How Emotions Shape Our Beliefs: A Conversation with Dr. Mary Lamia
Why we believe what we believe—and how understanding that can bring us closer together
🎥 Watch the 16 minute Excerpt Now
Have you ever wondered why someone believes what they do—even when it seems to go against their own interests? Or maybe you’ve caught yourself reacting strongly in a conversation and thought, “Why did that trigger me?”
In this 16-minute excerpt from my interview with Dr. Mary Lamia—psychologist, professor, and author of Grief Isn’t Something to Get Over—we explore the emotional undercurrents of our beliefs, political apathy, and what really drives division.
Dr. Lamia explains how our emotional memories are not just passive baggage—they’re active participants in shaping our worldviews. What we fear, what we avoid, what moves us—all of it lives in what she calls a "file cabinet" of emotional experience that informs how we see the world, including our political beliefs.
You’ll hear:
Why political apathy isn’t always laziness—it might be emotional exhaustion
How emotions like fear and disgust shape (and distort) our ideologies
What interest has to do with civic engagement—and how to reignite it
🟡 Click here to watch the 16 minute excerpt and reflect on how your own beliefs have been shaped by emotion—not just facts.
📅 Next Saturday, May 31st: Live Q&A with Dr. Mary Lamia at 2 PM PST
Paid subscribers, mark your calendars!
Dr. Lamia will be joining us live next Saturday at 2 PM PST for an exclusive Zoom Q&A to go deeper on the psychology of belief, division, and how we can build bridges—emotionally and socially.
💬 You’re welcome to submit your questions in advance by replying to this post—or bring them live to the call!
🧠 Bring your curiosity.
💛 Leave with a new lens for understanding yourself and others.
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This Q&A (and future ones)
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And watch the full interview here.
The Psychology of Belief Systems: An Interview with Dr. Mary Lamia
What drives us to believe what we believe? How do emotions, memory, and identity shape the way we see the world—and how can we bridge the growing divides between us?
Let me know in the comments:
🧠 What emotional belief have you uncovered recently?
Dr. Lamia reminded us that healing and awareness often begin by exploring our emotional memories—and that transformation is possible when we stop running from our feelings and start getting curious about them.
In that spirit, I also want to highlight something close to my heart.
🌿 Spotlight: Beyond The Uniform – Starts May 27
This event offers:
Stories of resilience, hope, and inspiration from over 15 speakers—including veterans, therapists, caregivers, and advocates—who have walked the path of silent suffering and found ways to heal.
Practical tools to support mind-body-spirit healing, focusing on emotional regulation, trauma-informed care, and soul restoration.
Expert guidance on navigating grief, guilt, and invisible wounds, shared through powerful interviews and intimate conversations that meet you where you are.
Support to reconnect with parts of yourself you thought were lost, helping you reclaim your voice, peace, and purpose.
A renewed sense of clarity and community with others who truly understand what it means to carry hidden wounds—and are ready to lay them down.
If you’re navigating grief, transitions, or the desire to rebuild after burnout or displacement, this offering could be a powerful place to start.
Let me know in the comments:
🧠 What emotional belief have you uncovered recently?
With heart,
Danita