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Jamie House's avatar

Really important conversation not just for the corporate world but for other institutions like education.

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Melissa Muth Martinez's avatar

Thank you, Jamie! I absolutely agree - the need is there across industries.

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Elina's avatar

This is a really interesting angle on the roots of our work struggles. We often don’t see the connection between our professional selves and our human nature, childhood, family dynamics —but once you do, it’s hard to unsee.

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Melissa Muth Martinez's avatar

Thanks for your poignant response, Elina! It’s so fascinating because I really think we could benefit from a kind of curriculum when we’re younger that explores some of this. It could be the key to a happier life both at work and outside of it.

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Elina's avatar

Totally agree -such curriculum would help to avoid so much unnecessary drama we live through in the workplace.

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Zalman Nelson's avatar

Totally. So much of what we call workplace drama isn’t about the tasks or goals, it’s personal history showing up in disguise. People are reacting to old patterns, not just present-day situations. If we had even a basic emotional awareness curriculum early in life like learning how to name emotions, spot triggers, set boundaries it could change everything. Emotional education should be right up there with math and reading. It would make the workplace, and the world, a lot less reactive and a lot more humane.

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Zalman Nelson's avatar

Yes, exactly. Once you start seeing how early patterns show up at work, you can’t unsee it. The way we handle feedback, avoid conflict, overfunction, or shut down is often not about the job. It’s old emotional wiring in a new setting. Like you said, so much of what looks like a work issue is really unresolved history. Naming that opens the door to real change, both personally and professionally. I really appreciate how clearly you put it.

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Joel Salinas's avatar

Excellent chat!

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Zalman Nelson's avatar

Thanks, Joel! Really appreciate you joining the conversation. So much of what we experience at work traces back to things we rarely talk about, so getting to name those patterns out loud felt powerful. Would love to hear what part stood out most to you.

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Joel Salinas's avatar

The roots of our struggles, it’s an interesting thing to think about and goes back to knowing ourselves, understanding ourselves.

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Melissa Muth Martinez's avatar

Absolutely. I think we should all take the time to identify a couple of early life experiences that have shaped who we are and how we engage with others across settings. It's painful sometimes, but there's considerable benefit to developing this awareness.

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Melissa Muth Martinez's avatar

Thanks so much for tuning in, Joel!!

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