Thom’s Nutshell Wisdom:“Practice conversations to convey rather than convince.”Healthy Conversation is “present-centered.” In a healthy conversation, we don’t need to know exactly what we’re trying to convey. With defenses down, we learn more. How much “we,” and how much “I” can we include in any relationship? How can we get on the same side of the problem?Anxiety is at the root of why we do this. We feel threatened so we feel a compulsion to manipulate someone into our point of view. The first step of dismantling this is awareness that its happening. Then we “befriend our experience,” which we derive from the work of Nathaniel Branden.Visit our website:www.emotionalsobriety.infoFollow us on social media:Instagram: thomrutledge2Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_DogsLearn more about Joe C., Secular AA and Rebellion Dogs here:https://rebelliondogspublishing.com  Friendly Circle Berlin workshops: https://friendlycircleberlin.org/events Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/ Join Allen & Thom at our Thursday night, 7pm PST Zoom meeting on Emotional Sobriety and the Steps (login information below): https://zoom.us/j/330149513Password: 375986 For our ongoing workshop video series on Emotional Sobriety and the 12 Steps, visit our YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEM2-kqLkfp3I4c0jy-X-g Also, please join our “Emotional Sobriety and Recovery” FB Group at the following link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/120450976662519We’d love to stay in touch in between meetings. We appreciate feedback! Contact Patrick, our producer, at [email protected] for any questions or comments.