Have you been questioning the place of productivity in your life or in our culture as a whole? Is productivity something you cling to or repel from in times of stress? Ashley and Katey are rethinking their relationships with getting things done and how self-quarantining has impacted their feelings about our cultural obsession with output and efficiency. We explore the ways that white supremacy culture show up in our work and faith circles in ways that we often fail to recognize and share a bit about the thoughtful leaders who are showing us a new way of being in the world that isn’t all about being productive.
What We’re Reading and Listening To
Katey’s Pick: Listening to Unlocking Us by Brené Brown
This weekly podcast is a mix of interviews and reflections from Brené about how to move through this particular moment we are in. Katey especially loved the first episode on “FFTs” that is all about giving ourselves permission to get a little out of sorts when we’re having a new experience of any kind–good, bad, or neutral. She’s also interviewed people like Tarana Burke, the founder of #MeToo, David Kessler who writes about grief, and Glennon Doyle, author of the new book Untamed. These conversations will breathe new life into you.
Ashley’s Pick: Reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Speaking of Untamed, that’s Ashely’s pick for this episode! It’s all over Instagram right now, probably because the cover of the book itself is so colorful and fun. But that’s not why I like it. The author Glennon Doyle has had an interesting journey. Folks might be familiar with her writing from her blog Momastery, and she’s also written two books, Carry On Warrior and Love Warrior. Her writing is really honest and direct, but full of compassion and kindness. Untamed is a memoir, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s an exploration of what it means to find and listen to and follow your inner voice, even when what your inner voice is telling you goes against everything you’ve been raised and conditioned to believe about yourself and the world. So we better be busting out of quarantine ready to get on with building the world we want to see for each other!
Kindred of the Moment: In Memory of Maeve Kennedy McKean
Katey honors the memory of her friend and colleague Maeve Kennedy McKean and her son Gideon who died in a tragic boating accident. Maeve was a human rights lawyer and an advocate for global health. More than that, she was a friend to so many people. She had an infectious laugh and a generous spirit, and she brought so much light into the world. As much as our hearts grieve for her family, especially her husband and their two other children, Katey is so grateful that she had the opportunity to know her. May her memory inspire us to always work for justice in a way that is passionate and joy-filled and to laugh at ourselves while we do it.
Stuff We Mentioned
- Morgan Linnett’s graphic design Instagram
- All the Ways the Internet is Pushing Hustle Culture
- The Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture
- How the Obsession with Data Hurts Marginalized Communities
- Nonprofit AF
- Austin Channing Brown
- The Nap Ministry