections in caregiving roles can appreciate the richness of mutual aid and community support. Conversely, those who have felt the sting of isolation and neglect may view care as a vulnerability, making them reluctant to engage or give. Acknowledging these experiences is crucial for fostering understanding and compassion, creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to seek and provide care.
Navigating Self-Care
Self-care is frequently positioned as an essential practice, yet it can become burdensome when it transforms into another expectation or obligation. People often confuse self-care with personal ambition, feeling pressured to continually perform and produce. Balancing the need for self-care with the desire to care for others can lead to conflicts when obligations begin to overwhelm personal well-being. Developing a nuanced understanding of self-care that prioritizes rest and reflection, rather than hustle, can help sustain both personal health and communal support.
The Impact of Vulnerability
Vulnerability plays a critical role in the dynamics of care and community interaction. Experiencing vulnerability can elicit feelings of inadequacy and fear, especially in societies that reward productivity. Embracing vulnerability allows individuals to express their needs, fostering an environment where seeking help is normalized, not stigmatized. By recognizing that everyone experiences moments of vulnerability, communities can build stronger, more supportive networks that surround individuals with empathy and understanding.
Creating Community Resilience
Building resilient communities requires a collective commitment to care, support, and mutual responsibility. Small, localized efforts can create significant impacts, providing essential services and fostering connection among individuals. When communities prioritize relationships over transactions, they can better address the needs of their members, cultivating spaces where everyone feels welcomed and valued. This resilience ultimately challenges societal norms that promote isolation and competition, encouraging a shift toward cooperation and care.
The Power of Shared Stories
Shared narratives have the power to transform individual experiences into collective understanding and compassion. When people share their stories of struggle and resilience, they encourage a more profound connection, helping others to feel seen and heard. This storytelling fosters empathy and dismantles the false narratives propagated by capitalism that isolate individuals from their communities. By embracing shared experiences, individuals can cultivate a more supportive environment where care and connection thrive.
In this episode we speak with Shane Meyer-Holt—writer, speaker, and co-host of In the Shift podcast—about the impact of capitalism on our understanding of ourselves, our relationships and our need for care.
Drawing from his own experiences of parenting, community and faith shifting, Shane reflects on the way neoliberal values have colonised our lives. He invites us to critique capitalist assumptions with a view to building relationships and communities capable of holding the tension between the deep human desires for freedom and belonging. Following the interview Nomad hosts Tim Nash and Joy Brooks reflect on their own experiences of and responses to the impact capitalism has on care in the Church and wider society.
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