Posts by Traci Ruble
You Really Screwed Up AND You Are Lovable
I teach listening and value empathy. A lot. As Carl Rogers says, “[Empathy] just feels damn good.” (If you need a primer on empathy, here is a video that makes it fun and easy to learn about.) I want every human to experience as much good listening and empathy as possible because it is the…
The Best Way to Remember Carrie Fisher, George Michael and our other lost heroes.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/300147700″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] I don’t know about you, but 2016 has taken way too many of my heroes. I’m pretty pissed that I’m supposed to survive without George Michael, Carrie Fisher, Bowie, Cohen, Prince. Losing these lives who symbolized my youth shook me with the too sudden awareness of my mortality…
Listening to Complaining: A Response to INC. Magazine
Judging complainers instead of listening harms rather than helps organizations and communities and directly impacts our collective mental health.
Today is World Day of Listening
Why not give someone in your life your full, listening attention for a few moments today? You might just change their world.
How To Talk To Other Parents About Conflict Between Children
I am a successful businesswoman. I am a successful entrepreneur. I am a successful psychotherapist. And yet, in talking to other parents about conflict between my children and theirs, I frequently feel like a failure. Why is this such a challenge, and not just for me, but for most parents I speak to? How and…
Mothers Rising Strong: A Manifesto & Short Film
When I became a mother nine years ago, I underestimated what a big deal it was. I remember a friend without children said to me “I don’t understand why becoming a mother is such a radical life transformation. There are other experiences in life that I think are just as monumental.” She may be right.…
You Don’t Have To Be Your Crazy Family’s Packmule (or anyone else’s)
Family dynamics can be rough and even rougher on into adulthood. If your family is governed by judgement, blame or scapegoating it begs the question “Do I simply embrace and accept this because this is flesh and blood?” or “Do I walk from this because it doesn’t serve them or me?” No family is perfect. You know that. A…
Everyone Has A Donald Trump Living Inside of Them
Have you seen the latest fast reel of Trump stereotypes and the things he says about women and rally protesters? Ooph. It kills me. Republican or Democrat, Left or Right, it is pretty alarming for women or anyone who believes in nonviolence to watch that real. This election season, more than any other, I have…
Keeping Your Relationship Thriving, Part 1: Up Your Listening Game
How many times have you heard “relationships take effort?” Was this advice offered up smugly, with one of those close-mouthed grins of sympathy? Maybe you nodded furtively in response and vowed to remember date nights no matter how busy you got. Wait, what? Date nights are not the magic elixir. Don’t get me wrong, time…
Love and Anger: How to Talk Effectively About Controversial Topics
Love has been on my mind. Not the kind that couples cling to around a warm fire, but the Lenny-Kravitz-love-ethic of letting love rule in our discourse around controversial topics such as racial justice, poverty, the environment and terrorism. I know that I, the woman who wrote an article titled “F*&K Positive Thinking” and a…
Interview with Kevin Gordon about Shine On Short Film Series & Living For Unexpected Passions
Shine On opens people’s minds to the possible uses of their free time and inspires them to dig their old passions out of their closets!
Interview with Kelsey Crowe from Help Each Other Out on Empathy Etiquette
We all have impulses to help people who are hurting but Help Each Other out teaches true empathy etiquette that really helps.