Fighting Misinformation with Engaging Conversations with Jessica Lanyadoo
The rise of false information on the Internet and media has been troubling. We especially feel its effects in the middle of the pandemic as we grasp for answers on what to do and when we can return to normalcy. So, there is no greater time than now to address the issue of misinformation.
In this episode, Jessica Lanyadoo discusses the relevance of engaging conversations in fighting misinformation. We’ll also tackle why current criticisms of the spiritual community can be a good thing. Furthermore, we’ll explore how we can confront people who have fallen into the trap of false information. Lastly, we’ll also talk about why blocking negative thoughts is not the way to spirituality.
If you are interested in breaking off the chain of fake news and creating truthful and engaging conversations, tune in to this episode.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Discover the importance of engaging conversations in fighting misinformation.
Learn why reading the news is important in the practice of spirituality.
Know what we can do to correct misinformation.
Resources
Check out the previous Radically Loved episode with Jessica:
Listen to more of Jessica on Ghost of a Podcast!
Tune in to Abbie Richards’ episode on Ghost of a Podcast.
Give Jessica’s book, Astrology for Real Relationships: Understanding You, Me, and How We All Get Along, a read!
Check out Tiny Spark in the Apple App Store.
Deepen your understanding of astrology with Astrology for Days.
FREE workbook! Apply the lessons you learn from this episode as you listen! Enter your email below, and I’ll send it right away.
Episode Highlights
The Time Rosie Stole a Cop Car
Rosie was 15 years old when she was caught playing around in a cop car.
When the cops came, she tried to be sly and play it off.
She was arrested and booked into the system. Luckily, her dad bailed her out.
Because of this incident, Rosie was under parole for half of her high school life.
Life After Arrest
The system doesn’t set you up for success.
However, Rosie still felt lucky. She had a supportive family and probation officer.
But the stigma of being a troubled kid cannot be avoided.
Yoga and meditation changed her life during those turbulent times.
The Importance of Names
Jessica’s last name is of Spanish origin, so a lot of people tend to mispronounce it.
While she doesn’t mind her name being mispronounced, she still understands the power pronouncing a name properly has.
On the same note, Rosie’s last name is also mispronounced often. But she doesn’t feel like she has to correct people for it.
The Past Months for Jessica
Jessica is not an optimist. The year 2021 has been tougher than 2020 for her.
There’s a lot of pressure to go back to normal. But we’re still confronted with a lot of problems like a lot of people getting sick and dying.
We’re also facing climate change and political unrest in the middle of the pandemic.
Back in 2019, other astrologers have also predicted that something terrible was coming.
As an empath and astrologer, the whole situation is stressful for Jessica. She also worries about how the future may shake out.
How to Live Through Change and Uncertainty with Integrity
We can get through tough times by cultivating emotional intelligence. When we only have spiritual or cognitive intelligence, we disassociate.
Many spiritual and empathetic people choose not to consume the news. Jessica is passionately opposed to this practice.
For her, the universe gave these sensitivities for you to associate with and feel the world.
There's room for us all to participate based on our nature and within our resources, but doing so takes willingness.
On the Bad Press of the Spiritual Community
Jessica sees the criticism of the spiritual community in a positive light.
A great deal of con-spirituality is happening right now. Radical far-right propaganda has infiltrated far-left-leaning spirituality through the internet.
The spiritual community deserves criticism because they must be civically, politically, and socially responsible for the power of their actions and words.
Disinformation and QAnon
Jessica admits there are people in the wellness space who are into QAnon.
She extends her empathy to them, for they're only consuming information in line with their confirmation bias.
We need to talk about becoming critical thinkers and know the differences between disinformation, misinformation, and misunderstandings.
Some people perceive spirituality as a vacation from the difficulties of life. But Jessica sees spirituality as practicing critical thinking and staying vigilant.
Confronting Misinformation
It’s important to talk to misinformed people and ask where they get their facts.
If Jessica sees a story that sparks her emotions, she looks for different factual information and resources on the news.
We aren’t thinking logically when something evokes our emotions.
We get so fixated on coming to a solution in a conversation that we inhibit real listening and sharing.
Deep and Engaging Conversations are Possible
It's possible to have deep and engaging conversations with people who have a different stand than you. Speak about the truth of the matter under the surface.
Some differences are so fundamental that they need to be addressed.
No matter others' political alignment, you shouldn’t shut off the opportunity and ability to have engaging conversations.
From an astrological standpoint, frustration about the truth will be felt until the autumn of 2022. This time has been carved out for learning lessons.
Learning From the Past
The political and social situation of World War II, according to astrology, is almost similar to the present.
The placements of Uranus and Neptune during World War II are reoccurring now and will continue for several more years.
We did learn from the past, but it was the corrupt and fascists who did. What they’re doing now tests us as a populace on who and what we value.
The Challenge of Uranus in Taurus Transit
The Uranus in Taurus transit challenges us to learn what and who we value.
The overlap of World War II and the current rise of fascism globally tells us a lot about human nature.
A certain percentage of the population will always agree with a fascist. This situation must be considered by spiritual people as a trauma response.
But these people still deserve empathy, even if they may be our enemies.
The current situation then challenges us to live in a way that reflects our values.
Acknowledging Negative Thoughts
Nobody’s life is completely positive all the time. It’s the human condition.
But some people ignore bad things happening around them because they believe they should not pull negative thoughts into their sphere.
This belief is a gross misuse of privilege and a misunderstanding of spiritual concepts.
If we cannot stay aligned with the positive or constructive while we are in the reality of terrible things, then we have more spiritual work to do.
We must learn to be present and kind not because of its results but because it’s the way to be.
Keeping Ourselves Informed
Our society tells women to let men handle important things. Although not a conscious intention, it’s become a cultural heritage.
Women must be informed and allowed to state their opinions about the world and the news.
Individually, we must learn to figure out how to translate things ourselves. It’s important not to rely on others when it comes to digesting information.
It’s impossible to describe information to someone without putting your spin on it.
“Crowdsourcing” with a group of people you trust to keep each other informed is also possible. This practice can help empathy translate into action and civic engagement.
Engaging Conversations to Put Things into Perspective
Rosie recently had a conversation with her mother about why she used to wear black all the time.
She was living in an area and going to a school where colors can get you killed. Wearing the wrong shade can potentially cause an issue with gangs.
Engaging conversations like this helped put things into perspective for her mom. If they had discussed this at that time, it would have put less stress on both parties.
This example further emphasizes why we need to be authentically interested in the other person and where they’re coming from.
Sharing Your Truth
Rosie’s parents are proud of her book. But they still have reservations on why she needs to share her business with the world.
This reaction has much to do with the cultural and generation gap. Millennials are more comfortable with personal sharing than Boomers.
How Jessica Feels Radically Loved
Jessica compared the feeling of being radically loved to that of her vagus nerve named “Viva Las Vagus.”
Her vagus nerve is her ally and resource.
For the first time in her life, she’s starting to appreciate, work with, and treat it with the reverence it deserves.
5 Powerful Quotes from This Episode
[23:54] “The spiritual community...does deserve criticism, because we have a responsibility to be civically, politically, [and] socially-minded to take responsibility for the power of our actions and our words.”
[26:14] “We need to be able to talk about how to be critical thinkers and what's the difference between disinformation and misinformation and misunderstandings. How do you determine what's real and what's not real?”
[40:19] “It doesn't matter how much we practice being spiritual. At the end of the day, we can't just go live in a cave somewhere and pretend like everything is, at times, not falling apart.”
[41:27] “If we cannot stay aligned with the positive or the constructive, while we are in the reality of all sorts of terrible things, then we have more spiritual work to do.”
[47:13] “Whatever strategies we can come up with to be informed, stay informed, not just empathetic on a spiritual level, but to have empathy translate into action and civic engagement, that’s what will make this Pluto return ideal.”
About Jessica
Jessica Lanyadoo is a well-renowned psychic medium and astrologer with over 20 years of consulting experience. She has also authored a book titled: Astrology for Real Relationships: Understanding You, Me, and How We All Get Along.
When she’s not out in the world helping people be awesome, she hosts the Ghost of a Podcast and posts weekly horoscopes on her website.
To know more about Jessica, check out www.lovelanyadoo.com or connect with her on Instagram.
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Rosie