American Collective Consciousness: A Conversation with Molly Merson
Episode description
This conversation undulates between the current state and issues within our collective consciousness as Americans living in today’s social and political climate to the individual in how we deal with self-reflection, trauma, and loss--beautifully illustrating the now proverbial rally cry, “The personal is political.”
Rebecca and Berkeley-based therapist Molly Merson, MFT cover it all, from our political “parents” to our collective infancy on the internet, to grief and loss and metabolizing trauma, capitalism and gift-giving culture, community mindset and collaboration, to technology, parenting, psychoanalytic theory, and the choices we have in suicide versus end-of-life. It all comes down to what we are able to hold and how two minds metabolizing together can disrupt repeat patterns.
Trigger Warning: If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States at 1-800-273-8255
Molly also wrote a follow up blog post since we recorded to fill in some blanks, it's well worth a read and available at mollymerson.com/blog/problems-of-suicide-freud.
Resources Referenced in this Episode:
Podcast: On Being episode “Growing Up the Internet”
Wilfred Bion’s ideas on alpha and beta elements in projective identification
Thomas Ogden’s ideas on parent/child relationships and the processing of trauma
Podcast: How to Survive the End of the World
Co-founders of Black Lives Matter, Alicia Garza (activist, writer, public speaker) and Patrisse Cullors (artist and activist)
Howard Thurman’s quote, “Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Book: Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl
Where to find Molly: