Active Listening

In this episode, Ariana chats with Dr. Rachel Kowert, a psychologist studying the science of gaming. Rachel works to debunk many of the myths surrounding video games. We deep dive into all of the stereotypes, misconceptions, and questions that today’s online world presents. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to video gaming. Rachel is the Research Director for Take This [https://www.takethis.org] (a non-profit providing mental health awareness), and the Founder of Your Own Castle [https://buildyourowncastle.com]. She is the mastermind and face behind the Psychgeist [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2wWdpJ8CQaulB44RLZ4gWw] youtube channel, and actively works to bring more awareness about the world of online gaming; especially for parents. If you have any questions or comments regarding this episode, please don't hesitate to contact us at activelistening.life@gmail.com OR you can find us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/active_listening_life/] and Twitter [https://twitter.com/podcast_active/status/1239026402286080000?s=21].

*We recorded this conversation several months ago, and we've come a long way with the progression of a vaccine. However, our numbers are still climbing and the need for vigilance is even greater! Take care and follow the guidelines set in place for the protection of everyone so we can get on top of this.* In this episode, Ariana chats with Cynthia Carr, an Epidemiologist from Winnipeg, on the Coronavirus pandemic. She shares great insight into how to fight the virus as well as why this year has been so hard. Please listen carefully! We know Christmas is just around the corner, and it's not going to a normal or easy year of celebrations. However, it's up to all of us as individuals and communities to stop the spread, create new memories and traditions, and care for others as this crazy year comes to a close. If you'd like further information on COVID-19, start off by visiting your public health website. You can visit Cynthia’s Facebook [https://m.facebook.com/cynthiacarrepidemiologist/?__tn__=C] page or her website [https://epiresearch.ca/] to find out more. The links listed below also provide great information. * Public Health Canada [https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_coronavirus] * Center for Disease Control & Prevention [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html] * [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html]How Science Beat the Virus [https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/01/science-covid-19-manhattan-project/617262/] * CNN Podcast [https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/corona-virus] * Dr. Tom Frieden Public Health [https://www.tomfriedenpublichealth.net/blog] * Coronavirus Explained - Kurzgesagt [https://youtu.be/BtN-goy9VOY] Additionally, if you have any questions or comments regarding this episode, please don't hesitate to contact us at activelistening.life@gmail.com OR you can find us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/active_listening_life/] and Twitter [https://twitter.com/podcast_active/status/1239026402286080000?s=21].

In this episode, Ariana discusses something we are all being greatly affected by right now - whether we live in the United States or not - politics. Arlie Hochschild is our guest today and she offers great insights into the role human emotion plays in our politics. She is a sociologist and seeks to understand people beyond the decisions they make or the words they say. She wrote a deeply impacting book called Strangers in Their Own Land [https://www.amazon.ca/Strangers-Their-Own-Land-Mourning/dp/1620972255]which helped to bring understanding to the stories of anger and mourning of those on the American right. If you would like to read more by Arlie, there's a great article here [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/02/donald-trump-strategy-republican-national-convention] and an interview here [https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/11/arlie-hochschild-housework-isnt-emotional-labor/576637/]. She also wrote another book called The Managed Heart [https://www.amazon.ca/Managed-Heart-Commercialization-Human-Feeling/dp/0520272943/ref=pd_lpo_14_img_1/139-6277363-2538465?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0520272943&pd_rd_r=2cea8cd5-0682-47ff-8cb8-7eff236cbb94&pd_rd_w=L7ofs&pd_rd_wg=n8Pfn&pf_rd_p=256a14b6-93bc-4bcd-9f68-aea60d2878b9&pf_rd_r=F7KEWW379813BA9AVRWT&psc=1&refRID=F7KEWW379813BA9AVRWT]. If you have any questions or comments regarding this episode, please don't hesitate to contact us at activelistening.life@gmail.com OR you can find us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/active_listening_life/] and Twitter [https://twitter.com/podcast_active/status/1239026402286080000?s=21].

In the intro episode of the season, Ariana shares the heart and vision for season 2. She doesn't shy away from talking about where we were hoping to take it and where it's ended up. This has been a year for the history books and all of our lives have been affected in dramatic and subtle ways; challenging our very way of life. The world seems to be flooded with crisis upon crisis and it can be overwhelmingly uncomfortable to stop and think about even one of those things. Hopefully this season's guests and stories will help provide clarity in some areas and cause us all to encounter discomfort within ourselves; allowing us to create a community of empathy.

In this final episode of the Church &____ series, Ariana discusses what it's like to deconstruct with Phil Drysdale. Phil shares what his experience was like with deconstructing his faith and how that affected him. He also dives into many of the myths and stereotypes associated with a those who are questioning and deconstructing. We know this is a buzz word for many, but it is also very real. It affects the way we live in community, our mental and emotional well-being, as well as our spiritual life. Our own deconstruction journey inspired us to start the Active Listening podcast. We hope this has been a safe place for you to sit with the stories and questions of others and help guide you along the road of life. We are so grateful to all of our listeners who have joined us at the table. The adventure isn't over! We look forward to the next season with you called Bad Vibes: Purposely Uncomfortable. Join us for more conversation deep dives into topics that may just push you to start deconstructing for yourself.