In today’s special episode, Sarah decided to go solo and take on the topic of gaslighting in politics. If you have a topic like todays, or perhaps a question or situation that you’d like Sarah to unpack in an episode, please head over to sarahmoralescoaching.com and submit your question/topic! Word of the day: Diversion: Collins English Dictionary defines diversion as an action or event that attracts your attention away from what you are doing or concentrating on. You may also hear people use the word deflection, which is a synonym. We are going to see this over and over again in today’s scenario.  When it comes to this often-used gaslighting tactic, we want to pay attention to whether or not our questions or concerns are ever actually being answered or addressed.  When we do pay close attention, we will find that almost always, our questions and/or concerns are NOT being answered or addressed. Story time: Sarah shares why the recent school shooting pushed her to FINALLY be willing to get political on her podcast. Deconstruction Zone: Sarah deconstructs a conversation between her senator, Ted Cruz, and a British reporter.She shows how MANY politicians confuse people, put their values into conflict, and keep their base voting for them. Sarah shares her POV that WE MUST WAKE UP to the fact that if we’re NOT paying attention to the political gaslighting happening – ESPECIALLY around gun reform in the US – we will almost assuredly keep voting for people that we otherwise wouldn’t. The most prolific political gaslighters use diversion to get us to focus on ONLY the things they want us to focus on, by manipulating us around the things we feel strongly about or value.  By reading through the conversation, Sarah shows how Senator Ted Cruz:Undermines/invalidates legitimate questions/statements made by the reporter by: being condescending, ignoring the question, changing reality by diverting blame, discrediting by distorting facts, and exaggerating the reporter’s behaviors;Cruz riles up and confuses his base by: using stigmatizing verbiage, distorting facts and shifting blame, presenting half-truths, overstating statements, and using brainwashing statements.Sarah gives a synopsis that answers her question at the beginning. Set Your Alarm: Sarah shares three tips/tools today: one for people who have unknowingly been falling into the trap of political gaslighting; one for people who are desperate to have conversations with people you care about who have fallen into said trap; and one general tip.  All three focus on slowing down and getting curious. Personal note from Sarah: I don’t know about you, but this was an intense one!  I know I took on a potentially polarizing issue.  I hope I have helped you see and/or think about some new things; I hope I have challenged you to seek out truth with empathy for yourself and others. If you have questions, please contact me via my website: sarahmoralescoaching.com. As I wrap up, I’d love to invite you to come be a guest on my podcast? You know where to find me. And remember – it’s not about becoming who you want to be, it’s about awakening all that you already are!  And today more than ever before, the anthem of this podcast: Not Today…