Navigating Political Polarization: How to Connect Through Curious Conversations with Mónica Guzmán
There are a few things we likely can all agree on: (1) we are living in a very polarizing time, (2) it’s hurting us, and (3) the way that we talk about politics is broken, given that we are all living in different information orbits. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra sits down with Mónica Guzmán who offers us some hope for the relationships in our lives that have suffered as a result of this polarization. She also offers us the perspective we need to help us stay grounded, even as the structures all around us fiercely demand our attention and invite our reactivity.
The goal is not necessarily to seek to change each other’s view on the issues but to change our view on each other. And to see that “engagement is not endorsement", as we work to enter into curious dialogue with the people in our lives. This will perhaps allow us to notice the ways that we are not as divided as we believe we are.
You’ll come away with this conversation with:
- Strategies on how to approach the conversations with the people in your life that have historically gone sideways due to ideological misalignments
- Insights on maintaining curiosity and connection in the face of division
- Tips for navigating the online dating landscape without compromising your values or limiting yourself
Resources worth mentioning from the episode:
- Mónica Guzmán’s Reclaim Curiosity Newsletter: https://www.moniguzman.com/subscribe
- I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán: https://bookshop.org/p/books/i-never-thought-of-it-that-way-monica-guzman/22293096?ean=9781637740323&next=t&next=t&affiliate=4380
- Managing Back to School Stress on MasterClass: http://masterclass.com/backtoschool
- Couple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: http://pesi.com/dralexandra
Continue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:
- Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274
- Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530
- Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/
- Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/
Revisit & Reflect: Esther Perel on Reigniting The Spark in Your Relationship
Welcome to R&R: Revisit & Reflect, a new episode format here on the podcast. We’re living in a time of information abundance (sometimes information overload) and lots of that information is about mental health and relational health! But there’s a difference between consuming content and integrating it. When we consume, the information might just pass through us, whereas when we integrate, the information weaves its way into our unique story or situation, creating insight and the potential for a shift in mindset, in emotion, in belief, and in behavior. With these R&R episodes, you’ll reflect and journal with Dr. Alexandra to integrate core lessons from the podcast, starting with today’s conversation from the archive with the inimitable relationship expert Esther Perel. They explore relational ambivalence and how to reignite the spark inside your relationship, and within yourself, inspired by a listener’s question. So, get out your favorite pen and journal and join in this summer reflection.
You’ll come away from this episode with:
- A deeper understanding of the importance of rituals in maintaining connection amidst life's challenges
- A new perspective on the impact of external circumstances on anxiety in your relationships.
- The ability to recognize and respond to your partner's bids for connection.
- A framework for self-reflection with actionable journaling prompts to enhance intimacy.
Journaling Prompts:
- How do the macro issues of the world shape your love life today? To what degree are you able to give yourself permission for play and pleasure, even as the world feels so hard? What allows you to do that?
- In the clip, Esther reminds us that if you don’t know how to turn yourself on, there’s nothing your partner can do to turn you on. How are you finding ways to connect to your own aliveness? What are some things you can do this week, just for you, that could reinvigorate your internal spark? This could include engaging with nature, art, food, movement, or play.
- In this clip, Esther and Dr. Alexandra talk about how for a couple to create an experience together, one partner is the initiator and one is the responder. These roles aren’t fixed, but which role do you do you tend to find yourself in more? What do you like about being in each position, and what’s hard about each of them?
“Your Midyear Refresh” on MasterClass: masterclass.com/yourmidyearrefresh
Couple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: pesi.com/dralexandra
Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day
Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter
Step Into Your Purpose: Using Righteous Anger for Good in a Broken World with Shannon Watts
If you’re ready to empower yourself to step into your true purpose but are paralyzed by fear, what-ifs, and imposter syndrome, you’ve found the right conversation. Today’s guest is Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, the nation’s largest grassroots group fighting gun violence in the U.S. Like many of us, Shannon was left outraged and broken after hearing news stories about school shootings and seeing the impact of gun violence on communities across the countries. One night, her sadness transformed to rage, and her life was changed after a Facebook post kicked off what would become Moms Demand Action, a movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. They work to pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of families and communities. They know that gun violence is preventable, and they are committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe. Shannon has been named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, a Forbes 50 over 50 Changemaker, and a Glamour Woman of the Year. She’s also someone who went through an extraordinary transformation, and this is the focus of her and Dr. Alexandra’s conversation, and of her new book, Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age. Shannon empowers folks to break free from limits, trust their instincts, and lead with passion to create meaningful change. Shannon and Dr. Alexandra talk about activism and the way it impacts relationships, particularly marriage, and Shannon shares how her own marriage evolved as she went through this incredible unfolding.
"Your Anxiety Toolkit" on MasterClass: www.masterclass.com/youranxietytoolkit
Fired Up How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age by Shannon Watts
Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day
Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter
The Search for Green Flags: Ditch the Dating Myths, Not the Apps with Damona Hoffman
Celebrity dating coach Damona Hoffman stops by Reimagining Love to deliver sage and practical advice for daters. With decades of experience in online dating, Damona gives Dr. Alexandra an update on the current state of the apps and explains why so many daters are feeling burnt out. Instead of looking for red flags and buying into tired dating myths, Damona believes the key is getting specific about what we want and who we are, so that we can use the apps as a tool instead of a toy.
Relevant links:
F the Fairy Tale: Rewrite the Dating Myths and Live Your Own Love Story by Damona Hoffman
Listen to Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman
Order Dr. Alexandra's new book, Love Every Day
Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter
100th Episode: Answering Your Questions!
Today's show is the 100th episode of Reimagining Love! Dr. Solomon celebrates this milestone by answering several great listener questions: one from a woman in her 20s who is grappling with stability vs adventure in her love life; one about ambition differences between two partners; and one from a man desiring more affection from his partner. Take a listen to hear from Dr. Solomon on all of these great questions!
Order Dr. Solomon's new book, Love Every Day:
Register for Dr. Solomon's E-Courses:
https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/
Subscribe to Dr. Solomon’s Newsletter:
https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/
Submit your question to Dr. Solomon:
https://form.jotform.com/21229599593927
Take Dr. Solomon's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz:
Kids & Digital Wellness: Parenting in the Age of Screens with Dr. Devorah Heitner
Dr. Devorah Heitner, an author and digital wellness expert, joins Dr. Solomon for a conversation about parenting, technology, and the internet. As our world become more and more complex for kids of all ages, Dr. Heitner empowers parents to have conversations with their kids at all ages and stages, model healthy tech usage, and more.
Order Dr. Solomon's new book, Love Every Day:
Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World by Devorah Heitner, PhD:
Register for Dr. Solomon's E-Courses:
https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/
Subscribe to Dr. Solomon’s Newsletter:
https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/
Submit your question to Dr. Solomon:
https://form.jotform.com/21229599593927
Take Dr. Solomon's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz:
Healing from Collective Trauma: Marking the Anniversary of the Highland Park Shooting with Audrey Grunst
Dr. Alexandra sits down with Audrey Grunst, a therapist and crisis response expert, to honor the memory of the victims and survivors of the Highland Park Shooting, and to paint a picture of the circles of impact that devastating tragedies such as this one have on communities. Content warning: this episode contains discussions about gun violence, mass shootings, trauma, and recovery. If you're looking for ways to take action, please refer to the resources below as places to start:
Moms Demand Action:
https://momsdemandaction.org/act/
Brady: United Against Gun Violence:
https://www.bradyunited.org/take-action
Everytown:
Learn more about Psychological First Aid:
https://learn.nctsn.org/course/index.php?categoryid=11
Get the brand new REIMAGINING LOVE WORKBOOK:
Register for Dr. Alexandra's E-Courses:
https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/
Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra's Newsletter:
https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/
Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra:
https://form.jotform.com/21229599593927
Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: