I’m grateful to have this conversation with my friend Dean Spade, long-time organizer and author (Love in a F*cked Up World, Mutual Aid, Normal Life). In talking about how we show up for ourselves while also showing up for our movements, some of the key takeaways are:

• Collective liberation requires personal healing work: Ignoring our “baggage” and internalized oppression causes movements to fracture, making personal practices of healing a prerequisite for structural change.

• The Practice of “What Else Is True?”: When emotionally activated, Dean suggests pausing to challenge one’s inner monologue by asking what other realities exist to foster empathy and slow down reactivity/alienation.

• Accepting reality as it is: Acceptance in this context doesn’t mean being okay with oppression; it means acknowledging what’s really happening, and doing our best to experience the grief that comes up. 

Whether you’re feeling hopeless about the state of the world or struggling to keep your community together through difficult times, this episode offers a sobering yet hopeful roadmap for staying grounded, connected, and responsive to reality.

You can read the transcript here.

Resources:

• Dean’s books: Love in a F*cked up World, Mutual Aid, & Normal Life

• Dean’s podcast, Love in a F*cked up World (& the associated Patreon) 

• Follow Dean on Instagram