Eileen Flanagan on Activism
If you want to better your world, but worry that you’re just one person, this episode of Woman Worriers will inspire you. Host Elizabeth Cush interviews Eileen Flanagan, an author, instructor and activist, about how women can channel their anxiety about big issues into a powerful force for change.
“I think the message we’ve gotten that it’s all on us to change our light bulbs is actually been unhelpful because it adds to the sense of despair that people have.”
Show Notes:
What big issues keep you up at night? Are you worried about climate change? Racism? Access to healthcare? You may feel anxious because you feel powerless to fix the issue or because you’re not doing enough. In this episode of the Woman Worriers podcast, host Elizabeth Cush, LCPC, of Progression Counseling in Annapolis, Md., welcomes climate change activist Eileen Flanagan, an award-winning author, speaker and online instructor, for an enlightening discussion on how women can empower themselves to help make important changes in the world. The activist shares insights she gained through her experience with the Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT), which successfully pressured one of the largest banks in the US to stop financing mountaintop removal coal mining, and offers words of encouragement to women who are trying to find their voice on the issues that matter.
Listen and learn:
What made a difference for one activist who felt her individual climate change efforts weren’t enough
What EQAT achieved through group action
Why it might be helpful to change how you think about effecting change
The kinds of changes you could help make happen in your local community
The four roles that play a part in successful social change movements
How the four roles of social change played out in the Rosa Parks story
Why women might find activism daunting
How to approach individual activism without becoming overwhelmed
How to talk to family and friends about change and why it needs be different from how you approach legislators and other leaders
Why it’s important to confront leaders about injustice
Where to learn about direct action that is rooted in love
Why polarization hold out hope for progress
What you need to know to prepare yourself before making big public gestures or statements
Where to find resources for finding your voice and impacting the world
Learn More:
> Eileen Flanagan’s website
> Eileen Flanagan on Instagram
> Eileen Flanagan on Twitter
> Eileen Flanagan on Facebook
> Eileen Flanagan’s newsletter sign up
> Building a Non-Violent Direct Action Campaign Eileen Flanagan’s online course
> The Four Roles of Social Change video
> George Lakey’s bio
> Bill McKibben’s website
> Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change by Sherri Mitchell
> Tara Mohr’s website
> Woman Worriers on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook & Twitter
> Woman Worriers Group on Facebook
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