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Join co-host Sue Marriott and Dr. Shena Young as they dive into liberation psychology and the conflict between intuition and the traditional European model of psychology. Dr. Shena highlights embodying a holistic approach to help heal traumas and deeply root us in our most authentic selves. Whether through connections with nature or the exploration of ancestral traditions, this discussion is enriched with various opportunities to reconnect and liberate our mind, body, heart, and spirit.

About our Guest – Dr. Shena Young (She/Her)

Time Stamps for Embodying Liberation Psychology

1:30 – Dr. Shena’s journey with liberation psychology and decolonization

7:25 – Dr. Shena’s early life and intuition

9:48 – Body language is one of our first languages

18:58 – Understanding the pillars of authenticity

20:52 – Embracing the mind, body, heart, spirit approach

28:21 – Unlearning scarcity and expecting abundance

33:29 – Thinking of currency as seeds

41:37 – New interests in ancient traditions

44:11 – What the act of grounding may look like

51:45 – The decriminalization of psychedelic plant medicines

56:30 – There is power in practicing choice

1:05:01 – Impact of The Color Purple

Resources for today’s episode – Embodying Liberation Psychology

EmbodiedTruthHealing.com – Dr. Shena’s website

Healing Opportunities with Dr. Shena

@EmbodiedTruthHealing – Dr. Shena’s Instagram

Invest in healing programs for BIPOC

Dr. Clenora Hudson-Weems website – Where Dr. Shena first learned about Africana Womanist theory

Body Rites – Dr. Shena’s book. Get your copy!!

Whether it’s your first time in therapy or your fiftieth, Grow makes it easier to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit GrowTherapy.com/TU today to get started. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan.

Join Sue Marriott and Dr. Sean Inderbitzen – an autistic psychotherapist and advocate for neurodiversity – as he shares his powerful personal and professional journey in understanding autism. Together, they explore the evolution of autism diagnosis, the intersections between attachment and neurodivergence, and how polyvagal theory can both illuminate and complicate the autistic experience. Dr. Inderbitzen offers insights on self-diagnosis, identity formation, and what truly person-centered therapy looks like for autistic individuals. This conversation highlights the central role of trust, safety, and authentic connection in helping neurodivergent clients thrive.

Time Stamps for Autism in Polyvagal Terms with Dr. Sean Inderbitzen (283)

01:43 Understanding Autism: A personal journey
03:38 Defining Autism: Perspectives and misconceptions
07:11 The evolution of autism diagnosis
11:31 The debate on ‘disorder’ in autism
24:59 Neuroaffirming Therapy: What does it mean?
31:21 Heart rate variability and autism
37:27 Understanding attachment and autism
41:24 The complexity of autism and parenting
44:09 Navigating the ethical quandaries in autism care
57:28 Upcoming events and future works

About our Guest – Sean M. Inderbitzen, DSW, LCSW

Sean M. Inderbitzen, DSW, LCSW, an autistic psychotherapist and researcher through Mayo Clinic Health System. He regularly trains healthcare professionals to be more confident when working with people on the spectrum.

Resources for Autism in Polyvagal Terms with Dr. Sean Inderbitzen (283)

Autism in Polyvagal Terms: New Possibilities and Interventions – Get your copy of his book, here!!

Information, resources, books & more!

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – Next one is November 14th!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

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Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

Whether it’s your first time in therapy or your fiftieth, Grow makes it easier to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit GrowTherapy.com/TU today to get started. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan.

Image: The Project Twins – Art from the Braver Angels, Seattle

Dr. Ann Kelley sits down with Dr. Bill Doherty to explore the idea of “Citizen Therapists” and how therapists — and all of us — can help bridge divides in a polarized world. Together, they dive into discernment counseling for couples on the brink of divorce, the groundbreaking work of Braver Angels in fostering dialogue across political differences, and the skills we all need for hard but healing conversations. This conversation highlights the power of curiosity, respectful boundaries, and understanding – whether in our closest relationships or across society.

Time Stamps for Saving Relationships in a Polarized World: Bill Doherty on Citizen Therapists & Political Healing (281)

08:14 Exploring political divides in relationships
10:58 Braver Angels: Bridging political divides
13:29 The Fishbowl method: Creating safe spaces for dialogue
19:00 Values over policies: Finding common ground
29:13 Boundaries in political conversations
32:43 Understanding political views through stories
37:44 Desire for connection vs. differentiation
44:24 Bringing therapeutic skills to public discourse
51:08 Access to affordable healthcare
01:00:37 Managing family dynamics
01:07:00 Becoming a citizen therapist

About our Guest – Dr. William J. Doherty

Bill Doherty is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. As a therapist, he focuses on couples on the brink of divorce and on political stress in relationships. He has authored 14 books for professionals and the public. Following the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, he co-founded Braver Angels, a citizen initiative bringing conservatives and liberals together to counteract political polarization and restore the fraying social fabric in American society. Bill is the chief designer of the Braver Angels workshops and has conducted sessions all over the country, including for corporations, state legislatures, and the Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress. Braver Angels now has volunteers working in all 50 states. Among his awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Family Therapy Academy.

Resources for Saving Relationships in a Polarized World: Bill Doherty on Citizen Therapists & Political Healing (281)

Braver Angels – Website and resources leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement

“Becoming a Citizen Therapist: Integrating Community Problem-Solving Into Your Work as a Healer” – Purchase your copy by William J. Doherty and Tai J. Mendenhall

Enjoying this episode? Check out these other similar TU episodes!

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Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited!

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

This is a sneak peek of our episode with Dr. Diana Hill – available only on our Premium Supercast and Patreon platforms. For as little as $5/month you can have access to special releases like this one, first-to-know about upcoming events and discounts and an ad-free feed.

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Ann Kelley and Diana Hill dive into the concept of wise effort and its impact on how we manage our energy in both personal and professional life. They explore the difference between life force energy and anxiety, the role of emotional sensitivity, and why community resilience matters. Diana shares insights on how to wisely channel your “genius energy,” break free from stuck patterns, and cultivate compassionate connections that support growth and balance.

Time Stamps for Bonus – Harnessing “Genius Energy”: The Art of Wise Effort for Growth with Dr. Diana Hill (280)

09:54 Distinguishing life force from anxiety
19:12 Channeling “genius energy” wisely
26:36 Recognizing stuck energy patterns
34:50 Compassion and common humanity
37:01 Co-regulation and wise-energy use
48:22 Harnessing “genius energy” for change

About our Guest – Dr. Diana Hill

Diana Hill, Ph.D. is a modern psychologist, international trainer, and a leading expert on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion. Drawing from the most current psychological research and contemplative practices, Diana bridges science with real-life application to help organizations and individuals develop psychological flexibility so that they can grow fulfilling and impactful lives. She is the host of the Wise Effort podcast and author of four books including Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, I Know I Should Exercise, But…: 44 Reasons We Don’t Move and How to Get Over Them, The Self-Compassion Daily Journal, and ACT Daily Journal. She has been featured on NPR, Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, and numerous other media channels. She lives in Santa Barbara, California.

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Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

• Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout
• Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s

Benjamin Fry, a psychotherapist and founder of Khiron Clinics, joins Sue Marriott to discuss his personal experience with trauma and how it influenced his therapeutic work. He talks about building his clinic and exploring innovative approaches like EMDR and somatic experiencing, which led him to help develop the PhysioCam—a technology that allows clients to see their nervous system responses in real time. As mental health treatment continues to evolve with new technologies, Benjamin and Sue explore how education and better access to care can support healing and offer hope to those who need it.

Time Stamps for Where Entrepreneurship Meets Therapy: Introducing PhysioCam with Benjamin Fry (279)

04:22 Benjamin’s personal journey and early life
13:26 Discussing trauma treatment in America
17:37 Establishing the clinic and innovative therapies
21:50 The necessary evolution of trauma treatment
38:51 Introducing PhysioCam: A new tool in therapy
49:15 The importance of psychoeducation
54:44 Khiron clinics and The Invisible Lion

About our Guest – Benjamin Fry, Psychotherapist, Author and Entrepreneur

Benjamin is the founder of Khiron Clinics, one of the world’s leading residential trauma-treatment centres, and Televagal, an innovative mental health technology platform. An accredited psychotherapist, couples therapist, speaker, author, and entrepreneur, he has written four books, including The Invisible Lion: How to Tame your Nervous System and Heal your Trauma. With a diverse career spanning psychology, media, and business, Benjamin read Physics and Philosophy at Oxford University and then did an MFA in Film Production at USC, directing a feature-length film distributed by HBO and Paramount. He later went on to set up various enterprises in the hospitality industry before completing an MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s College and an Executive MBA from Oxford University. His first book led to his role as the expert psychotherapist on the BBC series Spendaholics. Benjamin speaks at mental health conferences worldwide, raising awareness of the effectiveness of nervous system-based therapies for treating trauma. He also delivers workshops to help people optimize and heal their relationships through trauma-informe practices and education.

Resources for Where Entrepreneurship Meets Therapy: Introducing PhysioCam with Benjamin Fry (279)

Khiron Clinics – Benjamin’s global trauma recovery center, information & resources

The Invisible Lion – Bejnamin’s recent book on taming your nervous system and healing trauma

Televagal – PhysioCam transforms your telehealth sessions into a powerful window into your client’s nervous system

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – Next Q&A September 5th!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited!

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!