Light Up The Couch Don't Give Up: Research-Backed Insights for Holding Hope, Bridging Divides, and Moving Forward, Ep. 226
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Nov 11, 2024 Dr. Tania Israel, a renowned Professor of Counseling Psychology at UC Santa Barbara and an award-winning author, unveils insightful strategies for navigating political polarization. She shares how storytelling can bridge divides and transform conversations amid ideological differences. The discussion highlights the emotional challenges clinicians face and offers tools for fostering empathy. Tania emphasizes the power of resilience and hope, especially during divisive times, encouraging connections that transcend polarized views.
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Origin Story
- Dr. Israel's work on political division began in the 1990s with pro-choice/pro-life dialogue groups.
- This experience transformed her view of those with opposing viewpoints and informed her later work with LGBTQ+ individuals and interventions.
Tribal Brains
- Our brains, evolved for tribal survival, perceive those with differing political views as threats, similar to how we once viewed competing tribes.
- This "us vs. them" mentality, rooted in our evolutionary past, makes bridging political divides challenging.
Managing Reactions
- Recognize personal biases and media's influence on perceptions of opposing viewpoints.
- Acknowledge the fight-or-flight response but differentiate between feeling unsafe and actually being unsafe.
