Authenticity: How to “Be Yourself” | Being Well Podcast

We’re often told to “be true to ourselves:” to line-up the person we are on the outside with the person we are on the inside. In a word, to be authentic. But what does it mean to “be who we are,” “get in touch with ourselves,” or to go full new-age “live in alignment with our higher purpose?” What even is authenticity really?
In this episode @RickHanson and I explore what authenticity is, where it comes from, and whether it’s actually a good thing to be more authentic. We talk about what we really mean when we use the word “authenticity,” the fragmented nature of the self, and problems with unregulated self expression. We then turn towards how we can include all of ourselves, act from our values, and become at peace with who we are.
Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction
2:30 How Rick thinks about authenticity
6:20 Congruence, presentation, and the difference between honest and good
13:50 A personal example of authenticity from Rick and Forrest
17:00 Self-disclosure as a factor of intimacy
19:55 What parts of ourselves are we being authentic to?
23:30 Vulnerability and aspiration
28:50 Carl Rogers’ idea of the perceived self and the ideal self
33:00 Is self-improvement authentic?
36:30 Unconditional positive regard, and embodiment
40:05 Naming what you’re feeling, the vastness of the psyche, and self-honesty
46:36 Having a secure environment for aspirational change
48:55 Individualism, social roles, and intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation
53:25 Archetypes, the shadow, and integration
59:50 Recap
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Who Am I: I'm Forrest, the co-author of Resilient (amzn.to/3iXLerD) and host of the Being Well Podcast (apple.co/38ufGG0). I'm making videos focused on simplifying psychology, mental health, and personal growth.
You can follow me here:
🎤 apple.co/38ufGG0
🌍 www.forresthanson.com
📸 / f.hanson

Пікірлер: 70

  • @sagetenshi
    @sagetenshi7 ай бұрын

    This was another really lovely insightful and compassionately framed chat. I’ve huge love for the podcast and the two of you. Thank you both for being good leaders and example setters of where a real compassion-driven inner work can help to take people.

  • @ForrestHanson

    @ForrestHanson

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @jeangraham5351

    @jeangraham5351

    7 ай бұрын

    I'm here as soon as I saw the cast was posted. .. within 24hrs. The amazing part was that 3k+ were before me with 200 likes ..under 24hour out. Always, all content exploration is really really liked. it just takes a few more re-views to fully unpack. I did find Carl Rogers book. Thank-you. Unpacked so far.... we all are either running away from something in ourselves or running towards something in ourselves. You-all give us something to run towards in ourselves. I do enjoy a good jog in the park. The amazing part of these cast is the broad and balaned relationship between the technicially trained with the insightful. How you two natures got put together is more than serendipitous.

  • @iamme5863
    @iamme5863Ай бұрын

    So blessed to have a father who listens.....

  • @eli7527
    @eli75277 ай бұрын

    This kind of relate to the Carl Jung “shadow self”. We subconsciously suppress parts of our character, some of which are very messed up and unconventional. But nevertheless, it is part of us, and it is important to still be aware of the shadow self so we can work to find that balance in the free choices we make.

  • @eli7527
    @eli75277 ай бұрын

    Amazing video by the way! Probably the best explanation of authenticity I have heard and believe me, I’ve been watching videos on authenticity for a LONG time! Just found this channel last week and I’m just trying not to be completely addicted to it😅keep it up!

  • @kccolby7562
    @kccolby75627 ай бұрын

    Woahhh! Loved this one! You guys are awesome. Thank you! “Pulling carrots” 🤣

  • @awetephrem
    @awetephremКүн бұрын

    Loved the topic! I watched it twice. The second time just to observe the 2 of you interacting with each other. Love it!

  • @jo1681
    @jo16817 ай бұрын

    This is my favorite podcast. I really appreciate how wise Rick is in his experience. Since Forrest is so eager to learn, it makes me excited to see how wise he'll be at Rick's age.

  • @kuibeiguahua

    @kuibeiguahua

    2 ай бұрын

    May they both live long!!!

  • @user-gi6bp1xn5g
    @user-gi6bp1xn5g7 ай бұрын

    I love this kind of deep conversation with all its nooks and crannies! I rarely find someone who feels the same way. Great work! I hope you'll do more like this.

  • @karenr5870
    @karenr58707 ай бұрын

    What a great episode!

  • @sandrathomas2893
    @sandrathomas28937 ай бұрын

    My hope is that we never arrive. Individually and collectively we should strive in always becoming more compassionate and reflective with ourselves and others. Authenticity for me, is being as transparent and accountable as I am able in that moment in time. I recognize the authenticity in others by the way they unknowingly help me expand and become a better version of myself. From a Christian perspective, our goal is to mirror Christ to the best of our ability along our walk with Christ as we grow and develop in Christ. We never can attain the authenticity of Christ which is perfect, pure and Holy but by reaching and striving for his model of character and values we are ultimately always becoming more whole and authentic by that measure. Great podcast!

  • @amberbiro5509
    @amberbiro55097 ай бұрын

    I’m so glad I found these 2 beautiful souls.They both are amazing xo

  • @drdevikakhanna4979
    @drdevikakhanna49797 ай бұрын

    I see authenticity (and I’ve believed this since the age of 12) to be me, minus the conditioning 💕🌹🙏

  • @FrankKlaver
    @FrankKlaver7 ай бұрын

    Spoiler warning. Saved 3/4 of the talk for later. In the opening I thought of this: is authenticity a goal or part of a journey? Or as Rilke said, ‘Winning does not tempt that man. This is how he grows, by being defeated, decisively, by greater and greater beings.‘ I had been contemplating Consolations by David Whyte this morning on the essay on Procrastination. So I post this as a source of inspiration.

  • @alessandracm1921
    @alessandracm192121 сағат бұрын

    I have been binging your videos since I recently discovered your channel. I have to say I really love your conversations and they help me a lot.

  • @yootoob1001001
    @yootoob10010017 ай бұрын

    I disagree about choosing within a range in situation IF it's ongoing circumstances because if you are choosing inauthentically all the time within the context, it's like perpetually having to lie. It's one thing if it's a one off situation, but long term, it's better to have confrontation or leave the situation then to behave falsely because it moves one further and further away from oneself and promotes one to continuously squash oneself in order to remain in the given situation.

  • @GagaCRoy00
    @GagaCRoy006 ай бұрын

    New listener here and I’ve heard about 3 convos now between you two and I have felt them in my heart. Thank you.

  • @freescot8035

    @freescot8035

    6 ай бұрын

    That's a really nice way to put it =)

  • @christophspiessens3751
    @christophspiessens37517 ай бұрын

    Another gem. Thank you for creating and sharing!

  • @leahb.mathis5727
    @leahb.mathis57277 ай бұрын

    I've been listening to, and LOVING this podcast for a while now. It's so very enriching in all kinds of ways personally and professionally. Goddess bless you two beautiful humans ♥️ I've realized now, that Sir Rick received his graduate degree a bit "later" in life. I'm becoming more and more curious about what he did (other than being a dad and husband) BEFORE psychotherapy!!! Omg, all the things possible! A carpenter? Professional surfer? Buddhist monk? Taxi can driver? Oooo, the possibilities are endless...😉♥️

  • @amandameunier4157
    @amandameunier4157Ай бұрын

    I'm fascinated with the concept of reclaiming my interior , thank you Rick for putting language to this nuance. It resonates particularly for those of us who are processing early trauma and doing the work to understand where we are on our authentic continuum. It's a life long process . I appreciate the respectful and insightful conversation.

  • @heidiperez1387
    @heidiperez13877 ай бұрын

    Forrest nailed it "The GAME we're all playing" BAM💥 This is exactly why I stay to myself. I don't like the game!

  • @angelamossucco2190
    @angelamossucco21907 ай бұрын

    Talking about the privilege of authenticity is striking. The subcultures within the dominant culture are often more or less open to authenticity based on how those subcultures are welcomed or rejected by the dominant society. The more unwelcome thata group is the more inauthenticity seems a part of acceptance or even safety within that at risk group.

  • @clara3322
    @clara33227 ай бұрын

    Great episode! I thought it was very useful to think about authenticity as expressing my entire ‘country’, as Rick said. I never would have thought of that analogy myself. 🙏

  • @stephhageman7039
    @stephhageman70397 ай бұрын

    This is so good. Thank you!!!

  • @kyuuki_kitsune
    @kyuuki_kitsuneАй бұрын

    Very happy to hear the topic of creating "personas" in pursuit of authenticity and exploration talked about, and the concept of multi-minded self in general. I'm both an identity coach and a person with an intentionally plural identity structure, and it's a practice I've found incredibly helpful in exploring who we are, whether it's by roleplaying, tulpas/intentional plurality, Internal Family Systems, or any other means by which we explore branches of who we are, or who we might like to be. Constructing an identity as an anchoring point to explore facets of ourselves can give a lot of direction and structure to a process that is often overwhelmingly vague and amorphous. Love your videos/podcast! Perhaps someday I can be a guest if you're looking to discuss the topic of identity further.

  • @charmedprince
    @charmedprince8 күн бұрын

    I make my life as performatively authentic . I dress in ways that feel genuine to my core I wanna stand out because in my deepest self, I want to stand out. And so I live my life authentically albeit in a theatrical way

  • @TranscendingTrauma
    @TranscendingTrauma7 ай бұрын

    This was beyond excellent

  • @tonyburton419
    @tonyburton4197 ай бұрын

    I bought your Dad's book few years ago. I had no idea who he was It is one of a number of books still waiting to be read! It has been good to now know for sure. This is a fine channel, and always very wise & engaging.

  • @InSouthernMaine
    @InSouthernMaine7 ай бұрын

    Hard to be one’s authentic self when that self has been deemed unacceptable. Perhaps that’s why so many of us have cats.

  • @faithwalker4789
    @faithwalker47897 ай бұрын

    Enjoyed this conversation!!

  • @user-ev6xm8vo9n
    @user-ev6xm8vo9n4 ай бұрын

    Intelligent life in 2 generations!!! You gentlemen validate my reality and restore my hope in men and in humanity. Thank you!

  • @Lorobain33
    @Lorobain33Ай бұрын

    This is so rich, so nourishing, not in least because of the subtext of your interactions with each other. The notion of masking up with the unexpressed aspects of one's self is brilliant; I have an inner Woods-woman who was deeply appreciative of that.

  • @pragmaticpoet
    @pragmaticpoet7 ай бұрын

    What I am noticing at the beginning of your conversation reminds me of what I have heard about taking calcium supplements... it is best to take with magnesium to ensure absorption = authenticity best partnered with Trust / Secure environments to allow a healthy, responsible expression to blossom 🌸 take a look at the seed and take a look at the soil

  • @Sophia-yo9rp
    @Sophia-yo9rpАй бұрын

    Bless you both. I appreciate your wisdom. Thank you.

  • @user-pv6sn8es5x
    @user-pv6sn8es5xАй бұрын

    Thank you both

  • @coreyspringer2247
    @coreyspringer22475 ай бұрын

    Okay, I listen to a great number of podcasts, and this was one of the most helpful I’ve ever heard in my entire life. Not exaggerating. I’m grateful for the both of you sharing all this. Wisdom is just flowing freely here. This impacted me (positively) more than you’ll know.

  • @ForrestHanson

    @ForrestHanson

    5 ай бұрын

    Really appreciate that.

  • @user-ue5yf1ej4i
    @user-ue5yf1ej4i5 ай бұрын

    I love this podcast! I am really working on boundaries and not over sharing. I do have neurodivergent issues and sometimes I have the hardest time knowing how to be around people and just start yacking about my personal stuff. This helped me so much.

  • @susanswinny588
    @susanswinny5885 ай бұрын

    I believe in calming practices that "naturally" reduce impulsive responses that may come up in me. I put it in quotes because nature, outdoors, exercise, mindful practices like humming or chanting Om, breathwork, meditation (various), journaling, gratitude, intention setting. Optimal sleep. Sleep is based partly on my practices. It's based on the kinds of foods and when eaten. Mood is tied to gut-health, so I embrace fiber, food variety, less sugar, and micronutrients, polyphenols, and carrying a helpful body weight. I look for ways to engage with others, intersect in a mutually beneficial way with curiosity and openness.

  • @crystalding5589
    @crystalding55897 ай бұрын

    About to listen to the video and already compelled to say, mmmmmm, delicious food for thought, cant wait

  • @peacefulisland67
    @peacefulisland672 ай бұрын

    If my orientation is love or truth, authenticity can become less complicated than we make it out to be. At a meeting recently, a young woman helped me see this in the moment. (funny how it can take years of practice and exposure for an idea to land) She simply said, "Is how I'm being pulled to react instinctively in alignment with who I want to be, or who I know I am? Does this response lead me to more love, more joy or more distress, more isolation?" While behaving in ways that bring more suffering can look like an authentic expression, it's (almost) always based on a misapprehension of our actual position and power. It takes an incredibly wide view of what we're doing here, and from my side I need constant reminders to keep me from shutting windows and doors; to keep me from trying to prevent pain in favor of seeking love and the expression of it.

  • @MzCaiti2010
    @MzCaiti2010Ай бұрын

    I love your videos, thanks for the amazing insightful and interesting content.

  • @deea7843
    @deea784317 күн бұрын

    Wow. Thank you.

  • @lindaelarde2692
    @lindaelarde26927 ай бұрын

    Love your podcast! Topics are always relevant, thought provoking, and a great resource for self- awareness and personal growth. Thank you so much for such valuable insights!

  • @krisadamslarson9446
    @krisadamslarson94466 ай бұрын

    I completely resonate with this entire podcast. Thank you both!!

  • @blueskies6475
    @blueskies64757 ай бұрын

    But I'm hated cause I'm authentic! The people they go around stealing others authenticity are Narcissist. I've Read over and over, they cannot change, it's a loss cause, get away from them. They have no self.

  • @lulu-ou6dl

    @lulu-ou6dl

    5 ай бұрын

    Being authentic comes at a social cost: being unaccepted, judged or devalued by others. You gotta choose between being authentic (thus accepted by yourself) or being accepted by others (this is what actual narcissism is about)

  • @darynakaratniuk6026
    @darynakaratniuk60263 ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @sharynmain2432
    @sharynmain24327 ай бұрын

    Hi Forrest and Rick. Another great topic and discussion. Your insight into authenticity highlighted that keeping it real and NOT being an arse…. Is too true. Some people can confuse the two. You mentioned being stymie concerning a feeling or inaction you felt. I did have a brief thought of the Mr Men books by Roger Hargreaves such as Mr Happy etc. I feel you can channel Mr Stymie if you like ( such a good word choice). I use to joke to my now past husband I would have been Miss Common sense or Miss Logic. ‘Tis a cross we have to bare. Rick I am sure would suit Mr …. Serene. The books concern the emotions that arise from sensations, very unadorned and simple presentation with the graphics… if any one can relate 😮. Simple pleasures.

  • @eli7527
    @eli75277 ай бұрын

    8:20 that’s hilarious 😂

  • @bethraflowers5799
    @bethraflowers57992 ай бұрын

    ❤❤❤

  • @mohibquadri4053
    @mohibquadri40537 ай бұрын

    Too Good !! Bro what's some best books to read for creating self belief after setbacks & developing winners mindset in any uncertainty or challenges to rise above adversity ??

  • @georgiasmyrniou6337
    @georgiasmyrniou63377 ай бұрын

    I understood the woodsman from the dad but the one one the son totally confused me

  • @malunachow
    @malunachow3 ай бұрын

    I have a sensitive question: as an artist, I created artworks & people can buy it. But.. they want to talk with me, spending hours on- line, being for them or even spend time physically. I tried to give what I can ("God send people to you" so..), but my authencity needs to be closer my needs, which is spending time on my own term, not being "on sale" - as I feel in those cases. Help!

  • @tracirex
    @tracirex7 ай бұрын

    loved this subject. could use more examples from your personal lives to increase understanding.

  • @rascallyrabbit
    @rascallyrabbit6 ай бұрын

    I was wondering if at the bottom of this well rests the question of if there is a God and if that God has a moral compass that is a commandment not a suggestion. Hitler, Stalin, Mao had a moral compass, but it seems to not be based on a Judeo-Christian moral code. Many of our parents had a moral compass not based on obedience to love, compassion, joy, peace, patience, self-control, but rather to whatever they felt like obeying at any given moment. Hence, we have unstable, confusing programming and must decide what we believe and why we believe it. Is Hamas or Israel doing the right thing? Are we doing the right action?

  • @gulliver7419
    @gulliver74197 ай бұрын

    My concern about believing that we are all just beautiful flowers raises the issue of the shadow self. I will never integrate our whole shadow self in our life time. Become more aware yes but not a beautiful flower with no dark spots.

  • @smeachiix353
    @smeachiix3537 ай бұрын

    even when you are doing 25-life

  • @freescot8035
    @freescot80356 ай бұрын

    Hey Forest, you might find growing potatoes in a sack an easy way to start, or a dwarf tomato plant at your window. Enjoy =)

  • @elizabethash4720
    @elizabethash47207 ай бұрын

    Its not ccomplicated. Just making life choices through what is meaningful to you. To remain distinct and separate individuals who respect ourselves and who respect those around us, living in peace .

  • @maryvosk9754

    @maryvosk9754

    7 ай бұрын

    But it is pretty complicated to do this when trauma informs your childhood! Still simple, I get it. But also complicated.

  • @johnnewell5025

    @johnnewell5025

    7 ай бұрын

    I want to second the reply from @maryvosk9754. If you grew up in a violent and dangerous family, you learn early and deeply to hide your self. It's a matter or life and death, sometimes very literally. Trying to let go of the unconscious and instinctive reflex to keep yourself safe by concealing who you are is extremely difficult, even with expert compassionate help and a lot of time devoted to the process.

  • @elizabethash4720

    @elizabethash4720

    7 ай бұрын

    @@johnnewell5025 I'm sorry for your suffering and constantly being in fight or flight . It must have been demoralising. It's good that you know there is a better way, I hope you find it, I believe it is in us all to find our inner peace. Look for it with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.Peace to you today and every day.🔥

  • @briansteppacher4174
    @briansteppacher41747 ай бұрын

    "mirror mirror on the wall" the" doctor" knows me

  • @briansteppacher4174

    @briansteppacher4174

    3 ай бұрын

    A mirror is the best doctor.

  • @chloestan9
    @chloestan95 ай бұрын

    I think it’s an interesting podcast but for anyone neurodivergent this isn’t really a possible way to understand more. It leads to internalized ableism.

  • @blueskies6475
    @blueskies64757 ай бұрын

    Yeah, the psychopath can't be authentic!