Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that “promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves or another against a bigger, stronger, heavier assailant by using proper technique, leverage, and most notably, by taking the fight to the ground.” (Wikipedia)
As women–and some men–continue to come forward with accusations of sexual assault and sexual harassment against some of our nation’s most powerful men through the #metoo movement, we are all being forced to grapple with the painful reality of gender-based abuse and oppression–And sometimes it gets ugly. Why did this reckoning come, and why now? Is it really a reckoning or is it an overreaction? And who’s really being treated most unfairly these days?
Dr. Jamie Marich, an emotional trauma expert, expressive arts counsellor, writer, and student of Jiu-Jitsu talks with Dan about how we can overcome the gender divide through sharing our experiences with one another, having open and honest conversations and actively listening.
She and Dan also share some useful insights on how women and men can work through anger and grief in ways that help them connect with one another, learn from one another, and help one another take the fight against gender discrimination to the ground.
Practical & Tactical
- Form platonic friendships with members of the “opposite sex” and people across the gender spectrum. Building the kinds of solid, validating, relationships we may have lacked in our childhood and/or early adulthood helps us to grow.
- Explore safe, thriving, and adaptive activities–like martial arts or support groups–where women can express their anger, and men can express their grief, and have it witnessed in a non-judgmental way.
- Face-to-face conversations are a lot more productive than online battles. When you notice that you are having a visceral reaction to social media discussions or internet news reports, take it to your therapist or a trusted friend to discuss.
About Our Guest
Jamie Marich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, REAT, RMT travels internationally speaking on topics related to EMDR therapy, trauma, addiction, expressive arts and mindfulness while maintaining a private practice in her home base of Warren, OH. She is the developer of the Dancing Mindfulness practice (www.dancingmindfulness.com). Jamie is the author of EMDR Made Simple: 4 Approaches for Using EMDR with Every Client (2011), Trauma and the Twelve Steps: A Complete Guide for Recovery Enhancement (2012), and Trauma Made Simple: Competencies in Assessment, Treatment, and Working with Survivors. Her newest book, Dancing Mindfulness: A Creative Path to Healing and Transformation released in the Fall of 2015. She is currently working on her latest book (in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Dansiger) EMDR Therapy and Mindfulness for Trauma-Focused Care (due out with Springer Publishing in 2017).
Mentioned in This Episode
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness
“For Guys Reading #MeToo Testimonies,” Courtney Martin, OnBeing
“pro tip: louis fucking ck,” KatyKatiKate
