A Podcast with Charlie Swenson - To Hell and Back

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This podcast series, “To Hell and Back,” is focused on the nature of hellish experiences in life, how people get into them, and to present and discuss tools for coping with hell and getting out. The various podcasts will move back and forth between different varieties of hell in life, and different…

Charlie Swenson, MD


    • May 1, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 1m AVG DURATION
    • 121 EPISODES

    4.6 from 127 ratings Listeners of A Podcast with Charlie Swenson - To Hell and Back that love the show mention: swenson, dbt skills, charlie, professionally, dr, personally, useful, grateful, thanks, best, time.


    Ivy Insights

    The A Podcast with Charlie Swenson - To Hell and Back is an incredibly valuable podcast that I appreciate and am grateful for. As someone interning at a fully adherent DBT clinic, this podcast has been immensely helpful both personally and professionally. Dr. Swenson's ability to explain DBT and its various skills is truly remarkable. He takes seemingly simple skills, such as observation, and delves deep into them, providing in-depth explanations while sharing personal and clinical anecdotes that highlight the usefulness of each skill. Additionally, his use of humor and personal self-disclosure effectively reinforces abstract ideas and concepts.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Dr. Swenson's skill in making DBT accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of familiarity or expertise in the subject matter. His use of humor and honesty creates an engaging listening experience that keeps me coming back for more. Each episode provides practical tips, suggestions, and insights that can be applied not only in a therapeutic setting but also in everyday life. Dr. Swenson's expertise and passion shine through every episode, making it clear that he truly cares about helping others understand and apply these skills.

    While there are many positives to this podcast, one potential downside is the lack of additional content beyond the regular episodes. The "DVD" section on Dr. Swenson's website is empty, leaving listeners like myself hoping for recorded seminars or additional resources to further enhance our understanding of DBT. However, this is a minor gripe as the regular episodes alone offer substantial value.

    In conclusion, The A Podcast with Charlie Swenson - To Hell and Back is an outstanding resource for anyone interested in learning more about DBT or honing their skills in it. Dr. Swenson's calming approach and uncomplicated explanations make it easy to grasp complex concepts in a new way. This podcast has been instrumental in refreshing my own skills during difficult times, guiding me towards emotional healing and growth. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone struggling with the challenges that come with being human. Thank you, Charlie, for your insightful and informative work.



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    Latest episodes from A Podcast with Charlie Swenson - To Hell and Back

    Learning to Say No Effectively to Fascism – Episode 117

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025


    When Hell is an Attack on Democracy – Episode 116

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2025 56:35


    Adapting DBT Skills When Working with Autistic Individuals – Episode 115

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 79:46


    Challenging, Changing Course, Reframing. Irreverence in Therapy and Life – Episode 114

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 84:26


    Top Ten Tips for Adapting DBT to Autistic Clients – Episode 113

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 73:43


    Do we use DBT to target autism? No – Episode 112

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 75:18


    Autism, Neurodiversity and DBT – Episode 111

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2023 60:46


    Wise Mind – Episode 110

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 60:50


    Charlie provides an in-depth discussion of WISE MIND as used in DBT. What is it, why is it so valuable, what are perspectives on it, what are its features, how do you access it and use it? He then discusses a painful example from his own life when he needed wise mind but failed to access it.

    “As Bad A Year As It Was, It Was As Good As It Could Have Been” – Episode 109

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2023 67:44


    In a manner that is absolutely true to these words from her DBT and life mentor, Seth Axelrod, Andrea Gold has completed her one year of prescribed treatment for breast cancer, with the best results one can hope for. Tune in to this episode to hear Andrea celebrate the completion of the year and reflect upon how she managed the suffering (a lot) and created fun and connection through it all (a lot). She brings an infectious and intelligent enthusiasm, an emotional and affiliative personality, and a bad-ass exposure and DBT lifestyle, to rather grim cancer-related events: diagnosis, staging, mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, and survivorship. Listen, connect, reflect...learn from her.

    Guaranteed Success, By Design - Episode 108

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2022 46:14


    Be your best by inspiring the best in others. Join Nicole and Charlie as they tap into Cem Eren's two-decades of wisdom training elite NBA athletes, boxers, bodybuilders, beauty contestants, and ordinary humans of all ages. In examples that apply to therapy and coaching, Cem shares how he meets his clients every single day with freshness, compassion, dignity, and nonjudgmental presence, helping them connect with their strengths while building toward their goals.Learn how to be your best by inspiring the best in others as Nicole and Charlie tap into Cem Eren's two-decades of wisdom training elite NBA athletes, boxers, bodybuilders, beauty contestants, and ordinary humans of all ages. In examples that apply to therapy and coaching, Cem shares how he meets his clients every single day with freshness, compassion, dignity, and nonjudgmental presence, helping them connect with their strengths while building toward their goals. 

    Guaranteed Success, By Design – Episode 108

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2022 46:14


    Skillful Mind Training, Embodied - Episode 107

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 47:45


    Learn how to be your best by inspiring the best in others as Nicole and Charlie tap into Cem Eren's two-decades of wisdom training elite NBA athletes, boxers, bodybuilders, beauty contestants, and ordinary humans of all ages. In examples that apply to therapy and coaching, Cem shares how he meets his clients every single day with freshness, compassion, dignity, and nonjudgmental presence, helping them connect with their strengths while building toward their goals. In part one of a two-part conversation, Charlie and Nicole seek to discover the secret to world class trainer, Cem Eren's two decade career where he inspires greatness in everyone from first time gym goers, to elite NBA athletes, with tireless consistency and contagious joy.  Sharing anecdotes about work with his clients, Cem gives insight into his own embodied mindset, providing a template for accessible and generous excellence that extends far beyond the weight rack and boxing ring.

    Skillful Mind Training, Embodied – Episode 107

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 47:45


    "In this episode, Nicole and Charlie tap into the wisdom that Cem Eren has gained from two decades of training elite NBA athletes, boxers, bodybuilders, beauty contestants, and ordinary humans of all ages. In examples that extend to therapy and coaching, Cem shares how he meets his clients every single day with freshness, compassion, dignity, and nonjudgmental presence, helping them connect with their strengths while building toward their goals.

    Identity Grammar - Episode 106

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 68:10


    In this episode Charlie and Nic explore the ways we find meaning through expressing identity, how we hold space for inner contradictions, and why self definition is a paradox, ripe for dialectical intervention.

    Identity Grammar – Episode 106

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 68:09


    Skillful Grieving, Making Meaning from Suffering, and a Dinosaur – Episode 105

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 67:40


    Who IS that Woman?! – Episode 104

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 61:16


    In Her Own Words – Natalia Garcia on Coping with Loss and Trauma with Opposite Action and an Approach Lifestyle – Episode 103

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022 86:38


    Long Grieving, Complicated Joy, and Flowers That Grow Around a Hole in the Heart – Episode 102

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2022 67:54


    5 Years, 100 Episodes, 7 Lessons for Surviving Hell – Episode 101

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 71:20


    The Long Reach of Loss – Suicide Outside the Immediate Family – Episode 100

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2022 65:44


    A Brother and a Best Friend Lost to Suicide (Part 3) – Episode 99

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 64:36


    Skillful Coping with Cancer-Interview 3 with Andrea Gold and Amy Egolf – Episode 98

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 63:49


    Death by Suicide of a Charismatic Young Man in a Loving Family (part 2) – Episode 97

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 71:34


    Death by Suicide of a Charismatic Young Man in a Loving Family – Episode 96

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2022 68:18


    Principles in Practice – The Narcissist in DBT Therapy- Episode 95

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2022 62:28


    Narcissistic Behavior Patterns Through a DBT Lens – Episode 94

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 67:19


    Skillful Coping with Cancer-Interview 2 with Andrea Gold – Episode 93

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 67:45


    No Narcissist is an Island – Episode 92

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2022 64:36


    Narcissism: It’s More Nuanced Then You Think – Episode 91

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2022 64:39


    Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality – Episode 90

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 65:22


    I Dont Want to Keep the Baby, Can My Partner Understand – Episode 89

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2022 64:25


    Guns, Abortion and Dialectics (from DBT) – Episode 88

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 64:57


    Skillful Coping with Cancer – An Interview with Andrea – Episode 87

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 69:18


    Dialectical Perspectives on the Gun Violence Debate – Episode 86

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2022 53:26


    Just Be There – Episode 85

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2022 44:17


    What is DBT and Where Did It Come From? – Episode 84

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2022 54:04


    To Hell and Back with Charlie Swenson is Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 3:29


    Acting Opposite to Action Urges to Change Emotions – Episode 83

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 54:59


    Applying DBT’S model of emotions to your life – Episode 82

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2021 60:56


    Why is it so damned hard to regulate emotions? – Episode 81

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 55:19


    Applying DBT’s Third Shape (Dialectics) to Alleviate Pandemic Suffering – Episode 80

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021 57:57


    More DBT Solutions to Pandemic Suffering – Episode-79

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2021 62:23


    DBT Solutions to Pandemic Suffering – Episode 78

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2021 58:42


    The Pandemic – Science Suffering And DBT Solutions – Episode 77

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2020 64:43


    Mindfulness Amidst Mindlessness (Part 2) – Episode 76

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020 60:41


    The post Mindfulness Amidst Mindlessness (Part 2) – Episode 76 appeared first on Charlie Swenson.

    Mindfulness Amidst Mindlessness – Episode 75

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2020 58:28


    The post Mindfulness Amidst Mindlessness – Episode 75 appeared first on Charlie Swenson.

    Lessons from Pandemic Living – Episode 74

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2020 61:32


    The post Lessons from Pandemic Living – Episode 74 appeared first on Charlie Swenson.

    Changing Repetitive Painful Emotions – Episode 73

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2020 57:41


    The post Changing Repetitive Painful Emotions – Episode 73 appeared first on Charlie Swenson.

    Italy, the US, the pandemic and DBT (part 2 of 2) – Episode 72

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2020 84:17


    The post Italy, the US, the pandemic and DBT (part 2 of 2) – Episode 72 appeared first on Charlie Swenson.

    Italy, the US, the pandemic and DBT – Episode 71

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2020 122:36


    The post Italy, the US, the pandemic and DBT – Episode 71 appeared first on Charlie Swenson.

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