Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

Standing Up for What You Believe In with Todd Kashdan

Feb 21, 2022

01:06:59

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Todd Kashdan, a psychologist and Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, dives deep into the balance between conformity and authenticity. He discusses how we can express principled insubordination while upholding prosocial values. The conversation highlights the importance of curiosity in fostering societal change and the role of emotional complexity in self-awareness. Kashdan also shares strategies for navigating dissent, empowering listeners to stand up for what they believe while maintaining meaningful connections.

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Quick takeaways

The podcast explores the tension between conformity and authenticity, highlighting the importance of standing true to oneself for personal growth.

Principled insubordination is defined as authentic dissent aimed at societal improvement, consisting of deviance, authenticity, contribution, and social pressure awareness.

Self-awareness is crucial in dissent, as it helps individuals align their intentions with their values and contributes meaningfully to discussions.

Deep dives

The Social Need for Belonging

Humans have an inherent need to belong to social groups, which influences behavior and self-identity. This tendency towards conformity arose as a survival mechanism, promoting the idea that fitting in can enhance acceptance and support within social structures. However, there is often a conflict between the desire to conform for social acceptance and the instinct to remain true to oneself. Balancing these primal instincts is crucial for individual growth and social harmony.

Intro

3min

The Interplay of Positive and Negative Emotions in Well-Being

3min

Curiosity and Societal Change

17min

Navigating Change and Support in Relationships

5min

Navigating Self-Awareness and Emotional Complexity

14min

The Power of Reconciliation: Voices and Dissent

24min

Fostering Inclusivity in Dialogue and Parenting

3min

There’s a tension we’ve all felt at some point between the benefits of conformity and the desire to be true to ourselves and stand up for what we think is right. On today’s episode of Being Well, Dr. Rick and Forrest Hanson are joined by Dr. Todd Kashdan to explore how we can combine prosocial values with principled insubordination, so we can speak up for others (and ourselves) and maximize our chances of creating meaningful change even in the face of social pressure.

About Our Guest: Dr. Todd Kashdan is Professor of Psychology at George Mason University. He is a leading authority on well-being, curiosity, psychological flexibility, and resilience. He has published over 210 peer-reviewed articles, and is the author of several books including Curious? , The Upside of Your Dark Side, and most recently The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively.

Watch the Episode: Prefer watching video? You can watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:00: Introduction

1:45: Combining skillful positivity and dissent

7:55: Distinguishing principled insubordination and generic misanthropy

10:05: Four elements of principled insubordination

19:05: Yin and Yang applied to insubordination

21:35: Safe havens and a secure base

26:20: How capable are we of cultivating self-awareness?

32:05: Positive intent, courage, and sitting with discomfort

38:45: Strategies for being a moral and effective dissident

46:40: Navigating societal hierarchies

51:50: Process comments as insubordination

53:00: What Todd does when his kids are insubordinate

58:05: Recap

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Have a question for us?

Email: contact@beingwellpodcast.com to submit questions or potential topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes.

Sponsors:

From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need.

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Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

Standing Up for What You Believe In with Todd Kashdan