Episode Overview

In this vulnerable episode, Kate Harris confesses to being "the queen of building walls" and explores how her self-protective barriers ultimately became a prison of her own making. Drawing from personal experiences of being hurt, she reveals how each painful encounter led her to build stronger walls—only to realize these same walls weren't just keeping others out, but keeping parts of herself locked away. Kate shares her journey of deliberately dismantling these barriers and invites listeners to consider what walls they might need to transform, suggesting that true safety isn't found in perfect defenses but in trusting yourself to know when protection is needed and when openness serves better.

Creative Prompts

• "The Single Brick" - Write down one wall you've built in your life on a piece of paper. Crumple it up. Now smooth it out and on the back, write one tiny action you could take tomorrow that goes against that wall. Not next month, just tomorrow.
• "Two Minutes of What If" - Set a timer for exactly two minutes. Close your eyes and imagine one routine or habit you do daily. Now imagine doing it completely differently. Open your eyes and jot down the first feeling that surfaces.
• "The Opposite Note" - Write down one thing you always say to yourself (like "I need more time to prepare" or "I should wait until I'm ready"). Now write its exact opposite.

Join The Rising

• Poet's Rebellion Resources
• Instagram: @katemharris and @istoria_studio
• Kate's Weekly Newsletter

Rebel Poets Rising is produced by the Istoria Studio. To learn more, visit https://istoria.com/studio/.