Higher Love with Megan

This week I welcome back the superb Keri Jarvis, who joined me for the episode "Disrupting the Wellness Industry" back in 2024. One of the wisest and most sensible people I have in my circle (as well as suitably radical and feisty - obviously) Keri shares her reflections on the ways we do and do not relate in today's world. Observing how many of the conditions and structures of our lives have rendered us relationally de-skilled, Keri and I explore possibility for communication, honesty, vulnerability, understanding and knowing ourselves and each other in a world which is increasingly polarised, divided and in short - a time of polycrisis!
This is a must-listen episode for how we might actually create the environments and relational dynamics for what Keri calls, liveable futures TOGETHER.

In this episode:
- how systems of capitalism, supremacy and patriarchy have informed the way we interact with one another and in many respects deskilled us.- how mainstream ‘wellness culture’ or ‘Western psychology’ in some ways perpetuates some of these relational challenges, despite best intentions
- how spaces of activism and social change can also mirror relational complexity and cycles of relational harm

eimagining possibility for how we may be together in relational intimacy

About Keri:
Keri Jarvis is a Leftist Coach, Thought Partner & Community Activist supporting people to navigate the relational complexity of the polycrisis.
Keri is deeply interested in how we’ve been relationally de-skilled, and disciplined into seeing ourselves and one another as separate cogs in a machine within Last Stage Capitalism. Her work supports people to develop more agile relationships with themselves, fertilising the possibility of generative, resilient relational dynamics. 
She believes the portals to liveable futures can be entered through our relationships- if only we can bear to be perceived.
To contact Keri: https://www.kerijarvis.com/

Key Topics:
Relational de-skilling under capitalism
The paradox of intimacy and estrangement
Impact of wellness culture on relationships
Strategies for relational courage and vulnerability
Reimagining community through radical engagement
The role of boundaries and grey areas in connection
The importance of compassion and self-awareness
Activism and relational work in social change

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and guest background
02:10 The relational paradox: desire for intimacy vs. fear of being known
05:01 Impact of capitalism and social systems on relational skills
09:02 The influence of wellness culture and individualism
15:02 Reimagining community through radical engagement
19:53 The importance of relational complexity and uncertainty
24:48 The role of boundaries and self-awareness in relationships
30:10 Practicing honesty and vulnerability in social change
35:05 The power of small acts of kindness and connection
39:56 Developing courage and compassion in activism
45:02 The potential of strangers and everyday interactions
49:56 Self-compassion and growth through relational challenges
01:00:07 Course announcement and closing remarks

Resources:
Radical Intimacy by Sophie K. Rosa
Experiments in Imagining Otherwise by Lola Olufemi
The Second Body by Daisy Hilgard
George Monbiot at The Guardian
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Love in a Fucked Up World by Dean Spade
Collaborating with the Enemy by Adam Kahane
Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems: The Catalytic Power of Radical Engagement with Adam Kahane
The Portal e-learning platform: https://collective.jointheportal.com/about-the-portal-collective

If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5* review or take a moment to review the show - this makes a massive difference in helping more people find the conversations. Thank you for tuning in!

We're back! How better to arrive back than bring you the conversation I had the pleasure and honour of moderating in person back in May at Palestine House organised by the Galilee Foundation as part of a week-long series of events to commemorate the anniversary of the Nakba.
This conversation was between the celebrated voices of solidarity, Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos and Palestinian Nakba survivor Antoine Raffoul. 
Stephen and Antoine are two survivors from different tragedies but united in their similar experiences of catastrophe. Together they share common stories of resilience, hope and resistance.
This conversation highlights their lived experiences, reflections on justice, and visions for rebuilding Palestine through their shared lenses as architects. This event also illustrates the importance of storytelling as a form of resistance. Antoine and Stephen remind us that hope, coordination, and international solidarity are essential in confronting ongoing injustices. Their stories underscore that history may repeat, but collective action can lead to meaningful change.

At the event we also saw the debut screening of SURVIVORS - a documentary chronicling the lives of Stephen and Antoine brought to us by award-winning film-makers Think, Make, Create founded by Jacqui Beaumont and Andrea Kapos, Stephen's daughter. WATCH THIS TEASER NOW!

Please consider a donation to the Galilee Foundation and or the crowdfunder set up to bring SURVIVORS to our screens worldwide! All links below:

The Galilee Foundation: https://www.galileefoundation.org.uk/
Think Make Create: https://thinkmakecreate.com/
SURVIVORS Documentary Official Teaser: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=69D-zrUipmw
SURVIVORS Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/survivors-campaign#
The New Arab article: https://www.newarab.com/features/two-survivors-one-struggle-holocaust-nakba-and-gaza

In Part 2 of this two-part episode "Meet the Angry Young Women" Megan and Dr Phoebe o'Brien @tenshioppai address the article of the same title in The New Statesman in which they and a handful of British women were misrepresented and manufactured into what the journalist branded 'The Femosphere'. Megan and Phoebe continue to address the missing realities and contexts behind the words and look at the raw polling data to draw differing conclusions.

Chapters
00:00 Recap from Part 1
02:23 The Intersectionality of Feminism and Activism
03:31 Art and Performance: A Feminist Perspective
05:35 Chronic Pain and Feminism: A Personal Narrative
07:02 The Intersection of Gender and Systemic Issues
08:44 Medical Misogyny and Women's Health
09:37 Misrepresentation of Women's Experiences
10:15 The Impact of War on Activism
14:09 Gender Dynamics in Activism
14:09 Radicalization Through Global Events
16:31 Emotional Responses to Conflict
18:07 The Value of Life and Gendered Perspectives
22:40 Political Alignment in Relationships
26:06 The Role of Data in Understanding Relationships
26:59 The Importance of Shared Values in Relationships
29:02 Privilege and Political Alignment
30:57 Understanding Political Views and Relationships
32:42 The Impact of Capitalism on Family Planning
34:33 Reproductive Autonomy and Economic Independence
37:02 Social Reproductive Labor and Gender Expectations
39:15 The Need for Alternative Family Structures
41:33 Perceptions of Privilege and Fear in Relationships
45:41 The Role of Advocacy and Activism in Women's Lives
49:54 The Power of Women in Social Justice

If you enjoy the conversation, please consider rating the show or leaving a review. Share with anyone else who would appreciate the conversation and see you soon!

In this episode, Megan Cooper and Dr. Phoebe O'Brien @tenshioppai critically analyse the recent article in The New Statesman entitled 'Meet the Angry Young Women' in which they, and a handful of other British women, were misrepresented and had their work repackaged to manufacture a 'Femosphere'. Together, they trawl the article offering rebuttal and clarity, comb through the raw data and discuss perspectives on gender politics and media portrayal.

Key Themes:
Media misrepresentation of women
Analysis of polling data and its biases
Systemic roots of capitalism and patriarchy

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
06:10 Context of the 'Angry Young Women' Article
11:16 Exploring the Article's Claims
15:26 Conflating Feminism with Extremism
19:22 Capitalism and Women's Autonomy
25:07 Understanding Capitalism and Its Impact on Women
26:13 The Rise of Pro-Socialist Sentiment Among Youth
27:20 Misrepresentation of Feminist Voices in Media
28:43 The Complexity of Women's Experiences and Trauma
31:34 Data Insights on Gender Relations and Safety
34:06 Navigating Patriarchy: Women's Perspectives
38:11 The Role of Protests in Social Change
43:03 The Intersectionality of Feminism and Activism

Part 2 will follow soon!

In this insightful interview, David Chambers shares his journey from a wild, adventurous life to becoming a men's coach focused on emotional connection, masculinity, and relationship health. He discusses societal narratives around masculinity, the impact of the man box, and practical ways men can evolve to create deeper, more authentic relationships.

About David:
David is a dating, relationships & intimacy coach for men. After growing up in a single-parent, female-dominated home with no male role model in his life, David struggled to understand what masculinity and a healthy romantic relationship entailed. After spending most of his 20s in meaningless dynamics and avoiding commitment. He went on a personal journey towards authenticity, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, purpose, harnessing his sexual energy, vulnerability, presence, openness, and honesty. Through this learning, he was able to break free from gender stereotypes and societal expectations of what a ‘real’ man should be to become his true and authentic self.  He is now in a loving partnership with a son and supports other men to find more fulfilment in dating, love and relationship.

Key Themes:
Societal narratives around masculinity and the man box
The impact of childhood imprints and societal conditioning
The role of vulnerability and emotional expression in men's lives
Practical steps for men to develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence
The influence of the Manosphere and alternative narratives on men's perceptions

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to David Chambers
02:15 David's Journey into Coaching
05:58 The Impact of Breakups on Personal Growth
11:28 Understanding Masculinity and Relationship Patterns
15:58 Avoidance and Emotional Challenges in Men
20:59 The Man Box and Its Effects on Men
26:11 Navigating the Manosphere and Finding Authenticity
30:19 Bridging the Gap: From 'I'm Fine' to Self-Awareness
31:36 Unpacking Emotional Catharsis
35:14 The Challenge of Personal Growth in Relationships
40:26 Navigating Masculinity in Modern Society
47:56 Confronting Societal Issues: Violence Against Women
54:51 Finding Hope Amidst Chaos

To connect with David:
Instagram - @theauthenticman
Website - https://www.theauthenticman.net/
YouTube -  ⁨@TheAuthenticMan⁩