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Triple the Chance of Your Child Becoming a Successful Adult and Avoiding Dangerous Influences

Sep 20, 2023

Paul Johnson is joined by Dr. Emily Bashah to talk about extremist ideologies, violent groups, and what parents can do to protect their children from them.

The couple touches upon what happens at a neurological level in children’s brains, what predators do to find “reclutes,” the Theory of Mind, and the T.R.I.P.L.E.D. parenting acronym.

  • Paul and Dr. Bashah discuss when ideology can become a problem that leads to the recruiting of vulnerable people by extremist groups.
  • Dr. Bashah explains that extreme ideologies tend to be driven by a victim-oppressor group-think mentality.
  • In the context of addictive ideologies, there seems to be a psychological need to be right – Dr. Bashah and Paul touch upon what happens at a neurological level.
  • In her work with predators, Dr. Bashah has learned a lot about the search and recruitment of youngsters. She shares some things parents should be mindful of and do to protect their children.
  • Dr. Bashah lists the developmental periods a child’s brain goes through and how that fits the context of relationship-building and radicalization.
  • Dr. Bashah and Paul talk about the Theory of Mind and how the term bullying is being redefined.
  • Did you know that, as an adult, you can be polarizing and can contribute to the creation of an environment of polarization?
  • Paul and Dr. Bashah created the T.R.I.P.L.E.D. acronym to help parents think about how to triple the chance of their child growing into a successful adult and avoiding detrimental influences.
  • Paul shares what he considers steps parents should take to nurture their relationship with their children and to keep them away from extremism.

 

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

optamerican.com

Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican

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Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets

Dr. Emily Bashah