Wellness + Wisdom Podcast

Richard Schwartz | The Hidden Reason You Can’t Heal (IFS Explained)

Sep 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Richard Schwartz, the creator of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and a Harvard faculty member, delves into the uplifting world of parts work. He explains how our internal 'parts'—like critics and protectors—shape our emotional experiences and how trauma can freeze parts of our psyche. Schwartz provides insights on distinguishing between our true Self and the parts we've created for protection. He emphasizes that every part has value, revealing pathways to healing and self-acceptance through compassion and inner dialogue.
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INSIGHT

Parts Are Valuable But Can Be Burdened

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) sees our mind as multiple valuable sub-personalities called parts.
  • Trauma burdens and freezes parts, forcing them into extreme roles that harm functioning.
INSIGHT

Exiles, Managers, And Firefighters Explained

  • Exiles are wounded parts locked away and protectors (managers/firefighters) keep them contained.
  • Managers control and please; firefighters act impulsively to douse emotional flames at any cost.
INSIGHT

Self Is The Calm Leader Beneath Parts

  • Beneath parts sits the Self, an innate leader with calming, curious qualities (the eight C's).
  • When parts step back, Self naturally surfaces and enables compassionate transformation.
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