In this second episode of Parts & Charts: The IFS and Astrology Podcast, Chelsea and KP explore:
What if the parts of us we try to exile (like shame, criticism, or old patterns) are actually offering us a map?
And what if our birth charts could help us read it?
[to watch the video version, head over to Substack or Youtube. For the audio versions, listen through your favorite podcast app]
This episode takes a closer look at the IFS principle of “No Bad Parts” and how that philosophy translates into astrology. KP shares stories from her work with clients who feel stuck with so-called “bad” placements, while Chelsea unpacks how even the parts of us we want to change are usually just trying to help.
We talk about combust planets, therapist parts, self-like parts, and the parts of our charts that give us access to creative energy and clarity. You’ll also hear thoughts on what happens when clients (or we ourselves) come in with an agenda, and how to gently move from judgment to curiosity.
Key Quotes:
“When I approach parts of myself as a friend, or as someone I don’t know yet, things soften and release on their own.” — KP
“We’re not trying to kill off these parts. We’re just getting to know them.” — Chelsea
“If I hear someone exiling a placement in their chart, I pause. That’s a trailhead.” — KP
“Giving too much information can bring out a lot of thinking parts. It turns therapy into a cerebral exercise.” — Chelsea
“Most parts have a polarized counterpart. They’re usually trying to protect us in totally different ways.” — Chelsea
Timestamps & Topics:
00:00 – Welcome and a look at “No Bad Parts”01:00 – How IFS reframes what healing looks like04:00 – Astrology’s version of this: why there are no bad charts06:00 – KP shares personal chart details and what others might misread08:00 – Therapist parts, overachiever parts, and speaking clearly11:00 – Unblending and letting go of the inner agenda14:00 – Are some parts naturally more “positive”? What unburdening allows17:00 – The sun as a metaphor for Self20:00 – What Mars combust the sun might tell us23:00 – First house placements and self-access25:00 – A beginner-friendly explanation of what a birth chart is29:00 – What you can still learn without your exact birth time32:00 – Venus in Aries, transits, and changing dynamics34:00 – Astrology as data, IFS as dialogue36:00 – Visual parts mapping and how to track polarizations39:00 – Do parts ever mirror people in our lives?41:00 – Oppositions in charts and the experience of inner tug-of-war43:00 – Living with contradictions and listening for what’s needed now
Resources Mentioned:
* No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz
* The Internal Family Systems Institute: ifs-institute.com
* Free chart tools: astro.com or astro-seek.com
* Concepts: Trailheads, self-like parts, polarizations, first house placements
Connect with Us:
✨ Subscribe to Parts & Charts on Substack
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @PartsAndCharts💌 Send a question or note through Substack
🎧 Share this episode with someone who’s ever doubted their chart or wanted to silence a part of themselves.
Credits:
Music “Vape Juice Dave’s Bistro” composed by Scott Cary (Wild Western Avenue) for the feature film RINGOLEVIO (2020) directed by KP Kaszubowski - performed by Scott Cary, Max Wikoff, Else Albeck Gasparka, and Sarah Luther
The cover image is a collage by Chelsea Owens.
