Reframing Me
So many prepare us for the transition to motherhood, but no one prepares us for how hard the transition out is, and once our kids become teens, it also can feel very solitary. The issues we face with teens are often ones we need to talk about, yet feel we can't or shouldn't. Together, we can create a community of women who, faced with growing children and changing families, are relearning how to mom, and relearning who they are as women. Grounded in family communication theory, join Dr. Jennifer Brubaker to have those conversations to help you better understand this new chapter of your life. Episodes focus on both family communication with our teens and reflection and self discovery. Dr. Brubaker has her Ph.D in Communication Studies and is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she has taught for 17 years. Prior to UNCW, she taught at The Ohio State University, Kent State University and the University of Toledo. Originally from Ohio, Jen lives in Wilmington, NC, with her husband, three children, three dogs, cat and a menagerie of small animals. She loves spending time with her family, traveling and all things fitness, sports and wellness. Reach out with your questions, issues or experiences to begin the conversation. Or reach out to say hi and let me know you’re listening :) Join the Reframing Me: The Podcast Community Facebook group to connect with others who are looking to relearn how to parent, now that their kids are teens, and rediscover who they are as women, beyond the framework of motherhood. Send emails to jen@reframing-me.com; or on socials: Reframing Me on FacebookAND join the Facebook group Reframing Me: The Podcast Community; @reframingme on Instagram; Reframing Me on YouTube @reframingme on TikTok
Reframing Me
Reframing the Conversation Part 2: How Did We Get Here???
Thank you for being here for this important and timely conversation! Part 2 explores the growing political polarization in society and its impact on family relationships, emphasizing the importance of understanding how political divisions have intensified. It traces the evolution of media, from traditional gatekeepers like newspapers and radio to the rise of social media, which has exacerbated political dissension by creating echo chambers and spreading misinformation. The episode explains how platforms like Facebook and Twitter have deepened societal divisions by reinforcing users' pre-existing beliefs, leading to selective exposure, perception, and retention of information.
It also highlights the role of cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, in shaping political opinions and creating a fragmented society. Historical examples, such as the 1828 U.S. election, are used to demonstrate that political negativity is not new but has intensified due to the evolving media landscape.
The discussion outlines the "perfect storm" of modern factors, including the media environment, the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and political events like the 2020 U.S. election, which have led to unprecedented political dissension and strained family dynamics. Theories like Social Judgment Theory and Cognitive Dissonance are introduced to explain how people become entrenched in their political views, often rejecting contradictory information that threatens their core identity.
By understanding these factors, individuals can improve their communication strategies and work toward healthier discussions in their families, focusing on empathy, active listening, and reframing conversations to reduce polarization.
Dr. Jennifer Brubaker is a professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and teaches and publishes in both Family Communication and Political Communication. “Reframing the Conversation” is a six-part series that focuses on addressing the challenges that families face in communicating across political divides. It explores the psychology behind political polarization and examines how society has reached this point of division. The series emphasizes using strategies like empathy, active listening, and finding common ground to foster healthier conversations and mend complicated relationships. By reframing the way political and family discussions are approached, individuals can work towards reconnecting despite their differences and strengthening their relationships.
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