In a world that loves to talk, do, achieve, promote, preach, sell....what does it mean to connect, be, and listen. A podcast about #humanconnection #mentalhealth #socialhealth #empathy #belonging and #loneliness. And always thinking about justice and inclusion in all things. Join us. And share far and wide. Or start your own chapter of Sidewalk Talk in your community. www.sidewalk-talk.org
Episodes
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Have you ever spoken to your inner child? Or just wondered what you might learn if you did? For Omar Davis— creating space for those conversations reshaped his life.
A health educator and mental health advocate, Omar Davis’ work is centered around empowerment and creating meaningful conversations in communities. Today, listen in for Traci’s conversation with him on opening up to possibilities, leaning into vulnerability and reprogramming your mind. He shares his journey of developing an unshakable sense of self and constant connection with his inner child. Also, hear why he says a good old fashioned donkey cry might be just what you need.
Find extended show notes at sidewalk-talk.org.
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Omar Davis
On Instagram: @Omar_odd_davis
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Do we have depression all wrong? In times of decreased connection— out of necessity or not, how do we start moving in the right direction and reaching out for what we need from ourselves and each other?
Today’s guest, San Francisco based therapist, Marty Cooper shares his insights on how depression can take root and why society at large may be looking at things wrong. He shares compelling insights into human survival and the role depression might play as a security mechanism. Traci shares a recent experience with grief and gains a deeper understanding of her own needs for connection. Also, hear why the unseen impact of connecting with strangers on sidewalks matters more than you could ever know.
Find extended show notes at Sidewalk-talk.org
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Marty Cooper
At MLCooper.com
On Facebook: @MartyCooperMFT
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Could heart, empowerment and conscious effectiveness be the pillars to aligning as society and making progress on the issues that matter to us most? Joan Blades, co-founder of Living Room Conversations— a divide healing organization, thinks it's a great place to start.
As the founder of political groups like Moveon.org and MomsRising, Joan knows a thing or two about bridging political divides. She also has a wealth of experience in mediation, with her background as a practicing lawyer and as the author of Family Mediation, a book on the subject of navigating divorce.
Sharing the dream behind Living Room Conversations, Joan explores the root causes behind the political fracturing in the United States. She explains how the illusion of otherness and distractions from technology has influenced our culture. Find out how people are using Living Room Conversation guides around the country to bridge partisan gaps and move past differences. Getting back to the underlying connection we all have: our humanity.
Find extended notes at sidewalk-talk.com/podcast.
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Joan Blades
At livingroomconversations.org
On Instagram: @livingroomconvo
On Twitter: @LivingRoomConvo
On Facebook: @LivingRoomConversations
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST
On Spotify
On Spotify
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
How do you speak truth from a place of love and compassion? Gift yourself the tools you need to bridge racial, economical and political gaps with today's episode, featuring John Wood of the Better Angels organization.
The biracial son of two culturally and economically opposite parents, John Wood has spent the better part of his life connecting across categories. The former Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County and nominee for congress, now works as a national leader for Better Angels- a grassroots organization uniting political parties and opposing populations around the country, founded by internationally renowned therapist, Dr. Bill Doherty.
John shares some of his background, and the philosophies that guide his life and work with Better Angels. Hear his profound ideas around communicating love and compassion through empathetic speech. Drawing inspiration from non-violent leaders like Martin Luther King, John doles out insights and offers surprising suggestions about the type of conversational discipline we all should develop to fight against the active efforts to divide us.
Find extended notes at sidewalk-talk.com/podcast.
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | John Wood, Jr. and Better Angels
On Instagram: @betterangelsusa
On Twitter: @BetterAngelsUSA
On Facebook: @BetterAngelsUSA
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST
On Spotify
On Spotify
Friday Mar 13, 2020
Friday Mar 13, 2020
How do we ensure the structures and institutions within our lives reflect the values that we know to be true and good? What would it look like if we were to achieve a Golden Civilization devoid of the harmful tendencies we engage in daily?
George Kinder, known well for his work in financial life planning and spiritual practice combines the two in his latest work, A Golden Civilization & The Map of Mindfulness. He dives heart first into a conversation with Traci on what it would mean to approach transactions with the same mindfulness that governs our everyday lives. Listen in to hear George’s insights on defining and achieving freedom, independence. He shares the importance of taking action in all aspects of our lives, from quiet moments of meditation to vocal political movements.
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | George Kinder
On Instagram: @george_kinder
On Twitter: @GeorgeDKinder
On Facebook: @GeorgeDKinder
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST
On Spotify
On Spotify
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Monday Mar 09, 2020
The path to navigating loss and grief, became illuminated when David Kessler and Elisabeth Kubler-Ross wrote On Grief and Grieving, giving us the five stages of grief most of us are familiar with. Today, he expands and recenters this renowned concept with the release of his new work, Finding Meaning.
David sits down with Traci and talks about his journey to the field of thanatology. He shares how the loss of his mother as a child and the sudden death of his 21-year-old son have shaped his life and the way he continues through the world. They explore how we can best support those in our lives that are experiencing grief while ensuring our own well being. Learn the impact finding meaning can have on what remains after collective loss, the end of a relationship or the loss of a loved one.
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Davis Kessler
At Grief.com
On Instagram: @iamdavidkessler
On Twitter: @iamdavidkessler
On Facebook: @iamdavidkessler
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Monday Mar 02, 2020
When it comes to privilege- knowing the difference between righteous and self-righteous speech can make all the difference when you’re communicating what's in your heart.
Today, I’m joined by Parker Palmer— nationally recognized educator, author and social change activist. He shares his thoughts on white privilege and how it can inhibit our connections when left unconfessed. We discuss the work of Ibram Kendi and explore what it means to be an anti-racist.
Episode Timeline:
- [00:09] Intro
- [00:58] Meet Parker Palmer
- [02:18] His passion for connection
- [03:31] Parker’s recent projects and new book
- [06:22] Being selective about his time and energy
- [07:50] Connecting across racial lines
- [11:54] Post 2016 elections- have things gotten worse?
- [14:15] White privilege and how we indict ourselves
- [21:03] Ibram Kendi’s thoughts on racism
- [22:14] White supremacy comes in many forms
- [27:25] Inevitable mistakes in our efforts to be anti-racist
- [30:31] Collaboration and power
- [36:39] Parker Palmer's advice for you
- [39:43] Outro
Resources Mentioned:
- The Center for Courage and Renewal
- On the Brink of Everything by Parker Palmer
- Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer
- A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Standout Quotes:
- “We must take this impulse to be connected and use it to connect across those lines because that's where the learning is. That's where the juice is.” - Parker Palmer [11:36]
- “We have to have not only conversation, and which includes listening and speaking across racial lines or other lines of divide. We need to have conversations within our own tribe.” - Parker Palmer [19:40]
- “My work, our work the Center for Courage and Renewal's work is, is the kind of conversation where people can listen at a level of depth where they suddenly find themselves saying, whoa, I, this other person is talking about themselves, but I just learned something about myself. And that those are precious, precious conversations.” - Parker Palmer [27:00]
- “We miscalculate how we come into power... Power is not something that we hold as individuals. Power is something that we generate collectively as all of the great social movements have proven.“ - Parker Palmer [32:26]
- “I think one of the greatest wounds that we find around the Earth is people who feel unseen, unheard and unappreciated. That's a very painful life to live. You know, ‘here I am. Nobody sees me, nobody hears me, nobody appreciates what I do,’ and there are millions, millions and millions of people who show up every day and to all kinds of settings who have that. - Parker Palmer [34:22]
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Parker Palmer
On Twitter: @parkerjpalmer
On Facebook: @parkerjpalmer
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST
On Spotify
On Spotify
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
With racism embedded throughout American history, policy, and systems- how do we connect and get started on the conversations that can bring us all closer?
In this episode of the Sidewalk Talk podcast, I sat down with Dr. Howard C. Stevenson, renowned psychologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, who is shining a guiding light on the importance of racial literacy. Dr. Stevenson and his brother, Bryan Stevenson have ignited some of the most desperately needed conversations on race in America. Join us as he shares why acknowledging the narratives of others and taking steps toward combating hate start with falling deep in love with your own narratives.
Episode Timeline:
- [00:07] Intro
- [00:57] Meet Dr. Howard C. Stevenson
- [02:39] How he got to where he is today
- [06:39] What's changed
- [07:05] Changes in race politics & his mission
- [10:47] Dehumanization and a shift in the moral code
- [12:38] Using history and culture to counter hateful narratives
- [15:48] Supporting other narratives through listening
- [17:42] Calculating, locating and communicating as you listen
- [20:51] Knowing your own story
- [22:59] Therapy across cultures
- [24:15] Racial literacy's impact on power dynamics
- [28:40] What is a story?
- [31:51] Dr. Stevenson’s wishes for you
- [33:41] Outro
Resources Mentioned:
Standout Quotes:
- “If you share a story with me, you're inviting me into your life. Even if I could be an enemy in your story...it is human in its core that you're gonna be vulnerable, then expect me to also be vulnerable. So I would argue that it's spiritual as much as it is strategic to share and know your own story. It's an act of humanity in and of itself. And then I think we can define you know, what's, what's possible between us.” - Dr. Stevenson [22:20]
- “In our work, our job is to help you fall in love with your own story. That means we also have to appreciate our own.” - Dr. Stevenson [26:54]
- “We always used to say, it takes a village to raise a child to help the child. But we've been saying, even if that's the case, what does it take to raise a healthy village? - Dr. Stevenson [14:05]
- “There is in our work a certain humbling, I would argue- holy ground- where people are sharing with us the most intimate things in their lives. But it could be, without humanity, it could be voyeurism, right? We could be simply watching other people struggle or grow or whatever. And that's a particular space of power. And I would argue that it's hard to talk about humanity, you have to be human and some respects that means sharing.” - Dr. Stevenson [20:59]
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Dr. Howard C. Stevenson
On Instagram: @hcstevensonjr
On Twitter: @DrHoward_RECAST
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST
On Spotify
On Spotify
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Can anger be productive? Is it possible that the moments where we feel the least in control may offer us the most opportunities for growth?
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Christian Conte, author and licensed counselor. He’s spent over 20 years working in the jail and prison system, helping inmates to work through their anger and move towards transforming their lives. Dr. Conte shares the magic of the yield theory and practical approaches we can all take to make genuine connections with the people we meet. Listen in as we explore it all— guided by the concepts in his latest book, Walking Through Anger.
Episode Timeline:
- [00:07] Intro
- [00:58] Meet Dr. Christian Conte
- [03:00] The value of authenticity
- [05:46] Understanding the type of person he wanted to be
- [07:19] What shaped Dr. Conte
- [11:01] Does anger have value?
- [13:52] What could your anger teach you?
- [15:51] Wiping away judgment and working in Max security prisons.
- [18:46] How is yield theory affecting change?
- [20:24] How does yield theory work to shift anger
- [24:12] Humble listening and creating connections with wonder
- [27:56] How our energy impacts others
- [29:21] Why down to earth, practical strategies work
- [30:58] Compassion and the importance of consequences
- [32:54] Dr. Christian Conte's advice for you
- [38:12] We are the source and solution to our problems
- [39:03] Outro
Resources Mentioned:
Standout Quotes:
- “ I don't need to put on a facade for people. It doesn't matter what I look like, [what] matters [is] what I'm saying. If what I'm saying doesn't resonate with you- throw it away. If it does, let's move forward with it.“ - Dr. Christian Conte [32:09]
- “When I have the humility, to not only remove some of my bias out of the way and let myself be utterly surprised by people, that also creates the sweetness of the connection...I'm in this constant state of delight. Of wonder.” -Traci Ruble [24:41]
- "What approaching someone with genuineness and humility does is it circumvents. It gets around the fight or flight response." - Dr. Conte [26:48]
- "When we can have the compassion to look beyond defining ourselves by our actions and see that we're more than that. Now, we can create new meaning from this moment forward - Dr. Conte [38:44]
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk Podcast
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Dr. Christian Conte
On Instagram: @Drchristianconte
On Twitter: @Dr.Conte
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST
On Spotify
On Spotify
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
“All are welcome”— a warming phrase that is often implied, but rarely spoken aloud. In the new book A Fierce Heart, meditation and dharma teacher Spring Washam, shares her journey of sharing Buddhist philosophies of mindfulness, wisdom, loving-kindness and compassion in a radically inclusive way.
In this episode of the Sidewalk Talk podcast, Spring sits down with me to talk about the vision behind her book and the East Bay Meditation Center, a diverse spiritual hub she founded in Oakland, California. Listen in as she shares her journey to where she is today and lessons learned from her teachers including, Jack Kornfield and Alice Walker. We talk about what it means to cultivate A Fierce Heart and why seeing and being seen are essential for establishing meaningful connections.
Episode Timeline:
- [00:05] Intro
- [00:54] Meet Spring Washam
- [03:09] The inspiration for her book, A Fierce Heart
- [04:28] How she found her place in Buddhism
- [06:56] Welcoming more diverse communities to the dharma
- [09:01] Are practices like this really solving any of the big problems?
- [12:20] How cultivating a fierce heart and sitting still ripples out
- [17:42] Sitting with things and metabolizing pain
- [20:05] Her start on her shamanic journey and plant spirit medicine
- [24:15] Honoring the roots of a practice while sharing it with others
- [26:35] How her work impacts her day to day life
- [28:52] How these practices have impacted the way she relates
- [34:08] Spring Washam’s wishes for you
- [35:47] Outro
Resources Mentioned:
Standout Quotes:
- “So the fierce heart is also the heart that in the midst of it can also let go of it all and see this as a moment in time of pain and confusion, but also there's this joy undercurrent, that's really what gives you the capacity to be fierce, right, is that you have this faith and there's joy under it.“ - Spring [32:09]
- “...what you're doing is you're creating the fertile soil for impact. Right? You said we have to work with our greed, hatred, and delusion, in order to have what I imagine is true impact… we have to have that fertile soil so that the impact isn't coming from ego or is it coming from something that's going to harm the planet or harm or dehumanize other groups of people -Traci [11:01]
- “You know, it's connecting on that human level. So it's a lot about listening. But there's also something about finding the joy in it, that everything can get really, really heavy, but at the same time, there can be this joy of just being together and looking at each other's eyes and being like, ‘what a ride, huh?’” -Spring [29:32]
Connect:
Find | Sidewalk Talk
On Instagram: @sidewalktalkorg
On Twitter: @sidewalktalkorg
Find | Traci Ruble
On Instagram: @TraciRubleMFT
On Twitter: @TraciRubleMFT
On Facebook: @TraciRubleMFT
Find | Spring Washam
On Instagram: @SpringWasham
On Twitter: @SpringWasham
On Youtube: @Spring Washam
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST
On Spotify
On Spotify