How to Stand Up to a Bully

Gaslit Nation

Politics, Society & Culture, News

4.7 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 5 July 2023

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It’s Independence Day! There’s no better way to celebrate than standing up to a bully. Whether it’s a twice-indicted Russian mafia asset running for president, or his cult of violent white supremacists, there’s no shortage of bullies running amok these days. Science journalist and bestselling author David McRaney, author of the books How Minds Change and You Are Now Less Dumb, shares his research on how to handle a situation where the person you're talking to insists on an alternative reality, using that to try to gaslight, intimidate, and, in a word, bully.

At Gaslit Nation, one of the questions we often get from our listeners is how to help loved ones lost to a disinformation cult, like QAnon and Trump's Big Lie. From harassing election workers to overwhelming school board meetings to disinformation merchants challenging actual experts to debates (“Debate me, bro!”), the Bannon strategy of flooding the zone with shit has ensnared people, separating families and friends. McRaney shares his surprising insights on how to reach people and provide an empathetic space for them to find their way back. For more on this topic, listen to Gaslit Nation's discussion with cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich, who recommends a slightly approach. Both discussions are essential guides for navigating this time of rampant disinformation and toxic political cults.

In our bonus episode, McRaney takes the Gaslit Nation Self-Care Q&A. For our next Gaslit Nation live taping, join Andrea and comedian Kevin Allison of the RISK! Storytelling podcast for a show at Caveat in New York on Saturday August 5th at 4pm to celebrate the launch of the new Gaslit Nation graphic novel Dictatorship: It’s Easier Than You Think! To join in person or virtually, reserve your ticket here! Signed copies of the book can be ordered at the event!

To submit your own answers and share inspiration for ways to recharge as we together run a marathon to protect our democracy, leave your answers in the comments section or send an email to GaslitNation@gmail.com. We’ll read some of the responses on the show!

Gaslit Nation Self-Care Questionnaire

What's a book you think everyone should read and why?
What's a documentary everyone should watch and why?
What's a dramatic film everyone should watch and why?
Who are some historical mentors who inspire you?
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
What are some songs on your playlist for battling the dark forces?
Who or what inspires you to stay engaged and stay in the fight?
What's the best advice you've ever gotten?
What's your favorite place you've ever visited?
What's your favorite work of art and why?

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Gaslit Nation, I am your host Andrea Chalupa, a journalist and filmmaker
0:15.6	and the writer and producer of the Journalistic Thriller, Mr. Jones, about Stalin's genocide
0:20.6	famine in Ukraine.
0:22.0	The film The Cremlin doesn't want you to see, so be sure to watch it.
0:25.5	First, a couple announcements.
0:27.0	We are running a very special summer series called The Future of Dictatorship, What's
0:31.8	Next and Ways to Resist.
0:34.2	The series features leading voices on the front lines of understanding AI, corporate surveillance,
0:38.9	Silicon Valley greed and more, because the dictator's playbook remains the same, but
0:43.6	the technology they have to oppress us keeps changing.
0:46.5	You can learn more about the dictator's playbook and the Gaslit Nation graphic novel,
0:50.7	Dictatorship, it's easier than you think.
0:53.0	You can join me for a special night out in New York City to talk all about the making
0:57.4	of that book on Saturday, August 5th at 4pm at the fun Lowery Sidebar caveat, where I
1:04.4	will be in discussion with the comedian Kevin Allyson of the hugely popular risk storytelling
1:09.2	podcast.
1:10.2	If you're not in New York, you can join us by livestream.
1:13.0	This is a huge deal for me because I hardly go out.
1:16.5	So this will be like a Gaslit Nation prom night.
1:19.2	Join me at Cavia at August 5th in New York, sign copies of the Gaslit Nation graphic novel
1:24.4	will be available for order at the event.
1:26.9	For details on how to join us in person or livestream, go to gaslitnationpod.com and
	...

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