Your host, Susi Vine invites you to consider what it takes to rebuild connection and make progress toward peace during divisive times, especially as families come together in the holiday season. By seeking common ground while maintaining clear boundaries, we can look beyond political positions to see the person behind them. Susi highlights how selection, interpretation, and differing standards of proof shape beliefs, common patterns of simplified thinking that lead us to sort complex disputes into heroes and villains, and the influence of confirmation bias and motivated reasoning in how we shape algorithms and navigate our news feed. She offers reflective questions to challenge assumptions, and suggestions to reconnect across differences with curiosity, awareness, and authenticity rather than shame or rigid expectations. 

Inside this episode:

• 01:18 Why Peace Matters Now
• 04:31 Holiday Table Tensions
• 06:11 Curiosity Over Assumptions
• 09:36 Start With Yourself
• 10:28 Confirmation Bias Explained
• 17:00 Motivated Reasoning
• 20:59 Challenging Beliefs – Not only Theirs
• 25:14 Algorithms and Outrage
• 32:50 Engage Beyond the Scroll

Other recent episodes exploring authentic expression: 

• Compassionate Boundaries: Care Without Burning Out 
• Whose Permission Matters? Moving Beyond People Pleasing + Trusting Yourself  
• Who’s Defending You? Boundaries, People Pleasing + Finding Your Voice  

Search all episodes of Happified by topic at happifiedlife.com, and join the conversation in the Live with Less Stress facebook group.  

The information in this podcast, or in any linked materials, are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any specific health problem, and it is not a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.  The content of this podcast is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice.  It provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects that are deemed reliable at the time of production.  

Always consult with your health care provider so that they can address your specific situation with all the information and knowledge they need in order to provide the fullest extent of medical support that you require. 

Be well, and thrive!