Invisible Threads

The Washington Post t-shirt I used to wear proudly when I worked for the paper. Editor’s Note: News can be distressing. For a list of mental health resources, please scroll to the bottom. The Washington Post just laid off hundreds of people, slashing nearly half of its newsroom, while the United States is facing the gravest threat to democracy of its modern era.

Editor’s Note: This piece explores war, trauma and suicide, which can be activating for people. If you’re in crisis, please call or text the Suicide Lifeline at 988. To skip to the news, scroll down. To read with empowered agency, try these practices from the Resilience Toolkit I teach: Ask, “What’s my state of stress right now? (Scale of 1-10). Notice how it shows up in your mind, body, emotions.

Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University. As of publication, authorities said they were still searching for the suspect. A motive is not yet known. Please take care: If you are scrolling on social media, you are at risk of running unexpectedly into graphic imagery. This can be deeply disturbing and can dysregulate or overwhelm viewers. Without coming back to a grounded state, stress can accumulate, making us irritated, defensive or shut down.

Editor’s Note: This piece (est. reading time 12 minutes) explores trauma patterns and authoritarianism and may feel both distressing and empowering. You’ll discover how the “appeasement” stress response shapes political behavior and what we can do about it. If you find this overwhelming, prioritize your wellbeing. Consider taking breaks or skip to the “Breaking the pattern” part (toward the end) for actionable strategies first. Please seek care if you’re experiencing distress.

Nearly every day this week, people have asked me different versions of three questions. ”Are you going to the No Kings protest?” ”Are you leaving town?” Are you going to the military parade? Reading between the lines, these queries are about one’s voice, choice, agency and dignity. These concepts are related to self-determination and independence and are the foundations of a healthy body, mind and spirit. They also happen to relate to trauma-informed care.

Herb Stokes choked back tears as he spoke about his grandfather’s role fighting for freedom in the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Eighty-one years later to the day, Stokes stood on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. protesting what he sees as his own government's betrayal of veterans like his grandfather — and himself. “He lied about his age to get into the U.S. Navy,” Stokes told me at the “Unite for Veterans” rally in D.C. on Friday. “Him and his brother stormed the beach at Omaha.

Hi there, I’d like to invite you to a live conversation I’m having with Voice of America correspondent on Wednesday, May 7, at 7 pm EST here on Substack. Voice of America staffers are legally fighting to reverse an executive order to defund and dismantle the international broadcaster. VOA and its sister agencies delivered independent news to hundreds of millions of people around the world until the order was issued in March.

Programming note: On Wednesday, May 7, at 7 pm EST, I’ll be going live with Voice of America correspondent to discuss the impacts of the Trump administration dismantling U.S. broadcasters. To ask questions and share reflections live, download the app. Available for iOS and Android The National Press Club is hallowed ground for American journalism — a beachhead for the First Amendment in the heart of the nation’s capital.

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Publisher’s Note: This essay is intended to empower you with information, to ground you in history and to offer hope for the future. When we understand how harm spreads, we’re better able to stop it and choose a different path. An action guide is at the bottom of this essay. Please spend time with it and pass it on. Visibility is what keeps this work in motion. In the ruins of war, even false promises can feel like salvation. Cambodians know this well.