What Happens When We Step Closer Rather than Backing Away [episode 122]
Listen to What Happens When We Step Closer Rather than Backing Away on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | your platform of choice
I’ve always been someone who willingly steps into perspectives that are wildly different from my own. Sometimes, it’s on topics I know very little about, and even those I don’t fully agree with.
Learning from stories that don’t mirror my own has a way of expanding my understanding, softening my edges, and reminding me how layered and complex being human really is.
Honestly, I just love stretching my mind in this way!
In today’s episode, I’m talking about what happens when we choose to step closer instead of pulling away. My curiosity recently led me to consume I Take My Coffee Black by Tyler Merritt.
Our lives couldn’t look more different, and yet, listening to him tell his own stories was deeply impactful. If you’re going to consume this book, I strongly recommend the audiobook!
One of his quotes totally stopped me in my tracks when I heard it: “Distance breeds suspicion, and proximity breeds empathy” (he credits Brian Lawrence). That one sentence captures SO much of what fuels misunderstanding (and what heals it).
It’s a whole lot harder to stay angry, judgmental, or hateful toward someone when you actually get close to them. When we get curious and learn someone’s story, compassion naturally follows.
Proximity doesn’t mean agreement – it means empathy, grace, and humanity!
In this episode, What Happens When We Step Closer Rather than Backing Away, I cover:
- How the book I Take My Coffee Black inspired a deeper reflection for me
- The powerful idea that “distance breeds suspicion, and proximity breeds empathy”
- How learning someone’s story makes it harder to judge or stay stuck in anger
- A personal example of how getting curious & stepping closer changed things for the better
- Why proximity doesn’t require agreement, but creates space for empathy & grace
Resources & Links:
- I Take My Coffee Black by Tyler Merritt (affiliate link)
- Schedule a free consult and see if 1:1 Good Movement Guidance is right for you
- Check out my merch shop
- Join the waitlist for the Good Movement Collective
- Good Movement music by: Aaron Espe
- Podcast produced by: Jill Carr Podcasting
Connect with Terryn:
- Follow on Instagram @terryn.drieling
- Check out my website
- Send me an email at terryn@terryndrieling.com
Related Episodes:
- Episode 12: Choose Curiosity Over Criticism
- Episode 61: The Story You Don’t Know: Extending Grace Without Accepting Behavior
- Episode 85: The Dangerous Comfort of Judgment: Responding to Tragedy with Humanity
Some links referenced above are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
More about the Good Movement Draws Good Movement podcast:
In stockmanship (the art and science of handling cattle in a safe, effective, low-stress manner), we have this phrase . . . good movement draws good movement.
It’s this thing that happens when we ask a small group of cattle, maybe a cow, or a pair to move out in a certain direction, and their movement draws the whole herd into moving in the same direction.
Good movement happens when we approach the cattle with a positive attitude, read and really listen to what they’re telling us, and communicate accordingly.
We don’t approach the aware, flighty cattle the same as we do the tame, docile cattle. We adjust ourselves, our energy, and approach, and communicate with each differently.
These adjustments help us effectively draw good movement from each, which then draws good movement from the herd. But it starts with us.
The same is true for humans. Good movement starts with us.
Welcome to Good Movement Draws Good Movement, the podcast where farmers, ranchers, and rural folks can grow relationally through awareness, understanding, and effective communication.
Hey, it’s me – T. I’m your host, and I, along with my guests, will be covering topics related to drawing good movement – things like self and social awareness, brain science, positive psychology, extending grace, and so much more.
We’ll share tools that can help you understand why you are the way you are, why others are the way they are, and how you can use that to step out of self-told lies with grace and compassion to draw good movement in conversations, relationships, and life in rural America.
Tune in every Tuesday and make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s go draw good movement!
