The Third Place

*This is a replay of one of our favorite episodes this past year!

If you've ever been told "you're too sensitive," you're probably immediately hearing that as a negative comment. But being a highly sensitive person is actually an innate and highly unique trait, and as HSP expert Julie Bjelland points out, it is not a disorder, but rather a trait that has helped us to evolve. People with this trait have specially developed abilities that helped them be good at finding food, mates, and a safe place for the tribe to live.

Nearly 20% of our population is considered Highly Sensitive, and in our conversation, we learn how to understand the experience of an HSP (highly sensitive person) so that we may tap into the gifts of sensitivity.

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Julie Bjelland is a Psychotherapist, host of The HSP Podcast, and Founder of the Sensitive Empowerment Community, whose mission is to create a paradigm shift where sensitivity is embraced, valued and honored.

Empowering sensitive people to recognize, access, nurture and share their gifts, her Blog, Books, and Courses offer valuable resources. Get a free guide to calm your brain, and take the Sensitivity Quiz at JulieBjelland.com ❤️🌈❤️

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

We are replaying one of our favorite episodes from this past year!

The Third Place is about creating space to have hard conversations. However, part of what is necessary for creating the element of safety required to even begin to discuss these difficult topics is first ensuring that our basic needs are met. The ability to engage in difficult conversations is also a sign privilege. If you’re hungry and worried about where your next meal will come from for you and your family, then you simply do not have the capacity to think about greater issues. You just need food. So, what are our basic needs? And, how can we do the work of first helping meet those needs before we try to engage in dialogue?

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Dr. Liz, as she is affectionately called by friends and colleagues alike, is a social psychologist specializing in how past relationships unconsciously influence or re-emerge in present relationships, for better or worse. Born and raised at the Jersey Shore, she moved to NYC to study psychology and philosophy at Barnard College ('05) and research clinical epidemiology at the NYS Psychiatric Institute. She received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology at NYU ('14) and has since been teaching a variety of courses on social and emotional development, cognition, and social behavior at University of Pennsylvania, Brooklyn College, and NYU.

Dr. Liz is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor and a Program Coordinator in the NYU Psychology Masters Program, where she teaches research, statistics, and social behavior, while working to keep the day-to-day runnings of the program in high gear. Arguably obsessed with social-cognition, and the ways in which our knowledge systems, needs, emotions, and behaviors are often unconsciously learned and become resistant to change, she is currently exploring in her research how the need for shared reality with others can interplay with experience to create meaning systems that shape one's values and worldviews.

Outside of work, Dr. Liz spends a lot of time with her extraordinarily large immediate family (including her own twin sister, Sarah), and has hobbies that include houseplants, running, hiking, cooking, beach life, and spending time in the "emo/post-hardcore" music scene.

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

Menstruation and Periods are a normal part of life. Actually, let's start that sentence over... Life would not exist without menstrual cycles. So, why is there so much stigma around the topic?

This week we welcome Kate Morton from Funk It Wellness to talk about menstruation and throughout our conversation, there were several eye opening, paradigm shift moments that came from talking about periods and women's menstrual health in a safe space. Many women are continuing to learn about their health many, many years after they have had their first period. But also, other conversations around work, business, productivity, living one's best life, and even removing the negative effects of patriarchal systems are all connected to having thoughtful and open communication about periods.

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Kate Morton is a Registered Dietitian & the founder of Funk It Wellness. She has a master's degree in Human Clinical Nutrition that focuses on women's health and fertility.

Funk It is a menstrual health company that makes natural products to empower and support the entire cycle. We offer inclusive education and products that are both empowering and delicious.

funkitwellness.com

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

The Holiday Season... a time for family, social gatherings, cold nights and warm fires. For many people, these moments are also filled with alcoholic drinks in hand, and the notion is that if you're not drinking along, you're also not having as much fun. For those who struggle with alcohol and other substance use, this is a time that can be a significant struggle where you may wish you could avoid gatherings all together. We are grateful to be able to share an honest conversation about sobriety as we enter this season.

Ellen Elizabeth joins us to share her journey with alcohol and substance abuse, her hardest moments and how it directly impacted herself, her family and her career. Her road to recovery is an inspiration to all!

Especially if you or someone you know struggles with alcohol and substance, this episode is a great resource to share along as Ellen's story leaves us with a sense of hope, encouragement and even resources to guide others on the recovery journey.

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Ellen is a 36 year old Colorado native who is celebrating over 4 years of sobriety and the proud mother of twins. She lives with her family of 4 in Colorado Springs, CO and currently works in Corporate Ethics for a well known defense contractor. Ellen loves animals, especially her dog Diego, as well as the multitude of outdoor activities Colorado has to offer and is very passionate about the French language.

When not working or engaging in the joys of raising twins, she enjoys being a wellness influencer on many different social media platforms to anyone struggling with addiction or infertility. Ellen is here to support anyone struggling now, anyone who is in recovery, or family members of those struggling.

www.itsellenelizbeth.com

instagram.com/itsellenelizabeth

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

"Hurt people, hurt people." This powerful and profound phrase holds so much truth. When you are a victim of any form of trauma, and you have the healing and ability needed to step back and look at the person who caused you pain, you can often find that the hurtful behavior patterns that someone exhibits stem from pain that another person had caused them earlier in their lives. We asked Tejal to join us today to specifically talk about Narcissistic behaviors and how these negative behavior patterns could be broken.

Tejal Patel is the host of the Time-In Talks Podcast, and author of The Mom’s Choice Gold Award winning book Meditation for Kids: 40 Activities to Manage Emotions, Ease Anxiety and Stay Focused and motivational speaker.

Her doable approach to family meditation and mindfully handling meltdowns (yours and your kids) sets her apart from the traditional self-help crowd and makes her a go-to expert for modern parents who want to NamaSLAY stress, snap less and raise mindful kids too.

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Tejal V Patel is a former divorce attorney turned certified mindful parenting coach, breathwork, meditation and mindfulness expert for families.

Tejal has appeared in NBC10, Fox 29, Phl17, Pix 11, Yoga Journal, Parents Magazine, The Huffington Post, Us Weekly Magazine among other places spreading awareness about the Kids Can Meditate movement

tejalvpatel.com

https://instagram.com/tejalvpatel

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

Introverts and Extroverts and learning to understand their differences is always a fascinating topic! Do you gain energy from being around a lot of people and processing out loud? OR, do you absolutely crave complete aloneness and silence to replenish your being? Or both?!?

Sara Lewis loves to empower introverted small business owners to use their personality to their advantage. As the founder of Introverts Emerge, she created a brand dedicated to the growth of introverted entrepreneurs. Through coaching and training, Sara helps entrepreneurs put themselves out there, gain confidence, and grow their business successfully.  

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Sara has written for multiple trade journals including the IDEA Fitness Journal, Personal Fitness Professional, and SparkPeople.com. When she’s not coaching, you can find Sara relaxing at home, walking her dog, or reading a good book.

introvertsemerge.com

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

Karla McLaren, M.Ed. is an award-winning author, social science researcher, and empathy pioneer. Her lifelong work focuses on her grand unified theory of emotions, which revalues even the most “negative” emotions and opens startling new pathways into self-awareness, effective communication, and healthy empathy. She is the founder and CEO of Emotion Dynamics LLC and the developer of the Empathy Academy online learning site.

Her applied work, Dynamic Emotional Integration® (also known as DEI) is a trailblazing approach to emotions and empathy that reveals the genius and the healing power within the emotional realm. Licensed DEI professionals are available across the globe.

Today, Karla shares with us her experiences that led her to becoming an expert of emotions, and shared with us her Emotional Vocabulary List, which gives us insight to our 18 different emotions, how they show up in our lives, and what they are trying to tell us.

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Karla is the author of many books, audio learning programs, and online courses, including Embracing Anxiety: How to Access the Genius of this Vital Emotion (2020), The Dynamic Emotional Integration® Workbook (2018), The Art of Empathy: A Complete Guide to Life’s Most Essential Skill (2013), The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings are Trying to Tell You (2010), and the multi-media online course Emotional Flow: Becoming Fluent in the Language of Emotions (2012).

Karla is also the coauthor (with cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich) of Escaping Utopia: Growing Up in a Cult, Getting Out, and Starting Over, which focuses on Dr. Lalich’s groundbreaking study of seventy people who were born in or grew up in forty different cults spanning twelve countries (Routledge, 2017).

Her newest book, The Power of Emotions at Work: Accessing the Vital Intelligence in Your Workplace, will be released in August of 2021.

KarlaMcLaren.com

EmpathyAcademy.org

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

In July, we shared a conversation with Beverly Horstman & David Lapp of Braver Angels - an organization formed shortly after the 2016 election to bring reds and blues together and heal the wounds between left and right. 

Today we welcome Chris and Kim Watson, two active members of Braver Angels who find themselves on different sides of the aisle, but within their marriage. One of the core functions of politics is to work towards figuring out our social contracts with each other… What are our rules as we work, play and all live together. Marriage is similar in that we’re constantly working on how we live together in our homes - so very political, just on a much smaller scale. Mary and I were both very curious to learn from Chris and Kim what they have learned from each other while being on opposite sides of politics.

They have been married for 33 years and live in Oregonia, OH, about 30 miles north of Cincinnati.

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Braver Angels was inspired by the words of Abraham Lincoln, who not only called on Americans to summon the “better angels” of our nature — but called on us to find the courage needed to pursue a more perfect union, “with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right.”

To meet the current moment, at this time of national crisis, we need more than civility. We need to challenge ourselves to work together when we disagree. We need bravery.

braverangels.org

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

We welcome back Sara Blanchard and Misasha Suzuki Graham of The Dear White Women podcast to tell us about their new book!

Sara and Misasha have become dear friends to The Third Place. They share with us why they wrote this book, and give their unique perspectives of race in America.

This book is amazing! So please, check it out! And also, be sure to review on Amazon!

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WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

This is a question that many seemingly well intentioned White people ask people of color. Yet, it places the responsibility to educate on their peers, friends, colleagues, and even strangers, rather than themselves. If you've ever asked or been asked "What can I do to help combat racism?" then Dear White Women: Let's Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism is the answer you're looking for.

From the creators of the award winning podcast Dear White Women, this book breaks down the psychology and barriers to meaningful race discussions for White people, contextualizing racism throughout American history in short, targeted chapters. Sara Blanchard and Misasha Suzuki Graham bring their insights to the page with:

• Personal narratives
• Historical context
• Practical tips

Dear White Women challenges readers to encounter the hard questions about race (and racism) in order to push the needle of change in a positive direction.

dearwhitewomen.com

instagram.com/dearwhitewomenpodcast

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.

Money is emotional! Spenders, Savers, Planners... we each take a different approach to money. Money can define our self worth. If we're struggling financially, it can dominate our thoughts in other areas of life. Even when we have enough, it's easy to let our internal voices question "what is enough?"

AJ Bishop joins us today to talk through our emotions around money and what she calls "wealth consciousness." AJ is the Founder of My Wealth Conscious Coach and spent over 15 years as an executive in the wealth management industry with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and MUFG Union Bank. She is passionate about helping women across the globe transform their financial lives and command their true WORTH in the workplace and the world.

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AJ Bishop is a real talk financial leader, entrepreneur, stepmom and yoga teacher. A compelling and engaging communicator on the topics of wealth consciousness and money empowerment, AJ works with women-owned businesses and high-profile clients across the country, helping them develop mindful strategies that increase their financial confidence, protect their wealth and secure their financial legacies. She has been described as a “modern day Suze Orman meets Oprah.”

She is dedicated to building a trusted, long-term relationship with her clients; helping them to achieve transformation through feminine leadership, financial education and deep community.

hmywealthconsciouscoach.com

https://www.instagram.com/mywealthconsciouscoach/

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The Third Place Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners into the hard conversations that we have a tendency to avoid.

We “go there” on things such as…

• How anger is beautiful
• How to find presence amidst chaos
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to be an ally
• How to live with grief

The Third Place is a safe place where curiosity is encouraged, differences are welcomed, and empathy is embraced through healthy dialogue.

We've forgotten how to talk to each other… Life has become polarized and dualistic - you’re either with me or against me. To embrace the complex human experience is to see the world through other’s eyes. The Third Place podcast helps with the disconnect. This looks like less conflict and tension and more like a peaceful existence with others. The Third Place podcast restores the art of dialogue.

For additional resources and if you're interested in supporting the work of The Third Place Podcast, check out our Patreon page.