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Being the Change: A Guide for Advocates and Activists on Staying Healthy, Inspired, and Driven
Being the Change is written for activists who work in organizations with social missions, and those who are involved in social change outside of their jobs. This book is a practical guide that helps readers maintain and enhance their ability to be effective agents of change.
You can't take care of the world without taking care of yourself. Although therapy can often help alleviate anxiety or depression, activists can also apply therapy-based strategies as part of their self-care. This book provides empirically supported strategies from cognitive behavior therapies and other psychological interventions for coping with the challenges of difficult, yet meaningful work.
Readers will learn how to clarify their values, identify their strengths, manage their emotions and relationships, and incorporate self-care as part of their personal and professional development. A rich catalog of case examples, exercises, and actionable ideas make this book a comprehensive toolkit for people who want to take their social engagement to the next level in a healthy and productive way.
You can't take care of the world without taking care of yourself. Although therapy can often help alleviate anxiety or depression, activists can also apply therapy-based strategies as part of their self-care. This book provides empirically supported strategies from cognitive behavior therapies and other psychological interventions for coping with the challenges of difficult, yet meaningful work.
Readers will learn how to clarify their values, identify their strengths, manage their emotions and relationships, and incorporate self-care as part of their personal and professional development. A rich catalog of case examples, exercises, and actionable ideas make this book a comprehensive toolkit for people who want to take their social engagement to the next level in a healthy and productive way.
- GenresPsychology
244 pages, Paperback
Published January 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 27, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Dara G. Friedman-Wheeler and Jamie Sue Bodenlos’s ‘Being the Change’ puts a psychological twist on advocacy and what it takes to be one, how we become one and how to stay healthy in the process. It’s an easily understandable book but more suited towards someone who has little knowledge of behavioral therapy. I only gave it 3 stars because mental health is an important topic but the authors fall flat on understanding activism and change.
The book sets out to help readers maintain and enhance their ability to be effective agents of change but doesn’t meet that goal. As an activist in my personal life, I never get a sense the authors understand activism at all.
Dara G. Friedman-Wheeler and Jamie Sue Bodenlos’s ‘Being the Change’ puts a psychological twist on advocacy and what it takes to be one, how we become one and how to stay healthy in the process. It’s an easily understandable book but more suited towards someone who has little knowledge of behavioral therapy. I only gave it 3 stars because mental health is an important topic but the authors fall flat on understanding activism and change.
The book sets out to help readers maintain and enhance their ability to be effective agents of change but doesn’t meet that goal. As an activist in my personal life, I never get a sense the authors understand activism at all.
January 4, 2023
Dara G. Friedman-Wheeler and Jamie Sue Bodenlos's "Being the Change" is practical and easy to understand manual to being an advocate. As someone that has actually started their own Foundation based upon the loss of several loved ones, I would have loved to have this book when I started. It's almost the quench's central road map on how to and why be an advocate.
And looking at the image that was chosen for the cover of the book it immediately shows the reader that the colors of our world and the leaves give us strength which is the tree. The visual meaning of this and the fact that this is what they chose did you pick the book is very impressive.
I like others were a little hesitant to pick up the book at first simply because I expected it to be full of scientific jargon and not depicted in layman's terms. However, I was incorrect. This book is written in layman's terms easy to understand and tends to repeat itself every few paragraphs so that you gather all of the meaning of what is being said.
By utilizing the ACT we are shown how not only to become an advocate, but why are we an advocate in the first place. It shows us ways to take this world on from working for a non-profit to starting your own foundation.
Yes it is full of scientific jargon however the way it is explained tells the reader that they are worthwhile. I really enjoyed learning how to determine my why and my activist role and not just saying I'm an activist. Learning my role helps me change my mindset to understanding that my meaning has to keep me going not my purpose alone.
This book also helps me especially as an advocate understand how to cope with the ups and downs of my cause. It's helping me keep balanced using the systems that are explained in the book and also to trudge forward and continue to change myself so that I have the right mindset to be effective in my role, in my Foundation, and as an example to those around me.
I cannot say enough about how incredible this book is not only just to advocates that are wanting to change the world, but to those of us that need to be an advocate for ourselves and our family. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book, read it, and share it with those around you.
And looking at the image that was chosen for the cover of the book it immediately shows the reader that the colors of our world and the leaves give us strength which is the tree. The visual meaning of this and the fact that this is what they chose did you pick the book is very impressive.
I like others were a little hesitant to pick up the book at first simply because I expected it to be full of scientific jargon and not depicted in layman's terms. However, I was incorrect. This book is written in layman's terms easy to understand and tends to repeat itself every few paragraphs so that you gather all of the meaning of what is being said.
By utilizing the ACT we are shown how not only to become an advocate, but why are we an advocate in the first place. It shows us ways to take this world on from working for a non-profit to starting your own foundation.
Yes it is full of scientific jargon however the way it is explained tells the reader that they are worthwhile. I really enjoyed learning how to determine my why and my activist role and not just saying I'm an activist. Learning my role helps me change my mindset to understanding that my meaning has to keep me going not my purpose alone.
This book also helps me especially as an advocate understand how to cope with the ups and downs of my cause. It's helping me keep balanced using the systems that are explained in the book and also to trudge forward and continue to change myself so that I have the right mindset to be effective in my role, in my Foundation, and as an example to those around me.
I cannot say enough about how incredible this book is not only just to advocates that are wanting to change the world, but to those of us that need to be an advocate for ourselves and our family. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book, read it, and share it with those around you.
March 10, 2025
I think this is a great one for all helping professionals! As someone who engages in advocacy work daily be it in my career or every day life, this book is a refreshing take on what to do for ourselves when faced with the difficulties of advocating for our communities. I enjoyed it!
May 18, 2025
Thoughtful (albeit elementary) message about engaging in social justice work without losing your mind.
January 21, 2023
Disclaimer that I'm a friend of the first author and wrote a blurb for the book.
That said, I sincerely love this book. Leverages the authors' deep understanding of psychotherapy methods and their practical experience as social justice activists. Explains clearly and in user-friendly manner tools for keeping your own tank full so to speak.
It's common to see individual therapy perspectives contrasted with big-picture macro societal perspectives, but this book shows that the two can be compatible.
if you ever feel stuck and dissatisfied along the lines of "I should be doing X, Y, Z to make the world better, but I [don't have time, don't know how to get started, am already overwhelmed, don't think it will help.....]", then this book will prove inspiring and informative.
That said, I sincerely love this book. Leverages the authors' deep understanding of psychotherapy methods and their practical experience as social justice activists. Explains clearly and in user-friendly manner tools for keeping your own tank full so to speak.
It's common to see individual therapy perspectives contrasted with big-picture macro societal perspectives, but this book shows that the two can be compatible.
if you ever feel stuck and dissatisfied along the lines of "I should be doing X, Y, Z to make the world better, but I [don't have time, don't know how to get started, am already overwhelmed, don't think it will help.....]", then this book will prove inspiring and informative.
February 27, 2023
A Guide for Advocates and Activists to Staying Healthy, Inspired, and Driven offers help and hope for folks involved in social action or justice work. Folks who serve others, fight for change and address wrongs can experience uncertainties, burnout and conflict. Tools in this book help us find our path and stay the course.
The authors help readers discover the causes that matter to them. And they offer tools to manage various challenges that occur on the path of helping.
I appreciate the mixture of social justice examples. While the content relies heavily on political causes, it also includes academic, community and charitable causes.
One thing I liked is how the authors refer to themselves in third person. And they include mistakes and failures they’ve made, not just triumphs. I appreciated their realness and humanity.
In addition to including first-person references, the authors include examples from other activists, too. This feature adds value to the content and makes it even more accessible to me.
This book is one I will reference for years to come.
Favorite quotes:
“How wonderful it is that no one has to wait, but can start right now to gradually change the world!” Anne Frank
“Pivot toward what matters.” Steven Hayes
“Working toward what one values not only brings a sense of satisfaction but changes what one becomes in the process.” Albert Bandura
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” attributed to William James
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” Gloria Steinem
“Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world.” Pema Chodron
The authors help readers discover the causes that matter to them. And they offer tools to manage various challenges that occur on the path of helping.
I appreciate the mixture of social justice examples. While the content relies heavily on political causes, it also includes academic, community and charitable causes.
One thing I liked is how the authors refer to themselves in third person. And they include mistakes and failures they’ve made, not just triumphs. I appreciated their realness and humanity.
In addition to including first-person references, the authors include examples from other activists, too. This feature adds value to the content and makes it even more accessible to me.
This book is one I will reference for years to come.
Favorite quotes:
“How wonderful it is that no one has to wait, but can start right now to gradually change the world!” Anne Frank
“Pivot toward what matters.” Steven Hayes
“Working toward what one values not only brings a sense of satisfaction but changes what one becomes in the process.” Albert Bandura
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” attributed to William James
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” Gloria Steinem
“Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world.” Pema Chodron
February 7, 2023
How will you make your mark in the world? What changes can you do that will make a positive difference in the world?
Being the Change is a book that helps you assess your values, time, and emotions to shape your community and effectively navigate barriers and challenges. It's intended for readers who want to be engaged in social action or justice work. It also supports those who wish to have more of an impact in their current role, such as a care provider or volunteer.
The book's authors realize that taking time to participate in social-action activities includes additional responsibilities. As a result, the book helps people regulate their emotions, so they have a healthy and sustainable approach. In addition, they suggest ways to shift mindsets to handle difficult situations and improve communication and organization skills.
As academic clinical psychologists, the book's authors took a particular interest in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. However, as they focused on cognitive models and scattered relative terms throughout the book, it began to read more like a psychology textbook.
Personally, I was looking for more actionable approaches regarding how to make an impact in the world, like how I could volunteer my time, how I can effectively reach out to a lawmaker, and how to find additional resources.
I suggest the book to anyone starting a significant social-action initiative. It can help change makers thoroughly think through their efforts.
Being the Change is a book that helps you assess your values, time, and emotions to shape your community and effectively navigate barriers and challenges. It's intended for readers who want to be engaged in social action or justice work. It also supports those who wish to have more of an impact in their current role, such as a care provider or volunteer.
The book's authors realize that taking time to participate in social-action activities includes additional responsibilities. As a result, the book helps people regulate their emotions, so they have a healthy and sustainable approach. In addition, they suggest ways to shift mindsets to handle difficult situations and improve communication and organization skills.
As academic clinical psychologists, the book's authors took a particular interest in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. However, as they focused on cognitive models and scattered relative terms throughout the book, it began to read more like a psychology textbook.
Personally, I was looking for more actionable approaches regarding how to make an impact in the world, like how I could volunteer my time, how I can effectively reach out to a lawmaker, and how to find additional resources.
I suggest the book to anyone starting a significant social-action initiative. It can help change makers thoroughly think through their efforts.
August 28, 2025
All my life I've been drawn to socially meaningful, yet challenging work with long odds. While these endeavors can be incredibly rewarding, they have a shadow side - becoming burned out or overwhelmed (or worst of all, a cynical martyr). Being the Change is a great guide for making this work sustainable for the long run. The two authors bring their personal experience as activists as well as academic grounding in the evidence base. They share case studies and a wealth of stories of how fellow changemakers thread that needle of making a difference while taking care of themselves. Given the abundance of social and political challenges we face (and will likely continue to face for the foreseeable future), this book is both timely and important reading for anyone doing their part to make the world a better place. I highly recommend it!
August 14, 2024
While this book did not cover new territory it did compile the wisdom of many sources and experts in a single, easy to use, slim volume. Some times being reminded of what you already know is plenty good. This was altogether, plenty good.
March 11, 2025
I always love getting to read a friend's work, especially stuff as good as this.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews