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Living Heart Forward in the Face of Ideological Violence
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Welcome to What the Fuck Did You Learn Today? with Urania Zed—where the existential dread is real, the optimism is earned, and the heart offense is deployed with consent.
This episode features psychotherapist, interfaith minister, and hug-dealing disruptor Edie Weinstein. Together, Urania and Edie unpack what it means to radically resist hatred—not with hashtags or hollow platitudes, but with real, heart-to-heart connection. Edie shares the origin story of her Hug Mob movement, born from grief and spiritual calling, and kept alive by flash mobs, virtual embraces, and one unforgettable Iraq war veteran.
They dive into how human touch teaches us more than any screen ever could, how adverse experiences imprint on our bodies, and why the absence of nurturing connection is its own quiet violence. But this isn’t just a love-in—Edie brings fire too: calling out ideological cruelty, cognitive dissonance, and the insidious normalization of “us vs. them” narratives.
From free mom hugs at Pride to standing up at rallies in small-town Pennsylvania, Edie doesn’t just talk resilience—she embodies it. If you’ve ever asked yourself how to keep showing up in a world that feels like it’s falling apart, this conversation might be your answer.
Because sometimes, the most rebellious thing you can do is give a damn—and hug someone.
Love, Touch & Resilience:
- Edie Weinstein’s Website (Hug Mob, Free Mom Hugs, etc.):
https://www.opti-mystical.com - Free Mom Hugs (founded by Sara Cunningham):
https://www.freemomhugs.org - Edie’s TEDx Talk – The Taboo of Touch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBJaNrdZexU - Virginia Satir on Hugs:
Article summarizing her famous quote ("4 hugs a day for survival..."):
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-importance-of-hugging-4158376 - The Good Men Project: https://goodmenproject.com/
- The Bucks County Beacon: https://buckscountybeacon.com/author/edieweinstein/
Politics & Resilience:
- Cory Booker’s Filibuster / Capitol Protest Clip:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4893146/cory-booker-senate-floor-speech - Liz Cheney on January 6th Committee:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/21/us/politics/liz-cheney-jan-6.html - Leopards Eating People's Faces Party Meme Origin (KnowYourMeme):
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/leopards-eating-peoples-faces-party
Cultural References:
- Billy Jack (1971 Film) + Theme Song “One Tin Soldier”:
Billy Jack Wikipedia
YouTube – One Tin Soldier - The Cell (2000 Film with Jennifer Lopez):
IMDb – The Cell - Six Triple Eight (2024 Netflix Film):
Netflix Info Page
WWII 6888th Battalion Overview – National WWII Museum - Civic & Historical Resources:
- Underground Railroad in Bucks County, PA:
https://www.visitbuckscounty.com/things-to-do/history/underground-railroad/ - Gilda’s Club (Cancer Support):
https://www.gildasclub.org - WXPN (Edie’s go-to radio station):
https://www.xpn.org - WHYY (Philly’s NPR station):
- Underground Railroad in Bucks County, PA:
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