Podcast Episode Summary: "Make Rest Your Revolution with Tricia Hersey"
Podcast Information:
- Title: We Can Do Hard Things
- Hosts: Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, Amanda Doyle
- Guest: Tricia Hersey
- Release Date: November 12, 2024
Introduction
In the episode titled "Make Rest Your Revolution with Tricia Hersey," hosts Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle delve deep into the transformative power of rest as a form of resistance against oppressive societal structures. They welcome Tricia Hersey, a multidisciplinary artist and theologian, who shares her insights on creating sacred spaces for genuine rest and community healing.
Tricia Hersey’s Journey and the NAP Ministry
[07:02] Tricia Hersey begins by sharing her personal journey, emphasizing the challenges she faced during her seminary years. Overwhelmed by the demands of academia and the relentless pace of grind culture, Tricia experimented with incorporating intentional rest into her daily routine. This experimentation led to the creation of the NAP Ministry, a movement that advocates for rest as a revolutionary act.
Notable Quote:
“Resting wasn't just about sleep; it was about listening to my ancestors and reclaiming my body as my own.”
— Tricia Hersey [24:14]
Understanding Trickster Energy
A significant portion of the conversation centers around the concept of trickster energy. Tricia explains that trickster energy embodies the spirit of subversion and creativity, allowing individuals to resist and navigate oppressive systems ingeniously.
[28:25] Tricia Hersey elaborates:
“A trickster is someone who uses their intelligence to disrupt toxic systems, challenging norms and creating magic in the process.”
She cites historical figures like Henry Box Brown, who mailed himself in a box to escape slavery, illustrating the ultimate form of trickster energy—using unconventional methods to attain freedom.
Notable Quote:
“Trickster energy is about disruption and creating your path for escape, even in small, magical ways.”
— Tricia Hersey [28:31]
Rest as Resistance
Tricia introduces the idea that rest is not a passive activity but an active form of resistance against the incessant demands of capitalism and grind culture. By choosing to rest, individuals reclaim their autonomy and reject the societal expectation to constantly produce and hustle.
[34:43] Tricia Hersey states:
“Resting together is the ultimate radical form of protest. It’s about laying down and choosing a moment of freedom over the demands of the system.”
She shares anecdotes from her community rest events, where participants collectively rest and awaken with newfound clarity and emotional release, highlighting the profound impact of shared rest.
Building Community Through Rest
The episode emphasizes the importance of community in fostering a culture of rest. Tricia discusses how her upbringing, influenced by her activist parents and resilient grandmother, shaped her understanding of collective care and resistance.
Notable Quote:
“Deep community care ensures that when one of us falls, there’s a soft space available. It’s about lifting each other up through our shared moments of rest.”
— Tricia Hersey [57:46]
Practical Steps to Embrace Trickster Energy and Rest
Tricia offers actionable advice for listeners looking to integrate rest and trickster energy into their lives:
-
Acknowledge Your Intuition: Begin by listening to your inner voice and acknowledging when you need to rest.
[43:46] Tricia Hersey mentions:
“I want people to acknowledge that the intuition is even saying anything to you. Just say, ‘I hear you.’”
-
Create Sacred Rest Spaces: Organize local rest events or personal spaces where you and others can intentionally rest together.
[53:13] Tricia Hersey encourages:
“Invite people over to experience what it feels like to be cared for. Lay your eyes and close your eyes together as a community.”
-
Embrace Flexibility: Understand that escaping grind culture doesn’t mean completely abandoning responsibilities but finding a balance that honors your well-being.
[46:15] Glennon Doyle shares her struggle:
“I have too much hustle in me... Are there any kind of steps that I can take as a beginner?”
-
Foster Community Support: Build a network of like-minded individuals who support each other’s need for rest and resistance against oppressive systems.
[34:50] Tricia Hersey emphasizes:
“The work isn’t the books or the Instagram pages; it’s the communal rest events where people can lay down and be supported.”
Personal Reflections and Experiences
Throughout the episode, Tricia and the hosts share personal stories that illustrate the profound impact of embracing trickster energy and rest. Abby Wambach recounts her experiences of finding magic in simple acts like painting or taking conscious breaths, which serve as her form of rest and resistance.
Notable Quote:
“There is a deep community care of someone laying next to you, breathing and sleeping together. That is the work.”
— Tricia Hersey [62:46]
Conclusion and Call to Action
The episode concludes with a heartfelt push for listeners to embrace rest as a powerful tool for personal and collective liberation. Tricia Hersey invites everyone to participate in rest events, either locally or within their own communities, to experience the transformative power of intentional rest.
[66:07] Tricia Hersey affirms:
“I need one trickster to join me. I need one escape artist with me. And that's enough. It’s one is enough.”
Final Quote from Abby Wambach:
“Go forth and be tricksters. We love you.”
— Abby Wambach [66:07]
Key Takeaways:
- Rest as Resistance: Intentional rest undermines oppressive systems by reclaiming personal autonomy and fostering community healing.
- Trickster Energy: Embracing creativity and subversion to navigate and disrupt toxic societal norms.
- Community Support: Building networks of mutual care to support each other’s need for rest and resistance.
- Practical Integration: Acknowledge intuition, create sacred rest spaces, embrace flexibility, and foster community support to integrate these concepts into daily life.
Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps towards integrating rest and trickster energy into their lives, fostering a collective movement towards a more humane and compassionate society.