The Living Process. Practices in Experience and Existence

Guest Astrid Schillings "The Interaction of Practice and Philosophy" on The Living Process with Greg Madison. Episode E042.In this episode, I had a lively conversation with Astrid Schillings, a clinical psychologist and person-centred psychotherapist from Cologne, Germany. Astrid has a rich background in somatic trainings and Buddhist meditation. She’s interested in the overlap of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality, which led her to Focusing in the early 1980s. She developed her own practice, called ‘Focusing from the Whole Body’, which she teaches from her centre in Germany. Astrid also discusses her time with Gene and how their discussions influenced her understanding of the Focusing Process. Episode 42 - The Interaction of Practice and Philosophy with Astrid Schillings: https://youtu.be/P7Kz217rsLsThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQLAstrid Schillings: After encountering Focusing in 1981 as a psychology student at Bonn University, Astrid trained with Mary McGuire and Janet Klein in Chicago before meeting with Gendlin, who became a major influence in her Focusing development. Astrid describes Focusing as a philosophical life practice, with psychotherapy as one of many applications. She is trained in psychology, social education, client-centred therapy, somatic experiencing, Feldenkrais and other somatic approaches as well as meditation traditions. As a therapist, she has worked extensively with trauma and works in both English and Deutsch. For more about Astrid’s work and teaching: https://www.focusing-institut.eu/en/focusing-institute/schillings-gb#focusing#Gendlin#thelivingprocess#mediation#somatic experiencing

Episode 41 of The Living Process, with guest Sigríður (Sigga) ÞorgeirsdóttirTHE BODY THINKS FOR ITSELF. In this episode I enjoyed talking with Sigga, who is a professor of philosophy at The University of Iceland and one of the founders of the Embodied Critical Thinking and Freedom to Make Sense projects. In our conversation, Sigga and I touch on what it’s like to teach embodied reflection to philosophy students, the importance of critical thinking, and the prevalence of the inner critic in academia in the form of ‘the imposter syndrome’. We also discuss various aspects of Artificial Intelligence and our experiences of using it, comparing it to human thinking and processing. The Body Thinks for Itself. Episode 41 with Sigridur Thorgeirsdottir (Sigga):  https://youtu.be/DzR3oV-8YTE?si=ung8YLPycoa-NUftThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQLSigridur Thorgeirsdottir (Sigga)Sigga studied philosophy in Boston and Berlin and has worked at various universities, specialising in the philosophy of embodiment, feminist, and environmental philosophy. She is one of the founders and the first chair of the United Nations University GEST-Programme at the University of Iceland and was also part of the group that ran the Nordic Gender and Philosophy summer schools. Sigga leads an Erasmus+ training program on methodologies of embodied critical thinking and understanding in cooperation with seven European universities (www.trainingect.com). She has published two books on this topic: Embodied and Elemental Thinking for a New Era (Springer 2024, co-edited with L. Škof and Sashinungla) and Practicing Embodied Thinking in Research and Learning (Routledge 2024, co-edited with D. Schoeller and G. Walkerden). This research has developed into “Freedom to make sense: Embodied, experiential and mindful research“. She emphasises women’s contributions to philosophy and focuses on transforming the field and discipline of philosophy itself in light of feminist/queer knowledge.https://english.hi.is/staff/sigrthor

Indigenous Therapy with Focusing, with Shirley Turcotte. The Living Process with Greg MadisonEpisode 40 of The Living Process features special guest Shirley Turcotte. Shirley developed and spread a very successful integration of Aboriginal cultural practices and Gendlin's Focusing process. In our conversation we touch upon the importance of a relational view that includes the ongoing support of relatives and ancestors and the significance of nature and the environment. Shirley introduces the depth of experience of Aboriginal trauma and genocide and how to respectfully work with such immense issues in a therapeutic context. At the end of the conversation we discuss how the IFOTs trainings are totally oversubscribed and Shirley is not available for teaching or contacts at present, so if you are interested in this approach please look for IFOT videos on Youtube. Shirley Tucotte episode 40: https://youtu.be/4i1dRkDMPhkThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQLShirley Turcotte, a Canadian Métis psychotherapist, is highly respected for her development of Indigenous Focusing-Orientation Therapy and her work with trauma, abuse survivors, and Indigenous genocide. For many decades Shirley has been active in restorative justice programs for her community. She is recently retired and no longer available for teaching or speaking events.#thelivingprocess #focusing #gendlin #indigenous #IFOT #trauma #genocide #justice

Alex LyadovFocusing on Business TherapyEpisode 39 The Living Process with Greg Madison In this episode, our guest is Alexander Lyadov. Originally a chemist, Alex has worked in advertising, private equity, wealth management, and venture capital. We discussed the challenges of the business world and the importance of carefully interpreting Focusing language to avoid alienating business people. Alex also shared how Focusing helps maintain a relaxed attitude without a plan or knowing the session’s direction. He primarily works with company founders and emphasises the importance of a clear vision before further work can begin. Alex incorporates a sensitivity to spirituality, the importance of ritual and myths, into his practice. He lives in Kyiv, Ukraine, so we touched on the global significance of what is happening in his country. Episode 39 with Alexander Lyadov: https://youtu.be/g3JtLZNUp7UThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQLBio: Alexander Lyadov is a business therapist who helps founders in transition unlock exponential value. With 30 years of experience in business—most recently as managing partner of a $50 million private equity fund and board member across industries—he now focuses on what truly drives growth: the founder’s inner world. Blending psychology, systems thinking, anthropology, and mythology, he has developed his own method called Business Therapy. Through his daily essays and one-on-one sessions, Alexander explores how inner transformation shapes companies, communities, and the world.⁠https://alyadov.com/about-me-eng⁠

Christiane Geiser, an experienced Swiss psychotherapist and educator in person-centered therapy, dives deep into the evolution of Focusing, highlighting her early collaborations with colleagues around Gendlin's teachings. She shares her initial struggles with 'nothingness' in her practice, which sparked a transformative curiosity. Christiane also elucidates the difference between 'body-in-situation' and literal interpretations, and discusses the importance of recognizing structure-bound processes in therapy. Her reflections on aging and maintaining foundational qualities amid professionalism are particularly poignant.

Allan Rohlfs guest on Episode 37 of The Living Process. Roots and Branches of Empathic Listening Allan describes to us his method of empathic listening described in his new book, When I Listen People Speak and Come Alive - why write that now?Allan has an extensive history from the early days of Gendlin, Rosenberg, and Roger’s work on therapy, listening and non-violent communication. Allan has some great stories about the early days of Gendlin's teaching and Changes groups. He describes his integration of the steps of NVC and Focusing. It is an entertaining and joyous conversation. I hope you like it as much as I did. Allan on The Living Process:https://youtu.be/dK1IxSrqQ9EAllan Rohlfs is a seasoned psychotherapist, educator, and certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Focusing with over five decades of experience in empathic listening, and integrating Focusing skills into interpersonal communication. His extensive career includes teaching at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago for 30 years, where he focused on pastoral care and listening skills. "When I Listen People Speak and Come Alive" is the culmination of author Allan Rohlfs five decades long work of practicing listening and teaching. Allan's website: https://allanrohlfs.comAllan's new book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Listen-People-Speak-Alive/dp/B0DRS166NQThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQL

Gugga was introduced to Focusing by philosophers at The University of Helsinki. She is a part of the Embodied Critical Thinking and Freedom to Think projects and teaches Focusing and Thinking at the Edge to academics and artists. Gugga came to philosophy after years of being a musician and photographer. Her love of nature made environmental aesthetics and landscape studies an area of philosophy that felt applicable to how she understands the world. In this episode Gugga discusses her interest in the concept of beauty and how it is often narrowed down to something superficial but she redefines beauty as something at the core of being human, an experience that allows us to sense our connection to the world. For Gugga the subtle everyday experiences of beauty can be profound, offering a glimpse of our deep connection to the world. We discussed the meaning of landscape as an interaction between the person and the land and how to be a tourist so that our relation to places is not superficial, taking selfies, but deeper and aesthetic. Guðbjörg (Gugga) Rannveig Jóhannesdóttir is an associate professor at Iceland University of the Arts' department of art education. Environmental philosophy, environmental ethics, phenomenology and aesthetics, and the study of beauty and sensuous knowledge are at the centre of her work. She is a expert group member of the Icelandic government's Masterplan for nature protection and she is an active member of the Embodied Critical Thinking research team and the Freedom to Make Sense research project. She has training in Thinking at the edge and is a certified Focusing trainer. In her teaching at the IUA she has been developing ways to integrate ECT methods into research practices in art and education.  Gugga on The Living Process:https://youtu.be/E6WrG8SfP8wA link to one of Gugga's chapters: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-41344-5_7A video of Gugga's workshop to a group of artists: https://vimeo.com/1053356564The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQL

THE EVERYDAY SYSTEMS OF HOME FOCUSING with Annat Gal On. The Living Process with Greg Madison. E35In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Annat Gal On, Focusing Coordinator and Systemic and Family Constellations facilitator. Annat describes her interest in everyday systems of relationships, trauma and criticism, as well as the importance of sibling dynamics. Annat touches on her own story, her development as an only child, experiences of therapy, and how she integrates Focusing into her closest personal relationships. She has taken these interests and influences and developed what she calls Home Focusing. We end the conversation with a few comments about life in Israel and her experience of conflict between and within national systems. I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did. Episode 35 with Annat Gal On: https://youtu.be/CKxIXCwpXxMThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links:https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQLThe Living Process on the FOT Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx3FqA70kQWuHCHmEiZnkn1VcrRIPbcvk#Familytherapy#Constellations#BertHellinger#Bodytherapy #trauma #israel #warzone #psychotherapy #thelivingprocess #Experientialpractice #Gendlin #Focusing #somaticexperience #Somaticwork #couplestherapy #CriticismAnnat Gal On is a TIFI certified Focusing Trainer and Coordinator. Annat accompanies individuals, couples, and families in the HomeFocusing processes, but she emphasises teaching and spreading the word internationally about Home Focusing. She is available to travel and teach this model that integrates Focusing, systems and relationships. Her website includes an interesting blog with accessible articles on various everyday topics. For information on Home Focusing see: https://homefocusing.com/eng-home/Upcoming training in the Netherlands - https://homefocusing.vp4.me/Utrecht

I’m happy to announce The Living Process, Episode 34 with Schema Therapist Janis Briedis. In this episode Janis and I discuss the ways in which the body and the level of immediate experience can enhance the schema therapy approach and psychotherapy in general. Janis talks about the usefulness of having a ‘top-down’ theoretical approach that interacts with a ‘bottom-up’ experiential resonance and confirmation. He also speaks about different ‘modes’ of experiencing - what we often refer to as ‘parts’ in FOT. We can each have ‘healthy adult’ modes, ‘child modes’, as well as established schemas (life patterns, habitual ways of feeling and perceiving) that often develop in early life. We notice that there is a lot of familiarity between a FOT and a body-based schema approach, sometimes with different language yet often pointing at similar phenomena. Janis and his colleague, Dr Helen Startup, are co-directors of The Schema Therapy School, offering training in body-based schema therapy for therapists across Europe.Janis BriedisJanis was originally trained in the UK as an existential psychotherapist. He has also completed training in Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Therapy. He was previously trained as a massage therapist so his interest in body approaches is long-standing. He has a personal passion for dance, 5 Rhythms, and Movement Therapies. He is experienced in various theories and approaches to trauma work and includes training in this area. For more information on training programmes see The Schema Therapy School: https://schematherapyschool.co.ukEpisode 34: Janis Briedis. https://youtu.be/GSqXsnYeDbUThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links:https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/Living Process on the FOT Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx3FqA70kQWuHCHmEiZnkn1VcrRIPbcvk#experiential  #thelivingprocess #focusing #trauma  #gendlin #schematherapy #CBT #Bodytherapy #somatic experiencing

Russell Delman, a respected teacher in Zen Buddhist meditation and Feldenkrais, shares profound insights on living a meaningful life. He explores the quest for significance beyond survival, discussing how our identities and connections shape our experiences. The conversation highlights the transformative power of presence and gratitude in everyday moments. Additionally, Russell emphasizes the value of embracing both joyful and painful experiences fully, advocating for a holistic understanding of identity that transcends physical limitations.