Emily Cunningham

Having a drink may *appear* to help (quite convincingly!) because it suppresses the embarrassment and fear – the inhibitions – we can have of showing ourselves and being vulnerable. But those are legitimate feelings too, that are also good to feel and process. 2/8

How can we create spaces for people to courageously share that doesn't rely on "liquid courage" but comes from who they really are in that moment, and at the pace they are at? 3/8

How can we experiment with and explore ways to be vulnerable, open, and compassionate with one another that doesn't rely on a drug that makes us *less* present with each other and that is harmful? 4/8

Drinking is so deeply part of our culture we often don't question it, or we fall back on it because it's what we know. Can we try things? Be creative? My hunch is that we'll find a lot of ways to connect with each other that will be even more powerful and profound. 5/8

It might make us feel embarrassed at first, or scared, and that's ok. Many of us talk about processing grief through crying. But laughing is also great! It helps us process being embarrassed and scared, two big feelings that keep us separate from other people. 6/8

I believe you that there are real barriers to scientists being able to share emotions. But this oppressive society has been able to thrive in such brutal, oppressive, life-destroying ways, in part, because it squelches all of us being able to feel and process our emotions... 7/8