Gary Borjesson
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garyborjesson.bsky.social
Gary Borjesson
@garyborjesson.bsky.social
psychotherapist | author | philosopher & recovering philosophy professor | friend of dogs | writer of a short weekly post on the art, science, and philosophy of helping relationships: Subscribe for free garyborjesson.substack.com
I wrote a piece for 3 Quarks Daily about an idea whose time has come. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could actually gather together and meaningfully move the needle on big money's influence on our politics? Would love to hear what others think.
3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily...
Encouraging Good Actors: Using AI to Scale Consumer Power for the Common Good - 3 Quarks Daily
by Gary Borjesson
3quarksdaily.com
June 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Looking for some encouragement in the new year, that includes a fun dog story? My short essay in praise of playing the long game has just been published over at 3 Quarks Daily. (No paywall.) Happy new year!
3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily...
Dwelling in the Doing: a new year's resolve - 3 Quarks Daily
by Gary Borjesson
3quarksdaily.com
January 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This week's short Monday Morning Note is about the advantages of cultivating the capacity for disappointment. (Might as well, it's coming anyway!)
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/feeling-di...
Feeling Disappointed: a psychoanalytic perspective
Disappointment as a grown-up feeling, and a non-defensive way of responding to the lamentable fact that we don't always get what we want
garyborjesson.substack.com
December 16, 2024 at 8:00 PM
My essay on the great pediatrician and psychoanalyst Winnicott's view of how our true and false selves develop in childhood has just been published over at 3 Quarks Daily. For parents, therapists, and others interested in how we become who we are!
3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily...
Of True and False Selves: Donald Winnicott's View - 3 Quarks Daily
by Gary Borjesson
3quarksdaily.com
December 11, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Starting today, I plan to be more active on Bluesky. Feeling hopeful to see so many new users joining this platform. I'd been a little disappointed. Speaking of which, I've just published a short juicy reflection on the under-rated feeling of disappointment. I hope it doesn't disappoint.
December 9, 2024 at 7:42 PM
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/from-the-b...
This week's note uses a story from a therapy session to explore the value of increasing our bodily awareness--something hard to do when we're overly busy, sedentary, and distracted by such alluringly immersive technology!
April 15, 2024 at 5:38 PM
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/flight-dis...
It's an amazing fact that all animals--even insects--use distancing from others as a way of feeling safe. This short note explains the phenomenon and how it applies to human critters!
April 15, 2024 at 5:34 PM
Ever wondered what exactly it means for therapy to be "psychodynamic"? In this week's note I offer a short primer--with a dash of Plato for deeper context.
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/what-is-ps...
April 1, 2024 at 5:12 PM
This week's very short note offers a cool strategy for making the power and glory of the seasons a force in our personal lives and endeavors. Here's to fresh starts. Happy spring!
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/spring-bre...
March 25, 2024 at 3:24 PM
This week's short piece is about the value of making the unconscious conscious. How we do it; what makes it easier and harder to accomplish. It includes a personal story illustrating the process.
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/on-making-...
March 20, 2024 at 4:26 PM
With Socrates' help, this week's note asks the thorny question of whether lying is ever therapeutic.
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/are-lies-e...
March 11, 2024 at 3:28 PM
I’ve just posted this week’s piece, which is a dog story about how our dog held fast to truth when we would have preferred he lie a little! Enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/garyborj...
March 4, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Dogs don't do virtual relationships, obviously. In my short weekly note I look at how this reveals some of what we're missing when we do. Enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/garyborj...
February 26, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Here's a fresh way of thinking about what's lost when we connect by video, phone, or text instead of in-person: our actual senses. Meet by Zoom and you lop off touch, taste, smell. By phone, lop off sight. With text, we've stopped making sense altogether!
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/losing-our...
February 21, 2024 at 6:44 PM
In this short piece I explore how the ways we connect can limit the use of our senses—and our mind—to build better alliances. This is a big deal for those of us who work closely and collaboratively with others. 
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/losing-our...
February 19, 2024 at 4:42 PM
My short Monday morning note on How We Help is posted. This week I look at the meaning of being together, and how only recently in our history has being-together admitted of degrees! With huge consequences for our relationships. garyborjesson.substack.com/p/the-thickn...
February 12, 2024 at 4:36 PM
Reposted by Gary Borjesson
Reupping for any newskies that may come along, welcome! (Not my creation, but some good tips here)
February 6, 2024 at 7:06 PM
I’ve just posted my weekly Monday morning note on the art, science and philosophy of alliances. This one's for all of us who’ve doubted we could find a therapist smart enough to help us. The reality turns out to be different from the appearances!

garyborjesson.substack.com/p/can-i-find...
February 5, 2024 at 4:33 PM
Winnicott's antidote to anxiety about whether a care-giver (not just to kids) is good enough.
“I would rather be a child of a mother who has all the inner conflicts of a human being than be mothered by someone for whom all is easy and smooth, who knows all the answers, and is a stranger to doubt.”
February 2, 2024 at 6:51 PM
Clearly still a newbie in this medium! Here's a link to my note on how Nietzsche influenced Freud's ideas about the Unconscious.
open.substack.com/pub/garyborj...
January 29, 2024 at 7:19 PM
My short weekly note on themes related to being a better ally just posted on Substack. It's easy and free to subscribe at garyborjesson.substack.com
January 29, 2024 at 7:14 PM
An amusing and apt bit of advice for us all:
Take the high road. There's less traffic.
January 24, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Contrary to a common opinion, Nietzsche’s no nihilist when he’s “philosophizing with a hammer.” Nor is his hammer, which is for sounding things (and people) out, finding what resonates and rings true…and what doesn’t. For more on that hammer garyborjesson.substack.com/p/nietzsche-...
January 23, 2024 at 12:34 AM
On Mondays I publish a short note on the art, science, and philosophy of helping relationships (doctors, therapists, teachers, mentors, etc). This note describes what the great psychologist Nietzsche says about using a hammer to become our true selves!
garyborjesson.substack.com/p/nietzsche-...
January 22, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Gary Borjesson
January 12, 2024 at 7:22 AM