The Identities We Hide: In Conversation with Dr. Alexandra Sedlovskaya

I am so excited to be back with another guest in the kitchen, and not just any guest but the incredible Dr Alexandra Sedlovskaya  - my Professor from the Self and Identity course I studied at Harvard Extension school at the beginning of this year.

It feels like a pretty monumental conversation for a number of reasons, but one being that it was this course and a conversation we had, that pushed this podcast from an abstract idea to a solidified plan, so to be here today recording an episode for it feels amazing.

We discuss:

- What brought her to Harvard and why she chose to study self and identity.

- Tips on the ability to create safe spaces for people to explore these important topics. 

- What is meant by the term concealable stigmatized identities, some examples and the difference between those and stigmatized identities

- The psychological impact on concealing a stigmatized identity.

- The propensity to create a divided self when you feel you can only be yourself in certain rooms. 

… and more.

Today’s exercise: Practice those tough conversations, and practice creating safe spaces for people in our lives.

Stay connected with Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/laurenaisharc/

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Learn more about Dr. Alexandra Sedlovskaya’s Harvard course: https://online-learning.harvard.edu/course/self-and-identity?delta=0