112 | The Lost Art of Using Your Brain Box: The Unshakable Calling for Diverse Perspectives, Empathy, and Critical Thinking

Listen to The Lost Art of Using Your Brain Box: The Unshakable Calling for Diverse Perspectives, Empathy, and Critical Thinking on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your player of choice

I’m pretty pumped for today’s episode, because it’s the first one I’m recording in my new and *official* podcast studio space!

This has been such an accomplishment, and I feel like it’s one of the first steps in letting go of the ‘vanilla’ adult version that I unintentionally (but also very carefully curated) of myself for many years of my life. I also recently re-pierced my nose, so along with my bright and colorful office space, I’ve really been becoming my loud, bold, and truly authentic self. I feel like I’m finally coming HOME to myself, and I no longer have to fit in a particular ‘box’ that I felt I had to be in for way too long. This topic has been coming up a lot lately in conversations with friends, coaching clients, in my masterminds, etc., and I am totally here for it, so I want to share more of my thoughts with you here.

In today’s episode, I want to talk about the ‘lost art of using your brain box’, and why the unshakable calling for diverse perspectives, empathy, and critical thinking matters now, more than ever. For me, I’m questioning sooo many things – I feel a bit of a disconnect, because it’s uncomfortable, and I’ve still found myself thinking about other people and their opinions. Maybe you’re feeling similarly, because you’re questioning your thoughts and beliefs that you once had, but…you’re fearful to share, due to how others may react. But you know what? I’m so BEYOND the close-minded bullshit that we’ve been in proximity with for far too long! 

I believe our purpose and who we truly are is meant to evolve and grow and change. Every step of our journey will get us closer to where we’re meant to be, and surrounding ourselves with others who are doing things a little differently is a beautiful part of the process! I wish that more people today would be curious, because curiosity creates empathy. We NEED to be willing to learn from others and their diverse perspectives, instead of being so misaligned and disconnected. 

Empathy gives us that capacity to filter information through our ‘brain boxes’, and form our own thoughts, beliefs, and ideas. It’s the ability to see and hear and understand information and perspectives without taking it personally – especially if we disagree! I’m in the ‘thick of it’, as I’m still finding the courage to stand up for and say what I believe in. Yes…it’s viscerally uncomfortable, but again, I one hundred percent know I’m RIGHT where I need to be.

I never want you to think you’re doing something ‘wrong’, or you need to change what you’re doing – God knows we have enough of that on the internet. I simply want to help expand our perspectives by bringing in people who think, feel, or experience the world differently. I want you to be able to think for yourself. I want you to come home to yourself, because I know you will find true peace and healing when you do. 

I’m forever grateful for YOU, and I wholeheartedly believe the work we’re doing is how we’re going to change the world for the better!!

In this episode, The Lost Art of Using Your Brain Box: The Unshakable Calling for Diverse Perspectives, Empathy, and Critical Thinking, we cover:

• My recent rebrand for my podcast and business + how it’s really allowed me to come home to myself, instead of staying in a specific ‘box’ I never truly fit in
• Realizing that your purpose should change, evolve, and grow, because every step of your journey will get you closer to where you’re meant to be
• The deep disconnection we have not only from ourselves, but each other and nature
• Discovering what empathy looks like when we choose to actually think for ourselves
• Breaking free from the ‘cookie cutter, good girl’ mold you’ve felt trapped in, and instead, embracing your beautiful, weird, and multi passionate self

Resources & Links:

• Gather in Growth Sponsorship Inquiry
• Branch Creative Co
• Book me as a speaker for your next event
• Gather in Growth podcast produced by: Jill Carr Podcasting

Connect with Emily:

• Follow on Instagram and Facebook
• Join my email list
• Check out my website
• Connect with on LinkedIn

Related Episodes:

• Episode 091 | Seasons of Change
• Episode 106 | Beyond “Like-Minded”: Cultivating Curiosity & Comfort with the Unknown

More about Gather in Growth podcast: 

Where can I connect with fellow rural women who aren’t afraid to dream big dreams? How do I create and sustain daily habits that help me reach my personal and professional goals? Am I the only one that absolutely loves living in the middle of nowhere but wants to understand the world beyond my backyard? What should I do about the unshakable feeling that there’s more to life than just showing up? How do I break free from other people’s opinions and confidently live as my authentic self? 

Welcome to Gather in Growth, a show created for passionate, growth-focused rural women like you. From mindset work and building strong habits to nerding out over personal growth books through the lens of life on a backroad, this is a show to leave you feeling joyful, inspired, ready to take action, and a little less alone. 

Tune in for honest and heart-felt conversations with host, Emily Reuschel, and fellow thought leaders, to talk about personal growth and thriving as a rural woman. Here you’ll gain tactical strategies to bring your dreams to reality, real talk about the ups and downs of tackling goals, meaningful insight from fresh perspectives, and the confidence to step into the calling that’s been laid on your heart for a reason. If you crave to feel seen in a small town, you’re in the right place. 

Whether you’re currently running on a backroad, shuffling kids to town, hopping along for a tractor ride, or three loads deep into folding laundry… we’re in this together. Absolutely anything is possible and I’m so grateful to be on this journey with YOU! 

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