16 Comments
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Shad Riley's avatar

Thanks Matt. I am looking forward to more of these videos here on Substack.

I completely understand the mental health concerns and I am glad you have people who you work with that you can talk to about this. I had a coworker once confide in me that they were thinking about suicide. My job can be very stressful, but it was especially bad at that time. We were at work 6 days a week, mandatory overtime. A few people ended up quitting during this time. I helped some of my coworkers by providing them information on counseling services that were available free of charge to us that were obligated not to report to our employer. There was, and still is, a stigma about seeking mental healthcare because of the fear that it may make that person unqualified to continue to work.

I personally spend a significant amount of personal time doing activities that I love. I spend time with my wife, my dogs, and friends. I go to the mountains and explore.

As terrible as the future looks, it is important for everyone to be aware of what is happening. Not only is this important for voters in the midterms, but people have a voice that can effect change now. I am aware of a temporary ICE detention or transition facility that was going to be used here in Aurora, CO. Public outrage and a visit from a Congressman have (at least up to this point) cancelled the facility.

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Ruairi Hipkin's avatar

Matt reinventing the fireside chat

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HoboBoB's avatar

Best move I ever made was to decide to get on anti depressants. The difference between before and after is astounding.

Thank you for the update sir, stay strong!

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Alex Sloane's avatar

I have had the same thought about people needing to pace themselves, the rest of Trump's term is a marathon not a sprint, have to take care of yourself to make it to the end.

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JR's avatar

Thank you for all that you do. Enjoyed this chat and look forward to more. I’ve been following the Opening Arguments podcast for a few months and always learn a lot.

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N Yusko's avatar

I really enjoy reading your updates and I think the videos will be a good addition. There’s something about your calm voice that makes hearing about all this seem less terrifying.

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Pete L's avatar

It's great to see you prioritizing your mental health and quitting Pearl Jam.

Life on the road AND running the firm seemed like a lot to take on.

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tigrlily61's avatar

There is a new(ish) way of looking at how the human body responds to long-term stress (polyvagal theory), and how to reset the brain using techniques like bilateral stimulation and nervous system regulation, in addition to the usual lifestyle changes. The (free) podcast, Regulate & Rewire (Amanda Armstrong, updated weekly, 115 episodes since 14March2023, https://www.riseaswe.com/podcast) explains it clearly and in a pretty accessible manner. As a recovering lawyer, I appreciate your openness about dealing with your quest for emotional health. My solution to the waking-up-brain-buzzing problem is trazadone, which (mostly) enables me to sleep through the night.

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Suzanne Siegel's avatar

Thank you, Matt. I'm very glad to hear from you. I hope you do more of these videos.

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Lisa C's avatar

Adding my voice of thanks for this. I especially appreciated you talking about how knowing people who fled horrific governments informs your understanding of what could happen here. I don't know if it's hubris, arrogance, ethnocentrism or what, but I am shocked when I hear people say it can't happen here. I have heard the story too many times--it was fine-》it was okay-》it was getting bad-》we fled over the mountains with only what we could carry on our backs.

I read a lot about the Danish Resistance eight years ago, wondering if anyone still reading these comments has suggestions about other places that resisted well.

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David Crafti's avatar

We watch these to hear your honest, informed opinions, which come from someone doing honorable, principled work that opposes the fascists.

I get the feeling you have no plans or desire to run for office, so I'll just point out that makes you an excellent candidate, in my opinion.

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Katie Herrmann's avatar

Thanks for sharing! This has been top of mind for me lately, too.

I am taking a 3-month hiatus for mental health reasons soon, and feeling all kinds of ways about. I have treatment-resistant depression that I've been wrestling with for years. I feel hope (which is nice) that the time off will help, but also a truckload of guilt for taking the time...now.

I'm sorry to hear about your mental health struffles, too. Dissociation is no joke. I used to have nightmares so bad that I would dissociate (waking up, but not "checking in" until later). A service dog helped me with that for years, and its no longer an issue.

What else....

I agree that music, dance and art are very effective means of communicatiom and powerful tools of protest.

(This was so much more of my thoughts than anyone needed, but a lot of this was relatable!)

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Katie Herrmann's avatar

Struggles*

Struffles is far too cute of a way to describe it.

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Tthiking's avatar

What a nice surprise to see your video when i was checking emails before bedtime. I am in a period where I have to back way off of news input - try to focus on select writers. I've had to back off some podcasts because it is more rage vs. explaining news of day and ideas for pushing through.

Thank you for your openness regarding mental health. I have been so concerned for people who might get caught up with ICE and detention and the sending people to El Salvador - oof. And I think of the attorneys who are doing all the good work helping them and also those fighting back on illegal actions.

For me, knowing what is going on helps me to process better vs. seeing a short article and wondering what the hell?! I have this horrible gut feeling that things will be so much worse than people imagine. I am worried about neighbors.

I have not been as focused on the things that bring me joy like hiking and knitting - and really do feel that impact. Your video is a good reminder to keep that in our lives - otherwise, we will not have the energy to do what we need to do to push back. I want to be a helper but must also find healthy housing - it's a lot.

cheers

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Jason's avatar

Cheers, Matt. 🍻

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Gimme Shelter's avatar

Can you help me? I have an emergency

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