Maintaining Presence and Connection in a Virtual World with Nancy Colier

Is your phone more interesting than your husband?

75% of people say that technology seriously impacts their relationships. Thus, the very thing that is supposed to help us feel more connected is hindering our connections with the people who really matter—the ones right there in front of us.

In addition to her roles as a psychotherapist, interfaith minister, mindfulness teacher and relationship coach, Nancy Colier is the author of The Power of Off: The Mindful Way to Stay Sane in a Virtual World. Nancy is a sought-after public speaker on the topics of wellbeing, mindfulness and technology, and she has been featured on Good Morning America and in The New York Times. She writes regular columns for Huffington Post and Psychology Today, and Nancy serves as a frequent guest on On Point Talk.

Today, Nancy joins Katherine to share the ways that technology brings out the least evolved aspects of ourselves. She explains the addictive nature of checking messages as well as the concept of phubbing, snubbing someone in favor of your phone. Nancy discusses how our expectations for relationships have changed based on the constant stimulation provided by technology and why we actually want to be pulled out of the present moment by our smartphones. Listen in for Nancy’s insight on leveraging mindfulness in the onslaught of technology and learn how to broach the subject of full presence with the people close to you.

TOPICS COVERED

How our relationship with technology doesn’t support a ‘good life’

Technology’s dramatic impact on families and intimate relationships

How technology brings out the least evolved aspects of ourselves

• Comparison with others
• Narcissism

The addictive nature of checking messages

The concept of phubbing

How expectations for relationships have changed based on the constant stimulation of tech

Why people want to be pulled out of the moment

• Never have to deal with stillness, self
• Always something to pay attention to

How to leverage mindfulness in the onslaught of technology

The necessity of becoming more awake in our own lives

Nancy’s advice around broaching the subject of being fully present

CONNECT WITH NANCY COLIER

Nancy’s Website

RESOURCES

The Power of Off: The Mindful Way to Stay Sane in a Virtual World by Nancy Colier

Nancy’s Column in HuffPost

Nancy’s Column in Psychology Today

Books by Nancy Colier

CONNECT WITH KATHERINE MILLER

The Center for Understanding Conflict
Miller Law Group
Katherine on LinkedIn