Episode 12: Navigating faith, identity, curiosity, and self-reflection - Dr. Josh Caraballo shares his wisdom
In this episode of Getting Reflective, I had the honour of interviewing Dr. Josh Caraballo (he/him), an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist based in Denver, Colorado. Josh’s work and life journey are driven by a passion for storytelling and using his expertise in psychology to uplift those who have been historically marginalized and oppressed. His insight into the human experience, especially in navigating adversity, made for a deeply inspiring conversation.
One of the most powerful parts of our discussion revolved around Josh’s personal experience as a gay man coming out within the Jehovah's Witness community. He shared how religion shaped his worldview early on and the immense challenge of reconciling his identity with the rigid beliefs of his religious community. Josh's story of unlearning the constraints placed on him by others and the process of embracing his authentic self is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Throughout our conversation, Josh emphasized how unlearning has been a constant thread in his life. Whether it's unlearning the harmful narratives imposed by religion or society, he believes that this practice has been essential to his growth and healing. One of the things I loved most was how accessible Josh made the concept of self-reflection. He shared simple, actionable ways to incorporate unlearning and curiosity into our daily lives—whether through journaling, taking a mindful moment in the day, or questioning long-held beliefs. His approach encourages us all to stay open and curious about the world and people around us.
Our chat also delved into the broader implications of staying open to others’ perspectives. Josh believes that real progress comes when we make space for dialogue with people whose experiences and backgrounds differ from our own. This openness to learning from others, he suggests, is a key to dismantling systems of oppression and moving toward a more inclusive world.
I left the conversation with a profound sense of gratitude. There was something undeniably special about the energy Josh brought to our discussion, and I’m excited for you all to experience it. You won’t want to miss this episode—it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of unlearning, self-reflection, and staying curious.
