“There is more than one way to flourish as humans in this world” Harriet talks with anthropologist Francesca Mezzenzana about her work and parental experiences with the Runa of the Ecuadorian Amazon and the challenge of bringing up children to survive in a ruthless neoliberal hellscape. We discuss the export of middle class parenting ideology and how idea around good childcare are rooted in assumptions from WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) societies, and highlight the contrasting community focused values of the indigenous Runa people. References: Amazonian childcare: https://aeon.co/essays/why-runa-indigenous-people-find-natural-parenting-so-strange The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56269264-the-dawn-of-everything -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

"Confidence culture constantly directs the problem & solution onto the self" We explore how confidence culture has spread into every sector of society, from self-help to the workplace and beyond.  Shani Orgad and Rosalind Gill draw on Foucault’s notion of technologies of self to demonstrate how “confidence culture” demands of women near-constant introspection and vigilance in the service of self-improvement.  They argue that while confidence messaging may feel good, it does not address structural and systemic oppression. Rather, confidence culture suggests that women—along with people of color, the disabled, and other marginalized groups—are responsible for their own conditions.  Rejecting confidence culture’s remaking of feminism along individualistic and neoliberal lines, Orgad and Gill explore alternative articulations of feminism that go beyond the confidence imperative: "Change the world not, not the women" References: The cult of being confident and why it doesn’t help women: https://psyche.co/ideas/the-cult-of-being-confident-and-why-it-doesnt-help-women Confidence Culture [book]: https://www.dukeupress.edu/confidence-culture -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

“Nostalgia is an unavoidable reaction to the traumas of the modern world” We speak to Grafton Tanner the author of The Hours Have Lost Their Clock: The Politics of Nostalgia. We discuss nostalgia as a historical disease, how time is NOT linear, imagined pasts, fake memories and the constant renegotiation of history. We also talk about the role of nostalgia in sitcoms and entertainment, the weaponization of nostalgia, developing a healthy attitude to the past and we ask the question: what are the correct things to be nostalgic for? References: The Hours Have Lost Their Clock: The Politics of Nostalgia: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57728367-the-hours-have-lost-their-clock?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=pet2xhoNnh&rank=2 Earth Emotions: New Words for a New World: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42366966-earth-emotions?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=U2T7wFwqPw&rank=1 The End of Forgetting: Growing Up with Social Media: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42585056-the-end-of-forgetting?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=g3G7CETCdI&rank=1 Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61358639-saving-time?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=xrM4d6Gf9j&rank=1 -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

Popular YouTuber Elliot Sang quizzes Harriet and Ikoi on various topics: a brief history of the podcast, authoritarian family structures and school, the compartmentalization of mental health, personality tests & the ever changing self,  McMindfulness, diagnosis vs. curiosity and Harriet shares a fascinating story about a past client. We also discuss the problem of using digital platforms and not becoming a tool! References: Elliot Sang: https://www.youtube.com/@elliotsayshello (Part of this recording being used by Elliot) Authoritarian Parenting Has to Stop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBjzG1k7jso&t=567s  You think things, you are wrong meme (attached to patron post): https://www.patreon.com/posts/85567517/  -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

"Fun is a response to regimented lives" In response to two recent articles/papers, 'How to start having more fun' and 'A Liberating-engagement Theory of Consumer Fun' Liam presents various questions to Harriet & Ikoi regarding the role of fun in culture & therapy,  We discuss the modern invention of 'fun', whether fun is a 'waste of time' and the difference between fun vs joy. We touch on corporations interest in positive psychology and how the super rich consume at the highest level. We also discuss the importance of interests, hobbies, creativity and play, the self consciousness of regulated/miserable adults, whether everything should be fun and the desire to return to an intoxicated state aka childhood. "Fun is a temporary liberation from meaningful commitment". References: How to start having more fun: https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-start-having-more-fun-in-your-busy-life A Liberating-engagement Theory of Consumer Fun: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3909337 -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

“...people participate in online shaming because they get an emotional payoff – that is, because it feels good to do it.” We discuss a recent published paper "Doing good or feeling good? Justice concerns predict online shaming via deservingness and schadenfreude". We talking about the value of moral outrage, the pleasure of seeing people fall, stigmatizing shaming vs re-integrative shaming and the moderated enjoyment of Schadenfreude. We also dive into about the paradox of not doing harm to others, transgressive enjoyments, examining ones own sadism and clients trolling their therapists.  Harriet and Ikoi also discuss the idea of being stuck in trauma and the need to have someone in your life who genuinely cares.  We end by asking the question: is their a positive to Schadenfreude? References: Doing good or feeling good? Justice concerns predict online shaming via deservingness and schadenfreude: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4359608 Schadenfreude ("the experience of pleasure that comes from others troubles"): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude SICKOS HAHA YES MEME: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/sickos-haha-yes Fundamental Attribution Error: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_attribution_error -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

“In this world each man pisses in the other mans eye” Harriet and Ikoi discuss the recently released report by the U.S. Surgeon General 'Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community)'. We discuss the empty platitudes of the state, how kindness can (unfortunately) make you a sucker, how isolation is good for business, finding community in products & brands and how men in particular suffer a chronic lack of physical (non-sexual) touch. References: Website: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/connection/index.html PDF: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf Life Trends 2023: Emerging Trends in Business | Accenture: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/song/accenture-life-trends 'Be A Man': Modernists and Traditionalists Debate Masculinity: https://youtu.be/9nE3EQEBzc0 Broke: Britain's Debt Emergency | Dispatches | Channel 4 Documentaries: https://youtu.be/X9UlLGAywqU -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

We chat about the excellent book 'Everyday Utopia' with author Kristen R. Ghodsee. We discuss why people are resistant to hearing about alternative ways of life, the role regret & shame plays in 'status quo bias' and why the traditional family structure no longer works (if it ever did!). Kristen illustrates how ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ is encouraged in corporate culture but not for social, politic or economic matters. However she also highlights the power of fiction to persuade people of alternative ideas for social arrangements. The discussion is a call to re-examine our current domestic arrangements and consider healthier alternatives for the future. "One of those startlingly rare books that upends what you think is possible, Everyday Utopia offers a radically hopeful vision for how to build more contented and connected societies, alongside a practical guide to what we all can do in the meantime to live the good life each and every day." References: Everyday Utopia: What 2,000 Years of Wild Experiments Can Teach Us About the Good Life: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62919855-everyday-utopia The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56269264-the-dawn-of-everything  -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

"Land is expensive for housing and free for parking, and you wonder why we have a problem" We discuss a surprising and an often overlooked issue around sprawling urban design: the high cost of 'free' parking.  Tony highlights various important aspects to parking reform: how lower income households are subsidizing wealthier households, America's unexamined 'socialist' attitude to free parking, parking as a battery for traffic & pollution and better use's for the land. From an organizing perspective Tony shares his opinion why it's important not to waste your time trying to convince people who are against you, but instead activating a small core who are passionate about the issue. We also cover the problem of the low social prestige of public transport drivers and mechanics, parking-lot violence, the communal benefits of public transit and why it's important to be exposed to humanity. References: Parking Reform - For climate action, housing affordability, and safer streets.: https://parkingreform.org/ The High Cost of Free Parking: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101843.The_High_Cost_of_Free_Parking Picture Windows: How The Suburbs Happened: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1443177.Picture_Windows?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=DFPmUOw9dp&rank=1 Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63329951-paved-paradise?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=dxvm8hwmKR&rank=6 Meet the Numtots: the millennials who find fixing public transport sexy: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jul/05/meet-the-numtots-the-millennials-who-find-fixing-public-transit-sexy-urbanist-memes Parts of the YIMBY Movement Are Moving Left: https://jacobin.com/2022/10/yimby-movement-social-public-housing-bill-california-darrell-owens-left -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.

"They see something good and they want to destroy it" Joshua returns to share an in-depth story of his experiences being a minor in an adult prison. We discuss why prisoners often don't reach out for mental health support, how Joshua navigated an extremely hostile environment and the difficulty of trust & friendships. Joshua outlines 'prison politics' and the challenge of being LGBTQ+ & First Nations, the idea of 'false' criminals, prison as a disciplinary force, positive prison programs, the contradictory nature of religious-conservative attitudes towards criminals... and the need for hugs! References: A Progressive Reentry Program Assisting Disenfranchised People: https://www.thejourneyproject.info/ Journey Project GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-operational-cost-for-the-journey-project?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer -- Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/itsnotjustinyourhead Email us with feedback, questions, suggestions at itsnotjustinyourhead@gmail.com. -- Harriet’s other shows: WBAI Interpersonal Update (Wednesdays): https://wbai.org/program.php?program=431 Capitalism Hits Home: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJpiw1WYdTNYvke-gNRdml1Z2lwz0iEH -- ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.