In this mini episode of "Brave Hearts Speak", host Lucia Severtson shares a personal story about her challenging partnership with the nonprofit Mountain Sisterhood. She explores subtle forms of abuse and hierarchy disguised as community, describing emotional labor, dismissal, and the importance of reciprocity. Lucia reframes the question from "Do they want me?" to "Do I want them?" and encourages listeners to seek genuine, co-creative spaces. The episode offers insights on recognizing covert abuse, building true community, and choosing environments that honor one's worth and bravery.
Timestamps
Story Introduction: Community or Hierarchy? (00:01:40) Introduces the main story about discerning true community from disguised hierarchy and subtle abuse.
Initial Partnership with Mountain Sisterhood (00:03:06) Describes the beginnings of the partnership, initial impressions, and early signs of imbalance.
Pre-Hike Dread & Group Dynamics (00:07:58) Shares feelings of dread before the hike, lack of excitement, and uncertainty about co-leadership.
The Hike: Coldness and Exclusion (00:09:15) Describes the hike day, lack of recognition as co-leader, and the cold, unwelcoming group atmosphere.
Reflection on Abuse and Community (00:13:15) Calls out the subtle abuse experienced, discusses expectations in community, and urges braver participation.
Takeaways: Partnership, Generosity, and Standards (00:16:58) Shares three key lessons: true partnership, co-creating safety, and shifting the question to "Do I want this?"
Powerful Quotes from the Episode
'I cannot approach things from the question of do they want me anymore? Am I good enough for them? The question has got to start being are they what I want? And do they meet my standards? And for me, the answer is no.'
RESOURCES:
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