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

In today's episode, I talk with Chris Burris, a lead trainer with the IFS Institute. Chris and I talk specifically about the current 'stressor' of Covid-19 and our fears around it. Chris states we can recognize our normal cast of (Internal) characters, system's constellation, patterns of parts during this pandemic. And, this feels a bit comforting to me to know that what I am feeling and doing is quite typical during times of stress. Even though this current stress is anything but typical or normal or familiar, my systems response is. Chris suggests we have the greatest impact on our entire system if we can identify our core fear by inquiring inside, "What are you afraid would happen if you weren't active in this way?" We can turn our part detector on and get curious when we get triggered, upset, or lit up. Our parts work hard to keep us safe and our lives are often designed to not feel feelings. During this pandemic we are not able to engage in some of our protector activities that keep us away from our fears. Therefore, we may be feeling more vulnerable and more anxious overall. Do you find yourself watching the news over and over? Chris wonders about parts who have confused commiserating with compassion and contributing. Finally, we talk about loving on (befriending) our parts who hold core fears so they no longer feel alone and overwhelmed. And we talk about Will Smith. Enjoy and take care, Tammy

Today's episode is a 'take two' of one we recorded in February on the initiative sponsored by the IFS Institute to take IFS into the schools. We decided to re-visit this convo given the current situation with Covid-19 and all schools shifting to remote learning. The result is this incredibly inspirational episode about the power of Self during this time of uncertainty and stress. We start with a meditation because I was blended with doing/busy/hyper parts and needed to land in my body and into the present moment in order to tune in and be with Joanna. We talk a bit about the 'IFS In Schools' initiative (the previous episode about this will be released at a later time) and how her group is bringing the wisdom of the IFS model into the schools. But mostly we talk about the relevance of Self leadership in Schools at this time (and in homes as parents, and in our offices as therapists, and in our grocery stores as shoppers and workers, and  ____  , and  ____ etc.  Fill in for your special circumstance because connecting to your true Self, to your Essence is vital. As far as the 'current situation' (Covid-19 and all that is happening), Joanna says we are left with our own company and need to be our own best friend. This can be challenging. She says our Self is a built in biological state just as our fight, flight, or freeze reactions. Amazing. We access more by being intentional about building bridges and pathways to come back to Self. This is so good - what a gift Joanna gives us. Go listen- and enjoy!  

In an effort to offer "simple and bite sized" help, call it a hug from my Self to your Self, I put together a small portion of an episode with Joanna and I. The full episode will be published at the same time. It is a gift to your overloaded and stressed parts. It is a quicker check in, a way to get reconnected to your center, to your Self. I encourage you to share with your non IFS informed friends. Much Love- Tammy

Happy 1st Birthday to The One Inside! On this quick solo episode, I check in to offer Thanks to all the guests who said "Yes!" and to all the listeners who shared the podcast with clients, friends, family, and peers. I read from my new fav book, "Soul Talk" and remind us all of this calming essence inside available to us all, at all times. Even in times of pandemic. Put a candle in something and blow it out with me! So much love and gratitude- Tammy

Chris Sullivan, a dedicated advocate for integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) into business, discusses how the principles of IFS, particularly the 8Cs radar chart, can revolutionize workplace dynamics. He emphasizes using IFS as a communication tool to enhance self-awareness in teams and cultivate deeper client relationships. The conversation also touches on the importance of preparation in sales, exploring how understanding love languages and fostering effective dialogue can strengthen personal and professional connections, especially during challenging times.

Lead trainer for the IFS Institute, Mike Elkin, discusses topics like shame, moral meaning, addiction, pain, panic attacks, couples therapy, and healing through Internal Family Systems therapy in an engaging and insightful conversation.

Karen Locke, author of 'Self Compassion Day by Day,' discusses the importance of daily IFS practices, exploring feelings, connecting with parts, and seeking group support. She highlights the relevance of recognizing 'workaholic' parts during challenging times and emphasizes the power of inner resources and self-compassion in navigating life's complexities.

Julia S. and I planned to meet to talk about IFS and Addiction but that is not what happened. A lot of our plans are getting changed these days and it is causing a lot of our parts to react. Two days before our recorded podcast, Julia's County was ordered to 'Shelter in Place' due to the Coronavirus. This morning as I am writing this, two days after our meeting, all of California is now following the same order. It sounds like this epi is doom and gloom but it is not! Julia offers us hope and laughter. As someone well connected to the recovery community, she offers us pertinent terms as "avoid the deliberate manufacture of misery" and "pick up spiritual tools laid at my feet and use them." This sounds like IFS to me: parts who feel afraid and go to what worked to calm us in the past and Self who says I am here with you. She asks, "Am I listening to my Self as much as I'm listening to my Parts?" She walks through looking at her/our current situation through the lens of the 8 Cs: what does clarity say, what does compassion say, etc. Julia created an incredible IFS resource where she expands on the definitions of the 8 C's of Self leadership and uses a radar image as an assessment tool. Email me at tammysollenberger@comcast.net if you want a copy! Enjoy and take care- Tammy   To join SF Bay Area recovery meetings go to: https://sites.google.com/view/bayareazoomaameetings?fbclid=IwAR3YaDx133Y3sK3OGViH2uyC7ys7XACx2SshNSHnf8oxmvmluWQXdnfMwR0 To find online recovery meetings go to: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FotwE5g0AX0edZ29XyJfLF9U0WVn7_OYECfRtn1hV1U/edit#gid=0  

Derek Scott and I decided to meet to talk about how we can support our community during difficult time. IFS brings many gifts to our bodies, minds, emotions, and to the world. Self leadership supports our parts feelings of helplessness and uncertainty, and then we can support the people we come in contact with in our families, our neighbors, our co-workers and clients. By the way, an hour after we finished recording this my son's school sent a lovely, heartfelt emailing cancelling classes. I started shaking and crying which was actually a completely unexpected response. I took a minute to be with my frightened parts as we talk about in this episode and felt an immediate shift to calm. I imagine I will return to being with this part over and over again in the next few weeks. Go listen- Take good care of all of your parts and one another. xoxo Tammy        

On today's episode I speak with Marushka Glissen, an assistant trainer with the IFS Institute about legacy burdens. Legacy burdens are the feelings, beliefs, perspectives, ways of being in the world, etc. which are passed on from generation to generation. A part of me doesn't want to tell you all we talk about because it is so powerful I want you just to listen. Another part of me who, probably like you, is picky about what I spend time listening to and will read this little blurb in a podcast episode before I commit. So, to honor that part in me- and in you- I will go ahead and tell you. Marushka's parents were Holocaust Survivors who were in Auschwitz. Her Dad was on Schindler's list. Not the movie, the actual list. Do you need to know more? For those parts I'll give some bullet points of what is inside this episode: - Importance of bearing witness - Epigenetics - Zen Peacemakers and Native Americans - Children of Alcoholics and Alcoholic burdens - Anxiety in legacy burdens And, we talk about the trees at Auschwitz. Go listen and enjoy!  To learn more about Marushka go to https://www.relationshipvisions.org/