Changing The Channel

Changing The Channel, authored by Kirsten Powers, delves into societal conditioning, the quest for authentic living, and the impact of American culture on well-being. It explores themes like productivity culture, stress, creativity, aging, spirituality, and critiques of capitalism, while offering insights on personal growth and societal norms.

Societal Norms and Conditioning Personal Growth and Authenticity Productivity and Rest Culture Healthcare and Economic Systems Aging and Spirituality Critiques of Capitalism

The hottest Substack posts of Changing The Channel

And their main takeaways

The way we live in the United States is not normal

33626 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Healthcare Economics Culture Society
  1. In the United States, there is a sense of normalcy around high costs for education and healthcare, which contrasts with other countries where these are considered basic human rights.
  2. The social dynamics in the US make casual, spontaneous interactions with friends difficult to maintain, unlike in some other parts of the world where daily connections are more common.
  3. The increasing expenses, especially in housing, in the US are leading to a situation where even successful professionals find it challenging to afford a balanced life, pushing many towards burnout and dissatisfaction.

Let's make 2024 the year of saying no to productivity culture

8730 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Rest Productivity Culture Mental health Self-care
  1. Taking time to rest and relax is essential for our well-being, even if it goes against the pervasive productivity culture.
  2. Rest should not be tied to productivity but should be seen as a natural cycle to be honored.
  3. During challenging times, like January, it's okay to embrace the idea of taking a break and not succumb to the pressure of always being productive.

The Invisible Force Blocking Your Creativity

6039 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity Self-doubt Criticism Mental health
  1. Resistance is an invisible force that aims to prevent us from pursuing our deepest desires and goals.
  2. Procrastination is a common manifestation of Resistance and serves as an easy way to rationalize avoiding our work.
  3. Critics and naysayers, including those close to us, may stem from their own fears and insecurities, projecting them onto our creative endeavors.

Living in ‘survival mode’ causes chronic illness, and may even kill you

8192 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Chronic Illness Stress Mental health Burnout Health Impact
  1. Living in chronic stress from survival mode can lead to chronic illnesses and impact life expectancy
  2. Moving abroad is not just for the rich; many Americans are seeking a better quality of life due to the high cost of living and lack of a social safety net in the United States
  3. Chronic stress is normalized in America and can contribute to chronic illnesses, making it essential to address the root causes of stress in society
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How Emilia Hart Wrote Her Debut Novel While Working As A Lawyer

1136 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
📚 Literature Historical Fiction
  1. Emilia Hart, a former lawyer, successfully published her debut historical novel, Weyward, which received critical acclaim and commercial success.
  2. The novel Weyward explores the lives of women in different time periods like a woman in contemporary Cumbria, another in 1942, and one on trial for witchcraft in 1619.
  3. Language, its use, and its power are central themes in Emilia Hart's novel, as described by The Shift With Sam Baker.

Hook The Reader With A Strong Lede

2451 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
  1. Getting to the point quickly in your writing is crucial to engage readers.
  2. A strong lede, which is the opening sentence or paragraph summarizing the main aspects of the story, is important for capturing attention.
  3. In writing, especially in formats with word constraints like newspaper columns, every word must count and there is no space for unnecessary fluff.

Chip Conley Wants You To Love Getting Older

1096 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Aging Happiness Self-care
  1. Life truly begins at 50, according to Chip Conley, as everything before that is just a dress rehearsal.
  2. Despite negative messages about aging in our culture, getting older can bring increased happiness and excitement for the future.
  3. Unlearning toxic social conditioning around aging is essential, especially with industries that profit from instilling fear of aging.

Tara Brach On The 'Sacred Art of Pausing'

1335 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Meditation Compassion Grief Trauma Healing
  1. Tara Brach emphasizes the importance of pausing and creating space for empathy and grace to change how we experience life.
  2. To bridge outer divides, we first need to bridge our inner divides by connecting with our emotions and practicing self-compassion and mindfulness.
  3. Acknowledging trauma and allowing space for collective grieving can help in fostering shared humanity and healing in a polarized world.

Leyla Kazim Is Choosing A Slower Life

538 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Work-life balance Mental health Consumerism Hobbies
  1. Leyla Kazim focuses on living a slower, intentional, and joyful life, advocating for shedding consumerist social conditioning.
  2. There is a pervasive hustle and burnout culture in the UK and US, affecting people's well-being and pushing them into overwork.
  3. The pandemic has led many to re-evaluate their lives, with some realizing the importance of hobbies and the detrimental effects of tying identity solely to work.

Jen Hatmaker Has Had Enough

1176 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Self-Improvement
  1. Jen Hatmaker is focused on changing the narrative around 'doing more' and 'being more' in our culture, advocating for embracing 'what is enough'.
  2. She expresses a desire for a legacy filled with human connection, memories, adventures, and integrity.
  3. The beginning of the year intensifies the pressure to constantly strive for improvement, leading to an environment of messages promoting doing more and increasing efforts.

Rituals of Perfection

2312 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Eating Disorders Mental health Self-Improvement
  1. Recognizing and addressing disordered eating habits is an important step towards healthier relationships with food.
  2. Understanding the patterns of addiction in one's life can lead to insights into behaviors and choices.
  3. Being mindful of how certain practices, like intermittent fasting, may impact personal well-being and making informed decisions about them.

Being on TV was bad for my mental health.

2132 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Mental health Media Criticism Political Commentary
  1. Being in the public eye, especially on TV, can lead to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.
  2. Constant criticism, particularly amplified by social media, can have a significant negative impact on one's well-being and relationships.
  3. Leaving a high-profile TV career can bring a sense of relief, allowing for personal growth and a reconnection with oneself.

What's ahead for 2024 with some free essays.

817 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📰 News Essays
  1. The author shares essays about moving to Italy and changing life paths, resonating with readers' dissatisfaction towards America's state.
  2. The newsletter was paused in April, but relaunched in September as 'Changing the Channel' after the author left a career in political media.
  3. The post is available for paid subscribers and focuses on insights for the year 2024.

Am I still a Christian? It's complicated.

1435 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity
  1. The author is exploring Celtic spirituality as a way to connect with their ancestral roots and feels a strong resonance with it.
  2. They regret not embracing this indigenous spirituality earlier and suggest that some white Americans may overlook their own indigenous spiritual traditions.
  3. The author finds comfort and familiarity in the teachings of John Phillip Newell on Celtic Christian spirituality and plans to share more insights after attending a retreat with him.

Gwyneth Paltrow says she is looking forward to her "crone" years.

1435 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Age Gender History
  1. Gwyneth Paltrow is embracing her 'crone' years, a time of wisdom and insight in the second half of life.
  2. The term 'Crone' historically refers to a wise older woman with experience and perspective.
  3. Society lacks a cultural appreciation for Wise Women like it does for Wise Men, and the archetype of the Crone needs to be rediscovered and celebrated.

Let's Talk About Celtic Spirituality

617 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality
  1. The author discovered Indigenous teachings of her Irish ancestors through Celtic spirituality.
  2. She attended a retreat in Virginia to explore contemplative practices like walking and meditating.
  3. The post discusses a phase of deconstruction and learning to move on without judgment.

What I wish someone would have told me about relationships.

498 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Relationships Personal Growth Self-Improvement
  1. People, including ourselves, are capable of change despite the belief that they cannot.
  2. The idea that people don't change can lead to prematurely ending relationships that have the potential to grow into something great.
  3. Believing in our capability for real change is vital, rather than subscribing to the notion that personal transformation is impossible.

The "He Gets Us" Super Bowl Ads Brought Back Bad Memories

1235 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Spiritual Journey
  1. The Christian 'seeker' movement can cause harm by manipulating vulnerable individuals with emotionally appealing messages.
  2. Churches aiming to be 'seeker friendly' may present their beliefs in an intellectually engaging way, using art, culture, and philosophy.
  3. Personal experiences can shape beliefs and vulnerability to outside influences, even leading to a change in faith.

My Complicated Feelings About Tim Keller

956 implied HN points • 24 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity
  1. Tim Keller, a significant figure in American Christianity, passed away at 72, sparking reflections on his impact.
  2. Personal experiences, like the passing of loved ones, can sometimes lead individuals to unexpected paths, such as a deep dive into religion.
  3. The influence of influential religious figures, like Tim Keller, can lead to significant life changes and commitments to specific beliefs.

What Fran Lebowitz taught me about my need for vengeance

857 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎭️ Culture Books Podcasts Personal Growth
  1. Fran Lebowitz doesn't forgive and is a strong grudge holder, admitting it's not a pleasant trait but a truthful one.
  2. Fran Lebowitz contrasts forgiveness in Christianity with her stance of holding onto grudges, highlighting her belief that not everyone seeks forgiveness.
  3. Julia Louis-Dreyfus's podcast features Fran Lebowitz discussing her affinity for smoking cigarettes and holding onto revenge as important needs.

Reframing Aging

817 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Aging Mental health Well-being
  1. Aging is often viewed negatively in American society, with emphasis on trying to 'stay young' and a lack of respect for elders' wisdom.
  2. The Modern Elder Academy in Baja, Mexico focuses on helping people navigate the second half of life.
  3. There's an emphasis on valuing the wisdom of elders, a concept that is often overlooked, particularly by white individuals.

American "Uber-Capitalism" Is Soul Crushing

757 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Capitalism
  1. American capitalism today is criticized by Bernie Sanders as 'uber capitalism' for its lack of decency and morality.
  2. Sanders emphasizes the necessity of economic security for true freedom, highlighting the importance of social safety nets.
  3. Sanders draws inspiration from FDR and sees Scandinavia as a model for the kind of economic system he supports.

The Scapegoating of Meghan and Harry

896 implied HN points • 13 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Celebrity Media Royal Family
  1. Meghan and Harry have faced scapegoating and criticism for speaking out about their experiences, challenging the narrative set by the royal family and British tabloids.
  2. It's important to consider the dangers of disrupting established myths and narratives, especially when powerful institutions are involved.
  3. The criticism faced by Meghan and Harry reveals underlying biases and issues within society, highlighting the need for fair treatment and a more balanced perspective.

The Meaning of the Solstice

458 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Nature Seasons Connection
  1. The Summer Solstice is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the longest day of the year and the beginning of shorter days.
  2. The author reflects on the connection between nature's rhythms, such as the seasons, the moon, and the sun, emphasizing the importance of aligning with these energies.
  3. Living in a city can make it challenging to stay attuned to nature, leading to a longing for places where people are more consciously connected to the natural world.

Kyrsten Sinema and the Problem of Toxic Capitalism

737 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics Government Policy
  1. The American economic system favors the wealthy and neglects those in greatest need, creating challenges for many people.
  2. Toxic late-stage capitalism is described as a system lacking decency, ethics, and morality.
  3. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Senator, is criticized for prioritizing the interests of the wealthiest Americans over supporting essential initiatives for the broader population.

Award-Winning Canadian Journalist Was Fired After Going Grey

518 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Journalism Ageism
  1. Society often views women in their 50s who look their age as 'past their prime.'
  2. Ageism and gender bias can impact professional opportunities and how individuals are perceived in the workplace.
  3. The story of the Canadian journalist losing her job after going grey highlights the challenges faced by women in media and the importance of addressing age and gender discrimination.

The Anti-Aging Grift

558 implied HN points • 25 Jan 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Skincare
  1. Women in their thirties are spending money on anti-aging treatments based on unsupported claims from the beauty industry.
  2. The message that having any signs of aging means you look like 'someone else' can be harmful to self-image.
  3. The beauty industry targets millennials for anti-aging products and procedures, making them focus on preserving youth at a young age.

We Don't Need 'Self-Help,' We Need Support

1 HN point • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Society Wellbeing Government Lifestyle Community
  1. Americans seek relief for problems that can't be solved at the individual level, demonstrating a need for broader societal support.
  2. Creating a culture of support, like in Denmark, where government provides for healthcare, education, and work-life balance, leads to happier and healthier individuals.
  3. High levels of hyper-individualism in the US may contribute to problems, contrasting with the community-focused approach in Denmark that fosters trust and happiness.