Reframing Me - Self-Development & Parenting Teens for Midlife Moms
Your kids are growing up - but so are you. Reframing Me is the podcast for moms of teens ready to reframe family, identity, and self-development in midlife.
Parenting teens is hard -and parenting while rediscovering yourself in midlife can feel even harder. Reframing Me is the parenting podcast for moms raising teenagers who are also navigating the transition out of hands-on motherhood, identity shifts, and the search for balance, fulfillment, and self-development.
Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Brubaker, a Communication Studies professor, mom of three teens, and intrapersonal communication expert, each episode blends family communication strategies, honest conversations about parenting teens, and self-reflection tools to help moms strengthen family relationships while rediscovering who they are as women.
Together we’ll talk about the issues moms face but don’t always say out loud: changing family dynamics, feeling invisible, letting go of control, and creating new purpose. Through research, theory, and compassionate conversation, you’ll find support, strategies, and a sense of community in this season of parenting and personal growth.
Join the Reframing Me community to connect with other midlife moms, share your stories, and reframe how you see yourself, your family, and your future.
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 - Self-Development & Parenting Teens for Midlife Moms
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.
Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook, on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content!
