Having Tough Conversations about Social Influence and Suicide
We definitely don’t shy away from having tough conversations on the Financial Griot Podcast. Following the jarring meltdown of famous actor Will Smith and his attack on Chris Rock, we can’t help but feel sadness.
People are having a hard time. And it’s time that we recognize that.
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Having Tough Conversations During Hard times
With the return to work in full swing, there are bound to be disagreements. Depression rates tripled and symptoms intensified during first year of COVID-19.
Unfortunately, “Rates of depression did not decrease over time, nor did they stay the same — surprisingly, they went up,” said lead author Catherine Ettman, a doctoral candidate at Brown’s School of Public Health and chief of staff and director of strategic initiatives in the Office of the Dean at Boston University’s School of Public Health.
Verbalizing your thoughts and feelings, no matter how difficult, is important part of sustaining a healthy and happy brain.
Difficult conversations are a necessary part of working well with others. Reaching an understanding is often the first step to healing and growth. Meanwhile, avoiding conflict can create distance and issues.
In the workplace, ignored conversations lead to lower engagement and productivity. At home, this leads to isolation, anger, trauma and even suicidal ruminations.
Here are a few Tips for Handling Tough Conversations with Family (University of Maryland)
Addressing an issue with a family member can be stressful, but with the right tools, you can keep the conversation productive. Use these tips:
- Prepare. Always prepare ahead of time to ensure a positive outcome.
- Set a time and place. Time and environment matters. We all live busy lives, and sometimes it’s best to set a time and place for a difficult conversation so that all parties involved can devote equal attention. Choose somewhere quiet and free from distraction.
- Develop and share some ground rules. They go a long way toward establishing a positive connection between you and your family member.
- When someone is speaking, listen without the intent to reply. The goal is to receive information and work things through together. Try to exam your prior assumptions of events and how they are seen in another lens.
- Be OK with being wrong. Too often, we are taught that might makes right. Instead, you may actually learn something. You might be wrong even when you have done everything right.
Why We Excel at Having a Podcast that Address Tough Conversations
The Financial Griot is a play on two words (Finance + Griot) that hold significance in closing the racial wealth gap.
Merriam-Webster defines a Griot as a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a leader due to their position as an advisor to royal personages.
As such, we tell the stories and most importantly we tackle hard subjects. The goal of tough conversations isn’t to be right but to grow and learn. We can honestly say that these podcast episodes changed us individually.
The episodes or stories allow us the opportunity to dig deeper and uncover a better version of ourselves. Beyond that, we talk about Finances too. Specifically, how to become Financially literate, incorporating actionable steps and ultimately building generational wealth.
Connect with TFG Crew and to quote Will Smith, “Be our fierce protectors” but don’t hurt others though
- Alainta Alcin – Blogger, Travel and Money Enthusiast @alainta_alcin
- Lovely Merdelus – Entrepreneur and Small Business Growth Specialist @lovelymerdelus
- Lawrence Delva-Gonzalez – Federal Auditor, Blogger and Tax Specialist @theneighborhoodfinanceguy
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