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In Our Nature
Why do we feel so overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected and lost...and what does that have to do with what's happening on our planet?
This show explores the hidden connections and deeper patterns that are forming our inner struggles and the wider crises unfolding around us. From mental health to ecological collapse, productivity culture to planetary grief, from burnout to reconnection, join me to poke around in the stories, systems and patterns shaping this extraordinary time...
...and then let's riff on what becomes possible when we stop pretending it’s fine and feel the feels.
Your host is me: Siobhán Friel. I'm a mental health practitioner, a Work That Reconnects facilitator and I was probably a lavender plant in a past life.
This podcast offers a way to make sense of your inner and outer world, especially if you were shaped by capitalism (like me) and not by a lineage of ecological literacy, love and wisdom.
You haven't missed the boat. There are many boats and this is one. Get in.
In Our Nature
We’ve Made up What Mental Illness Is (And Who Decides What’s Normal Anyway?)
In today's episode we are exploring how our concepts of mental health and illness are not fixed truths but socially constructed ideas. What’s normal and what’s not is made up via thought and is always changing.
Those with a diagnosis that doesn’t feel quite right might especially like this episode, along with those who always feel a bit out of place or like they don’t fit in with ‘normal people’ (like me)
Join me to meander through:
- My bent-double moment of laughing in the bathroom that inspired the episode
- How everything in society has “Rules” which are completely made up with our thoughts (but still have real-world implications)
- Who decides what’s ‘normal’ and what’s a disorder anyway, and why this matters
- How this relates specifically to anxiety disorders, panic disorders, eating disorders and more
- Why recognising the constructed nature of our diagnoses is pretty cool for personal and collective freedom.
- A few funnies from the past
- And Anxious Alice has an insight around this in the realm of parenting
Mentioned:
If Books Could Kill - The Rules
Email me with questions, commens or ideas
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Thanks for listening. You rock.
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