Do you ever wonder why society hates people who live authentically? In this episode of Habits and Hustle, I chat with ALOK about their observations on what happens to us when we aren’t living authentically, what happens when we finally start living authentically, and what kind of reactions we may provoke from society…and why those reactions are okay! ALOK also shares their personal experience on how they had internalized feelings of hate towards themselves, how it almost drove them to suicide, and how they were able to come out on the other side. ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artists, their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. What we discuss: 01:53: About Alok 07:29: How was Alok brought up? 11:05: How did Alok start living authentically? 18:20: How can you start living an authentic life? 19:45: Was Alok jealous of other people who came out before them? 23:25: Where do LGBTQ prejudices come from? 40:19: What was Alok’s experience with suicide? 46:55: What does Alok journal about? 54:28: How would Alok call themselves? 01:10:25: Where can you learn more about Alok? Key Takeaways: Most of us feel depressed, anxious, and sad because we are not living authentically. We are living lives that others, whether it be our parents or society, tell us we “should” live. We tend to sacrifice what our truth is and as a result, live a life that is out of alignment with what we truly want and are passionate about. The biggest motivator behind the hate many people who go against the grain is jealousy and envy. When someone sees someone else rejecting what society has forced on them, they express it as anger and hate, but it stems from the feeling of being upset with themselves that they don’t have the same courage as that person to live the life they want. To learn more about ALOK: Website: https://www.alokvmenon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alokvmenon/?hl=en My links: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.