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Episode 280: A One-Stop Conversation in Building Relational Literacy Since our 19-year-old daughter, Olivia, turned me on to Guest Mentor Dr. Melanie Joy, I have been devouring her books, podcast conversations, and TEDTALKs. I appreciate her so much and am thrilled to share our transformative podcast conversation. Melanie is an amazingly gifted, brilliant social psychologist, theorist, educator, and international award-winning author of six books. She is a pioneer with a global mission in raising awareness of the obstacles preventing people from interacting in ways that create a sense of mutual connection. These obstacles are both internal (psychological) and external (social), and they are a key reason why we act against our own interests and the interests of others—often without realizing that we’re doing so. With awareness, we can think freely and act compassionately to create healthier and more fulfilling relationships and a more equitable and sustainable world. She says, “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” She has been influential in raising my awareness and has helped me transform my behaviors in three areas we talk about: how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the world at large. Today we discuss one of her six books. A one-stop guide to building relational literacy, Getting Relationships Right: How to Build Resilience and Thrive in Life, Love, and Work. We haven’t been taught relational literacy. As a result, we are in the dark ages. You will understand more as you listen. Our conversation will facilitate your ability to move the pendulum toward healthier relating, even a little bit of movement makes a difference. Some of the gems in our conversation include: How we have bought into the narratives that drive unconscious choices. The mentality and thinking behind nonrelational behaviors. Two sides of the nonrelational and relational coin. The Formula for Healthy Relating. Tips for Healthy Expressing. Solving life’s more pressing problems start with learning relational literacy. Hear how that is possible and how it relates to the problems you are solving through your business entity. Melanie joins me in conversation from Berlin, Germany, where she lives with her husband and colleague, Sebastian Joy. They are interdependent, powerful together, and apart. Successful in their own right and connected in their life work. You will learn how they practice healthy relating personally and as world leaders. Sebastian is transforming food systems by working with world leaders replacing conventional animal products with plant-based and cultured alternatives. Melanie is building relational literacy facilitating transformation in how we participate in the invisible belief system, or ideology, that conditions us to eat certain animals, known as carnism. A term coined by Melanie in 2001. A transformative conversation you won’t want to miss. DOWNLOAD Podcast Sponsor Strategies to Grow Your Business Monthly Bookkeeping Payroll Services Back Office Strategies and Support Contact Us Now Episode Resources Relational Literacy Relational Literacy — Melanie JoyBeyond Carnism – Q&A with Dr. Melanie Joy! | Facebook Sebastian Joy VEBU, German Vegetarian Society – Sebastian Joy – Bing video Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do the following three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Bring awareness to relating and interacting with others this week. Turn your focus inward and ask yourself, do I feel emotionally connected and secure with the person I am talking with?