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Overview

When the weight of the world feels nonstop, slipping into survival mode can feel like the only option. But what if there’s a different way—one that’s rooted in honesty, resilience, and real, grounded hope?

Welcome back to Gather at the Well, hosted by Lindsey Fuller, Executive Director of The Teaching Well. In this episode, Lindsey dives into the practice of critical hope—a powerful mindset that helps change-makers stay resilient, rooted, and real.

Join us for Episode 2, as Lindsey breaks ways we can hold space for challenges while still believing in possibility. Think: duality declarations, everyday rituals to re-center your mindset, and showing up with truth and compassion. You’ll walk away with tangible strategies to cultivate hope as a daily leadership practice. Live now 🎧

✨Critical Hope Statements:

Critical hope asks us to sit with the wholeness of life and the full range of human experience.
It’s complex. It’s uncertain. It’s the willingness to hold duality—to recognize that two things can be true at once.
Critical hope means honoring our histories and traditions, while also embracing freedom and imagining new futures.
It’s about grounding ourselves in reality, while still believing in possibility.
It’s the audacity to keep going.
So be audacious. Keep showing up—not just for the mission, but for your team’s morale, their well-being, their hope.
There is a path forward. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Today’s Speaker

Lindsey Fuller, Executive Director of The Teaching Well.

“Critical hope is a mindset and a communication lever, but it’s also a commitment to self and to others.”

— Lindsey Fuller, Executive Director of The Teaching Well.

Episode Transcript

Download Full Episode Transcript Here

Episode Highlights

Somatic Practices for Change Leaders (05:44)
Inspiration vs. Leadership (13:11)
Cultivating Critical Hope (23:04)
Practical Exercises for Leaders (39:20)

Powerful Quotes

"A steady leader reminds you why you chose this work, even in the hardest moment." – Lindsey Fuller

“Critical hope is free- it’s shown through consistent action, celebration, leadership, and commitment.” -Lindsey Fuller

“Critical hope embraces the fullness of life- its complexity, uncertainty, and duality.”- Lindsey Fuller

“Critical hope honors history while dreaming forward through innovation.” -Lindsey Fuller

"Critical hope is an antidote to despair - it doesn’t avoid discomfort, it holds it." – Lindsey Fuller

“When your team is low, it may reflect your own sense of hope.”- Lindsey Fuller

“How we speak about challenges and invite others into solutions matter.”- Lindsey Fuller

“Critical hope is a skill. Change leaders practice and grow it over time.” - Lindsey Fuller

“Inspiration is a result - not the goal.” - Lindsey Fuller

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