Making Sense of Ourselves

In this episode of Making Sense of Ourselves, Abby and Alfi explore the contrasting levels of connection in our personal networks through a new tool: The Network Health Check. Topics in this Episode: 🎯 Origins and Purpose 🔄 The Three Rings Framework 🌱 Practical strategies for strengthening connections at each level, and knowing when it's time to make changes ✂️ A candid discussion about the challenging but necessary practice of managing relationship changes 💭 Abby and Alfi share their own revelations about relationship patterns and community building 📢 Special Event Announcement Join us February 12th at 12pm Eastern for an exclusive preview event of the new and improved Making Sense of Yourself program. RSVP Now [https://www.thesensemakersclub.com/msoy-sneak-preview]

In this series for our podcast “Making Sense of Ourselves” we will be focused on new voices, featuring interviews with discussion leaders from this amazing community we are building here. In this episode Natasha Godwin talks about her experience starting one of our 20+ monthly discussion groups, Making Sense of Change, why the opportunity to lead at the club made sense in this season, why this topic, and the primary lessons learned from monthly discussions with our members. “Making Sense of Change” is one of 20+ monthly peer-led discussion groups at the club, so if this group sounds like something you might want in on — chances are there maybe be a few more that might make you curious. www.thesensemakersclub.com [http://www.thesensemakersclub.com]

In this episode of Making Sense of Ourselves, Abby and Alfi engage in a deep exploration of the contrasting roles that safety and risk play in personal growth and community development. With their different upbringings and worldviews, Abby and Alfi bring unique perspectives on how these concepts influence our sense of self and our relationships with others. Topics this episode: 🛡️ Safety vs. Risk: Framing the Discussion Abby and Alfi set the stage by using a metaphor to contrast safety and risk, likening safety to walls built for protection and risk to stepping outside those walls. They explore how these contrasting environments shape personal development. 🏡 Defining Safety Through Upbringing Abby and Alfi share how their upbringings influenced their relationship with safety. Abby, having experienced safety as a scarce resource, values its creation in both personal and community spaces. Alfi, on the other hand, reflects on growing up with a strong sense of safety at home but also dealing with unexpected health issues that challenged his perception of how safe the world truly is. 💬 Exploring Safe Spaces vs. Protected Spaces They delve into the difference between a "safe space" and a "protected space." Abby defines safe spaces as environments where individuals are respected and feel secure to make mistakes. Alfi adds that protected spaces are more rigid, preventing harm but potentially limiting growth. 🐻 Man vs. Bear: A Safety and Risk Thought Experiment In a playful yet insightful exercise, Abby and Alfi revisit a thought experiment about whether one would feel safer encountering an unknown man or an unknown bear in the woods. This discussion highlights the subjective nature of safety and how deeply rooted societal fears influence our sense of danger. ⚖️ The Thin Line Between Safety and Overprotection Abby and Alfi discuss the balance between providing enough safety to foster confidence and growth, and the potential danger of overprotecting individuals, which can stifle personal development and the ability to take necessary risks. 📈 Building Confidence Through Safe Spaces Abby shares how safety has been a key factor in building her confidence over the years, emphasizing the importance of creating environments where individuals feel seen and supported. Alfi counters with a discussion on how confidence can also be built by overcoming risk and emerging stronger on the other side. 🧱 Safety as a Temporary Measure for Growth The episode wraps up with a discussion on how safety should be viewed as a temporary measure to enable individuals to gather the strength to take risks. They discuss how to recognize when safety is holding someone back from growth and how communities can foster both safety and risk-taking. 💬 Final Thoughts: Abby and Alfi challenge listeners to reflect on their own relationship with safety and risk, and to consider how these dynamics play out in their personal growth and in the communities they participate in.

In this minisode Alison Gretz and Michelle Keller talk about their experience starting our group “Teams of One Support”, why they signed up to lead at the club, why they wanted to lead in this topic, as well as what they have learned from monthly discussions with our members. In this discussion they cover … * Why they wanted to lead at The Sensemakers Club * What their group has been discussing these last few months * Where they would like to take their topic in the coming months “Teams of One Support” is one of 20+ monthly peer-led discussion groups at the club, so if this group sounds like something you might want in on — chances are there maybe be a few more that might make you curious.

In this special birthday episode of Making Sense of Ourselves, Abby and Alfi explore the significance of the number 42, inspired by The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and reflect on key life lessons that have shaped Abby as she reaches this milestone. Topics in this Episode: 🌌 The Meaning of 42: Abby kicks off the episode by reflecting on the meaning of 42, famously noted in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as the "answer to life, the universe, and everything." For her, the number has become a symbol of life’s mysteries, absurdities, and the process of "turning things upside down to find meaning." 📝 42 Life Lessons: Abby shares a list of 42 life lessons she’s gathered through years of therapy, peer support, and self-help. Rather than reading all 42, she and Alfi select seven that stand out the most, delving into the significance of each and how they’ve shaped Abby’s journey toward greater authenticity. 💪 Lesson 1: You Can Do Hard Things Alfi reflects on Abby’s journey of starting The SenseMakers Club, pointing to a pivotal moment where Abby chose the harder, unknown path instead of sticking to what she already knew. Together, they discuss the importance of embracing challenges for personal growth. 🙅‍♀️ Lesson 2: People-Pleasing is Selfish, Not Selfless Abby unpacks how her history of people-pleasing disguised itself as kindness but ultimately led to inauthenticity. She and Alfi talk about the difference between being nice and being kind, and how prioritizing others' comfort often comes at the expense of personal truth. 🧠 Lesson 3: I Am Not My Thoughts, I Am the Thinker of My Thoughts This lesson explores the separation between our thoughts and our identity. Abby and Alfi discuss how mindfulness practices have helped them both detach from unhelpful thoughts and focus on intentional self-awareness. ⚖️ Lesson 4: The Danger of "Shoulds" Abby dives into the word “should” and how it often masks insecurities and fears. She shares her strategy of transforming "should" statements into "could if" possibilities, shifting from judgment to empowerment. 🛑 Lesson 5: Holding Boundaries Can Save Your Life Abby and Alfi discuss the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries to protect one’s mental and emotional health. Abby reflects on how holding firm boundaries has been instrumental in her recovery from addiction and codependency. 💅 Lesson 6: You Can't Be Bad at People and Good at Your Job Abby shares a formative story about learning to navigate relationships at work. She reflects on the turning point in her career when she realized that excelling at her job required her to also excel at connecting with people. ⏳ Lesson 7: The Days Are Long, But the Weeks Are Short Time moves quickly, and Abby reflects on the paradox of how days can feel long, yet weeks pass in the blink of an eye. Together, she and Alfi explore how being present in the moment is essential to ensuring time doesn't slip away unnoticed.