The Double-Edged Sword of Hope

Is hope the force that fuels our resilience, or is it a dangerous illusion that leads to inaction and despair? This powerful, paradoxical emotion can be the crucial ingredient for survival, yet it can also trap us in a cycle of disappointment. It is a true double-edged sword, capable of sustaining us through the darkest of trials or increasing our suffering.

How do we differentiate between a form of hope that leads to despair and a hope that can guide us through these difficult times? That’s what we will explore in this episode of Resilience in Dark Times.

Hope, the Ancient Curse?

To truly understand the risks of hope, the episode journeys back to the ancient world and the original myth of Pandora’s Box. Forget the children’s story of a butterfly emerging from a box. In the original telling, the ending is much more ominous.

We will explore the darker side of hope.

Finding a Resilient Hope

If some forms of hope are a curse, it is strategically vital to find a version that is action-oriented and resilient. The episode turns to the work of Viktor Frankl, whose memoir Man’s Search for Meaning provides one of history’s most powerful testaments to hope’s ability to sustain life in the most horrific circumstances imaginable.

Frankl’s story offers a stark contrast between “false hope” and the “active hope” he cultivated. Learn how to discern one from the other.

Frankl’s example provides the foundation for the episode’s actionable advice on cultivating a hope that truly strengthens us.

In This Episode:

In this episode, you will discover:

• The surprising, original meaning of hope in the myth of Pandora’s Box

• How hope can be a curse when it is fragile or leads to passivity.

• How to tell if your hope is sustaining or fragile by asking a simple question.

• How to cultivate an active, resilient hope that is grounded in your ultimate values and fuels action rather than drains your energy.

Host Michael Glavin also reveals how his own perspective was transformed by this research. A self-described “hope skeptic,” he shares a powerful personal story of turning his despair after the 2024 election into community action—joining a rapid response team to protect his neighbors—and discovering a form of hope that sustains and empowers.

Listen Now

Are you ready to learn how to make hope a powerful ally in building resilience? Listen to the full episode and embrace a hope that will sustain you through these dark times.

Useful Links:

(If you buy a book from this link, you will support your local bookstores and you will support Resilience in Dark Times because I will get a dollar or two.)

Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits

L5-Prometheus & Pandora (Hesiod’s Theogony and Works & Days)

PANDORA: HESIOD, WORKS AND DAYS 53-105

Podcast website

Practice website

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