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 ☀️ Learn more about her work at tammysollenberger.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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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 ndwellness.services@therapysecure.com 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: 📞 Phone: 206.931.8992 📧 Email: jenny@jennyhayo.com 🌐 Website: www.jennyhayo.com

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

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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 ndwellness.services@therapysecure.com 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 Prepare, navigate, and integrate expanded states with over 20 hours of content—guided meditations, journaling prompts, and IFS teachings. 💫 Just $197 USD → Click here to purchase

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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 ndwellness.services@therapysecure.com 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 ndwellness.services@therapysecure.com 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: 🌙 Katie’s personal experience with insomnia and burnout 🧠 The “Just Ask” principle in IFS: Who’s awake? What do you need? 🔦 Why certain protector parts become active at night 🌀 A theory on nightmares and sleep as a consent violation for some parts ⚖️ Common polarizations around sleep (e.g., “I need to sleep” vs. “I need to stay alert”) 🧘 Techniques for grounding before sleep and during the day 🧩 How to be with insomnia parts instead of battling them 🌿 The power of observing and noticing what’s there—without trying to change it

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About Katie LaCelle: Katie LaCelle is a somatic IFS and leadership coach who helps people reconnect with their body’s wisdom and uncover the internal leaders they already carry within. She specializes in working with high achievers, people pleasers, and caretakers—especially those navigating burnout or struggling with sleep. Katie regularly assists with IFS Institute trainings and is currently pursuing her Somatic Experiencing Practitioner certification. Her work blends deep nervous system support with compassionate parts work to create lasting, embodied change.

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Learn More & Connect with Katie: 🧘 IFS for Insomnia Course: cressanallc.com/about-insomnia-course 📸 Instagram: @cressanallc 🌐 Website: www.cressanallc.com

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 ndwellness.services@therapysecure.com 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: - The preparation process for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy - Working with parts that feel fear, resistance, or uncertainty - Steph and Craig’s individual MDMA journeys—peaceful vs. intense - “Redo” experiences that can arise in altered states of healing - The role of integration and meaning-making after the session - How MDMA therapy deepened their connection as a couple - Why emotional safety is foundational for psychedelic healing - IFS as a guiding framework before, during, and after sessions

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About Steph & Craig: Steph and Craig are the hosts of The Steph & Craig Show, a podcast that explores healing, emotional growth, spirituality, and the beautiful messiness of being human. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and soulful insights, they help listeners feel seen, supported, and inspired on their own inner journeys.

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Connect with Steph & Craig: 🌐 Website: stephandcraig.co 📺 YouTube: @stephandcraig 📘 Facebook: Steph and Craig 📸 Instagram: @steph.and.craig 🎵 TikTok: @stephandcraig 📰 Substack: Steph & Craig on Substack

🎧 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 ndwellness.services@therapysecure.com for more information. Thank you for the support!

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