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August 3, 2025 • 78 mins

Do you ever wonder whether you belong?

💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/4lMOdTj

According to Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist, belonging is an evolutionary need, literally built into our DNA. And in our current loneliness epidemic, the feeling of belonging uncertainty can impact our sense of safety, identity and even physical health.

This week, Dr Em goes into the intolerable state of uncertainty, and the self-fulfilling prophecy we may induce when trying to protect ourselves. Unfortunately, for all of us introverts, creating connection involves risk.

Thorough in her research as always, Dr Em explains the benefits to seeking perspective and crafting situations to help others feel like they belong.

AND with a guest star appearance from Producer Bridge, we unpack what it looks and feels like to get it wrong, and how you can work to get it right.

Dr Em, this is our favourite time of the month.

To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/r1qTUZwBLDw 

🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

📖Things to read

  • A question of belonging: race, social fit, and achievement by Geoffrey Cohen and Gregory Walton - https://bit.ly/4mbPMds
  • A Brief Social-Belonging Intervention Improves Academic and Health Outcomes of Minority Students by Geoffrey Cohen and Gregory Walton - https://bit.ly/3UCcS0Y
  • Breaking the cycle of mistrust: wise interventions to provide critical feedback across the racial divide by Geoffrey Cohen, David Yeager & others - https://bit.ly/4odZKgc
  • Pygmalion in the Classroom by Robert Rosenthal & Lenore Jacobson - http://bit.ly/4fa2Tte
  • BELONGING: The Feeling That We “Belong” May Depend in Part on “Affirmations” by Mary Rowe - http://bit.ly/4l8fPBo
  • Unstuck by Dr Emily Musgrove - http://bit.ly/3J8tieV

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects

🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects

The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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