Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast

In this sixteenth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea guides KP through a live demo session exploring protector parts, inner critics, and the surprising imagery that surfaces: bridges, blimps, storms, and kingdoms.

This episode marks Part One of an inner critics series, offering listeners an intimate look at how IFS process work unfolds in real time—with pauses, visuals, and artwork.

[to watch the video version, head over to Substack or Youtube. For the audio versions, listen through Spotify, Apple podcasts, or your favorite podcast app]

Parts & Charts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Time Stamps and Topics:

00:00 – Disclaimer: “We’re not really sure what’s going to happen.”03:02 – Entering the world of inner critics06:16 – Introducing Freedom from Your Inner Critic by Jay Early & Bonnie Weiss08:11 – The seven types of critics: perfectionist, taskmaster, underminer, destroyer, guilt-tripper, inner controller, and molder10:00 – Publishing despite the perfectionist: “We’re hitting publish whether it’s perfect or not.” – KP12:00 – The role of inner critics when putting work into the world15:31 – Bringing in the inner champion or mentor19:02 – Entering KP’s system: bridges, rivers, and blimps22:00 – The blimp appears: “It sucks the fun out of the room.” – KP26:14 – The blimp as surveillance and taskmaster energy29:00 – Introducing themselves: “They really like themselves. Even more than I like my own self.” – KP32:30 – Drawing the blimp as a storm cloud: “Lots of power, lots of electricity… it was beautiful, but dangerous.” – KP36:47 – Naming the part: Remarkable41:09 – The fear of fire and destruction of the kingdom45:04 – Remarkable’s encouragement: “You can expand. You can make your kingdom bigger if you want.”47:00 – An assignment: “We would love for you to focus on your muscles and building your core strength.”52:50 – Drawing the kingdom and the whale-blimp54:00 – The exile vs. protector difference in session55:28 – Feeling more Self-led: “This time, the part trusted me.” – KP

Key Quotes:

* “I think we’ll see where we’re going, but it might be something we do in part two.” – Chelsea

* “Oh, is this inner critic? Probably, yes.” – KP

* “It sucks the fun out of the room.” – KP

* “It was really beautiful to be in that energy, but it was dangerous.” – KP

* “They really like themselves. Even more than I like my own self.” – KP

* “We would love for you to focus on your muscles and building your core strength.” – Remarkable (protector part)

* “This time it was part of the experience. The part actually trusted me.” – KP

Resources Mentioned:

* Freedom from Your Inner Critic by Jay Early & Bonnie Weiss — resource with categories of critics, inventories, and practices for self-led work

* Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework — key concepts of protector parts, exiles, critics, and self-energy

* Art materials — using drawing and creative imagery to explore inner parts

* The imagery of “Remarkable” — blimp, storm cloud, whale, protector of a kingdom

For those applying to grad programs in counseling:

Chelsea Owens pulled together a deeeeeep dive into all the practical elements of this decision, for the price of a cute cafe lunch ($25) — follow this link: https://chelseawow.gumroad.com/l/bfbiau

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe to Parts & Charts on Substack

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a question or note through Substack or DM

Work 1:1 with Therapist Chelsea Owens at https://chelseaowenstherapy.com/

and schedule an astrology session with KP Kaszubowski at www.kpkaszu.com

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.

In this fifteenth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea Owens (IFS and Art Therapist) and KP Kaszubowski (Writer, Filmmaker, Astrologer) explore:

* the Virgo archetype since we are in Virgo season!

* We’re unpacking its brilliance, burdens, and overthinking parts

Welcome to Virgo season! 🌿 In this episode of Parts and Charts, Chelsea (therapist) and KP (astrologer) dive deep into the Virgo archetype—its earthy, mutable energy, its gift for discernment, and the shadow side of overthinking.

We explore Virgo as the planner, the caretaker, the teacher, and even the vigilant border collie who can’t stop keeping watch. How does this show up in our lives and relationships? And what can we do when those Virgo parts won’t turn off?

Chelsea shares IFS practices for calming the inner perfectionist, finding more Self-energy, and letting go of the mental load. KP runs through Virgo in the houses, Venus in Virgo, and clears up some myths about this often-misunderstood sign.

✨ If you’ve ever wrestled with anxiety, hypervigilance, or the pressure to “do it all right,” this episode is for you

✨ Learn how Virgo energy can be both your superpower and your soft place to land.

✨ take away insights that are equal parts astrological wisdom and therapeutic tools.

Thanks for reading Parts & Charts! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Time stamps and Topics:

0:30 Introduction to the Virgo archetype 2:00 Virgo archetype as the virgin 4:00 The caretaker and daily life as Virgo energy 7:30 Nurse energy and Virgo energy13:15 Virgo as sheepdog and herding the pack19:30 Virgo Venus 25:00 Identifying what is wrong to change 28:00 Virgo using your eyes to see what needs to be figured out32:00 Virgo rising and mercury energy 32:50 Different houses in Virgo energy 47:00 Virgo parts = manager parts 51:30 How we can use Virgo energy for pleasure

Key quotes:

* "Everyone has Virgo energy in them. It just may show up in different ways and it may not be as apparent as someone who has the Moon in Virgo or something like that." -KP

* "Mercury feels celebrated when Mercury's in Virgo, so that's what exalted means." -KP

* "Virgo energy is like the super powered mind. And very few people have that ability to run their mind as quickly and as consistently." -KP

* "It almost feels like a little bit more of an anxious energy, like in preparation for the worst things happening." -KP

* "That, to me, is Virgo energy-the Border Collie who can't rest until all the sheep are safe." -KP

* "Virgo parts are, l'm gonna guess, just like really strong managers." -Chelsea

* "IFS helps those parts that feel like they can't stop doing their job. When Self is present, they don't have to be so hypervigilant." -Chelsea

Parts & Charts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

For those applying to grad programs in counseling:

Chelsea Owens pulled together a deeeeeep dive into all the practical elements of this decision, for the price of a cute cafe lunch ($25) — follow this link: https://chelseawow.gumroad.com/l/bfbiau

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe to Parts & Charts on Substack📸 Follow us on Instagram: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a question or note through Substack or DM

Work 1:1 with Therapist Chelsea Owens at https://chelseaowenstherapy.com/

and schedule an astrology session with KP Kaszubowski at www.kpkaszu.com

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.

In this fourteenth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea Owens (IFS and Art Therapist) and KP Kaszubowski (Writer, Filmmaker, Astrologer) explore:

* What eclipses are—astronomically and astrologically

* How eclipse season can feel like chaos, endings, beginnings, and surprise

* Ways to stay “self-led” during moments of upheaval and rug-pulls

* How different elements (Earth, Fire, Air, Water) might access the 8 C’s of Self

This episode takes a closer look at eclipse season, the Virgo–Pisces nodal axis, and how to approach cosmic change without shame or self-blame. Chelsea grounds us in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) principle of Self-energy—reminding us that all parts are welcome, even in chaos—while KP unpacks eclipse cycles, their 18-year return, and how to track them in your own chart.

Time stamps and Topics:

0:30 Introduction to eclipse season and self-led energy2:00 What eclipses are (astronomy vs astrology)4:00 Pisces + Virgo eclipses of September 20256:00 Tracking eclipses through houses in your chart7:15 Eclipses as beginnings and endings (North + South Node)10:30 Why eclipses feel eventful and destabilizing13:30 The cycle of Virgo–Pisces eclipses, 2024–202716:20 Houses of resources and trust (2nd + 8th house examples)18:00 Jamie Lee Curtis quote on character and chaos20:00 Lessons vs. self-blame—Saturnical or soulful?23:00 Rug pulls, cosmic frustration, and staying gentle with yourself26:00 The Chariot card: intention vs. rigidity32:00 How Chelsea helps clients access Self-energy during upheaval38:00 Befriending chaos instead of suppressing it40:00 Virgo Sun thought experiment: 3 practices for Earth signs44:00 Elemental prescriptions: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water accessing Self-energy

Key quotes:

“Eclipse season can be chaotic, can be shifty and turny and all those things. So the best that we can do is to channel our self-energy or to tap into our self, take care of our self.” — Chelsea

“Eclipse season is usually globally full of news that has to do with the themes of those zodiac signs. But personally, in our lives, for those two and a half-ish years, we can sense there's either a beginning or an ending—or many beginnings and many endings.” — KP

“Eclipse season often looks like shedding, whether you want to or not—a part of your life or an identity or something. And it can also look like something brand new shows up in your life.” — KP

“It doesn't feel good to be in chaos. But also, like, there's nothing wrong with it. There's nothing wrong with that energy. It's totally okay. It's not going to overwhelm the system. All of it's welcome.” — Chelsea

“If I keep thinking that these rug pulls are because of my bad character or my bad choices, I will go insane.” — KP

“It's not a moral judgment on your soul, but it's more of like a moment to practice—like, practice being better at handling chaos, better at handling stress.” — Chelsea

“Self can handle all of it. Self can sit with all of these big emotions and hear them out.” — Chelsea

“How can Earth energy get curious? If you need to put yourself in physical places like the beach or a hot tub or a quiet room, how can you just access more curiosity?” — Chelsea

“Listening to truly inspirational speeches—like James Baldwin, or that Denzel Washington commencement speech—that might be fire energy. Always listening to inspirational anythings feels like a good entry point to more self-energy.” — KP

Resources Mentioned:

* Internal Family Systems (IFS) — especially the principle of Self-energy and the 8 C’s (Calmness, Curiosity, Clarity, Compassion, Confidence, Courage, Creativity, Connectedness)

* Astrological Nodes + Eclipse Cycles — 18-year return of eclipse patterns

* Tarot: The Chariot card — guidance for facing change with intention

* Jamie Lee Curtis said in an interview that “every single thing in her life, whether good or bad, has hinged upon a ‘couple of second [she] didn’t see coming.’” She is referencing this quote that comes from Marisha Pessl's novel, Special Topics in Calamity Physics:

"Life hinges on a couple seconds you never see coming. And what you decide in those few seconds determines everything from then on... And you have no idea what you'll do until you're there".

* Elemental “prescriptions” for accessing Self-energy

We’ve officially entered eclipse season: from now until the end of September, the energy may feel a bit wobbly. Personally. Globally.

We’re aware of the forced famine on the Palestinian people in Gaza. There is so little we’re able to do right now, especially with most of the humanitarian aid being blocked by the IDF. But, World Central Kitchen has been able to serve bread and water still, despite the blockages. In times of destabilization, eclipse season or not, one thing we can do is give generously to others experiencing displacement and persecution.

For all of September, I (KP) am offering free birth chart readings to anyone who donates $50+ to World Central Kitchen.

Shoot me a DM with a screenshot of your donation receipt and I’ll share a direct booking link.

For those applying to grad programs in counseling: Chelsea Owens pulled together a deeeeeep dive into all the practical elements of this decision, for the price of a cute cafe lunch ($25) — follow this link: https://chelseawow.gumroad.com/l/bfbiau

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe to Parts & Charts on Substack📺 Watch on YouTube

📸 Follow on IG: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a note, question, or love letter via Substack

🎧 Share this episode with someone who’s bracing for change, or wants to reframe chaos as an invitation to Self:

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.

Before we get to the show notes of the first ever guest episode with astrotherapist Lisa Broggi, here are a couple quick announcements:

* On September 5, 2025 (Friday!) at 1pm PT, Chelsea is leading a free live Q+A for anyone considering becoming a therapist. Let her save you precious time and money on this long (and worth it!) journey. REGISTER for the call here — the recording will be sent out for those not able to attend live.

* For those applying to grad programs in counseling: Chelsea Owens pulled together a deeeeeep dive into all the practical elements of this decision, for the price of a cute cafe lunch ($25) — follow this link: https://chelseawow.gumroad.com/l/bfbiau

In this thirteenth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea and KP welcome their very first guest: astrologer, therapist, and teacher Lisa Broggi of Pink Moon Therapy.

Together they dive into “astrotherapy”—how astrology and therapy can meet in the consulting room—and explore the provocative, powerful archetype of Lilith.

Therapist and astro-coach Lisa Broggi shares stories from her practice weaving charts with clients’ inner worlds, while Chelsea reflects on the overlaps with IFS and the therapeutic process. KP brings her own curiosity about Lilith as a figure of exile, rawness, and refusal—and how that energy can show up in both astrology and therapy.

They talk about how Lilith resists being tamed, why it’s important to make space for the “unacceptable” parts of ourselves, and what happens when clients bring their own astrological knowledge into sessions. Along the way, the three laugh about language, lineage, and what it means to belong (or not belong) in therapeutic spaces.

This one’s for the part of you that wants to connect your chart to your healing work, the part that’s curious about Lilith’s wild edge, and the part that just loves hearing smart, soulful people in conversation.

Key Quotes:

"Learning about my chart, especially in my 12th house, was like the deepest validation I've ever experienced in my life." — Lisa Broggi

"I have a theory that when people learn that they have 12th house placements there's like this period almost of like... ‘oh I'm doomed’... but ultimately it does bring you in because it's this deep interest.” — Lisa Broggi

"You can't just tell clients, ‘this is what's going on with you.’ They have to come to that themselves." — Lisa Broggi

"The art of translating to somebody who doesn't know is big." — Lisa Broggi

“My goal in my mind is to help them heal any shame wounds or fear or even rage." — Lisa Broggi

"I think my Pisces in the 10th was like so scared to be seen in my witchiness and my like nonlinear approach." — Lisa Broggi

"The difference between a conscious Lilith and an unconscious Lilith is like night and day... because she can wreak havoc she can do damage... if you're not conscious of this energy, she can be a real problem." — Lisa Broggi

Timestamps & Key Topics:

00:00 – Welcome + PSAs about mini course, Q&A, and Self-Led September

01:10 – Introducing first guest Lisa Broggi, friend, astro-coach, and fellow therapist

03:44 – Lisa's background: therapy first, then Saturn return astrology awakening

05:14 – The 12th house stellium revelation and deep validation experience

08:00 – 12th house energy in therapists and healing work

12:13 – Introduction to Black Moon Lilith: myth, archetype, and shadow work

16:15 – Lilith myth: Adam, equality, exile, and demonization

18:04 – Different types of Lilith (Black Moon vs Asteroid) and eclipse experiences

24:38 – How Lisa works with Lilith energy in therapy sessions

30:51 – Astrotherapy practice: attracting clients who already want the integration

34:19 – Using transits as containers for difficult experiences (Uranus example)

38:03 – KP's current Saturn-Neptune opposition and not personalizing struggles

42:25 – Looking back at transits to understand planetary energies

46:31 – Mercury and Saturn as therapist planets, chart ruler discussions

49:17 – Moon placements and sensitivity (12th house vs 7th house examples)

54:36 – "Prescriptive astrology" - matching self-care to big three placements

55:40 – Couples work possibilities and focusing on Moon/Venus/Mercury

59:57 – Integrating IFS parts work with planetary placements

1:04:41 – Sand tray work, tarot, and working with archetypes online

1:05:58 – Where to find Lisa's work (TikTok: @the.lilith.therapist)

1:07:19 – Closing thank you and contact information

Resources mentioned:

* Lisa Broggi’s website and teaching offerings

* The Lilith Therapist TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.lilith.therapist

* Lisa’s website: https://www.pinkmoontherapy.com/

* Find Your Lilith Tutorial:

* Internal Family Systems Institute: ifs-institute.com

* Astrology references: Lilith in the natal chart

* Works on astrotherapy (Lisa’s recommended readings)

We’ve officially entered eclipse season: from now until the end of September, the energy may feel a bit wobbly. Personally. Globally.

We’re aware of the forced famine on the Palestinian people in Gaza. There is so little we’re able to do right now, especially with most of the humanitarian aid being blocked by the IDF. But, World Central Kitchen has been able to serve bread and water still, despite the blockages. In times of destabilization, eclipse season or not, one thing we can do is give generously to others experiencing displacement and persecution.

For all of September, I (KP) am offering free birth chart readings to anyone who donates $50+ to World Central Kitchen.

Shoot me a DM with a screenshot of your donation receipt and I’ll share a direct booking link.

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe to us on Substack

📸 Follow on IG: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a note, question, or love letter via Substack

🎧 Share this episode with someone who is ready to claim their Lilith power:

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.

Announcement time!

* On September 5, 2025 at 1pm PT, Chelsea is leading a free live Q+A for anyone considering becoming a therapist. Let her save you precious time and money on this long (and worth it!) journey. REGISTER for the call here — the recording will be sent out for those not able to attend live.

* For those actively navigating all the details of applying to counseling grad programs: Chelsea Owens pulled together a deeeeeep dive into all the practical elements of this decision, for the price of a cute cafe lunch ($25) — follow this link: https://chelseawow.gumroad.com/l/bfbiau

* Do you also love making deep friendships through book-clubbing? We want to start a “Novels of Manners” Book Club, starting with Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Message us if you’re interested in joining a slow book club!

In this twelfth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea Owens and KP Kaszubowski lean into Virgo season’s back-to-school vibe. But specifically for those interested in joining the counseling profession.

This episode explores what it actually means to go back to school as an adult, whether that’s literal (therapy grad school) or symbolic (a new season, a new structure, a new initiation).

Chelsea shares her journey through therapy school and the realities of becoming a therapist—the long hours, the burnout, the breakthroughs, and the quiet joys that make it worth it. KP reflects on almost becoming a counselor herself, her curiosity about grief work, and how vocation shows up in astrology. Together, they tease apart the fantasy and reality of “school” in midlife: the excitement of new supplies, the terror of debt, and the soul-level satisfaction of being in a helping profession.

This one’s for the part of you that still loves syllabi and fresh planners, the part that wonders if it’s too late to pivot careers, and the part that’s secretly thrilled by the words “grad school application.”

Parts & Charts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Key Quotes:

“It’s way overdue for me to read a Jane Austen.” — KP

“Most of therapy school is actually just doing your own work. The counseling comes later.” — Chelsea

“It’s an initiation. You go down to the underworld, you do your hours, you come out rebirthed.” — Chelsea

“You get to witness little windows into people’s souls. That feels indescribable.” — Chelsea

“There’s this undeniable richness and satisfaction to the job, which is not usually part of other jobs.” — KP

“Burnout is real, both during the 3,000 hours and later in private practice.” — Chelsea

“IFS really saved me from burnout. It keeps me engaged, it feels like an adventure in the soul every time.” — Chelsea

“If I’m really going to be in this for 30, 40, 50 years—how do I stay invested, healthy, able to give and receive?” — Chelsea

“Going through therapy school is really just excavating yourself—facing your own stuff so you can be solid for other people.” — Chelsea

Timestamps & Key Topics:

00:00 – Welcome back & why we love back-to-school season03:00 – Announcements: our Novels of Manners Book Club + upcoming Q&A07:00 – Therapy school as initiation: the long road to becoming a counselor15:00 – KP’s almost-career in counseling, grief work, and vocation in the chart20:00 – Why midlife is often the moment for a big career pivot27:00 – The financial + emotional costs of therapy school35:00 – Burnout, self-care, and staying in the work for decades42:00 – Convince me to become a therapist… now convince me not to50:00 – Freedom, balance, and art-making as a therapist in private practice58:00 – Wrap-up: what “back to school” means in Virgo season

Resources mentioned:

* Persuasion by Jane Austen (our first book club pick)

* IFS Institute: ifs-institute.com

* Info on therapy graduate programs + licensure paths — Chelsea made a mini course for $25 will all the info you need before you take the plunge: https://chelseawow.gumroad.com/l/bfbiau

We’ve officially entered eclipse season: from now until the end of September, the energy may feel a bit wobbly. Personally. Globally.

We’re aware of the forced famine on the Palestinian people in Gaza. There is so little we’re able to do right now, especially with most of the humanitarian aid being blocked by the IDF. But, World Central Kitchen has been able to serve bread and water still, despite the blockages. In times of destabilization, eclipse season or not, one thing we can do is give generously to others experiencing displacement and persecution.

For all of September, I (KP) am offering free birth chart readings to anyone who donates $50+ to World Central Kitchen.

Shoot me a DM with a screenshot of your donation receipt and I’ll share a direct booking link.

In this eleventh episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea and KP get curious about thinking and speaking parts, and how Mercury in the birth chart might be a key to understanding them.

This episode explores how parts that think and speak show up in Internal Family Systems (IFS) work, and how astrology, specifically Mercury’s placement, can offer language for how we intellectualize, communicate, and perform.

Chelsea unpacks the “speaker part” with IFS clarity, helping us see how thinking parts often dominate therapy sessions with good intentions—but sometimes prevent other, quieter parts from surfacing. KP brings in the role of Mercury in astrology, sharing how a tight Sun-Mercury conjunction in her own chart makes language and identity nearly inseparable.

Together, they discuss clients with chatty Gemini or Virgo Mercuries, Mercury retrograde placements, and what it means to be “dazzling” in thought. KP also undergoes a live IFS demo, meeting a snake/dragon part of her system that performs, delights, and reminds us that intelligence doesn’t always come from the head.

This one’s for the part of you that over-explains, intellectualizes to survive, or has ever been told you “talk funny.” It’s also for the dazzling part that wants a little more room to play.

Key Quotes:

* “Language determines as well as describes.” — KP, on Mercury and how words shape reality

* “They want to help the client feel better. That’s why they come to therapy.” — Chelsea, on the positive intent of thinking parts

* “The snake said: I’m dazzling. I might be a little scary, but I’m magnificent.” — KP, channeling a speaking part through IFS

* “There's nothing wrong with intellectualizers. We need them. But sometimes they take up all the space.” — Chelsea

* “What if the burrito is a thinking part?” — KP, mid-demo

Timestamps & Key Topics:

00:00 – Welcome back & intro to speaking/thinking parts in IFS03:00 – What’s a speaker part? Asking dominant parts to step aside06:00 – Mercury’s role in how we speak, learn, and language the world10:00 – Is language ever separate from identity? Astrology’s view14:00 – Nonverbal parts: how we sense young or preverbal energies20:00 – Managing language dominance: "patching" strong Mercuries24:00 – When thinking parts carry burdens & how to relieve them29:00 – Relational care, listening, and being with parts gently33:00 – Mercury retrograde & what “strange” speech might reveal36:00 – IFS Live Demo: KP meets a dazzling snake/dragon part43:00 – Speaking parts, childhood noise, and self-protection50:00 – What does a performing part want? Friendship & lightness58:00 – Recap, Mercury as identity, and imagining other Mercury parts

Resources mentioned:

* No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz

* The Internal Family Systems Institute: ifs-institute.com

* Mercury in astrology (learn your Mercury sign at astro.com)

* IFS demo frameworks

* Asteroid astrology: explore minor bodies like Sappho

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe to us on Substack

📸 Follow on IG: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a note, question, or love letter via Substack

🎧 Share this episode with someone who intellectualizes their emotions—or who’s ever felt like their Mercury was dazzling and misunderstood.

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.

In this tenth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea and KP explore:

What does Leo energy really mean beyond the stereotypes?How can we reclaim pride, visibility, and creative fire as sources of healing and self-leadership?

[To watch the video version, head over to Substack or YouTube. For the audio versions, listen through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.]

This episode dives into Leo season and the Leo archetype—how it shows up in all of us, not just those with Leo placements. Chelsea and KP explore Leo as a fixed fire sign, its polarity with Aquarius, and the connection between Leo and Self-energy in Internal Family Systems (IFS). They also get personal about how Leo shows up in their own lives and how to work with clients who have strong Leo signatures in their charts.

Time stamps and Topics:

1:00 Intro: Welcome to Leo Season2:00 The basics: Leo as a fixed fire sign3:30 Understanding Leo through polarity: Leo–Aquarius6:45 Leo energy is inside everyone—even if you have no Leo placements10:00 How Leo shows up in KP and Chelsea’s charts14:30 Leo doesn’t always mean loud—grounded, quiet Leos exist too16:00 Leo’s fascination with the self and identity18:00 Mutable vs fixed energy: playing with identity vs defining it21:00 Role-switching, persona, and the fluid Leo Moon/Mercury combo26:00 Leo as joyful, doting, generous—sometimes hard for others to receive30:00 Leo vs Aquarius: the polarity of selfhood and collective belonging33:00 Cultural resistance to Leo energy and self-pride36:00 Why Leo energy is often misunderstood or rejected40:00 Shadow Leo: performance, power, pride, and unmet needs44:00 The joy and articulation of Leo in writers like Ross Gay 47:00 Questions KP asks when seeing Leo in a chart54:00 The ache of not being received and early wounds around pride and visibility

Key Quotes:

“They were like, ‘Why are you so cheerful?’ ‘Why are you saying this?’… It was so hard to receive.” — Chelsea

“That Leo energy is often told they are ‘too’ — too loud, too much.”— KP

“When someone knows what they need and what they want, that's a threat to unhealthy dynamics.” — KP

“I’ve always noticed people thinking I’m not being totally genuine when I show up super sunny and cheerful and excited… but it, like, so is.” — Chelsea

“I think there’s such a fear of too much self-focus — what that would do.” — Chelsea

“I think about how Leo is the performer, in that they're so aware of and they've played with their own persona, their own selfness, that they can step in and put on masks of other selves more easily than other people.”— KP

“Even if you don't have any placements in Leo, there are many parts of you that are expressing that energy in different ways.”— KP

“The shadow side of pride is being really easily hurt if someone doesn't appreciate something you did or doesn't tell you you look good today.”— KP

“We need Leo energy. We need more of it. We need more Leo workshops. We need more Leo leaders.” — Chelsea

Resources Mentioned:

* Internal Family Systems (IFS) — explored through the lens of Leo’s connection to Self-energy

* The Sun Sign — as the animating force that corresponds to Self in IFS

* Leo–Aquarius Polarity — balancing visibility and individuality with collective care

* Ross Gay — poet and example of embodied Leo energy in joyful articulation

* Frida Kahlo, Madonna, Hemingway, Obama — notable figures discussed as Leo examples

* The 12 Zodiac Houses — referenced for understanding how Leo energy expresses in different life areas

* The phrase “Don’t dull your shine” — discussed in the context of Leo’s wound when rejected for being too much

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe to Parts & Charts on Substack📸 Follow us on Instagram: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a question or note through Substack or DM

🎧 Share this episode with someone who’s ever been told they’re “too much” or who needs a reminder to step into their sun energy.

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.

In this ninth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea and KP get personal about dating, through the lens of inner parts, natal charts, and what we’re really looking for when we swipe right.

This episode invites you into a conversation that’s intimate, tender, and surprisingly analytical. KP reads Chelsea’s birth chart and explores how Venus, Mars, the Ascendant, and even Jupiter play a role in her dating style and relational patterns. Chelsea shares what parts show up on dates—from the charming performer to the loyal caretaker—and how they connect to her IFS practice and chart.

We get into what attraction really is, how it overlaps (or doesn’t) with value systems, and how parts come online when we’re seeking connection. There’s a little astrology lesson on first impressions (Ascendant), what we offer and desire in love (Venus), how we pursue it (Mars), and how we know when someone feels right. Spoiler: it’s not always in the bios.

This episode is for anyone trying to date with self-awareness, for the part that overanalyzes texts, and the part that dreams of soul recognition—even on apps.

Key Quotes:

* “Mars won’t let the chase happen unless the feelings are resonating.” — KP, on pursuit and Cancer energy

* “There’s a part of me that shows up on dates to make everyone else feel comfortable. It’s kind… but not romantic.” — Chelsea, on caretaker parts

* “Dating isn’t just about finding a match. It’s about seeing if you’re a match for yourself around someone else.” — KP, on the seventh house

* “Venus shows how we signal who’s ‘like us.’ That can be attraction, but also values.” — KP

* “Just send me a good poem and I’m in love.” — Chelsea, on Venus in Gemini

Timestamps & Key Topics:

00:00 – Sun-kissed returns & gloomy week reflections01:30 – Shared tarot pull: King of Pentacles as dating anchor03:00 – What parts show up when we talk about dating06:00 – The podcast’s spiritual function: lighten up, laugh, let go10:00 – Astrology 101: Ascendant, Venus, Mars, and dating dynamics14:00 – Venus in Gemini: Attraction, language, and love via reading lists20:00 – Mars in Cancer: Hesitant pursuit and needing emotional resonance26:00 – Duality in dating: confident vs. shy parts, polarizing impulses33:00 – Caretaking parts and the “friendly but not flirty” dilemma38:00 – KP’s theory: Jupiter in Aquarius in the 7th = idealistic partnership caretaking41:00 – Attracting air-sign vibes but craving emotional depth45:00 – Matching chatty minds with body-based connection48:00 – What to look for in your chart (and in potential matches)

Resources mentioned:

* All About Love by bell hooks (give it to your dates)

* No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz

* Learn your Venus, Mars, and Rising signs at astro.com

* Basic astrology tools: chart rulers, seventh house placements, and aspects

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe on Substack

📸 Follow on IG: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send us your dating dilemmas and planetary placements via Substack

🎧 Share this episode with someone who’s been told they’re “intimidating” on dating apps… or who uses a poem as a pickup line.

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.

In this eighth episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea and KP explore:

How wounds live in us not just as pain, but as pathways to presence, curiosity, and storytelling.

[to watch the video version, head over to Substack or Youtube. For the audio versions, listen through your favorite podcast app]

This episode dives into the deep end of woundedness. We talk about the IFS concept of burdens, how parts hold pain from the past, and what healing actually looks like (often visual, elemental, and slow). We also wander into Chiron’s domain in astrology, the “wounded healer,” and reflect on how our charts reveal both the tenderness and the tools we’ve been given to metabolize it.

We bring in tarot, psychodrama, middle school shame, and how speaking up (even in a podcast) can feel like standing at the front of class with no notes. This one’s for the part of you that’s scared to say the wrong thing and the part that knows that woundedness can be alchemized, not erased.

We also dream up workshops where Pluto gets played by a friend in a cape, talk about how burdens get released through elemental rituals, and share our own Chiron placements and the tender places they light up.

“There’s no reward for being woundless. We’re not rushing to get anywhere.”

Key Quotes:

“What the wound is… is just a beautiful need.” — Chelsea, reframing pain in the language of compassion.

“Chiron energy is ripe for exploration—because it asks us to love, not fix.” — KP, on astrology’s wounded healer.

“The swords hold the wound in place. And you get to choose whether to pull them out.” — KP, interpreting the Three of Swords tarot card.

“There’s a whole protocol for unburdening in IFS. It’s like soul-level somatic magic.” — Chelsea, on releasing burdens through elements.

“Middle school logic is still alive in us. And it deserves respect.” — Chelsea, on exiled parts and internalized beliefs.

Timestamps & Key Topics:

00:00 – Welcome back + how to talk about wounds without it being a bummer02:00 – Tarot pulls: Three of Swords, Ace of Swords, and the Magician as wound wisdom06:00 – Acting, pretending, and the psychodrama of healing09:00 – What burdens mean in IFS and how they’re released15:00 – Do we all have wounds? What’s “normal”? And is healing ever done?20:00 – Exiles in IFS: the tender parts we bury and protect26:00 – Chiron in astrology: the wound, the gift, the alchemy33:00 – Protective parts in the chart? Chiron's planetary neighbors38:00 – Trauma bonding, skepticism, and why wounds don’t define your worth43:00 – Chiron transits + the “middle school energy” of re-wounding46:00 – Our middle school wounds + how they still show up today50:00 – Chiron in KP’s chart and what it means for art, value, and love

Resources mentioned:

* No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz

* The Internal Family Systems Institute: ifs-institute.com

* Chiron mythology (search your Chiron placement + aspects for insight)

* The Rehearsal by Nathan Fielder (HBO)

* Tarot cards discussed: Three of Swords, Ace of Swords, The Magician

* Narrative astrology & psychodrama groups (Google: “astrology drama circle”)

or check out the Living Astrologies conference: https://livingastrologies.net/about

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe to Parts & Charts on Substack

📸 Follow on IG: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a note, question, or love letter via Substack

🎧 Share this episode with someone who over-prepares before speaking and secretly loves the drama of tarot

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.

In the seventh episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea and KP explore:

What are firefighters? And how do they work in the system and our birth charts?

And how might the Moon in our birth chart illuminate how we soothe, react, or protect ourselves in vulnerable moments?

[to watch the video version, head over to Substack or Youtube. For the audio versions, listen through Spotify , Apple podcasts, or your favorite podcast app]

This episode dives into the reactive protector parts known as Firefighters in IFS—how they attempt to numb, soothe, or distract us from pain—and how that protective instinct might connect to our Moon sign and emotional patterns in astrology. Plus, Chelsea and KP share personal stories and challenge each other’s theories about risk-taking, soothing, and how selfhood shows up in the birth chart.

Time Stamps and Topics:

1:00 — Introducing firefighter parts in IFS2:00 — Difference between managers and firefighters3:00 — The role of firefighters: distraction, numbing, reaction6:00 — How firefighter parts can show up in therapy and life8:00 — Spiritual bypassing as a subtle firefighter10:00 — Can we talk to firefighters when they’re not activated?12:00 — KP’s story of quitting smoking as firefighter work14:00 — The cycle of managers, firefighters, and shame17:00 — Working with parts that don’t like our behaviors19:00 — The Moon’s role in astrology as a soothing or reactive force21:00 — How Moon signs might relate to emotional coping24:00 — KP’s informal Moon sign survey results27:00 — Chelsea’s unique Cancer Moon with no aspects30:00 — Risk-taking, firefighters, and different houses in astrology33:00 — How Moon placement may affect how we take risks37:00 — Chelsea’s Leo Moon and self-expression, where the Moon is in the chart: where we invest ourselves emotionally40:00 — Mars as a cutting force and how it relates to firefighters44:00 — Chelsea’s 12th House Mars, Moon, and Sun: self-undoing and spiritual bypass48:00 — Wrapping up: No fixed answers, just curious inquiry

Key Quotes:

* “Firefighters are also protectors, but they have very different energies.” — Chelsea

* “Firefighters try to put out the fire of emotions—and help people escape those flames.” — Chelsea

* “Managers try to control things. Firefighters rebel against that control.” — Chelsea

* “A huge part of this work is to help the manager parts calm down and trust that we’re trying to help.” — Chelsea

* “Firefighters don’t always have to be extreme… They can show up in subtler ways.” — Chelsea

* “The more you make acquaintance with your parts, the more you know who’s loudest right now.” — KP

* “It wasn’t until I had more self-knowledge that I could actually release smoking from my life.” — KP

* “There’s this cycle: something triggers, a firefighter comes in, does the behavior, and then the managers judge it—and shame comes up.” — Chelsea

* “What helped me was not quitting smoking, but reducing the tension.” — KP

* “They really want to make you feel good, even if they look destructive on the surface.” — Chelsea

* “The Moon is often where I go first when I’m thinking about emotional reactivity.” — KP

* “Maybe you tried soothing in a way someone else did—and it didn’t work for you because your Moon doesn’t vibrate that way.” — KP

* “Wherever the Moon is in the chart, that tends to be where we’ve invested in our early years.” — KP

* “Mars always has to cut something. It’s the severing principle in our lives.” — KP

* “We need the ability to cut things in order to have a fruitful life.” — KP

Resources Mentioned:

* Internal Family Systems (IFS) — Focus on firefighter parts and their protective roles

* Dick Schwartz — Founder of IFS

* The Moon in Astrology — How our Moon sign shows up in emotional coping and soothing

* Risk-taking in the Birth Chart — Theories on houses, planets, and self-undoing

* Mars in Astrology — As a symbol of choice, cutting, and severing

* IFS Cycle of Managers, Firefighters, and Shame — How these parts interact in our systems

Connect with Us:

✨ Subscribe to Parts & Charts on Substack

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a question or note through Substack

🎧 Share this episode with someone who’s ever doubted their chart or wanted to silence a part of themselves.

Credits:

Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther

The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.