What happens when the healing world of Internal Family Systems meets the imaginative art of puppetry?

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Saltzman, LMP — a self-proclaimed puppet nerd, bodyworker, grief educator, and IFS practitioner — to explore how puppets can bring our inner parts to life in the therapy room and beyond.

Mark and I chat about the serendipitous way we met at the IFS Conference, and how puppetry became a playful yet powerful tool for accessing the body’s wisdom and deep emotional truth.

We talk about:

This episode is equal parts (pun intended) creative, curious, and compassionate — reminding us that healing doesn’t have to be so serious all the time. Sometimes, play opens the deepest doors.

About Mark Saltzman, LMP:

Mark Saltzman is a Licensed Massage Practitioner with over 30 years of experience, trained at Bastyr University’s Bellevue Massage School. His work blends therapeutic bodywork, somatic IFS, and creative expression to help clients reconnect with their inner world through the body.

A Level 2 IFS practitioner and certified Grief Educator, Mark’s approach integrates touch, presence, and imagination — guiding clients to meet their parts with curiosity and compassion. He’s also the founder of Kiwuppet Studios, where he designs and performs puppets that bring emotional worlds to life.

Connect with Mark:

Email: [email protected] | [email protected]

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

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Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast?

Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

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Fresh from the 2025 IFS Conference and in celebration of the podcast's 100th episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow IFS enthusiast, Tammy Sollenberger, for a lively and heartfelt debrief. In true synchronicity, we somehow kept signing up for the same seminars—without ever comparing notes beforehand. We talk about our parts, our paths, and maybe a touch of destiny.

Tammy opens up about what it’s like to be an “IFS celebrity” (yes, we said it!) and the part of her that found it difficult to fully surrender as a participant in sessions while being so publicly known in the community. I share about my socially anxious parts and how they showed up throughout the conference, and together we explore how our systems reacted to the intensity, the beauty, and the vulnerability of being surrounded by hundreds of other parts and protectors in one big IFS field.

I also share some clairvoyant messages that came through for both of us — intuitive nudges about healing, alignment, and the unexpected ways our friendship continues to unfold inside and outside the IFS community.

This episode is a blend of reflection, laughter, emotional honesty, and gentle self-discovery — just what you’d expect from two friends who speak IFS fluently and love exploring the edges between psychology and soul.

How we kept accidentally attending all the same IFS conference seminars

Tammy’s experience of being an “IFS celebrity” and the protector that kept her from full vulnerability as a participant

My socially anxious parts and how they showed up in crowded conference spaces

The parts of us that got activated during the conference — and how we worked with them

Our individual experiences as presenters

Tammy’s real-time vulnerability: sharing about her romantic breakup in her presentation and how her system responded

Clairvoyant messages and intuitive insights that came through for both of us

Takeaways, integration, and how the IFS model continues to deepen our friendships and inner awareness

Tammy Sollenberger is an author, podcaster, and psychotherapist. She’s a Certified IFS Therapist and Consultant who loves helping people new to IFS discover their Authentic Self. Tammy co-authored a chapter on the Enneagram and IFS with Joan Ryan in the book Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends. She’s also the author of The One Inside: Thirty Days to Your Authentic Self, and the host and producer of the popular weekly podcast, “The One Inside.”

Tammy has a part who always wishes she were reading on a sunny beach ☀️

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

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Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast?

Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*

In this episode, I sit down with one of my IFS mentors Chris Burris, LMFT, Senior Lead Trainer for the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Institute, to explore one of the most challenging and misunderstood aspects of our inner world: the inner critic.

Chris shares his personal journey with IFS and how the model offers a radical permission to approach ourselves—and our parts—with more love, kindness, and curiosity. Together, we discuss:

Why people are more than the behavior of their parts

The nature of inner critic parts and why pushing them away doesn’t work

How cultural messages often teach us to fight or silence the inner critic, rather than befriend it

Common “suck points” when working with critics in therapy

The role of legacy burdens in shaping our inner critics

What it means to carry the critical energy of others inside us

The importance of following intuition in the healing process

Practical exercises to begin befriending your inner critic on your own

This conversation is both grounding and liberating, offering a compassionate reframe for anyone who struggles with self-judgment or harsh inner voices.

Chris Burris, M.Ed., LCMHCS, LMFT (he/him), is a Senior Lead Trainer for the Internal Family Systems Institute, providing Level II and III trainings worldwide. He has been an IFS Therapist since 1999 and a practicing psychotherapist since 1987. With a background in marriage and family therapy and a mind-body approach, Chris has worked extensively with individuals, couples, families, and groups.

He is the author of Creating Healing Circles: Using the Internal Family Systems Model in Facilitating Groups, and has been leading experiential group trainings since 2003 on topics such as Self-leadership, men’s work, rites of passage, sacred activism, healthy relationships, and performance enhancement. Chris has also trained in nature-based models through the Animus Valley Institute, School of Lost Borders, The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and The Center for Conscious Eldering.

Internal Family Systems Institute: burriscounseling.com

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

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Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast?

Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*

My guest today is Jenny Hayo (she/her)—teacher, guide, and practitioner of wisdom traditions for over 25 years—to explore the living, breathing experience of Self-energy and how it shapes our inner and outer worlds.

Together, we dive into:

What it means to embody Self-energy instead of holding it as just an idea.

The many ways people describe Self-energy, and how language can both help and limit us.

A playful, unexpected moment when an otter appeared, bringing laughter into our conversation.

What we are actually embodying when we talk about “being in Self.”

The practice of interoception—tuning into the body’s signals and sensations.

The difference between listening to the body and having an agenda for it.

How Self can be both a deeply spiritual and beautifully ordinary experience.

Ways to discover what your unique Self-energy feels like.

The heart as a powerful portal into Self-energy.

A simple practice Jenny shares for cultivating embodiment and accessing Self-energy in daily life.

Jenny Hayo has practiced and taught in the wisdom traditions for over 25 years. She synthesizes her decades of consciousness studies, meditation, and embodiment-centered practices to support students along the path of awakening. Her work is informed by Hindu philosophy, classical yoga, tantric Buddhism, and various somatic modalities. Jenny is certified in Hakomi, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and as a Yoga Therapist. Her understanding of the subtle body—and the importance of our relationship with it—lies at the heart of her work.

Jenny teaches public workshops, trainings, retreats, and offers individual coaching for students on the spiritual journey. She is deeply committed to creating a world of wakefulness and liberation for all.

Connect with Jenny Hayo:

Tune in and join us as we explore how to embody Self-energy—not as a concept, but as a lived, heart-centered experience!

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

_____________________________

Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast? Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*

In this episode I sit down with Heather Smith—Certified IFS therapist and founder of The Moxie School®—to explore the profound intersection of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and psychedelic-assisted healing.

Heather shares her deeply personal path into both IFS and psychedelics, sparked by a lifelong inquiry: How do people truly heal? Together, we dive into the ways psychedelic experiences can deepen parts work, the essential role of Self-energy in lasting transformation, and why healing doesn’t come from the medicine—but from within.

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We Explore:

Heather’s journey into IFS and expanded states of consciousness

The deep synergy between IFS and psychedelics

How MDMA can amplify Self-energy

The power of witnessing parts in altered states

Why preparation is non-negotiable before a medicine journey

The consequences of skipping the prep and integration process

The role of the IFS Self-led guide in enhancing psychedelic journeys

What “integration” really means—and why it’s the completion, not the afterthought

The myth that the medicine does the healing (hint: it’s your Self that does)

Whether you’re a seasoned guide or curious about combining inner parts work with psychedelic tools, this episode is a must-listen.

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Heather Smith is a visionary in the field of psychedelic healing, uniquely bridging Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with expanded states of consciousness. A Certified IFS therapist (Levels 1–3) and frequent Program Assistant, Heather is the founder of The Moxie School®, where she trains facilitators in IFS-informed psychedelic support.

Through immersive retreats and training programs, Heather empowers others to deepen their self-leadership, refine their facilitation skills, and embody the healing work at the deepest level.

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🌐 Visit Heather’s work: www.moxieschool.com

✨ New Offering: How To Journey – An IFS-Informed, Self-Guided Experience

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

_____________________________

Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast? Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*

What happens when Internal Family Systems meets the mystical? In this episode I’m joined once again by therapist, teacher, and spiritual guide Chris Hancock to explore Transpersonal Internal Family Systems (T-IFS)—a sacred weaving of parts work with direct connection to the Divine.

Together, we explore how T-IFS opens portals to higher realms of healing, the many expressions of Divine love and light, and how spiritual beings—including Mother Mary and Isis—can participate in unburdenings and transformation. Chris also shares his process of spiritual awakening and the path that led him to co-create this multidimensional form of healing. I share my own powerful T-IFS session with Chris, including an emotional message received from Mother Mary that brought me to tears.

This episode is a testament to what becomes possible when we listen deeply, surrender, and allow Love itself to lead the way.

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What is Transpersonal IFS and how it evolved

The many expressions of the Divine and how they show up in healing

How Chris integrates higher realms into unburdenings

Stories from powerful T-IFS sessions, including guides, ancestors, and angelic presences

Parts that block access to the Divine and how to gently be with them

My personal experience with Mother Mary and Isis during a T-IFS session

The emotional and sacred message Chris received from Mother Mary the day after our session.

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Chris Hancock, LCSW, ACMHP is a licensed therapist with over 26 years of experience and the heart behind Therapy Outside the Box, based in Nashville, TN. His journey through burnout, mystical awakening, and surrender to Divine guidance led him to develop a unique healing modality known as Transpersonal IFS (T-IFS)—a powerful blend of IFS, spiritual gnosis, and multidimensional light transmission.

Chris works in direct relationship with Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine archetypes and is a devoted channel of Mother Mary, offering deeply sacred healing experiences that are grounded in love, unity, and soul remembrance.

Website: www.therapyoutsidethebox.com

Instagram: @therapyoutsidethebox

Phone: 615.430.2778

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

_____________________________

Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast? Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*

What if our inner parts weren’t just fragments of the psyche—but vessels designed to receive divine love?

My guests today are Chelsea Odhner, Robert Falconer, and Jonathan S. Rose—co-authors of the new book Opening the Inner World: Spiritual Healing, Internal Family Systems, and Emanuel Swedenborg. Together, we explore the playful spirit that brought this project to life and the profound insights that emerged at the intersection of IFS therapy and Swedenborgian spirituality.

We discuss Swedenborg’s life and legacy, the idea of spiritual awakening as universally accessible, and how our parts—when burdened—can block access to divine inflow. The authors share how Swedenborg’s theology aligns with the IFS model, especially around the belief that healing comes from within, through dialogue, compassion, and connection to something greater.

This episode is a heartfelt, curious, and spiritually charged invitation to see your inner world not as a problem to fix—but as a sacred system ready to be witnessed, healed, and loved.

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✨ The joy and creativity behind writing Opening the Inner World

Chelsea Rose Odhner is a lifelong student of Swedenborg’s teachings, an IFS practitioner and coach, and the current Vice President of Publishing at the Swedenborg Foundation. Her work weaves theology, embodiment, and healing into a compassionate, grounded practice of spiritual development.

Robert Falconer is a globally respected IFS educator and author of Many Minds, One Self and The Others Within Us. His work explores the porous nature of the psyche and the sacredness of all parts—especially those that carry burdens from beyond the self.

Jonathan S. Rose, Ph.D., is a renowned Swedenborgian scholar and translator. As the Series Editor of the New Century Edition of Swedenborg’s works, he’s dedicated his life to making Swedenborg’s ideas accessible and actionable for modern spiritual seekers.

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Opening the Inner World: Spiritual Healing, Internal Family Systems, and Emanuel Swedenborg

Chelsea is honored to be facilitating an in-person retreat hosted by the Swedenborg Foundation this summer:

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This Episode is Sponsored by:

Heart of Caldera IFS & Wellness: 

Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

_____________________________

Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast? Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*

What if your insomnia isn't a problem to fix, but a part of you that needs your attention?

In this insightful and compassionate conversation, I’m joined by somatic IFS and leadership coach Katie LaCelle to explore the deep connection between sleeplessness and our inner system. Katie shares her personal journey with chronic insomnia and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) offered a radically different way of relating to wakefulness—one that invites curiosity, compassion, and presence.

Together, we explore how insomnia can be understood through the lens of parts work, what happens when protector parts activate at night, and why asking “Who’s awake?” might be more helpful than trying to fall back asleep. Katie also offers grounded techniques and nervous system tools to support better sleep—not by overriding parts, but by listening to them.

Whether you struggle with occasional restlessness or chronic insomnia, this episode offers powerful insights into how we can meet our sleepless parts with kindness—and finally begin to rest.

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We Explore:

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About Katie LaCelle:

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Learn More & Connect with Katie:

Tune in for a gentle, eye-opening conversation on what it really means to rest—and how befriending our sleepless parts might be the first step.

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

_____________________________

Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast? Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*

What happens when a couple says “yes” to deep healing together—guided by MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and parts work?

In this soulful and honest conversation, I’m joined by Steph and Craig, co-hosts of The Steph & Craig Show, to explore their transformative journeys with MDMA-assisted therapy through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Together, we talk about what it’s like to prepare for these powerful sessions, working with the parts that hold fear or doubt, and what can unfold when you surrender to the healing process.

Steph and Craig open up about their unique experiences—both as individuals and as a couple. Craig describes a peaceful, heart-opening session, while Steph shares a more challenging journey that offered deep insight and emotional release. We also discuss the phenomenon of “redo” experiences—moments when the body and psyche reprocess past events in a new, healing way.

Whether you're curious about MDMA therapy, IFS, or simply how couples can grow together through conscious exploration, this episode offers powerful takeaways about trust, safety, and self-discovery.

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Topics We Discuss:

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About Steph & Craig:

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Connect with Steph & Craig:

🎧 Tune in for an honest, intimate look at what happens when healing gets real—and you choose to walk the path together.

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

_____________________________

Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast? Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*

In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with my brother, Sam Deering, to explore the layered journey of identity—how it forms, evolves, fractures, and heals over a lifetime.

Sam shares openly about his search for belonging through many identities. We dive into big questions like Who am I? and Where do I belong?, weaving in the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) to understand how parts of ourselves are shaped by survival, societal pressures, and the deep human need for connection.

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We explore:

What identity really means, and why it matters

How society pressures us to exile parts of who we are

The desperate human need for belonging and connection

Sam’s identity journey

How anger became a tool for survival and expression as a man

Lessons the military taught him about values, boundaries, and self-trust

Using creativity and boundaries to channel identity healthily

How Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy sheds light on identity fragmentation and healing

The power of acceptance, kindness, and making space for mistakes

Why diversifying your identity is essential for resilience and wholeness

Sam speaks with honesty, humor, and hard-won wisdom about how belonging isn't something we find "out there"—it's something we reclaim inside ourselves, one part at a time.

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About Sam Deering

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Connect with Sam & See His Work:

Tune in now for a conversation that’s honest, soulful, and full of insight about belonging, becoming, and the courage it takes to live as your whole self.

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Want to work with Natalie? Contact her below

Website: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/

Contact: https://www.ndwellnessservices.com/contact 

Instagram: @nataliedeering

_____________________________

Donate to the podcast Here! 

Interested in sponsoring an episode of the podcast? Upgrade your business and let more people know about your amazing services or products by reaching hundreds to thousands of people by sponsoring an episode for only $100!  Please email [email protected] for more information.  Thank you for the support! 

*Please support the podcast by following, rating, and leaving a review*