Ep. 131 | Dana 2023 Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety

Ep. 133 | Aguirre 2025 A Flexible Mind

"A Flexible Mind: Tools for Integrating Psychological Flexibility and the Enneagram into Your Personal Growth" by E. Marcelo Aguirre integrates the teachings of the Enneagram of Personality with tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The book proposes that psychological flexibility—comprised of six core skills (present-moment awareness, cognitive defusion, acceptance, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action)—is essential for mental well-being. It explores how each of the nine Enneagram personality styles can apply these skills to overcome ego rigidity and live more authentically, in alignment with personal values. Ultimately, the text argues that personal growth is an ongoing journey of self-discovery and intentional action, where perseverance is key to transforming automatic patterns and building a purposeful life. (Get the ebook on Amazon stores).

Ep. 132 | McLaren 2013 The Art of Empathy

[Summary] Karla McLaren's book, “The Art of Empathy,” offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing empathy. McLaren explores the multifaceted nature of empathy, distinguishing between affective and cognitive empathy and emphasizing its importance in navigating personal relationships and social interactions. The text provides practical strategies for developing emotional awareness, regulating emotions, and setting healthy boundaries, particularly relevant for highly empathetic individuals prone to burnout. It also addresses misconceptions surrounding empathy, such as gender and neurological differences, and promotes the inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum. Finally, McLaren offers tools and exercises to enhance empathic skills, cultivate healthy relationships, and create supportive environments at home and in the workplace.

Ep. 131 | Dana 2023 Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety

[Summary] Deb Dana's “Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety” is a guide to understanding and utilizing Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory in daily life. The book uses the metaphor of an autonomic ladder—with ventral (safe), sympathetic (mobilized), and dorsal (collapsed) states—to explain how the nervous system responds to safety and danger. It offers various exercises, including mapping and continuum exercises, to increase awareness of one's autonomic state and build self-regulation skills. The ultimate goal is to strengthen connection to a ventral state of safety and foster healthier relationships with oneself and others. The text also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to the autonomic nervous system's continuous communication.

Ep. 130 | Earley 2016 Self-Therapy (Vol. 3)

[Summary] Jay Earley’s book, "Self-Therapy (Vol. 3): A Step-by-Step Guide to Using IFS for Eating Issues, Procrastination, the Inner Critic, Depression, Perfectionism, Anger, Communication, and More” provides a step-by-step guide to applying Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to common psychological issues like inner criticism, depression, perfectionism, and eating disorders. The text details IFS techniques, including unblending from parts (Inner Critic, Criticized Child, Inner Defender), healing exiles, and developing healthy capacities (Ease, Aliveness, Assertiveness). It uses case studies and exercises to illustrate how to identify and work with these parts and patterns. The author also explains the Pattern System, a model for understanding the relationships between different parts within a person. Finally, it highlights the importance of building a trusting relationship with all parts, including the challenging ones, to achieve lasting change.

Ep. 129 | Earley 2015 Self-Therapy (Vol. 2)

[Summary] Jay Earley’s book, "Self-Therapy (Vol. 2): A Step-By-Step Guide to Advanced Ifs Techniques for Working With Protectors” is a guide to advanced Internal Family Systems (IFS) techniques. It focuses on working with ‘protectors,’ specifically ‘managers’ and ‘firefighters,’ which are parts of the self that shield us from emotional pain. The text details methods for identifying, understanding, and transforming these protectors through techniques like tracking parts, depolarization dialogues, and updating protectors about one's current capabilities. The author also introduces the ‘Pattern System,’ a personality framework used to understand internal conflicts. Finally, the excerpt includes numerous exercises and case studies to illustrate these advanced IFS concepts and techniques.