The Psychology of Not Belonging: A Conversation with Dr. Rami Kaminski
Fri Jan 30 2026
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It's 2026! We are BACK and so bloody excited to kick off this year with one of my favourite conversations from the end of last year. Quite simply, this conversation and connection has changed my life.About this episodeDr. Rami Kaminski, psychiatrist and author of "The Gift of Not Belonging," explores why some people are wired as "otherverts" - individuals who cannot be shaped by group identity. This conversation reveals how otherness isn't a flaw but a genuine gift, offering insights into emotional freedom, empathy, and what happens when we stop trying to fit into systems never built for us.
Links
https://www.othernessinstitute.com/the-gift-of-not-belonging/Take the Test3 Key TakeawaysWe're all born as non-belongers - Babies have no sense of nationality, religion, or group identity; cultural conditioning teaches us what to belong to, not just that we should belong.
True empathy requires eliminating yourself. Real empathy isn't putting yourself in someone's shoes, but temporarily ceasing to exist with your preconceived notions to truly see through another's eyes.
The dark side of belonging is tribalism - While community has benefits, the need for group identity enables tribalism, silent majorities, and historical atrocities when people outsource their morals to the group.
Like what we do? Make a Tip. Or Leave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSupport the Ukrainian publishing of This is Service Design Doing (To make service design knowledge accessible in Ukrainian)
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10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out 'This is HCD x Sutsu' range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Use HCD10 to get 10% off this range.Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10Creators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Dr Rami Kaminski - Guest
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
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If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better. Interested in training for your organisation with This is HCD? Let's speak by booking a 15-minute call. It's 2026! We are BACK and so bloody excited to kick off this year with one of my favourite conversations from the end of last year. Quite simply, this conversation and connection has changed my life.About this episodeDr. Rami Kaminski, psychiatrist and author of "The Gift of Not Belonging," explores why some people are wired as "otherverts" - individuals who cannot be shaped by group identity. This conversation reveals how otherness isn't a flaw but a genuine gift, offering insights into emotional freedom, empathy, and what happens when we stop trying to fit into systems never built for us. Links https://www.othernessinstitute.com/the-gift-of-not-belonging/Take the Test3 Key TakeawaysWe're all born as non-belongers - Babies have no sense of nationality, religion, or group identity; cultural conditioning teaches us what to belong to, not just that we should belong. True empathy requires eliminating yourself. Real empathy isn't putting yourself in someone's shoes, but temporarily ceasing to exist with your preconceived notions to truly see through another's eyes. The dark side of belonging is tribalism - While community has benefits, the need for group identity enables tribalism, silent majorities, and historical atrocities when people outsource their morals to the group. Like what we do? Make a Tip. Or Leave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSupport the Ukrainian publishing of This is Service Design Doing (To make service design knowledge accessible in Ukrainian) Sponsor links 10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out 'This is HCD x Sutsu' range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Use HCD10 to get 10% off this range.Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Dr Rami Kaminski - Guest Serdar Mele - Editor Stef Murphy - Producer