Rev. Dorie Goehring (she/her) is Assistant Rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jamaica Plain, and a PhD candidate in Comparative Theology and Bioethics at Boston College. She is also a member of the founding board of the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative. Her dissertation focuses on Christian and Muslim approaches to prenatal genetic testing ethics. In her spare time, she roots for Pittsburgh sports teams, drinks a lot of tea, and plays RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons.
keywords love, relationships, belonging, acceptance, community, human connection, self-awareness, personal growth, emotional intelligence, spirituality, personal needs, boundaries, human condition, community, digital age, authenticity, curiosity, resilience
summary In this conversation, Sage and Dorie explore the multifaceted nature of love, relationships, and belonging. They discuss the metaphor of love as a mosaic, emphasizing the importance of accepting differences and finding connection despite them. The dialogue delves into the challenges of feeling truly accepted and the complexities of human relationships, highlighting the need for communities rooted in love rather than fear. They reflect on the evolution of structures within communities, particularly in the context of inclusivity and acceptance, and the ongoing journey of self-awareness and personal growth in navigating relationships. In this conversation, Dorie and Sage explore the complexities of personal needs, boundaries, and the human condition. They discuss the importance of understanding one's feelings and the necessity of communication in relationships. The dialogue delves into the challenges of authentic connections in both virtual and real-life communities, emphasizing the role of curiosity and the fragility of societal systems. They reflect on the need for resilience and the creation of non-extractive community spaces that foster genuine interactions.
takeaways
* Love is not about finding perfect matches but about connection.
* The image of love as a mosaic highlights our differences and connections.
* True belonging involves accepting oneself even when feeling out of place.
* Communities rooted in love create safe spaces for individuals.
* Liturgy and structure should serve the purpose of love and connection.
* Navigating relationships requires self-awareness and understanding of one's needs.
* It's essential to recognize that we will always miss aspects of each other.
* Communities can evolve to be more inclusive and loving over time.
* Creative tensions in relationships can lead to growth and understanding.
* Self-reflection is key to understanding personal boundaries and needs. It's okay to need what you need.
* Understanding feelings takes time and reflection.
* People generally act from a place of love, not malice.
* Authentic relationships require a foundation of love.
* Parasocial relationships lack the depth of real connections.
* Community is essential for human thriving.
* Curiosity can bridge gaps between individuals.
* We must recognize the fragility of our societal systems.
* Creating non-extractive spaces fosters genuine community.
* Navigating individuality and community is a delicate balance.
titles
* The Mosaic of Love: Finding Connection in Differences
* Navigating the Complexities of Belonging
* Communities of Love: Building Safe Spaces
* The Evolution of Relationships: From Fear to Love
* Creative Tensions: Embracing Differences in Relationships
* Understanding Love: A Journey Through Connection
Sound Bites
* "What is love?"
* "Love is the stuff in the mosaic."
* "We need to get clear about what we are."
* "We're always going to screw it up."
* "Communities rooted in love create safety."
* "The liturgy is not the end goal."
* "We need to get better at holding that."
* "How do we live side by side?"
* "I have needs. I'm allowed to say that."
* "It takes time to understand our feelings."
* "People are not trying to piss you off."
* "Curiosity creates community."
* "The bow does not exist."
Chapters
00:00 Exploring the Nature of Love
04:10 The Mosaic of Relationships
09:44 Belonging and Acceptance
15:53 Navigating Human Connections
21:14 Communities Rooted in Love
27:10 The Evolution of Structures
29:56 Creative Tensions in Relationships
34:40 Navigating Personal Needs and Boundaries
37:02 The Human Condition: Learning from Failures
38:28 Understanding Human Motivations and Connections
41:21 The Challenge of Authentic Relationships
43:59 Parasocial vs. Real Relationships
49:04 The Importance of Community in a Digital Age
52:33 Creating Non-Extractive Community Spaces
56:00 Curiosity as a Catalyst for Connection
59:58 The Fragility of Systems and Community Resilience
Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com
