Danielle LaSusa 1/16/20 Danielle LaSusa 1/16/20

15 Reasons to Join the Meaning of Motherhood Course

There are only four spots left for The Meaning of Motherhood, my 4-week course on the philosophy of motherhood. Registration closes January 27th! Here are 15 reasons to register now:

There are only four spots left for The Meaning of Motherhood, my 4-week course on the philosophy of motherhood. Registration closes January 27th! It’s going to be comforting, illuminating, empowering.

Don’t believe me? Here are 15 reasons to register now:

You’ll learn and discuss one of the most important and validating words for new mothers that I can almost guarantee you've never heard before. Want a clue?
You’ll sit in a circle where all of your many nuanced experiences of motherhood, including the breathtaking, the heart-breaking, the brain-bending, and the boring, are welcome, valued, and seen.
You’ll find solidarity with other badass mo-fo’s who think that the way that moms and motherhood is treated in this culture is irresponsible, dehumanizing, and well, totally f-ed. You’ll raise your powerful fists together.
You’ll write your motherhood manifesto—your version of authentic motherhood—with guided writing exercises and critical analysis of mainstream mommy messaging.
You’ll learn feminist theories of knowledge that value the unique understanding of this society, culture, and human experience, formed in the hands-on experiences of motherhood.
You’ll get access to an annotated Motherhood Reading and Resource list, complete with reviews of books, tv, podcasts, movies, comedy specials, and more, curated by me, a PhD in philosophy.
You’ll talk about birth, death, and meaning, with an existentialist philosopher! What does this have to do this motherhood? Just look.
You’ll expose the cultural mythologies around “good moms” and “bad moms.” For example, is it possible in our culture to be a “good mom”, if you’re poor, single, working, and a woman of color?
You’ll discuss the ethics of bringing a new human into a troubled world. Given climate change, politics, and the general suffering of being alive, is having a kid even the right thing to do? Does it matter?
You’ll share and receive the secret mom info that nobody tells you until it’s happening. I’m looking at you, special hospital underwear.
You’ll get at least two hours in the week when you feel a little less lonely, confused, and invisible. You’ll realize that this community has been waiting for you.
You’ll be treated like a person—not just a caretaker, not just “so-and-so’s mom,” or “future mom”—but a real live person who exists, and has thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires of your own. You’ll be encouraged to assert, and re-assert, your own personhood.
You’ll understand in new ways that so many of the challenges of motherhood in this culture are not a “you” problem, they’re a social problem. Knowing this, you’ll engage with them differently.
You’ll be guided through compassionate Metta meditation, in which you’ll be asked to tap into the loving kindness that you have for others and, even though it can be hard, for yourself.
You’ll join a tribe of thoughtful, brave, powerful people, who understand that motherhood touches the very being of being human.

NOTE: You do not need to identify as a mother to take this course. One of the best parts of the course is when mothers exchange wisdom with non-mothers. Also, this course recognizes that there are many paths to motherhood, many types of families, and many gender expressions that intersect with the identity of motherhood.

Learn More and Register

Have questions? Contact me. I hope to see you there.

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. is a Philosophical Coach. She helps new moms grapple with what it means to make a person. She is the co-creater and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings fun, accessible, philosophical thinking to the real world.

Danielle LaSusa 10/17/19 Danielle LaSusa 10/17/19

'Think Hard' Episode #58: Mushy Consistency

Is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance and evolution in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

In Mushy Consistency, episode #58 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Take a listen!

Is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance and evolution in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

In Mushy Consistency, episode #58 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Take a listen!

Listen Here

Learn more about Think Hard, and listen to all our episodes at our website thinkhardpodcast.com, or find us on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Follow us on Twitter, follow our Facebook page, and join our Facebook Community Group to connect with José Muñiz, Danielle LaSusa, and fans of the show.

Danielle LaSusa 10/2/19 Danielle LaSusa 10/2/19

'Think Hard' Episode #57: On Manifesting and Mirrors

Did Oprah get it right in The Secret? Is the Law of Attraction really the best way to understand the universe? Is it problematic?

In episode #57 of my podcast Think Hard, On Manifesting and Mirrors, Jeff Guenther LPC (creator of Therapy Den and the Portland Therapy Center) defends the Law of Attraction, which my co-host José and I lambasted in episode #37. Take a listen!

Did Oprah get it right in The Secret? Is the Law of Attraction really the best way to understand the universe? Is it problematic?

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 9/20/19 Danielle LaSusa 9/20/19

Revisiting 'Think Hard' Episode #37: Vision Bored

This week, we’re rebroadcastingVision Bored in preparation for an upcoming episode with a special guest, in which we’ll discuss what we got wrong.

In Vision Bored, episode #37 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss the Law of Attraction and how thoughts become things. Take a listen!

This week, we’re rebroadcastingVision Bored in preparation for an upcoming episode with a special guest, in which we’ll discuss what we got wrong.

In Vision Bored, episode #37 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss the Law of Attraction and how thoughts become things. Take a listen!

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 9/4/19 Danielle LaSusa 9/4/19

'Think Hard' Episode #56: Tolerating the Racist at Thanksgiving Dinner

Should you have an open mind when talking to someone who has an opinion that you find morally reprehensible?

In Tolerating the Racist at Thanksgiving Dinner, episode #56 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss how we should balance the desire to keep an open mind with the need to protect people from hate speech. This episode ties into episode #11: “Tolerating the Nazi Next Door.” Take a listen!

Should you have an open mind when talking to someone who has an opinion that you find morally reprehensible?

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 8/21/19 Danielle LaSusa 8/21/19

'Think Hard' Episode #55: Carjacking Today, Freedom Tomorrow?

Are you the same person that you were when you were six years old?

In Carjacking Today, Freedom Tomorrow?, episode #55 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss identity and how we change over time. Did Buddhism get it right with the idea of “no self,” or are we essentially the same person at every stage of life? Take a listen!

Are you the same person that you were when you were six years old?

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 8/7/19 Danielle LaSusa 8/7/19

'Think Hard' Episode #54: The Paradox of Bodily Fluids

Is prostitution immoral? How do we think about it, and how do we, as a society, regulate it?

In The Paradox of Bodily Fluids, episode #54 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss differing views on this very complicated topic. Take a listen!

Is prostitution immoral? How do we think about it, and how do we, as a society, regulate it?

In The Paradox of Bodily Fluids, episode #54 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss differing views on this very complicated topic. Take a listen!

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 7/24/19 Danielle LaSusa 7/24/19

'Think Hard' Episode #53: Both Sides Now

Have you ever been in a relationship that you’re not sure you should stay in? Sometimes it feels so good, and then the next day you have an argument and you think… “I gotta get out.” Sound familiar?

In Both Sides Now, episode #53 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss ambivalence and how we handle cognitive dissonance that occurs when we try to see multiple sides of any issue. Take a listen!

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Danielle LaSusa 6/12/19 Danielle LaSusa 6/12/19

'Think Hard' Episode #52: Flip Flop

Why do we wear casual clothing? If we dress down for comfort, what is the root cause of our discomfort?

In Flip Flip, episode #51 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss casual clothing and the larger question of discomfort in our lives. Can sweatpants bring you comfort? Is it worth it, or do soft fabrics and cozy shoes mask a larger discomfort in our lives? Take a listen!

Why do we wear casual clothing? If we dress down for comfort, what is the root cause of our discomfort?

In Flip Flip, episode #52 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss casual clothing and the larger question of discomfort in our lives. Can sweatpants bring you comfort? Is it worth it, or do soft fabrics and cozy shoes mask a larger discomfort in our lives? Take a listen!

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 6/5/19 Danielle LaSusa 6/5/19

'Think Hard' Episode #51: Buying Happiness

How do we make decisions about how to spend money? And, thinking more broadly, how do we use our limited resources to live “the good life”?

In episode #51: Buying Happiness of my podcast Think Hard, I ponder how to make decisions about how to spend money, which leads to the larger question of what constitutes the good life. What purchases will make us happy, and how do we know what to choose? My co-host José offers some budgeting wisdom. Take a listen!

How do we make decisions about how to spend money? And, thinking more broadly, how do we use our limited resources to live “the good life”?

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 1/4/19 Danielle LaSusa 1/4/19

What Does It Mean to Make a Person?

Creating a human may be the most profound thing we can ever do, and yet, this strange and philosophical question is largely absent in the cultural conversation around motherhood.

“We made a person.” Lucy stared at me incredulously, her blond hair a-wisp, her three-day-old baby nursing at her breast. We perched on her couch, as we might have done, sipping tea, chatting as old friends do—as we had done countless times, before she and her husband decided to…make a person.

Neither of us could quite understand it. What does it mean to make a person? And what did it mean now that Lucy was a mother?

The whole situation felt weird, just weird, as if she just gotten news that a wealthy relative had died, leaving her an elaborate estate on the far side of the moon. What could it possibly mean?

Creating a human may be the most profound thing we can ever do, and yet, this strange and philosophical question is largely absent in the cultural conversation around motherhood. Instead, we have endless debates about co-sleeping, baby-wearing, and breastfeeding, but the bare and haunting truth of a mother’s relationship to new human consciousness is lost beneath the noise of the world’s insistence that moms “get it right.”

So, I’m teaching a course called The Meaning of Motherhood at the Portland Underground Graduate School, which gives the mind-bending experience of creating a person the open, curious, honest reflection that it deserves.

This is the course for moms who aren’t sure what they think about babies. Here’s what to expect:

Week 1: The Birth of the Mother

In week 1, we’ll discuss the identity of motherhood and what it means to develop this new identity. What is lost, what is gained, and what does it mean to be a mother?

Week 2: A New Consciousness

In week 2, we’ll explore how this creation of life can raise bring up a deep sense of vulnerability, anxiety, and confusion about the meaning of mortality and human existence. Yeah, that’s right. We’re going to talk about death.

Week 3: Good Mom/Bad Mom

In week 3, we’ll explore, and challenge, some of the personal and cultural messages that we carry around that inform our judgments about what a good or bad mom is, and how these messages can impact the self-image and well-being of mothers.

Week 4: The Village

In week 4, we’ll explore the institutional and social supports, or lack thereof, in the form of family/maternity leave, child care, and norms around visitation, care, and community of motherhood. We’ll discuss ways that we may better support mothers, both at interpersonal and societal levels.

You’ll be able to commune with other moms, and grapple together with this strange new reality.

Thursdays, January 10, 17, 24, and 31st
7-9 pm in SE Portland, OR.

Can’t wait until class to jump in? Check out part of the homework for Week 1: Watch Alexandra Sacks’ TED talk, in which she argues to reclaim the term “matresence,” the period of hormonal, physical, and emotional changes that characterize the transition to motherhood as a real thing, like adolescence.

The course fee is on a sliding scale, starting at $99, and you can sign up now for even less.

If you want the time and space to wrap your head around what it means to make a person, come connect, reflect, and join us.

Want to learn more about my work as a Philosophical Coach for moms? Check out my page for moms and contact me to learn more.

Learn more

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. is a Philosophical Coach and Consultant. She helps new moms grapple with what it means to make a person. She is the co-creater and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings fun, accessible, philosophical thinking to the real world.

Danielle LaSusa 10/30/18 Danielle LaSusa 10/30/18

What is Philosophical Coaching?

Would you trade your therapist for a philosophical coach? More and more people are discovering the benefits of conversations with philosophers to help them figure out their lives. It’s called Philosophical Coaching or Philosophical Counseling, and there are lots of good reasons that philosophy is an excellent foundation for counseling.

Would you trade your therapist for a Philosophical Coach? More and more people are discovering the benefits of conversations with philosophers to help them figure out their lives. It’s called Philosophical Coaching or Philosophical Counseling, and there are lots of good reasons that philosophy is an excellent foundation for counseling.

These two guys are thought to be Plato and Aristotle, from the Renaissance painting “School of Athens,” by Raphael.

Before psychology was its own discipline, and before psychotherapy was invented at the turn of the 20th century, if you wanted outside perspective in figuring out your life, you sought out a philosopher.

Philosophers are trained to think deeply at critically, and to engage in Socratic dialogue to help unpack conceptual problems. In other words, we’re really good at asking questions.

Additionally, philosophy has about 3000 years of human wisdom to draw from to explore issues in identity, truth, ethics, politics, and meaning. Who am I? How do I know? What should I do? What is right or just? What is the meaning of life? These are the questions that philosophers have been exploring for centuries.

And as someone who has a Ph.D. in philosophy, I’ve read an awful lot of what they have to say, and I’ve thought a lot about the strengths and weakness of various answers to these questions.

So, in episode #36 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José Muñiz and I talk about what Philosophical Coaching is and why it’s valuable. It’s called #36: What is Philosophical Coaching? and you can listen below:

Want to know more about Philosophical Coaching? Why not hear it from those who have benefitted. Here are some things my clients have had to say about Philosophical Coaching:

“It’s having your own personal guru whose knowledge isn’t pigeonholed to one set methodology or theory - the best of all the guru knowledge! Danielle was compassionately honest and helped me switch my perspective while bringing in great tools from varied philosophical perspectives. In just two sessions, my attitude around my work atmosphere has completely shifted!
”

— Hannah E., Program Coordinator

Here’s another:

“I didn’t quite know what to expect, and what I discovered is that I got out of it something I’d always hoped to — but hadn’t — gotten out of traditional talk therapy: someone able to take off the kid gloves and completely follow along as I outlined the shifting existential dilemmas that I often grapple with in my own head, recognize them as commonly occurring problems previously grappled with by many others, and offer angles and insights I had yet to get to on my own.”

— Jason G., Design Experience Director

And yet another:

“Having spent twenty years in traditional, analytical therapy with psychologist, I was interested in a different perspective. Danielle provided an open atmosphere for discussion about concerns and goals in my life. We didn’t stay hung up in the past, as often happens in therapy, but also didn’t disregard it. It is a good balance between reflection and evolution. I highly recommend!”

— Carrie C., Video Editor

Courage to Think. Courage to Love. Courage to Hope.

I've been thinking a lot about how much courage it takes to live with purpose. We must look inside ourselves, see our weaknesses, our faults, our failures, but we must also see our strengths, our talents, our dreams. We must have the courage to face ourselves.

Courage to Think. Courage to Love. Courage to Hope.

In the 2008 documentary, The Examined Life, philosopher Cornel West sits in the back of a cab on the fast streets of New York City, riffing, like a jazz player, about the virtues and depths of philosophy. His words are lyrical, prophetic, wise.

West considers the courage and discipline it takes to reflect philosophically, to question your life, your mind, your values. He says:

A philosopher is a lover of wisdom. It takes tremendous discipline, it takes tremendous courage to think for yourself, to examine yourself. The Socratic imperative of examining yourself requires courage. William Butler Yeats used to say that it takes more courage to examine the dark corners of your own soul than it does for a soldier to fight on the battlefield. Courage to think critically. Courage is the enabling virtue for any philosopher, for any human being I think in the end. Courage to think, courage to love, courage to hope.

We must have the courage to acknowledge that we want something, knowing all the while we may never get it, and the courage to go after it, knowing that we may fall short.

We must have the courage to say what we believe, knowing that we may be criticized, chastised, rejected, and the courage to recognize when we were wrong.

We must have the courage to take the one difficult step that will move us forward, rather than take all the easy steps that will keep us in place.

We must have the courage to face ourselves.

We need not do this work alone. If you would like a little boost of courage, I invite you to connect with me and let me be your guide. We'll develop your courage to look deeply at your inner life, so that you can live more courageously. Contact me by email or phone, join my mailing list, and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium.

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. is a Philosophical Coach and Consultan t, helping individuals and organizations think clearly, choose wisely, and live purposefully. She is the co-creater and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings fun, accessible, philosophical thinking to the real world.

Danielle LaSusa 7/17/18 Danielle LaSusa 7/17/18

This Workshop Helps You Read the News without Seething Rage

The state of the world these days is enough to make you want to scream curses at the sky, throw a molotov cocktail through some institutional windows, and then snuggle up to a bottle of tequila for the remainder of the evening.

The state of the world these days is enough to make you want to scream curses at the sky, throw a molotov cocktail through an institutional window, and then snuggle up to a bottle of tequila for the remainder of the evening.

Even if you don't follow through on these dark fantasies, walking around with them in your angry little heart doesn't go very far toward helping the situation. Frankly, it only makes you, and those around you, feel miserable.

Somewhere in your body, in the back corners of your mind, you know there has to be a better way—a way that condemns injustice and holds space for suffering, without being swallowed up by it. A way that acknowledges the harm that other people do, without hoping that they drown in their morning oatmeal. A way that restores your faith in humanity.

One of the world's most well-known political activists, the Dalai Lama, shows us a way to continue to work for justice with an attitude of connection, curiosity, and compassion, rather than rage and revenge.

Unpack and understand these Buddhist teachings about social action with me, a philosophical coach and professor of philosophy, and explore how to use them in your own life. Uncover your fundamental assumptions about human relationships, and connect with others in an intimate group setting at my workshop "Buddhism in Action," organized by Curious Soul Philosophy.

This workshop is part philosophy seminar, part group coaching session. In Part One: The Theory, we'll discuss the ideas and concepts, ask clarifying and challenging questions, and try to understand the teachings of openness, trust, and compassion.

In Part 2: The Lab, we'll reflect on our own lives, share where we feel resistance, and support each other as we experiment with making positive changes.

We can learn to engage with the world with with less anger and more trust and compassion. These small changes not only help ourselves, but can go a long way toward making positive changes in the world. I hope you join me in exploring how.

Learn More and Register

Danielle LaSusa 7/5/18 Danielle LaSusa 7/5/18

What To Do When Your Worldview Falls Apart

What do you do when everything you believe about the world crumbles to pieces around you? How do you rebuild a sense of hope, meaning, and truth? As a philosophy professor and coach, I've thought about these questions a lot, and I’ve learned some things. I gave a TEDx talk at TEDxPCC called, "What to do when you're worldview falls apart." Take a look.

What do you do when a fundamental belief about the world crumbles to pieces around you? How do you rebuild a sense of hope, meaning, and truth?

As a philosophy professor and coach, I've thought about these questions a lot, and I've learned some things. I gave a TEDx talk at TEDxPCC called, "What to do when you're worldview falls apart." Take a look.

What's been your big crash? If you have also struggled with a loss of faith in God, you may also be interested in my talk on how to have hope in a Godless world.

If your worldview seems to be cracking around at the edges and you feel as though you need help through the process, I invite you to connect with me for a free 30-minute Philosophical Coaching consultation. (Learn more about Philosophical Coaching here.) You can also join my mailing list, and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium. Let's rebuild.

Danielle LaSusa 7/3/18 Danielle LaSusa 7/3/18

30 Delightful Conversations about Philosophy in the Real World

Philosophical questions about what is good, beautiful, right, and valuable are questions that all of us ask everyday. These 30 accessible, funny, thoughtful conversations cover everything from whether it is ethical to have children to why we should lament the decline of social dancing.

Philosophy ain't just for white-haired professors anymore.

Questions about what is good, beautiful, right, and valuable are questions that all of us ask everyday. Should I be "civil" to someone with intolerant beliefs and actions? How do we know what is true in the era of fake news? Is 10 Things I Hate About You the best teen movie ever made? Check out these 30 fun, accessible conversations about philosophy and everyday life.

All 30 conversations appear on Think Hard, the podcast where two trained philosophers think hard about the real world. My co-host José Muñiz and I created this podcast because we love philosophy and we believe that it lives in the everyday world.

We bring our philosophical perspectives, our curiosity, and of course, our good humor and witty banter to everything from political protests, to self-help books, to the merits of snobbery.

We've just released our 30th episode, so I'm taking this moment to give you a brief rundown of all of our conversations thus far.

If you don't know where to begin, episodes #9, #14, #25, and #26 are some of my favorites, full of laughter, honesty, and two people trying to figure out the world.

#1: I had a crumby trip because I'm a crumby person: Why do we desire to find authenticity when we travel?
#2 Stop Traffic...and You Die: What purpose do protests serve in the public arena?
#3: T-Shirt Feminism: Has the mainstreaming of feminism has sold it out to capitalist interests?
#4: Giving with Reason: Are there rational reasons for giving to those less fortunate?
#5: Lottery Players Lack Imagination: What happens in our mind when we think about whether or not to take a risk?
#6: White Girl Sings the Blues: Where is the line between cultural exchange and cultural appropriation?
#7: Death Rattles of Dance: Is social dancing on the decline? And if so, what do we lose if it dies?
#8: Where is the Pain?: Can meditation change the brain so much that we can cease to feel pain?
#9: In Defense of Snobs: Are snobs just obnoxious, self-righteous jerks, or do they contribute something of value to society?
#10: Help Yourself: Can philosophy make for better self-help?
#11: Tolerating the Nazi Next Door: Why should we value tolerance, and how do we treat those who are intolerant?
#12: Is Belief in God Morally Wrong?: Given all of the warfare and destruction in the name of God, is it morally wrong to hold this belief without sufficient evidence?
#13: Emotional Work for White People: Why is it so hard for white people to talk about racism?
#14: I’m Not a Masturbation Couch: Does sexual desire always or necessarily involve the dehumanizing objectification of others?
#15: All News is Fake News: With new technologies that have the ability to literally change what we see and hear through audio and video manipulation, how do we know that what we see or hear is true?
#16: Teen Movies will Save the World: Are The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and 10 Things I Hate About You, just silly teen movies or important cultural artifacts that show us how to view the world with complexity, nuance, and depth?
#17: From Happy Cow to Hopeful Child: Should we be teaching hopeful thinking as an integral part of teaching critical thinking?
#18: You, Me, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones: What have we learned and loved in creating Think Hard?
#19: Feminist Friendship: Guest Cori Wong asks: How we can do better in bridging the gaps between white women and women of color in the “feminist movement"?
#20: When is Enough…Enough?: How do I know when to accept myself as I am and when to strive to improve myself?
#21: Borrowing Worry: Can all anxiety be understood as one or more of three basic fears, all of which are fundamental features of the human condition?
#22: We Got Options: What about polyamory provides opportunity for personal growth and development?
#23: Hope in a Godless World: For those who don’t believe in a benevolent, higher power, where do we look for hope and guidance when things are looking grim?
#24: The Real Thing: Why do we want to see the real, original piece of art?
#25: On Racist Jokes (Funny Ones): Is it ok to laugh at racist jokes? Does it matter who is telling the joke?
#26: My Baby, My Moral Mistake: Given over-population, the current environmental crisis, and the potential for a future full of hardship and suffering, is it ethical to have kids?
#27: Of Friends and Flatulence: Why is it so hard to make friends in adulthood?
#28: Our Patron Saint: Guest Jack Russell Weinstein considers: What do philosophers have to offer the public?
#29: The “I” in Us: How do we, as a society, tackle issues like climate change or global poverty when we see ourselves as fractured groups, each with its own concerns?
#30: Playing Chess with Yourself: Who are you, really, and how do you know if you’re being yourself?

What's your favorite episode? What topics have we not yet covered that you think we should? Post in the comments and let me know. And share this list with a friend, with your own recommendation for where they should begin!

Learn more about Think Hard, and give us feedback at our website thinkhardpodcast.com, or find us on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Follow us on Twitter, follow our Facebook page, and join our Facebook Community Group to connect with José Muñiz, Danielle LaSusa, and fans of the show.

Danielle LaSusa 6/13/18 Danielle LaSusa 6/13/18

'Think Hard' Episode #29: The "I" in Us

How do we, as a society, take broad political action on issues like climate change or global poverty when we see ourselves as fractured groups, each with its own concerns?

In episode #29: The "I" in Us of my podcast Think Hard, I suggest that identity politics—organizing and motivating political action through features of your identity such as race, gender, class, nationality, religion, etc.—is insufficient for the type of collective action needed to solve some important global problems. My co-host José believes that all political action must necessarily begin with the interests, needs, and perspectives of identity. What do you think?

How do we, as a society, take broad political action on issues like climate change or global poverty when we see ourselves as fractured groups, each with its own concerns?

Danielle LaSusa 6/1/18 Danielle LaSusa 6/1/18

'Think Hard' Episode #28: Our Patron Saint

What do philosophers have to offer the public?

In the latest episode of my podcast Think Hard #28: Our Patron Saint welcome special guest Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein, Director of the Institute for Philosophy in Public Life at the University of North Dakota and host of the public radio show and podcast Why? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life, to talk about public philosophy.

How is talking to a public audience about philosophy different than speaking to those in traditional academic settings? What do philosophers have to offer the public?

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Danielle LaSusa 5/21/18 Danielle LaSusa 5/21/18

Practical Philosophy for Veterinary Medicine

A philosophical perspective can help with almost any professional work, including veterinary medicine. Last week, I spoke with a group of professional veterinarians about how philosophical skills and thinking can help make their work more efficient, productive, purposeful, and fulfilling. Here are some of the tips and perspectives I gave them.

A philosophical perspective can help with almost any professional work, including veterinary medicine. Last week, I spoke with professional veterinarians at the Early Career Professional and Personal Development Program for the Portland Veterinary Medical Association about how philosophical skills and thinking can help make their work more efficient, productive, purposeful, and fulfilling. Here are some of the tips and perspectives I gave them.

Philosophical Perspectives for Veterinary Care

There are lots of ways that a philosophical approach may serve the professional and personal development of those in the veterinary field. Here are just a few of the areas where a philosophical perspective may be useful:

Relationships with Colleagues

As with most professions, veterinary work may require that you work with or alongside other practitioners and staff, and you may not always agree with the approaches, values, or worldviews of your colleagues, leading to frustration and conflict.

Practical Philosopher’s Tip:

One of the major philosophical skills is being able to inhabit, understand, and evaluate a variety of worldviews—without necessarily condoning or agreeing with those perspectives. This skill allows you to understand and work more effectively with colleagues and contribute to a more productive, collaborative, and congenial workplace. Here are some tips for how:

Approach other perspectives with a fair and charitable attitude, trying to see them in their strongest possible light, rather than purposefully representing them as weak and flawed;
Temper your own emotional reactivity, egocentrism, and self-righteousness in the face of opposing points of view. Listen attentively and with an open mind;
Analyze, evaluate, and judge other perspectives with precision, accuracy, and care;
Evaluate, revise, and refine your own assumptions and judgments so that you can grow both personally and professionally.

Ethical Decision-Making

Veterinarians face certain kinds of ethical decisions on a regular basis that doctors in other fields deal with far less frequently, if at all. Examples include weighing conflicting needs and desires of both the client and the patient in medical decisions; and considering the moral impact of euthanasia in a variety of unique cases.

Practical Philosopher’s Tip:

The philosophical subfield of ethics has an enormous body of literature devoted entirely to how to figure out the right thing to do. Of course, there are lots of different perspectives and guidelines out there. Here are some tips for how to navigate sticky ethical situations:

Understand and reflect on your professional code of ethics, which may serve as a guidepost for when things are unclear. If you do not have a professional ethics code, or you feel it is too vague or incomplete, and/or it conflicts with your personal code of ethics, devote some time to sorting this out, perhaps with the help of a professional philosopher/ethicist;
Moral decision-making is complex and nuanced; there is likely not a one-size-fits-all answer for every situation;
You will not get it right every time, but this does not mean that you are a moral failure. Keep in mind Aristotle’s idea that moral intelligence and character is built over time, with habitual practice.

Empathy Fatigue

Veterinary work involves repeated exposure to and relationships with creatures in critical need. The impact of this exposure to trauma can lead to a kind of fatigue in compassion or empathy.

Practical Philosopher’s Tip:

Philosopher Rita Manning believes that a caring relationship with others should guide our actions, but acknowledges the reality of “caring burnout.” She argues that caring for oneself is part of our moral obligation. Here are some ways to avoid and/or respond to “caring burnout”:

Put on your own oxygen mask first. Care for others is not possible if you deplete your means or capacity to do so; thus, prioritize your physical and psychological needs if you wish to be an agent of care. This may mean making or asking for changes in your life or workplace.
Remaining open and present in others’ suffering does not require you to suffer as well. The ancient philosopher Epictetus said, when you see someone suffering, “sympathize with him so far as words go, and, if occasion offers, even to groan with him; but be careful not to groan also in the center of your being.”
Pay close attention to your body when dealing with emotional situations. What is happening to your pulse your breath, your jaw, your stomach? Your peripheral awareness of these aspects can help you stay grounded, centered, and prevent you from getting swept away with emotion.

Parenthood

The average American workplace is not currently organized to serve and support working parents, particularly in highly demanding fields, such as medicine. In a field dominated by women, such as veterinary medicine, this concern may be elevated, as women statistically continue to do the majority of child care, especially in the early stages of a child’s life.

In addition, the transition to parenthood can bring massive shifts in one’s sense of identity, priorities, values, and psychological vulnerability, leading to confusion and struggle, both at work and at home.

Practical Philosopher’s Tip:

The work of parenting is unpaid and largely undervalued in our culture. This does not mean that it is not strenuous, challenging, and extraordinarily important, both for our personal lives and for society at large. Here are some tips for navigating working parenthood:

What feels like “you” problem is often part of a larger structural problem. This acknowledgment may not immediately help solve the problem, but it can help guide where improvements should be made and remove some of the burden of feeling like it is personal failing;
Emphasize self-compassion, humor, and flexibility. Parenthood by its very nature involves uncertainty, loss of control, and mistakes;
Give yourself time to develop and grow into this new identity, along with the changes it brings. The birth of a child is also the birth of a parent.

Work with Me

These are just a few of the many ways that a philosophical perspective may serve you. If you would like more philosophical guidance or training in any of these areas, either in an individual or group setting, I invite you to connect with me.

I offer one-on-one Philosophical Coaching (with a specialization in serving mothers), as well as Ethics Workshops, and other Practical Philosophy Workshops in a variety of areas—including Buddhist mindfulness, existentialism, critical thinking, motherhood and more—for both individuals and organizations.

Contact me and learn more at daniellelasusa.com.

Danielle LaSusa 4/12/18 Danielle LaSusa 4/12/18

Buddhist Wisdom for Everyday Living — Take the Workshop

I'm teaming up with Curious Soul Philosophy this May to lead a workshop called Buddhist Wisdom for Everyday Living. If you are local to Portland, Oregon, join me to learn and discuss the foundational philosophical ideas of Buddhism and see how they may serve us in our everyday lives.

Buddhist Philosophy for Everyday Living — Take the Workshop

We'll consider the complex nature of suffering, our relationship to the interconnectedness of all beings, and the path for achieving inner peace. We'll also learn a few simple meditation and mindfulness practices that may bring a bit of peace and calm to our day-to-day living.

Where:
World Cup Coffee, 1740 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR

When:
Saturdays, May 5, 12, 18, 2018, 1:00-3:00

Learn More and Register