Who Are You When Your Political Views Are Challenged?
Identity and Self-DiscoveryIdentity and Self-Discovery, Identity and Self-Discovery, Personal Growth, Political Psychology, Mindfulness and Awareness Mike Barden Identity and Self-DiscoveryIdentity and Self-Discovery, Identity and Self-Discovery, Personal Growth, Political Psychology, Mindfulness and Awareness Mike Barden

Who Are You When Your Political Views Are Challenged?

When someone challenges your political views, that surge of defensiveness isn't protecting thoughtful conclusions—it's defending inherited patterns you absorbed long before you could consciously choose them.

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Who Are You When Your Community Turns Toxic?
Identity and Self-Discovery, Toxic Relationships, Life Transitions, Personal Growth, Community and Relationships Mike Barden Identity and Self-Discovery, Toxic Relationships, Life Transitions, Personal Growth, Community and Relationships Mike Barden

Who Are You When Your Community Turns Toxic?

When a community becomes central to your identity, questioning that group feels like questioning your very existence. If you're wondering whether your community has become controlling, you're facing one of the most disorienting identity crises possible. This article explores how to distinguish between your authentic self and the conditioning you may have absorbed to maintain belonging.

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Noticing What You Notice: The “Miracle” of Awareness
Mike Barden Mike Barden

Noticing What You Notice: The “Miracle” of Awareness

Struggling with mental loops that feel productive but go nowhere? Learn why awareness—your direct connection to present reality—offers a powerful alternative to repetitive thinking patterns that consume energy without creating change. Discover practical ways to shift from reactive mental habits to present-moment clarity.

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