Episode 174: How to Navigate Speaking Up About Something Controversial

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Subscribe!

Two weeks ago I did something I swore I’d never do:

I started talking publicly about informed consent, body autonomy, and medical freedom as it relates to immunizations.

This message is not about immunizations, though.

This message is about navigating speaking up about something controversial, particularly when it appears that you’re on the less popular side.

I knew speaking up would mean I would lose followers.

I knew speaking up would likely mean we’d lose sales.

I did not know that speaking up would wreak such havoc on my nervous system, however.

I did not know that 24 hours after my post went live I would want to take it back and crawl in a hole for the rest of my life.

And I did not know that on the other side of the initial fallout I would feel stronger, more informed, and more myself than I’d ever felt before.

I also had no idea that taking a public stand about something so polarizing would bring gifts beyond my wildest imaginings.

This week on the podcast we’re sharing about the journey of speaking out about something we believe in at the risk of losing followers, money, and cache.

Listen in to find out:

  • Why all of the risks of speaking out have been so worth it
  • How to think for ourselves while swimming in a cultural soup that wants us to do anything but that
  • How to signal safety in your nervous system so that you can keep standing up for what you believe in
  • The wild thing that happened on social media from my standing up that I didn’t expect

Once you’ve listened in I would love to hear from you.

Have you ever spoken out about something you believed in that was unpopular or controversial? What were the risks? What were the rewards? How did you navigate any potential fall-out? Leave a comment and let me know!

Know this: If you feel like you can’t talk about something, especially when it questions the mainstream, it’s because someone is benefitting from your fear and silence.

But they can’t benefit anymore when you speak up. And the more who speak up, the stronger our voices become.

No matter what your stand is, even if I don’t agree, know that I support your right to say something about it and that I’m cheering you on for saying something even if you’re scared. Especially then.

How to Navigate Speaking Up About Something Controversial

In This Episode

  • What’s happening in Maine right now, and the purpose of this episode [12:00]
  • Body autonomy and our stance on this important issue [14:30]
  • The feedback Kate received after taking a public stand [23:18]
  • Why it’s a problem when we hand our power to someone else [34:20]
  • What following the money will lead you to [40:25]
  • The biggest surprise for Kate from the feedback received [43:30]
  • Why it’s beneficial to calm your central nervous system before approaching someone who disagrees with you [60:40]
  • How to be loving and kind, while setting boundaries at the same time [74:20]

Selected Links from the Episode

Get Your I’m Not Here To Please You T-Shirt!

It’s Time For B-School! To Sign Up and Get Our Incredible Bonuses, Click Here!

Get On The Waitlist For The Do Less Planner! Get Kate’s Free Do Less Weekly Planner Join The Do Less Facebook Group Ready To Uplevel Your Business? Sign Up For The FREE Masterclass

Sign up for Kate’s Free Workshop, Spacious: 3 Proven Time Management Strategies Every Female Entrepreneur Needs Now

Order Kate’s New Book & Get On Her Mailing List

Her First Book, Money: A Love Story & The Money Love Course Get On The Waitlist For Origin ®

5 Questions to Consider in Keeping You and Your Family Safe from Communicable Diseases (Kate’s YouTube Video with Dr. Northrup) on Instagram, YouTube & Facebook Episode 169: How to Give Yourself More Time to Relieve Stress: A Game-Changing Story

Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.

Half The Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You by Ray D. Strand, M.D.

Episode 165: Choosing Not to Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol with Holly Whitaker, author of Quit Like a Woman Episode 121: Feeding You Lies: Vani Hari of FoodBabe.com The Atlantic Article on Misinformation Vaccines (FDA) Episode 153: The Surprising Path Beyond Depression, Anxiety, and Fatigue with Kelly Brogan, MD, author of Own Your Self DuckDuckGo & Ecosia Maine.gov Kate’s Post (I’m Not Here To Please You)

Patriarchy Stress Disorder by Dr. Valerie Rein

Breastfeeding is Not a Crime T-Shirt Episode 156: The Opportunity in Illness Episode 168: How to Get Paid and Do Good at the Same Time with Rha Goddess, author of The Calling

Connect with Kate & Mike on Instagram!

People Mentioned

Licia Morelli Christiane Northrup, M.D. Mark Zuckerberg Stephen King

Podcast Details

Stitcher
Apple Podcasts
Google
iHeartRadio

14 comments

  • Candice
    March 4, 2020 AT 6:32PM

    Thank you for speaking up for this!! Bodily autonomy and medical freedom is so important! Fear drives people to willingly give up their freedom. My daughter is injured by immunizations and it’s way more common than people think. People are waking up and speaking their truths. I love you even more for speaking up against the ‘popular’ groupthink.

    Reply
    • Kate Northrup
      March 7, 2020 AT 5:05PM

      I’m so sorry that you’ve been through that with your daughter, Candice. I will keep speaking up even though the vote didn’t turn out the way I wanted in Maine. We will shift the tide eventually!

      Reply
  • Laura
    March 4, 2020 AT 8:52PM

    WOW! What an incredible episode! I am definitely NOT disappointed in you. I am in awe, inspired, proud, and motivated by both your words and actions.

    Reply
  • Sara
    March 5, 2020 AT 6:41PM

    I am so happy to hear you speaking up about this important topic of body autonomy. I agree 100% that as women are able to make empowered choices in their lives, rooted in their own wisdom, then it empowers EVERYONE to step up and speak to their own truth. Being a mother to a 5 year old girl, I see how important it is for me to make decisions from a place of rooted, embodied wisdom because I am teaching her, by example, how to be in the world. My own mother was fiercely independent, yet still followed the advice of doctors and mainstream media to a large degree. I am going through my own personal challenges of letting go of people pleasing and it’s wonderful to hear that echoed in your podcast. Thank you!

    Reply
  • Jesse Gleason
    March 7, 2020 AT 5:52PM

    I am inspired by your episode and I really want to “come out” about my vaccine knowledge and research on FB and social media, but I am still too scared. I know that it will wreak havoc on my nervous system and I’m not quite ready for it. I am little by little getting more vocal about it, especially due to the fact that in CT there is a bill currently moving through the House of Reps that will take away our religious exemption. It’s really awful and insidious what is happening all over the country with Big pHARMa trying to take away our medical freedom. Anyway, thank you again for this episode and for speaking up about this issue. I draw strength from you speaking up about it…as I hope one days others will draw strength from hearing my voice. Blessings.

    Reply
    • Kate Northrup
      March 12, 2020 AT 7:59PM

      You do what you need to do to take care of you Jesse and trust that as you tend to your nervous system and more and more of us speak up, you will know when the time is right.

      Reply
  • Kellie
    March 10, 2020 AT 9:35AM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. A powerful podcast to go with your equally powerful posts and stories. My heart feels hopeful (and more empowered) with you and all of the others who’ve cheered showing up here. We are not alone. 💛

    Reply
  • Holly
    March 22, 2020 AT 9:48PM

    It is so true about the bias in so many things we use to get our information. I’ll never forget about a time back in high school (circa early 2000) and our librarian was teaching us about doing google searching and pointed out how you always need to question the source of the information. The example used was for MLK and the 2nd top link was accusing him for a whole host of offensive acts. Ever since then I have always questioned my sources. As I have gotten more into my degree it has always become clear you can always find things for both sides of the argument. Thank you for doing this episode and highlighting the importance of being educated and the importance of listening to ourselves.

    Reply
  • Camille
    November 27, 2020 AT 1:04PM

    Thank you so much I was glad to see the video with your Mom !

    I do have a follow-up question after this great podcast : whenever I’m talking about something that might trigger people on one of my platforms I’m having a hard time calming down my nervous system when I get negative comments or judgement. I feel in danger mode and fight or flight as if I was being chased by a tiger. This is exhausting !
    (Even though I know from a rational perspective that most of it is projection and people feeling triggered.)

    How do you handle that ? How do you stay emotionally detached ?

    Thank you for all the great content you put out there

    Camille, Paris, France.

    Reply
    • Kate Northrup
      November 30, 2020 AT 10:29AM

      Hi Camille – thanks for writing in! I actually have a “CNS Healing” highlight on my Instagram so I would go check that out because there are tips for exactly this question!

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Site Design Studio DBJ
Site Development Alchemy + Aim