Latest news with #JoHemmings
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Psychologist who worked with the Radfords reveals early trauma led to brood of 22… & how it became their secret weapon
WITH 22 kids the biggest question many people want to ask the Radfords is, 'why?' The huge brood is an eye-watering thought for most, but Sue and Noel, who were childhood sweethearts, were determined to have as big a family as possible. 10 10 10 And, in a rare twist, both were adopted as babies, leading many to wonder if that was the reasoning behind their decision to create Britain's biggest brood. The couple have always denied that their own adoptions had anything to do with their wish to have two football teams of children. But psychologist Jo Hemmings, who worked with the family on their show 22 Kids and Counting, says that there could be deep-rooted reasons linked to their adoption journeys that may have had a subconscious influence. She says people who have been adopted often feel a great sense of comfort when they have a child of their own, to finally have a connection with a blood relative. 'That is quite important,' she explains. 'Because they are both adopted I think that sense of having their own children together would have had much more significance, but not necessarily 22 of them. 'There isn't any science to back it up and say that either one or both parents that come from adoptive families are more likely each to have more birth children of their own. 'What there is some evidence of is that adopted children tend to be brought up in better socio-economic circumstances by their adoptive parents, so they are given a really stable upbringing, perhaps better education. "A lot is put into their upbringing partly because their parents have chosen them rather than given birth to them. 'So there is something in that. If they both grew up in good, stable adoptive families, they feel they have got as much to give back as they had in their own childhoods.' Despite this, Noel, 54, dismissed links between their adoptions and their huge brood in the couple's book, The Radfords: Making Life Count. Mum-of-22 Sue Radford says she'll NEVER meet her birth mum & it's caused 'disagreements' with Noel, who's also adopted He wrote in one chapter: "A lot of amateur psychologists may think the reason me and Sue have had lots of kids must be linked to the fact we were both adopted, but I don't think there is any connection. "Unless someone comes along and sticks some electrodes on our heads, and says after doing some tests, 'Oh, this is why you've got so many kids,' we're just not going to believe any of those theories.' And wife Sue, 50, agreed, saying: 'No, there is nothing in that - because I don't even think about my birth parents. I don't give the fact that I was adopted any thought at all, and never have.' While Sue has always said she has no desire to find her birth parents, Noel met his birth mother earlier this year, with their reunion televised in the latest series of their TV show. Sense of connection 10 10 Noel and Sue are childhood sweethearts, having met when she was just seven and he was 11. Sue fell pregnant with first child Christopher when she was 13 years old. The couple married three years later and then the children kept on coming. Jo says the couple share a deep bond and work together as a team. 'When you speak to them, they say no it is nothing to do with the psychology of us being adopted, it absolutely is because we felt we have a lot to give, we adore children - Sue especially adores babies," she says. "I don't think their intention was to have so many children, but it worked out for them. 'When I have talked to them one thing that comes across is how incredibly gentle and calm they are. You don't see that in many parents who have three, four or five kids, never mind 22 of them. 'There is just that feeling that they had so much to give, they love bringing up children. "They don't claim benefits. They have made money over the years with Noel's successful bakery business and because their TV series have become so successful they have become influencers, in a way. 'I just think they are a remarkable family who have this presence about them. I'm sure there is chaos at times, but when you see them with their children, you don't see it. "They are good, solid, stable, parents, which is amazing. 'They are very straight-talking, they are very resilient. So when there have been problems, you feel that they are a very strong couple together. "Also they are talkers. They sit down and say, 'What are we going to do about this?' They are very open and candid with their children and will talk everything over with them. "They always bounce back and they have this lovely soft energy about them which makes them work brilliantly together as parents.' Driving force Jo believes the Radfords' incredible parenting skills stem from their own upbringings in their loving, adoptive families. She says: 'Sue was very young when she had her first child. I think their driving force is that they badly wanted to be parents. "I know they are at pains to deny that it is anything to do with the adoptions, and I don't want to go against what they say, but knowing that you can give a large number of children a very stable, productive and healthy upbringing would probably have come from the upbringings they had. 'Often adoptive parents put the extra mile in, they over-compensate for the sadness that they didn't grow up with their birth families. "I think a lot of it comes from the happiness and security that they had when they were growing up.' For years, both Noel and Sue had been adamant that they didn't want to trace their birth families, saying they regarded their adoptive parents as their mums and dads and had idyllic upbringings. But Jo says their background of both being adopted will have made them kindred spirits. 'I don't know how rare it is for two adopted people to get married, but it would have been one of the early conversations they had when they first met,' she explains. 'It would have been one of those bonding things, those shared values, that make relationships solid. "I think having that in common would have been a really important thing for them as they both knew implicitly how the other one might have felt growing up. "I think they were very similar in their views. I think they had all agreed at the time that they had both had such wonderful childhoods, there was no need or drive to seek where they were from.' Meet the Radford children Christopher, 36 The oldest Radford child, Chris works as a glazier and is married to Nicole Spencer. They have three children: Maise-Paige, eight, Jacob, five, and Oakland, three. Sophie Rose, 31 Sophie has her own cleaning company, Time for Sparkle, and shares three children with husband Joseph Bradley: Daisy, 12, Ayprill, 10, and Leo, nine. Chloe Anne, 29 Chloe's a make-up artist and is mum to daughter Milla, two, and son Bodhi, three months, with her boyfriend, Jake Wallace. Jack Richard, 28 Publicity-shy Jack prefers to stay out of the limelight, and hasn't publicly shared his relationship status or career. Daniel Leon, 26 After training to be in the RAF, Daniel had a near-fatal car crash in Bristol, which played out on his parents' TV show. He overcame his subsequent fear of driving in order to emigrate to Australia. Luke James, 24 Luke came out to his parents as bisexual in 2021 - warming viewers' hearts after Sue and Noel attended a Pride festival with him that summer. He works for the family's pie business. Millie Jo, 23 Millie is married to Harley Passmore and is mum to three children: Ophelia, four (from a previous relationship), and Chester, three, and Elodie, one (whom she shares with Harley). Katie Louise, 22 Katie works at a nursery and shares one nine-month-old son, Ronnie, with her boyfriend Connor Carter. James Edward, 21 James is busy working in the family's pie shop and hopes to run it someday. Ellie May, 20 Ellie's training to be a hairdresser, and has also worked part-time in a hotel housekeeping job. Aimee Elizabeth, 19 Aimee's also qualified to be a hairstylist and has famously practised her skills on family members in video clips. Josh Benjamin, 18 According to his parents, Josh was a 'nightmare' at school and he didn't commit to his studies - but that all changed when he found his passion as a sports coach. Max Joseph, 16 Max was diagnosed with autism in 2021, and has since struggled with socialising. Working in the pie shop has apparently helped him. Tillie May, 15 One of Tillie's legs stopped growing when she was just 18 months old, due to an infection. In 2019, she was fitted with a frame to help strengthen the limb, but - last year - it was revealed she'd need further treatment and potential surgery. Oscar Will, 13 Oscar has been described as having 'incredible initiative' at school. Casper Theo, 12 Casper always dreamt of being a footballer, but was gutted on his family's show when he didn't make it into a Premier League club's youth team. Alfie Thomas Alfie would have been the Radfords' 17th child, but he was tragically stillborn at three months. The Radfords refer to him as their 'missing heartbeat'. Hallie Alphia Beau, 10 Hallie's middle name was given in tribute to her late brother, who died just a year before her birth. Phoebe Willow, eight Phoebe has been awarded prizes at school for her achievements, much to her parents' pride. Archie Rowan, seven As the 20th Radford baby, Archie was expected to be the last - marking 'a nice, even number' in Sue's words. Bonnie Raye, six Again, Bonnie was expected to 'finish' the brood, but plans changed. Heidie Rose, five The youngest Radford child, mum Sue has since insisted: 'No, that's it now!' Tragic discovery Things changed for Noel in 2023 when the couple's teenage daughter Ellie was found to have the hereditary liver disorder Gilbert's Syndrome. The couple were tested and Noel was found to be a carrier. He said at the time: 'It's got me thinking, we're both adopted and we know absolutely nothing about our medical history at all. 'I'd quite like to find out more about my family, where I'm from, just anything about myself. 'It might tell me a bit more about who I am, where I'm from, possibly my birth parents. Now, as I'm getting older, I do think about it a bit more often.' Fighting back tears he added: 'I don't even know why I don't like talking about it. I just don't like it. "I have a lot of respect for my mum and dad.' In the opening episode of the latest series of 22 Kids and Counting, Noel reveals he met his birth mother for the first time - and she was shocked by the news of his huge family. He told The Sun: 'It was emotional meeting her and I was nervous beforehand. "You don't know what she is going to look or sound like, and how she will react. "A lot was going through my head, but she was so lovely and so glad to see me. We were with each other for a couple of hours.' His mum, who chose to stay anonymous in the show, told him she was forced to give him up at 17 after she split from his birth father. He added: 'As I have got older, I have been curious to find her,' Noel explains. 'I'm only ever going to have one chance and I've got no regrets that I have.' 10 10 10
North Wales Live
04-07-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Quarter of men experience same health problem but won't talk about it
Laughter really is the best medicine, according to a psychologist, as 70% of men say use humour to talk about health concerns. A study by TENA Men revealed that almost half of men who experience bladder leaks believe humour helps lighten the conversation around a serious health issue. Almost two-fifths of men who've at least once experienced light incontinence and bladder weakness, say humour helps them feel more comfortable opening up as more than half said they worried about bladder weakness more than erectile dysfunction going bald. The conditions they joked about most were having a beer belly, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, ageing and bladder weakness. Psychologist Jo Hemmings said men often use humour as a social coping mechanism to navigate serious issues, including health. The survey found two-thirds of men don't feel comfortable speaking about their bladder weakness with a partner and 77% don't feel confident confiding in any friends or family. 46% feel uncomfortable listening to other men talk about their health issues too. With 25% of men over the age of 40 experiencing bladder leaks, TENA is urging men to break the taboo and speak to people about any changes they notice and seek advice from a healthcare professional. Mark Geddes, Brand Manager at TENA Men, said: "Bladder weakness affects many men over 40, but social stigma often prevents them from seeking help. "It was shocking to see that urine incontinence is the condition men worry about the most over conditions such as weight gain, erectile dysfunction and hair loss, when there's so much that can be done to help manage and improve symptoms. We hope to inspire men to take control of their bladder health and open up the conversation." Jo Hemmings said: "Men often use humour as a social coping mechanism to navigate conversations around serious issues including their health. When discussing topics that may carry embarrassment or stigma, such as bladder weakness, humour allows them to approach the topic without feeling emasculated or seeming vulnerable." The Dry Hour launches on TENA Men's social channels including Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Hosted by presenter and actor Justin Moorehouse, guests will include adaptive athlete Jamie Gane, Behavioural Psychologist Jo Hemmings and Prostate Cancer UK volunteer, Aldred Fagan.
Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Quarter of men experience same health problem but won't talk about it
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Laughter really is the best medicine, according to a psychologist, as 70% of men say use humour to talk about health concerns. A study by TENA Men revealed that almost half of men who experience bladder leaks believe humour helps lighten the conversation around a serious health issue. Almost two-fifths of men who've at least once experienced light incontinence and bladder weakness, say humour helps them feel more comfortable opening up as more than half said they worried about bladder weakness more than erectile dysfunction going bald. The conditions they joked about most were having a beer belly, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, ageing and bladder weakness. Psychologist Jo Hemmings said men often use humour as a social coping mechanism to navigate serious issues, including health. The survey found two-thirds of men don't feel comfortable speaking about their bladder weakness with a partner and 77% don't feel confident confiding in any friends or family. 46% feel uncomfortable listening to other men talk about their health issues too. With 25% of men over the age of 40 experiencing bladder leaks, TENA is urging men to break the taboo and speak to people about any changes they notice and seek advice from a healthcare professional. Mark Geddes, Brand Manager at TENA Men, said: "Bladder weakness affects many men over 40, but social stigma often prevents them from seeking help. "It was shocking to see that urine incontinence is the condition men worry about the most over conditions such as weight gain, erectile dysfunction and hair loss, when there's so much that can be done to help manage and improve symptoms. We hope to inspire men to take control of their bladder health and open up the conversation." Jo Hemmings said: "Men often use humour as a social coping mechanism to navigate conversations around serious issues including their health. When discussing topics that may carry embarrassment or stigma, such as bladder weakness, humour allows them to approach the topic without feeling emasculated or seeming vulnerable." The Dry Hour launches on TENA Men's social channels including Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Hosted by presenter and actor Justin Moorehouse, guests will include adaptive athlete Jamie Gane, Behavioural Psychologist Jo Hemmings and Prostate Cancer UK volunteer, Aldred Fagan.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What Love Island USA can learn from the UK franchise's own tragedies
Love Island USA - a spinoff of the UK reality series - is having its most-watched season yet. But its newfound popularity has come with a dark side. Contestants have been relentlessly cyberbullied on social media, so much so that the show aired a statement during a recent episode with a plea for viewers to halt the harassment. Its host Ariana Madix echoed the sentiment, asking viewers to rethink their posts and how they could impact the cast. The show - which places everyday men and women in a villa in Fiji to compete and find love - often helps contestants secure millions of social media followers, brand deals and appearance requests. But the downsides of overnight fame have been well-documented since the show's start 10 years ago in the UK, with some contestants complaining about depression, anxiety and relentless scrutiny. Two contestants died by suicide after appearing on the show, prompting the British government to launch an inquiry into reality television. The show's producers say they've learned from the reality franchise's years of success how to better support cast and crew. But psychology experts who have worked with reality TV shows say it's an uphill battle. Behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings, who has worked with reality TV productions including Big Brother, said the last five years have seen a lot of positive changes in the UK to address welfare concerns - but those strides haven't been as evident in the US. "I don't think duty of care has evolved as far in the US as it has in the UK," she told the BBC. "Maybe there isn't the same level of welfare, support or transparency. I also wonder that with increased political polarisation in the US, the cyber-bullying and threats may be more intense and widespread." She said it's about achieving a balance when working on a reality show. The core of many of these shows is outrageous emotional outbursts, sexual behaviour, aggressive insults and confrontations. "Producers want excitement and jeopardy," she said, but on-set psychologists are ensuring "stability and healthy behaviours". Love Island, which has run iterations in more than 20 countries, says it offers contestants support before, during and after production, and continues to adjust its mental health offerings to meet changing needs. On the USA version, ITV America, which produces the show, employes a duty of care representative, two on-site psychologists and a welfare manager that helps islanders as a "non-producer voice" in the villa. Throughout filming, all cast members have an appointed psychologist at the villa - and check ins can be initiated by an islander, as cast members are called on the series, or the doctor. Before they are cast on the show, each contestant goes through a lengthy vetting by a psychologist. Contestants are also briefed about negative press, social media interactions and public perceptions. But this mental health awareness has come from some hard lessons. As the show gained popularity in the UK, some complained about depression or anxiety after appearing as part of the cast. Several have spoken out about thoughts about taking their own lives in the aftermath. The suicides of former Love Island UK contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis in 2018 and 2019 prompted questions about how and how well participants are helped. ITV boss says Love Island aftercare 'can't be forever' Love Island: ITV announces new contestant welfare measures "You can earn a lot of money if that's what you want to do, but really you need to look at the bigger picture and think in five, six, 10 years' time, you're always going to be pretty much known for being on a reality TV show," said Zara Holland, who competed on Love Island in 2016 in the UK. "It was a really hard time for me. And if I could turn back time, I really wish I'd never gone on the show," she told BBC's Newsbeat. Social media can act as a double-edged sword for contestants. Dr Jamie Huysman, who has advised productions on mental health care for more than 20 years, noted it has "made it hell" for some. "It has truly disassociated us from the impact of our words." Contestants want fame - but they're not the only ones who feel a rush by getting likes and followers online. Average viewers on social media are also chasing that same gratification when they make memes or posts that become popular, and they are often incentivised to be critical, he says. Ms Hemmings said psychologists can encourage people to ignore those criticising them online, but it's difficult. "The public can be fickle and harsh," she said. "They need to remember that contributors are young and ambitious, but could be their siblings, brothers, sisters or children." She noted that overnight fame can lead to a cascade of issues for contestants, which can be overwhelming. "They yearn for it, but it brings unwelcome scrutiny," she said. "Their pasts are dissected. Exes come out of the woodwork to sell their stories, and everything they do or say is open to criticism." Another complication is that "very few reality stars go onto successful media careers - most struggle or fade away". But having a taste of popularity can make it difficult to go back to their old lives. Love Island: Secrets from a former contestant What are the legal rights of reality TV stars, really? Season 7, which is still airing, has become the series' most-watched season since it was launched in the US in 2019. Sports bars are hosting watch parties, celebrities are spoofing viral moments online - Grammy-winner Megan Thee Stallion even appeared on an episode this season and gushed over her obsession with the show. The show's popularity in the US has spurred a spin-off dubbed "Beyond the Villa", which is set to air next month and follow Season 6 Islanders as they navigate life in Los Angeles after the show. But that success has also led to a rise in negative comments about the cast this season, who have been relentlessly criticised over their appearances and actions. The show broadcast a message this week in the middle of an episode: "The keyword in Love Island is… Love. We love our fans. We love our Islanders. We don't love cyberbullying, harassment or hate." It followed a public plea from host Ariana Madix: "Don't be contacting people's families. Don't be doxing people. Don't be going on Islanders' pages and saying rude things." Love Island USA's producers did not say whether added mental health precautions would be taken after this season - but noted they review and reassess such measures continually. Members of the cast do not have access to their cell phones or social media while on the island, but their friends and family have been responding to some of the harassment - including those who know contestant Huda Mustafa, a mother whose relationship with fellow Islander Jeremiah Brown has been heavily scrutinised online this season. The show has routinely defended itself and its cohesive psychological support system. Similar critiques have been made toward reality TV production broadly, boiling over in 2023 when reality star Bethenny Frankel of the Housewives franchise sounded off on the treatment of reality stars, dubbing it a "reality reckoning". "Networks and streamers have been exploiting people for too long," she said, arguing those who appear on reality programmes should be unionised. The calls were followed by several lawsuits challenging "Love Is Blind," the "Real Housewives" franchise and "Vanderpump Rules" - where Ms Madix rose to fame - over the treatment of the shows' casts. Suzie Gibson, a senior lecturer in English at Charles Sturt University, compared reality TV stars to "modern-day gladiators, battling for love, fame and Instagram followers". "Audiences can live vicariously through their favourites, while hoping for others' dismissal or ridicule." What are the legal rights of reality TV stars, really? 'I wish I'd never gone on reality TV' 'Struggling' Love Island star took own life
BBC News
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
What Love Island USA can learn from the UK franchise tragedies
Love Island USA - a spinoff of the UK reality series - is having its most-watched season yet. But its newfound popularity has come with a dark side. Contestants have been relentlessly cyberbullied on social media, so much so that the show aired a statement during a recent episode with a plea for viewers to halt the harassment. Its host Ariana Madix echoed the sentiment, asking viewers to rethink their posts and how they could impact the cast. The show - which places everyday men and women in a villa in Fiji to compete and find love - often helps contestants secure millions of social media followers, brand deals and appearance requests. But the downsides of overnight fame have been well-documented since the show's start 10 years ago in the UK, with some contestants complaining about depression, anxiety and relentless scrutiny. Two contestants died by suicide after appearing on the show, prompting the British government to launch an inquiry into reality show's producers say they've learned from the reality franchise's years of success how to better support cast and crew. But psychology experts who have worked with reality TV shows say it's an uphill battle. Behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings, who has worked with reality TV productions including Big Brother, said the last five years have seen a lot of positive changes in the UK to address welfare concerns - but those strides haven't been as evident in the US. "I don't think duty of care has evolved as far in the US as it has in the UK," she told the BBC. "Maybe there isn't the same level of welfare, support or transparency. I also wonder that with increased political polarisation in the US, the cyber-bullying and threats may be more intense and widespread."She said it's about achieving a balance when working on a reality show. The core of many of these shows is outrageous emotional outbursts, sexual behaviour, aggressive insults and confrontations. "Producers want excitement and jeopardy," she said, but on-set psychologists are ensuring "stability and healthy behaviours".Love Island, which has run iterations in more than 20 countries, says it offers contestants support before, during and after production, and continues to adjust its mental health offerings to meet changing needs. On the USA version, ITV America, which produces the show, employes a duty of care representative, two on-site psychologists and a welfare manager that helps islanders as a "non-producer voice" in the villa. Throughout filming, all cast members have an appointed psychologist at the villa - and check ins can be initiated by an islander, as cast members are called on the series, or the doctor. Before they are cast on the show, each contestant goes through a lengthy vetting by a psychologist. Contestants are also briefed about negative press, social media interactions and public perceptions. But this mental health awareness has come from some hard lessons. As the show gained popularity in the UK, some complained about depression or anxiety after appearing as part of the cast. Several have spoken out about thoughts about taking their own lives in the aftermath. The suicides of former Love Island UK contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis in 2018 and 2019 prompted questions about how and how well participants are boss says Love Island aftercare 'can't be forever'Love Island: ITV announces new contestant welfare measures "You can earn a lot of money if that's what you want to do, but really you need to look at the bigger picture and think in five, six, 10 years' time, you're always going to be pretty much known for being on a reality TV show," said Zara Holland, who competed on Love Island in 2016 in the UK. "It was a really hard time for me. And if I could turn back time, I really wish I'd never gone on the show," she told BBC's media can act as a double-edged sword for contestants. Dr Jamie Huysman, who has advised productions on mental health care for more than 20 years, noted it has "made it hell" for some. "It has truly disassociated us from the impact of our words." Contestants want fame - but they're not the only ones who feel a rush by getting likes and followers online. Average viewers on social media are also chasing that same gratification when they make memes or posts that become popular, and they are often incentivised to be critical, he Hemmings said psychologists can encourage people to ignore those criticising them online, but it's difficult. "The public can be fickle and harsh," she said. "They need to remember that contributors are young and ambitious, but could be their siblings, brothers, sisters or children."She noted that overnight fame can lead to a cascade of issues for contestants, which can be overwhelming. "They yearn for it, but it brings unwelcome scrutiny," she said. "Their pasts are dissected. Exes come out of the woodwork to sell their stories, and everything they do or say is open to criticism."Another complication is that "very few reality stars go onto successful media careers - most struggle or fade away". But having a taste of popularity can make it difficult to go back to their old lives. Love Island: Secrets from a former contestantWhat are the legal rights of reality TV stars, really?Season 7, which is still airing, has become the series' most-watched season since it was launched in the US in 2019. Sports bars are hosting watch parties, celebrities are spoofing viral moments online - Grammy-winner Megan Thee Stallion even appeared on an episode this season and gushed over her obsession with the show. The show's popularity in the US has spurred a spin-off dubbed "Beyond the Villa", which is set to air next month and follow Season 6 Islanders as they navigate life in Los Angeles after the show. But that success has also led to a rise in negative comments about the cast this season, who have been relentlessly criticised over their appearances and actions. The show broadcast a message this week in the middle of an episode: "The keyword in Love Island is… Love. We love our fans. We love our Islanders. We don't love cyberbullying, harassment or hate."It followed a public plea from host Ariana Madix: "Don't be contacting people's families. Don't be doxing people. Don't be going on Islanders' pages and saying rude things."Love Island USA's producers did not say whether added mental health precautions would be taken after this season - but noted they review and reassess such measures continually. Members of the cast do not have access to their cell phones or social media while on the island, but their friends and family have been responding to some of the harassment - including those who know contestant Huda Mustafa, a mother whose relationship with fellow Islander Jeremiah Brown has been heavily scrutinised online this season. The show has routinely defended itself and its cohesive psychological support system. Similar critiques have been made toward reality TV production broadly, boiling over in 2023 when reality star Bethenny Frankel of the Housewives franchise sounded off on the treatment of reality stars, dubbing it a "reality reckoning". "Networks and streamers have been exploiting people for too long," she said, arguing those who appear on reality programmes should be unionised. The calls were followed by several lawsuits challenging "Love Is Blind," the "Real Housewives" franchise and "Vanderpump Rules" - where Ms Madix rose to fame - over the treatment of the shows' casts. Suzie Gibson, a senior lecturer in English at Charles Sturt University, compared reality TV stars to "modern-day gladiators, battling for love, fame and Instagram followers". "Audiences can live vicariously through their favourites, while hoping for others' dismissal or ridicule."
