In episode 81, Chris and Emma mark four years of the podcast with a candid look at what’s changed—in themselves, their work, and their relationship to the theory.

Both faced challenges this year, and both noticed something striking: they handled it differently than they would have before. The theory has become a real-time companion rather than a post-mortem tool—dynamisms catching in the moment instead of being identified after the fact.

They discuss:

* The shift from analyzing crises afterward to navigating them as they unfold

* How relational resilience and genuine listening matter (with gratitude to bee mayhew )

* What they’d do differently—never saying levels, prioritizing lived experience over expertise, better audio equipment

* Plans for 2026: more episodes featuring just the two of them, deeper dives into lived experience

* An announcement: they’re stepping away from the Dabrowski Congress to take a new direction

The episode ends where the theory always points: shedding what’s less like us and moving toward greater autonomy.

Resources from this episode

* Dabrowski 101 (YouTube)

* Ep. 56: Autoethnography for Personal Growth

* Ep. 72, Healing through Writing with Dr. Lil Jedynak (The Gifted Experience)

* cosmic cheer squad podcast

* PDA: Resistance and Resilience podcast

Connect with us

* Positive Disintegration on Substack

* Visit the Dabrowski Center website

* Facebook

* Instagram

* The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel

* Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook

* The Tragic Gift blog by Emma

* Email us at [email protected]

* Please consider donating to the Dabrowski Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

* Find Positive Disintegration Merch

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