Ep 69 Hope is a Verb with Emily Ehlers

Emily Ehlers describes herself as an illustrator, writer, environmentalist + very bad dancer. We know her as the lass whose witty and poignant pieces combine art and activism in the greatest possible way. Today Em speaks with Jade about writing a book about hope as a self-proclaimed anxious person, humour as a tool for resilience, mental health truths, value stacking and all kinds of good stuff that’ll, with any luck, lift you in this time of uncertainty. Em has a new book out called Hope Is A Verb, so be sure to check it out if you like what you hear!SHOW NOTESWriting a book about hope as an anxious personFinding reassurance in the doingBecoming a lighthouse that attracts like minded peopleBeing aware of confirmation bias; actively being open to those you disagree withUsing family to trial how you manage differing opinionsSeeking to understand and then be understoodBeing more radical than the angle you present publicly for the sake of shifting the needleProviding tools that allow people to ‘enter the arena’ Humour as a tool for resilienceFuelling our psyche with hopeHope isn't a stagnant thing, what it needs to be is ‘active hope’Having self compassion and understanding that we're humanThe things that make us most human are also the things which make us our most magnificentGoing off antidepressants in order to write a book about hope and feeling the feelingsGetting kids to know their values and to live within themGiving kids more credit than we doValue stackingBeing aware of your marinadeInoculating yourself against regret Learning to unlearn takes balls, gumption and desireAcknowledging that we are in the system that dominates us and we just need to do our best with what we haveGently shifting narrative so that people want to join you not run from youRebuilding cultureThinking of self like a veggie patch: seasonal, phased, nurtured from the ground upJust start. Pick a thing. Stop over analysing and just do.LINKS YOU'LL LOVEEm Ehlers on InstagramHope is a Verb ~ Emily Ehlers  Brenna Quinlan on InstagramThe Unexpected Joy of Being Sober ~ Catherine GreyPaul HawkenSir Ken Robinson ~ Do schools kill creativity?Support the show