Welcome to the Off-Ramp!
My newest project starts with this question: How do we get out of intense relationships, positions, ideas, and groups? How do we take an off-ramp, and how do we become an off-ramp for others?
This project started first with my 2025 book, Missing the Solstice, and continues with my new podcast called The Off-Ramp Project.
How do we create (and survive) drastic changes?
How do we leave unhealthy relationships, groups, belief systems, or entire identities? How do we take off-ramps when the crowd is pushing us forward, and how can we learn to create off-ramps for others — especially when we’ve been taught to see them as our enemies?
These questions are crucial in a time when so many of us have been drawn into polarized belief systems and conspiracy theories that are tearing apart families, friendships, political parties, and the foundations of American governance itself. But change and reclamation are possible at any time.
In this podcast series, I explore how we can reclaim ourselves and provide support for others.
We all need off-ramps when we’re being separated from each other, and when we’re being taught to see enemies in anyone not like us.
With personal stories, extensive research, emotional genius, empathic badassery, and humor, we explore how and why this bold American experiment has become a tragic powder keg, and how we can reclaim our good hearts, our good minds, and our good souls.
We can imagine and build off-ramps for ourselves and each other
Watch the The Off-Ramp Project on YouTube
Listen to The Off-Ramp Project on RSS.com and podcast platforms everywhere
Barbara Adams
I’ve been taking a course on compassionate inquiry into suicidal ideation and another course with TLC on adult development….my background is in pediatric oncology, being with sick and dying children and understanding science in a way to support or cure.
I’m newer to the conversation around psychology….
I’m curious— What is your take on research into the brain and correlation with emotions ?
I notice the psychology there is a tendency to separate the brain and heart. Like “it healing to move from the head to the heart?” Aren’t they connected to each other? I’m confused and don’t know what to trust?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can provide!
Karla McLaren
Hi Barbara,
The old head-versus-heart thing is mostly bollocks. Newer research (see Lisa Feldman Barrett and colleagues) finds emotions throughout the brain, and not just in specific “emotional” areas. See Lisa’s book “Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brain” for a fascinating update.
The newer understanding places emotions and alleged rationality as connected and crucial aspects of the single function called cognition. The sociologist of emotion, Arlie Russell Hochschild, is also a great read. Her book The Managed Heart is a classic.