Unpacking the Box of Shame with Arc Telos Saint Amour

*This episode comes with a content warning for discussions about sexual and physical violence which may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, it’s not your fault. You are not alone. If you need support, Help is available 24/7 through the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE and https://hotline.rainn.org/online. The Trevor Project’s trained counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678-678.Arc Telos “Tay” Saint Amour (they/them) shares the roots of their social justice origin story, discussing experiences including the impact of childhood abuse, violence, abandonment, and systemic oppression on them as a trans, queer, and neurodivergent person. In making connections to how their earlier experiences informed their approach to activism for social justice, Tay also explores the role of shame in preventing social progress and growth at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. Tay calls for us all to engage in the work of being honest with ourselves, critical of ourselves and our systems; highlighting the importance of storytelling in driving social justice and the importance of introspection and openness in creating a more equitable world. They also urge listeners to truthfully engage with their own stories and to consider future generations in their actions.Connect with Tay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arctelossaintamour/ Visit Arc Telos Consulting: https://www.arctelosconsulting.com/ Learn about the work of Youth Move National: https://youthmovenational.org/00:00 Content Warning and Introduction00:41 The Power of Shame06:36 Social Justice Origin Stories07:45 Introducing Tay Saint Amour08:29 Tay's Background and Identities10:51 Early Activations and Challenges19:58 Violence and Abandonment36:22 Navigating Social Justice Work53:28 Confronting Personal Shame55:00 The Power of Storytelling55:48 America's Shame Box57:12 Influences and Inspirations59:04 Identity and Realization01:02:58 High School Struggles01:07:49 Positive Role Models01:14:29 Privilege and Perspective01:21:52 Navigating Systemic Challenges01:30:52 The Weight of Shame and Storytelling01:31:34 Navigating Personal Boundaries and Capacity01:33:18 The Complex Relationship with Rest and Trust01:36:00 Resilience and Systemic Oppression01:37:56 Capitalism and the Burden of Self-Care01:41:41 The Consulting Dilemma01:45:07 The Insidious Nature of Capitalism01:50:31 The Power of Storytelling02:04:05 A Call to Action for Future Generations02:07:15 Closing Remarks and Call to SupportSupport the podcast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStoriesVisit the Social Justice Origin Stories Project Website: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com Subscribe to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStoriesListen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991 Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Spotify: https://open.spoti...