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

Tiffany Morgan, a knowledgeable IFS therapist with a rich background in eating disorder treatment, shares her transformative journey. She discusses the internal dynamics of eating disorders, emphasizing the importance of self-witnessing and compassion for protective parts like her anorexic aspect, 'Ann.' Tiffany illustrates how understanding these parts can lead to emotional harmony. The conversation delves into the balance of nurturing and healing through the Internal Family Systems model, reflecting on personal growth and the power of inner narratives.

I wish I could express how full and amazing this episode is with Natalia. Here are just some of the gifts she offers and topics we cover: - Parts are always in fight or flight; our protective system is engaged. Breath practices with Kundalini yoga help the manual activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. They help activate Self energy (calm, clear minded, confident, creative, etc.). - Playing small. - Expansion and Contraction. - Importance of daily Three Minute practices. - Fists of Anger- breath, movement, mantra. Allows the angry parts (or any intense emotion) to speak and have a voice. Bring this up (and other parts who wish to speak) intentionally and then clear them by bringing up Self energy, calming the nervous system and building internal connection. - Age of Information to Age of Aquarius- this was fascinating! We are shifting from healing/answers coming from outside of us to inside. (Sound familiar my incredible IFS family?) - Through Kundalini practices and technology we can get to a place quickly and effectively where we can heal and connect to ourselves. Natalia has seen quick transformation with sleep disruption, work difficulties, panic attacks, heartbreak and grief. -  We can activate the conscious mind. We can activate and command Self energy to be present. We tell lots of stories. We laugh. It is fun and interesting. We end with a one minute Meditation using the mantra 'satnam.' Check out all Natalia is doing here: https://www.aquariancounseling.com/ Follow/friend/subscribe to her on all the socials- Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Enjoy!

Simon is the head honcho for IFS in Australia. We met in 2018 when we both presented at the IFS annual conference. He is funny and kind and super supportive. When we first talked about doing a podcast I assumed it would be about his journey with IFS and his passion to bring it to Australia. I was also curious about how he integrates all the other models he loves with IFS. But. You won't find that in this episode. (Well, you will a tiny bit.) The fires destroying Australia are in the news and on our hearts and minds. Simon and I couldn't NOT talk about this. I think you will hear the pain and heartbreak in his tone. This episode's content is political, overwhelming, and upsetting. And. There is hope. Simon states, "Right next to the HURT, you have LOVE."  IFS gives us the Gift of Self which is more powerful then the parts in others who trigger fears and distress our world. IFS reminds us our parts need an adult in the room and we have one inside- our Self. IFS helps us make SENSE of our selves, others, and our world. The two additional 'C' words of Self that Simon mentions to make a perfect 10 are Chairos (Kairos?) and Chiaroscuro. Google them. Check out Simon and all the happenings with IFS Australia here: https://www.internalfamilysystemstrainingaustralia.com.au/ Enjoy!

Bruce Hersey, a certified IFS therapist, brings humor and insight to the table as he discusses the integration of EMDR with IFS. He shares a delightful blend of personal anecdotes, touching on everything from local foods in Pennsylvania to the complexities of trauma processing. The conversation explores the nuances of ego states, bilateral stimulation techniques, and the emotional interplay between spirituality and science. With a light-hearted approach, Bruce navigates serious topics while keeping the dialogue engaging and relatable.

She's a seeker. She's a dancer. She grew up in NYC in the midst of therapy culture with many "shoulds" and a bundle of grief and loss. Real healing happened for her while dancing to Prince alone in her bedroom, the place she felt connected to her body, to feelings, to imagination and creativity, to who she was authentically. Meaning, dancing connected Adrienne to her Self. She talks about her move from NYC to LA, a move from therapy to coaching. She has such a heart for healers and believes a lot of healers are caretakers in their family who have an intuitive knowing of how to help. She finds the parts coming up with clients are the ones coming up in everyday life so consultation and therapy are intertwined- similar parts come up in all of our relationships! She describes an ongoing parallel process of being a wounded healer, finding healing for herself and then bringing that to her clients. For healers who have strong striver, doing, go-go-go, scarcity parts (like me and her!), she reminds us that these parts have amazing gifts. If parts are here (even the 'bad' ones), they are here for a good reason. Her work is about "Embodied Creativity" which is integrating creativity, spirituality, and purpose making into IFS work, in and out of the therapy space. In movement, we become friends with sensations in the body and protectors soften. Her passion is intertwining parts work, playfulness, and meditation. She has found a home with IFS as all of her passions come together.  She reminds us of the importance of REST and creating sacred spaces where creativity can flow through. Then motivation and productivity can come from a different place. She suggests we ask parts daily how they would like to rest, to move, and to be. She encourages us to seek what it is like to embody Self. This felt sense memory is a powerful practice to keep coming back to and relying on. Adrienne never stopped dancing alone in her room, she never stopped her first form of meditation practice. To check out all the cool, fun stuff she is up to go to: https://adrienneglasser.com/ Join her facebook group entitled "The Healers Circle." If you are a therapist and needs some help with your website (and some money off the help!) check out: https://www.brightervision.com/inside/ And, of course, to learn all the things about IFS check out: https://www.selfleadership.org/ Let me know what your word is for 2020 - to find out my word this year (and last!) you gotta listen. Enjoy! (and Happy New Year!)

Today I chat with Barbara Holtzman, author of "Conscious Eating Conscious Living." I took so many notes! I also overshared. My manager parts are thrilled with the notetaking, not so much with the oversharing. Here are just a few of my notes, you'll have to listen for the oversharing: -Food is the parts attempt to solve the problem. -Food was/is accessible and quick. -Parts use food as medicine, it was the only resource available. -If the food is the only thing that will help, use it and feel it calming you- feel it calming your nervous system with no judgement or shame. -2 minute pause -Scale your desire for that treat. -Is sugar addictive? Barbara says we can have a sugar sensitivity. -Tapping as a coping skill- EFT (emotional freedom technique). -How is this food trying to help? -What part is eating (or ask Who is eating? Who has the craving and what may that part need from Me/Self?) -Body image.  How can I reconnect to my body and its wisdom? -"Disconnection from our body was knowing we needed to do that in order to keep our connection with our parents because that was our safety." -Eat for mouth satisfaction and to MATCH what my body wants. -Importance of tracking what prompts eating and what my body feels like during and after. -See tracking as experiments, all with curiosity and compassion. Barbara is kind and brilliant. Many of my parts wanted to sit at her feet and learn. She is offering two of her articles to The One Inside Listeners!!! Email her at barbaralholtzman@gmail.com and let her know you heard her on TOI. To find out more about Barbara and to receive her newsletters visit: https://barbaraholtzman.net/ To get help with your website and to receive $100 off of their services visit: https://www.brightervision.com/inside/ Enjoy!

Dr. Dan Pollets is successful man, just check out his website. He also was diagnosed with colorectal cancer 6 months ago and has been receiving chemotherapy and radiation. On todays episode, you will hear his powerful story. You will hear details that will make some of your parts uncomfortable. You will be a witness to his pain- physical, emotional, and social. You will learn about his 6 yo younger part who was abandoned, who is protected by driven, caretaking and workaholic parts. You will hear about his special relationship to Richard Schwartz. You will hear about the 'gifts of cancer' and the choices he makes to strengthen his 'post traumatic growth.' You will hear about his struggle around how to tell his patients and the incredible impact his Self had on his psychotherapy group. You will laugh because he is hilarious and he saves his best potty joke for the end. Dr. Dan is bravely "translating victimhood into an opportunity to share with others," as he writes in one of his essays you can receive if you email him. He is also working on an article for the Outlook, a magazine which spreads great info about IFS. (You can listen to a past podcast episode of THI with Michelle Glass, who is the editor.) Check out Outlook: Past issues of Outlook Dr. Dan's article, "When the Therapist Gets Cancer." Dr. Dan's website Email Dr. Dan at drdanpollets@gmail.com Enjoy!

Heidi Andersen, author of 'Reclaiming Beauty' and IFS therapist, dives into body image and self-approval. She explains how fear can lead to inaction and how our obsession with our bodies can distract from deeper emotional wounds. Through her journey with Internal Family Systems, she emphasizes reconnecting with one’s original beauty by nurturing self-acceptance and setting boundaries. Heidi shares powerful insights on sensitivity as a superpower and the importance of compassion in healing, making this discussion both profound and relatable.

I fangirl embarrassingly hard with Sacha Mardou, a brilliant comic who is using her gifts to show her own internal work in IFS. Plus, she has a lovely accent. She hopes comics will demystify IFS, and she publishes a new IFS comic every week on Instagram at MsMardou. She suggests pictures and words give the reader a more immersive experience which I found to be true when I read Sky in Stereo. She began drawing IFS comics as a way to process her own experience with her parts in therapy. Comics have helped her do 'parts work' and to "befriend the noise inside." She gives a few recommendations (writer secrets!) to help us be more creative and disciplined. She describes art as "time spent in flow... and flow feels like Self." Sacha's desire is to get IFS into the world. We are both in full agreement of that mission. To get her books "Sky In Stereo, volume one and two": https://www.amazon.com/Sky-Stereo-Sacha-Mardou/dp/1934460834/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sky+in+stereo&qid=1573781174&sr=8-1 Follow her on Instagram and check out these comics! A brilliant way to show, teach, and begin to experience IFS. I think you may even discover some trailheads: https://ifscomics.com/ AND! To get a $100 off your own brand new website OR to check out all their available therapist resources: https://www.brightervision.com/inside/ Enjoy!  

Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS, shares personal stories and insights on the origins of the model. He discusses inner parts, unburdening, and the significance of the name 'IFS'. Additionally, he talks about what brings him joy, pride, and challenges. Despite focusing on the model, the standout moment is when he reveals what he enjoys watching on TV.