Ethan: A deep political rift in the family

Ethan's parents have become committed to extreme right wing ideologies, which they keep pushing on Ethan. He has tried and failed to explain to them why their views are harmful. Now, in the midst of helping his wife deal with a health crisis, Ethan has decided to step away from his relationship with his parents, despite how much it hurts. Dr. Hillary helps him navigate his grief. 

Listen for:

• How Ethan feels about his parents prioritizing their beliefs over their relationship with him and his own young family. "If it doesn't centre around religion, politics, or money, it has no space for them."
• How Ethan initially resists or skirts around his own feelings of grief. Although it may seem healthy to focus on the silver lining, or move on to other stressors, Hillary helps Ethan acknowledge the part of himself that is hurting. 
• How Ethan is building a community or a chosen family, and experiencing connection that isn't so depleting. 

Quotes from the episode: 

• "I think there's a deep grief here that parents could choose this set of beliefs instead of their own children."- Hillary

• "Can I be valuable enough to you that you make an effort to be in relationship with me? And [acknowledging] the ache of feeling like the answer to that has been 'no' for so long." - Hillary

• "I kinda wish they would have fought a little harder to maintain our relationship." - Ethan

• "The more a situation is unsafe. the noisier your brain gets in terms of trying to process it all ... and that just feels really taxing." - Ethan