The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) podcast

In today's episode, I chat with David Hoffman, a lawyer, mediator, and a founding member of Boston Law Collaborative. David was named "Lawyer of the Year" in Boston, and he even teaches at Harvard! I love how he's using IFS to help people with conflict. We talk about how IFS has shifted his focus from getting people to settle, to helping them make Self-led choices. We discuss: * How does a lawyer and mediator bring the language of parts into a legal setting? * What is the "reasonable reason" behind "unreasonable behavior" in conflict? * How can we make decisions from a place of "Self-led" wisdom rather than from our "gladiator parts?" * How can simply naming a part change the dynamic of a conversation? David shares an example of how saying "there's a greedy part" shifted a negotiation for the better. * How does the IFS model help us understand ambivalence and the "negotiation within" that happens before we even enter a conflict? "There's something we can do here to enable people to manage their conflicts more successfully and to be less fearful and less hateful in the world." —David Hoffman I absolutely loved getting to know David and I'm so glad he's bringing the IFS model to a new audience. He's also offering a new six-week IFS training for lawyers and mediators [https://ifs-institute.ce-go.com/self-led-lawyer] this fall through the IFS Institute with guest appearances by Dick Schwartz, Mke Elkin, and Fatimah Finney. Episode Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by the Internal Family Systems institute. Join renowned attorney and mediator David Hoffman for a six-week live workshop starting this October. Explore how the IFS model can support lawyers, mediators, and conflict professionals to lead with more clarity, compassion, and Self — with special guest appearances by Dick Schwartz, Mike Elkin, and Fatimah Finney, this program offers practical tools for navigating client engagement, negotiation, and ethical decision-making. Space is limited and live attendance is required. Learn more and register now at ifs-institute.com [http://ifs-institute.com/]. About David Hoffman David Hoffman [https://blc.law/team/david-hoffman/], a mediator, arbitrator, and founding member of Boston Law Collaborative, has been a leading voice in bringing the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model to the legal community since 2010. He holds Level One IFS training and has co-presented with IFS founder Dr. Richard Schwartz. A plenary speaker at the 2022 IFSI Conference, his work has been featured in the Harvard Negotiation Law Review, where he authored a seminal article on "Mediation, Multiple Minds, and Managing the Negotiation Within." In addition to his private practice, he serves as the John H. Watson, Jr. Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, where he integrates the IFS model into his courses. About The One Inside: Check out The One Inside Substack [https://theoneinside.substack.com] community to access all episodes, exclusive extended interviews, replays of live events, meditations, and more.  Find The One Inside Self-Led merch at The One Inside store [https://theoneinside.printful.me] Watch video clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFf8-G-esUznIEEeDd5TWUw] Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy [https://www.instagram.com/ifs.tammy/] and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger [https://www.facebook.com/theoneinsideIFS/]. Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside. He’s a writer and IFS Level 2 practitioner who helps therapists create with clarity and confidence. 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" [https://amzn.to/41WYrt5] 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 [https://tammysollenberger.com/] Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast.  To learn more about sponsorship opportunties on The One Inside Podcast, email Tammy [tammysollenberger@comcast.net]

On this week's episode, I welcome Bob Falconer, Chelsea Odhner, and Jonathan Rose, the co-authors of the new book, Opening the Inner World. We dive into what it means to be both spiritual and plural. If you've ever found yourself wondering how inner work and spiritual seeking overlap, this episode is for you. We explore: * What happens when we bring the language of parts into our spiritual lives? * Can the concept of "Self Energy" connect with notions of divine presence? * How does the idea of God resonate differently for various people and their inner parts? * How can IFS be a deeply spiritual path without becoming dogmatic? * What do we do when belief itself feels like a burden or triggers our inner system? Favorite Quotes: * “When people bring in a spiritual experience or a spiritual concept, I don’t want to assume that I know what that means for them.” —Bob Falconer * “Sometimes in spiritual direction, a part is the one that's praying. And that prayer needs to be honored and held and heard.” —Chelsea Odhner Find their book here: Opening the Inner World [https://swedenborg.com/product/opening-the-inner-world/]  Episode Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Pisgah Coaching Institute. Founded by IFS-trained master coach Brian Jaudon, a pioneer in the integration of IFS and coaching for more than two decades. Brian and his faculty teach a blended methodology for clarifying and living into a vision of any kind. Learn more at pisgahcoaching.com [https://pisgahcoaching.com/]. About the Guests: Chelsea Rose Odhner [https://locusofhealing.com/] is a lifelong student of Swedenborg’s teachings with extensive professional experience synthesizing his ideas. Combined with her work as a bodyworker, and an IFS practitioner and coach, Chelsea adds a unique and informed perspective to integrating IFS therapy with the system of the spiritual world that Swedenborg describes. Robert Falconer [https://robertfalconer.us/] is a dedicated therapist and teacher of the IFS model who has contributed significantly to the field through his research and writings. His work focuses on how our minds are not just multiple, but also porous. He brings this lens to IFS, especially in the context of trauma and spiritual experiences. Jonathan Rose is a scholar of Emanuel Swedenborg and Neo-Latin translator who has published extensively on Swedenborg’s theological and philosophical ideas. He serves as the Series Editor for the New Century Edition of Emanuel Swedenborg’s Theological Works. His expertise brings a deep spiritual dimension to the book, offering readers insights into concepts in Swedenborg’s spirituality that resonate with IFS. About The One Inside: Check out The One Inside Substack [https://theoneinside.substack.com] community to access all episodes, exclusive extended interviews, replays of live events, meditations, and more.  Find The One Inside Self-Led merch at The One Inside store [https://theoneinside.printful.me] Watch video clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFf8-G-esUznIEEeDd5TWUw] Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy [https://www.instagram.com/ifs.tammy/] and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger [https://www.facebook.com/theoneinsideIFS/]. Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside. He’s a writer and IFS Level 2 practitioner who specializes in helping therapists create with clarity and confidence. 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" [https://amzn.to/41WYrt5] 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 [https://tammysollenberger.com/] Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast.  To learn more about sponsorship opportunties on The One Inside Podcast, email Tammy [tammysollenberger@comcast.net]

In today's episode, I talk with Michael and Leela Hunter, the creators of UpSpiral Life [https://www.upspiral.life] — a year-long program and community that combines IFS, manifestation, and neurofeedback. We explore what manifestation really means through an IFS lens, how subconscious parts shape our experience, and why “feeling good” is a nervous system state we can track and train. Our conversation explores how IFS intersects with manifestation, nervous system states, and the beliefs our parts hold about what’s possible. Key takeaways: * How parts influence what we manifest * Self Energy as a measurable frequency * Why some protectors are allergic to “feeling good” * How neurofeedback can support deeper IFS work * Shifting vibration is getting curious about what’s happening inside Michael is the founder of UpSpiral.Life [https://www.upspiral.life], a program and community that helps people move from burnout and disconnection into greater flow, purpose, and alignment. With a background in acupuncture and the arts, Michael guides clients through personal transformation by challenging modern conditioning and helping them reconnect with what truly matters. Leela is an IFS therapist, consultant, and the Clinical Director of UpSpiral.Life [https://www.upspiral.life]. She supports clients in exploring limiting beliefs and emotional burdens with compassion and curiosity. As an Afghan Muslim woman with over 15 years of experience, Leela brings cultural depth and personal insight to her healing work. Don't miss my extended interview clip [https://theoneinside.substack.com/p/extended-interview-with-michael-and] with Michael and Leela on The One Inside Substack.  Episode Sponsor: Pause With Laura ✨ Give your hard working parts some rest by joining Laura Schmidt, seasoned IFS therapist, for a restorative IFS retreat this Fall at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. September 14-19 IFS & LifeForce Yoga Retreat [https://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/lifeforce-yoga-and-internal-family-systems-new-tools-bring-balance-your-life] for all October 19-22  Restore YourSelf Retreat [ps://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/restore-your-self-retreat-internal-family-systems-ifs-therapists-and] for IFS Professionals 👉🏼 Visit PauseWithLaura.com [http://pausewithlaura.com/] for all the details and a care package of FREE IFS resources [https://www.pausewithlaura.com/free-downloads]! 🎁   About The One Inside: Check out The One Inside Substack [https://theoneinside.substack.com] community to access all episodes, exclusive extended interviews, meditations and exercises, and more.  Find The One Inside Self-Led merch at The One Inside store [https://theoneinside.printful.me] Watch video clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFf8-G-esUznIEEeDd5TWUw] Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy [https://www.instagram.com/ifs.tammy/] and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger [https://www.facebook.com/theoneinsideIFS/]. Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside. He’s a writer and IFS Level 2 practitioner who specializes in helping therapists create with clarity and confidence. 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" [https://amzn.to/41WYrt5] 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 [https://tammysollenberger.com/] Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast.  To learn more about sponsorship opportunties on The One Inside Podcast, email Tammy [tammysollenberger@comcast.net]

In this week’s episode, I sit down with my friend Julie Honeycutt, a licensed professional counselor, certified IFS therapist, and approved clinical consultant. Julie has been integrating faith and counseling for over 20 years, and in this conversation, we explore how our attachment styles, parts, Enneagram, and developmental stages all shape our prayer life and spiritual connection. Julie shares that our attachment patterns and spiritual experiences are deeply linked, and how IFS offers a pathway to spirituality and how our different parts, even those with doubts We explore the idea that prayer doesn’t have to look a certain way. It can show up in movement, in gardening, in painting, or even in those “texting prayers” we send up throughout the day. As Julie says, “What would it be like if our prayer life could reflect the unique way that God made us?” Julie also introduces the idea of the “levels of faith” and how parts of us may sit at different levels. Some of our parts may still hold early beliefs that we’ve outgrown, but they are still worthy of attention and care.  We talk about: * How our parts have different attachment styles in prayer * Why anxious parts often get exiled in spirituality * The connection between the Enneagram, personality, and prayer * How our developmental stage impacts how we experience faith * Why meeting ourselves in our prayer life without shame changes everything * How gardening and movement can be a spiritual practice Julie reminds us that all parts are welcome: “Even that part is welcome.” About Julie: Julie Honeycutt is a licensed professional counselor, certified IFS therapist for over 15 years and an Approved Clinical Consultant for the IFS Institute. She's been practicing the integration of faith and counseling for over 20 years in her private practice as well as in workshops and retreats. Through stillness-of-mind exercises (what the early Christians called hesychasm), she guides her clients in learning how to discern God over the crowd of voices inside all our parts!  And, she has a myriad of free writings and resources on her website [http://www.juliehoneycutt.com/].   About The One Inside: Check out The One Inside Substack [https://theoneinside.substack.com] community to access all episodes, exclusive extended interviews, meditations and exercises, and more.  Find The One Inside Self-Led merch at The One Inside store [https://theoneinside.printful.me] Watch video clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFf8-G-esUznIEEeDd5TWUw] Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy [https://www.instagram.com/ifs.tammy/] and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger [https://www.facebook.com/theoneinsideIFS/]. Jeff Schrum produces The One Inside. He’s a writer and IFS Level 2 practitioner who specializes in helping therapists create with clarity and confidence. 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" [https://amzn.to/41WYrt5] 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 [https://tammysollenberger.com/] Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast.  To learn more about sponsorship opportunties on The One Inside Podcast, email Tammy [tammysollenberger@comcast.net]

On this week's episode I'm thrilled to have my friend and colleague, Dave Adamusko, join me to demystify "direct access"—a powerful technique that allows IFS practitioners to speak directly to a client's parts. Dave and I dive deep into why direct access is so essential, especially for clients with trauma histories or deeply blended parts who might struggle with more traditional "insight" methods. Dave leads me in a brief session to demonstrate explicit direct access, engaging with a part of me that was feeling annoyed and ignored, and we trace its origins back to a childhood experience. It was such a profound experience! In this episode, you’ll discover: * What "direct access" truly means, both for clinicians and for those of us simply navigating our inner worlds. * How direct access facilitates quick unblending, befriending, and the gathering of powerful insights. * Why practicing direct access, even with "easier" clients, is crucial for mastery (and something I'm always working on myself!). * The fascinating connection between direct access and other experiential techniques like Gestalt empty chair and psychodrama. * The important distinction between explicit and implicit direct access. And be sure to check out my extended interview [https://theoneinside.substack.com/p/extended-interview-with-dave-adamusko] with Dave exclusively on Substack.   About Dave Adamusko: Dave Adamusko [https://therapywithdave.com], LMFT is a Certified Internal Family Systems Therapist, and approved IFS Consultant with a private practice in Mesa, AZ. He has been involved in the IFS community since 2015 and has had the privilege of being a Program Assistant for numerous Level 1 trainings as well as a frequent PA for Frank Anderson's L2 Trauma and Neuroscience training. In addition to his therapy private practice he also works as a Guide for Onsite Workshops where he combines his passion for IFS with experiential techniques to create dynamic personal growth workshops. Dave's variety of interests and ADHD have led him to create several passion projects that include (but not limited to): IFS leadership consulting, Experiential Couples Intensives, and recently added, IFS Based Post-Psychedelic Integration Groups.       Episode Sponsor: Life Architect ✨ Get access to 3 IFS webinars organized by Life Architect (featuring Einat Bronstein, Kay Gardner & Robert Falconer, and Ann Sinko) and receive a 30% discount on selected IFS workshops: https://lifearchitect.com/tammy/ [https://lifearchitect.com/tammy/] ✨   About The One Inside: Check out The One Inside Substack [https://theoneinside.substack.com] community to access all episodes, exclusive extended interviews, meditations and exercises, and more.  Find The One Inside Self-Led merch at The One Inside store [https://theoneinside.printful.me] Watch video clips from select episodes on  The One Inside on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFf8-G-esUznIEEeDd5TWUw] Follow Tammy on Instagram @ifstammy [https://www.instagram.com/ifs.tammy/] and on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger [https://www.facebook.com/theoneinsideIFS/]. Jeff Schrum co-produces The One Inside. He’s a writer and IFS Level 2 practitioner who specializes in helping therapists create with clarity and confidence. 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" [https://amzn.to/41WYrt5] 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 [https://tammysollenberger.com/] Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast.  To learn more about sponsorship opportunties on The One Inside Podcast, email Tammy [tammysollenberger@comcast.net]