Hi Kirsten, is there possibly a solution that could allow this to be shared to unpaid subscribers or people who are not substack members without hurting your business model? Like a “unlock your free post” or a free trial or something of that nature. I’ll be sharing what’s available on social media as I think this is a really important mentality to cultivate, and will be encouraging a subscription, but I have doubts on getting people from doom-scrolling to “paying for another subscription” in one fell swoop.
Thank you for this, Kirsten. My hurdle: getting my husband to turn off Fox News. For me, it's the constant bickering and complaining that the talking heads there do, non-stop (still, even now that they "won"). I've asked him to stop watching it for my sake, yet he still does (claiming to have it on only for background noise while he works). Your post allowed me another way to go about this that doesn't involve me losing my mind and lambasting him with words I would surely regret.
I’m glad it was helpful. Honestly, having any news channel on all the time is highly dysregulating. I watch zero TV news. I barely watched it even when I worked in TV news. We don’t even have cable. If he insists on doing this, which I wish he wouldn’t because it’s really just getting him hyped up then could you at least ask him to figure out a way to wear headphones or somethings you don’t have to listen to it?
I’m a follower/subscriber because you speak to my heart and my head. So much of what you write, I know…because I. Think I’m a compassionate, mostly non-judgmental person BUT this election has thrown me into a different headspace for while. Like the death process of denial,bargaining, acceptance etc. I’m quiet these days-mulling the reality …. may not be at acceptance for awhile. My grief is deep now and I know I’ve moved past, successfully before. I need more time. My hubby and I are having Thanksgiving alone.
Spot on and very timely! For me, relationships seem a little less volatile now compared to Trump’s first term. Back then, I was in pure disbelief that so many close friends and family could see him in such a positive light. Now, I’ve kind of gotten used to half the population seeing things so differently. In addition to personal stories, I’ve recently tried sharing interesting history programs on YouTube, for example the history of my ancestral town in England, which has plenty of stories, including the cold realities of war in a world full of dangerous fascist leaders, devoid of institutions such as NATO. Times when healthcare was almost non-existent.
Yes, I agree this time it’s a little different. I also think many people have realized that the shaming and cutting people off and all of that really didn’t do anything to prevent Trump from coming back to power—which was presumably the point of all this behavior—so maybe it’s time to try something different.
I love the idea that sharing our own personal stories is one of the most effective ways to communicate why we believe what we believe. Now is the time to champion connection over disconnection. Disconnection is how we've gotten here in the first place. That certainly doesn't mean welcoming harmful treatment into your lives, but I agree that it is so important to remember that just like we have experiences that have shaped us, so does everyone else. Thank you, as always, for writing such meaningful pieces.
Your piece really resonates with my approach to navigating these complex times. As someone who tries to focus on what's within my control (very stoic of me!), I've found that sharing personal stories rather than arguing facts creates those rare moments of genuine connection. You've articulated something I've observed but couldn't quite name - how our rush to 'inform' others often closes the very doors we're trying to open. The research you've shared about non-judgmental listening feels especially relevant as we gather for the holidays. After all, we can't control the national dialogue, but we can control how we show up at our own dinner tables. Wishing you and yours a peaceful Thanksgiving filled with good stories and even better listening.
That’s beautiful Jack. I think many ppl are missing out on creating connection (which is what they really want) when they bludgeon someone else with “facts”
This is a great mindset for going into the holidays. Every opinion is the natural result of someone's story. Good luck debating them out of their story. Get to know it instead. Thanks as always, Kirsten!
I appreciate this Kirsten. Do you have suggestions on how I might apply storytelling when I've got no personal stories to share. For instance, I'm very much for gun control, but I haven't been personal affected (thank goodness) and have no personal story to share. Thanks so much for writing about this! Cheers.
Hi Kirsten, is there possibly a solution that could allow this to be shared to unpaid subscribers or people who are not substack members without hurting your business model? Like a “unlock your free post” or a free trial or something of that nature. I’ll be sharing what’s available on social media as I think this is a really important mentality to cultivate, and will be encouraging a subscription, but I have doubts on getting people from doom-scrolling to “paying for another subscription” in one fell swoop.
Regardless, thanks so much for this.
Paywall removed 👍
Love that you did this!
Of course let me reset the settings right now. Thanks for asking and I’m glad it resonates.
Thank you for this, Kirsten. My hurdle: getting my husband to turn off Fox News. For me, it's the constant bickering and complaining that the talking heads there do, non-stop (still, even now that they "won"). I've asked him to stop watching it for my sake, yet he still does (claiming to have it on only for background noise while he works). Your post allowed me another way to go about this that doesn't involve me losing my mind and lambasting him with words I would surely regret.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I’m glad it was helpful. Honestly, having any news channel on all the time is highly dysregulating. I watch zero TV news. I barely watched it even when I worked in TV news. We don’t even have cable. If he insists on doing this, which I wish he wouldn’t because it’s really just getting him hyped up then could you at least ask him to figure out a way to wear headphones or somethings you don’t have to listen to it?
That’s definitely an option. And I’m like you - I don’t watch any TV news (it is too stressful).
I’m a follower/subscriber because you speak to my heart and my head. So much of what you write, I know…because I. Think I’m a compassionate, mostly non-judgmental person BUT this election has thrown me into a different headspace for while. Like the death process of denial,bargaining, acceptance etc. I’m quiet these days-mulling the reality …. may not be at acceptance for awhile. My grief is deep now and I know I’ve moved past, successfully before. I need more time. My hubby and I are having Thanksgiving alone.
Just be gentle with yourself and take your time. We don’t want to bypass very early emotions. Hope your mellow thanksgiving was restorative.
Spot on and very timely! For me, relationships seem a little less volatile now compared to Trump’s first term. Back then, I was in pure disbelief that so many close friends and family could see him in such a positive light. Now, I’ve kind of gotten used to half the population seeing things so differently. In addition to personal stories, I’ve recently tried sharing interesting history programs on YouTube, for example the history of my ancestral town in England, which has plenty of stories, including the cold realities of war in a world full of dangerous fascist leaders, devoid of institutions such as NATO. Times when healthcare was almost non-existent.
Yes, I agree this time it’s a little different. I also think many people have realized that the shaming and cutting people off and all of that really didn’t do anything to prevent Trump from coming back to power—which was presumably the point of all this behavior—so maybe it’s time to try something different.
I love the idea that sharing our own personal stories is one of the most effective ways to communicate why we believe what we believe. Now is the time to champion connection over disconnection. Disconnection is how we've gotten here in the first place. That certainly doesn't mean welcoming harmful treatment into your lives, but I agree that it is so important to remember that just like we have experiences that have shaped us, so does everyone else. Thank you, as always, for writing such meaningful pieces.
Thank you Tim so well put
Your piece really resonates with my approach to navigating these complex times. As someone who tries to focus on what's within my control (very stoic of me!), I've found that sharing personal stories rather than arguing facts creates those rare moments of genuine connection. You've articulated something I've observed but couldn't quite name - how our rush to 'inform' others often closes the very doors we're trying to open. The research you've shared about non-judgmental listening feels especially relevant as we gather for the holidays. After all, we can't control the national dialogue, but we can control how we show up at our own dinner tables. Wishing you and yours a peaceful Thanksgiving filled with good stories and even better listening.
That’s beautiful Jack. I think many ppl are missing out on creating connection (which is what they really want) when they bludgeon someone else with “facts”
This is a great mindset for going into the holidays. Every opinion is the natural result of someone's story. Good luck debating them out of their story. Get to know it instead. Thanks as always, Kirsten!
I appreciate this Kirsten. Do you have suggestions on how I might apply storytelling when I've got no personal stories to share. For instance, I'm very much for gun control, but I haven't been personal affected (thank goodness) and have no personal story to share. Thanks so much for writing about this! Cheers.