Elevator Systems - Bowen Family Systems Theory

S3 Preseason Episode - Bowen Theory & Relationships Across the Lifespan

Jul 1, 2025

Discover how Bowen Family Systems Theory can transform your relationships across various life stages. The hosts dive into insights about childhood dynamics, friendships, and partnerships, emphasizing maturity's role in meaningful connections. They also unveil the wealth of resources available through the Murray Bowen Archives Project, enhancing real-world understanding of these concepts. Expect engaging discussions on aging and emotional units in therapy, all while preparing for upcoming episodes filled with impactful systems thinking!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Bowen Theory Across Lifespan

Season 3 focuses on applying Bowen Family Systems Theory to relationships throughout the lifespan.
It explores family emotional units from childhood friendships to later-life connections.

INSIGHT

Family as Emotional Unit

Bowen emphasizes seeing the family as an emotional unit rather than isolated individuals.
This shift improves therapeutic effectiveness and understanding of family dynamics.

ADVICE

Apply Theory Practically

Use Bowen Theory concepts practically in different relationships, even if unfamiliar.
Explore and apply theory insights to personal and professional life challenges.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Welcome to Season 3 of Elevator Systems!
In this pre-season episode, hosts Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White introduce the theme for the new season: Bowen Family Systems Theory in Relationships Across the Lifespan.

This season, we’re taking Bowen Theory out and about—applying it to real-life relationships including:

Childhood
Friendships
Pets
Partnered relationships
Coworkers
Parenting
Later-life relationships

We’re also joined by Elise Steenburgh from The Murray Bowen Archives Project, who shares how the archive’s resources will enrich the season.

Founded in 2008, The Murray Bowen Archives Project is dedicated to preserving, cataloging, and promoting access to the archival legacy of Dr. Murray Bowen. The organization ensures that Dr. Bowen’s clinical notes, video & audio recordings, photographs, correspondence, and other artifacts are safeguarded and made available for scholarly research and public education. These materials reflect Dr. Bowen’s development of a new theory of human behavior known as Bowen theory.

Explore: https://www.murraybowenarchives.org

Recommended Resources:

The Murray Bowen Archives Project
Elevator Systems Seasons 1 & 2
Growing Yourself Up by Jenny Brown
The Family Life Cycle edited by Monica McGoldrick & Betty Carter

New podcast episodes every Tuesday starting July 8, 2025!

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss a weekly release.

Like, Comment & Share to support systems thinking in everyday life.

Living Systems Hybrid Conference: October 17–18, 2025

Conference theme: Aging—Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?

Learn more: https://livingsystems.ca/education/conferences/fall-2025-conference-on-aging/

#BowenTheory #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #BowenFamilySystems #EmotionalUnit #LivingSystems #Therapy #Differentiation #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #LifeSpan #MurrayBowenArchives #TheMurrayBowenArchivesProject #TMBAP #PersonalGrowth #Family #Aging

Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory:

https://livingsystems.ca

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy. The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.