Podcasts about internal family systems ifs

What does cheating actually do to the person doing it?Most conversations about infidelity focus on the betrayed partner — and for good reason. But in this episode, Todd Creager turns the lens inward, looking at what happens inside the body and mind of the person having the affair. It's part of his ongoing series on how cheating cheats the cheater, and this episode zeroes in on something rarely talked about: the physiological cost of living a secret.Using the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Todd walks through how our protective parts operate when deep wounds go unaddressed. The "firefighter" part acts out — in this case, through an affair — as a way to escape pain. The guilt and self-attack that follow? That's the "manager" part doing its job. The result is an internal system at war with itself. The body pays the price.What does that look like in practice? A stress cycle that doesn't stop. The adrenaline of secrecy. The cortisol of shame. For most people — not sociopaths, as Todd plainly notes — this creates a chronic internal conflict that quietly drains physical and emotional wellbeing. Infidelity recovery starts with recognizing that the affair was never really about the other person. It was a response to pain that never got the attention it needed.The path out, Todd explains, isn't more self-punishment. It's actually getting honest — with yourself, with a professional, and eventually with your partner if reconciliation is part of the picture. When the wound beneath the behavior gets real attention, real healing becomes possible. Todd has seen it happen, over and over, in his 30+ years working with couples.This episode is for anyone who has been on either side of betrayal, or who suspects there's more going on beneath the surface of the choices they've been making.If you're ready to stop the internal war and work toward actual peace — in your body, your relationship, and yourself — Todd's work is a good place to start. Reach out at toddcreager.com."Making the world safe for love." If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who could benefit and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more couples who are ready to transform their lives.Check out my complete program "From Bickering & Escalating to Connecting & Loving" for more in-depth guidance: https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/loving-connecting-masterclassTodd Creager, LCSW, LMFTTodd is a sex expert and therapist in Huntington Beach.  He provides relationship coaching to couples throughout the world and in Orange County including Irvine, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach and Long Beach.  (714) 848-2288.You can find more tips and resources from Todd Creager at:  https://toddcreager.com  HELPFUL LINKS:Get your FREE copy of Healing Infidelity From The Inside Out https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/heal-infidelity Secrets to a Sexy Marriage:  https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/sexy-marriage-secrets7 Ways to Divorce Proof Your Marriage: https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/optin-DPYMBe...

In this episode of “Finding Grace” today I'm joined by Soulla Demetriou, who is an author of the new book “You have always been enough”, trauma informed somatic and transformational coach and embodiment facilitator. For over 15 years, she has guided thousands of people, including high performing leaders and change makers, through depth led inner work and powerful immersive experiences.Her approach blends self-compassion, nervous system regulation, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and embodied practice to support deep, lasting change.Through her writing, 1:1 work and Soulshine Retreats, Soulla helps people transform their relationship with themselves as the foundation for liberated living, leadership and meaningful change.We connected through social media, and I can't wait to have this conversation today.In this episode you'll discover:Soulla shares what "finding grace" means to her and how it has shaped the journey she's been on.She opens up about what led her to this work, including a life-changing accident in recent years and the profound healing it sparked.We explore the invitation to let go of labelling experiences as simply "good" or "bad."We discuss how reclaiming our power begins with the responses we choose, and how small moments of self-love can create meaningful change.Soulla shares the inspiration behind her book, what motivated her to write it, and the transformation it offers readers.She guides us through the seven-step embodied framework at the heart of the book.We explore Internal Family Systems (IFS), what it is, how it can support healing, and how readers can begin working with it through the book.Soulla explains parts work, including the role of protectors and what it means to befriend the different parts of ourselves.We discuss a powerful message from the book: "Healing begins when we run towards these parts with love."She shares her perspective on reparenting and why it can be such an important part of the healing journey.We explore the difference between intellectually knowing we are enough and truly embodying that belief.We discuss attachment patterns and how they influence the way we relate to ourselves and others.Soulla shares the unlearning that is often required as we remember our inherent worth and release old patterns.We explore the healing power of love and connection during difficult and traumatic experiences, and what can happen when that connection is absent.We discuss inner safety and practical ways to cultivate more of it in everyday life.Soulla shares what is currently bringing her joy and supporting her wellbeing.Soulla shares all this and more in this episode, I found it so interesting learning about IFS.If you want to read Soulla's book, work with her or go on her retreats you can find her here:www.withsoulla.comInstagram @withsoullaBuy the book hereYou can find me at : Watch my TEDx talk here Instagram @thehannahwallaceTwitter @hannahwallace_Face book @thehannahwallace Website www.hannah-wallace.com Sign up to my newsletter here Thank you so much for listening please share, subscribe and review it's greatly appreciated and I hope you find grace in your week ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New here? Start with our Start Here playlist — five episodes that will change how you think about motherhood. You've hit the milestones. You've built the career, shown up for your kids, and done everything right. So why does it still feel like you're not enough? If you're a high-achieving mom who looks successful on paper but feels empty, restless, or like you're always chasing the next thing — this episode is for you. And the answer isn't doing more. It's understanding what's actually driving your ambition in the first place. Brooke Taylor is a career coach, speaker, and former marketing lead at Google, where she worked with some of the highest-performing teams in the world. After running a study of over 5,000 women, she discovered that burnout, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome weren't the real problem — they were all symptoms of something deeper she calls the success wound. What you'll learn: What the success wound is — and why it's the real reason no matter how much you achieve, it never feels like enough The early childhood experience that teaches high-achieving girls to tie love and belonging to performance The five archetypes of the success wound — and how to spot which one is driving your behavior The difference between ambition plugged into your success wound versus ambition plugged into your true self Why confidence is contextual and will always let you down — and what to build instead What high-achieving moms are unintentionally modeling to their kids about self-worth and achievement Why rewarding effort is good but rewarding resilience is the next level — and what that looks like in practice The three daily practices that build self-worth like deposits in a bank account Why making decisions when you're only 51% sure is actually the key to trusting yourself Why certainty is a career killer — and what to do instead "You don't rise to the level of your confidence. You fall to the level of your self-worth. Which is why you can be confident at work, have a big failure, and have your confidence crumble completely." Resources mentioned: Healing the Success Wound by Brooke Taylor — brooketaylorcoaching.com/book Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy — the framework behind the "true self" concept discussed in this episode The Four Cs framework from Dr. Benjamin Hardy — commitment, courage, competence, and confidence (you only need the first two to start) Connect with Brooke: Website: brooketaylorcoaching.com Instagram: @brookevtaylor Remember: the best mom is a happy mom. Take care of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the inner conflict you feel isn't a sign that something is wrong with you, but a signal that healing is possible? In this powerful edition of our monthly feature Dr. Carol talks with Zion and Avery Montgomery to explore how sin, evil, and trauma fracture us internally and shape our emotions, relationships, and spiritual lives. Drawing from both Biblical truths and the psychological framework of Internal Family Systems (IFS), this conversation highlights how Jesus makes us whole as He brings healing and integration to every wounded or hidden part of the heart.   Avery shares his personal journey from living with a performance-based identity to learning how to walk in authentic presence and intimacy with Him. The conversation also dives into the role of the inner child, explaining how younger, wounded versions of ourselves often continue influencing present-day behaviors and relationships.  If you're carrying fractured places within yourself, this conversation will give you language, hope, and a next step.   For more about the Montgomerys: Follow @averymont and @ztmont on Instagram. Visit Zion's website Therapy with Zion for more information about Couples and Family counseling. More from Dr. Carol Ministries: In-Person Intensive Weekend - Experience true healing and wholeness as you unpack your personal story around intimacy and relationships in a safe, caring, Christ-filled environment.     Individual Coaching with Dr. Carol provides a one-on-one format to help you navigate your personal journey through practical encouragement and scriptural- based perspective.     Dr. Carol loves to hear from you! You can send her a confidential message here. 

Send us a text message if you have a question you want answered on the podcast.As an LDS therapist, one of the most common things I hear from women is, "I feel torn inside." There' is a part of you that wants to be calm and faithful, and another part that's anxious, or exhausted, or just done. Both can be true on the same day. That's not hypocrisy. That's being human.In this episode, I sit down with JoAnna Bethea, an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor and the very first therapist to join me at Aligned Counseling. JoAnna walks us through Internal Family Systems, the modality she uses with her clients, and shows how it weaves beautifully with the gospel and with the Mind Body Bridging work I already teach. She shares her own story of a four day anxiety attack the week her youngest son finished his last high school sport, and how that hard season led her into the most freeing work she's ever done.If you've ever felt torn in two, this one is for you._______________________________Get to know our guest:JoAnna Bethea is an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor at Aligned Counseling Utah. She specializes in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and weaves it together with Mind Body Bridging and the gospel of Jesus Christ to help LDS women heal from anxiety, perfectionism, people pleasing, and the quiet identity loss that often shows up in motherhood and empty nesting. She is also the heart behind a brand new Instagram account, Teaching Them To Fly, for moms walking their kids (and themselves) into the next chapter.If you're in Utah and what JoAnna shared today felt like a light bulb moment for you, she's currently taking new clients at Aligned Counseling Utah. Website: AlignedCounselingUtah.comInstagram: @teachingthemtofly_______________________________Stick around for more Mental Health support & resources: 

Have you ever wondered why someone who's having an affair can still feel profoundly alone?In this episode, Todd Creager continues his series on how cheating cheats the cheater — and this time he looks at one of the deepest costs of infidelity: the loss of authentic intimacy. Using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework, Todd explains why keeping a secret doesn't just strain a relationship. It cuts the person having the affair off from the one thing that actually heals loneliness — being truly known.At the heart of IFS is a simple but important idea: we are all made of parts. Some of those parts carry old wounds — messages like "I'm not good enough" or "I'm not safe" — picked up through childhood, family dynamics, and life experience. Protective parts form around those wounds to keep us functioning. But when someone operates from a secret, hidden part — the part running the affair — they can no longer show up as their whole self. And without that, there's no real intimacy. The affair partner may feel connected to them, but they're only connecting with a fragment. Not the full person.Todd draws on his book The Long Hot Marriage, published in 2008, to talk about the qualities of genuine connection — many of which align closely with what IFS calls the Eight C's of the Self: curiosity, compassion, clarity, and the rest. These aren't abstract concepts. They're what becomes possible when someone stops hiding and starts doing the real work of looking inward.He also touches on something that gets overlooked in conversations about infidelity — the role society plays. Marriage and committed relationships have, in many ways, conditioned people to hide the parts of themselves that feel messy, broken, or less than perfect. That cultural pressure makes authentic intimacy harder for everyone, not just those who have cheated.The good news? That capacity to connect — truly and fully — is already inside you. It doesn't have to stay buried.If you're ready to stop living from a protected place and start building the kind of relationship where you actually feel seen, Todd's approach gives you a real path forward. Learn more at toddcreager.com."Making the world safe for love." If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who could benefit and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more couples who are ready to transform their lives.Check out my complete program "From Bickering & Escalating to Connecting & Loving" for more in-depth guidance: https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/loving-connecting-masterclassTodd Creager, LCSW, LMFTTodd is a sex expert and therapist in Huntington Beach.  He provides relationship coaching to couples throughout the world and in Orange County including Irvine, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach and Long Beach.  (714) 848-2288.You can find more tips and resources from Todd Creager at:  https://toddcreager.com  HELPFUL LINKS:Get your FREE copy of Healing Infidelity From The Inside Out https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/heal-infidelity Secrets to a Sexy Marriage:  https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/sexy-marriage-secrets7 Ways to Divorce Proof Your Marriage: https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/optin-DPYMBe...

David Hoffman joins me to talk about his most recent book, The Art of Impasse-Breaking in Mediation.  David is well known in the conflict resolution field and the recipient of numerous well-deserved honors and awards.  David takes us through the concept of impasse in mediation, an introduction to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, and insights on how we can recognize and more effectively deal with unconscious bias. You can learn more about David's work at the Boston Law Collaborative website:https://blc.law/ If you click on his profile page, you will learn about David and find information on his books, articles, and other resources.  Do you have comments or suggestions about a topic or guest? An idea or question about conflict management or conflict resolution? Let me know at jb@dovetailresolutions.com! And you can learn more about me and my work as a mediator and a Certified CINERGY® Conflict Coach at www.dovetailresolutions.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/janebeddall/. Enjoy the show for free on your favorite podcast app or on the podcast website: https://craftingsolutionstoconflict.com/    

Seattle-based therapist, author, and poet Sam Louie joins DJ Chuang to discuss his newly released workbook, Redefining Asian Shame: From Silence to Self-Acceptance — available now to download on Gumroad. (Listen for the 40% off discount code)Sam shares how the workbook gives the readers to engage an interactive process to move from Asian shame to a healthy acceptance of oneself.Sam explains his mind shift in how he clinically approaches shame, informed by the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and the concept of "no bad parts." Rather than viewing shame as something to be excised or hated, Sam has come to see it as carrying an original protective purpose — one that, when understood, opens the door to real healing.See the show notes and transcript at https://erasingshame.com/reclaiming-redefining-shame-for-asian-americans/

Breathing is the only bodily process that can be practiced consciously and unconsciously, tapping into the physical, spiritual and mystical all at once with a simple intake and release of the breath. Yet, like many parts of the body and self, this process has been trivialised and mechanised by the head-centric dominant culture, blocking the foundational gateway to consciousness that makes us the relational, caregivers we innately are. How can we bring the conscious back into the “unconscious” through breathwork as a crucial pathway to deprogramming the human being as separate to the rest of the world?   In this month's episode, we bring onto the show Colleen Quinn, a transpersonal psychologist with a child specialty along with certification in breathwork. Colleen has taught psychology at The Ohio State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Columbus State Community College and has published research in many top-tier scientific journals, among them Emotion, Adolescent Psychology, and Residential Treatment for Children and Youth to name a few. In her private practice, spanning decades, Colleen used Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Both techniques use breathwork to find and feel our body's stored traumas, loving them to bring healing.  Through a guided breathwork practice to exploring the themes of her latest book Essence Merging, Colleen takes us on a journey to remembering the human being as embodied love through the foundational pathway to consciousness - the breath. The episode is an invitation for listeners to discover their own divine blueprint, and return home to the sacred self as deeply connected to life on Earth and beyond. Visit mindfullofeverything.com to access full episode shownotes, resources and archives. Connect with us on Instagram (@mindfullofeverything_pod) and Facebook (@mindfullofeverything).

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah reconnects with former client Lizzie Marks for a conversation about what intuitive eating looks like five years later — and how healing your relationship with food can ripple into every area of life.Lizzie shares how her early intuitive eating journey began with swinging fully away from rigid food rules and exercise habits, and how she eventually found her way toward a more nuanced middle ground with movement, nutrition, and self-trust.Together, Leah and Lizzie explore how concepts from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work have helped Lizzie navigate the return of old diet thoughts without fear or shame. They also discuss how Lizzie now approaches group fitness, movement, and food choices with more flexibility, nuance, and an ongoing commitment to trusting her intuition around food and body.You'll hear about:What intuitive eating looks like for Lizzie in the early stages vs. nowHow intuitive eating can impact decision-making in other areas of lifeReclaiming exercise classes and fitness challenges from diet cultureUsing parts work and IFS to navigate lingering diet thoughtsIntegrating cycle-syncing and how even that requires an intuitive approachWhat Lizzie is focused on as she continues her intuitive eating journeyMore From Leah:

If you've done years of eating disorder recovery work and suddenly find old trauma surfacing, you are not alone. In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Marianne Miller and Debbie Saroufim explore the complicated overlap between eating disorders, trauma recovery, body image, nervous system responses, and healing after survival mode. They discuss why trauma can emerge later in recovery, how eating disorders sometimes function as protection, and what happens when old coping strategies no longer work. Debbie shares personal experiences with trauma recovery, sexual trauma, body image struggles, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS)/parts work, parenting, co-parenting, and navigating major life transitions while continuing the recovery process. Together, they unpack the emotional reality of healing in a world shaped by diet culture, misogyny, fatphobia, and systemic oppression. CONTENT CAUTION This episode includes discussion of trauma, sexual trauma, PTSD symptoms, body image distress, eating disorders, dissociation/freezing responses, misogyny, and systemic oppression. Eating Disorders and Trauma Recovery Many people assume eating disorder recovery means the hardest part is over. But for some people, healing from eating disorder behaviors can uncover trauma that had been buried underneath survival strategies for years. Dr. Marianne Miller and Debbie Saroufim discuss how eating disorders can function as protection, why trauma may surface later in recovery, and how recovery does not make people immune to pain, grief, fear, or nervous system overwhelm. The conversation explores the relationship between trauma and eating disorders, including how body image struggles, restrictive eating, binge eating, compulsive behaviors, and nervous system responses can become intertwined with survival. They also discuss the emotional shock that can happen when eating disorder symptoms are no longer the primary coping mechanism and unresolved trauma begins demanding attention. PTSD Symptoms, Nervous System Responses, and Survival Mode This episode examines trauma responses like freezing, dissociation, hypervigilance, minimization, emotional shutdown, and nervous system dysregulation. Debbie shares how experiences from adolescence resurfaced decades later during trauma recovery work and how those memories affected her relationships, parenting, body image, and sense of safety in the world. Dr. Marianne Miller and Debbie Saroufim also discuss the connection between trauma, body image, misogyny, fatphobia, oppression, and diet culture. They explore how living in a culture shaped by systemic inequality and body oppression can create chronic emotional stress that deeply affects mental health and eating disorder recovery. EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Parts Work Dr. Marianne Miller and Debbie Saroufim discuss how EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS)/parts work can help people process trauma and eating disorder recovery with greater self-compassion. Debbie explains how parts work helped her understand eating disorder thoughts as information instead of commands and how learning to “unblend” from different parts of herself changed her recovery process. The conversation also explores how eating disorders can begin as protective adaptations, why self-compassion can feel inaccessible during trauma recovery, and how nervous system regulation becomes an important part of healing. They discuss the idea that multiple truths can coexist at once and why recovery often requires compassion for every part of the self, including the parts carrying fear, shame, anger, grief, or overwhelm. Fat Liberation, Body Image, and Intergenerational Trauma This episode also explores the connection between fat liberation, trauma, body image, and intergenerational trauma. Debbie discusses how body image struggles are shaped by cultural messaging and systemic oppression rather than appearance alone. Dr. Marianne Miller and Debbie Saroufim talk about how trauma can be passed through generations, how children absorb messages about bodies and safety, and why many people are trying to break cycles of shame and silence within their families. They also discuss the emotional complexity of parenting while healing, the pressure many people feel to “fully recover,” and the reality that recovery is often ongoing maintenance work rather than a final destination. About Debbie Saroufim Debbie Saroufim is a body acceptance coach in Los Angeles, California. She helps people all over the world build resilience against diet culture and heal their relationship with food and body image through a harm reduction and fat liberation lens. Her work focuses on body image healing, eating disorder recovery support, trauma-informed coaching, and helping people navigate life in a world shaped by body oppression and systemic inequality. Debbie works with people of all body sizes through individual and group coaching and is passionate about bringing conversations about body diversity and fat liberation into schools and community spaces. Find Debbie Saroufim on Instagram at @bodyacceptance_coach and at thebodyacceptancecoach.com. Listen to Other Episodes With Debbie When Weight Loss Isn't a Win: Eating Disorders, Stress, & Body Image Confusion (Content Warning) on Apple or Spotify. Anti-Fat Bias in Schools and Society on Apple or Spotify. How Eating Disorder Recovery Heals Life Overall on Apple or Spotify. Let's Talk Recovery: Ditching Diet Culture & Crushing Eating Disorder Thoughts on Apple or Spotify. About Dr. Marianne Miller Dr. Marianne Miller is a San Diego, California-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), eating disorder therapist, podcast host, and advocate specializing in eating disorders, ARFID, binge eating disorder, body image, neurodivergence, and trauma-informed care. She works with adults, teens, and children and is known for her neurodivergent-affirming, fat-liberation-informed approach to eating disorder recovery. Dr. Marianne Miller provides eating disorder therapy (California) and coaching (worldwide) for people struggling with ARFID, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, OCD, body image distress, and complex relationships with food. Her work focuses on compassionate, evidence-based support that honors the role of nervous system regulation, sensory experiences, executive functioning, and systemic oppression in recovery. She is the host of the Dr. Marianne-Land podcast, where she explores eating disorders, mental health, neurodiversity, trauma, body image, and recovery through honest, nuanced conversations with clinicians, advocates, and people with lived experience. Learn more about Dr. Marianne Miller, therapy services, coaching, and courses at drmariannemiller.com. If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review the Dr. Marianne-Land podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Your support helps more people find eating disorder recovery, trauma recovery, ARFID support, binge eating support, body image support, and neurodivergent-affirming mental health resources.

What if the person most harmed by an affair isn't the one who was betrayed — but the one who did the betraying?In this solo episode, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Todd Creager returns to one of his most talked-about topics: the psychological cost of infidelity to the person who cheats. Drawing on over 30 years of working with couples, and through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, Todd breaks down why cheating is so often less about desire and more about escape — and what that escape actually costs.At the center of this conversation is the IFS concept of "self-leadership." Todd explains that each of us has a core Self — sometimes called your higher self or best self — that is naturally compassionate, calm, curious, and clear. This is the part of you that, when in the driver's seat, gives you the capacity to show up fully in your life and your relationship.When someone cheats, Todd argues, they've effectively handed those keys to what IFS calls a "firefighter" — a protective part of the psyche that distracts from pain, boredom, emptiness, or a wound that hasn't been addressed. The affair feels like relief in the moment. But it pulls the person further from the self they actually want to be. Add in the lying, the managing appearances, the fear of being found out, and suddenly two more parts — the manager and the firefighter — are running the show while the real self sits in the back seat.Todd is careful here not to reduce any of this to moral judgment. He's seen too many cases where someone cheated after a job loss, a blow to self-esteem, or a long history of feeling alone — and the affair was a desperate reach for something that felt like connection. That doesn't make it okay, but it does make it understandable. And understanding it is what makes healing possible.Whether the relationship survives or not, Todd makes the case that doing this inner work still matters. The protective parts that drove the affair — the firefighter, the manager — will keep running the show in future relationships unless the underlying wounds get addressed. Therapy isn't just about saving the marriage. It's about getting back in the driver's seat of your own life.If you're working through the aftermath of betrayal — whether you're the one who was hurt or the one who caused the hurt — Todd's Infidelity First Aid Kit is a practical starting point. Find the link in the show notes.Todd Creager — making the world safe for love. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who could benefit and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more couples who are ready to transform their lives.Check out my complete program "From Bickering & Escalating to Connecting & Loving" for more in-depth guidance: https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/loving-connecting-masterclassTodd Creager, LCSW, LMFTTodd is a sex expert and therapist in Huntington Beach.  He provides relationship coaching to couples throughout the world and in Orange County including Irvine, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach and Long Beach.  (714) 848-2288.You can find more tips and resources from Todd Creager at:  https://toddcreager.com  HELPFUL LINKS:Get your FREE copy of Healing Infidelity From The Inside Out https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/heal-infidelity Secrets to a Sexy Marriage:  https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/sexy-marriage-secrets7 Ways to Divorce Proof Your Marriage: https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/optin-DPYMBe...

Send us Fan MailThis episode is a companion audio diary to my interview with Ted Riskin, recorded while participating in one of his five-day Internal Family Systems (IFS) ketamine-assisted group retreats in Asheville, North Carolina. Over the course of the retreat, I recorded stream-of-consciousness reflections into my iPhone each day as I moved through group process, ketamine journeys, hikes in the mountains, and conversations about healing, anger, meaning, and inner balance.This episode is more personal and less structured than my usual interviews. Part field journal, part psychological exploration, it captures what it feels like to enter one of these increasingly popular healing environments.Timestamps0:00 - Audio Diary Retreat Setup1:55 - Meeting The Group And The Method4:19 - Setting Intentions For Inner Balance5:16 - First Ketamine Journey And Comeback10:32 - Integration Plus Hikes And Workday13:14 - Anger Work And Nature Reset15:14 - Lower Dose Insights And Next StepsSubscribe to the Developing Meaning Substack newsletter: Developing Meaning SubstackDeveloping Meaning is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE and is NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY INSTITUTIONS.Theme music by The Thrashing Skumz. Developing Meaning is produced by Consilient Mind LLC.

What if the anxiety, overthinking, people pleasing, emotional shutdown, hypervigilance, burnout, and relationship struggles you experience today… were never actually "you" to begin with? In this deeply personal and profoundly eye-opening solo episode, Darin Olien dives into the hidden nervous system programming formed between the ages of 0 and 8 that silently shapes our adult lives. Drawing from neuroscience, trauma research, attachment theory, epigenetics, somatic healing, and his own emotional breakthroughs, Darin explores how childhood experiences become subconscious operating systems that influence everything from relationships and stress responses to chronic disease and self-worth. This episode is a powerful roadmap toward healing. Darin breaks down the science behind trauma, the ACE study, nervous system dysregulation, emotional patterning, and neuroplasticity, while also sharing practical tools like somatic experiencing, expressive writing, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems to help listeners begin rewiring their emotional lives from the inside out. What You'll Learn How childhood experiences program the nervous system Why most adult emotional reactions are subconscious survival patterns The connection between trauma, stress hormones, and chronic disease How the nervous system stores emotional experiences in the body Why people pleasing, hypervigilance, burnout, and emotional shutdown develop The science behind neuroplasticity and rewiring the brain What the ACE Study revealed about childhood trauma and adult health How trauma impacts the amygdala, hippocampus, and stress-response systems Why emotional patterns are adaptations, not character flaws How epigenetics can pass trauma responses across generations The role of somatic experiencing in trauma healing Practical tools for emotional regulation and nervous system repair Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:32 – Sponsor: Bite Toothpaste and eliminating toxic plastic exposure 00:02:47 – Darin introduces emotional reactions and nervous system triggers 00:03:15 – A personal story about reacting vs responding in conflict 00:03:50 – Emotional shutdowns, rage, withdrawal, people pleasing, and overcorrection 00:04:19 – Darin's physical pain journey and emotional discoveries in 2025 00:04:42 – Birth trauma, childhood conditioning, and nervous system programming 00:05:04 – Why the ages of 0–8 are the most neurologically influential years 00:05:18 – Theta and delta brainwave states during childhood 00:05:55 – How children absorb emotional patterns without filters 00:06:22 – Childhood experiences becoming subconscious operating systems 00:06:44 – Adults unknowingly living through a 5-year-old nervous system 00:07:12 – Why this episode became deeply personal for Darin 00:07:35 – The neuroscience behind stress responses and emotional conditioning 00:08:17 – Brain development, neuroplasticity, and subconscious programming 00:09:13 – How the HPA axis, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex are shaped early in life 00:09:45 – Core childhood questions that program the nervous system 00:10:29 – Why adult stress responses originate in childhood environments 00:11:05 – Research showing childhood adversity alters brain structure and chemistry 00:11:18 – The ACE Study explained 00:11:49 – Why patients losing weight became emotionally overwhelmed 00:12:18 – The ten categories of adverse childhood experiences 00:13:02 – "The health crisis of America begins in childhood" 00:13:36 – How adverse childhood experiences increase disease risk 00:14:03 – Suicide, alcoholism, autoimmune disease, depression, and trauma correlations 00:14:37 – Chronic disease as a nervous system issue 00:15:04 – Survival mode, inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and emotional scarcity 00:15:42 – Self-sabotage and emotional coping patterns explained 00:16:02 – Why your emotional patterns are not character flaws 00:16:22 – Childhood survival adaptations and nervous system intelligence 00:16:52 – Hypervigilance, people pleasing, rage, emotional shutdown, and fear 00:17:05 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality and frequency-based wellness 00:18:59 – Epigenetics and inherited trauma responses 00:19:22 – Cortisol regulation genes and hyperactive stress responses 00:19:51 – Holocaust survivors, inherited trauma, and generational nervous systems 00:20:19 – Why healing requires nervous system awareness—not just intellectual understanding 00:20:45 – "You were never supposed to get over it—you were supposed to heal from it" 00:21:01 – Real-life examples of subconscious nervous system programming 00:21:16 – Why receiving compliments can feel unsafe 00:21:30 – Darin's personal struggle with overachievement and scarcity programming 00:22:03 – Emotional neglect, chronic striving, and feeling "not enough" 00:22:16 – The nervous system roots of burnout and exhaustion 00:22:23 – Hair-trigger emotional reactions and hyperactive amygdala responses 00:22:38 – Chronic self-abandonment and losing personal boundaries 00:22:52 – Fear of intimacy, trust issues, and emotional safety 00:23:02 – "The body keeps the score" explained 00:23:22 – Trauma stored in posture, breath, digestion, immunity, and emotional regulation 00:23:43 – Harvard research on trauma-related brain changes 00:24:19 – The radical power of neuroplasticity and nervous system rewiring 00:24:48 – Why healing requires conscious participation 00:25:01 – Darin shares how healing changed decades of emotional pain 00:25:33 – Somatic Experiencing and Peter Levine's trauma work 00:25:57 – How animals discharge stress naturally 00:26:23 – Trauma as incomplete physiological responses frozen in the body 00:26:42 – Why humans suppress emotional discharge 00:27:16 – PTSD research and the effectiveness of somatic experiencing 00:27:41 – A step-by-step somatic grounding practice 00:28:14 – Why healing is more powerful with a regulated person beside you 00:28:38 – EMDR and reprocessing traumatic experiences 00:28:55 – Internal Family Systems and the "parts" inside the psyche 00:29:13 – Inner critics, overachievers, and nervous system adaptations 00:29:39 – Compassionately listening to emotional parts instead of suppressing them 00:29:51 – Expressive writing as a trauma healing practice 00:30:22 – The neuroscience behind emotional journaling 00:30:48 – A four-day expressive writing protocol for healing 00:31:05 – "You are not broken" 00:31:16 – Reprogramming the nervous system through love and safety 00:31:37 – Why deep healing happens in the presence of another regulated person 00:31:52 – Darin considers creating a future healing workshop 00:32:04 – Final reflections: "You are not what happened to you" 00:32:12 – Peace. Love. SuperLife. Thank You to Our Sponsors Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "The emotional patterns, fears, reactions, and coping mechanisms that run your adult life are often survival adaptations created by your nervous system during childhood. They are not your identity. They are not permanent. And through awareness, somatic healing, emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and conscious repetition, those deeply rooted patterns can be rewritten into something healthier, freer, and more aligned with who you truly are." Bibliography/Sources Neuroscience & Early Programming Agorastos, A., Pervanidou, P., Chrousos, G. P., & Baker, D. G. (2019). Developmental trajectories of early life stress and trauma: A narrative review on neurobiological aspects beyond stress system dysregulation. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, Article 118. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00118 Bolton, J. L., Short, A. K., Simeone, K. A., Daglian, J., & Baram, T. Z. (2019). Programming of stress-sensitive neurons and circuits by early-life experiences. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 13, Article 30. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00030 Shonkoff, J. P., & Boyce, W. T. (2024). Toxic stress and developmental programming of the HPA axis. Annual Review of Developmental Psychology. https://www.annualreviews.org/journal/devpsych Teicher, M. H., & Ohashi, K. (2023). Childhood trauma and reduced hippocampal, anterior cingulate, and corpus callosum volumes. JAMA Psychiatry. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking / Penguin. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/313183/the-body-keeps-the-score-by-bessel-van-der-kolk-md/ ACE Study & Adverse Childhood Experiences Felitti, V. J. (2002). The relation between adverse childhood experiences and adult health: Turning gold into lead. The Permanente Journal, 6(1), 44–47. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6112216/ Felitti, V. J., & Anda, R. F. (2010). The relationship of adverse childhood experiences to adult health, well-being, social function, and healthcare. In R. Lanius, E. Vermetten, & C. Pain (Eds.), The impact of early life trauma on health and disease (pp. 77–87). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511777042 Hillis, S., Mercy, J., Amobi, A., & Kress, H. (2023). Economic burden of health conditions associated with adverse childhood experiences among U.S. adults. JAMA Network Open, 6(12). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen Liu, Y., Croft, J. B., Chapman, D. P., et al. (2013). Associations between adverse childhood experiences and health outcomes in adults aged 18–59 years. PLOS ONE, 8(3), e58625. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058625 Epigenetics & Trauma Baratta, M. V., et al. (2021). Epigenetics of childhood trauma: Long term sequelae and potential for treatment. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 132, 1049–1063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.043 Jiang, S., Postovit, L., Cattaneo, A., Binder, E. B., & Aitchison, K. J. (2019). Epigenetic modifications in stress response genes associated with childhood trauma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, Article 808. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00808 Provençal, N., & Binder, E. B. (2015). The effects of early life stress on the epigenome: From the womb to adulthood and even before. Experimental Neurology, 268, 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.12.001 Healing Modalities — Research Brom, D., Stokar, Y., Lawi, C., et al. (2017). Somatic experiencing for posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized controlled outcome study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 30(3), 304–312. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22189 Fratarolli, J. (2006). Experimental disclosure and its moderators: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(6), 823–865. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.6.823 Gilbert, P. (2009). The compassionate mind: A new approach to life's challenges. New Harbinger Publications. https://www.newharbinger.com/9781572248403/the-compassionate-mind/ Justice Resource Institute. (2022). Evaluation of the efficacy of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy for trauma-related symptoms among complexly traumatized adults. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05155930. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05155930 Kuhfuß, M., Maldei, T., Hetmanek, A., & Baumann, N. (2021). Somatic experiencing — effectiveness and key factors of a body-oriented trauma therapy. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), Article 1929023. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1929023 Levine, P. A. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books. https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/shop/in-an-unspoken-voice/ Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21923 Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science, 8(3), 162–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1997.tb00403.x Rodenburg, R., Benjamin, A., de Roos, C., Meijer, A. M., & Stams, G. J. (2009). Efficacy of EMDR in children: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(7), 599–606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.06.008 Schwartz, R. C. (2021). No bad parts: Healing trauma and restoring wholeness with the Internal Family Systems model. Sounds True. https://www.soundstrue.com/products/no-bad-parts Shapiro, F. (2017). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press. https://www.guilford.com/books/Eye-Movement-Desensitization-and-Reprocessing/Francine-Shapiro/9781462532766  

What up, Beasts? In this episode, I sat down with therapist and storyteller Ishara Lee for a conversation about identity, inner child work, manipulation, healing, and what it actually takes to find yourself again after losing who you are inside someone else's version of you. We talked about how we become “a collection of our yesterdays,” the voices we unknowingly carry from other people, and how adulthood is often the process of dismantling who we were taught to be so we can uncover who we actually are. Ishara shared the deeply personal story of losing herself in a controlling relationship during college, the isolation and heartbreak that followed, and the unexpected ways she rebuilt herself through dance, strength training, cosplay, community, and storytelling. This episode is about reclaiming your identity, honoring your younger self, and maintaining what Ishara calls “a healthy disregard for the impossible.” It is thoughtful, nerdy, emotional, funny, and honestly one of my favorite conversations about healing and becoming. As always, I hope something lands with you today. I hope something you hear tugs at your heart strings and/or I hope you laugh.Bio: Ishara holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Child and Adolescent Development certification. She has professional experience in mental health, working with individuals, couples, families, and groups, as well as in crisis and trauma intervention. Her therapeutic approach currently incorporates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), rooted in a combination of behavioral and humanistic approaches to addressing client concerns. She has experience supporting individuals navigating LGBTQIA+ challenges, depression, grief and loss, anxiety, and relationship issues. In her free time, she enjoys cosplay, video games, reading when she has the focus to do so, and learning about different cultures and folklore. She also enjoys watching movies and occasionally uses examples from media to illustrate relatable points in her work as a therapist. Music by Prymary: Sean Entrikin (my hot husband) on guitar, Chris Quirarte on drums, Smiley Sean on keyboards, Rob Young on bass, and Jaxon Duane on vocals.Want to be a guest on the show? Click Here: https://beautifulbeastwithinstudios.com/unveilingthebeast-applicationConnect with Ishara!MelaninMusesPodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/@melaninmusespodcastKintsugi_Wabisabi (Instagram)https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi_wabisabi/Where else can you find me?Linktree: https://linktr.ee/beautifulbeastwithinstudiosContribution Page: https://beautifulbeastwithinstudios.com/bbws-contribution-pageHow to Join the Newsletter: https://beautifulbeastwithinstudios.com/join-newsletterBook a FREE Exploration Chat: https://beautifulbeastwithinstudios.com/exploration-chat-schedulingYour Input Can Change Lives!If you have ever felt stuck in diet cycles, body image spirals, or trying to “fix” your body and never feeling like it is enough, I would love to hear from you.I am collecting confidential stories and experiences about food, movement, and body image to create resources that actually support real humans, not diet culture. Your honest input can help shape a future where health is about more than a number on the scale.Click here to take the survey: https://beautifulbeastwithinstudios.com/market-research784237Affiliate LinksBreakthrough Coaching Certification: https://coachseansmith.ontraport.net/t?orid=27037&opid=43Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=1118d2Mary Kay: https://www.marykay.com/kaitienoelleBeastly Merch: https://beautifulbeastwithinstudios.com/merchUnveil the Beautiful Beast Within YOU!

What if a faith crisis isn't the end of belief — but the beginning of spiritual transformation?In this profound conversation, Megan Farner sits down with Tucker Boyle, founder of Harmony Road Retreats and former LDS Seminary teacher, to explore faith deconstruction, nervous system regulation, meditation, spiritual awakening, and the deeper path of inner harmony. Tucker shares his deeply personal story of questioning long-held beliefs while pursuing a PhD focused on Joseph Smith, and how that painful process ultimately opened the door to spiritual rebirth, embodied faith, and direct experiences with God.00:00 – Introduction  02:23 – Tucker's Faith Journey 09:49 – Mystical experiences, divine love & inner peace 12:00 – Meditation, harmony & healing 13:10 – Why faith crises can become spiritual rebirths 15:04 – Fear, doubt, and inherited religious conditioning 17:38 – Stages of faith 20:10 – Suffering, transformation & the gift inside discomfort 22:50 – “Christ at the edge of the map”  25:47 – Triggers, repentance & emotional healing 28:06 – How to navigate a faith crisis in a healthy way 32:00 – The Nervous System's Role in Faith Expansion 41:11 – Panic attacks, conditioning & Internal Family Systems (IFS) 44:17 – “You are not your thoughts” and witnessing consciousness 46:31 – Meditation & grounding practices for nervous system regulation 51:05 – Guided embodiment exercise for processing emotional triggers 55:53 – Healing through awareness, curiosity & surrender 58:05 – Descending before ascending: spiritual death and rebirth 01:00:34 – Final reflectionsTucker Boyle is a former LDS Seminary and Institute teacher with more than two decades of experience teaching Christian scripture and supporting spiritual development. He is the founder of Harmony Road Retreats, a nonprofit organization that creates compassionate spaces for individuals navigating faith shifts, spiritual awakening, and personal transformation. Through meditation, retreat experiences, nervous system regulation practices, and community dialogue, Tucker helps people move through faith crisis toward greater inner harmony, spiritual maturity, and embodied connection with God. He lives in Utah with his wife Katie and their five children. Harmony Road Retreats: https://harmonyroadretreats.comResources & References Thomas McConkie — Navigating Mormon Faith Crisis David Ostler — Bridges Eckhart Tolle — The Power of Now Richard Schwartz — No Bad Parts Richard Schwartz — You Are the One You've Been Waiting ForAll Together You (Christian IFS resource mentioned in discussion)  If you're ready to move from understanding into lived experience, join me for Parting the Veil Women's Retreat this June near Paragonah. Hidden Wisdom initiates truth-seekers into the Mysteries, guiding listeners toward a lived experience of the Divine that awakens and transforms faith—without dismantling family or community. Pursue your Journey: ✨ Hidden Wisdom App – Join for FREE and enjoy pathway programs, community, expansive library, and more!

In New Book, Ph.D. Psychologist Asks How Tightly We Should Hold Any Belief—Whether Religious, Spiritual, or Personal—and Finds the Answer Is Less Than You Think What if the issue isn't what we believe, but how tightly we hold our beliefs? At a time when so many people are questioning inherited frameworks, exploring mindfulness or psychedelics, and looking for meaning outside rigid institutions, quantitative psychologist Joshua Pritikin, Ph.D., offers a thought-provoking perspective: that growth and insight may depend less on finding the “right” beliefs than on learning to relate to belief itself with more openness and flexibility. His new book Religion Unburdened by Belief: The Way of Open Inquiry explores how tightly held beliefs can shape identity, emotional reactions, and even our sense of reality — and how loosening that grip can create space for greater clarity, resilience, and personal transformation. Drawing from psychology, spirituality, and Internal Family Systems, he offers a framework for examining beliefs without discarding the search for meaning. Other points he can speak to include: 3 ways to adjust your beliefs for greater clarity, growth, and insight 5 rules for exploring consciousness safely Why we want AI to be conscious (and what it says about us) Tired of asking “what's true?” Stop fact-checking and do this instead. If this is of interest, I'd be glad to connect you with Joshua for an interview tailored to your audience. WHAT IF OUR PROBLEM ISN'T WHAT WE BELIEVE, BUT HOW FIRMLY WE BELIEVE IT? A New Book Asks How Tightly We Should Hold Any Belief—Whether Religious, Spiritual, or Personal—and Finds the Answer Is Less Than You Think Religion Unburdened by Belief: The Way of Open Inquiry, by Joshua Pritikin, Ph.D., Praised by Kirkus Reviews as “counterintuitive yet compelling” Releases June 15, 2026 There's increasing recognition that the beliefs we hold—about ourselves, what we're striving for, and even reality—may be quietly limiting how we think, feel, and grow. But while much has been said about what to believe or disbelieve, far less attention has been paid to a more fundamental question: how tightly should we hold any belief at all? Pritikin argues that a minimal set of beliefs is still needed—but only those that make exploration possible. In his new book Religion Unburdened by Belief: The Way of Open Inquiry, quantitative psychologist Joshua Pritikin, Ph.D., offers a provocative framework for doing exactly that. Drawing from psychology, philosophy, and the study of consciousness, Pritikin challenges a deeply ingrained assumption: that personal growth, insight, and meaning come from finding and holding onto the “right” ideas. Instead, he argues, transformation comes not from adopting the right beliefs, but from loosening our attachment to belief itself—and learning to navigate experience with disciplined, open inquiry. The result is a shift not just in what we think, but in how we relate to our thoughts, emotions, and sense of self. Beliefs held too tightly can narrow perception, reinforce identity, and amplify emotional reactions. But when approached with flexibility, they can be examined, tested, and even strategically adjusted—opening the door to new ways of thinking, feeling, and experiencing the world. The book introduces a structured yet accessible method for exploring this idea in practice. Borrowing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Pritikin shows how different “parts” of the mind hold different beliefs—often as a way to protect us. By understanding and working with these parts, readers can begin to shift beliefs in a way that feels safe, intentional, and sustainable.

Healing Betrayal Trauma: EMDR, IFS & the Real Reasons People Cheat Infidelity doesn't happen in a vacuum. And healing after betrayal isn't just about “getting over it” or learning to trust again. In this deeply compassionate and eye-opening conversation, Lora sits down with marriage and sex therapist Todd Creager to explore the real roots of infidelity, betrayal trauma, emotional safety, and lasting healing. Together, they unpack how childhood wounds, attachment injuries, shame, hypervigilance, and nervous system survival patterns shape both betrayal and recovery. You'll also learn how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help both betrayed partners and betrayers process trauma safely, understand their protective patterns, and move toward genuine healing and connection. This episode is not about excusing betrayal. It's about understanding it deeply enough to heal. Whether you stay or leave, this conversation will help you stop personalizing the betrayal, understand your own patterns more compassionately, and move toward clarity, safety, and self-trust. Top 3 Takeaways Infidelity is often connected to unresolved trauma, attachment wounds, and protective survival patterns that began long before the relationship. EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help both partners process betrayal trauma, regulate the nervous system, and heal emotional wounds safely. Healing after infidelity isn't about rushing back into trust — it's about rebuilding emotional safety, understanding protective patterns, and creating real change over time. Favorite Quotes “You don't just cheat. It doesn't happen in a vacuum.” “Life is generous. It helps us wake up to the parts of ourselves we didn't know how to love before.” “Healing is not about forcing trust. It's about becoming safe again.” What You'll Learn: Why people cheat • Betrayal trauma and nervous system healing • How EMDR works after infidelity • What Internal Family Systems (IFS) actually means • Why hypervigilance after betrayal is normal • Childhood trauma and adult relationships • Why betrayed partners stay • Rebuilding trust safely • Emotional safety after infidelity • Processing trauma without retraumatizing yourself • The difference between understanding behavior and excusing it • Why healing takes time — even in healthy reconciliation About Todd Todd Creager is an experienced relationship therapist and sex expert specializing in couples counseling, marriage and intimacy.  From healing from trauma through EMDR therapy, to overcoming infidelity Todd has helped countless couples overcome the issues that they face – increasing their connection and communication.  Todd provides a variety of services and methods – from routine relationship therapy sessions to couples retreats and counseling relating to sex addiction and toxic relationships.  It's important to find working solutions for each individual couple. Located in Huntington Beach, Todd provides therapy to the Orange County areas of Newport Coast, Irvine, Corona del Mar, Seal Beach, Long Beach and beyond! Todd is also an expert keynote speaker for topics including team-building, relationships, sex and more. If you're looking to book a speaking appearance in Orange County, the Los Angeles area or beyond, contact Todd today! https://toddcreager.com/ Check out Todd's podcast, Let's Talk About Love, Sex, & Infidelity, where Lora was a recent guest: https://open.spotify.com/episode/20TivMIVQD698pp18eiyHr?si=ZtQ_u1kUT8-nuUmMu4CVNg LOVE THE SHOW? TAKE THE NEXT STEP Don't just listen—start healing. Get your free downloadable guide on the “The Top Three Ways You Betray Yourself Every Day, and How to Stop” at www.burnoutorbetrayal.com. https://workplace-burnout.com/the-top-3-ways-you-betray-yourself-every-day-and-how-to-stop/ If you're ready to Rise Up & Reign as the creator and queen of your life, let's talk. I will walk by your side and give you the perspective, permission, and wisdom needed to turn your betrayal experience into something constructive, empowering, and transformative in all the right ways.  Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Download your Sparkle After Betrayal Recovery Guide at www.BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com, a guide designed to help you take the first steps in feeling better, so you can reclaim your power, own your worth, and start putting yourself, and your life, back together again. About Lora: Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt is a betrayal recovery coach, attorney, TEDx speaker, and author of FLAUNT! and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal. After uncovering her husband's 15-year affair, she turned her own pain into purpose—helping high-achieving women reclaim their identity, power, and joy. A trauma-aware coach, somatic therapist, and former attorney, Lora blends legal insight with emotional and spiritual healing for full-spectrum recovery. She is the author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self (an International Book Awards Finalist and Tattered Cover Bestseller) and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal: 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. She also hosts the podcast FLAUNT! Create a Life You Love After Infidelity and Betrayal. Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Get the support you need to find your footing, begin making sense of it all, and feel better fast. As an attorney, betrayal recovery expert, and survivor of infidelity I can help you find the clarity and confidence to create a life that you love on the other side of betrayal. Book Your Session Here: https://calendly.com/loras-schedule/coaching-session Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this podcast! Take charge of your mental health and get 10% off your first month of therapy at https://BetterHelp.com/FLAUNT  READY TO START A BETTER CHAPTER? Step into the future you've always dreamed of with the power of transformative rituals with the Mindful Subscription Box. Get a monthly box full of crystals, aromatherapy, and other spiritual tools worth $120. You deserve high-quality gems, crystals, oils, and mindfulness tools for self-care that truly work. It's a monthly dose of self-love delivered right to your door! Go to www.Mindfulsouls.com  and use Discount Code LORA25 for 25% off your order!

In this special livestream episode of Empowered Through Compassion, David and Heather are joined by an extraordinary panel of contributors from the book IFS-Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches for an amazing conversation exploring foundational frameworks that shape trauma healing. Together, Bridger Falkenstien, David Archer, Michelli Simpson, Athena Phillips, and Laura Kosak discuss the relational and systemic dimensions of healing, including: intersubjectivity, anti-racist psychotherapy, dissociation and spirituality. We even bring up topics such as predictive processing, structural dissociation, and revolutionary joy! We look at the role that culture and identity plays in therapy. Throughout the conversation, a shared thread emerges: healing does not happen in isolation. Trauma exists within systems, relationships, histories, and bodies. As a result, healing often requires compassionate attunement within a relational space. This discussion explores how therapists can move beyond techniques and toward a deeper understanding of the therapeutic relationship itself as part of the healing process. The panel reflects on the importance of slowing down, listening to protective systems, cultivating consent and of course being mindful of co-regulation. We can honor spirituality by understanding how people make meaning of their surroundings and their inner world. This episode is for therapists, healers, and anyone interested in the evolving intersection of EMDR, IFS, attachment, dissociation, systems thinking, and relational trauma healing.   THEMES DISCUSSED IFS-informed EMDR Dissociation and structural dissociation Predictive processing and memory reconsolidation Intersubjective and relational healing Trauma and systemic oppression Anti-racist psychotherapy Spirituality and meaning-making Co-regulation and consent Therapist parts and relational presence   GUEST HIGHLIGHTS Bridger Falkenstein Bridger discusses Somatic Integration and Processing (SIP), intersubjectivity, and the importance of understanding therapy as a relational field rather than a one-person psychology. He explores the “window and mirror” metaphor and how therapists must remain aware of both the client's experience and their own presence within the room. Website: https://beyondhealingcenter.com David Archer David Archer explores anti-racist psychotherapy, systems awareness, predictive processing, and the relationship between trauma, oppression, dissociation, and culture. He emphasizes the importance of understanding clients within broader systemic and historical contexts. Website: https://archertherapy.com/ Michelle Simpson Michelle highlights the importance of recognizing the systems surrounding both therapist and clients. She speaks about cultural identity, embodied dissociation, and how therapists can become allies to disempowered and subjugated people. Specifically, she shares importance of being a compassionate witnesses and advocating for clients who are threatened by the larger culture. Website: https://www.spirosperopllc.com/ Athena Phillips Athena shares powerful insights on structural dissociation, fragmentation, consent, pacing, and co-regulation. She explores how dissociation can be understood as an adaptive survival strategy and emphasizes the importance of slowing down and gaining permission within trauma work. Website: https://athenaphillips.com/ Laura Kakalec Laura discusses spirituality, meaning-making, transpersonal healing, and the importance of helping clients reconnect with a larger sense of belonging and connection. She also reflects on the emerging relationship between AI, emotional support, and the human longing for connection and meaning. Website: https://laurakosak.com/   ABOUT THE BOOK IFS-Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches explores the evolving integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Featuring a diverse group of contributors, the book highlights relational, creative, somatic, systemic, and spiritually informed approaches to trauma healing. Edited by David Polidi. Published by Routledge.   ABOUT EMPOWERED THROUGH COMPASSION Empowered Through Compassion is a trauma-informed therapy and educational platform co-created by David and Heather Polidi. Through therapy, consultation, podcast conversations, livestreams, and trainings, ETC explores the integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, attachment theory, and relational healing. The Empowered Through Compassion podcast brings together clinicians, authors, researchers, and healers to explore compassionate and integrative approaches to trauma healing and human connection. Learn more at: https://www.empoweredthroughcompassion.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I'm joined by mindfulness and holistic wellbeing expert Janine Tandy for a powerful conversation about midlife, mindfulness, and why putting yourself first isn't selfish.With over 20 years of experience, Janine brings a unique blend of Western psychology and Eastern mindfulness practices. She holds a Master of Public Health from New York University and is a qualified yoga teacher, Insight Timer meditation guide, certified health coach, and trained Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner. In our conversation, we explore how easy it is to lose connection with yourself as life gets busier and why taking time to look after yourself doesn't take away from others, but actually benefits them too.Janine shares simple, practical ways to slow down, create space in your day, and find moments of stillness, even when life feels full. Whether it's through meditation, quiet time, or simply learning to tune in, this episode is full of ideas to support your wellbeing.If you'd like to connect with Janine or explore her work, you can find her hereJanine's website - Nourishand if you're local you can also attend her classes in personMonday eves at 6:30-7:45 a yin/yang and mindfulness class so a blend of movement and stillness practices at Camyoga  https://www.camyoga.co.uk/Friday 9:15-10:30 am at The Breathing Space  https://somebreathingspace.com/  this class is a slow flow to yin and meditationShe also teaches a monthly Sunday Stillness session at Satyam - the date changes monthlyhttps://www.satyamyogacentre.co.uk/Get in touch with Amanda:Be Healthy with Amanda members podcastSubscribe here - £5.99 / monthEmail: hello@amandaryder.co.ukBuy Amanda's book - Feel Good for Menopause hereFollow Amanda on Instagram @amandarydernutrition

Sex can feel complicated when our parts get involved Patricia Rich introduces the concept of self-led sexuality — approaching sexuality from curiosity, compassion, and connection rather than fear or conditioning. She explains how understanding our internal “parts” can help individuals navigate conflicting desires, deepen consent, and create greater safety within themselves and their relationships. Explore the complexities of sexuality, emphasizing the importance of self-led sexuality and the integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) in sexual therapy. The conversation also examines the broader cultural forces that influence sexuality, including capitalism, gender expectations, and the silence many therapists themselves experience around sexual topics. Grounded in both clinical insight and humanity, this episode offers a refreshing framework for understanding sexuality as a space for healing, embodiment, and authentic connection. “Listening to our desires doesn’t mean we have to act on them all. Simply acknowledging the parts of ourselves who hold those desires and validating their longings can bring inner connection and vitality.” – Patricia Rich, LCSW CST-S Time Stamps for Bonus – Self-Led Sexuality: Reclaiming Intimacy Through IFS with Patricia Rich, LCSW CST-S (299) 01:51 The challenges of discussing sexuality 07:53 Integrating IFS into sexual therapy 13:39 The positive intentions of our parts 22:17 Self-led sexuality: Leading from within 28:01 Therapists’ relationship with sexuality 35:51 The six S’s of sexual self-energy 40:28 Creating Safety in Sexual Conversations 45:03 Exploring sensuality and its barriers 01:01:10 Exploring exiled parts and performance pressure 01:05:07 The concept of internal consent 01:11:36 Cultural influences on sexuality and self-perception About our Guest – Patricia Rich, LCSW, CST-S (She/Her) Patricia Rich, LCSW, CST-S (she/her) is an IFS Institute Certified Level 3 IFS Therapist and Approved Consultant and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor. She has developed a unique integrative model for Self-Led Sexuality to help people findmore ease, joy, and confidence in the bedroom and beyond. She has originated IFS- informed concepts such as Internal Consent and The Six S's of Sexual Self-Energy. Patty has presented at the IFS Annual Conference, taught a module for the IFS Institute Online Continuity program, led workshops internationally, and authored a chapter in Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities and Trends. She offers training and consultation to professionals and loves helping people to BeHold and Lead their Internal Sexual Systems (BLISS)TM. She hosts “Self-Led in Bed: An IFS & Sexuality Podcast” and lives in the Philadelphia area where she also has a private practice. You can get her free guide to The Six S's and learn more about her offerings at www.patriciarich.com or follow her on Instagram @patriciarichconsulting. Resources for Bonus – Self-Led Sexuality: Reclaiming Intimacy Through IFS with Patricia Rich, LCSW CST-S (299) Self-Led in Bed: An IFS & Sexuality Podcast – Patricia’s podcast Patricia’s website – Information & resources IFS Integration: A Comprehensive Guide to Applying Internal Family Systems Across Modalities, Populations, and Clinical Presentations – Check out Patricia’s chapter in this book Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!   Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others. Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s! Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.    

سوگل فریدونی عصب‌شناس، لایف کوچ، و پژوهشگر / محقق است؛ کسی که با شور و اشتیاق به دنبال پیوند دادن علم با تحول انسانی است. زمینه‌ی علمی او شامل علوم اعصاب، زیست‌شناسی، برنامه‌ریزی عصبی-زبانی (NLP)، و هیپنوتراپی است.سوگل تحصیلات دبیرستانی خود را در ایران به پایان رساند و مدرک کارشناسی‌اش را در رشته زیست‌شناسی سلولی و مولکولی از دانشگاه آزاد ایران (دانشکده علوم دارویی) دریافت کرد. او سپس برای ادامه تحصیل در مقطع کارشناسی ارشد زیست‌شناسی پزشکی به اتریش رفت و در دانشگاه پاریس-لودرون زالتسبورگ مشغول به تحصیل شد. در این مسیر، علاقه‌ی عمیق خود به علوم اعصاب را کشف کرد و تحصیلاتش را در دانشگاه ملی و کاپودیستری آتن در یونان ادامه داد.پژوهش‌های اخیر او شامل یک مقاله‌ی مروری درباره «نوروپلاستیسیته القاشده توسط سیلوسایبین» است که در بخش مقالات OPEN Foundation منتشر شده و همچنین در کنفرانس انجمن علوم اعصاب مدیترانه‌ای در کرت ارائه گردید. او هم‌اکنون در حال انجام تحقیقاتی درباره خواص ضدسرطانی داروی سرترالین و بررسی پتانسیل‌های فارماکولوژیک آیبوگِین در درمان اختلالات مصرف دارو است.در این اپیزود، درباره‌ی تراما، سیستم عصبی، استرس مزمن، روان‌نماها، و همین‌طور ابزارها و رویکردهایی صحبت می‌کنیم که می‌تونن در زمان‌های بحران، جنگ، عدم‌قطعیت، و فرسودگی جمعی — به‌ویژه در بستر شرایط امروز ایران — به شکل مبتنی بر شواهد و آگاهانه حمایت‌کننده باشن.https://www.instagram.com/sogolcoachinghttps://www.instagram.com/ravannamacommunityhttps://www.instagram.com/mehran_somaSogolhttps://sogolcoaching.com/https://open-foundation.org/author/sogol-fereydouni/The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der KolkTrauma, embodiment, and the nervous systemhttps://www.besselvanderkolk.com/When the Body Says No — Gabor MatéChronic stress, trauma, illness, and the mind-body connectionhttps://drgabormate.com/MAPSMDMA-assisted therapy research and educationhttps://maps.org/mdma/RollSafePsychedelic and MDMA harm reductionhttps://rollsafe.org/OPEN FoundationPsychedelic science, conferences, therapist educationhttps://open-foundation.org/INTEGRATE EUEuropean psychedelic research networkhttps://integrate-dn.eu/PAREA / PATH EuropePsychedelic access and research alliancehttps://parea.eu/Grof FoundationHolotropic Breathwork and transpersonal psychologyhttps://www.holotropic.com/Somatic ExperiencingTrauma healing and nervous system regulationhttps://traumahealing.org/Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts workhttps://ifs-institute.com/InwardboundPsychedelic-assisted therapy and breathwork traininghttps://inwardbound.nl/services/psychedelic-therapy-training/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Infidelity doesn't happen in a vacuum. And healing after betrayal isn't just about “getting over it” or learning to trust again. In this deeply compassionate and eye-opening conversation, Lora sits down with marriage and sex therapist Todd Creager to explore the real roots of infidelity, betrayal trauma, emotional safety, and lasting healing. Together, they unpack how childhood wounds, attachment injuries, shame, hypervigilance, and nervous system survival patterns shape both betrayal and recovery. You'll also learn how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help both betrayed partners and betrayers process trauma safely, understand their protective patterns, and move toward genuine healing and connection. This episode is not about excusing betrayal. It's about understanding it deeply enough to heal. Whether you stay or leave, this conversation will help you stop personalizing the betrayal, understand your own patterns more compassionately, and move toward clarity, safety, and self-trust. Top 3 Takeaways Infidelity is often connected to unresolved trauma, attachment wounds, and protective survival patterns that began long before the relationship. EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help both partners process betrayal trauma, regulate the nervous system, and heal emotional wounds safely. Healing after infidelity isn't about rushing back into trust — it's about rebuilding emotional safety, understanding protective patterns, and creating real change over time. Favorite Quotes “You don't just cheat. It doesn't happen in a vacuum.” “Life is generous. It helps us wake up to the parts of ourselves we didn't know how to love before.” “Healing is not about forcing trust. It's about becoming safe again.”   What You'll Learn: Why people cheat • Betrayal trauma and nervous system healing • How EMDR works after infidelity • What Internal Family Systems (IFS) actually means • Why hypervigilance after betrayal is normal • Childhood trauma and adult relationships • Why betrayed partners stay • Rebuilding trust safely • Emotional safety after infidelity • Processing trauma without retraumatizing yourself • The difference between understanding behavior and excusing it • Why healing takes time — even in healthy reconciliation   About Todd Todd Creager is an experienced relationship therapist and sex expert specializing in couples counseling, marriage and intimacy.  From healing from trauma through EMDR therapy, to overcoming infidelity Todd has helped countless couples overcome the issues that they face – increasing their connection and communication.  Todd provides a variety of services and methods – from routine relationship therapy sessions to couples retreats and counseling relating to sex addiction and toxic relationships.  It's important to find working solutions for each individual couple. Located in Huntington Beach, Todd provides therapy to the Orange County areas of Newport Coast, Irvine, Corona del Mar, Seal Beach, Long Beach and beyond! Todd is also an expert keynote speaker for topics including team-building, relationships, sex and more. If you're looking to book a speaking appearance in Orange County, the Los Angeles area or beyond, contact Todd today! https://toddcreager.com/ Check out Todd's podcast, Let's Talk About Love, Sex, & Infidelity, where Lora was a recent guest: https://open.spotify.com/episode/20TivMIVQD698pp18eiyHr?si=ZtQ_u1kUT8-nuUmMu4CVNg   About Lora Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt is a former attorney turned betrayal recovery coach, hypnotherapist, and author who helps women rebuild their identity and reclaim their power after infidelity and profound emotional betrayal. Using her signature Life Choreography® approach, she integrates legal insight, nervous system regulation, somatic practices, and deep spiritual support to help clients move from shattered to sovereign.     Resources & Links Download the free Betrayal Recovery Guide: https://betrayalrecoveryguide.com Book your $97 Introductory Session: https://introductorysession.com Learn more about Rise & Reign: https://loracheadle.com/rise-and-reign Follow on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook @loracheadle   This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Healing after betrayal often requires more than insight alone. Therapy can provide additional support, stabilization, and guidance as you navigate the emotional impact of infidelity and betrayal trauma.

Send Us a Message!Coming out later in life can feel like the moment everything finally makes sense, until you realize freedom also brings you face-to-face with the pain you've been carrying for decades. I'm joined by Peter Kahn, a Reiki practitioner, reclaiming witch, and Soul Rising graduate, for a candid conversation about growing up bullied, hiding a trans identity for survival, and what it's like to finally say “I'm not just an ally, I'm a member” out loud.We dig into Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts work and why “there are no bad parts” is more than a nice idea. Peter shares how shifting from fixing himself to holding space for himself softened defensiveness, changed his relationship with work, and made self-worth feel less like homework and more like coming home. We also talk nervous system regulation in everyday life, including how to notice your warning lights before you explode, and why curiosity beats post-mortem analysis every time.The conversation widens into culture and community: microaggressions, othering, and the responsibility of people who still “code” as the dominant group to show up as real allies. We explore the practice of calling people in instead of calling people out, without giving anyone a pass for harm. Then we bring it back to spiritual healing, with Reiki, shamanism, journeying, guides, power animals, earthing, animism, and the relief of feeling connected to something larger than the isolated self.If you're navigating gender identity, rebuilding self-esteem, healing trauma, or searching for grounded spiritual tools that work in real life, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with someone who needs to hear “you're not broken,” and leave a review so more listeners can find Wisdom Rising.Connect with Peter here: https://bsky.app/profile/citizenkahn.bsky.socialBooks mentioned: The Others Within Us by Robert FalconerThe Flowering Wand: Rewilding the Sacred Masculine by Sophie StrandJoin Christine Renee for She Who Rises: https://moonrisinginstitute.circle.so/c/she-who-rises/And Learn more about Soul Rising, next cohort starts September 2026: https://moonrisinginstitute.com/soul-rising/Moon Rising Shamanic Institute Links:Website: https://moonrisinginstitute.com/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/moonrisinginstituteFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/moonrisingmysticsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonrising.instituteYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@moonrisinginstituteSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://moonrisinginstitute.kit.com/spiritguideBook a session with Christine: https://calendly.com/christinerenee/90-minutes-intensiveBook a FREE 10 minute connect call with Christine: https://calendly.com/christinerenee/10-minute-connect-call-srpt

What if the part of you that shuts down sexually — or the part that keeps reaching for porn — isn't a character flaw? What if it's trying to protect you?In this solo episode, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Todd Creager explains why forcing your way through sexual performance anxiety — or trying to stop compulsive sexual behavior through sheer willpower — almost always backfires. Drawing from two therapeutic approaches he uses in his practice, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Todd walks through what's actually happening beneath the surface when sex becomes complicated.At the center of this episode is a reframe most people have never heard: the parts of us that create sexual problems are not broken. They're protective. Todd breaks down two types of protective parts from the IFS model. "Managers" are the parts that preemptively shut things down — lowering libido, interfering with arousal, erection, ejaculation, or orgasm — to keep us from feeling shame or inadequacy. "Firefighters" are the parts that kick in when emotional pain gets too close, often using porn, affairs, or compulsive behavior to numb out or escape the fear of being truly seen.Todd shares an example from his own caseload: a client who began having an affair after significant failures at work. The affair wasn't about attraction — it was a firefighter response to the pain of feeling like a failure.Getting out of these patterns isn't about more effort or stricter rules. It starts with getting curious about those parts rather than fighting them. When you can approach your protective parts with compassion — understanding what they're guarding against — you create the conditions for what Todd calls self-led sexuality. That's when the grounded, confident part of you leads the experience rather than the scared or shamed parts.This isn't a quick fix. But it is a way to heal from the inside out — one Todd applies regularly in his work with both individuals and couples.If you're dealing with sexual performance anxiety, low sexual desire, compulsive sexual behavior, or intimacy avoidance in your relationship, this episode gives you a new frame for what's actually going on — and why treating it as a willpower problem keeps you stuck.To work with Todd or learn more, visit toddcreager.com. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who could benefit and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more couples who are ready to transform their lives.Check out my complete program "From Bickering & Escalating to Connecting & Loving" for more in-depth guidance: https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/loving-connecting-masterclassTodd Creager, LCSW, LMFTTodd is a sex expert and therapist in Huntington Beach.  He provides relationship coaching to couples throughout the world and in Orange County including Irvine, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach and Long Beach.  (714) 848-2288.You can find more tips and resources from Todd Creager at:  https://toddcreager.com  HELPFUL LINKS:Get your FREE copy of Healing Infidelity From The Inside Out https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/heal-infidelity Secrets to a Sexy Marriage:  https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/sexy-marriage-secrets7 Ways to Divorce Proof Your Marriage: https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/optin-DPYMBe...

When Good Moms Feel Bad: Supporting Mothers in Therapy with IFS and the Mom Parts Method – An Interview with Jessica Tomich Sorci, LMFT Jessica Tomich Sorci, LMFT, creator of the Mom Parts Method, on IFS, maternal mental health, mom shame, and why "bad mom" parts are protectors, not problems. Curt and Katie talk with Jessica Tomich Sorci, LMFT about what therapists often miss when working with mothers, and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) can be adapted for the real conditions of motherhood. Jessica is the creator of the Mom Parts Method and author of When Good Moms Feel Bad: An Empowering Guide for Transforming Guilt, Anxiety and Anger into Compassion, Confidence and Connectedness (Balance, 2026). Drawing on more than fifteen years of clinical work in maternal mental health, Jessica translates IFS into accessible, motherhood-native language. The Mom Parts Method gives mothers simple tools to identify their parts, access their Inner Mom, and approach guilt, grief, rage, and overwhelm with curiosity instead of correction. This is a useful conversation for therapists working with mothers, perinatal mental health clinicians, and anyone interested in more affirming, non-pathologizing approaches to maternal mental health. In this episode, we discuss: What therapists often get wrong when working with mothers How the Mom Parts Method translates IFS into motherhood-native language The role of patriarchy, under-resourcing, and matrescence in maternal distress Why "bad mom" parts (rage, panic, perfectionism, the inner critic) are protectors The five-step Mom Parts Method, from triggering event to remedy How therapists' own parts show up in this work Why healing in maternal mental health is wholeness, not elimination Full show notes and transcript: mtsgpodcast.com Timestamps: 03:30 - What therapists get wrong with mothers 04:47 - Shame and the "bad mom" taboo 10:45 - Patriarchy, matrescence, and the systemic context 17:42 - The five-step Mom Parts Method 29:56 - Healing is wholeness, not elimination 33:48 - When to bring parts work into session 35:27 - When Good Moms Feel Bad and Mothercentered training Guest Bio: Jessica Tomich Sorci, LMFT is a Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist, IFSI Approved Clinical Consultant, and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health therapist (PMH-C) with advanced training in IFIO. She is the creator of the Mom Parts Method and author of When Good Moms Feel Bad (Balance, 2026). She trains clinicians through her Mothercentered certification program. Learn more at www.momparts.com. Join the Modern Therapist Community Podcast: mtsgpodcast.com Patreon: patreon.com/c/mtsgpodcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist's Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann: https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano: https://groomsymusic.com/

Join Chef AJ's Exclusive Plant-Based Community. Become part of the inner circle, start simplifying plant-based living - with easy recipes & expert health guidance: https://community.chefaj.com/ ORDER MY NEW BOOK SWEET INDULGENCE!!! https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248 or https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144514092?ean=9781570674242 FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK: https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download BEST SELLING WEIGHT LOSS BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570674086?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570674086&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes. Dr. Lissa Rankin, New York Times bestselling author, doctor, researcher, and teacher. Lissa has published 7 books, 3 of which include Internal Family Systems. Her 8th book, Relationsick, about the health impacts of narcissistic abuse, will come out in the Fall of 2026, and she just signed a book deal for her 9th book, about IFS and boundaries. She writes a Substack The Body Is A Trailhead about relationships, narcissistic abuse, healthy boundaries, recovering from spiritual abuse, healing from spiritual bypassing, and relational recovery: https://lissarankinmd.substack.com/ She's drip-releasing two unpublished full book manuscripts for her paid subscribers and deeply appreciates anyone willing to patronize her writing. Lissa offers two IFS-informed ongoing online programs. The Writer's Calling : https://courses.lissarankin.com/the-writers-calling, is a soulful, trauma-informed, IFS-rooted continuity community of brave-hearted truth-tellers, muse-led creatives, and memoir and self-help writers devoted to living their calling and using their words to change lives. She also leads Love School: https://courses.lissarankin.com/love-school for couples and singles committed to healing relational trauma, practicing relational recovery, preparing to either heal their relationships or get ready for healthier relationships, and holding each other accountable for healing their own “parts,” engaging in peer-to-peer parts processing, participating in group healing, expressing themselves in creative process, learning IFS-informed meditation, and approaching relationships as the most advanced and challenging spiritual practice. Lissa became an IFS therapy client in 2014 and started a daily peer-to-peer parts processing practice with her friend Emma in 2018, a practice she now teaches to others who can't access or afford one-on-one IFS therapy or want to deepen their practice between therapy sessions. Lissa's next workshop is titled IFS For Self Healing, A Trauma-Informed Practice For Healing Yourself. https://courses.lissarankin.com/ish-ifs-for-self-healing-weekend This program teaches the basics with simple step-by-step instructions on how to make this process accessible and a safe daily practice. This November, Lissa will also be hosting IFS For Self-Healing - Peer to Peer Processing, a weekend training for those interested in doing “parts work” using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model.https://courses.lissarankin.com/peer-to-peer-home Lissa has starred in two National Public Television specials, her TEDx talks have been viewed over 6 million times, and she leads workshops, both online and at retreat centers like Esalen, 1440, Omega, and Kripalu. Lissa lives in Sonoma County with her partner Jeffrey Rediger, her daughter Mira, when she's not at art school in NYC, and their dog Gaia, also known as "The Moose." More information can be found here: https://lissarankin.com/

Why do the habits and reactions you most want to change often feel so difficult to shift? In this episode, I wrap up the Internal Family Systems (IFS) series by exploring how to move beyond simply noticing your inner parts and begin building a more intentional relationship with them. Understanding your parts is important, but real transformation happens when you start to work with them rather than against them.           You'll learn why trying to silence, banish, or overpower difficult parts of yourself often backfires, and why befriending them can create deeper and more sustainable change. You'll also discover practical ways to start connecting with your parts through reflection, inquiry, and supportive internal dialogue. By learning what your parts fear, need, and protect, you can begin leading your internal system more effectively and create meaningful shifts in how you think, feel, and behave.                  Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://habitsonpurpose.com/222           Join the Habits on Purpose newsletter for extra tools, prompts, and stories between episodes: https://habitsonpurpose.com/

“I want to offer you a perspective shift when it comes to your inner a-hole voice. What if that voice and even your struggles with food are not actually the problem? What if they are trying to help you?”What if your inner critic isn't the enemy, but a protective part of you? In this episode, I'm joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Jeanne Catanzaro to explore how Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help you understand the different “parts” driving your thoughts and behaviors around food. We unpack why dieting can feel safe even when it's not serving you, and how to replace self-criticism with curiosity and compassion so you can break free from old cycles and build a healthier, more supportive relationship with yourself.What You'll Learn:Where your inner critic really comes from, and why it's so loud about food and bodyWhy dieting and controlling food can serve as coping mechanisms (and what they're trying to protect you from)How the tug of war between food freedom and restriction happens inside, and why it actually makes senseSteps to start responding to your inner critic with curiosity and compassion rather than shameWhat it means (and looks like) to approach your relationship with food differently, so you can finally break the cycleResources:Jeanne's book, Unburdened Eating: An Internal Family Systems Approach to Healing Your Relationships with Food and Your BodyJeanne's WebsiteIFS InstituteEpisode 220, How Tracking Macros Turned Toxic for Jamie (and the food freedom she finally found!)Grab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?You don't have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we're covered in your state and learn how to get started.

Lara Krawchuk has been practicing as a clinical social worker for over 30 years, specializing in grief, living losses and trauma in her psychotherapy practice. She has an intimate connection to the losses people suffer and is an expert in holding the "tough stuff" for her clients. Lara has a tremendous capacity for helping her clients maintain hope and move towards healing. Lara offers trainings and continuing education classes through her clinical practice and in affiliation with The Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. She is passionate about teaching helping professionals how to exquisitely listen, help heal burdens and make our broken-hearted world a better place. She shares her wisdom using a potent mix of scholarly knowledge, creativity, compassion, and wit in her many CEU classes, podcast interviews and book chapters. Lara has been a beloved adjunct professor at the MSW program at the University of Pennsylvania for almost two decades where she teaches courses on clinical practice and loss and grief. She simply adores the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model!  She is a certified IFS therapist and Level 1 Consultant.  She has done countless hours of training with many highly respected lead trainers and absolutely loves helping clients and helping professionals find their way to this magnificent model of care. Listeners, if you'd like to get in touch with Lara, visit the Healing Concepts website! If you are interested, check out this Meaningful Grief Healing Retreat! If you want to catch up on other shows, just visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback, so if you love Our Better Half, please give us a 5-star rating and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. It really helps support our show! As always, thanks for listening!  

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Heather Smith, founder of The Moxie School and a certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, about the intersection of parts work and psychedelic healing. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-354/?ref=278  Heather explains how IFS offers a practical framework for working with what arises during psychedelic experiences. She describes IFS as an approach that helps people stay present with different parts of themselves, especially when difficult or unexpected material comes up. The conversation explores how psychedelic experiences can bring awareness to underlying patterns and past experiences, and why that awareness on its own often doesn't lead to lasting change. They also discuss common misconceptions about combining IFS with psychedelics, the role of preparation and integration, and how working directly with parts supports more stable change over time. Highlights: Misconceptions about IFS in psychedelic work IFS as a mindset, not a method How psychedelics reveal internal parts Why insight alone isn't enough The unburdening process in healing Working with fear and difficult experiences Preparation and integration as core skills Practitioner integrity and embodied practice Heather Smith is a visionary in the field of psychedelic healing, blending Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with expanded states of consciousness to catalyze deep transformation. A Certified IFS therapist, she has completed Levels 1–3 of training and served as a Program Assistant multiple times. She is the founder of The Moxie School®, where she trains psychedelic facilitators in IFS-informed approaches and supports both personal and professional development through immersive training and retreat experiences. Episode Links: The Moxie School How to Journey: An IFS Field Guide to Psychedelic Journeys Episode Sponsors: The Microdosing Practitioner Certification at Psychedelic Coaching Institute. The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute. Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization. Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.

If you've discovered a partner's affair and wondered why the pain feels like it might actually kill you, you're not overreacting. In this episode, Todd explains exactly why betrayal trauma hits so deep — and what healing actually looks like.When an affair comes to light, the shock is real and the cause is clear. But what makes it feel so all-consuming is that it often wakes up something much older — the wounded parts of you that have been quietly buried since childhood. Feelings of not being good enough. Of being abandoned. Of not being safe. The present pain and the past pain collide, and suddenly you're not just dealing with what your partner did. You're dealing with a lifetime of unresolved wounds all at once.Todd walks through how he uses two therapeutic approaches together — Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR — to help betrayed partners understand and heal what's really happening inside them. IFS helps you identify the different parts of yourself that get activated after betrayal: the protective managers who keep you functional, the firefighters who help you escape the pain, and the exiles — the wounded parts that carry the old memories and beliefs. EMDR then helps your brain actually process those stuck memories so that the past stops flooding into the present.The goal isn't to rush into trusting a partner who hasn't yet earned that trust back. The goal is to help you — the betrayed person — get clear. To get out from under the weight of old wounds so your own intuition, your true self, can tell you what's actually happening in your relationship right now and what you want to do about it.Todd also talks about what a healed relationship can look like when both partners do this work — what he calls a self-led marriage, where each person is guided by their healthiest self rather than their most reactive parts.If you're in the aftermath of infidelity and wondering whether healing is really possible, this episode gives you an honest look at how the work actually happens — and why it works.Todd's Infidelity First Aid Kit Program is a solid place to begin. Find it at toddcreager.com.Making the World Safe for Love. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who could benefit and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more couples who are ready to transform their lives.Check out my complete program "From Bickering & Escalating to Connecting & Loving" for more in-depth guidance: https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/loving-connecting-masterclassTodd Creager, LCSW, LMFTTodd is a sex expert and therapist in Huntington Beach.  He provides relationship coaching to couples throughout the world and in Orange County including Irvine, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach and Long Beach.  (714) 848-2288.You can find more tips and resources from Todd Creager at:  https://toddcreager.com  HELPFUL LINKS:Get your FREE copy of Healing Infidelity From The Inside Out https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/heal-infidelity Secrets to a Sexy Marriage:  https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/sexy-marriage-secrets7 Ways to Divorce Proof Your Marriage: https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/optin-DPYMBe...

Andrew is a psychotherapist, comparative religion scholar, and survivor of high-control Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity. Raised  as the son of a minister, he served as a missionary to India and worked as a minister before experiencing a profound deconversion and recovery from religious trauma, which informs both his clinical work and academic research on high-control religion. Andrew holds an MPhil in Classical Indian Religion from the University of Oxford, an MDiv from Princeton Seminary, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Golden Gate University. His training across Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and psychological traditions enables him to examine religious systems comparatively and understand how belief, authority, and practice shape psychological experience in high-demand groups.  He specializes in working with survivors from Christian, Evangelical, Pentecostal, charismatic, New Age, neo-tantric, Hindu- and Buddhist-influenced, and other high-control environments. His approach integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, depth therapy, mindfulness, and faith deconstruction. Through Life After Dogma (www.lifeafterdogma.org), he combines survivor insight, scholarship, and trauma-informed psychotherapy to help clients unwind conditioning, heal shame, reclaim agency, and rebuild identity. Andrew is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT146397) supervised by Dr. Crystal Quarry. The article we discussed in today's interview can be found HERE.Andrew's website:  www.lifeafterdogma.org

Welcome back to week one of the True Transformation Summit! In the spirit of my new book, we are diving into what it takes to cause REAL, lasting transformation. If you're loving the summit and want everything organized for you — including all of the guest freebies, weekly breakdowns, and entry into our giveaways  → Join the True Transformation Insider Circle (it's free) -------

Why is it so hard to notice what's actually driving your reactions in the moment? In this episode, we continue the conversation on Internal Family Systems (IFS) and take a deeper look at the inner parts that shape your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, often without your awareness.           You'll be introduced to a wider range of common parts, from approval-seeking and compare-and-despair to overly optimistic, skeptical, and intellectualizing parts. As you hear these examples, you may start to recognize patterns in yourself that previously just felt like "your personality." We'll also explore why parts can be so difficult to detect, especially when you are fully identified with them or have assumed they are simply who you are.                  Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://habitsonpurpose.com/221           Join the Habits on Purpose newsletter for extra tools, prompts, and stories between episodes: https://habitsonpurpose.com/

Have you ever felt curious or confused about IFS (Internal Family Systems) and how it can help you outgrow porn? Patrick Cagle offers the perfect introduction: the 3 types of parts within you, the 9 Cs of your authentic self, and the highly practical 6 Fs to connect with a part of you that feels activated, triggered, or sexually tempted.Patrick Cagle is an IFS Level 2–trained therapist, a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) candidate, and a Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP). Based in Alabama, he serves as an associate-level counselor devoted to helping individuals find freedom from unwanted sexual behaviors and supporting partners healing from betrayal trauma.With compassion, clarity, and a deep respect for each client's inner world, Patrick integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS) to uncover and heal the underlying wounds that drive addiction. His approach helps clients move beyond shame, restore connection with their authentic self, and experience lasting recovery and transformation.Connect with Patrick at (334) 602-4112.Check out Patrick's Psychology Today Profile here.Join Patrick's drop-in discussion group: "Men's Internal Family Systems & Sexual Integrity" on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM Pacific Time here.Mentioned in this episode:The 9 C's of IFS (credit to Cece Sykes)The 6 F's of IFS by Dr. Richard SchwartzThe SIBAM Model by Dr. Peter Levine Support the showTake the Husband Material Journey...Step 1: Listen to this podcast or watch on YouTubeStep 2: Join the private Husband Material CommunityStep 3: Take the free mini-course: How To Outgrow PornStep 4: Try the all-in-one program: Husband Material AcademyThanks for listening!

Ministry can stir up all kinds of feelings, especially when we're dealing with conflict, with grief, with change. And the better we understand what's happening beneath the surface, the better we can lead ourselves—and our people—more thoughtfully and more effectively.In this episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Audrey Davidheiser, a licensed psychologist and the author of Grieving Wholeheartedly. Audrey helps us understand something called Internal Family Systems—IFS—a powerful way of thinking about our inner world and all those “parts” of us that can get in the way of effective leadership.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Audrey Davidheiser explains what drew her to Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.Internal Family Systems is a psychological model that views people as having multiple internal "parts."Parts of yourself often express themselves in day-to-day decisions, sometimes even in conflict with each other.Markus Watson clarifies that having "parts" is different from dissociative identity disorder or multiple personalities.Audrey Davidheiser explains the difference between parts in IFS and the rigid, unaware system found in Dissociative Identity Disorder.Internal Family Systems builds on the foundation of family systems theory, adapting it to the internal world.Inside everyone are parts that take on different roles, often formed in response to significant experiences, such as trauma or relational wounds.Markus Watson illustrates the concept with the example of feeling different internal responses to everyday situations like going to a late-night movie.Every person has both helpful and challenging internal parts, such as critics, achievers, or comfort-seekers, and these parts influence behavior.Audrey Davidheiser introduces three types of parts in IFS: exiles (hurt parts), managers (protective parts), and firefighters (distracting/soothing parts).Parts are not inherently bad; even when their actions are destructive, they are typically trying to protect us or relieve pain.Markus Watson inquires about the relationship between sin and IFS, prompting Audrey Davidheiser to articulate how parts can miss the mark despite good intentions.Pastors can benefit from understanding their own internal parts, especially when reacting to challenging questions or situations in ministry.Audrey Davidheiser suggests the practice of being "unblended"—letting the true Self, rather than an emotional part, lead when responding to others.Leaders who operate from their "Self" (instead of from a part) can foster healthier responses and guide their communities through change with greater empathy and wisdom.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Audrey DavidheiserAim For Breakthrough websiteBooks mentioned:Grieving Wholeheartedly, by Audrey DavidheiserRelated Episodes:262: From Fired to Flourishing, with Chuck DeGroat254: Endless Expectations and Emotional Exhaustion206: The Healing Power of Pilgrimage, with Jon HuckinsSend me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

How does voice work move from technique… into transformation?In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Saul Rosenthal continues his discussion with Daniel Pinals. Daniele is a singing coach, performer, and licensed mental health counselor. The discussion explores how voice, therapy, and the nervous system intersect in real, lived experience.Daniel describes how vocal training and psychotherapy share a common foundation: awareness of the body and internal experience. Whether through the OneVoice method or approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR, the work often begins with noticing—what's happening in the voice, in the body, and beneath the surface.The conversation moves into powerful examples of how singing can open emotional pathways, from children discovering their feelings through music to adults revisiting and transforming experiences tied to trauma. Along the way, we explore performance anxiety, the role of exposure and safety, and how identity and life experience shape a person's relationship with their voice.This episode brings the focus squarely onto healing, integration, and authentic self-expression—not just as artistic goals, but as deeply human ones.In This Episode, We Discuss:How the OneVoice method informs therapeutic awareness and self-observationThe role of IFS (parts work) in understanding fear, self-doubt, and vocal blocksWhat “mental health–informed voice lessons” look like in practiceReal examples of emotional release and unburdening through singingHow singing can function as a form of safe exposure to anxiety and traumaUnderstanding and working with performance anxietyThe difference between private expression and public performanceHow identity, culture, and background influence creative expressionA philosophy of voice as authentic self-expression and personal growthWhy This Conversation MattersFor many people, the voice is more than a skill—it's a reflection of what feels safe to express.By integrating trauma-informed therapy with vocal work, this conversation highlights how creativity can become a pathway to healing, resilience, and self-discovery. It also underscores a key idea: expression isn't just about being heard by others—it's about reconnecting with parts of ourselves that may have gone silent.About Our GuestDaniel Pinals is a singing coach, performer, and licensed mental health counselor based in the Boston area. She integrates vocal training with trauma-informed approaches, including EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and offers both voice lessons and therapy services.Learn more:https://www.breakitdownvocals.com/https://www.singonevoice.com/aboutonevoicehttps://www.realtalkpractice.com/A Message to ListenersIf you've ever felt hesitant to use your voice—to sing, speak, or express yourself—this episode offers a different perspective: that hesitation may not be about ability, but about safety, experience, and learning.As Daniel reminds us, singing is a skill—and like any skill, it can be developed with patience, openness, and self-compassion .Contact us at healthybrain@nrbs.org.Subscribe here or wherever you get your podcasts.Watch the video versions of our podcasts and Subscribe there as well!This podcast is produced by the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society. NRBS is an organization for professionals, students, and everyone interested in neurofeedback, biofeedback, and whole body health.Learn more about Dr. Saul Rosenthal at advancedbehavioral.care.Our theme music is Catch It by Coma-MediaThe Healthy Brain Happy Body logo was designed by Alexandra VanDerlyke. Our heartfelt thanks to her and the rest of the team at Collectively Rooted.#Neurofeedback #Biofeedback #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #EmotionalPain #mentalhealth #PsychologyPodcast #ClinicalPsychology #MindBodyConnection #Neuroscience #nervoussystem #Therapists #Counselors #BrainBasedTherapy #NRBS #NortheastRegionBiofeedbackSociety #HealthyBrainHealthyBody #voicework #trauma #EMDR #InternalFamilySystems #IFStherapy #performanceanxiety #singinganxiety #exposuretherapy #creativeexpression #selfexpression #vocalcoaching #therapyandcreativity #partswork #authenticity #identityandexpression #healingthroughmusic #OneVoicemethod

In this episode, we explore the nature of grief through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) with senior trainer Einat Bronstein. Drawing on the work of Francis Weller and other key grief theorists, we reflect on grief not as a problem to solve, but as a deeply human experience that calls for presence, witnessing, and integration. We discuss how cultural expectations and “collective burdens” shape the way grief is experienced, often leading to blocked or frozen processes. From an IFS perspective, grief is understood as a complex, non-linear experience carried by different parts of the internal system, particularly exiles. The conversation explores topics like: How IFS differs from stage-based and task-oriented models of grief - such as those of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, John Bowlby, J. William Worden, and Robert NeimeyerWhat happens internally when we experience loss, and the roles of different parts in the grieving processWhy grief may feel stuck, and how Self-led witnessing can allow transformation and healingThe connection between present grief and earlier, unresolved lossesThe role of psychoeducation, ritual, and embodied expression in supporting griefWhat it means to “integrate” a loss within the IFS framework We also reflect on common pitfalls therapists may encounter when working with grief, and the deeper wisdom that can emerge from loss, about love, attachment, and the enduring presence of those we have lost. This episode is an invitation to approach grief with curiosity, compassion, and openness, honoring it as a doorway to connection, meaning, and inner transformation. We are excited to celebrate the launch of IFS Collected Wisdom: Conversations with Experienced Voices in Internal Family Systems a book that brings together voices, reflections, and lived experience from across the IFS community. This book was created from a desire to honor those voices, and to acknowledge that wisdom in IFS doesn't live in one place or one person. It lives in relationship, in experience, and in the field as it evolves. Thank you for being a listener, for being part of this community,  and for continuing to explore what becomes possible when Self leads. We hope that IFS Collected Wisdom can become a companion in your IFS journey. Here is a link to the IFS Collected Wisdom book contents.  

Do you and your partner keep circling the same argument, no matter how many times you've tried to resolve it? The problem might not be what either of you is saying — it might be who is actually doing the talking.In this solo episode, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Todd Creager introduces a concept from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy that helps explain why so many couples get stuck in what he calls the "bickering loop." According to IFS, we all carry protective parts — internal responses shaped by our past wounds — and when those protectors take over during conflict, the real person in the relationship goes quiet.Todd walks through two real-world examples from his practice. In the first, a wife who learned to fight for visibility raises her voice and criticizes to avoid feeling devalued — just as she did growing up. Her husband, raised with a mother who was out of control, learned early on to shut down and disappear into distractions. When she pushes, he withdraws. When he withdraws, she pushes harder. Neither is wrong; both are operating from protective parts that hijacked the conversation long before either of them opened their mouth.In the second example, Todd describes a couple where a husband's drinking — a firefighter response in IFS terms — allowed him to escape difficult feelings, while his wife's manager part kept her passive and accommodating. That pattern held until it couldn't anymore.The shift Todd teaches is a simple but powerful one: instead of speaking as a part, learn to speak from a part. That means pausing, recognizing which protective response has been triggered, and then communicating from your grounded, adult self. Something like: "There's a part of me that feels lonely when you pull away" lands very differently than "You never care about me."This is the pause-and-pivot approach — and Todd has seen it stop the bickering cycle for good in couples who were convinced they'd run out of road.He also briefly explains the difference between IFS managers (parts that try to prevent wounds from surfacing) and firefighters (parts that react fast when pain is already flooding the system) — both of which show up in most long-term relationship conflicts. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who could benefit and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more couples who are ready to transform their lives.Check out my complete program "From Bickering & Escalating to Connecting & Loving" for more in-depth guidance: https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/loving-connecting-masterclassTodd Creager, LCSW, LMFTTodd is a sex expert and therapist in Huntington Beach.  He provides relationship coaching to couples throughout the world and in Orange County including Irvine, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach and Long Beach.  (714) 848-2288.You can find more tips and resources from Todd Creager at:  https://toddcreager.com  HELPFUL LINKS:Get your FREE copy of Healing Infidelity From The Inside Out https://www.toddcreagertraining.com/heal-infidelity Secrets to a Sexy Marriage:  https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/sexy-marriage-secrets7 Ways to Divorce Proof Your Marriage: https://toddcreager.kartra.com/page/optin-DPYMBe...

What if your deepest pain is leading you to your greatest love story? Join us for an inspiring discussion with Robyn Vogel, MA, on her new book Come Back to Love: A Path to Healing.  Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comRobyn Vogel, MA, is a trauma-informed psychotherapist, IFS-trained clinician, couples specialist, and certified Love and Intimacy Coach who helps individuals and couples heal relational wounds and build emotionally secure, authentic connections. She holds a master's degree in psychotherapy and is credentialed as a Mental Health Counselor, High Conflict Divorce Coach, Certified Sex Educator, and Certified Sex Coach. Vogel integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS) with advanced training in couples therapy, divorce mediation, EMDR, tantra-informed relational work, Reiki Level III, and Access Bars facilitation. She is the creator of the Come Back to Love® approach, teaches internationally, leads transformational retreats, trains facilitators, and hosts the syndicated radio show Come Back to Love, reaching tens of thousands of listeners nationwide. https://www.comebacktolove.comOrder on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0d6q9Q1Z To learn more about interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com 

Why do you keep doing things that don't make sense, even when you know better? In this episode, I'm introducing you to a powerful way of understanding yourself through Internal Family Systems (IFS), and how recognizing your inner parts can shift how you make sense of your thoughts, emotions, and habits.             We'll explore what it means to have different "parts" of yourself and how these parts influence your behavior, often outside of your awareness. You'll learn how to begin identifying these inner parts and why this awareness matters. Rather than trying to force new thoughts or behaviors, this approach focuses on understanding what's underneath the surface so you can make sense of why you do what you do.           Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://habitsonpurpose.com/220          Join the Habits on Purpose newsletter for extra tools, prompts, and stories between episodes: https://habitsonpurpose.com/

What does it really mean to “find your voice”?In this episode, Dr. Saul Rosenthal sits down with Daniel Pinals, a singing coach, performer, and licensed mental health counselor, to explore the surprising intersection of voice, trauma, and creativity.Daniel shares her journey from musical theater to clinical work, and how voice lessons often become something more than technical training. For many people, singing opens a door to self-expression, vulnerability, and emotional processing—especially when past experiences have made it feel unsafe to be heard.Together, we explore how the nervous system shapes the voice, why so many people believe “I can't sing,” and what's actually happening beneath that statement. The conversation also introduces the OneVoice method, a modern approach to vocal training that emphasizes flexibility, awareness, and authentic expression.This episode moves between the technical and the deeply human—from breath support and resonance to attachment patterns, safety, and the courage to express yourself.In This Episode, We Discuss:How Daniel's background in performance and psychology came togetherWhy voice lessons often become unexpectedly therapeuticThe connection between trauma, safety, and self-expressionHow different attachment styles can show up in the voiceWhat's really behind the belief: “I can't sing”The role of breath, resonance, and physiology in vocal expressionHow creativity shows up as a state of flowWhy many adults lose access to creativity—and how to reconnectAn introduction to the OneVoice method and how it differs from traditional vocal trainingWhy This Conversation MattersThe voice sits at the intersection of biology, psychology, and creativity. When expression doesn't feel safe, the nervous system adapts—and the voice often reflects that adaptation.Understanding the voice in this broader context opens new possibilities not just for singers, but for anyone interested in mental health, creativity, and mind-body connection.About Our GuestDaniel Pinals is a singing coach, performer, and licensed mental health counselor based in the Boston area. She integrates vocal training with trauma-informed approaches, including EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS), helping clients access authentic expression in both creative and therapeutic settings.Learn more about Danielle:https://www.breakitdownvocals.com/https://www.singonevoice.com/aboutonevoiceContact us at healthybrain@nrbs.org.Subscribe here or wherever you get your podcasts.Watch the video versions of our podcasts and Subscribe there as well!This podcast is produced by the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society. NRBS is an organization for professionals, students, and everyone interested in neurofeedback, biofeedback, and whole body health.Learn more about Dr. Saul Rosenthal at advancedbehavioral.care.Our theme music is Catch It by Coma-MediaThe Healthy Brain Happy Body logo was designed by Alexandra VanDerlyke. Our heartfelt thanks to her and the rest of the team at Collectively Rooted.#voicework #creativity #trauma #nervoussystem #performanceanxiety #singing #vocalcoaching #self-expression #EMDR #InternalFamilySystems #IFStherapy #mindbodyconnection #attachmentstyles #creativeprocess #flowstate #vocaltraining #OneVoicemethod #expressivearts #therapyandcreativity #Neurofeedback #Biofeedback #Migraine #MentalHealth #mindbodyhealth #BrainHealth #EmotionalPain #PsychologyPodcast #ClinicalPsychology #MindBodyConnection #Neuroscience #Therapists #Counselors #BrainBasedTherapy #NRBS #HealthyBrainHealthyBody

Are you tired of fighting a battle against yourself? Jenna Riemersma offers a remarkably powerful path to healing through the "Move Toward" approach, her simplified version of IFS (Internal Family Systems). You'll learn a practical three-step tool to transform unwanted behavior and outgrow porn through curiosity and compassion. Jenna Riemersma, LPC, is a leading authority in integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) and betrayal trauma treatment. As a Certified IFS Therapist, IFS Clinical Consultant, IITAP teaching faculty, and CSAT Supervisor, she brings over a decade of specialized expertise to this critical therapeutic intersection. Jenna is also the developer of the innovative "Move Toward" IFS shorthand tool—a practical resource that helps therapists and clients efficiently access IFS parts work. Learn more at movetoward.comBuy Jenna's new book:Move Toward: A Simplified IFS Therapy Tool to Welcome All Parts of YouJenna is also the author of:Altogether You: Experiencing Personal and Spiritual Transformation with Internal Family Systems TherapyIFS Integration: A Comprehensive Guide to Applying Internal Family Systems Across Modalities, Populations, and Clinical PresentationsMore resources by Jenna:Support the showTake the Husband Material Journey...Step 1: Listen to this podcast or watch on YouTubeStep 2: Join the private Husband Material CommunityStep 3: Take the free mini-course: How To Outgrow PornStep 4: Try the all-in-one program: Husband Material AcademyThanks for listening!

On this episode of the Natasha Helfer Podcast, Natasha is joined by Mellissa Perry Hill, MS, LPC. They discuss how high-demand religions affect the "self". Mellissa Perry Hill, MS, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and approved clinical supervisor based in Arizona, where she owns and operates Inner Compass Counseling & Consultation, LLC, a small group practice serving clients in Arizona and Utah through virtual and in-person care. Her work centers on supporting individuals and couples healing from religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and faith transitions, with particular experience working with those impacted by high-control religious systems, including Mormonism. Mellissa's clinical approach integrates EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), DBT, and narrative therapy, with an emphasis on nervous system regulation, identity reconstruction, values-based living, and restoring internal authority after spiritual harm. Her work is shaped by both professional training and lived experience navigating faith transition and major life change. She is the author of the "Faith Transition Journal," a self-published reflective resource created to support individuals processing disaffiliation, grief, and meaning-making after leaving religion. Mellissa has developed and facilitated curricula and group experiences for local faith-transition and religious-trauma communities and regularly provides consultation, supervision, and education for clinicians working in this area. Mellissa has been a guest on numerous podcasts and professional conversations focused on religious trauma, ethical mental health care, and post-faith identity development. She also maintains an active online presence through her professional community and Instagram platform, @mellissaperrytherapy, where she offers education, reflection, and resources for both clinicians and clients. She is certified as a sex-informed professional and works with couples navigating intimacy, attachment, and relational repair after purity culture and spiritual conditioning. Quick link: Instagram @mellissaperrytherapy  @shley.does.therapy (the other clinician who works with men and LDS specific issues at Inner Compass!)  Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CMsAzrjS6/ Clinician Newsletter: https://inner-compass-counseling.com/instagram-email-subscribers Website: www.inner-compass-counseling.com  Faith Transition Journal: http://www.amazon.com/dp/b0cdz79s55/ Psych Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/mellissa-perry-hill-gilbert-az/848150 Booking for Clients: https://inner-compass.clientsecure.me/   To help keep this podcast going, please consider donating at natashahelfer.com and share this episode. To watch the video of this podcast, you can subscribe to Natasha's channel on Youtube and follow her professional Facebook page at natashahelfer LCMFT, CST-S. You can find all her cool resources at natashahelfer.com.  The information shared on this program is informational and should not be considered therapy. This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so please care for yourself accordingly. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. The intro and outro music for these episodes is by Otter Creek. Thank you for listening. And remember: Symmetry is now offering Ketamine services. To find out more, go to symcounseling.com/ketamine-services. There are also several upcoming workshops. Visit natashahelfer.com or symcounseling.com to find out more.

This episode of the podcast is going to explore an intersection of psychotherapy and spirituality. Specifically, we are going to be exploring the intersection between Internal Family Systems, spiritual healing, and the work of 16c Christian philosopher and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg. Our guests are Bob Falconer, Chelsea Odhner, and Jonathan Rose. What You'll Learn About:

You cannot outthink what your body is still holding.In this episode of Mindset Mastery Moments, Dr. Alisa Whyte sits down with self-compassion expert Soulla Demetriou to unpack a truth most high performers avoid: success without internal alignment is unsustainable.This conversation dives deep into self-compassion, nervous system regulation, somatic healing, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)—revealing why so many driven individuals achieve externally while struggling internally. Soulla explains how trauma, subconscious patterns, and protective behaviors shape performance, and why pushing harder is not the solution. Dr. Alisa challenges the culture of hustle and highlights the importance of self-awareness, emotional healing, and internal safety as the real drivers of sustainable success.You'll learn: Why high achievers burn out despite success  What self-compassion actually means (and what it's not)  How the nervous system impacts leadership and performance  Why healing is not “one and done”  Practical ways to rebuild your relationship with yourself If you're building something big but feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck—this episode will shift your perspective and your approach.Connect with Soulla Demetriou• Official Website: www.soulshinewithsoulla.com• The Book: Pre-order/Follow the journey of Soulla's forthcoming book: You Have Always Been Enough: A Healing Guide to Self-Love and Inner Freedom (Published by HQ, HarperCollins, releasing January 2026).Free Resource for ListenersJoin the Soulshine Community: Sign up today to receive a free 7-Day Self-Compassion Journey. This includes daily practices and meditations specifically designed to help you reconnect with yourself and find inner peace.Click Here to Join & Receive Your Free Gift

You want sex. You care about your relationship. But when things actually start to happen… something shifts. You get in your head. You feel anxious, disconnected, or unsure of yourself.And sometimes, you walk away wondering why it didn't feel as good as you hoped—or even feeling shame or guilt.In this episode, I'm joined by sex therapist and Certified IFS Therapist, Patricia Rich, to unpack what's really going on beneath that experience.Because it's not just about libido.And it's not something you can fix by trying harder or “being more confident.”We're diving into how different “parts” of you can take over during sex—pulling you out of the moment, creating tension, and leaving you feeling disconnected from your own desire.Once you understand this, everything starts to make a lot more sense.

Why do you still miss someone who hurt you? If you've experienced covert narcissistic abuse, this question can feel confusing, frustrating, and even shameful. You can see the manipulation, the gaslighting, and the emotional abuse clearly—so why does part of you still feel pulled back? In this episode, we explore why healing from covert narcissistic abuse feels so confusing and what's actually happening inside of you. Using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework, you'll learn how different “parts” of you—like the ones that miss them, doubt yourself, or crave relief—are not a sign that something is wrong, but a form of internal communication. I'll walk you step-by-step through the 6 F's of IFS (Find, Focus, Flesh, Feel, Befriend, Fear) so you can begin to understand your internal world with more clarity, compassion, and confidence. If you've ever thought: “Why do I still miss them?” “Why do I feel pulled back even though I know the truth?” “Why is healing from narcissistic abuse so confusing?” This episode will help you make sense of the war inside you—and begin to find peace. Visit www.covertnarcissism.com for more resources.   DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY RENEE SWANSON, COVERT NARCISSISM PODCAST, AND CNG LIFE COACHING IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE USED FOR DIAGNOSIS PURPOSES AND NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL CARE. PLEASE CONSULT A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR GUIDANCE SPECIFIC TO YOUR CASE. THIS MATERIAL DISCUSSES NARCISSISM IN GENERAL. RENEE SHARES STORIES FROM HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AS WELL AS FROM THOSE SHE HAS TALKED WITH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. HER MATERIAL DOES NOT CLAIM THAT ANY SPECIFIC PERSON HAS NARCISSISM AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO REFER TO ANY SPECIFIC PERSON AS HAVING NARCISSISM. PERMISSION IS NOT GRANTED TO LINK TO OR REPOST THIS MATERIAL TO SUPPORT AN ALLEGATION OR SUPPORT A CLAIM THAT ANY SPECIFIC PERSON IS A NARCISSIST. THAT WOULD BE AN UNAUTHORIZED MISUSE OF THE MATERIAL AND INFORMATION PROVIDED. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the moments that completely unravel your life are actually the ones that reveal your purpose? This week, Jessica sits down with Spirit Daughter founder Jill Wintersteen for the untold story behind her spiritual work. Known for her astrology insights, moon rituals, and intuitive teachings, Jill opens up about the chaotic chapter that shaped it all: a federal investigation connected to her partner, life under constant fear, and what it took to rebuild from rock bottom. Through breathwork, meditation, and deep inner healing, Jill shares how nervous system regulation, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and forgiveness moved her from survival mode into alignment with her intuition. As she released shame and healed old relationship patterns, she found her purpose, built Spirit Daughter, and manifested the grounded partnership she once thought was impossible. If manifestation feels clear in theory but difficult in practice, this episode explores why tending to your nervous system and working with your protector parts may be the key to finally expanding into the life you want. Find the complete show notes here -> https://tobemagnetic.com/expanded-podcast   Resources:  Take the Nervous System Quiz Which nervous system pattern is blocking your next level? Take the quiz and get your free personalized reset protocol from TBM.    Manifested during the Return to Magic Challenge? Take our Survey to share your thoughts!   Join the Pathway Membership Use code EXPANDED for 20% off your first month! The Pathway Membership gives you unlimited access to all of our manifestation workshops—including How to Manifest, Unblocking Your Inner Child, Shadow, Love, Money, Rock Bottoms, Ruts, and Energetic Updates —plus 70+ self-hypnosis tracks designed to unlock your full potential. LEARN MORE HERE   Get the latest from TBM Join the Pathway now - Return to Magic Challenge available now!   New to TBM? Free Offerings to Get You Started Learn the Process! Expanded Podcast - How to Manifest Anything You Desire  Get Expanded! The Motivation - Testimonial Library Ready to find out what's holding you back? Try our Free Clarity Exercise   Be an EXPANDER! Share Your Manifestation Story Submit to Be a Process Guest What did you manifest during the Return to Magic Challenge? Share a voice note of your question, block, or Process to be featured in an episode!   This Episode Is Brought to You By:  Bon Charge - 15% off with code MAGNETIC  Infrared PEMF Mat The BON CHARGE Infrared PEMF Mat is my absolute go-to product! I use it almost daily to ground my nervous system, drop in deeper into my meditations & help my body recover after big hikes. The highest quality and most biohacking stacked mat I've seen on the market! Use code MAGNETIC at checkout for 15% off. us.boncharge.com/MAGNETIC   Pique Tea - get 20% off your first order at piquelife.com/tbm Radiant Skin Duo Protocol Sun Goddess Matcha B•T Fountain | Beauty Electrolyte   Fatty15 - go to fatty15.com/TBM use code TBM at checkout to get an additional 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit   In this episode we talk about: Jill Wintersteen's raw backstory behind Spirit Daughter and her spiritual teachings Navigating a federal investigation and rebuilding life after extreme uncertainty The power of nervous system regulation during crisis How meditation helps move from fight-or-flight into manifestation mode Understanding Internal Family Systems and working with protector parts Why familiar patterns keep us stuck in anxiety and hypervigilance The neuroscience of fear conditioning and deconditioning the brain Using scent and sensory rituals to regulate the nervous system Manifesting from rest-and-digest versus scarcity and survival Why purpose evolves and how to follow intuitive career paths Releasing shame through empathy and trusted relationships Forgiveness as the highest form of energetic release Recognizing healthy love after healing relationship patterns   Mentioned In the Episode:  Expanded x Ep. 192 - Navigating 2022 Astrology with Jill Wintersteen (Spirit Daughter) Find our Return to Magic Challenge plus all our workshops and all workshops mentioned inside our Pathway Membership! (Including the Worst Case Scenario DI, Fight or Flight DI, and the NYC Speaking Tour Session)   Connect with Jill! Spirit Daughter on IG Learn more about Jill's offerings at spiritdaughter.com Spirit Daughter Book Pre-Order Link (The Own Your Power Challenge - a bonus for pre-ordering the book - begins March 20th!) HOW TO MANIFEST by Lacy Phillips (with exercises by Jessica Gill)Available now! The Expanded Podcast, from To Be Magnetic™ (TBM), is the leading manifestation podcast rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and energetics. Hosted by TBM's Chief Content Officer Jessica Gill, with monthly appearances from founder Lacy Phillips, Expanded is where science and the mystical meet to help you manifest in the most grounded, practical, and life-changing way.At TBM, we've redefined manifestation through Neural Manifestation™—our proven, science-backed method developed with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart. This process helps you reprogram limiting beliefs at the subconscious level so you can create the life most aligned with your authenticity.Each week, we take you inside the TBM practice to help you expand your subconscious to believe what you desire is possible. Through expert interviews, thought leader conversations, TBM teachings, and real member success stories, you'll learn how to: – Rewire your subconscious mind and step into your worth – Heal your inner child and integrate shadow work – Set boundaries, strengthen intuition, and reclaim self-worth – Manifest relationships, careers, abundance, and experiences that align with your true selfWith over than 40 million downloads and a global community in over 100 countries, Expanded has become the gold standard in manifestation content. Think of it as your weekly practice for expanding your mind, believing what you want is possible, and manifesting the life you're meant to live.Past guests include leading voices such as Mel Robbins, Lewis Howes, Jenna Zoe, Martha Beck, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Gabor Maté, Mark Groves, and Brianna Wiest. Where To Find Us!@tobemagnetic (IG)@LacyannephillipsLacy Launched a Substack! - By Candlelight - Join Here@Jessicaashleygill@tobemagnetic (youtube)@expandedpodcast