The Counseling Convos Podcast Season 1 Episode 5: Fringe Identity

The Jungle is a 1906 novel by the American journalist and novelist Upton Sinclair (1878–1968). Sinclair wrote the novel to portray the harsh conditions and exploited the lives of immigrants in the United States in Chicago and similar industrialized cities. His primary purpose in describing the meat industry and its working conditions was to advance socialism in the United States. However, most readers were more concerned with several passages exposing health violations and unsanitary practices in the American meatpacking industry during the early 20th century, which greatly contributed to a public outcry which led to reforms including the Meat Inspection Act. Sinclair famously said of the public reaction, "I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident, I hit it in the stomach."Unintended Consequences come in many shapes and can have a long-lasting impact on people's lives. It can impact identity, cultures, history, and sometimes our very existence.  For Madeline Coburn, an unintended consequence left her to be identified as legally deceased for 10 years! This is a Remarkable story about a women's life that is filled with mysteries and in some ways is still unresolved.  Madeline is not allowed to vote, because she was listed as not even living! Her story was featured on CNN!There are naturally difficult situations in life, death, accidents, injuries, arguments, job losses. But sometimes the universe throws a curveball, something completely out of the left field. Something we are not expecting in any way what so ever.  When I first read The Jungle, I found it so intriguingly eerie how one's identity can be easily formed by the setting in which they live and work. At the turn of the century, in which the book is framed, the main character and his young wife struggle to survive as they fall deeply into debt and become prey to con men. Debt is something most people can somewhat relate to. —- Being subject to experience completely unfamiliar can be traumatic. The effect, long-lasting.Finding the Funny Mallori DeSalle (Integrated Care Change Agent (Indiana University/ Truman State University) NCC (nationally certified counselor LMHC (licensed mental health counselor CCMHC (Certified clinical Health counselor) - If there's letters to be acquired, shes got em. - She views Humor as a clinical tool, motivational interviewing or screening, and brief interventions. (She speaks/ trains/ facilitates in all these areas)  -Mallori confronts the case that humor in counseling is an avoidance response and in some ways a defense mechanism. She shared that it can be our body's way of surviving, allowing us to feel something other than the painful emotions we might carry. Listen to her take and how to distinguish between a healthy response and an avoidant one.Mallori DeSalletwitter: @malgaldesalleWebsite: www.laffirmationstation.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallori-desalle-4918378Madeline CoburnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coburnenterprise