The Willpower Podcast

#61 — Joe Bielling: From Suffering to Self-Discovery: Unpacking Craving, Aversion & Ignorance


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What if your deepest pain could become your greatest superpower?


In this episode, I sit down with therapist and somatic-experiencing guide Joe Bielling (Certified Internal Family Systems L3 Therapist) to dismantle the myths of suffering and reveal a roadmap from resistance to resilience. We unpack the Buddhist “three poisons” of craving, aversion, and ignorance, dive into Internal Family Systems to meet the parts of ourselves we usually hide, and explore Joe’s transformative 10-day Passano meditation retreat where learning to simply feel pain unlocked new levels of self-trust.


Joe shares candid stories from his coming-out journey, faith struggles, and the creation of his co-authored book From Broken to Badass, offering practical somatic exercises you can use today to regulate your nervous system and turn wounds into wisdom. Whether you’re ready to embrace radical acceptance or simply curious about the power of presence, this conversation will equip you with fresh tools to step into a more integrated, empowered life.


Guest: Joe Bielling (Certified Internal Family Systems L3 Therapist)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joebielling/

Website: https://joebielling.com/

Book: https://joebielling.com/frombrokentobadass/


In this conversations we cover:

✅ The three causes of suffering—craving, aversion & ignorance

✅ The role of resistance in magnifying inner conflict

✅ Using Internal Family Systems to identify and befriend our “parts”

✅ Somatic meditation practices (like Passano) for staying present in physical discomfort

✅ Cultivating compassion for ourselves and others, even when we “harm” one another

✅ Practical tools to build emotional, nervous-system and relational capacity


Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & “What Is Suffering?”

00:23 – Personal Struggle: Coming Out

01:19 – Suffering = Resistance to “What Should Be”

02:33 – Buddhist Roots: Craving, Aversion, Ignorance

05:50 – Internal Family Systems (IFS) Basics

19:56 – Passano Meditation: Body, Pain & Presence

26:05 – Building Capacity & Compassion

30:23 – Origins of Inner Parts

36:33 – Family Dynamics & Compassion

46:23 – “From Broken to Badass” Book

53:15 – Conclusion & Next Steps


#TraumaRecovery #SpiritualAwakening #EmotionalResilience


Stick around for tools you can use today to soften resistance, deepen self-acceptance, and show up with more presence for the people you love.


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Hey there! I’m William, and this channel is all about self-control, willpower, and making choices today that lead to a better future, all while enjoying life. If you're looking to build stronger habits, stay motivated, and push through challenges, you're in the right place!


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The Willpower PodcastBy William Mulvaney