Collective Trauma and Healing Informed Activism with Chloe Nahas

In this conversation, hosts Deema Tamimi and Hannah Claire Smith engage with Chloe Nahas, a trauma-informed activist, to explore the emotional challenges faced by activists today. They discuss the impact of trauma, guilt, and helplessness on individuals involved in social justice movements, emphasizing the importance of healing-informed activism and collective healing. The conversation highlights the duality of hope and despair in activism, the significance of curiosity in navigating disagreements, and the necessity of compassion in the face of trauma. Chloe shares insights on intergenerational trauma and the role it plays in shaping the experiences of activists, ultimately encouraging listeners to prioritize self-compassion and connection in their work for social justice.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Trauma and Activism
02:46 The Emotional Toll of Current Events
05:38 Understanding Trauma in Activism
08:56 Intergenerational Trauma and Its Impact
11:47 Collective Healing and Empowerment
14:27 Navigating Helplessness in Activism
17:51 The Role of Guilt in Activism
20:51 Instrumentalizing Trauma in Movements
33:12 Instrumentalizing Trauma: A Double-Edged Sword
36:06 Self-Silencing and Its Psychological Impact
41:40 Gaslighting and Collective Trauma
44:54 Healing-Informed Activism: A New Approach
58:22 Compassion and Curiosity in Activism