Shows
The Brittany Wheeler Show"If You Let it Stop You, You Were Never About It" with Anthony AmorelloAbout EpisodeThe childhood Anthony had would forever frame his future. As the youngest child raised in a blue collar family in Worcester Massachusetts Anthony was not shy of hard work. He wouldn’t know it then but his favorite pastime of watching sitcoms was one of the reasons laughter came so easy to him. At a crossroad moment he found himself far from where he thought he’d be and made the decision to pursue comedy. The challenges did not stop and when the pandemic hit he had a choice to walk away, or pursue the one...2024-10-091h 21
Health & Fitness RedefinedInfluence of Parent's Habits to Children's Future Health with Coach Austin WheelerSend us a textOur quick tip episodes have been a huge hit with our clients and we are planning to do more of those in the future. In this week's episode, we have Austin Wheeler who is a coach and has a background in the psychology of fitness. Austin discusses how he learned the importance of focusing on the habits of parents in order to benefit both the children and the parents in the long term. He shares his thoughts on the common mentality of parents he sees which is "do as I say, not as...2023-01-3032 min
Transforming TraumaCultural Animation and Applied Human Ecology with Anthony Twig WheelerAnthony “Twig” Wheeler is a Trauma Specialist, Environmentalist, Performance Artist, Applied Human Ecologist, Cultural Animator, Consultant, Educator, and so much more. His interest in resolving societal conflicts and being introduced to Peter Levine’s work of Somatic Experiencing guided him to branch out into different areas of trauma. While Twig’s interests led him to various studies - such as evolutionary, somatic, and ecological psychology, and environmental and cultural anthropology -, his own therapy created his focus for advocacy and translating the work for the world as best he can. Twig and Brad share their early exper...2023-01-1154 min
Urelevant#22 - From High School to Salesforce Developer Career - My Son, Anthony WheelerLive Salesforce Administrator Class - https://courses.mikewheelermedia.com/liveOn-Demand Salesforce Training - Mike Wheeler Media+ https://learn.mikewheelermedia.comSalesforce Self-Assessment Checklist - https://workshop.mikewheelermedia.com/checklistEpisode Details:This goes way beyond a true proud-dad moment. I chat with my eldest son, and extraordinary Salesforce developer, Anthony Wheeler. We discuss how he pivoted from High School into a full-fledged career as a Salesforce developer.Anthony shares his own journey, and experiences with failing his first exam. We walk through his career progression and how he...2021-03-0335 min
Twig's SE Reflections105: Covid Time – So Many Things You Can Do
These are trying times, and still, there are SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO.
Yes There Are.
Yes You Can.
Here’s a link to the project mentioned in this episode: SEP’s in the Time of Covid-19. There is no fee.
A link to this episode’s sponsor: RiverMinutes.com
You probably need a minute by the river.
2020-04-041h 39Twig's SE Reflections104: SEP in the Time of Covid-19
An episode dedicated to looking at the challenges, and some of the inherent psychobiological influences of the current pandemic.
Here’s a link to the project mentioned in this episode: SEP’s in the Time of Covid-19. There is no fee.
A link to this episode’s sponsor: RiverMinutes.com
Just guessing, You probably need a minute by the river…
2020-04-021h 07Twig's SE ReflectionsPromotional Ad: Tour of the Guide to the SE Language – Part 3 of 3As I re-release the Guide to the SE Language and move toward making improvements on this project I’ve been looking for SE students and practitioners who would like to join me in this study.
To share news about this I’ve prepared a small series of Promotional Ads to demonstrate and talk about the opportunities for SE Practitioners who join me in this exploration of the SE Language.
I hope you’ll find this piece helpful in itself.
And I hope you’ll consider joining me in one of my online programs for SE s...2020-01-1100 minTwig's SE ReflectionsPromotional Ad: Tour of the Guide to the SE Language – Part 2 of 3I’m pleased to be re-releasing the Guide to the SE Language in an improved Version 2 form this week and am looking forward to the first months of 2020 where I’ll be adding more materials for those joining me in this study.
To share news about this I’ve prepared a small series of Promotional Ads to demonstrate and talk about the opportunities for SE Practitioners who join me in this exploration of the SE Language.
I hope you’ll find this piece helpful in itself.
And I hope you’ll consider joining me in one...2020-01-0900 minTwig's SE ReflectionsPromotional Ad: Tour of the Guide to the SE Language – Part 1 of 3I’m re-releasing and building upon the Guide to the SE Language in the first 3 months of 2020.
This will make it a very robust v.2 with over a decade of thoughtful work and development.
To share news about this I’ve prepared a small series of Promotional Ads to demonstrate and talk about the opportunities for SE Practitioners who join me in this study of the SE Language.
I hope you’ll find this piece helpful in itself.
And I hope you’ll consider joining me in one of my online programs...2020-01-0800 min
Know Debt, No Problem Podcast with Mary A. WheelerDebt Free Degree Explained with Anthony O'neal(@anthonyoneal)On this episode I am joined by best selling author and Ramsey personality, Anthony O'neal. We discuss his new book Debt Free Degree and break down the step by step process how to pay for college without student loans. Anthony has detailed advice to those who are already in debt and shares his go to tools and resources to help achieve financial freedom. To learn more about Anthony visit https://www.anthonyoneal.com/2019-09-2900 minTwig's SE Reflections102: Difficult Signs of the Right Direction
Play Episode 102 Here
2019-01-161h 07Twig's SE Reflections101: The Practice of Being an SE Practitioner
Play Episode 101 Here
2019-01-021h 05Twig's SE Reflections100: Where to Start v.2 Has Arrived – Special EpisodePlay Episode 100 Here
With Enthusiasm and Excitement I've been returning to publishing works on the internet for SE Practitioners everywhere. This is an inaugural episode for participants in my Where to Start support program for SE Practitioners, though I think it'll be relevant to non-participants as well. I hope you find it interesting and supportive. And if you'd like to join in the Where to Start program, you can do so at any time (though please note that there's a price increase from $125 to $175 this December 2nd at midnight).2018-12-011h 16
Money You Should AskEp02 - Money You Should Ask With Anthony CampanellaAnthony Campanella is a charismatic Australian born actor. You can catch him on Australia's award-winning television series "A Place To Call Home." More than just an accent, Anthony talks about his money challenges of starting over in a new country, cultural differences, and how throwing a tantrum as a child will get you a toy tractor. @ant_campa @anthonycampanellaa2018-09-1930 min
Twig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters01 – Introduction to Twig’s StressLess Series for Getting through Wildfires and other Natural Disasters
Sometimes things happen that are essentially beyond our control and impossible to know when they will end or what the consequences will be once they are over.
Wildfires and other natural disasters are good examples of these kinds of experiences.
Generally speaking, these are considered “traumatic events” and while different people experience these things with more or less discomfort, the signal of danger turns on the stress response for everyone – given a long enough time in stress, even the calmest and brave ones amongst us start to get short tempered, make poor decisions and feel t...2018-01-2905 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters02 – Simple Technical Conversation about Living Under Stress for a Long Time
Episode Transcript:
[00:00:00] This is an episode from Twig’s Stressless Series for getting through wildfires and other natural disasters, you can find all the episodes at stressless-guide.com.
[00:00:13] Welcome to the Stressless option.
[00:00:15] I’m Anthony Wheeler. I go by “Twig”. I’m a Carlton resident and trauma specialist. I actually travel around the world talking to communities and therapists about how the stress response works and how to feel better faster after really bad stuff happens. I’m here to share some of those ideas with you and see if we can all s...2018-01-2820 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters03 – StressLess Basic Options
*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*
2018-01-2720 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters04 – Preparing and Restoring Orientation to Decrease the Stress Response
*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*
2018-01-2607 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters05 – Parenting and these Stressful Times
*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*
2018-01-2507 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters06 – Safe Places to Find Some Rest
*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*
2018-01-2406 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters07 – Deactivation Process to Signal Calming Down
*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*
2018-01-2312 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters08 – Tough People and Emotional People Have Special Concerns
*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*
2018-01-2211 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters09 – Vestibular and Proprioceptive Input Helps the Body
*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*
2018-01-2108 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters10 – What We Can Expect from Our Stress Response
*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*
2018-01-2021 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters11 – 3 Stories from Traumatology*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1903 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters12 – Science That Helps Us Deactivate*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1803 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters13 – Autonomic Nervous System Paradox*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1702 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters14 – Assessing Proximity of Danger*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1603 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters15 – Emotional Waves Happen*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1504 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters16 – Helpers Need to Take Care of Themselves Too*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1401 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters17 – Reclaiming Your Spontaneity*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1302 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters18 – Inebriation and Watching Yourself*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1203 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters19 – Modulation of Constant Activation*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1102 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters20 – Rehearsing Coming Down*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-1003 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters21 – Takes More Time to Come Down Than We Want to Give It*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0903 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters22 – Action is the Antidote for Despair*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0801 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters23 – Altered State Means Avoid Big Decisions*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0701 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters24 – Competing Impulses Warning – Choose One and Stick with it*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0602 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters25 – Everybody Has A Limit*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0501 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters26 – It’s a Marathon, So Pace Yourself*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0401 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters27 – 20 Minutes Letting Down with Gravity*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0302 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters28 – Squeeze and Let It Go*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0202 minTwig's StressLess Guide for Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters29 – Repetitive Events Means We Have Experience*Supporting Text Coming As Soon As Possible*2018-01-0101 min
Coleyology Podcast with Coley (Nicole Lemaster)Coleyology with Anthony Twig Wheeler“Your evolutionary past did not design you to know how or have the physical capability of settling you, when you are an infant, your designed NOT to be able to settle by yourself. Somebody is helping you to settle and that is training your system to settle” - Twig talking about the continuum of our developmental organism and deactivation.
Anthony Twig Wheeler is a Cultural Animator dedicated to encouraging a public conversation on the relationships between our biology and the modern environment. Twig advocates for a reconciliation with our nature as a primate influenced species that has been shaped by our...2017-03-1400 minTwig's SE ReflectionsX: Catastrophic Thinking, Existential Threats & How SEP’s can help clients when they’re flipping outSometimes things feels like everything is at risk, everything is a threat, everything can take us out. Not everyone has that sense, not everyone who has it has it all the time, but when we have it, it's good to have accompaniment with someone who can accept how we feel while also helping us hold on for when things change.2017-02-061h 51Twig's SE ReflectionsNew Years Update for Twig’s SE ReflectionsThen Again, Hope Springs Eternal - Maybe 2017 won't be so so bad? Let's find out.
Before the "silence goes on too long" let me share a little New Year update from Twig's SE Reflections podcast project. This will probably be most interesting to regular listeners: it's mostly a progress report and a bit of cheerleading. A few final content heavy episodes before reaching 100 are still to come.2017-01-0114 minTwig's SE Reflections099: Holiday Sessions – an episode that almost got awayPlay Episode 99 Here
The holiday season impacts different people in different ways, from the option of taking it all in to wanting to be narcatized through it with a request to be reawoken on the other side.
One of our opportunities with things like SE is helping people make more appropriate and successful levels of participation with the holidays, including helping them manage or even transform their associated stress response.
In the season ahead, it's a good idea to consider the various possibilities in the Holiday Session and what good you might be able to help your clients find in...2016-11-0745 minTwig's SE Reflections098: Preparing Clients for SurgeryPlay Episode 98 Here
I'll be adding Show Notes eventually. For now, I hope some of you will enjoy the audio recording which is available here.
You can also download my original primer for Preparing for Surgery below by entering your email below – which will help me gage interest in this piece and also let you know of updates to the primer.2016-10-022h 13Twig's SE ReflectionsTea Interlude Check In During Continuing Publishing HiatusPlay Episode Recording Here
I'm still looking for the opportunity to complete Episode 98 on Preparing for Surgery. On the way there I wanted to say hello, cheer folks who are headed to Adv. II and completion of the SEP training and share some thoughts on getting more comfortable through failing and looking forward to the next opportunity to do better.
With a cup of tea and a microphone, I'm waving and wishing you well on my way out to the forest where I'll be teaching bushcraft for the next little while.
I'll return to the studio toward later September.2016-09-102h 13Twig's SE Reflections097: Common Mistakes SEP’s MakePlay Episode 97 Here
We must make mistakes. It's part of the process of learning this craft. Exploratory SEP's can be enthusiastic about their mistakes because mistakes make us think long and hard about "what went wrong" and how we can do things differently.
Ultimately our "library of experience" develops over time, through countless twists and turns. Some of these are clearly real mistakes. Things we simply will not do once we know better. The list of real mistakes is long and each of us has our own unique way of making them.
This episode covers several key mistakes that I...2016-07-2351 minTwig's SE Reflections096: Doing Other StuffPlay Episode 96 Here
I'm in Chicago doing something "different" than what I normally do. (A 5 week comedy improv theater intensive.) It's helping refresh my attention for my SE work. It's also a good opportunity for me to offer up this SE Reflection episode on advocating that we remember to engage "other things", not just Therapist related stuff.
I'd bet we all want to be a well rounded, interesting people; for ourselves, our families and our clients. I'd bet.
"Try something new everyday." -Maude2016-07-1827 minTwig's SE Reflections095: After the AccidentPlay Episode 95 Here
Here is a very long episode that boarders on exhaustive, though hopefully not too exhausting. The subject? Considerations and a pattern of thought for how we attend to people soon after they've been in an accident. At those times SE Practitioners have a special and often unique offer of support and guidance for aiding the completion of the autonomic stress response.
This episode is a review, encouragement and cheerleading for that opportunity. It's going to take you several hours to listen to.2016-07-062h 37Twig's SE Reflections094: Invitations to OrientationPlay Episode 94 Here
This does not cover every last thought I have on Orientation and what is required to ensure smooth meaningful participation when you're asking people to "allow their eyes to go where they want to go." But this 2-hour episode is probably the last thing I'll say about Orientation on this podcast project.
You may need to approach this in rounds and I've left a few things out that would have been helpful to say...but this is what we've got. Please make use of it as you like. I think you'll see that I put some effort...2016-06-252h 07Twig's SE Reflections093: To Linger or Move On?Play Episode 93 Here
Smoothing out the rhythm of our sessions is an ultimate goal. From the back and forth between us and our clients to the in and out of our client's attention with the environment and their experience, much of this rhythm is cultivated by whether we encourage lingering or moving on.
From calculating how long we can linger, to making sure we don't over stay, developing the skillfulness to know what kind and how much intervention is necessary at what choice point takes time. And it can help to think about the dynamics involved.
Here's an episode that...2016-06-201h 06Twig's SE Reflections092: Advanced Joining, Yay-Boo! and Cursing in SessionsPlay Episode 92 Here
CAUTION: This episode includes several strong curse words.
Identifying, naming and explicating a client's experience is rarely as effective in Somatic Experiencing sessions as is joining in a more empathic, visceral and reflective (i.e. mirroring) way. Of course there are times for clarifying what you know about a client's experience and describing its values. Yet, nothing moves a felt sense experience forward like having the right amount of emotional reflection infused in the room.
That's why, on occasion, we need to be willing to curse in our sessions.2016-06-1242 minTwig's SE Reflections091: Helping the Stuck Thing Move AgainPlay Episode 91 Here
Our SE work is motivated by the desire for change and animated by bearing witness to changing experience. As we cultivate our appreciation for Pendulation and all things "in flow" we can find it confusing to see what to do with client's who report things "just being stuck".
How to help the stuck thing move again is central to our work and thus bigger than this hour+ long episode but herein lies some empathy and solidarity for the practitioner who feels frustrated and alone in their stuck sessions. Included are suggestions on contracting, language adjustments, invitations to...2016-05-3042 minTwig's SE Reflections090: Comedy Improv Games for SE PractitionersPlay Episode 90 Here
Here's a longer episode reviewing 10 of the Comedy Improv games and their associated SE lessons that form the spine of my super fun SE refinement workshops Practicing Our Lines.
Each game is covered in-depth with layouts of how you can perform the game in a group and what insights SE Practitioners can take from them.
Games Reviewed Include:
Wordball/Nameball60 Second Life StoryPatternsPolyvagal Family PortraitsSpeech of a Life-Time in Numbers from 1-100What-Cha Doing Now?Copy/Paste for Cutting Back the PhraseSlow Motion Ninja RiotTiger-Alien-CowCounting to 20
This episode will probably work best if you break it up g...2016-05-231h 51Twig's SE Reflections089: Technique or A FeelingPlay Episode 89 Here
Techniques and technique generally is key to our success as SE Practitioners. Being able to identify what is happening for a client, what that indicates about what is coming next, having some sense of what to ask for next, all of these are necessary to move sessions in the right direction.
And yet, other times there will be a dramatic unfolding that happens simply because the Practitioner has "A Feeling" and follows it. In those moments, technique likely only gets in the way!2016-05-1118 minTwig's SE Reflections088: The Pendulation TerrainPlay Episode 88 Here
In SE Sessions, some things are associated, while others are not. Practitioners need to see these relationships for what they are and decide if there's enough differentiation amongst associated pieces to create the context for penduluation. If so, off we go to see what happens next. If not, various differentiating, mitigating and directing questions will be necessary to help bring about that swing.
In this "treading water" episode I borrow the audio version from Chapter 33 of Twig's Guide to the SE Language to share some thoughts on "seeing the Pendulation Terrain" (limits and opportunities of associated experiences...2016-05-0113 minTwig's SE Reflections087: Let’s Try It OncePlay Episode 87 Here
Dynamic sessions that move toward productive change rather than maintain the status quo regularly introduce new things.
These include: experiments (also known as excercises), Practitioner behavioral changes (like increasing or decreasing pace of reflections) and trying on of different channels of attention for the client (such as turning toward sensation or image).
In this episode I encourage SE Practitioners to try new things out "once" so that they can read the feedback of how it went and adjust their next interventions accordingly. Simple like that.
Mentions:
I reference a few older SE Reflections episodes this time around...2016-04-2338 minTwig's SE Reflections086: The Planned CollapseI know I'd prefer a softer landing. How about you?
Play Episode 86 Here
Some of our clients have been "going, going, going" and are going to continue doing so until they "collapse." When we can see that coming it's often worth introducing the idea of planning or preparing a time when they can permit themselves to "not do more" but instead allow their bodies to try to rest and restore a little.
Obviously not a solution to overarching activation, unsustainable lifestyle choices or classic nervous system disregulation, the "planned collapse" can help soften the challenge of an exhuastion that threatens...2016-04-1748 minTwig's SE Reflections085: Protecting from Extreme Range of MotionWe're all about following and permission. Yet, when that's going to lead to a client getting hurt, it's time to come in and do something.
Play Episode 85 Here
There are times in sessions when movement becomes increasingly free and involuntary. It's a special thing to watch the body "come out of freeze" like that. And there are cautions: like being attentive that a sharp angle on a joint doesn't cause damage for later. To avoid this practitioners need to monitor the range of motion for even as we support it to "do its thing" we don't want to let it...2016-04-0928 minTwig's SE Reflections084: Milton’s ListPlay Episode 84 Here
When we're stressed we think less. That's true for everyone but it's an especially vexing fact for our distressed clients – many of whom desperately need to make more helpful and healthful decisions on behalf of their well-being.
Milton Erickson, the famous psychiatrist and hypnotherapist, knew this too. That's why he maintained a list to reference when his body got racked by pain due to his history with polio.
I often tell clients about Milton's list (and my own) and why it may be a good idea for them to create something similar for times when they're "freaking."
Epis...2016-04-0235 minTwig's SE Reflections083: It’s So WeirdThe more we can "let that be itself" – the better. Helping to find the amount of possible allowance and being satisfied with that, is a key to successful integration.
Play Episode 83 Here
There's a classic moment in SE sessions when a client is successfully moving through the activation cycle only to balk at allowing the discharge or deactivation phase because it "feels too weird" and indeed often times this phase includes truly odd, unsettling or even frightening sensations. It's important to get adept at gauging how much allowance of this "wierd" experience can be tolerated and to work toward trying to...2016-03-2640 minTwig's SE Reflections082: The Perfect Therapeutic IslandPlay Episode 82 Here
An unrestrained reverie episode considering the mythical, idealized and probably impossible Perfect Therapeutic Island. Includes a look at when it would be necessary to go there, what would make it ideal, and words of encouragement on what we SEP's can do when holding the tension between the reality of what is possible and what we wish for.2016-03-191h 06Twig's SE Reflections081: Practical Follow Up – When Every New Sensation is a Threat – Part 2Play Episode 81 Here
Practically speaking, when every knew sensation is a threat there are things that SE Practitioners need to do in order to enable success rather than recapitulate the feeling of pain, failure, or the impossibility for change. Episode 81 looks at some of the step by step nature of bringing pain laden movement sequences into small successes and "back out again." It's all in the name of success in getting to do something new, rather than the same old thing that calls up the pain and thus reinforces it.2016-03-1240 minTwig's SE Reflections080: What to Do When Every New Sensation is a Threat – Part 1Play Episode 80 Here
Sometimes pain is the overriding signal in a client's experience. Try as we might there's simply not much ease or goodness to be found. In this episode I start to look into what we can do about such a scene in order to get some traction to help things change. Funny enough, this episode gets cut short due to local conditions so the next one will tackle the more practical elements while this recording covers some of the basic concerns for the practitioner and client when working with chronic or overwhelming pain.2016-02-1745 minTwig's SE Reflections079: Sleep, Dreams and a Good Night WishPlay Episode 79 Here
Challenged sleep is a psycho-historical phenomenon of the times in which we live. It's also a very real and personal experience for many of our clients. Being able to think and talk about sleep from multiple different levels is a requirement of our work.
This episode looks at self-care tactics, some broader notions about sleep and reiterates my conviction that enhanced self-regulation accessed through completion of self-protective responses is a golden key to help us close our eyes at night and find out what are dreams are going to be about.2016-02-1359 minTwig's SE Reflections078: Don’t Avoid the TextPlay Episode 78 Here
One paradox in our SE work is the need to engage the "problem state" or "Red/Trauma Vortex" material and at the same time avoid it becoming too much of itself. Some of us get quite good at helping clients feel calmer and even generally "better" simply by helping them avoid reinforcing their attention toward disquiet and turmoil.
Still and all, eventually we need to address the problem, the challenge, the task at hand. This episode simply names that out and makes an encouragement to not avoid (fear) the text.2016-02-0928 minTwig's SE Reflections077: Will this Be an I Can or I Can’t Moment?Play Episode 77 Here
Our SE sessions are made up of dozens, if not hundreds, of elements of experience encountered in the moment. Part of our task as SE Practitioners is to help clients thread their attention through these elements in a way that maximizes the sense of success while minimizing the sense of failure - ala the "I Can Principle."
Judging what is going to become an "I Can" moment and what will lead to reinforcing "I Can't" requires time, experience and attention. This critical weighing of what is going to work and what isn't will be greatly aided by...2016-02-061h 03Twig's SE Reflections076: Preparing the AdvocateAs SE practitioner we often either accompany or prepare our clients for stressful events. Things like surgeries, court battles, conflicted meetings with family or employers and so on. These inherently stressful events can be hard on anyone and are especially challenged for people who already experience themselves in regular distress. They're also the kind of events that we shouldn't "do alone" if at all possible. And whenever possible, hopefully we'll have an advocate on our side.
Advocates can focus on all kinds of different responsibilities. In this episode I consider the advocate whose role is to help modulate the stress...2016-02-0229 minTwig's SE Reflections075: Finding Your Own SE VoicePlay Episode 75 Here
Along the path of learning something as dynamic as Somatic Experiencing is extended time repeating and mimicking other peoples words, voice, rhythm and presentation. This "copy cat time" is probably necessary. There are so many patterns in our work that require our extensive practice before they become our own. Once they do become our own, once we hear our own voice and expression coming in to guide our sessions...we should give a cheer and turn that way. Even if it includes quirks of our own personality that may be unique to us. Ultimately finding our own vo...2016-01-3038 minTwig's SE Reflections074: Helping Clients Get to Know You QuicklyPlay Episode 74 Here
The consistency of our signal and feedback to our clients is key to helping them get to know us and our work quickly. The more random, confused or inconsistent our requests the harder it is for our clients to find security and success in our offices. This reflection doesn't go into all the nuances behind helping our clients get to know our work but it does look at this issue of consistency and offers a few ideas on where to apply it.2016-01-2627 minTwig's SE Reflections073: Getting to Know Clients QuicklyPlay Episode 73 Here
From the first contact we're learning things that will matter later in the session. The more we acknowledge that we're actually trying to get to know our client's quickly, the better we'll get at it. This episode includes some storytelling from the field in DR Congo where my ability to get to know my client quickly made all the difference.2016-01-2357 minTwig's SE Reflections072: Letting Go in the Presence of AnotherPlay Episode 72 Here
There are occasions when it's problematic if our client's "fall away" or "go to sleep" during our sessions. However most of the time it's an honor and potentially a very good sign when a client "let's go" in our presence. Letting down in the company of a member of our own species is a mammalian expectation and not always easily achieved by some of our clients (or ourselves). This episode looks at a few considerations involved in what helps, and hinders, people from letting go near us.2016-01-1930 minTwig's SE Reflections071: Breaking the Silence that Goes On Too LongPlay Episode 71 Here
Silence is a critical and natural part of SE sessions. And yet sometimes it can go on too long.
The client can sit there in silence while you explain things excessively.You as the clinician can sit there in silence while your client talks and talks endlessly.The two of you can sit in awkward silence not knowing what to say next after you ask "what do you notice now?"Worst yet, sometimes in Freeze/DVC phases the silence can become terminal and reinforce the stuck state.
In this episode I look at some of the dynamics o...2016-01-161h 10Twig's SE Reflections070: Working Eyes Open or Closed?Play Episode 70 Here
To work eyes open or closed? That is the question. Rather than one way being "right" and the other "wrong," there are times when one or the other is more appropriate with a continuum between the extremes. This episode looks at some of the dynamics behind when we're better off to help our client's keep their eyes open and when it only makes sense to let them close.2016-01-1225 minTwig's SE Reflections069: Clients with High ExpectationsPlay Episode 69 Here
A common challenge for SE Practitioners is accommodating clients who have high expectations for the success (or failure) of this work. Too often immediate demands from either the client or practitioner curtails curiosity, participation and permission to engage with a process that necessarily takes time to develop and unfold. In this episode I look at some of the considerations we can hold while accommodating high expectations in our office.
Note: Unfortunately the recoding of this episode included a background buzz that I'm unable to eliminate. This will probably make listening through earbuds or headphones unpleasant. My apologies fo...2016-01-0958 minTwig's SE Reflections068: Learning a New Terrain Takes TimePlay Episode 68 Here
Learning new things takes time. You need to experiment with all kinds of different combinations, try different things out, take note inside yourself on what works and what doesn't. Such things take time.
Like learning the nuances of a new landscape or city. The local resident has a dozen tricks for getting to the airport on time. The visitor or newbie needs to give extra time for getting stuck in traffic because they simply don't know the secret way. So too with learning a craft like Somatic Experiencing. There are a dozen routes to where you want t...2016-01-0518 minTwig's SE Reflections067: Positive Deviancy Approach to SE SessionsPlay Episode 67 Here
Without a doubt, some sessions are smoother than others. Some work "like magic" while others can be a long slow torment for clients and practitioners alike. One thing to do is ask what the smooth sessions have in common and what attributes therein can be cultivated to make all sessions ring with a bit more satisfaction. This episode looks at a number of these "positive deviancy" elements that we'd like to see everywhere.
The Themes in this podcast have matured in this program...2016-01-0250 minTwig's SE Reflections066: Looking Back Looking ForwardPlay Episode 66 Here
Today is January 1st, 2016. In celebration of starting another calendar year I've offered up a little meditation on Looking Back and Looking Forward. To get where we'd like to go is always a process. Things take time. Today you're not troubled by at least some things you found excruciating 5 years ago. Same too with skills and smoothness of execution in our SE sessions. We get better at these things over time. That includes coming through where we were before to where we are now and only then where we'll go next. It's a journey. The New Year...2016-01-0118 minTwig's SE ReflectionsWinter Interlude Returning January 1st – Podcast PauseNote: Sorry but for some reason iTunes isn't update as normal so you're probably only seeing this if it's fixed or you came to www.liberationispossible.org. I'll get that fixed soon but not this moment.
Summary: A short message out of the Winter Silence I've stumbled into as Solstice Season has come on. I'll look forward to being back with more SE Reflections podcast episodes on January 1st.
Wishing you all a safe and gentle holiday season.
https://vimeo.com/1498105982015-12-2303 minTwig's SE Reflections065: Pendulation…Is It Enough?Play Episode 75 Here
There's a hope amongst many of us that if we can just "get this to Pendulate" than the task will be done - we can then sit back and watch the magic happen. I don't offer an exhaustive list of why that's a fantasy or incomplete appreciation of what we're doing but I can assure you it is. In a informal-podcast-kind-of-way I say as much in this episode.
Mentions:
In the close of this episode I recommended Brad Kammer's webinar introducing Larry Heller's developmental trauma model NARM. I attended this 2 hour program with Brad recently and was...2015-11-1437 minTwig's SE Reflections064: Remember to Pendulate?Play Episode 64 Here
Continuing with the theme on Pendulation, this story based episode reviews a few reminder details about how to help ensure that things oscillate if they're not going to of their own.
Many of the themes I touched on in Episodes 63-64 were addressed extensively in my Guide to the SE Language.2015-11-0827 minTwig's SE Reflections063: Will this Pendulate?Play Episode 63 Here
Here is a critical question behind the scenes in every session...Will this Pendulate? From a repetitive tension pattern to a looping storyline there are plenty of times a felt experience won't find change unless some outside smarts are brought to bare. That's part of our job as Somatic Experiencing Practitioners: to be able to discern whether an element of experience is likely to pendulate or not and what to do based on that assessment.
Do we lean on this or that element of experience? Do we trust the pendulum to swing or get in there and...2015-11-0152 minTwig's SE Reflections062: Guarding the Moment – Protecting the Present TensePlay Episode 62 Here
There are moments in sessions that stand out as more important than others. These events range from increased curiosity to full fledged tracking of involuntary somatic experience. Typically the attention necessary to catch and follow these moments of significance are lost on our clients due to the general noise or thoughts and expectations common to us all. Before we can expect our clients to hang out in the present moment we're going to need to learn how to guard it for ourselves and we'll often need to protect it for others - sometimes even from ourselves and...2015-10-2737 minTwig's SE Reflections061: This is a Lot Like HuntingPlay Episode 61 Here
An episode dedicated to a meditation on the similarity between facilitating SE sessions and the act of hunting in the open field, including notions about shared frame of mind, attitude, challenges and joys of engagement. Along with some thoughts about what we're looking for as key information scent in our sessions and the need to sometimes "Hold back our hearts" while the conditions for success are being cultivated.2015-10-2038 minTwig's SE Reflections060: Am I a Fraud? Is this stuff real?Play Episode 60 Here
Maybe it doesn't happen to everyone but plenty of us have wondered if we're frauds. It's only natural. This SE stuff is a "different kind of thing" than most of our clients are prepared for. The worry that we don't know what we're doing is easily exacerbated by not having enough traction and felt success in our work. This episode takes a look at some of the pitfalls that can enhance the feeling of being a fraud along with some sincere practical solutions for the time while you're developing your own mastery of this craft us SEP's...2015-10-1542 minTwig's SE Reflections059: Closing SessionsPlay Episode 59 Here
Here's an easy going look at what comes of every session - closure. A truly non-exhaustive look at the end of sessions.2015-10-1222 minTwig's SE Reflections058: Altered States of Workshops and a CautionPlay Episode 58 Here
Fall is here and for many of us that means we'll be attending various workshops or trainings focused on our "improvement" (of Self, profession and so on). These are fabulous opportunities to move us along the change process to where we hope to go. We get inspired, feel the difference, expect more from ourselves and others back home. Great! What an opportunity. At the same time, maybe we want to be careful after workshops to not sign any new contracts until we reintegrate with our daily lives. Here a quick, admittedly slightly brambled-up yet forgivingly short episode...2015-10-0908 minTwig's SE Reflections057: Hating the Beginning of SessionsPlay Episode 57 Here
I know I'm not alone! Some of us hate the beginning of sessions. If that includes you here's some commiseration, reality testing, suggestions and what I do to cultivate attunement with the aide of Tit for Tat style reciprocity. There's also a description of one of my favorite adapted improv games: Slow Motion Ninja Riot.2015-10-0732 minTwig's SE Reflections056: Postural People WatchingPlay Episode 56 Here
We're back after an unexpected - under-coupling induced - publishing pause! Here's a reflection on the value of people watching for gaining experience in "seeing where a person is" on the various different Somatic maps. Along with the back story on the under-coupling event.2015-10-0518 minTwig's SE Reflections055: Dorsal Vagal Complex Major AttributesPlay Episode 55 Here
Finally, a look at the oldest branch of the Autonomic Nervous System as noted in the Polyvagal theory - the Dorsal Vagal Complex, the sub-system in us that is more akin to older, slower, less engaged critters on the family tree. This is a rambling look at a unique part of our biological heritage that has profound clinical implications for Somatic Experiencing practitioners and others tuning into the wisdom hidden in our physiology.2015-09-0541 minTwig's SE Reflections054: More Fires, Community Trauma on Repeat and Leaning on what’s going in the right directionPlay Episode 54 Here
I needed to step sideways of the review of the polyvagal theory layout and organization of the ANS and go with a topical concern right now while wildfires are back in my area. It's an interesting opportunity to consider where we place our attention and what we focus on when we encounter repetitive dangerous events. My preference is to lean on what's helping things go in the right direction - at least as much as possible. This is a pretty "off-the-cuff" episode.
Helpful Links to Episode Mentions:
A workshop I think we should all check out: Foundations o...2015-08-2620 minTwig's SE Reflections053: Sympathetic Nervous System Major AttributesPlay Episode 53 Here
Continuing on with a little series on the Autonomic Nervous System from a Polyvagal perspective - this time focusing on the Ergotropic (mobilization) system, commonly known as the Sympathetic Nervous System. News...I'm letting go of the mini-series format. These podcasts are going back to the chat chatty pattern. I guess that's why this podcast is called "Twig's SE Reflections."2015-08-1817 minTwig's SE Reflections052: Ventral Vagal Complex Major AttributesPlay Episode 52 Here
2nd in a group of mini-episodes that are supposed to be limited to 5 minutes. Go figure, this one on the basics of the anatomy associated to the Ventral Vagal Complex broke the rules and comes in at 12 minutes. So it goes. Show Notes Page with with additional commentary.
Many of us think of the Polyvagal theory as challenging. Understandably so, it's kinda complex. That's necessary and appropriate for what it is, namely: a parsimonious theory that explains a multidude of phenomena with a simpler, more elegant explanation than what science had found before.
3 cheers for Stephen Porges fo...2015-08-0312 minTwig's SE Reflections051: Cautionary Words about a Ventral Vagal BiasPlay Episode 51 Here
The first of an unknown number of mini-episodes from Twig's SE Reflections. This one on a hopefully unnecessary worry of creating an intellectual cultural bias favoring the pro-social or Ventral Vagal stance at the cost of excluding (and stigmatizing?) those who don't have or want it. Show Notes Page with with additional commentary.
[Note: I'm still working out some changes for the next 50 episodes of Twig's SE Reflections after recieving positive and helpful feedback from listeners. Many thanks to those who took the time for that. In the meantime I'm going to share some mini-episodes of 5 minutes...2015-08-0105 minTwig's SE Reflections050: Special Video Episode: Gratitude and Transparency followed by a PauseSleep well SE Land. "I hope you have good dreams with Adventures and Things More Simple." I'll see you again soon. -Twig
Play Episode 50 Here
In this unique episode I share a my gratitude and a bit of transparency boarding on T.M.I. followed by an announcement that this podcast is going to take a publishing pause while I assess whether it should continue beyond episode 50? There are now 15 hours of SE Reflections available for you in the archives and perhaps this is a good place to change course or stop. You can give your feedback on this page a...2015-07-2000 minTwig's SE Reflections049: Referral Source ConsiderationsPlay Episode 49 Here
Referrals are critical to our work. They bring us new clients, expand our reach into different populations and pre-establish rapport with prospective clients. They also create some challenges of their own, like unmanaged expectations for the rare magic SE session. Without being formulaic about how to deal with these challenges I open up some things for us SE practitioners to be thinking about in relationship to referrals and referral sources.2015-07-1218 minTwig's SE Reflections048: Accumulated Stress and Fire LinesPlay Episode 48 Here
When preparing my land for a big fire, a small fire nearly got out of my control. Similar to working with Global High Activation and other patterns that quickly lead to a conflagration, we often need to put in buffers or fire lines before working with flammable stuff. Here's a little metaphor story from my own fire and encouragement to you to create those contracts and buffers with your clients before things get out of control.2015-07-0517 min