For ideas to evolve and societies to progress, Dr. Todd Kashdan argues it's vital to cultivate principled rebels.

Those who who are willing to go against the stream, to challenge conformity and question conventional ideas,

But to do so from a place of heart - to practice rebellion in ways that are generative (vs. destructive).

This type of authentic insubordination is fueled by  a motivation to contribute to the greater good.

Today Todd and I will dive deep into themes from his book, The Art of Insubordination, as we explore the recipe for principled rebellion.

Highlights from our conversation include:

• The importance of growing a wide range of psychological resources
• The ingredients of principled rebellion: deviance, authenticity, contribution, and social pressure
• Strategies for influencing the majority (when in the minority) including inviting curiosity vs. inciting fear
• Why being open about experiencing discomfort reduces defensiveness, increases compassion, and helps rebellious ideas to be heard. 
• Ways to skillfully work with feelings that arise when trying to rebel
• Creating the conditions for dissent, critical thinking, and productive conversations
• Why dissent is the ultimate protection against conformity mistakes
• The importance of creating mechanisms for gathering diverse voices
• Lessons from Nelson Mandela  on winning graciously

**Please note: In this conversation Todd shares a personal story of experiencing suicidal thoughts, and how he moved through this experience to the other side. There is a possibility that some listeners may find parts of this episode triggering. Please listen at your own discretion and in a caring and supportive way for you. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, including those related to suicide please reach out for help. The International Association for Suicide Prevention is one organization that offers lots of free support, helplines, and resources globally. More at: https://www.iasp.info/

Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:

Rediscovering the Art of Constructive Dialogue | Dr. Mylien Duong
Moving from Fear to Love | James Doty and Jacinta Jiménez

More about Todd:

Todd Kashdan is among the world’s top experts on the psychology of well-being, psychological strengths, mental agility, and social relationships. His research has been featured in hundreds of media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Fast Company, and Forbes. Over 5 million readers enjoy his Psychology Today blog and Provoked Newsletter. Todd is the author of five books including The Art of Insubordination. Todd founded the Well-Being Lab at George Mason University which has produced over 225 peer-reviewed journal articles. He is among the top 1% most cited scientists in the world. For more please visit toddkashdan.com

Support the show