Elevator Systems - Bowen Family Systems Theory

This podcast episode looks at the relationship pattern of distance in Bowen family systems theory from avoiding eye contact to cutting people out of one’s life. Each guest will give a brief elevator pitch of this idea, along with examples, what they find important about the idea, and takeaway resources and ideas for further thinking.

Dr. Jenny Brown has worked in child and family mental health and family therapy since the 1980s as a trainer, supervisor, author and researcher. She is the Emeritus Executive Director of the Family Systems Institute Sydney and currently directs the Family Systems Practice and the Parent Hope Project. Jenny has published widely, including the best-selling book “Growing Yourself Up”, and the newly published “Facilitating Parent Agency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health – from Helplessness to Hope.”

Resources:

Jenny Brown, Growing Yourself Up

Parent Hope Project: here

Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Intimacy

Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Connection

Robert Creech, Family Systems and Congregational Life

Notes of a Biology Watcher: here

Dr. Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice

TIME STAMPS:

Pitch - 2:30

Examples - 8:30

Usefulness - 17:45

Takeaway - 30:00

#bowenfamilysystemstheory #bowentheory

#murraybowen #relationship #family

#distance #closeness #cutoff #discomfort

Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory:

https://livingsystems.ca/

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy. The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information from this podcast is used at your own risk.

This podcast episode examines the four relationship patterns described in Bowen family systems theory,

focusing especially on the pattern of conflict. Each guest will give a brief elevator pitch of this idea,

along with examples, what they find important about the idea, and takeaway resources and ideas for

further thinking.

Dr. Kathleen Smith is a licensed therapist and writer who lives in Washington, DC. Her books include

Everything Isn't Terrible and True to You: A Therapist's Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being

Yourself. She is an associate faculty member at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and

author of the popular newsletter, The Anxious Overachiever.

Resources:

Resources:
Kathleen Smith newsletter,  “Let’s Play Family Anxiety Bingo”
https://theanxiousoverachiever.substa...
Honeybee Democracy: https://tinyurl.com/2s4t8ks5
Dr. Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice: https://tinyurl.com/5yhxmna9
Dr. Michael Kerr,  Family Evaluation: https://shorturl.at/QBpEu
Dr. Michael Kerr, Bowen Theory Secrets: https://shorturl.at/a0Y9k
Kathleen Smith, Everything Isn’t Terrible:  https://shorturl.at/uxl9l
Kathleen Smith, True To You: https://shorturl.at/5qyUT

TIME STAMPS:

Pitch - 3:05

Examples - 9:00

Usefulness - 22:30

Takeaway - 25:30

#bowenfamilysystemstheory #bowentheory

#murraybowen #relationship #family #patterns #conflict

S1Ep3 Anxiety with Dave Galloway

This podcast episode looks at the topic of anxiety and the difference Bowen family systems theory sees

between acute anxiety and chronic anxiety. Each guest will give a brief elevator pitch of this idea, along

with examples, what they find important about the idea, and takeaway resources and ideas for further

thinking.

Dave Galloway has been studying Bowen Theory for over 20 years. He has spoken at conferences, is

an instructor, and writes on systems thinking. He is certified as Family Enterprise Advisor and Clear

Leadership trainer. Having worked in the software industry for decades in leadership roles he has seen

the impact of emotional functioning in work systems. Dave lives in Vancouver, BC and is on the faculty

of Living Systems.

Resources:

Dr. Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice: https://tinyurl.com/5yhxmna9

Dr. Michael Kerr, Family Evaluation: https://shorturl.at/QBpEu

Dr. Michael Kerr, Bowen Theory Secrets: https://shorturl.at/a0Y9k

Kathleen Smith, Everything Isn’t Terrible: https://shorturl.at/uxl9l

Bowen-Kerr Interview #4: https://www.thebowencenter.org/bowen-theory-vids#bowen-kerr-interview-

series

TIME STAMPS:

Pitch - 1:50

Examples - 15:00

Usefulness - 20:50

Takeaway - 29:15

#bowenfamilysystemstheory #bowentheory

#murraybowen #relationship #family #anxiety

Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning

more about Bowen family systems theory:

https://livingsystems.ca/

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not

considered the practice of counselling or therapy. The information presented are the views of the people

who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.

This podcast episode looks at the idea of togetherness, a way Bowen family systems theory describes how people operate in relation to the group. Each guest will give a brief elevator pitch of this idea, along with examples, what they find important about the idea, and takeaway resources and ideas for further thinking.

Dr. Kathleen Smith is a licensed therapist and writer who lives in Washington, DC. Her books include Everything Isn’t Terrible and True to You: A Therapist’s Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself. She is an associate faculty member at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and author of the popular newsletter, The Anxious Overachiever.

Resources:

Ashley Ward, The Social Life of Animals: https://tinyurl.com/y75n3vnz
Cacioppo & Patrick – Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection.
Podcast – How Family Dynamics Play Out At Work: Morra Aarons-Mele. The Anxious Achiever. Nov 8, 2021.
Kathleen Smith’s newsletter: https://theanxiousoverachiever.substack.com/
Kathleen Smith, Everything Isn’t Terrible: https://shorturl.at/uxl9l
Kathleen Smith, True To You: https://shorturl.at/5qyUT
Dr. Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice: https://tinyurl.com/5yhxmna9

Elevator Systems S1Ep1 Systems Thinking with Dave Galloway

This podcast episode looks at the idea of systems thinking, a central topic of Bowen family systems

theory. Each guest will give a brief elevator pitch of this idea, along with examples, what they find

important about the idea, and takeaway resources and ideas for further thinking.

Dave Galloway has been studying Bowen Theory for over 20 years. He has spoken at conferences, is

an instructor, and writes on systems thinking. He is certified as Family Enterprise Advisor and Clear

Leadership trainer. Having worked in the software industry for decades in leadership roles he has seen

the impact of emotional functioning in work systems. Dave lives in Vancouver, BC and is on the faculty

of Living Systems.

Resources:

Kathleen Smith newsletter, “When You’re Too Close to the Problem:

https://theanxiousoverachiever.substack.com/p/when-youre-too-close-to-the-problem

Questions for continued thinking:

What are 5 or 10 other explanations you could make up for what’s happening here?

If your parent/partner/kid were in the room, what would they have to say about this?

Dr. Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice: https://tinyurl.com/5yhxmna9

TIME STAMPS:

Pitch - 2:00

Examples - 6:55

Usefulness - 15:35

Takeaway - 28:05

#bowenfamilysystemstheory #bowentheory #systems

#murraybowen #relationship #family #systemsthinking

Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning

more about Bowen family systems theory:

https://livingsystems.ca/

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not

considered the practice of counselling or therapy. The information presented are the views of the people

who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.

___________________________________________________________________________

Elevator Systems is a podcast that looks at ideas and concepts from Bowen family systems theory in clear and understandable ways. In each episode, three Bowen-thinkers will discuss ideas from the theory beginning with their 30-second elevator pitch. Real-life examples will illustrate the topic and discuss what is useful, as well as takeaways and resources for further thinking. For people with zero to decades of experience with Bowen theory, these 30-minute segments are designed for easy and engaging listening, with the hope that listeners will take their thoughts, questions, and curiosity into their relationships.
This podcast is produced by Living Systems Counselling and Training, a non-profit organization in Vancouver offering counselling and education in Bowen family systems theory across Canada.
https://livingsystems.ca
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy. The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.