Empowered Through Compassion

🎙️ New Episode: Healing Trauma, Dismantling Whiteness, and Building Community with David Archer Welcome back to Empowered Through Compassion. You won’t want to miss this powerful and deeply inspiring episode. Today, I sit down with David Archer, Today, I sit down with David Archer, the author of Anti-Racist Psychotherapy, an EMDR therapy trainer and complex/racial trauma specialist from Montreal Canada and the founder of Archer Therapy (https://archertherapy.com). He is a brilliant voice in trauma-informed care, and we explore the vital intersection between personal healing and collective liberation. We dive into what it means to practice trauma-focused care in a way that honors ancestral wisdom, community connection, and cultural context. Together, we examine the construct of whiteness and white supremacy in America—not just as historical realities, but as living systems that shape how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the land. David invites us to consider how colonization continues not just through land and violence, but through language, ideology, and the very ways we understand healing. We reflect on how internal healing fuels social change, and how reconnecting with indigenous perspectives and ancestral cycles can lead us to greater joy, justice, and wholeness. As David beautifully shares, healing is not just personal—it’s communal, spiritual, and revolutionary. David is currently collaborating with Thomas Zimmerman, developer of the Four Blinks approach to Flash. David himself is the creator of the Rhythm and Processing strategy, and together, they’ve developed a groundbreaking presentation: 👉 “Foundations of Trauma-Focused Care” — an experiential training designed to support healing from complex trauma and dissociation. This innovative approach invites you not only to learn, but to become part of a growing community of healers. Participants engage in real-time practice and biweekly consultation groups—forming a movement toward a more connected, compassionate, and inclusive model of care for the 21st century. 🌱 Join the revolution in mental health. Visit their site for registration and more information: Click Here You won't want to miss other books by David Archer: Anti-Racist Psychotherapy: Confronting Systemic Racism and Healing Racial Trauma (https://amzn.to/3aYwxSs) Black Meditation: Ten Practices for Self-Care, Mindfulness, and Self-Determination (https://amzn.to/3JEnhm7) Racial Trauma Recovery: Healing Our Past Using Rhythm and Processing (https://amzn.to/3C8HY89). Black Mountain: Fight for the Future (http://amzn.to/3qhKTYP). Transforming Complex Trauma: Reflections on Anti-Racist Psychotherapy (https://amzn.to/48Wff3r)    

Laura Patryas, an author, lecturer, and therapist, intertwines her expertise in optometry and metaphysics with her passion for healing through IFS and non-duality. In this heartfelt discussion, she shares a poignant story about baking bread, illustrating the sacredness of everyday moments. Topics range from the transformative power of presence in healing trauma to navigating self-awareness within IFS. Laura also highlights embracing uncertainty as a pathway to fulfillment and the integral role of community in the journey of self-discovery.

What if Mike White’s The White Lotus is more than just a dark comedy television series? What if we look at it as a striking exploration of the human psyche? In a recent episode of the Empowered Through Compassion podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sunni (Sun) Brown, a dynamic IFS practitioner, author of Gamestorming and The Doodle Revolution, and creator of Deep Self Design™. Together, we unpacked the psychological architecture of the show using the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Sunni brings a rare blend of creativity, compassion, and clarity to her work, infusing IFS with elements of Zen, mindfulness, Hakomi, design thinking, with a deep appreciation of the powerful modality of doodling! With over 1.6 million views on her TED Talk, she is no stranger to harnessing storytelling to illuminate complex inner worlds. Our conversation turned The White Lotus from a binge-worthy show into a rich case study of internal dynamics—hypothesizing that some of the repeating themes might even reflect Mike White (the creator) own inner system!

Join IFS master Bob Falconer, who co-authored a book on Internal Family Systems, along with Chelsea Rose Odhner, a licensed massage therapist and IFS practitioner, and Jonathan S. Rose, a scholar of Emanuel Swedenborg's teachings. They delve into the profound connections between IFS and Swedenborg's spiritual insights. The discussion covers the 'middle realm' of angelic guidance, the sacred nature of healing as an ongoing journey, and the transformative power of love and understanding within spiritual evolution. Expect deep reflections on integrating inner and outer realities!

Delve into the transformative world of EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Motivational Interviewing, where clients are seen as the experts of their own healing journey. Discover how these approaches foster deep connections, guiding clients from ambivalence to meaningful change. Explore the critical relationship between trauma and personal values, and understand the vital role of youth-focused interventions. This engaging discussion unveils the powerful integration of therapeutic strategies that empower clients to overcome challenges and achieve lasting transformation.

Ralph De La Rosa, a teacher, healer, and author of 'Outshining Trauma,' shared profound insights into the fusion of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Buddhism. He emphasized how compassion can transform personal suffering into hope, illuminating the nurturing environment necessary for genuine healing. Ralph's personal journey revealed the importance of confronting discomfort for true growth, while his reflections on therapeutic practices showcased how mindfulness and compassion foster deeper connections and empowerment in therapy. His legacy offers lasting wisdom.

Part 2 with Julian: The Inner Sauron – Power, Possession, and the Psyche In this episode, Julian and I dive deep into The Lord of the Rings through the lens of psychology, mythology, and IFS (Internal Family Systems). We explore the dark allure of Sauron—not just as a villain seeking domination through the One Ring, but as a metaphor for the exiled forces within us all. Julian draws powerful parallels between Sauron and the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli, both powerful spirits who reside in higher realms yet influence human behavior in devastating ways. We reflect on how these archetypes show up in our inner worlds—manipulating, isolating, and consuming us when left unseen. What if Sauron is an inner part we exile, giving it more power? And what if the One Ring acts like an unattached burden—seductive, cursed, and waiting to latch on to vulnerable parts of our psyche? We ask the big question: how do we care for our inner Sauron, and what choices emerge when we do? You can learn more about Julian’s work at https://www.psychedelic-integration.net

It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Julian Bermudez, founder of Psychedelic Integration, about his deeply personal and powerful approach to healing. In this episode, Julian shares his philosophy of psychedelic integration as a sacred return—a coming home to the body, to the heart, and to the version of ourselves that existed before life’s pain forced us to adapt. Through his lived experience and the space he holds for others, Julian invites us to see integration not as a checklist, but as a living, breathing practice of transformation. We explore the idea of purpose, reclaiming value, and the path to remembering who we truly are.

I'm excited to share the latest episode of the Empowered Through Compassion podcast: Part 2 of my conversation with Sid Friedman. In this episode, we delve deeper into Sid's innovative approach to Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and his exploration of nonduality. Sid discusses his YouTube channel, Effortless IFS with Sid Friedman, where he offers insights into integrating IFS with nondual awareness. You can explore his videos here: Effortless IFS with Sid Friedman. We also talk about the vibrant online community Sid co-created with Dr. Laura Patryas: the IFS Nondual Community on Facebook. This group serves as a supportive space for individuals interested in the intersection of IFS and nonduality. You can find the community here: IFS Nondual Community. Throughout our conversation, we reflect on the joy of discussing IFS, the importance of connecting with others. We speak aboutn embracing the innocence and beauty of all parts.​ Sid has so much wisdom, and he shares how healing and transformation are accessible through gentle, playful, and profound engagement with our inner world. ​For a fun exploration and brilliant analysis of movie clips, check out: https://effortlessifs.com/movie-clips/.

This episode is part 1 of a beautiful conversation with my dear friend Sid Friedman. Sid-- along with Laura Patryas-- have created an incredible IFS Facebook community called "IFS Nondual Community." Sid shares with me, and the audience, what is meant by nonduality, and how this intersects with IFS. We also speak about NVC-- Nonviolent Communication, and I learn what a pro Sid is in this type of communication! This was such a fun and enjoyable episode-- to Sid, it feels like life is such a celebration, and he really is able to acknowledge the beauty with all of our PARTs. Indeed, how can you have a PARTY without PART? Together, we reflect on what it means to embrace kindness and compassion in our lives, and how we both draw inspiration from the wisdom of Mr. Rogers, John Lennon, the Dalai Lama, and Thich Nhat Hanh (no name a few of our shared heroes).  I invite you on this glorious ride with Sid, and if you want more-- more will be coming very soon (stay tuned for part 2 of our conversation)!