Lauren Hug joins me this week. Lauren Hug, is a writer, speaker and activist based in Colorado Springs. Lauren grew up with a unique mix of influences – a tech-savvy household, a love for the humanities, and a conservative religious upbringing. This sparked in her a deep curiosity about ideas and a passion for rediscovering and sharing the wisdom of the past.
Lauren has focused much of her work on promoting digital kindness and encouraging healthier ways of interacting online. While social media often gets a bad rap, Lauren sees its potential for amplifying new voices and stories. Through her writing, speaking, and online presence, she inspires people to engage with more empathy, seek out different perspectives, and use digital platforms to spread uplifting content.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Lauren opens up about her journey of unlearning default mindsets, coping with anxiety, and defining herself on her own terms. She shares her optimism about younger generations and her excitement about the creative potential made possible by emerging technologies. Throughout our conversation, Lauren emphasizes the centrality of human connection, both online and offline and advocates for young people to step forward and lead us into the future.
I think you’ll find Lauren’s perspective refreshing and thought-provoking. Now over to Lauren
Time Codes
00:54 Introducing Lauren Hug
02:23 Lauren’s Personal Philosophy: Rediscovering Ancient Wisdom
02:23 Exploring Identity and the Complexity of Self-Definition
03:57 The Role of Old Ways in Modern Times
05:29 Navigating Parenthood and the Pandemic’s Effects
06:55 The Importance of Remembering and Celebrating Old Wisdom
07:15 Lauren’s Unique Upbringing: Tech Meets Humanities
11:48 From Dreams to Reality: Lauren’s Career Path
15:11 The Influence of Religion and the Quest for Authenticity
22:05 Digital Kindness: Lauren’s Mission to Transform Online Spaces
36:48 The Challenge of Civil Discourse in a Digital World
48:08 Embracing Ambiguity in a Complex World
48:34 The Transformative Power of Uncertainty
49:01 Challenging Binary Views and Media Influence
49:38 Rethinking Social Constructs and Democracy
50:46 The Resurgence of Storytelling and Social Media’s Role
51:32 Gen Z’s Impact and the Future of Discourse
52:12 The Nuances of Gen Z and Social Media Perceptions
53:33 Redefining Business and Ideology for Gen Z
01:01:21 The Potential of AI and Rediscovering Humanity
01:06:33 The Importance of Intergenerational Communication
01:09:40 Exploring New Forms of Community and Connection
01:13:32 The Digital Kindness Journal: A Tool for Reflection
01:18:15 Personal Insights and Overcoming Challenges
01:22:21 The Future of Creativity and AI’s Role
01:26:47 Concluding Thoughts on Digital Kindness and Legacy
Social Links
Links
Books:
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson
“The Dawn of Everything” by David Graeber and David Wengrow
“The Web of Meaning” by Jeremy Lent
TV Shows:
Musical:
Concepts and Theories:
Filmmaker:
TEDx Talks: