The psychologist Carl Rogers famously wrote, "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself, just as I am, then I can change.” The same is often true on a collective level. The more we use shame, blame, and "othering" as tactics to inspire behavior change, the more resistant and defensive people tend to be. This has hardly been more on display than in the highly charged area of climate change.
Our guest on this episode, Dr. Renée Lertzman, explains why the status quo approach of "yelling, telling, and selling" on climate action has underperformed its aims based on insights from clinical psychology and behavioral neuroscience.
Dr. Renée Lertzman is a researcher, educator and engagement strategist who translates relational psychological insights to change our approach to our planetary crisis. She works with founders, innovators, companies and organizations across public and private sectors, looking to strengthen climate and sustainability initiatives, develop more effective campaigns, and harness the creativity and innovation needed to address our most complex and intractable problems with speed, creativity and imagination. A popular international keynote speaker, trainer and facilitator, she works with organizations, leaders and teams across sectors and regions, including clients such as Google, VMWare, IKEA, California Academy of Sciences, WWF, and the City of London.
Learn more about Dr. Renée Lertzman: https://reneelertzman.com/
Learn more about Project Inside Out: https://projectinsideout.net/
Topics covered in this episode:
-How Renée's confrontation with our planetary crises shaped her career path as a psychologist.
-Understanding social and ecological issues through the lens of trauma.
-How polarization on climate has insidiously developed over the last few decades.
-The role of safety, threat, and identity in the interpersonal dynamics of climate conversations.
-Why shame, blame, and "othering" may be well intended, but are not effective strategies for change.
-How to guide people through their ambivalence around action through "Motivational Interviewing" skills.
-Renée's work with leaders on the "inner" skills for outer change: self-awareness, self-regulation, and listening and empathy.
-Renée's work with consulting, research, and strategic messaging during the 2016 election.
-The three A's affecting climate behavior change: Anxiety, Ambivalence, and Aspiration.
-"Call out" culture and the alternative opportunity to "call in" or "call off" conversations.
-And much more!
Have comments or questions on this episode? An idea for a future guest? I'd love to hear what you liked, agreed/disagreed with, and what you'd like to hear more of. Email: hello@the-middle-way.com
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~May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease and joy. May you be free of suffering~
