The Catholic Coaching Podcast 17. Erin Coaches the CRAP out of Matt and his Presidential Election Drama
Nov 13, 2020
A candid coaching session unpacks election-triggered anxiety and feeling unwelcome in group conversations. They explore how shame, perfectionism, and self-righteousness drive withdrawal and argument-hunting. The conversation reframes difference as curious rather than threatening and introduces neutral thoughts to restore connection. Practical emotional processing and permission to be different are highlighted.
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Feeling Unwelcome On Friends' Group Text
- Matt describes feeling unwelcome on a group text after the 2020 election because friends celebrated results he disagreed with.
- He hid his support for Trump with a GIF and felt rejected, starting the internal drama that Erin coaches him through.
Thoughts Drive Defensive Political Behavior
- The thought I don't feel like I'm welcome produces emotions (sadness, rejection) that drive defensive behaviors.
- Matt hides, ruminates, builds straw-man debates, and researches biased sources as a reaction to that internal thought.
Moral High Ground Hides Insecurity
- Trying to seize moral high ground often masks insecurity and perpetuates the same condemnation one criticizes in others.
- Erin points out that acting self-righteous results in becoming the very behavior Matt condemns.