The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) podcast

Drawing On Self Energy with Sacha Mardou

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Sep 20, 2024

Graphic novelist Sacha Mardou shares her journey of healing trauma through art. Known for her IFS-inspired webcomics, she discusses how her therapy sketches transformed into a memoir, 'Past Tense.' Sacha reveals the impact of IFS on breaking generational burdens and how her comics make therapy relatable and approachable. She emphasizes the importance of confronting inherited shame and trauma, fostering understanding within family dynamics. Through her work, she aims to inspire others to navigate their inner worlds.

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ANECDOTE

From Private Sketches to Webcomics

Sacha Mardou initially used drawings as a private tool to process her talk therapy sessions.
When she transitioned to parts work, her drawings evolved to depict inner parts, making IFS therapy more engaging.

INSIGHT

Shining a Light on Therapy

Therapists' work is often unseen, yet profoundly impactful.
Sharing personal therapy experiences can demystify the process and create a deeper understanding of its power.

ANECDOTE

Healing Family Relationships

Sacha's healing journey involved addressing challenging family relationships and recognizing legacy burdens.
Engaging with self-energy through IFS facilitated positive shifts in these dynamics.

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On today’s episode I chat with Sacha Mardou, a graphic novelist and artist, known in the IFS community for her IFS-inspired webcomics. In her new graphic memoir, Past Tense, Sacha brings readers along on her deeply personal, years-long journey to heal trauma, uncover legacy burdens, and connect to her true Self.

She began illustrating her IFS and therapy experience privately in her sketchbooks. Those evolved into webcomics vividly depicting her inner system and healing process which she shared with the world through social media, and now in her new graphic memoir.

We discuss:

How her private therapy session sketches grew into webcomics and a book
How IFS can shift our inner world and multi-generational family dynamics
Breaking the chain of legacy burdens for her daughter
Sharing her family members’ private details and stories in her comics
Using comics to visually represent the complexity of therapy and inner healing, making the IFS therapy process more tangible, relatable, and approachable for many people

One of my favorite quotes from this episode:

"How many of us carry shame or trauma that isn't even ours to begin with? Legacy burdens, passed down through generations, shape who we are until we take the courageous step to face them." – Sacha Mardou

Sacha will join in a discussion hosted by Dick Schwartz and Jeanne Catanzaro at the 2024 IFS Annual Conference in a session called, Bringing IFS to Life, where they will discuss how Sacha's comics have helped demystify the IFS therapy process for clients.

You can connect with Sacha on her website, on Facebook and Instagram @Mardou_Draws

Learn more about her new book, Past Tense, here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714479/past-tense-by-sacha-mardou/

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Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start.

Do you want to befriend the parts of you who impede your meditation practice? Check out Loch Kelly's FREE workshop.

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at tammysollenberger@comcast.net