Unbreakable: Notes on Resilience and Resistance

/Greetings beautiful and kind people, and welcome to this issue of Field Notes. As always, I am humbled and honored that you have chosen to subscribe and spend some time in community with me this way. The theme of this edition is Resilience and Resistance.

Our community continues to be attacked and demonized.

I wake up daily almost afraid to scroll my newsfeed. It is constantly scary, confusing, and maddening. As I have said before, we have choice. I choose to stay here, use my platform and voice, and speak up every time I see injustice, inequity, bullying, and hatred. In today’s newsletter, I am sharing topics that I think are important and need more time in the spotlight. I am also sharing an incredible Featured Leader and some good news I have found in my journey.

Enjoy! Connect! Share with your network!

WE MUST PROTECT THE RIGHT TO MARRY

That's when I'm supposed to marry the love of my life. We've picked the venue. Addressed the invitations. Chosen the sweet table. Hired the best band.

But today, instead of discussing flower arrangements, we're discussing constitutional rights. Again. Currently, 9 individual states have active legislation about overturning the Right to Marry.

In 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges made history. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court affirmed what we already knew: that the fundamental right to marry is protected under the 14th Amendment. That love is love. That our relationships deserve equal dignity under the law.

That decision changed everything for couples like us. We could finally dream of weddings without wondering if our marriage would be recognized when we crossed state lines. We could file taxes together, make medical decisions for each other, be recognized as family.

Now, in 2025, we're watching states like Idaho explicitly call for Obergefell to be overturned. The same arguments that dismantled Roe are being weaponized against marriage equality.

This isn't just about my wedding. It's about the thousands of existing marriages. The couples building lives together. The families raising children. The basic human dignity we thought was finally secured.

To those who say "it can't happen here" - we've heard that before. Rights that seem permanent can become fragile overnight.

This is why we can't be silent. This is why we must vote. This is why we must remind everyone that our love, our marriages, our families are not up for debate.

I'm still planning my wedding. But I'm also planning to fight like hell to protect our right to have one.

Are you with me?

I am honored to share the profile of Dr. Giacomo Negro this week. I met Dr. Negro when he agreed to interview me for a group session at Emory University on my initial book tour. We instantly clicked. I admired his intelligence, his drive, his passion for DEI, and his global awareness. I appreciated his research mind and thought-provoking questions. He was not an easy interview, but he made me go deep and THINK. As a lifelong learner and constantly curious human being, Giacomo is a wonderful friend and teacher to have in your corner.

A little secret announcement. We may be working on some writing ideas together! Stay Tuned!!

Giacomo Negro is the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Organization & Management and Professor of Sociology (by courtesy) at Goizueta Business School, Emory University. A native of Italy and first-generation graduate, he is an organizational theorist whose research focuses on the analysis of concepts and categories. Dr. Negro is interested in the way that collective concepts emerge and develop in markets, for example, how new styles of winemaking become established among winemakers, critics, and consumers. His research also examines stigma in labor markets, particularly how careers of individuals associated with discrediting marks suffer employment penalties. He has studied stigma effects in the film industry during the Communist blacklist in 1950s Hollywood, and is currently examining the impact of the MeToo movement also in the entertainment industry. Dr. Negro is also interested in the consequences of peer recognition on careers and innovation. A recent article used deep learning methodologies to examine the music made by artists after they won or were nominated for a major Grammy award, a research that has received wide attention in the media including the BBC, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.

 Dr. Negro’s recent publications include the books:Wine Markets: Genres and Identities. 2022. Columbia University Press, and Concepts and Categories: Foundations for Sociological and Cultural Analysis. 2019. Columbia University Press; and the articles: What’s Next? Artists’ Music After Grammy Awards. American Sociological Review 87: 644–674; Destigmatization and Its Imbalanced Effects in Labor Markets. 2021. Management Science 67: 7669–7686; Stained Red? A Study of Stigma by Association to Blacklisted Artists during the ‘Red Scare’ in Hollywood, 1945–1960. American Sociological Review 75: 456–478. Dr. Negro is also involved in public scholarship. He was the principal scientific investigator of the LGBTQ Institute Southern Survey, an ongoing effort of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to raise awareness and contribute knowledge about the experiences of LGBTQ people in the U.S. South.

WORTH FIGHTING FOR……

Let’s be honest………

Insecurity and Uncertainty: The New Inequality Shaping the American Consumer

Imagine waking up every day unsure if your home will survive the next wildfire, if your paycheck will cover rising grocery bills, or if your insurance company will still be in business after the latest climate disaster. For millions of Americans, this isn’t hypothetical—it’s reality.

The American consumer is more anxious, distracted, and financially vulnerable than ever before. Insecurity and uncertainty have become the new inequality, impacting not just the traditionally disadvantaged but now creeping into the middle class. Natural disasters across California, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida are creating multiple classes of "homeless," with lower-income individuals suffering the most. Economic instability, political turmoil, and climate change are converging to create a crisis that extends far beyond finances—it's a crisis of confidence. And that’s dangerous for an economy where consumer spending drives nearly 70% of GDP.

How We Got Here: A Nation on Shaky Ground

A recent Time magazine article describes how insecurity has become the defining feature of modern life, cutting across socioeconomic lines. Economic, political, and environmental uncertainties have created a constant state of "terra infirma," where nothing feels stable. (Time)

Natural disasters have intensified this instability. NPR reports that federal disaster aid disproportionately benefits wealthier, white communities, leaving lower-income survivors struggling to recover. Meanwhile, FEMA assistance often fails to reach the most vulnerable. (NPR)

The economic impact is staggering. In 2022 alone, climate disasters cost the U.S. $176 billion, with 13% of Americans experiencing financial hardship as a direct result. (Wikipedia)

The Mental Toll of Uncertainty

Financial stress doesn’t just impact wallets—it deeply affects mental health. A study from Northwestern Mutual found that one-third of Americans feel financially insecure, the highest level recorded. Anxiety, depression, and burnout are rising as consumers juggle inflation, job instability, and an unpredictable future.

The American Psychological Association reports that 87% of Americans feel stressed about inflation and the economy, and nearly half say money concerns negatively impact their mental well-being. Chronic financial anxiety is linked to increased rates of depression, sleep disturbances, and even heart disease.

Where Do We Go From Here?

While consumers can't singlehandedly fix economic instability or climate change, there are ways to build resilience:

1. Prioritizing Mental and Financial Health: Normalizing conversations about financial stress and mental health is essential. Employers should expand financial wellness programs, and policymakers must recognize that economic uncertainty is a public health crisis.

2. Rethinking Disaster Recovery: FEMA and other federal agencies must ensure disaster aid is distributed equitably, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations rather than reinforcing existing disparities.

3. Consumer Spending Shifts: Companies and brands should acknowledge consumer anxiety and focus on providing stability—whether through transparent pricing, flexible policies, or ethical business practices that foster trust.

4. Building Community Resilience: Strengthening local support networks, expanding access to affordable housing, and investing in climate adaptation strategies will help consumers navigate an increasingly unpredictable world.

Final Thought: Rebuilding Confidence in an Uncertain World

The American economy thrives on consumer confidence. But that confidence is eroding under the weight of insecurity. If we want to rebuild a stable, thriving economy, we must address not just economic inequality, but the pervasive uncertainty that defines American life today.

The question is no longer just who has wealth, but who feels safe. And right now, for far too many Americans, the answer is: no one.

Seeing this post on LinkedIn from a former colleague made my whole day!!