Inner Archeology with Sarah Turner & Emily Pennystone

Dec 22, 2021

While we have set the context for what we say and, more specifically, the way we say it in our Master Your Mindset course, listeners might be wondering, “Why do Emily and Sarah talk about themselves as a collection of parts rather than singular entities?” 

Well, that’s exactly what we dive into in today’s episode!

Tuning in, you’ll find out how thinking about yourself in ‘parts’ can allow you to uncover the most beautiful elements of yourself, even those that you tend to keep buried, and access a newfound ability to connect with and relate to yourself, others, and the world around you. 

We discuss the methods that address working with parts, such as Internal Family Systems, which Emily has some experience with, and we share how thinking about ourselves in parts has helped us in our own lives; from our relationships with our partners to how we understand our so-called “unhealthy” coping mechanisms and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. 

To learn more about protectors, parts integration, contextual personalities, compassionate curiosity, accessing your neutral observer, and so much more, make sure to join us for today’s episode of Inner Archeology!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Learn about ‘parts’ thinking as Emily experienced it in Internal Family Systems therapy.
• What we mean when we say “a part being kicked up” rather than “triggered.”
• Emily on the way you speak and how it impacts your experience; the power of “I am.”
• The benefits of getting to know your ‘protector’ emotions rather than demonizing them.
• How your protectors can sometimes present as seemingly unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• Hear about the ‘manager’ role that parts play in the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
• An important reminder from Sarah that you can make the shift to parts thinking at any time.
• Why it’s important to remember that using this type of language is a practice.
• How protectors can even help protect you from the parts of yourself that you suppress.
• Clarifying the concept of parts integration; what is trying to get your attention?
• While the work often needs to take place within yourself, sometimes it’s about setting an external boundary or making a change.
• Sarah explains what she means when she says that your personality is contextual.
• The difference between being consciously authentic versus aggressively authentic. 
• Emily’s drive to create a safe, non-judgmental space for others to be themselves.
• How creating a safe space for others can encourage them to do the same for you.
• Why your judgment of others is like a mirror for what you're repressing in yourself.
• Sarah on why using this language can feel isolating, weird, or uncomfortable at first.
• The essential role that compassionate curiosity plays in personal development.
• Emily shares an example of the process of parts integration from her own life.
• How Master Your Mindset can help you understand and take action on these concepts.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Master Your Mindset

Internal Family Systems

Esther Perel

Anam Cara

The Untethered Soul

Inner Archeology Email

Sarah Turner