Navigating Overwhelm in a Complex World with Dr. Mira Brancu

In this episode of Nine to Thrive, Julie dives into the concept of learned helplessness with Dr. Mira Brancu, exploring its implications in today's divisive climate. What is learned helplessness? 

Learned helplessness is a psychological concept originally identified by psychologist Martin Seligman in the 1960s. It describes a condition where individuals believe they have no control over their situation and that whatever they do is futile. As a result, they stop trying to change their circumstances, even when opportunities for change become available.

Mira and I delve into how learned helplessness manifests in individuals, particularly in high-performing individuals, and the importance of taking action to combat feelings of helplessness. Dr. Brancu shares her personal experiences and insights on resilience, agency, and the significance of small actions in fostering change. 

We talk about the importance of emotional awareness,  community engagement, overcoming hopelessness, taking action, and the power of curiosity and compassion as tools for overcoming feelings of powerlessness and fostering change. We share some of our own stories of how individual actions can contribute to collective well-being,  and how living from a place of intention is where it begins. We need to” be” what we want to “see” in our families, our communities, our workplaces and our world.

 

If you have been feeling stuck and overwhelmed by the “news of the day” this episode may  just be the catalyst for change you are looking for!

 

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About Dr. Mira Brancu

 

Dr. Mira Brancu is a consulting and coaching psychologist who specializes in leadership identity development and building adaptive, high-performing teams. She is also an Associate Professor at Duke University, author of the Millennials Guide to Workplace Politics and companion workbook, a Psychology Today columnist, and host of The Hard Skills live show and podcast. Some of her specialties include working with leadership “misfits,” politics, upheaval, and transitions. Her award-winning social impact firm, Towerscope, empowers and elevates leaders and teams within disrupted and complex learning and innovation industries. 

 

Check out her work on her website

Connect with Mira on LinkedIn.