In a polarized world, it’s become easy to assume that the other side is broken, deficient, dangerous, or beyond repair; and if we are honest, sometimes it really feels this way. But if this is our dominant mindset, creativity, trust, accountability, and connection can be eclipsed by pessimism about what 'could be'. In this episode, host Leigh Morgan explores a different starting place which she calls the Three R's—Remember, Reframe, Reclaim — a novel framework for staying grounded, high agency, and deeply human in times marked by division, distrust, and uncertainty. Drawing from personal reflection, leadership experience, and lessons from systems change work, Leigh examines how many of us have been conditioned into a “fix-it” orientation — constantly diagnosing what’s wrong in ourselves, our teams, institutions, and society. While problem-solving remains essential, Leigh asks whether polarized times require something more relational, expansive, and generative alongside it. Through stories from leading in some of the world's most innovative organizations, Leigh explores how the Three R’s can operate at multiple levels — personally, relationally, organizationally, and systemically. The Three R's: Remember. Resist reducing ourselves or others to stereotypes, failures, or political identities. Reframe. Move beyond “What’s broken?” toward “What’s already working and what’s possible?” Reclaim. Stay intentional and high agency instead of being pulled into reactivity, fear, and outrage. This episode is not about abandoning accountability, or jettisoning problem solving approaches to hard challenges. It’s about exploring how we remain thoughtful, connected, and effective without losing ourselves to polarization. Key take aways include: Why a constant “fix-it” mindset can unintentionally deepen fear and defensiveness in low-trust environmentsThe relational cost of reducing people to sides, stereotypes, and moral categoriesHow leadership changes when we begin from capability and possibility instead of deficiencyWhat asset-based community development teaches us about strengths, latent capacity, and systems changeHow trust-based philanthropy at Nia Tero flipped the script on traditional, 'respond to us' working practicesWhy reclaiming agency may be one of the most important leadership practices in polarized timesHow to stay politically engaged and accountable -- without mirroring the same harmful rhetoric we oppose -- can be achieved RememberA shift away from immediately reducing ourselves or others to deficiency, failure, or political identity — and toward remembering our humanity, capability, and creative abilities. ReframeMoving beyond “What’s broken?” toward broader questions like: What’s already working?What strengths or capacities already exist?What possibilities become visible when fear and reactivity aren’t driving the frame? ReclaimAsserting, in moments where fear, outrage, or polarization tempts us to be reactive, our agency to make choices regardless of circumstance. Reflection Questions Where am I operating primarily from deficiency or fear?What assumptions am I making about what — or who — is “broken”?What strengths, capacities, or possibilities might I be overlooking?What is actually mine to do in this moment?How do I stay engaged and accountable without losing my own center? If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone you care about — someone you want to be in deeper conversation with. And if you haven’t already, follow The Space In Between and leave a review. Check out TSIB website at http://spaceinbetweenpodcast.com/remember-reframe-reclaim/
