Episode Summary: On today's episode I welcome back to the podcast Dick Schwartz, founder of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. We had such an important conversation that I'm excited to share with you. 

We begin remembering Derek Scott, who passed in February. Dick offers new details on the rupture and repair of their professional relationship over the years, and reflects on the moving final session they shared weeks before Derek's passing. (If you haven't watched the video yet, I highly recommend you do -- it's beautiful). Dick opened up about his concerns and the challenges of maintaining the integrity and safety of the IFS model while balancing the high demand for trainings. He also discussed his personal journey of integrating spirituality more into his writing and work. Dick shared his vision for the future of IFS, including continuing to expand its reach beyond traditional therapy and into leadership, education, politics, and articifical intelligence (AI). We ended on a fun and sweet note: he reminisced about meeting his wife, Jeanne, and the beginning of their relationship. 

Key Takeaways:

• Derek Scott's passion for making IFS accessible left a lasting legacy.
• IFS continues expanding into non-clinical domains, including leadership training, educational systems, and AI-driven tools 
• How to maintain the "do no harm" ethos of IFS as it grows and evolves
• The difficult decision to tighten IFS training admissions requirements 
• Plans for brinigng IFS more into the public domain
• Dick discusses the potential of IFS to address legacy burdens collectively, envisioning a broader cultural impact.
• Spirituality in IFS: helping individuals connect to guides and Self Energy in deeper ways.
• Dick plans to be much more explicit about IFS in areas like spirituatlity and psychedlics
• The IFS model's potential to transform individuals and society--a ripple effect
• His version of the first meeting and long-distance courtship with his wife Jeanne (her version is here) 

Favorite Quote: "How often do you get a chance to help somebody you care about transition like that?" – Dick Schwartz

About Dr. Richard "Dick" Schwartz: Dick Schwartz is the founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS), a groundbreaking therapeutic model. He continues to innovate and expand the reach of IFS, working with leaders, educators, and therapists to bring its healing potential to a broader audience.

Episode Sponsor: Michelle Glass and the Daily Part Meditation Practice®: a Journey of Embodied Integration for Clients and Therapists

_______________________________________________________________________________

Check out our new merch at The One Inside store

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

On today's episode I speak with my friend and fellow podcaster Dr. Peter Malinoski, a clinical psychologist, IFS Level 3-trained practitioner, and co-founder of Souls and Hearts. Peter shares his journey of integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) with his Catholic faith, and building bridges between these two communities through his work with the Resilient Catholics Community and his Interior Integration for Catholics podcast channel on YouTube

We talk about understanding parts, healing attachment wounds, and embracing love. At around 26 minutes in Peter offers a wonderful experiential exercise/meditation where he invites you to go inside and connect with your parts to understand their assumptions, experiences, and beliefs around love. 

Key Takeaways:

• IFS provides a powerful healing framework that integrates beautifully with Catholic spirituality.
• Why is it often so difficult for parts to feel safe being loved or offering love?
• Protectors can play critical roles in bridging internal and external relationships when approached with curiosity and respect.
• Healing relational wounds begins with internal harmony—inviting all parts to participate in Self-Led love.
• Self Energy serves as a secure base for engaging with exiles, protectors, and divine connection.

About Dr. Peter Malinoski: Dr. Peter Malinoski is a clinical psychologist, IFS Level 3-trained practitioner, and co-founder of Souls and Hearts, a platform dedicated to integrating the best of psychology and Catholicism. He also hosts the Interior Integration for Catholics podcast and leads the Resilient Catholics Community, helping others navigate faith and mental health with depth and compassion.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

On today's episode I chat with Mel Galbraith, Chief Operating Officer of IFSCA (Internal Family Systems Counselling Association), to discuss her journey of grief, leadership, and transformation following the passing of Derek Scott, founder of IFSCA. Mel shares deeply personal stories about her connection with Derek, the legacy he left behind, and how stepping into a leadership role has shaped her life and relationship with her parts.

Our conversation touches on the complexities of grief and the ways IFS has been instrumental in navigating Mel's professional and personal challenges. She also discusses exciting new initiatives at IFSCA, including advanced courses and community connection opportunities, ensuring Derek’s vision continues.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief often reveals deep attachment wounds, serving as a trailhead for healing and growth.
• Leadership through a Self-Led lens involves embracing imperfection, authenticity, and connection with all our parts.
• How can grief and loss act as a catalyst for personal transformation and deeper connection to Self?
• IFSCA’s new offerings like Stepping Deeper and Demo Days
• Authentic connection and shared passions can create profound bonds

Mentioned in this episode:

For more information about IIFSCA and to sign up for the IFSCA newsletter

The demo with Rick Kahler and Mel: Full Demo. Internal Financial Systems. IFS + Money Parts.

Photo of Zoomer and Tom

About Mel Galbraith: Mel Galbraith, MSW, RSW, is a Certified IFS Therapist and Chief Operating Officer of IFSCA (IFS Counselling Association), a leadership role she inherited from the late Derek Scott. With a deep commitment to community and IFS education, Mel continues to build on Derek’s vision while navigating her own journey of grief and transformation.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

In this episode I chat with Jeanne Catanzaro, an IFS therapist, educator, and author of Unburdened Eating: Healing Relationships with Food and Body. We talk diet culture, internal critics, and the societal pressure to view our bodies as projects. Legacy burdens, cultural messaging, and our protectors shape our relationship with food and body image. Jeanne explains how healing these parts with IFS can lead to a more compassionate and Self-Led approach to eating and wellbeing. 

Key Takeaways:

• Diet culture is deeply rooted in legacy burdens; how can we begin to unburden parts influenced by societal expectations?
• Many of us start the day with critical voices driving us—learning to identify and soothe these critics is a key first step.
• Healing our relationship with food begins with curiosity, not judgment.
• Self-led eating involves negotiating with parts and focusing on what your body needs in the present moment.
• Unburdened eating is not a diet—it’s about building trust with our parts and moving away from perfectionism.

About Jeanne Catanzaro: Jeanne Catanzaro is an IFS therapist, educator, and author specializing in helping individuals heal their relationships with food and body. Her new book, Unburdened Eating: Healing Relationships with Food and Body, offers a compassionate guide to transforming these dynamics through an Internal Family Systems lens. In addition to her role in helping to lead the IFS Institute, she offers workshops and retreats on Unburdened Eating and IFS.  www.jeannecatanzaro.com

 

Thank you to Pisgah Coaching Institute for sponsoring this episode.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

In this episode I chat with Michelle Glass, a certified IFS practitioner, licensed psilocybin facilitator, and author of Daily Parts Meditation Practice®. We dive into the fascinating intersection of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Michelle shares her expertise in using IFS as a framework for understanding and navigating non-ordinary states of consciousness, both with and without psychedelics.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Non-ordinary states are accessible both through IFS and psychedelic therapy, providing deeper connections to our inner world.
• IFS creates a natural "roadmap" for working with protectors, exiles, and self-energy, making it an ideal companion for psychedelic journeys.
• Gaining permission from protectors is essential before engaging in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Psychedelics can act as a "key" to unlocking deeper Self Energy and facilitating healing.
• Grief and legacy burdens often emerge as trailheads in both IFS and psychedelic journeys, opening opportunities for healing.
• Integration is crucial after any journey—checking in with parts regularly helps sustain the benefits and deepen the healing process.

Favorite Quote: “IFS provides for natural healing, so it can provide that transformation of the wounds, of our exiles, the burdens, and the shifting of roles of protectors." – Michelle Glass​.

About Michelle Glass: Michelle Glass is a Level 3 IFS practitioner, licensed psilocybin facilitator, and author of Daily Parts Meditation Practice: A Journey of Embodied Integration for Clients and Therapists®. She combines her expertise in IFS and psychedelics to help individuals navigate deep healing experiences safely and effectively. Find out more about Michelle here.

Thank you to Pisgah Coaching Institute for sponsoring this episode.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

Episode Summary: In this episode I chat with Cece Sykes, an IFS lead trainer and author, about an experience many of us share: compassion fatigue and burnout. More than just feeling tired, burnout shows up as depletion of energy, hope, and satisfaction, affecting our internal and external systems.

We explore how our protectors keep us going, while our firefighters might lead us to distractions that don’t truly nourish us. We also discuss how burnout builds up over time, the role of chronic stress, and why it’s so important to listen to the signals our parts are sending. 

For a deeper dive on the topic of burnout and compassion fatigue, Cece is teaching a workshop through Life Architect December 5 and 6, 2024 called  An IFS Lens on Therapist Burnout.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout isn’t just about doing too much; it’s about the chronic depletion of our internal resources.
• Protectors often keep us in overdrive, while firefighters offer temporary relief that doesn’t actually restore us.
• How can we better support our parts before they reach the point of burnout?
• True self-care goes beyond surface-level practices; it’s about understanding where our energy is going and making choices aligned with our values.
• Creating boundaries and allowing ourselves to rest can help break the cycle of overwork and exhaustion.

Favorite Quote: "Burnout is depletion—it’s the depletion of energy, of hope, of peace of mind, and of satisfaction." – Cece Sykes

About Cece Sykes: Cece Sykes, LCSW, is an IFS Senior Trainer, therapist, speaker, and author known for her expertise in working with complex trauma and addiction. Her book: IFS Therapy for Addictions: Trauma Informed Compassion-Based Interventions for Substances, Eating, Gambling and More

Thank you to Life Architect for sponsoring this episode.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

Enjoy this bonus meditation by Natalie Thomas called Tree As Self. Be sure to check out the full episode (# 180) with Natalie, Ecotherapy: Finding Self in Nature. 

Dr. Natalie Thomas is a psychotherapist and philosopher specializing in climate distress and ecological grief. 

Learn more:

• Climate Cafes 

• Natalie’s article in Parts & Self magazine

• Natalie's website

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy: Tammy Sollenberger (@ifs.tammy) • Instagram photos and videos and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

In this episode I chat with Kresta Dalrymple, a licensed marriage and family therapist, IFS Level 1 therapist, and certified brainspotting practitioner specializing in complex trauma and misophonia.

Misophonia, a strong aversion to specific sounds, can trigger intense fight-or-flight responses, including rage and physical pain. Kresta shares her personal journey with the misophonia and how it led her to create the Misophonia Freedom Lab, a space for exploring treatment and educating others on this often misunderstood condition.

She shares how Internal Family Systems (IFS) has been transformative in helping clients uncover the root of their misophonic triggers, often linked to legacy burdens or childhood trauma. We discuss the importance of attuning to protective parts, understanding the deep-seated pain behind triggers, and using IFS as a non-pathologizing framework for healing.

Key Takeaways:

• Misophonia isn’t just an aversion to sound; it’s a complex trauma response rooted in the nervous system.
• Using IFS as a trailhead can uncover deeper parts burdened by past trauma, leading to more effective healing.
• Rage responses in misophonia are often protective parts trying to guard against pain; understanding them can foster compassion and relief.
• "When we turn towards our triggers with curiosity rather than avoidance, we open up a path to healing."
• How can we view misophonia not as a disorder, but as an invitation to explore deeper, unprocessed trauma?
• Legacy burdens and inherited sensitivity can play a significant role in misophonia; IFS provides a framework for unpacking these connections.

Favorite Quote: "I like to think of misophonia as a really powerful trailhead. When we use it as a trailhead, we often find parts of us that have been forgotten, that are hurting, and that need attention. As we start to unburden those parts, the misophonia triggers get less and less."​ – Kresta Dalrymple

About Kresta Dalrymple: Kresta Dalrymple is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in complex trauma, brainspotting, and misophonia. She is the founder of the Misophonia Freedom Lab, dedicated to educating therapists and providing a trauma-informed approach to misophonia treatment. https://www.misophoniafreedomlab.com/

Links: -to "love letter to rage": https://www.misophoniafreedomlab.com/post/a-love-letter-to-rage-you-were-so-misunderstood-i-m-sorry   - to an episode on Misophonia on "The Heart Centered Therapist" where she talk about parts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-free-from-misophonia-embracing-compassion/id1660648538?i=1000621744232

- to her episodes on "The Misophonnia Podcast": https://www.misophoniapodcast.com/episodes/s6e33-kresta-lmft-part-2   - on Misophonia and HSP Trait:

https://www.misophoniapodcast.com/episodes/s7e29-kresta-lmft-2024-edition

_______________________________________________________________________________

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

Episode Summary: On today’s episode I chat with Jory Agate, IFS trainer, Approved IFS Clinical Consultant, and IFS Certified Therapist. We explore two of Jory’s favorite topics and areas of expertise: rupture and repair, and grief. She will be offering a two-day workshop on grief through Life Architect in November 15 and 16 called IFS is Grief Work: Healing Unattended Losses.

Key Takeaways:

• Rupture and repair are natural parts of all relationships 

• IFS offers a path to engage with parts that arise during conflict

• Repair involves accountability and listening rather than just apologizing

• The importance of centering the impacted person’s needs in the repair process

• Grief work is a core component of IFS

• Self does not get overwhelmed; it can be with anything

• How can we hold space for our grief without feeling overwhelmed?

• "When we can acknowledge our exiles and help protectors relax, we open the door to real healing."

• Grieving unmet needs or past hurts allows us to unburden exiles and foster self-compassion.

My Favorite Quote: "Rupture is inevitable, but repair is a choice that builds stronger relationships. When we show up with self-energy, we’re more likely to meet others’ self-energy in return." – Jory Agate

About Jory Agate: Jory Agate is a certified IFS trainer and therapist based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With a background in parish ministry, Jory brings her commitment to healing, relationships, and community into her IFS practice and teaching.

Episode Sponsor: Life Architect

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at [email protected]

Tamala Floyd leads us on a beautiful healing mediation to help us connect with an ancestor. It's a clip from episode 177, "Listening When Parts Speak with Tamala Floyd."

Listen to the full episode here 

Tamala Floyd is a psychotherapist, author, IFS lead trainer, consultant, and retreat leader with over 25 years of experience. Her latest book, "Listening When Parts Speak: A Practical Guide to Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy and Ancestor Wisdom," focuses on healing personal and generational trauma. 

Watch video Clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube

Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger.

Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside Podcast. He is a writer, counselor, and IFS Level 1 practitioner.  

Are you new to IFS or want a simple way to get to know yourself? Tammy's book, "The One Inside: Thirty Days to your Authentic Self" is a PERFECT place to start. 

Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website

Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program.  

If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The One Inside Podcast, contact Tammy at [email protected]