Dialectics, Democracy, Tyranny, Trump, and the American Way – Episode 125

In the wake of the recent killing by federal agents of two adults in Minneapolis, this podcast represents an attempt to deepen my perspective on these events, on Donald Trump, and on the forces in our country that have supported him. I close with some thoughts about how to counter him in the coming days. View video version of this podcast

DBT’s emphasis on behavioral specificity, validation, and dialectical thinking, while effective for therapy, must be sufficiently grounded in deep moral convictions and motivational forces if it is to be used to address a fascist takeover of our society. View video version of this podcast

In this podcast Charlie reviews the six categories of people in the United States insofar as they are actors in the drama between democracy and authoritarianism, highlighting where it might be possible to change the momentum. He then discusses the role of “bystanders” and the psychology of bystanders, with a plea to convert bystanders to more active participants View video version of this podcast

In this podcast, Charlie reflects on a recent consultation as a window into the way in which memory is tethered to certain moments, as an example of Linehan’s metaphor for validation as finding a nugget of gold in a pile of sand, and as a segue into the integration of DBT and depth psychology in therapy. View video version of this podcast

The perspective within this podcast is that our current political process is seriously dysfunctional, having been taken over by decision-makers who seem disconnected from normal human morality. After noticing the resemblance of that process to what goes on in mob organizations and families, and in some families where incest occurs, we will identify the various roles in this ugly process and consider what can be done to improve things. View video version of this podcast

This podcast focuses on the fact that we spend most of our lives living in the stories we tell ourselves about reality, but not in reality itself. Hear how DBT helps us to find our way back to reality, and how doing so increases the quality of our lives and the lives of those around us View video version of this podcast

In this podcast, I explore what is meant by dialectics in general, dialectics in the practice of DBT, and especially what it takes to “do dialectics-in-action.” It’s way more common and profound than simply applying dialectical strategies to certain situations. View video version of this podcast

In this podcast, the third in a series, I clarify the place of dialectics in DBT as an antidote to polarization. Using some case examples, I detail how one might use dialectics. Then I bring the same lessons into finding a way to deal with political polarization and what appears to be a fascist takeover. By the end of my search, I find a way. View video version of this podcast

To say NO to the forces and practices of fascism in the U.S., effectively enough to stop it, can be frightening. We will borrow from the DBT skills training model, explaining ways to acquire, strengthen, and generalize the skill of saying NO in hopes that each of us can find our voice and make a difference. View video version of this podcast

In this podcast, Charlie draws from DBT in search of ways to understand the current assault on democracy in the United States, and to become more effective at taking care of oneself and acting more effectively. View video version of this podcast