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The word nuance has been running through my mind quite a bit lately. It seems to be the state in which we all live in right now. According to www.merriam-webster.com, it means "a subtle distinction" or “sensibility to, awareness of, or ability to express delicate shadings (as of meanings).” Sounds very 2020, right?
One of my favorite podcasts in recent months has been The Nuanced Life with hosts Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers. The tagline for The Nuanced Life is “in a world that increasingly defaults to false dichotomies, we explore the messiness of living wisely -- the choices, tradeoffs, priorities, and grace of living a nuanced life.”
In the last seven months, Americans, particularly mothers, have been living nuanced lives. Each day we make difficult choices while the world around us changes by the minute. We rely on the medical community, school boards, school administrators, employers, local and statewide governments and our own “gut feelings” to know how to best live, work and educate during a global pandemic. For those like myself, who like to live with clarity and direction, it can be challenging to navigate. I’m suffering from decision fatigue among other things. I connect with so many topics and sentiments Sarah and Beth share with their community on this podcast.
I was introduced to Sarah and Beth on their first podcast, Pantsuit Politics. The show focuses on politics, democracy and current events. Each episode they discuss issues in a healthy way despite political differences. Sarah and Beth are lawyers who hold different political ideologies, but are long-time friends. Their discussions are mature, patient and respectful. They published a book, I think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening), on this very approach to healthy relationships in a polarizing political climate.
However, The Nuanced Life has a different focus. Sarah and Beth often dive deep into topics relevant, current and personal. They share listeners’ emails as a springboard for discussion. They handle the issues with brilliance and insight that I don’t find on many platforms. In recent months they have touched on back-to-school during COVID-19, dealing with family members’ racism, reflecting on their decisions to attend law school and RBG’s legacy. I find myself feeling known, emotional and empowered after listening to an episode.
The Nuanced Life has helped me in my own nuanced life. It’s opened my eyes to the complexities of issues and situations both personally and professionally, while also validating my own thoughts and experiences as a full-time work from home mom during COVID-19.
I highly recommend this podcast because life is full of nuance! It's what you didn’t know you needed in 2020!
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