Polarization with Dr Barbara Laymon
Season 4: Episode 1
To introduce Season 4, Dr. Barbara Laymon joins the podcast to discuss the complex dynamics of polarization and the interplay between individuality and togetherness as described in Bowen family systems theory. This episode explores what individuality and togetherness look like in relationships, the impact of societal pressures, and the importance of maturity in navigating differences. Examples, including the Bonhoeffer family, prairie dogs, COVID-19, and the Olympic Games, illustrate natural tendencies towards both cooperation and competition. The conversation offers practical takeaways for managing polarization in everyday life.
Barbara Laymon, Ph.D. is a family systems consultant, a writer, and a researcher. Her latest book, “All the Families of the Earth,” is a fictional piece imagining family therapists at work behind the scenes of Biblical stories. Her most recent academic article involved a validated scale of congregational functioning, published in the Journal of Pastoral Psychology.
Resources
- Dr Barbara Laymon – All the Families of the Earth
- Dr Barbara Laymon – Measuring Congregational Functioning: A Scale Based Upon Bowen Family Systems Theory, Journal of Pastoral Psychology
- Dr Ronald Richardson – Polarization and the Healthier Church
- Denmark “boxes” Commercial – All That We Share
- Want to speak with a counsellor? Contact Us