What is Enough? Rejecting Social Convention to Live Our Values

Each Sunday, we remind ourselves that Humanism is not simply something we believe—it is something we practice by striving to live our values. That may look a little different for each of us, yet I’d bet that many of us share the experience of challenging assumptions we were taught to accept, such as rigid ideas about gender, unquestioned religious authority, or the constant pressure to achieve and consume more in a culture that often measures success by what we buy, not how we live. These expectations can limit our autonomy and leave us carrying unnecessary shame, but we have the ability to reject those narratives because we are free to choose what we believe. This Platform address will invite us to examine the social scripts we’ve inherited, consider which ones no longer serve us, and imagine what becomes possible when we let our values guide our lives.

Kathryn Bellrose (he/she/they) is a self-employed tutor of English and History, reader, film-watcher, admirer of dogs, and president of his husband’s fan club. Kathryn holds a B.A. in Literature & Theory and History, and an M.A. and PhD in English Literature. He has been a member of the Ethical Society since 2023, and has enjoyed serving on the Platform Speakers Team for the last two years. Kathryn would like to note that he was asked to offer a Members Speak Platform by Claire Alexander, as he would not have had the confidence to self-nominate, though he’s very flattered to have been asked and is happy to see all your lovely faces this morning.

Pianist Jocelyn Rugaber will be performing at Platform. She began piano studies at the age of six and began playing professionally at the age of 16.
Jocelyn earned a master’s degree in piano performance and pedagogy. She studied under Lorna Griffith, Claude Cymmerman and Daniel Schene.

Her freelance experience covers everything from recording studio work to playing piano parts for orchestra, musicals, piano bars, and recitals. Jocelyn has played for many St. Louis music ensembles, including Klezundheit!, Queens of Swing, River City Pops, Community Gospel Choir, Songs of Africa Ensemble and Kirkwood Theatre Guild. Among the popular St. Louis venues she has played are The Gaslight Theater, Missouri Botanical Garden, The Sheldon Concert Hall, and Tavern of Fine Arts. She regularly provides music for fundraiser events, including Dining in the Dark and Dignity Period.

Jocelyn is classically trained but is prolific at playing by ear. Her vast repertoire includes contemporary, jazz, classical and about everything in between. Jocelyn’s absolute favorite composers to interpret are George Gershwin and Cole Porter. “I feel nothing has been ever written so timelessly as the melodies of Gershwin and Porter!” Jocelyn also particularly loves to throw down jazz versions of classical compositions. She has maintained a teaching studio for 40 years. She is delighted to be able to share her talents at the piano with the Ethical Society.