Positive Disintegration Podcast
What can be positive about disintegration? Join us for an exploration of positive disintegration through conversation and shared stories. It’s a framework for understanding a variety of intense experiences that often look and feel like mental illness, but which can also be viewed as building blocks for creating an authentic personality. www.positivedisintegration.org
Tue, April 29, 2025
Live from Wisconsin, Part 2
Episode 74 includes Part 2 of our very first in-person podcast special. After years of collaborating across continents, Chris and Emma finally sat down together face-to-face in Madison, Wisconsin. In this spontaneous, laughter-filled continuation, we’re joined by Bee Mayhew and Pam Ryan for a warm and off-the-cuff conversation about friendship, imagination, healing, and what it really means to be ourselves. In this episode: * The power of community and co-regulation for people who’ve long felt “too much” * What happens when deep thinkers stop masking and start mirroring each other * A kitchen full of neurodivergent magic and mirroring * Finding safety, resonance, and spiritual alignment in community * From shared values to shaping new realities—how our friendships have become frameworks We reflect on how much we’ve grown, how much we’ve healed, and how profoundly we’ve changed by allowing ourselves to show up as our true selves, together. Big news: Chris and Bee have launched a brand new podcast together—✨ cosmic cheer squad ✨ Visit cosmic cheer squad on Substack Follow @cosmiccheersquad on Instagram It’s a show blending resistance, storytelling, transformation, and soul-friend energy. Links from this episode Bee’s Substack: * Pragmagination Pam’s groups on Facebook: * Rogue Valley Brainery & Ludoteca * Voodoodleydooers Connect with us * Positive Disintegration on Substack * Visit the Dabrowski Center website * Facebook * Instagram * The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel * Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook * The Tragic Gift blog by Emma * Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com * Please consider donating to the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. * Find Positive Disint
Tue, April 15, 2025
Live from Wisconsin, Part 1
Welcome to a very special episode of Positive Disintegration ! For the first time ever, Chris and Emma sat down together in person to record—not virtually, not over Zoom or SquadCast, but face to face in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin. In this warm and unscripted special, we reflect on our friendship, the podcast’s evolution, and the joy (and awkwardness!) of finally being in the same room after three years of collaboration. In this episode : * Behind-the-scenes stories from Emma’s trip to the U.S. * Meeting Michael Piechowski and getting hosted with tea and cookies * Visiting the Henry Vilas Zoo, hanging out with James, Jason, and Jack—and, of course, the infamous hound dog, Champ * Reflections on growth, healing, and laying new paths * Creating the Positive Disintegration Network and dreaming forward into 2025 * How their work and friendship have evolved over years of podcasting together * Early glimpses of new projects: cosmic cheer squad and PDA: Resistance and Resilience ✨ This is part one of a two-part special to our listeners—an intimate conversation full of laughter, reflection, and visioning for what’s next. Links from this episode Tragic Gift Adults with Overexcitabilities Upcoming podcasts Chris mentioned: The cosmic cheer squad podcast is coming soon with Bee Mayhew from pragmagination PDA: Resistance & Resilience is coming later this spring with Marni Kammersell from Wandering Brightly Connect with us * Positive Disintegration on Substack * Visit the Dabrowski Center website * Facebook * Instagram * The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel * Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook * The Tragic Gift blog by Emma * Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com * Please consider donating to the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Mon, February 24, 2025
Healing Through Writing
In episode 72, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Lil Jedynak—a memoir writing coach, multi-potential creative, and gifted adult—who helps people tell their life stories through the lens of autoethnography. Lil shares her journey of self-discovery, from uncovering her giftedness at 60 to finding new frameworks for understanding her life, such as Dąbrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration. We explore how writing became a tool for her healing, integration, and personal growth and how she now guides others on their own storytelling paths. We dive into: * How early experiences of invisibility, perfectionism, and cultural expectations shaped Lil’s understanding of her giftedness. * The role of autoethnography in making sense of one’s life story and deepening self-awareness. * The interplay between tall poppy syndrome, perfectionism, and the fear of failure. * The power of embracing past struggles as part of personal development. * How creativity, intuition, and personal reflection help gifted individuals integrate their complex identities. * Alternative ways to process and express self-discovery beyond writing. This conversation is full of insight into the lived experience of positive disintegration and how we can turn our personal narratives into sources of strength. Whether you love to write or prefer other forms of self-expression, there are many ways to make meaning of your story. Join us for an inspiring discussion that celebrates authenticity, creativity, and the art of storytelling. Resources from this episode * Website: drlilconsults.com * Substack: Lil’s Substack * Lil’s session from DC2024 on YouTube: Fame and Fragility Join us at the 2025 International Symposium on Autoethnography and Narrative People mentioned: Lotte van Lith — A Lot of Complexity & Episode 9 Jennifer Harvey Sallin — InterGifted & Episode 23 Sheldon Gay — I Must Be BUG'N Pod & Episode 63 Books mentioned: * <a target="_blank" href="https://www.giftedunlimited
Wed, January 15, 2025
Suicide, Stigma, and Support, Part 2
*Content Warning: This episode contains a discussion about suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners. Click here for resources. In episode 71, Chris and Emma continue the conversation with Dr. Stacey Freedenthal, a suicidologist, therapist, author, and professor at the University of Denver. In this second installment, we delve deeper into the complexities of suicidality, exploring chronic suicidal thoughts and the stigma surrounding suicide. We talk more about what to say and what not to say to someone who is suicidal and how to support those in emotional pain. Stacey shares valuable insights and practical resources for those navigating these challenging experiences. Chris and Emma reflect on their personal journeys and the power of connection in moments of despair. This candid discussion provides essential perspectives for anyone seeking to better understand suicide, reduce stigma, and foster compassion. Resources from this Episode Speaking of Suicide StaceyFreedenthal.com Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals (book for professionals) Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts: What Family, Friends, and Partners Can Say and Do (book for laypeople) Frank King, A Matter of Laugh or Death (YouTube) r/SuicideWatch (Reddit) ChronicSuicideSupport.com Alternatives to Suicide WarmLine Wildflower Alliance Live Through This Chris’s story on Live Through This (Interview date: February 26, 2015, Denver, CO) Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration <a target="_blank" href="https://ww
Mon, January 06, 2025
Suicide, Stigma, and Support, Part 1
*Content Warning: This episode contains a discussion about suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners. Click here for resources. In episode 70, Chris and Emma talk with Dr. Stacey Freedenthal, a suicidologist, therapist, author, and professor at the University of Denver. We discuss the deeply important but often stigmatized topic of suicide. This is part one of a two-part series that explores the intersection of suicide and Dabrowski’s theory of positive disintegration, offering listeners tools for empathy and connection in the face of despair. Stacey shares her personal journey with suicidality, the experiences that led her to dedicate her career to this work, and the insights she’s gained through her research, teaching, and practice. Together, we explore the stigma surrounding suicidal thoughts, the ways people can hide their pain, and how well-intentioned responses often fall short. Stacey emphasizes the need for what she calls “brave listening”—creating a safe space for honest conversations without judgment or quick fixes. Chris and Emma also reflect on their own experiences and share perspectives on navigating these tough but crucial discussions. Resources from this episode Speaking of Suicide StaceyFreedenthal.com Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals (book for professionals) Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts: What Family, Friends, and Partners Can Say and Do (book for laypeople) A Suicide Therapist’s Secret Past (NY Times article mentioned, behind paywall. Click for PDF ) Stacey mentioned the following image from her book’s cover. We mentioned Episode 8: Surviving Disintegration Thomas Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (Wikipedia) Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook <a target="_blank" href="htt
Tue, December 10, 2024
Myth, Neurodivergence, and Transformation
In episode 69, Chris and Emma talked with Lian Brook-Tyler, shamanic healer, teacher of unity, podcaster, and co-founder of the Be Mythical podcast. In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, we dive into the intersections of mysticism, neurodivergence, spirituality, transformation, and awakenings—connecting these profound experiences to Dabrowski’s theory of positive disintegration. We explore: * How neurodivergence can shape mystical and spiritual experiences. * The connection between shamanic practices, inner work, and positive disintegration. * The importance of doing the work of inner transformation and embracing the unknown. * The parallels between psychological and spiritual frameworks in understanding human development. Lian’s mythical journey truly began when she was ruptured open to Spirit with the sudden death of her father—which led to her mysteriously recovering from 15 years of chronic pain, panic attacks and anxiety. That inexplicable transformation inspired her to leave a leadership role in the corporate world to immerse herself in discovering what creates pain and struggle, and conversely, how to create a life overflowing with love, magic, beauty and truth Lian also shares how her work at Be Mythical, together with co-founder Jonathan Wilkinson, supports old souls and visionaries on initiatory journeys of self-discovery, using myth and ancient wisdom to find purpose and truth. Their work, Be Mythical, is an alchemy of ancient ways for modern days. It weaves together eclectic wisdom teachings and natural traditions such as rewilding, magic and animist spirituality, embodiment, and self-illumination into a soul-led, heart-centred, sovereign path of reclaiming your wildness, actualising your deepest gifts, to live fully and die complete. Here is the Tree of Life image Lian discussed during the episode Links from this episode Be Mythical website Be Mythical podcast Be Mythical episodes we mentioned: * “Over-excitability”: A more truthful and constructive perspective on neurodivergence? (episode with Chris) * How to know if you're really "Doing The Work"? Sara J. Sanderson interviews Lian Brook-Tyler Positive Disintegration Episode 29: The Disintegrating Duck Courses: https://www.bemythical.com/godeeper Free fb group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1694264587546957 Fb page: <a target="_blank" hre
Wed, November 20, 2024
Overexcitabilities and Dąbrowski's Theory
In episode 68, Chris and Emma debriefed about Chris’s session from NAGC 2023 titled “Overexcitabilities and Dąbrowski’s Theory: Correcting the Course in Gifted Education.” We covered the five common myths or misunderstandings about the theory of positive disintegration that were addressed in the presentation. We’ve been sitting on this episode because we didn’t have time to get it out right after last year's conference. Michael’s episode was the priority following NAGC 2023 since his 90th birthday was approaching. We were also concerned that we had shared so many posts about NAGC in the lead-up to the conference that people might be burned out on the topic—but now, we are ready to share! Highlights 00:02:13 Debriefing about the conference 00:03:50 Previous sessions from Chris at NAGC 00:07:22 Positive impact of the 2022 OE panel session 00:10:02 Myth 1: There is little or no empirical evidence for TPD 00:14:54 Myth 2: TPD is a theory of giftedness 00:24:27 Myth 3: Overexcitability can only be understood within the context of positive disintegration 00:28:43 We do still need the theory as a non-pathologizing framework 00:35:27 Myth 4: Overexcitability and openness to experience are the same thing, and the five-factor model can replace TPD 00:39:45 Myth 5: Overexcitability can be differentiated from ADHD and autism 00:44:50 There's no clear line of demarcation for types of neurodivergence and OE. 00:48:08 Best practices for working with overexcitability 00:52:58 Main takeaways from the session 00:56:49 We care a lot We hope you’ll enjoy this episode! We’re releasing it ahead of NAGC 2024 in Seattle . Chris submitted no proposals this year and looks forward to attending NAGC without presenting for once. They feel it’s worth repeating this material from last year instead. Links from this episode Click here for the download Chris shared at NAGC with slides and relevant papers. View the post NAGC 2023: Overexcitabilities and D ą browski’s Theory from November 2023. The song “We Care a Lot” by Faith No More (1985), for those who a
Tue, November 12, 2024
Depathologizing Intense Experiences
In episode 67, Chris and Emma were joined by Caitlin Hughes from the Divergent Dialogues podcast. Caitlin is an accredited mental health social worker and founder of Cathartic Collaborations, a neurodivergent-affirming private practice based in Brisbane, Australia. We dive deep into the complexities of multi-exceptional neurodivergent identities, the journey of self-discovery, and the importance of embracing our differences. We discussed the theory of positive disintegration as a liberating framework that offers an alternative to the pathology paradigm. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * The Power of Self-Understanding : Caitlin shares their personal journey of late diagnosis as an AuDHD PDAer, highlighting the profound impact this had on their self-perception. We talked about the importance of understanding ourselves and how this knowledge can lead to a transformative process of healing and self-acceptance. Our identities are multifaceted, and embracing our unique neurotypes can empower us to live authentically. * Depathologizing Difference : One of the core themes of our conversation is the need to depathologize neurodivergent experiences. Caitlin discusses how societal narratives often frame neurodivergent traits as deficits rather than strengths. By embracing neurodivergent identities and advocating for a more inclusive understanding, we can create spaces where individuals feel seen and validated. * The Role of Sensual Giftedness : Caitlin introduces the concept of sensual giftedness and how it plays a significant role in their practice. They explain how processing emotions and experiences through sensory modalities can lead to deeper healing. This perspective is particularly enlightening for those of us who may have felt misunderstood or marginalized due to our sensory sensitivities. Caitlin's insights remind us that our unique ways of experiencing the world can be powerful tools for growth and self-discovery. (Please note that at 23:44, Caitlin said granite when they meant to say “graphite” when referring to diamonds and granite). Caitlin uses their intersectional lived experience to therapeutically support neurocomplex & neuroqueer folks. They utilize somatic therapeutic modalities to support clients to heal systemic trauma and embrace their unique neurotype, strengths, and differences, empowering them to build a self-defined life of meaning and purpose. Caitlin has a Facebook group called "Neurodivergent Affirming Social Workers Collective" where they want to inspire and support other Social Workers to grow in their neurodivergent affirming practice. Caitlin is co-host of "Divergent Dialogues" a neurodivergent affirming podcast and blog on Substack which explores a blend of current research, lived and professional experience. Caitlin is currently completing a PhD with a strong interest in qualitative research in the area of
Mon, October 28, 2024
Three Years of Positive Disintegration
In episode 66, Chris and Emma celebrated the podcast’s third birthday! We reflect on our highlights, challenges, and lessons over the last year. One of the most rewarding aspects of our podcast journey has been the incredible community we've built around the theory of positive disintegration. The relationships we’ve formed—both with each other and with our listeners—have been instrumental in our development. We’ve witnessed the transformation of individuals within our community, and it’s a reminder of how vital connection is in our personal and professional lives. We touch on letting go of perfectionism. We both know that growth is an ongoing process, and it’s okay not to have everything figured out. We share our experiences navigating challenges and how they’ve pushed us to rethink our values and boundaries. This journey of self-discovery is not linear, and embracing the messiness of life as we continue to evolve is essential. Our conversation also delves into the complexities of values and how they can clash, especially in today’s polarized world. We explore how different perspectives can lead to misunderstandings and the importance of recognizing that our values may manifest differently in our actions. This insight fosters empathy and understanding in personal relationships and broader societal contexts. Links from this episode Our previous birthday episodes from year 1 (Ep. 20, Values) and year 2 (Ep. 46) . Episode 34, Mental health Awareness was mentioned Emma’s post Visualisation, Sel-Therapy, and the Shadow Beast Chris’s post Making Friends and Building Community Some of the highlights mentioned from our last year * Episode 47, Harry Potter and the Path of Disintegration with Katy McDaniel and Emily Strand * Episode 48, Piechowski’s Insights on Positive Disintegration with Michael M. Piechowski * Episode 50, Giftedness and Personality with Deborah Ruf * Episode 52: Voice as a Mirror of Inner States with Laura Stavinoha * <a target="_blank" href
Mon, October 21, 2024
Reflections on Giftedness and Dąbrowski's Theory, Part 2
In episode 65, Chris and Emma continue their two-part conversation with Dr. Linda Silverman. Linda shares her insights on asynchronous development, emphasizing the importance of understanding IQ scores as minimal estimates and not definitive indicators of a person's potential. Linda also reflects on her involvement with the Dabrowski Congress and the evolution of the giftedness community. She recounts her role in developing the concept of asynchronous development with the Columbus Group and creating Advanced Development Journal , a unique publication dedicated to adult giftedness. Chris and Emma express their gratitude for Linda’s decades of work and share how her contributions continue to inspire new generations to explore the intersections of giftedness, neurodivergence, and positive disintegration. This episode explores the challenges and triumphs of advocating for a deeper understanding of giftedness and positive disintegration. Links from this episode Gifted Development Center website Advanced Development Journal Institute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD) For a deeper dive into asynchronous development, we suggest the book Off the Charts by Neville, Piechowski, & Tolan (Eds.) Download “Giftedness: The View from Within” by Martha J. Morelock (1992), the first published article about asynchronous development. It was published in the journal Linda mentioned, Understanding Our Gifted. Episodes with people we mentioned: * Episode 5, Researching Overexcitability , with Frank Falk * Episode 19, The Challenge of Levels , with Stephanie Tolan * Episode 48, Piechowski’s Insights on Positive Disintegration with Michael M. Piechowski Chris’s paper from ADJ: The Primary Importance of the Inner Experience of Giftedness Michael Piechowski’s Table of Forms and Manifestations of Overexcitability Giftedness as Neurodivergence, Not Functioning Label by Marni Kammersell and Kat
Mon, October 14, 2024
Reflections on Giftedness and Dąbrowski's Theory, Part 1
In episode 64, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Linda Silverman, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist in Westminster, Colorado. Linda founded and directs the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD) and its subsidiary, Gifted Development Center. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series with Dr. Silverman. The first conversation explores Linda's discovery of Dabrowski's theory in 1979 and her role in establishing the Dabrowski Study Group with Dr. Frank Falk at the University of Denver. Listeners will also gain insights into the complexities of giftedness, including the controversial issue of IQ testing. Linda reflects on how societal shifts have shaped gifted education and the changes she has observed during her career. She offers a candid critique of the limitations of the field, highlighting the challenges of adequately identifying and supporting the unique needs of highly gifted individuals. Her work has had a profound impact on individuals as well as our broader understanding of giftedness. This discussion included many articles and resources, which we’ve shared below. Part 2 will be released soon! Links from this episode Gifted Development Center website Advanced Development Journal Institute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD) We’ve tried to include the following links in the order they were mentioned. Michael Piechowski’s chapter on Developmental Potential from New Voices in Counseling the Gifted. The other chapter mentioned was Giftedness as Multilevel Potential by Kay Ogburn-Colangelo. The book, edited by Nicholas Colangelo and Ronald T. Zaffrann, can still be found online. Click here to read Linda's review for Contemporary Psychology called “Gifts for The Gifted.” The Theory of Positive Disintegration and its Implications for Giftedness by Silverman & Ellsworth, from the 1980 conference Linda discussed attending. Interesting Quotes, Vol. 7 featured work by Marlene Rankel Episodes with folks mentioned in this episode: * Episode 5, Researching Overexcitability , with Frank Falk * <a target="_blank" href="https://www.positivedisintegration.org/p/da
Wed, September 25, 2024
Diverse Voices and Gifted Belonging
In episode 63, Chris and Emma talked with Sheldon Gay, a serial entrepreneur with a background in engineering and a tech-focused MBA. As a late-identified gifted and, therefore, neurodivergent Black man, Sheldon uses his experiences to help others embrace their unique identities and foster community through his podcast, I Must Be BUG’N . In this episode, we dive into the complexities of giftedness, the importance of diverse voices in the gifted community, and the journey of self-discovery. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: The Power of Mirroring: Sheldon emphasizes the critical need for representation and mirroring within the gifted community, especially for marginalized populations. Many gifted individuals often feel isolated, believing they are the only ones experiencing their unique challenges. By elevating diverse voices, we can create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels seen and understood. This mirroring is essential for fostering authentic connections and validating our experiences. Self-Reflection as a Tool for Growth: Throughout our conversation, we explore the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection in navigating the complexities of giftedness. Sheldon shares his journey of discovering the theory of positive disintegration and how it opened the floodgates to understanding himself better. This process of introspection is not just about identifying where we stand but also about recognizing the areas where we can grow. It’s a reminder that our paths are not linear, and embracing the messiness of self-discovery is part of the journey. Challenging Traditional Definitions of Giftedness: Part of our conversation touches on the traditional definitions of giftedness, which often focus on IQ and academic performance. Sheldon challenges this by suggesting giftedness is a multifaceted experience that encompasses emotional depth, creativity, and unique perspectives. By broadening our understanding of what it means to be gifted, we can create a more inclusive understanding that celebrates diverse talents and abilities. We also discuss levels of development, self-awareness, and multidimensionality. Doing inner work and exploring our depths. Sheldon introduces the concept of "shadow thoughts," which are the unspoken beliefs and internal narratives that shape our self-perception. These thoughts often originate from external influences, such as societal expectations or familial messages, and can hinder authentic self-expression. By confronting and understanding these shadow thoughts, individuals can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent them from fully embracing their giftedness. This is a rich conversation, and we invite you to join us. We also suggest you follow Sheldon’s podcast, which we’ve linked to below. Links from this episode Sheldon’s podcast <a target="_b
Tue, September 10, 2024
Discovering Your Inner Compass: Our DC2024 Workshop
In episode 62, Chris and Emma delivered the audio from the DC2024 workshop they previewed in episode 58. The Dabrowski Congress was a special experience, and this workshop was no exception. So, we’d like to say a big thank you to the people who shared their thoughts and questions with us during the session because they really helped make it amazing. We hope you’ll enjoy our workshop, too, and participate with us as you listen! Values are at the heart of the theory of positive disintegration. They play a crucial role in personal growth and understanding your identity, serving as an inner compass to guide behavior and decision-making. We emphasize the significance of understanding personal values, their evolution, and their impact on our behavior. Values are the principles or standards that inform our behavior, driven by what we perceive as important in life. They are not static—they shift and evolve as we grow and encounter new experiences and challenges. This dynamic nature is essential for personal development, as it allows us to reassess and redefine what is meaningful to us over time. Just as a compass provides direction, values help us navigate our lives, particularly during times of disintegration or uncertainty. Establishing and understanding your hierarchy of values is critical for the processes of autopsychotherapy and self-education. The journey toward authenticity is facilitated by recognizing and aligning with our core values. The session aims to help participants discover their core drivers, define their values, and embark on a journey toward authenticity, so there are reflection exercises and questions through the workshop. A quote we shared from an interview Dr. Dabrowski gave in 1979, which was published as “The Heroism of Sensitivity” in 1994: “Creating new values is a fundamental part of development. When we grow, we start to have a different view of reality and that leads us to reorder our value system. We create values by our self-observation, by our thinking, and by putting our ideals into practice. Discovering in ourselves higher levels of development, higher tendencies, and sensitivities, we simultaneously create them.” Listeners are encouraged to participate actively by taking notes and reflecting on prompting questions throughout the workshop. There will be places during the episode for you to pause and reflect on the questions being asked. Workshop slides are available for further reference by clicking the button below or from the resource list. Links from this episode Click here to download the PDF of our slides Watch the video of our session on YouTube Visit the 2024 Dabrowski Congress page <a
Tue, August 06, 2024
The Power of Professional Identity
In episode 61, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Sarabeth Berk Bickerton, a professional identity researcher and the leading expert on hybrid professional identity. Sarabeth is based in Boulder, Colorado, and author of More Than My Title: The Power of Hybrid Professionals in a Workplace of Experts and Generalists . Understanding and articulating your professional identity is essential for achieving fulfillment and success in the workplace. Sarabeth emphasized the significance of understanding and articulating your professional identity beyond job titles. She stressed the importance of recognizing ourselves in our work, independent of the tasks we perform. We delved into Sarabeth’s concept of hybrid professional identity, where individuals bring together diverse skills and experiences to create something new. She shared how being a hybrid professional can lead to disruption and innovation in the workplace, challenging traditional norms and boundaries. We learned about the need to explore the intersection of multiple professional identities to truly define and showcase your unique value in the workplace. Sarabeth’s work helps people articulate their unique values and contributions in the workplace. Through exercises and frameworks, she assists individuals in exploring their skills, experiences, and preferences to create a comprehensive understanding of their professional identities. This process enables individuals to enhance self-awareness, communicate strengths effectively, and navigate career transitions or advancements with confidence and clarity. Sarabeth shared that professionals with hybrid identities often face challenges in traditional work environments where they are expected to fit into specific roles. This can result in feeling misunderstood, undervalued, or limited in expressing their full potential. We discussed the importance of career belonging, where individuals seek to align their values, skills, and aspirations with their work environment. We learned the importance of understanding where you fit and belong in your career journey, whether to yourself, others, or a larger purpose. Links from this episode Sarabeth’s website: More Than My Title Her book More Than My Title on Amazon Find Sarabeth on: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook We mentioned Gifted Unleashed Episode 33 , featuring Nadja Cereghetti and guest Chris Wells. Connect with us
Sun, July 07, 2024
Dabrowski 101, An Introduction to the Theory of Positive Disintegration
In episode 60, Chris and Emma introduced the theory of positive disintegration in a nutshell. We did our best to make it as approachable as possible and kept jargon to a minimum. Our goal was not to deliver a scholarly presentation of the theory but one for the layperson going through positive disintegration. This introduction was created especially for the 2024 Dabrowski Congress for attendees who want to learn more about the theory behind the conference. Our hope is that it will serve for years to come as a primer for positive disintegration. As Emma often says, TPD is not only a theory but an experience, and those going through it appreciate a mirror that makes sense of their struggles. The topics we covered: - Background of Dr. Kazimierz Dabrowski - Nervousness, Psychological Tension and Big Emotions - The Five Types of Overexcitabilities - Types of Development, Developmental Potential and Multilevelness, and Multilevelness in Personality Growth - Hierarchy of Values, the Third Factor of Development (and Nature, Nurture, and the Third Factor) - Unilevel vs. Multilevel Disintegration - Positive Maladjustment, Spontaneous Multilevel Disintegration, Pain, and Self-Reflection - Challenges in Discovering and Acting on Values, and Organized Multilevel Disintegration - Transforming Overexcitabilities into Tools for Growth - Lifelong Journey of Personal Growth, and Personality as an Achievement - Resources, DC2024, and Final Thoughts Register for DC2024 at https://dabrowskicenter.org/register If you want to join one of Chris’s courses this year, click here to register your interest and receive more information. We created Dabrowski 101 as a video and podcast episode. You can watch the video on YouTube . Quotes “The prefix over attached to ‘excitability’ serves to indicate that the reactions of excitation are over and above average in intensity, duration, and frequency” (Dabrowski, 1996, p. 7, Multilevelness of Emotional and Instinctive Functions). "Making multilevelness the central concept in the approach to development means that we have to apply it to every phenomenon under scrutiny. It means that we are using a new key, or paradigm, with which to approach human behavior and its development. It now becomes less meaningful to consider, for instance, aggression, inferiority, empathy, or sexual behavior as unitary phenomena, but it becomes more meaningful to examine different levels of these behaviors." (Dabrowski, 1996, p. 10) “Discovering in ourselves higher levels of development, higher tendencies, and sensitivities, we simultaneously create them.” Dabrowski, 1994, "The Hero
Mon, June 10, 2024
Building Better Social Worlds with Theory
In episode 59, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Sergej van Middendorp and Abbie VanMeter of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution. We discussed the CMM (Coordinated Management of Meaning) theory and its intersection with the theory of positive disintegration. Sergej helps generate healthy systems with action research-based practice in improvisation, design, and communication. In the Netherlands, he facilitates a collaborative support network of caregivers and IT providers in their development of an integral digital health system. He is on the CMM Institute's Board of Stewards. Abbie is the host of the Stories Lived. Stories Told. podcast. In partnership with the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution, she is involved in a number of projects that work to make the tools, language, and knowledge offered by the communication theory Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) more accessible. CMM theory posits that persons in conversation (when we communicate with each other) co-create their social realities, and are simultaneously shaped by the worlds they construct. Its focus is on storytelling and meaning-making, and the goal of the CMM Institute is to create better social worlds, by helping people communicate in healthier (and more conscious) ways. Meaning is socially constructed—we all have a part in its creation. We discussed how one intersection between positive disintegration and CMM theory is how positive communication and storytelling can include conscious choice, awareness, and relational dynamics in shaping personal growth and social interactions. By being mindful of the stories we tell and the meaning we create through communication, we can contribute to building better social worlds and fostering genuine connections with others. Both CMM theory and the theory of positive disintegration provide language to name and understand our experiences. These frameworks are empowering because they serve as toolkits that can help us in our meaning-making efforts. Abbie and Sergej will be presenting virtually at the 2024 Dabrowski Congress in the session “Improvising Personal and Social Evolution with the Theory of Positive Disintegration (TPD) and the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM).” Resources from this Episode CMM Institute website Stories Lived. Stories Told. Podcast “Plan for Emergence” episode with Abbie and Sergej Chris and Emma were on Epis
Mon, May 20, 2024
Walking Your Talk: DC2024 Workshop Preview
In episode 58, Chris and Emma shared a preview of the workshop they’ll deliver together at the 2024 Dabrowski Congress on July 11, 2024. We started with an overview of the Congress schedule, highlighting the mix of virtual and in-person sessions designed to cater to a diverse audience. Our workshop, which is virtual only, aims to assist participants in aligning their actions with their values—a crucial step toward achieving authenticity. We discussed the importance of understanding and defining personal values and how these guide our behaviors and decisions. Drawing on our experiences and insights, we emphasized the role of values in navigating periods of disintegration and personal growth. We also touched on the structure of our workshop, which will include practical exercises to help attendees articulate their values and develop a personal action plan to embody these values in their daily lives. The workshop is designed to be interactive, allowing for personal reflection and group discussion. Finally, we encouraged our listeners to register for the Congress and join us in this transformative workshop! We concluded by expressing our excitement about the opportunity to share tools and strategies that have significantly impacted our own journeys toward authenticity. Join us at the Dabrowski Congress to explore how you can walk your talk and be true to your values. Visit the official DC2024 page Register for the 2024 Dabrowski Congress on Eventbrite Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find Positive Disintegration Merch If you enjoyed this episode on <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.
Tue, April 30, 2024
Nurturing Giftedness and Overexcitabilities in the Classroom
In episode 57, Chris and Emma talked with Summer Cowick, an educator with over 15 years of classroom experience specializing in gifted education in Kansas City. Through her coaching organization, Brilliant And Then Some , Summer strives to empower gifted and talented children and their families, guiding them through individual circumstances to unlock their full potential and achieve lasting happiness. For educators and parents, this episode offers practical insights and strategies for supporting overexcitable and gifted students. This is the first time we explicitly address the issue of overexcitability in the classroom. We discussed the impact of Dabrowski’s theory in educational settings, and how understanding overexcitabilities can transform teaching and learning experiences. Our discussion covered a wide range of topics, from applying Dabrowski's theory in the classroom to understanding giftedness beyond the stereotypical traits and the crucial role authenticity plays in education. Summer shared some challenges and strategies for recognizing and nurturing giftedness in students from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds. We talk about the crucial role of authenticity for both students and teachers, including how it influences educational outcomes and personal development. We all shared personal anecdotes about giftedness and overexcitabilities at school. We hope this conversation will help illuminate the complexities of navigating education, including the challenges of sensory overloads, and maintaining personal autonomy and authenticity in overwhelming environments. Summer’s experiences and insights remind us of the power of understanding and leveraging psychological theories like Dabrowski’s to enhance educational practices and support students’ unique needs. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or someone interested in the psychology of education, this episode provides valuable perspectives on making education a more inclusive and transformative experience. Make sure you listen to the end so you can enjoy our hilarious outtakes! Resources from this episode Brilliant and Then Some (Summer’s website) 2024 Dabrowski Congress info page. Summer’s session is “The Real Deal—OEs in the Classroom.” Click here to register . “Mellow Out,” They say. If I Only Could: Intensities and Sensitivities of the Young and Bright” by Michael M. Piechowski <a target="_blank" href="https://www.giftedunlimitedllc.com/store/p35/Living_with_Intensity_-__Understanding_the_Sensitivity%2C_Excitability%2C_and_Emotional_Development_of_Gifted_Children%2C_Adolescents%2C_and_Adults.
Wed, April 24, 2024
Why You'll Never Walk Alone
[Voiceover of written post] The song You’ll Never Walk Alone began life on Broadway in 1945, thanks to Rodgers and Hammerstein. It was instantly popular, and has been covered by many artists over the years. But in 1963, Gerry And The Pacemakers did their version, and Liverpudlian magic was made. The song has been fully adopted by Liverpool FC, being sung before every game, and the words ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ being incorporated into the team emblem and forged into the gates of Anfield stadium. It is an uplifting song of hope. The lyrics convey comfort and solidarity. To many, the message of this song is clear—in times of trouble, you’re not alone. But if we dig a little deeper, we start to understand the true nature of the troubled times. We start to understand the reasons why you’ll never walk alone. More importantly, we can explore how this underlying message is a critical component for navigating Dabrowski’s framework of positive disintegration. Walk the path towards your authentic self, and you’ll never walk alone. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
Mon, April 15, 2024
From the Archive: Inner Growth
Welcome to the first official “From the Archive” post. We’ve added DC Archive to our Substack navbar , where you’ll find posts like this one with media shared from our Dabrowski Center archive. The presentation featured in this post was given by Dr. Michael M. Piechowski at the 12th Annual Hollingworth Conference for Highly Gifted in Manchester, New Hampshire, in May 1999. This audio recording was converted to mp3 from a cassette tape Michael sent to Chris in June 2018. The handout was discovered in a box of transparencies and documents Michael shared with Chris in May 2021. For those who are new here, Michael joined us on Episode 48 of the podcast. Click here for more posts and episodes mentioning Michael. Only the first 45 minutes of the recording were available. The rest is missing in audio, but you can find it in the handout. Visit the Substack post for the handout and transcript. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
Mon, April 08, 2024
Autoethnography for Personal Growth
In episode 56, Chris and Emma discussed autoethnography as a research method, and powerful tool for autopsychotherapy and transformation. Chris described autoethnography as a method for delving into one's life (usually through writing about it), not as an isolated individual but within the broader context of social and cultural influences. This method allows you to understand yourself within systems, considering factors like race, gender, class, privilege, oppression, and trauma. Emma and Chris emphasized the value of gaining insights into your past experiences and behaviors. You can identify turning points and epiphanies, leading to a deeper understanding of yourself. By reflecting on personal history, you uncover patterns, traumas, and societal influences that have shaped your identity. This method also allows you to view your life through the lens of positive disintegration, and identify dynamisms, overexcitabilities and moments of disintegration. Chris shared this quote from Christopher Poulos’s Essentials of Autoethnography : “The deep emotional introspection associated with this form of academic writing comes with inherent vulnerability and exposure to the judgment of others, along with the possibility of opening up old trauma, stirring up painful memories, digging into taboo subjects, or sparking grief or other deep emotions.” We discussed our different approaches to this work because the method can be tailored to suit individual preferences and comfort levels. While Chris delves deep into coding journal entries and conducting in-depth research, Emma mentions more accessible approaches like writing about past experiences, talking to others, or reviewing your past social media posts. By utilizing different mediums for self-expression (like art, or video recordings), you can explore personal narratives in diverse ways, uncovering hidden emotions, patterns, and perspectives that may not be apparent through traditional writing alone. Emma shared how she found watching herself in a video discussing her feelings to be enlightening, and that seeing facial expressions and body language helped her understand her emotions better. Chris mentioned the importance of being prepared for the emotional impact of autoethnography. They discussed the need for space, time, and self-care to process the unearthed traumas and painful memories. The process may involve re-traumatizing yourself to some extent, but it can also lead to healing and self-compassion. This multi-dimensional approach allows for a more comprehensive exploration of identity, experiences, and relationships, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world. Resources from this episode The Primary Importance of the Inner Experience of Giftedness , a paper Chris wrote ba
Tue, March 26, 2024
Gifted Intersections and Transformation
In episode 55, Chris and Emma talked with Kaitlin Smith, a Boston-based scholar, facilitator, and founder of Our Wild Minds, which offers online community and programs that help gifted BIPOC unleash their natural gifts. Kaitlin is also a PhD student at Harvard in History of Science where her research interrogates the history of mind sciences and intersections with African American Studies. Kaitlin shared how her personal experiences and challenges led her to explore Dabrowski's theory of positive disintegration and its relevance to her life and studies. She discussed the complexities of being gifted within the context of racial and cultural identities. She reflected on the challenges faced in her journey, including her experiences with racism and stereotyping within academia as a social work student and therapist-in-training. Kaitlin detailed the creation and mission of Our Wild Minds, a program designed to support gifted BIPOC individuals in unleashing their natural gifts. She outlined the various components of the community and the WildMinder Journey, which includes introspection, connection, learning, manifestation, and giving back. We learned about Kaitlin’s online course, Black Brilliance Circle, which serves as a space for gifted Black adults to explore their identities, challenges, and potential. She discusses the richness of bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and the power of community in fostering growth and understanding. Our conversation delved into the idea of “Decolonizing Giftedness.” We discussed the importance of addressing the roots of gifted education, as well as challenging and dismantling the biases and assumptions that have historically shaped the field. Kaitlin emphasized embracing complexity and intersectionality in understanding and supporting gifted individuals. We explored the concept of positive maladjustment and its relevance to navigating and challenging oppressive systems. We discussed the importance of self-reflection, learning, and unlearning as crucial tools for both personal growth and societal transformation. The episode concluded with reflections on the importance of lifting others as we climb, and the transformative potential of engaging in deep, meaningful conversations across differences. We are grateful for Kaitlin’s willingness to share her journey and insights with our audience. The quotes Chris mentioned by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: “The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it and then dismantle it. The attempt to turn this usefully descriptive term racist into an almost unusable slur is, of course, designed to do the opposite, to freeze us into inaction” And "Like fighting an addiction, being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination." Resources from this episode Kaitlin’s website <a target="_blank" href="https://www.o
Mon, March 11, 2024
Navigating the Tides of Change
Episode 54 features the presentation Chris and Emma gave at Gift-a-Palooza 2024, a virtual summit with more than 45 speakers on the topics of giftedness and neurodiversity. This was our first time presenting together, and we had a great time. We edited the audio from our discussion of positive disintegration in gifted adults. The Q&A isn't included. If you’re reading this on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or another podcast platform, please visit the show notes on Substack for the slide images. This first slide is Emma’s representation of the process of positive disintegration. [From the transcript] Emma: “When you think you know who you are, everything starts to fall apart. You can go through a process then of sorting things out and trying to reshape. It's a little bit like pulling apart Lego bricks and rebuilding yourself, figuring out what goes at the top and what goes at the bottom… Disintegration's not just a linear, straight-through process. You don't just go step one, two, three, four, five. Through your life, you will get moments where new informational circumstances will come in and it can start that cycle of development again.” The next slide gives insight into values. From Emma: “When we think about what values are, they are the principles or the standards that we have in place for ourselves that drive our behavior, But they're based on what we see as important in life. So, you can see that little diagram I've got. You've got everything that you believe to be true in life and what your priorities are… Based on that, you then build out standards for yourself of how you think you should behave. And then your behaviors come out the back of that.” At the 08:30 mark of this episode, Chris tackled the difference between the unilevel and multilevel processes. On the next slide, we offered an overview of the dynamisms, which can be defined as inner forces that shape and direct our development. At 15:22, Chris described the overexcitabilities as the raw material for producing dynamisms. The path to authenticity represented by a strutting cat. From Emma: "[The path has] got to be self-created because you're the only one who can define what you believe, what's important to you. So then, what are your values? You're the only one who can truly say who you are authentically inside... Think about what's important to you, think about what you really value, and then look at your behavior and say, am I walking my talk? And if I'm not, what can I do to change that to make sure that I am behaving in a way that aligns with my values?" From Chris: “The heart of this theory is inner transformation. It's what the dynamisms are all about: helping you shape yourself into who you're meant to be, who you want to be... One of the beautiful things about positive disintegration is that it can be a creative process o
Tue, February 27, 2024
Quick Bite: Red Flag Behaviors 🚩
In episode 53, Chris and Emma discussed some of the “red flags” to be aware of when consuming content on positive disintegration. They discussed the importance of being aware of potentially problematic sources, particularly for those who are new to the theory. By sharing examples of red flags in other areas of their lives, they aim to help listeners navigate through potentially misleading information (or messages which may do them harm) and encourage critical thinking. Red flag behaviors we covered include: * Discouraging Authenticity : It's crucial to be open and accepting of who others are and who they say they are. The theory of positive disintegration is all about being authentic, so if someone is trying to discourage you from expressing yourself authentically, further investigation is needed. * Canon Purists : Be mindful of when individuals only focus on one perspective. While Dabrowski's work is highly valuable, it's crucial to expand on it and approach positive disintegration as an evolving experience, rather than a rigid theory. * Speculation Without Evidence : We need to be mindful that data, evidence and validation are critical to our understanding of positive disintegration. Question sources, think critically, and look for evidence to back up arguments. * Level Labelers : Watch out for those who categorize individuals into levels or hierarchies based on their development. Positive disintegration is a dynamic process, and it's essential to avoid labeling yourself or others in a way that limits growth and understanding. Embrace the journey and focus on the process rather than fixed levels. * Developmental Potential Elitists : Overexcitability is not only for the gifted. Positive disintegration is a tool that can help people navigate crises. Let’s not limit who we can help! * People who are mean : Personal attacks and punching down are not aligned with the wonderful messages of compassion that are found in the theory. Remember to trust your instincts, question sources, and always strive for empathy and authenticity in your interactions. Links from this episode Episode 48: Piechowski’s Insights on Positive Disintegration for more on why it’s best to avoid becoming a “Level Labeler.” Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration
Mon, February 12, 2024
Voice as a Mirror of Inner States
In episode 52, Chris and Emma talked with Laura Stavinoha, who offers singers and speakers coaching and counseling about the voice and personal development through her company, Use Your Voice. Laura is the author of the book Voice: A Multifaceted Approach to Self-Growth and Vocal Empowerment and editor-in-chief of the Dutch Positive Disintegration website. She will join us in Denver this summer to present her work at the 2024 Dabrowski Congress. The human voice is a tool for communication, and a reflection of our inner state. Laura discusses how the voice can provide insights into our emotions, stress levels, and personal development. She says our voice is connected to the nervous system and can be influenced by our emotions. When we experience feelings such as nervousness, excitement, or anger, our voice can undergo changes. This connection between emotions and the voice is well-known, as many of us have experienced our voices trembling or becoming shaky when we are anxious or stressed. We talk about the role of overexcitabilities in the voice. Overexcitabilities are heightened sensitivities and intensities that can manifest in different ways, including in the voice. For instance, individuals with psychomotor overexcitability may have rapid speech patterns or a tendency to talk compulsively. Individuals with imaginational overexcitability may experience rapid shifts in thoughts and ideas during conversation. Laura describes how the voice can be a symptom of the conflicts and tensions that arise as we strive for personal growth and self-actualization. These conflicts can manifest in our voice—e.g., feeling constricted or unable to express ourselves authentically. Dynamisms are inner forces that can manifest as inner conflicts and tensions that arise during the process of positive disintegration. These conflicts can be reflected in the voice, through hesitations, inconsistencies, or changes in tone. Laura explains that the autonomic nervous system influences the voice in the same way it influences other bodily functions like heart rate and breathing. Regulating the nervous system through practices like meditation or yoga can have a positive impact on the voice. The human voice can provide valuable insights into our inner state. It can reflect our emotions, stress levels, and personal development. By paying attention to our voice and working on its development, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and enhance our communication with others. Highlights 00:03:34 How Laura discovered the theory 00:07:34 Laura’s path to authenticity 00:14:23 The importance of purpose 00:17:00 Reflection on developing one’s voice 00:18:39 Do you like the sound of your own voice? 00:22:33: Chris’s voice issues 00:27:11 Tension and the voice 00:28:28 When Laura’s voice failed her 00:30:28 OEs and the autonomic nervous system 00:34:26 How OEs manifest
Fri, January 12, 2024
Quick Bite: Gift-a-Palooza
In episode 51, Chris and Emma shared the news that they are presenting at a virtual summit, Gift-a-Palooza, and discussed their plans for the session. This is also the first episode where we’ve included outtakes at the end. We hope our errors and laughter are as amusing for you as they were for us! [ Click here for Episode 54 and listen to the audio from our session.] Gift-a-Palooza will be the first time Chris and Emma team up for a presentation. Their session is “Navigating the Tides of Change: Positive Disintegration in Gifted Adults,” and it’s happening on Saturday, February 3, from 4:15-5:30 pm EST. The full conference dates are February 1-4, 2024, and there’s a fantastic lineup with something for everyone in the gifted community. From the hosts, Dr. Michael and Julie Postma of Gifted & Thriving: “This 4-day celebration is dedicated to helping individuals and families in our Gifted & Multi-Exceptional community move from a place of surviving to thriving—by coming together to share and explore our experiences, challenges and joys! This year, we're bringing together 45+ top experts for an array of engaging discussions, live Q&As and special events for educators, families, adults, health professionals and other community members!” If you want to join us, please consider signing up with our affiliate link . The cost is $139 USD for all access. Links from this episode Click here to sign up ! (Affiliate link: https://www.giftedandthriving.com/a/2147748168/TznuMaEi) Gifted & Thriving (website) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
Thu, January 04, 2024
Giftedness and Personality
In episode 50, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Deborah Ruf, author of the award-winning book 5 Levels of Gifted . In 2023, she released a follow-up book called The 5 Levels of Gifted Children Grown Up: What They Tell Us . Our conversation highlights her expertise in studying giftedness and personality across the lifespan. We started the episode by asking Deborah to share her journey, and learned how she was first introduced to Dąbrowski’s theory in the early 1990s. Her dissertation study included the theory of positive disintegration, which she has worked with for many years. We discussed how she incorporated the theory into her work while exploring the complexities of giftedness, including its intersection with personality types and life circumstances. Our personalities have a profound impact on our relationships with others as well as with our own self-understanding. Chris shared a few quotes from The 5 Levels of Gifted Children Grown Up during our discussion, including this one about the importance of the environment on development: “It is not the high IQ or intellectual level that causes personal problems for many of our most intellectually gifted people. It is the ongoing presence of a poor environmental “fit” during their childhood. The better the fit, the better the social, emotional, and any other kind of well-being outcome measure, they will have.” (Ruf, 2023) Overall, this episode underscores the multifaceted nature of intelligence and personality, shaping our interactions, self-perception, and adaptation to various environments. Embracing and understanding ourselves can lead to personal growth and improved relationships with others. We highlight the importance of adopting multiple lenses and frameworks to reach a fuller understanding. As complex individuals with diverse backgrounds, strengths, and environments, we require various perspectives to deepen our understanding, heal from past experiences, and develop. Deborah emphasized that personality tests are not fixed and can change as we evolve. Personality tests offer insights into our current state, and by taking them multiple times, we can observe our growth and understand how different factors and periods in our lives impact our moods and responses. Highlights 00:02:30 - Dr. Ruf's Journey to Dabrowski's Theory 00:05:42 - Personal Growth and Weaving Theories 00:08:29 - The Challenges of Funding Research 00:13:45 - Personality Matters 00:19:55 - An Example of Self-Understanding 00:23:20 - The Need for Multiple Perspectives 00:26:26 - Impact of Personality on Life Choices 00:32:41 - Importance of Environmental Fit for Gifted Individuals 00:34:48 - Round Pegs in Square Holes 00:39:25 - Environmental Fit Issues Continue in Adulthood 00:42:15 - Transcending Psychological Type 00:43:57 - The Intersection of Giftedness and Personality 00:48
Mon, December 18, 2023
Quick Bite: Battling Socialization
In episode 49, Chris and Emma delve into the topic of socialization. We discussed how our understanding of socialization has evolved and how it plays a role in personal growth. We emphasized the deliberate nature of multilevel development and that individuals must actively and consciously engage in the process. Simply going through life on autopilot or relying on automatic responses and behaviors is not enough. We must be intentional and self-created in our individual approaches to personal growth. We shared insights on the fluid nature of socialization and how it intertwines with the development of dynamisms in our lives. We reflected on the impact of socialization on personal growth and the challenges one must face. Sometimes, the heart does not want to let go of certain beliefs, even if the mind cognitively understands that they may not be beneficial. This emotional attachment to certain beliefs can be a challenge to overcome in the journey of personal growth. We emphasized the importance of self-reflection and critical examination of our motivations and beliefs to understand the extent to which others have influenced them. By doing so, we can better understand ourselves and make more conscious choices in our lives. We discussed the importance of developing confidence in one's own path and not relying on external validation. We also acknowledged that external feedback can serve as a reminder or a prompt to check one's compass and ensure they are heading in the right direction. Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find Positive Disintegration Merch If you enjoyed this episode on <a target="_blank"
Tue, November 28, 2023
Piechowski's Insights on Positive Disintegration
In episode 48, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Michael M. Piechowski, close collaborator of Dr. Kazimierz Dąbrowski and a scholar in the field of gifted education. Michael’s work has expanded our understanding of the theory of positive disintegration and the qualitative experience of giftedness. We covered many topics in this episode, from Michael meeting Dąbrowski in Edmonton in 1967 to his retirement from Yunasa last summer. We learned about Michael’s early work with the theory and conducting research, the transition from science to counseling and pursuing a second doctorate, rethinking the levels of development, and understanding the importance of the unilevel and multilevel processes. Michael talked with us about the research he did with Dąbrowski that provided a foundation for his work. We learned about the creation of his original Overexcitability Questionnaire, his second dissertation, Formless Forms , and his two papers from more recent years called Rethinking Dąbrowski’s Theory. We discussed why he felt it was necessary to rethink the levels and what case material was applied to this work. This episode was recorded at Michael’s home during Chris’s visit to Madison, Wisconsin, and the format is conversational. We learned more about what Dr. Dąbrowski was like as a person and how to pronounce his name correctly. Michael also talked with us about what areas of research he’d like to see replicated or built on in the future. Highlights from Episode 48 : 00:02:59 Meeting Dąbrowski in Edmonton 00:06:18 Summer 1968 at Esalen 00:09:22 Science and counseling are different 00:10:46 Multilevelness research with Dąbrowski 00:17:14 Formless Forms 00:25:51 Rethinking levels of development 00:34:17 Bandura’s mechanisms of moral disengagement 00:42:09 Levels as universes 00:46:42 Future areas of research 00:49:00 What Dąbrowski was like 00:51:03 The need to replicate Lysy’s study 00:53:20 Yunasa Extended show notes are available for paid subscribers. *There is a transcript available for this episode on our website . Links from this episode Visit the Piechowski Archive on the Dabrowski Center’s website Michael’s book Mellow Out is available via Royal Fireworks Press Michael is co-editor of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.giftedunlimitedllc.com/store/p35/Living_with_Intensity_-__Understanding_the_Sensitivity%2C_Excitability%2C_and
Sun, November 05, 2023
Harry Potter and the Path of Positive Disintegration
In episode 47, Chris and Emma talked with Katy McDaniel and Emily Strand from the Potterversity podcast. Katy is a professor of history at Marietta College, and Emily is a professor of religious studies at Mt. Carmel College of Nursing. Emma is the technical director for Potterversity, so her worlds collide in this conversation. We kicked off the discussion by learning more about how the Potterversity pod used to be called something else. It was renamed because of the comments made by the creator of Harry Potter in 2020, which led to the whole team rethinking and realigning their values. We talked about the difficulties of loving art while grappling with problematic artists and authors. Values in the Harry Potter series were a major part of this episode, and we discussed multiple scenes and characters through the lens of positive disintegration. We engaged in a thought-provoking conversation about the significance of difficult emotions and their contribution to personal growth and transformation. We acknowledged the societal pressure to constantly pursue happiness and challenge the notion that something must be wrong if one is not always happy. Embracing powerful and challenging emotions is essential for personal development and transformation. The Harry Potter books do not promise a life devoid of troubles or a fairy-tale ending. Instead, it presents a narrative of alchemical transformation, where characters undergo loss and face challenges, ultimately emerging as something greater. Positive disintegration was explored in this episode as the process of breaking down and reconstructing one's values and sense of self. This transformative journey often entails experiencing difficult emotions such as guilt, shame, ambivalence, and concern for others' opinions. By breaking free from societal scripts and expectations, akin to the characters in Harry Potter, individuals can foster personal growth and authenticity. Overall, the episode underscores the importance of embracing difficult emotions and experiences as catalysts for personal growth and transformation. It challenges the societal expectation of constant happiness and highlights the value of navigating challenging periods to achieve personal development. Links from this episode Potterversity podcast Potterversity Episode 39: Considering Cockroach Clusters: Food in the Wizarding World - Part Two Potterversity Episode 40: Unpacking Petunia Emily’s website <a target="_blank" href="https://mcfarlandbooks.com/pro
Wed, October 25, 2023
Quick Bite: Two Years of Positive Disintegration
In episode 46, Chris and Emma celebrate the second birthday of the Positive Disintegration podcast and reflect on their work together. Our first episode launched on October 25, 2021, and in this Quick Bite, we expressed our gratitude for the podcast's positive impact on our lives and the friendship that has developed between us. We shared our initial expectations and how pleasantly surprised we were by the podcast's success and our compatibility as co-hosts. We discussed some feedback we’ve received from guests and listeners, and marveled at the impact it has made… …which is, of course, what we originally set out to do, but we had no idea whether or not it would work! We talked about some of the fears and anxieties we had in starting the podcast—fear of not being “perfect,” wondering about whether or not people would embrace the podcast format, and also the nervousness we both had about collaborating when we hardly knew each other. This discussion really is a celebration of all we have achieved, discovered about ourselves (and each other), overcome, and learned. Importantly, it is also an acknowledgment of the contribution that our wonderful guests and listeners have made to both the podcast and our lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, and joined us on this journey! Mentioned in this episode The echidna : Emma’s Adults with Overexcitabilities YouTube Channel and Tragic Gift blog . Democracy Sausages for Australian Voters Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work th
Fri, October 20, 2023
Quick Bite: Dabrowski Congress 2024
In episode 45, Chris and Emma discussed the upcoming 16th International Dabrowski Congress , which will be held virtually on July 11-13, 2024. In the episode, we discussed the proposed format, the theme, keynote speakers, and we put out a call for your action. We're calling for proposals for speakers, for workshops, and also for people to host “watch parties” in their local region. The 2024 Dabrowski Congress theme is “Living the Theory,” and there will be keynotes from Lotte van Lith, Dr. Eric Windhorst, and Emma Nicholson. We’ll have programming for live participants in their time zones (Europe, North America, and Australia). We’ll be having watch parties in these regions where people can gather in person to watch and enjoy sessions together. Don’t forget to register your interest and let us know how and where you would like to attend! Links from this episode Official 2024 Dabrowski Congress page View videos from the 2022 Dąbrowski Congress Register your interest in the 2024 Congress Learn more about our keynoters, Lotte van Lith , Eric Windhorst , and Emma Nicholson . Lotte was the guest on episode 9 , and Eric on episode 10 . Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@
Thu, October 12, 2023
Complexity, Intensity, and Multiple Perspectives
In episode 44, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist specializing in neurodivergence and giftedness. Matt discussed his personal connections with his work as a psychologist in the gifted field and his experiences being gifted and ADHD. We discussed topics such as neurodivergence, personal growth, and giftedness, and Dr. Matt shared personal stories and insights. Matt talked about embracing complexity and multiple perspectives and told us that he supports autonomy in the path to self-discovery. This means letting people come to their own place of understanding. We don’t have to live in a world of black and white. We can live in a world of unique and infinite complexities. We talked about helping people develop self-efficacy and self-determination. Matt said we’re shaped not only by what happens to us but how we respond to it, and he shared that he sees personality as an ongoing process of development. We discussed misdiagnosis and moving away from the medical model. Speaking of kids in school, Matt said that he believes in the productive struggle rather than a pointless and painful struggle. There’s got to be a direction. Dr. Matt shared the origins of what made him such a strong ally for the LGBTQ+ community. He said we’ve got to make more spaces open for people to come as they are, and when that happens, everybody wins. There are no downsides to letting people be their most authentic selves and get the support and accommodations that are required and necessary to facilitate their growth. We agree wholeheartedly. Listeners are encouraged to approach the complexities of the world with an open mind. Matthew Zakreski, PsyD is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with neurodivergent (gifted, 2e, ADHD, Autism, etc.) people and has presented over 200 times all over the country and internationally. He is the co-founder and lead clinician at The Neurodiversity Collective. Links from this episode The Neurodiversity Collective (Dr. Matt’s website) You can find Dr. Matt on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Failure is Fun…damental (YouTube) Falling in Love is Hard on OEs (YouTube) When Emotional Intensity and Cognitive Rigidity Collide (PDF) From The G Word’s GTN Awareness Week: <a target="_blank" href="https://vimeo.com/
Tue, October 03, 2023
Quick Bite: Trauma and Disintegration
In episode 43, Chris and Emma delved into the topic of trauma and disintegration, spurred by a question from our Facebook community. We discussed that while trauma can act as a catalyst for disintegration, it is not a prerequisite. Disintegration can also be triggered by other life events, such as a spiritual awakening or the recognition of social injustices that demand action. We emphasize that personal growth is more closely linked to the experience of dynamisms rather than trauma alone. Living through trauma doesn't guarantee growth; it's the internal dynamisms that play a pivotal role in one's development. Our conversation also covered the third factor dynamism, a key element guiding an individual's development toward higher or more ethical choices. We explored how self-reflection and value alignment contribute to this complex decision-making process. We encouraged listeners to not only ponder their core values but to also assess whether their actions genuinely align with those beliefs—are you walking your talk? We acknowledged that stepping out of one's comfort zone is often easier said than done. Real transformation involves a multi-faceted approach: deep self-reflection, choices that align with your values, and a concerted effort to break free from unproductive habits and behaviors. Looking ahead, we're excited to announce “Ask Me Anything” episodes. We invite our listeners to submit their questions with the subject or hashtag #AskMeAnything. You can connect with us through Facebook, Instagram, or via email at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com. We look forward to your engagement as we continue to explore the many dimensions of positive disintegration. Links from this episode We discussed Dr. Michael M. Piechowski and the thread that runs through his writing about “the work of inner transformation.” We’re planning an Interesting Quotes post on that topic. Emma’s video on Planning Authentic Action With a Process Flow covers the topic of thinking about how you will walk your talk. The Neurodiversity Podcast was mentioned. Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration <a target="_blank" href="
Mon, September 25, 2023
Dynamisms, Personality Ideal, and Inner Work
In episode 42, Chris and Emma continued the conversation with Catherine Zakoian, MA, NCC, LPC, a counselor and consultant from Boulder, Colorado, and author of Raising Gifted Children: A Practical Guide for Parents Facing Big Emotions and Big Potential . We started the discussion by asking Catherine to talk about how the dynamisms show up in her clinical practice with gifted children. She shared insights from asking kids to use symbols to identify the different parts of themselves and helping them work through and resolve inner conflicts. Catherine also discussed the tension children can experience about the world around them, reconciling their desire to do good in the world while also feeling repulsed by the state of it. Self-reflection and goal-setting can be beneficial for children. It provides them with an opportunity to think about their ideal self and who they want to be. By guiding children through the reflective process, they can develop an emerging personality ideal and gain the practice of self-reflection. We discussed the delicate work of acknowledging a person's past experiences while helping them navigate their identity. We emphasized the importance of not dismissing or invalidating someone's past but rather acknowledging and validating those experiences. Catherine brought up the fact that Chris has been learning Polish, and Chris shared a little about how and why that happened. Names that came up in this episode included Immanuel Kant , Joseph Chilton Pearce , and Peace Pilgrim . Note that we recorded this episode before Frank Falk passed away in April, which is why we talked about him as we did toward the end of the episode. The Fourth Factor was mentioned, a term that comes from Elizabeth Mika, but we didn’t go into it in depth. Listen to Episode 17 with Elizabeth for more. Links from this episode Raising Gifted Children: A Practical Guide for Parents Facing Big Emotions and Big Potential by Catherine Zakoian Lumineux Institute (Catherine’s website) Connect with us Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website <
Sun, September 24, 2023
Overcoming the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness (Part 3)
[Voiceover of written post] In part three, Chris reflects on their journey of self-discovery through the lens of Dąbrowski’s theory and autoethnography. They recount how discovering autoethnography provided them with a framework to understand their life experiences, including traumas and their father’s alcoholism. This revelation came during their doctoral studies in psychology, where they also learned about being twice-exceptional (gifted and disabled), challenging their previous beliefs. Chris discusses their struggles with mental health and addiction, initially seeking understanding through psychiatry and later questioning these diagnoses through the lens of autoethnography and Dąbrowski’s theory. They detail their process of self-examination, which included revisiting personal journals, medical records, and conducting interviews with people from their past. This introspection led to a reevaluation of their mental health diagnoses and a decision to stop taking psychiatric medications. Their exploration of Dąbrowski’s theory, particularly through interactions with Michael Piechowski and Linda Silverman, helped them reframe their understanding of their mental health and intellectual giftedness. This new perspective enabled them to see their intense experiences not as symptoms of illness but as strengths. Chris emphasizes the transformative power of self-understanding and acceptance, culminating in a newfound sense of liberation and purpose to share their insights with others. They conclude by encouraging others on similar paths to be patient and kind to themselves in their journey of self-discovery and healing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
Mon, September 18, 2023
Emotional Tension, the Shadow, and Personal Growth
In episode 41, Chris and Emma talked with Catherine Zakoian, MA, NCC, LPC, a counselor and educational consultant from Boulder, Colorado. Catherine is also the author of Raising Gifted Children: A Practical Guide for Parents Facing Big Emotions and Big Potential . We discussed emotional tension and the issue of confronting our individual shadows, as well as the shadow in groups, such as families and communities. Catherine shared valuable insights on navigating this type of inner work, which can be helpful for individuals and clinicians on their personal growth journeys. Catherine shared her experiences of applying Dabrowski’s theory in her clinical practice, offering practical guidance for therapists and clients alike. Whether you're just starting to study the theory or working on yourself, you'll find plenty of worthwhile nuggets in this conversation. We talk about Catherine's expertise, which extends to educational consulting, where she provides guidance to schools and organizations serving gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) populations. She also shared some of her insights from working with gifted children and their families, offering practical advice for parents and educators. Catherine and Chris know each other thanks to participating in the Dabrowski Study Group that was recently mentioned in one of our posts on Substack. Links from this episode Raising Gifted Children: A Practical Guide for Parents Facing Big Emotions and Big Potential by Catherine Zakoian We discussed past Dąbrowski Congresses. Consider joining us at the 2024 Dąbrowski Congress ! Learn more about the Dabrowski Study Group in Chris’s post, The Positive Disintegration Study Group . Episode 28 with Kate Arms was mentioned. Catherine mentioned Michael M. Piechowski’s 1975 monograph (PDF download). Chris mentioned the Parents of Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids Facebook group. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook
Tue, September 05, 2023
Overcoming the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness (Part 2)
[Voiceover of written post] This is part two of Chris's personal journey of overcoming self-stigma. Chris narrates their struggle with self-stigma and mental health, beginning with feeling like a failure post-high school despite being identified as gifted. Seeking understanding in psychiatry led to a deeper sense of disempowerment and self-stigma, which they define as internalizing societal prejudices, resulting in low self-esteem and poor self-efficacy. Hospitalization at 21 intensified these feelings, even as they were acknowledged for their giftedness. Chris grappled with internalized ableism, feeling broken due to their unique mental processes and an unrelenting pursuit of normalcy. Their journey towards reclaiming self-efficacy was gradual, marked by challenges in fitting in at Kansas State University at 25 and a deeper understanding of their capabilities. A significant turning point came when they moved to California, where steps towards a drug-free life, education, and meaningful employment helped rebuild their self-esteem. Their relationship with Jason also played a crucial role in their recovery. Despite ongoing self-perception as mentally ill, the author achieved academic success, culminating in a degree in social work. Part 3 will include discovering Dąbrowski’s theory, stopping medication, rethinking and rewriting the past, and finding self-acceptance. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
Thu, August 24, 2023
Quick Bite: Writing on Substack
In episode 40, Chris and Emma shared that they now offer a newsletter and paid subscriptions on Substack. Chris has decided to hold off on producing a book this year and instead is sharing writing for the public directly while working on other projects. Making the theory more accessible is our goal, and this is one way to get it done. Although Chris feels called to this work, the reality is that they are currently working primarily for donations. We discussed how values need to be weighed and balanced. For instance, the desire to make information about the theory as accessible as possible while also ensuring this content creation is sustainable. Considerations like authenticity in content, valuing yourself and your work, and making tough choices all connect with the theory. It has taken a lot of time, contemplation, and effort to reach a place where we can offer a subscription plan, and we’re grateful to everyone who has already signed up. A paid subscription costs $60 annually or $6 monthly USD. The cost to become a Founding Member is $100 per year. If an ongoing subscription isn’t your thing, you can also make one-off (tax-deductible!) donations to the Dabrowski Center or pick up some cool Positive Disintegration merch for your money. Here are the links to our first free newsletter posts: Welcome to Positive Disintegration, the Newsletter! Two Years of Friendship and Podcast Co-Hosting Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness, Part 1 Interesting Quotes, Volume 1 Note that an audio recording is available for each written post for accessibility. We’re still working on transcripts for the podcast episodes, but you can find the ones we’ve completed on the Dabrowski Center website . Thank you so much for supporting our work. We appreciate you! Social links and other info: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/positivedisintegrationpod) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/positivedisintegration_podcast/) Join the Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook <a target="
Wed, August 23, 2023
Overcoming the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness (Part 1)
[Voiceover of written post] This is part one of Chris's personal journey of self-discovery and overcoming self-stigma. Growing up, they always felt out of sync with others, perceiving themselves as an outlier due to their intellectual giftedness and neurodivergence. They struggled with being different, leading to a belief in their own mental illness during adolescence. By 17, they had accepted this perceived mental illness, experiencing mood swings and depression, which they later saw as a mood disorder. This belief was reinforced by a bipolar disorder diagnosis at 19 and subsequent medication treatments. Chris published their first book at 20 but couldn't enjoy it due to their mental health struggles. They experienced suicidal tendencies, leading to multiple hospitalizations and diagnoses over the years. Despite these challenges, they continued writing, a constant in their life. The post also touches on Chris's experiences with disability benefits, their struggle with self-stigma, and the impact of various treatments and medications on their life. They discuss their journey through higher education, which was disrupted by their mental health issues, and their time at Menninger Clinic. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
Mon, August 14, 2023
Disintegration and Neurodivergence
In episode 39, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Joey Lawrence, a PDA autistic person, clinical psychologist, and neurodiversity advocate living and working in Australia. In this episode, we discussed neurodivergent lived experiences and how we think about and talk about these aspects of our lives with partners, clients, and at the societal level. The importance of mutual understanding was a part of this discussion, and how difficult it can be to attain. Joey shared her experiences from multiple viewpoints since she is a gifted, autistic PDAer who also is a clinician working in practice with neurodivergent clients. She discussed PDA as the persistent drive for autonomy and explained that anything that impinges on autonomy—whether that impingement is perceived or actual—causes a dysregulating response. We learned that PDA people don’t respond well to traditional approaches. We discussed relationships and the challenges of balancing our passions and interests with partners who may not operate from the same level of intensity. And we also addressed the struggle of talking about giftedness in neurodiversity spaces where it is often dismissed or seen as elitist, ableist, or otherwise problematic. Not to mention that Joey and Emma live in Australia, where they feel there is a sense of erasure around giftedness. Chris talked about the desire to be “normal” and how difficult it can feel to accept ourselves and be authentic when others perceive us as too intense. Joey described the experience of unmasking and discovering that being herself sometimes derailed relationships. We talked about Joey’s work as a psychologist using TPD in practice in Australia. Chris mentioned the struggle of reaching the people who need help when we are so limited due to licensure and regulations. We agreed that we need a different kind of field since what we’re talking about is guiding people through the process of positive disintegration. We need to revolutionize the mental health system because people who need help are so frequently traumatized by their experiences in the current system. While wrapping up this episode, Joey said that Dąbrowski was creating a system dynamics theory before there was system dynamics, which resonated. She said we need to go through positive disintegration at the societal level, and this is the neurodiversity movement. We cause harm when viewing distressing human experiences as pathology. We have to shift our way of thinking, not only the content of our thoughts. Resources from this episode Joey shares her lived experience on TikTok , and you can also find her on Instagram . Joey is the Director of Neudle Psychology <a target="_blank" href="https://dabrowskicenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Well
Tue, August 08, 2023
Quick Bite: Regret
We’ve added Quick Bites to our podcast offerings to allow Chris and Emma the opportunity to discuss topics of interest with brevity. In episode 38, the first Quick Bite episode, they tackled the issue of regret. How do we confront past decisions that haunt us? How can we use the feeling of regret as an opportunity to move forward and transform ourselves? First, we talked about the evolution of the language we use based on the realization that our words were unkind or unacceptable. And we explored navigating our digital footprint through the lens of regret, such as our old social media posts and other things we’ve said that remain online as testaments to our former selves. We discussed learning to accept feedback and correction from a gratitude perspective. Learning that we’ve done something wrong gives us a chance to do better. We all make mistakes and can use our errors as opportunities for growth and personal evolution. We addressed dealing with the emotional consequences of relationship issues and conflicts. When people are no longer in our lives, and we can’t get closure, we can still find peace and forgive ourselves. We can transform guilt and regret into action. And we can practice self-compassion and kindness toward ourselves. For more on ableist language in everyday speech: Why You Need to Stop Using these Words and Phrases by Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar. Chris mentioned doing an autoethnography, and you can read more about that project in a paper called The Primary Importance of the Inner Experience of Giftedness [PDF]. There was a shout-out to Dan Tichenor and his message, “Be kind to yourself.” Episode 14 with Michele Kane on Relationships and Vulnerability was mentioned. Let us know if you have a topic to suggest for a future Quick Bite episode via email at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com. Social links and other info: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/positivedisintegrationpod) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/positivedisintegration_podcast/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/DabrowskiPod) Join the Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Join Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook Please, consider <a target=
Thu, July 20, 2023
Self-Directed Education
In episode 37, Chris and Emma talked with Marni Kammersell, a 2e adult, doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School, and parent of three 2e children in Colorado. We started this episode by discussing our concerns about how overexcitabilities are sometimes interpreted in the gifted community. Parents of gifted and 2e children sometimes discover the OEs and stop there without exploring the types of neurodivergence that may be present in their children. We talked about the reality that it’s possible to have a healthy neurodivergent identity without pathologizing oneself. Marni shared experiences from her journey as a 2e parent of 2e kids who have never attended formal schooling. She broached the idea that people should get to decide for themselves which words apply to their experiences and which communities they choose to associate with. Emma had freshly read Dąbrowski’s book Psychoneurosis is Not an Illness when we recorded this episode and talked about his pioneering work as a clinician who was neurodiversity-affirming before that term existed. In his work, there is a clear message that being different doesn’t mean you’re defective. We learned about self-directed education, what that means, and how at its core, it is based on trusting children—and trusting all humans because, ideally, we should all become self-directed learners by the time formal schooling ends. Self-directed education and unschooling are grounded in children’s rights and youth liberation, while traditional education operates top-down with a power over dynamic rather than power with. Marni also talked about the difference between homeschooling and unschooling. At the end of our discussion, we also discussed self-directed education in adulthood. The Positive Disintegration Study Group was mentioned more than once in this episode. If you’re interested in joining the group, which meets monthly on Zoom, you can write to Chris at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com. The group requires a six-month commitment and a small monthly fee. Links from this episode Nurturing Neurodiversity (Marni’s website) Alliance for Self-Directed Education Unschooling Every Family (Facebook group) Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn (Amazon) Free to Learn by Peter Gray (publisher site) Social links and other info: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/positivedisintegrationpod) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/positivedisintegration_podcast/) Twitter<
Fri, July 07, 2023
Fostering Gifted Growth at Yunasa
*Note: Chris will not be returning to Yunasa. In episode 36, Chris and Emma discussed Yunasa, a camp for gifted and twice-exceptional children offered by the Institute for Educational Advancement. Working at Yunasa and spending time with everyone involved is a highlight of Chris’s year. Chris has worked at Yunasa West four times since 2019 and shared what it’s been like to speak with the campers about Dąbrowski’s theory and overexcitability. Chris talked about workshops with the campers, and the challenge of discussing positive disintegration without excessive jargon. We discussed how the campers relate to the theory, and what it tells us about the lived experience of youth who can so readily recognize themselves in the dynamisms. We also talked about how important it is to create safe spaces, provide mirroring and mentoring, and plant mental “seeds,” which may come to fruition later in life. This includes ideas about the importance of acceptance, how emotional states can be managed, and seeing multiple generations of adults support each other in their daily lives. Chris mentioned psychosynthesis, which is a well-developed approach to personal growth created by Dr. Roberto Assagioli. Chris has been using psychosynthesis techniques for the past several years and enjoys the opportunity to share guided imagery exercises with campers at Yunasa in the role of Facilitator. Links from this episode Yunasa (IEA website) About Yunasa (IEA website) For more on the psychosynthesis exercises, read What We May Be by Piero Ferrucci (Amazon) Previous episodes we mentioned: Ep. 8. Surviving Disintegration Ep. 16. Overexcitability and Openness to Experience with Shelagh Gallagher Ep. 19. The Challenge of Levels with Stephanie Tolan Ep. 24. Through the Lens of Youth with Lance Johnson Ep. 35 Dąbrowski's Theory in Practice with Patty Gatto-Walden There was also a shout-out to Katy Higgins Lee from episode 30, Celebrating Neurodiversity, Overe
Mon, June 05, 2023
Dąbrowski's Theory in Practice
In episode 35, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Patricia Gatto-Walden, an American licensed psychologist with offices in Colorado and Florida. Patty applies the theory of positive disintegration in her practice with the highly and profoundly gifted. Patty studied with Dr. Michael M. Piechowski as a graduate student when he taught at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the late 1970s, and he introduced her to the work of Dąbrowski and Maslow. Years later, they reconnected, became close friends, and worked together as Senior Fellows to help create Yunasa, a camp for highly gifted children run by the Institute for Educational Advancement. We learned about Patty’s early work with the profoundly gifted in her role as the Director of Guidance and Counseling at University High School at the University of Illinois. She described falling in love with that population, and she’s worked with PG individuals of all ages ever since. She talked with us about her holistic approach to the gifted, which is the basis of her book, Embracing the Whole Gifted Self . Patty talked with us about the necessity of honoring all five domains of the self: intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social. Patty shared the importance of seeing gifted individuals as whole people and more than their minds. How can therapists of the gifted serve this population well? Patty shared several ideas on this topic from her own experience. Understanding one’s own levels of giftedness and empathy is critical when working with clients. We learned some of the essentials for clinicians and how they can prepare themselves to be present and grounded in their work. In the final part of our discussion, Patty talked about the life journey inward toward the Golden Core, or our inner guidance system. Discovering our meaning and purpose in life and facing ourselves courageously are parts of this journey. Links from this episode: Patricia Gatto-Walden, Ph.D. (Patty’s website) Embracing the Whole Gifted Self (Patty’s book) Yunasa (IEA website) Piechowski archive (Dąbrowski Center website) Social links and other info: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/positivedisintegrationpod) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/positivedisintegration_podcast/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/DabrowskiPod) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.faceboo
Tue, May 23, 2023
Mental Health Awareness
**Content warning**: Please be aware that this episode contains sensitive topics such as addiction, death, suicide, and trauma. In episode 34, Chris and Emma talked about mental health. The episode is a part of SENG’s outreach efforts for Mental Health Awareness Month. We discussed the theory of positive disintegration as an invaluable tool for reframing our personal beliefs. How can big emotions be helpful in your development and not a sign of mental illness? We talk about our experiences with difficult emotions and tough times, and how the theory of positive disintegration offered us a new way to see ourselves as “not broken.” We also discuss how Dąbrowski’s invaluable work is contrary to what we see on mental health websites—and how the theory’s absence (and the lack of information about neurodiversity) in mental health spaces could be robbing people of essential tools to help themselves. We’re left with the ultimate question of how we can make positive disintegration more visible in mental health spaces, where it can be of real benefit. Also, in this episode, Chris shared about the loss of her friend and mentor, Dr. Frank Falk, who was our guest in episode five. Frank was a social psychologist and statistician who worked closely with Chris for the past several years as they studied Dąbrowski’s theory together in depth. Frank will be deeply missed, and we dedicate this episode to his memory. Click here to read the transcript for this episode. Links from this episode: SENG website (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) Obituary for R. Frank Falk, Ph.D. Episode 5: Researching Overexcitability with Frank Falk The Origins and Conceptual Evolution of Overexcitability by Wells & Falk (ResearchGate) Advanced Development Journal (via GDC website) The Primary Importance of the Inner Experience of Giftedness by Chris Wells (ResearchGate) Stories Lived. Stories Told. Podcast with Abbie VanMeter Resources from the Dabrowski Cen
Mon, May 01, 2023
A Personal Journey of Self-Discovery
In episode 33, Chris and Emma talked with David Sweeney, a fellow traveler on the path to authenticity. Identified as gifted late in life, David shared his introduction to positive disintegration, his understanding of giftedness, and insights into how trauma early in life shaped his abilities. We discussed discovering the theory of positive disintegration and overexcitabilities, dealing with sensitivities in daily life, and then talked about some of the reading rabbit holes David tumbled down like Alice! This includes his reading into giftedness, researching neuroscience, and discovering how trauma relates to his experience of being adopted. The conversation then turns to mysticism, having mystical experiences, and some of the complications of discussing those experiences in the modern world. Links from this episode For more on Elizabeth Mika, see Episode 17 InterGifted Personality-Shaping through Positive Disintegration by Kazimierz Dabrowski (2015 reprint) PositiveDisintegration.com Third Factor Magazine Living with Intensity by Daniels & Piechowski Kelly Pryde Gifted Mindfulness Collective Frames of Mind by Howard Gardner The Highly Sensitive Person The Mind Illuminated by John Yates The Primal Wound by Nancy Varrier Coming Home to Self by Nancy Verrier Eknath Easwaran’s Blue Mountain Center of Meditation Social links and other info: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/positivedisintegrationpod) <a target="_blank" hr
Thu, April 13, 2023
You Are Not Alone!
In episode 32, Chris and Emma talked with Sophia Elliott, parent, advocate, and host of the Our Gifted Kids podcast. We covered a wide range of topics in this conversation, from learning about Dąbrowski’s theory, neurodiversity, and giftedness to education, policy, and parenting challenges. We also covered storytelling, podcasting, and the value of sharing our personal experiences. Sophia talked about the beauty of positive disintegration as an alternative framework. She described the overexcitabilities as a “gateway drug” that draws people in and said that it’s meaningful to go deeper into the theory as a way of understanding ourselves from a non-pathologizing perspective. We talked about Dąbrowski as a forerunner of the neurodiversity movement and his theory as intuitive and forward-thinking. As we have seen clearly in recent years, anxiety and depression are often natural reactions to the world we live in. We discussed giftedness as a neurodivergent way of being in its own right and that its impact goes far beyond the educational setting. Although education is the field that has taken it most seriously, Sophia reminded us of the need to study giftedness in other fields, such as psychology and medicine. General practitioners, pediatricians, and other doctors need a basic understanding of the reality of this experience. There are real challenges to giftedness as well as overexcitability. We discuss how Dąbrowski’s views are more aligned with how neurodiversity “ought to be” today—to recognize that all neurodivergent people are whole people and that everyone has strengths and challenges in their lives. We addressed the need for community and finding other people who get it. As podcasters, we know that it’s critical to be brave enough to question and share, and we want to encourage others to do the same. The message that came through loud and clear is that we do have an international community, and we support each other. You are not alone! Links from this episode Our Gifted Kids (website) Why You Need Dabrowski (Chris and Emma’s episode on Our Gifted Kids pod) NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman Gifted Research & Outreach (GRO) Emma’s videos about OE and their challenges Jen Merrill’s book, If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back? Jen’s
Wed, March 29, 2023
Gifted Connections
In episode 31, Chris and Emma talked with Celi Trépanier, author, blogger, and parent, about the gifted community and the challenges of raising gifted kids and being a gifted adult. Together, we talk about the importance of friendships, connections, and support within the gifted community. Celi was Chris’s first friend in the gifted world. Celi held space and supported Chris during those first years when they were studying the theory of positive disintegration and giftedness while trying to find a way forward in their work. Celi and Chris share their story and talk about the important role friendship plays in gifted journeys. We also addressed the disconnect between research and practice in gifted education, as well as the disconnect between teachers and parents. Misunderstandings about gifted children, the lack of awareness that this difference goes beyond an educational label, and the stereotypes about the gifted were all mentioned. It’s clear from our conversation that giftedness doesn’t always feel like a gift. We talked about bullying and its impact on children and the fact that there’s bullying in adult spaces as well. However, we also talked about the importance of holding space within the gifted community. How we can support each other and help each other through “the muck of giftedness.” It’s not easy for those of us who are sensitive to be vulnerable and share in online communities on social media, but we still find ways to be present for the people who need us. All three of us have provided mirrors to our audiences because we want to help others feel seen and understood. Links from this episode Crushing Tall Poppies (Celi’s website) Educating Your Gifted Child (Celi’s book) Laughing at Chaos (Jen Merrill’s website) If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back? (Jen’s book) You can read about Chris’s autoethnography here and here Parents of Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids (Facebook group) SENG GHF Learners Alabama Association of Gifted Children
Sun, March 12, 2023
Celebrating Neurodiversity, Overexcitabilities, and Giftedness
In episode 30, Chris and Emma were joined by Katy Higgins Lee, MFT, a therapist and clinical supervisor in private practice in Santa Rosa, California. She works with neurodivergent adults with a focus on giftedness and twice-exceptionality. This episode is our contribution to Neurodiversity Celebration Week . We learned about the terms neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and the appropriate application for individuals compared to groups. Katy talked about the way that neurodivergence can be either innate (e.g., ADHD, autism) or acquired (e.g., PTSD, traumatic brain injury). We asked Katy the question, Is giftedness a type of neurodivergence? We agreed with her that giftedness is more than an IQ score, and fits the definition of neurodivergence since this is an experience of reality that diverges from what can be considered typical. Asynchronous development was mentioned, which is a definition of giftedness from the Columbus Group that incorporates the overexcitabilities. Katy discussed being neurodiversity-affirming and non-pathologizing. We learned that we can view these differences as identities or neurotypes, rather than disorders or disadvantages. Neurodiversity-affirming means using identify-first language rather than person-first language. For instance, autistic person rather than person with autism . We also talked about not using functioning labels such as “high-functioning” vs “low-functioning” autism and instead considering differences in support needs. It’s also critical to be trauma-informed and LGBTQ+-affirming. Katy said it’s especially important to remember the need to be trans-affirming as part of a neurodiversity-affirmative practice because many neurodivergent people are also trans, nonbinary, or otherwise gender non-conforming. We discussed overexcitabilities being part of the gifted experience, and the autistic and ADHD experience, and how that wasn’t clear from Katy’s introduction to OEs in the gifted community. It’s time to change the narrative and help the gifted world catch up—OEs are a part of the neurodivergent experience beyond the connection with giftedness. The term giftedness is losing credibility in the neurodiversity community partly due to OEs not being seen as types of neurodivergence, which can hinder people on their journey of self-discovery. It’s not an either/or proposition of OE or ADHD ( or autism). Missed identification of neurodivergence types in gifted individuals is a cause of trauma for many. We talked about the overlap between ADHD and autism, as well as the way that other differences seem closely connected such as giftedness, gender differences, Ehlers-Danos Syndrome, and OCD. We discussed how stereotypes about ADHD, autism, and giftedness, and even t
Sun, February 26, 2023
The Disintegrating Duck
In episode 29, Chris and Emma discussed The Ugly Duckling , the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, from the perspectives of giftedness, neurodivergence, and positive disintegration. We discussed aspects of our personal journeys and the impact of discovering Dąbrowski’s theory, and how these relate back to themes in the tale. Some of the themes we cover include—the realization in our 40s that we’re happier than we ever expected to be, overcoming the feeling of brokenness, and the traumas that accumulate over a lifetime of being gifted and an outlier. We also discuss the experience of dynamisms, Dark Nights of the Soul, appreciating the process of positive disintegration, and learning to be grateful for certain kinds of suffering. We talk about growth not being automatic, but hard-won, and the work involved in inner transformation. The experience of discovering OEs—and the moment of self-recognition—is very important for many coming to terms with who they are. Emma talked about the three elements involved: * The initial discovery of OE * Understanding one’s own OE profile * Self-acceptance We’ve made it our mission to bring the theory and OEs to other people. We’re building community and offering the opportunity for connection to anyone who needs us. We also want to hang the ‘mirror’ of OE in as many places as possible, so people can experience the same magic of self-recognition the Ugly Duckling did! Quotes The full quote Chris mentioned (~23:50) is: “Suffering, if we experience it correctly, makes us sensitive to the suffering of others, awakens in us a new awareness, and creates a breach in our excessively egocentric attitude toward the surrounding world.” (Dabrowski, Personality-Shaping through Positive Disintegration , pp. 30-31) Quotes from The Ugly Duckling: * “I never dreamed there could be so much happiness, when I was the ugly duckling.” * “He felt quite glad that he had come through so much trouble and misfortune, for now he had a fuller understanding of his own good fortune, and of beauty when he met with it.” * “Being born in a duck yard does not matter, if only you are hatched from a swan’s egg.” Links for this episode The Ugly Ducking (The original story) The Ugly Duckling: A Story of Giftedness and Disintegration (Emma’s blog post) Conversations on Gifted Trauma by InterGifted Chris’s “Quote Collages” are on the Dabrowski page. Here’s another one that was mentioned about Disint
Mon, February 13, 2023
Positive Disintegration in Organizations
In episode 28, Chris and Emma were joined by Kate Arms, JD, PCC, for a discussion on what positive disintegration looks like in organizations and workplaces. How are organizational dynamics similar to positive disintegration in individuals? Kate’s approach to her work is one where the business itself, or the “system,” is considered the coaching client, and she observes not only the individuals but also the interactions between them. She feels that dynamisms show up as much in the interactions, and leadership, as in the individuals. A business, start-up, or organization can move through the levels of development—from the first grumblings of discontent in the workforce to a place of shared accountability and vision—and can transform. They are also prone to their own three factors; the start-up dream of the founders, the external pressures (like customers and market forces), and the emerging “third factor” of a growing workforce culture and shared vision. Kate shared tips for employees and employers for dealing with positive disintegration. We discussed the difficulty of being overexcitable and working in organizations where the individual is forced to conform and toe the line. We also talked about positive maladjustment, and the good that can come when a business or non-profit tackles social issues and works to create change in the world. Links from this episode Signal Fire Coaching (Kate’s website) Neurodiversity Coaching Academy Dr. Eric Vorm’s presentation from the 2022 Dabrowski Congress Episode 6 on Autopsychotherapy and Self-Leadership Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog<
Sun, January 29, 2023
Through the Neurodivergent Mirror
In episode 27, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Tracy Winter, an ICF-credentialed coach with a PhD in Human Development. In her coaching practice, she works with neurodivergent adults and specializes in the gifted / 2e population. We talked about Tracy’s dissertation research on gifted adults “being seen,” where most of her participants fell into two groups: they were not seen as gifted, or they were mis-seen in a way that was not aligned with their self-perceptions. We discuss the importance of “mirroring”—finding yourself reflected in others—and the loneliness that can happen when we are not seen for our authentic selves, even when we have a support network around us. Tracy holds up a “flat mirror” with clients to help them see themselves accurately, and we talk about how devastating it feels when neurodivergent and gifted people only see ourselves in a distorted “funhouse mirror” if they cannot find people like themselves to connect with. Tracy talks to us about overexcitability in neurodivergent clients, and what it’s like to work with the Theory of Positive Disintegration in her practice. She shares other developmental models she finds helpful, including Kegan’s Subject-Object Theory of Development and Cook-Greuter's Constructive Developmental Theory in her work, along with classic theorists such as Erikson . We talk about the difference between a coach and a therapist, what you can expect from an ICF-certified coach, and the importance of an authentic relationships in both clinical work and coaching. We also discuss the activation of dynamisms in clients, and the benefits and pitfalls of nudging someone into disintegration, and the importance of “meeting people where they are” when talking about experiencing a disintegration—whether that be with a client or with a loved one in a relationship. Links from this episode: Nerd Coach (Tracy’s Website) Neurodiversity Coaching Academy Download Tracy’s dissertation from the Media tab of her website Tracy on LinkedIn Tracy’s episode on Unleash Monday Emma’s Triangle of Loneliness video Chris’s paper on the Inner Experience of Giftedness [PDF download] <a target="_blank"
Tue, January 10, 2023
Experiences Being Profoundly Gifted: Part 2
In episode 26, we continued the conversation with Nth Bar-Fields and Joi Lin in the second half of our two-part series about their experiences as profoundly gifted individuals. In Part 2, we talked about health and mental health issues, including experiences with substances and addiction. We discussed how being neurodivergent can also lead to diversity in the realm of physical health and how medical providers may not be equipped to deal with our needs. We mentioned the overexcitabilities and how they manifest in our lives. We acknowledged that these intense experiences and curiosity might lead us to want to explore things in both the inner and outer worlds. We also talked about saving the world. How we can do our own small part locally, playing to our strengths, and the value of collaborating with other gifted people to make a real difference within our communities and globally. Links from this episode Elysian Trust Chris’s episode with Jen Harvey Sallin on Conversations on Gifted Trauma was mentioned because that episode was recorded the morning of the episodes with Nth and Joi. Interested in joining Elysian Trust? The email address is info@elysiantrust.org Click here to find out more about the six Elysian Trust member societies. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find <a target="_blank" href="h
Tue, January 03, 2023
Experiences Being Profoundly Gifted: Part 1
In episode 25, Chris and Emma were joined by Nth Bar-Fields and Joi Lin. This fascinating and fun discussion was too long for one episode, so we’ve split it into two for your listening enjoyment! Nth is a co-founder of Elysian Trust , and Joi is a doctoral student in Gifted Education Leadership at the University of Denver. Chris joined Nth and Joi in March 2022 for a panel session called Experiences Being Highly and Profoundly Gifted at the DU Gifted Education Policy Symposium and Conference . This episode is a product of that collaboration, and covers some of the same ground. We talked about what it means to be profoundly gifted (PG), which we defined as the 99.9th percentile of intelligence. Joi and Nth introduced themselves and shared their PG journeys, and talked about the challenges involved in this difference. We also discussed breaking socialization and transcending boundaries as outliers, including what that means for gender identity and gender differences. Part one concludes with a discussion of the various types of intuition. We discuss how intuitive thinking applies to being gifted and how this type of thinking can lead to challenges and impostor syndrome. Make sure you join us again for part two of this conversation! Links for this episode Elysian Trust Experiences Being HG/PG Panel at DU’s 2022 GEPSC Mensa Davidson Institute Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider <a target="_blank" hre
Tue, December 20, 2022
Through the Lens of Youth
**Content warning**: Please be aware that this episode contains sensitive topics such as depression, disturbing mental imagery, and suicidal ideation. In episode 24, Chris and Emma were joined by Lance Johnson, a college student from Colorado who studies Dabrowski’s theory. Chris and Lance first met in 2019, and they’ve spent many hours together talking about the theory over the past few years. We discussed the downsides of strong imaginational overexcitability, such as disturbing or intrusive mental imagery and its impact. Lance shared his experiences of depression and mood swings, which led him to wonder if he had bipolar disorder. We also talked about the blessings of a strong imagination, such as using it for mental rehearsal and planning projects. He discussed what he has learned thanks to studying the theory, such as intentionally engaging in autopsychotherapy and self-education. The theory of positive disintegration gave him hope and direction in his development. We talked about the journey of authenticity and the struggles inherent in that process of peeling back layers, digging deeper, and facing oneself courageously. Lance talked about what it’s like to grow up in a rural area and realize that he was gay and how he has navigated that aspect of his identity and the feelings of otherness he’s experienced at times. He shared advice for other young people who resonate with his story, such as finding true peers and meaningful connections and accepting one’s differences. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find Positive Disintegration Merch If you enjoyed thi
Sat, December 03, 2022
Explorations in Gifted Diversity
In episode 23, Chris and Emma were joined by psychologist Jennifer Harvey Sallin, founder of InterGifted, a worldwide community and support organization for gifted adults. This conversation is a celebration of gifted diversity in adulthood! We talked about what giftedness can look like in adults, how it manifests, and the great range of diversity within giftedness. Jen shared her model of giftedness with us, which describes the areas of giftedness, and shows how everyone’s ‘gifted profile’ can look different. What is success, and what does it mean in today's commercial context? Jen described being a generalist or “multipotentialite,” and going against the normal expectations society might have for gifted people and their careers. We discussed the beauty of doing things that bring meaning to you and trying many things in life, as opposed to being a “specialist” or trying to conform to what others think success should mean. We addressed considerations for therapists, clinicians, and coaches when working with the gifted. Jen shared the story of creating InterGifted and filling the need for an international community in this population. She is one of the few people in the world who provide training for clinicians and coaches working with the gifted, and we talked about that work as well. Resources mentioned in this episode InterGifted website Rediscovering Yourself (Jen’s website) Gifted Psychology 101 Daniels & Piechowski’s book Living With Intensity High, Exceptional, and Profound Giftedness (Chris mentioned this link around the 11-minute mark) Chris joined Jen on her podcast Conversations on Gifted Trauma Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration <a target="_blank" href=
Wed, November 23, 2022
Nonviolent Communication
In episode 22, Chris and Emma talked with Bob Yamtich, a coach who uses Nonviolent Communication to build poise, joy, self-connection, and choice. We talked about Nonviolent Communication with Bob, as well as empathy, needs, and strategies. We discussed shared connection and living in a shared reality, as well as connection requests. This is a primer in NVC with someone who lives it and uses it as a coach. Bob and Chris worked through an issue she had on social media and how she might have handled it differently. We talked about having the option, but not the obligation, to engage in a restorative process. We had an open and vulnerable discussion about how to navigate challenging interactions. Resources from this episode Bob’s website Bob on Twitter Marshall B. Rosenberg’s book Nonviolent Communication (Indiebound) Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find Positive Disintegration Merch If you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify , please remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you! Please share with others who would appreciate learning about Positive Disintegration. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this
Fri, October 28, 2022
GTN Awareness Week
In episode 21, Chris and Emma were joined by Marc Smolowitz, a director, producer, and executive producer who is currently in post-production on THE G WORD, a feature-length documentary that aims to be the most comprehensive film ever made on the topics of gifted, talented, and neurodiverse education across the United States. We were happy to talk with Marc and help celebrate THE G WORD's second annual Gifted / Talented / Neurodiverse Awareness Week. GTN Awareness Week included a great selection of panels and programming from October 24-28, 2022. In our discussion, we covered a range of topics, including storytelling, intensity, intersectionality, trauma, empowerment, and #GiftedJoy. Marc told us about THE G WORD and shared his history and experiences in the context of positive disintegration and giftedness. Chris is a part of THE G WORD’s Global Partnership Network, and we encourage others to consider supporting the film and its mission. Links from this episode GTN Awareness Week THE G WORD website THE G WORD’s Global Partnership Network Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find Positive Disintegration Merch If you enjoyed this episode on Apple o
Wed, October 19, 2022
Values
This episode wraps up year one of our podcast! It has been a privilege to share Dabrowski’s theory with our audience, and we want to thank you for listening and becoming a part of our community. In episode 20, Chris and Emma explored the values that guide the Dabrowski Center , a new nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the Theory of Positive Disintegration through advocacy, education, and innovation. The values discussed in this episode include: Truthful —We strive for accurate representation and preservation of Dabrowski’s work and to deal with people in a straightforward and kind manner. Authentic —We will be authentic in our speech and actions and in our desire to promote mental health and help others. We maintain this desire to help others as our primary focus. Inclusive —We are inclusive of everyone and affirming of their identity and personal experiences. We stand against bigotry, harassment, and discrimination. Kindness —We strive to act in a way that seeks to do no harm. We will act with altruism, humanity, and promote the good of others. Connecting —We aim to bring people together and forge a community based on respect and friendship. Honorable —We act in an ethical manner, with integrity, fairness, and transparency, and speak up against those who do not. Supportive —We support people in their educational journey, making information accessible and available, and providing ways for people to seek guidance and help. Encouraging —We will encourage people who seek new ways to explore, present, research, and work with the theory of positive disintegration. Bold —We will be bold, brave, and innovative in our mission to bring the theory of positive disintegration to the world in new ways. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma</
Sun, September 18, 2022
The Challenge of Levels
In episode 19, Chris and Emma were joined by Stephanie Tolan, an author and long-time advocate and champion of the gifted. This episode was inspired by Stef’s chapter in the book Living with Intensity called “What We May Be: What Dabrowski’s Work Can Do for Gifted Adults.” We’ve had enough feedback from listeners to know that we needed a deeper dive into the theory’s levels of development and that we needed to push back a little on the established dogma. We’re grateful for Stef’s willingness to join us for this conversation about Dąbrowski’s levels. Stef talked with us about her realization that there are more people at the highest level of development than Dąbrowski acknowledged in his writing. We talked about how her beliefs about consciousness and higher-level development have changed over the years. We discussed exemplars, reincarnation, and the limited understanding that we currently have about the levels of development and their many permutations. Resources mentioned during this episode: Stephanie S. Tolan ’s website Living with Intensity by Daniels & Piechowski (from Gifted Unlimited, LLC) Lives of Positive Disintegration by Michael M. Piechowski (links to ResearchGate) A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte Peace Pilgrim website Peace Pilgrim’s works are available for download in multiple languages for free. Support the podcast If you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify , please remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you for listening to Positive Disintegration. Please, feel free to share! This is a public epi
Fri, August 19, 2022
Engaging Transformation
In episode 18, Chris and Emma were joined by Rachel Fell, a coach, consultant, educator, and guide working with creatives, thinkers, leaders, and groups to create perspective change that achieves real-world results. The focus of this episode was on disintegration, giftedness, neurodivergence, and trauma. We discussed nervous system differences, definitions of trauma, and the importance of embracing the process. When does sensitivity become fragility? How do you learn to respect and embrace your intensities? How do you recognize your stress and sensitivity as it starts to show itself in your body? How can you rebuild neural pathways that have been laid down in your childhood? How can inner reflection help you develop empathy and, in turn, make the world a better place? Rachel talks about developing inner authority, reclaiming ‘the seat’ of your authority from the external, and bringing it back to the internal. The process of developing inner authority, and breaking down external ideas and values, mirrors Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration—breaking down external socialization, reclaiming your authenticity through inner reflection, and establishing your own hierarchy of values. Resources mentioned in this episode Rachel’s website Rachel on Instagram SoulSpark Learning Empowerment Series 2020 (on YouTube) Five Benefits of Creativity in Positive Disintegration (Emma’s finger-painting video) Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this
Sun, July 31, 2022
The Highs and Lows of Positive Disintegration
In episode 17, Chris and Emma were joined by Elizabeth Mika, a Polish-born psychologist and expert on the Theory of Positive Disintegration. Elizabeth shares how she first became interested in Dabrowski’s theory as a teenager in Poland, how it inspired her to go into the field of psychology, and her journey into working with the theory once she immigrated to America. Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, focused on the ‘lows and highs’ of Dabrowski’s levels, from the sub-levels of unilevel integration to the Fourth Factor and drive for self-transcendence. We talk about the dangers of narcissism and its various forms, the role of positive maladjustment, and how self-reflection and inner transformation is the first step in making the world a better place. “We need to look within before we start changing the world. The greatest gift we can give to the world is our transformed self.” This is the image we discussed with Elizabeth around minute 31 from her 2018 Dabrowski Congress slideshow. See the resource list below to download her slides. “Self-education is about personality development on the ever higher levels. Its highest goals is in the natural dimension the fullness of humanity, and in the supranatural dimension – becoming God-like. Self-education should go hand in hand with introspection, and those two activities should become one effort, lasting a lifetime, to come close to the ideal.” Resources Mentioned in this Episode Tyranny as a Triumph of Narcissism (article on Medium) On Primary Integration, Psychopathy and the Average Person (article on LinkedIn) Sudden Dynamic Insight: Moving from Conflict to Peace (PDF) What Disintegrates? (PDF) Pathocracy and Andrzej Łobaczewski (by Dr. Steve Taylor for Psychology Today ) Follow Elizabeth on Twitter *A transcript of this episode is available on our website . Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Cente
Sat, July 02, 2022
Overexcitability and Openness to Experience
In episode 16, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Shelagh Gallagher, for a discussion of overexcitability (OE) and openness to experience (OtE), based on her paper which compares the two frameworks. Shelagh is an independent consultant in gifted education and President of the National Association for Gifted Children. We discussed the controversy in the field of gifted education about OE and OtE, and the value both frameworks can provide in informing us about the gifted student experience in education. We talked about the impact and difference having multiple OEs can have in a person’s life, and Shelagh shared insights from her research and pointed out directions for future work in gifted populations. Resources mentioned in this episode Openness to Experience and Overexcitabilities in a Sample of Highly Gifted Middle School Students by Shelagh Gallagher Building Bridges: Research on Gifted Children's Personalities from Three Psychological Theories by Shelagh Gallagher 24-item Overexcitability Questionnaire A Comparison of the Concept of Overexcitabilities with Measures of Creativity and School Achievement in Sixth-Grade Students by Shelagh Gallagher Creative Personality Characteristics and Dimensions of Mental Functioning in Gifted Adolescents by Shirley Schiever Shelagh’s website NAGC Videos from the 15th International Dabrowski Congress : Full Dabrowski Congress 2022 YouTube Playlist Shelagh’s keynote (YouTube) * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/424
Mon, June 06, 2022
Creativity and Authenticity
In Episode 15, Chris and Emma were joined by Melissa Bernstein, co-founder of Melissa & Doug Toys and author of LifeLines. We learned about Melissa’s inspirational journey to self-acceptance and living authentically after spending decades of her life suffering from existential depression and angst. Melissa discovered Dąbrowski’s theory in her late 40s and described the relief she felt from learning about overexcitabilities as a framework for understanding her lifelong intensity and sensitivities. She described reading Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and learning the word “existential” for the first time, and feeling that it was like being hit by a lightning bolt. Melissa talked about her path, which started out traditionally with therapy and grew to include autopsychotherapy and deep exploration into philosophical and spiritual works. We discuss strategies she has developed to challenge negativity and nihilism, and combat perfectionism, such as channeling darkness into light through her creative work. We also explore how sharing our creative outputs with others can help us find meaning and purpose, and the importance of taking time out to look after ourselves. Resources mentioned in this episode LifeLines website Melissa’s book LifeLines on Amazon The LifeLines workshop videos Chris mentioned watching in spring 2021. LifeLines Community Facebook group The Melissa & Doug website Listen to Melissa’s episode on The Good Life Project Podcast Emma’s blog on Self Care Click here for the playlist of videos from the 2022 Dabrowski Congress in Denver. * Transcript is available on the Dabrowski Center website Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram T
Fri, May 27, 2022
Relationships and Vulnerability
In episode 14, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Michele Kane, an educator, storyteller, and long-time Dąbrowski enthusiast. She has done wonderful work tending relationships in this community, and she shared herself with vulnerability and courage in this episode. Some of the topics touched on include the reality that learning about the theory changes your relationship with yourself, how well the theory captures differences in emotional range, and the importance of connection. We learned that feeling and being seen are critically important, and receiving mirroring is one of the blessings of discovering and participating in the Dąbrowski community. We talked about the Dabrowski Congress, which Michele has hosted twice (in 2010 and 2018 , click on the year to download a PDF of the proceedings). Click here to watch videos from the 2022 Dabrowski Congress in Denver. Emma read the following poem from Dąbrowski’s 1972 book Psychoneurosis is Not an Illness : *A transcript of this episode is available on our website . Resources mentioned in this episode The books Dąbrowski wrote under the pseudonym Paul (and Paweł) Cienin called Existential Thoughts and Aphorisms and Fragments from the Diary of a Madman . These books can be purchased from Bill Tillier as part of a larger download package. Beyond Old Age by Annemarie Roeper Some of My Best Friends are Books by Judith Wynn Halsted Emma’s post The Beauty of Imperfect Self-Care Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram
Tue, May 10, 2022
Through the Dąbrowski Lens
In episode 13, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Amanda Harper, an educator and Dąbrowski scholar from Tasmania, Australia. We discussed the deep and fascinating work that Amanda has done in examining Dąbrowski’s writing. The focus was on two of her published papers: one on Empathy and the Syntonic Continuum , and the other on Philosophy, Faith, and the Personality Ideal . We talk about the differences between syntony and empathy, how they look across various levels, and how Amanda mapped them in order to create a visual guide to these important dynamisms. We explore the value of defining terms, and why using Dabrowski’s own language and quotes helps us gain greater meaning from the theory of positive disintegration. Reading Dabrowski’s work can be a ‘treasure hunt’ for both academic purposes and within your own life! Amanda shared what it was like to study the theory during her master’s and doctoral programs, and compared notes with Chris who also has experience examining constructs over time in Dąbrowski’s original texts, as well as the value and experience of attending conferences and meeting up with the Dabrowski community. Resources mentioned during this episode Jasneath Education (Amanda’s website with courses available for purchase) Remember to check out Amanda’s newsletter . The papers we mentioned : Through the Dąbrowski Lens: Empathy and the Syntonic Continuum (2019) Through the Dąbrowski Lens: Philosophy, Faith, and the Personality Ideal (2017) Through the Dąbrowski Lens: A Fresh Examination of the Theory of Positive Disintegration (2017) Amanda’s new chapter can be found in the Palgrave Handbook of Transformational Giftedness for Education : Through the Dąbrowski Lens: Wisdom, Transformational Giftedness, and the Personality Ideal *A transcript of this episode is available on our website . The quotations we read during the episode: “The term syntony is used within Dąbrowski’s writings to describe a sense of balance and oneness. This refers to a state where there is no inner turmoil and no conflict but there is a deep sense of connection and unification with existence in the world” (Harper & Clifford, 2019, p. 36). “Empathy is a response based on reflection, a sense of nurturing toward other people, and
Sun, April 24, 2022
Gender and Authenticity
In episode 12, Chris and Emma were joined by Ellie Krug and Tamara Grady for a discussion of gender and authenticity. Ellie is the author of Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change (2013) , was a trial lawyer and has extensive experience providing training on diversity and inclusion. Tamara is an Osseo District School Board member in the suburbs of Minneapolis, and she is a proud mom of children who are a part of the LGBTQ community. This conversation centers on authenticity, and the challenges faced by people discovering and becoming their authentic selves, through the lens of two personal and touching stories. We didn’t talk explicitly about Dąbrowski’s theory in our discussion but instead focused on the lived experience of Ellie and Tamara on their journeys of personal growth and development. Through these stories, we explore acceptance, unconditional love, and compassion—not only for others, but for oneself—in the context of the struggles faced by transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people. Resources: Ellie’s website Ellie’s book: Getting To Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change Ellie’s Facebook page Ellie on Twitter Tamara on: Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Study dispels harmful gender dysphoria myth (“ROGD” is not a real thing) Advice on how to use gender pronouns * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel <a target="_blank" href="https://w
Tue, March 29, 2022
Positive Disintegration in Children and Adolescents
In episode 11, Chris and Emma were joined by Tina Harlow, LCSW, a child and family therapist specializing in giftedness in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, who shared her experiences as a neurodiversity-affirming clinician. She talked about how overexcitabilities can differ among family members and the importance of understanding and honoring these differences. She also shared strategies for dealing with the different types of overexcitability. We discussed how positive disintegration can manifest in children and teens, and how Tina supports children and their families through existential depression, physical signs of stress, spiritual crises, and more. We learned about the prevalence of gender-nonconforming children among her gifted clientele, and the importance of affirming these children rather than denying their authenticity. We addressed the importance of language, and being intentional in its use, in the spirit of Dabrowski’s theory, which gives us a non-pathologizing lens to help us view differences that are often seen as deficits or disorders. Tina also shared about her work with the World Hope Project, which allows children from around the world to share their message of empathy, inclusivity, and hope. Here’s a photo from the day Chris met Tina at Linda Silverman’s house when she was picking up Michael Piechowski to bring him to the airport. (April 17, 2018) Tina interviewed Michael for her eBook that day, and you can see the video here . The eBook Tina created from these interviews with experts is called Helping Gifted Kids Thrive . Resources mentioned in this episode : Guiding Bright (Tina’s website) World Hope Project (website) World Hope Project (YouTube) SoulSpark Learning Empowerment Series (YouTube) (Tina mentioned John Wing Flower’s session specifically) Emma’s videos for living with OEs SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect wi
Sun, March 20, 2022
Nature, Spirit, and Disintegration
In episode 10, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Eric Windhorst, a counsellor, coach, and psychotherapist committed to helping others connect with their inner nature (their true, authentic selves) and outer nature (the wider, more-than-human world). Eric shared his story with us and connected his experiences of personal growth and development with Dąbrowski’s theory as well as other frameworks. He discussed spirituality, an aspect of self that is often overlooked in intellectual frameworks, and we learned about Eric’s journey to becoming his authentic self. Eric recalled an experience working in a greenhouse during his teen years and how that led him to take a holistic approach in nurturing his clients and allowing them to discover themselves. He talked with us about the work he does with intense, gifted, creative, and highly sensitive adults, and how his own discoveries and transformations have informed his practice. Poems that Eric shared with us The Journey by David Whyte The Way It Is by William Stafford The Return by Geneen Marie Haugen More from Eric Eric’s website Uniting Inner Nature and Outer Nature: Gifted Adult Development and Ecotherapy (PDF of Eric’s paper in Advanced Development Journal, Vol. 16) We encouraged Eric to join us for the 2022 Dąbrowski Congress this summer. Chris and Eric first met at the 2018 Congress (PDF of the proceedings) in Naperville, IL. * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel <a target="_blank" href=
Sun, February 27, 2022
Complexity and Positive Disintegration
In episode 9, Chris and Emma were joined by Lotte van Lith, a coach, lecturer, and author from the Netherlands. Lotte has been studying and working with Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration for more than a decade, and she brought her personal and professional expertise to this discussion of complexity and emotional development in gifted and creative people. She feels that once you view the complexity of life through the lens of emotional development, you can see the paradoxes inherent in human experience. We talked about complexity as a hallmark of giftedness and discussed how the drives for authenticity and self-actualization can be supported in this population. Resources mentioned in this episode Lotte’s website Intens Mens by Lotte van Lith A Lot of Complexity! Lotte’s interview on Unleash Monday. * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find Positive Disintegration Merch If you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify , please remember to
Mon, February 07, 2022
Surviving Disintegration
**Content Warning**: Please be aware that sensitive issues such as suicide attempts, hospitalizations, police-related trauma, and drug use and treatment are mentioned. We’d also like to include a language warning for this episode. In episode 8, Chris and Emma share their personal experiences of positive disintegration, in an intimate, honest (and brave) discussion. They connect these life stories with constructs from Dąbrowski’s theory, and explore the dynamisms which other people might be experiencing during their own times of crisis and disintegration. There is bonus content available for this episode (Paid subscribers only) Below we are sharing links that are personally meaningful to us, and are relevant to the topic of disintegration and our own journeys. From Emma : Why You’ll Never Walk Alone – This is one of my blog posts which looks at how the lyrics to the song You’ll Never Walk Alone reflect how to deal with a period of disintegration, and why shared human experience means you are not alone in your times of trouble. It’s basically my shout-out to everyone going through hard times, encouraging you to ‘Walk On’. The Secret Life of my Authentic OE Self – One of my first blogs where I talk about my past and how I struggled with what I called ‘hurricane-brain’, until I found Dabrowski and it changed my life. Really, this is the very-brief life story of me trying to cope with my intensities until I finally figured out who I was, and that I wasn’t alone What is Positive Disintegration (and how do you cope with it)? – A video where I talk about positive disintegration, what it is, how I try and deal with it, and explain Dabrowski’s levels using Neo from the Matrix. It was my first stab at explaining positive disintegration on the channel, and it prompted Bill Tillier to contact me (without whom, I never would have met Chris), so I’m quite fond of it. 7 Omens that Herald the Dark Night of the Soul – This is from the website Lonerwolf, and describes disintegration from a different angle. They actually reference Dabrowski, and it becomes clear through the post that even if people have never heard of ‘positive disintegration’ they can still disintegrate! I found this post particularly comforting myself, and found it at a time when I was trying to make sense of my own process, and had just started researching Dabrowski. You can reach me via email at adultswithoverexcitabilities@gmail.com
Sat, January 29, 2022
Gifted Minds and Empathy
In episode 7, Chris and Emma were joined by Fiona Smith, a psychologist from Sydney, Australia. Fiona brings to life the issue of living with intensities and sensitivities, from her perspective of a parent as well as her own experiences. We learn (again) that having an intense experience of life brings challenges, and we hope that listeners will resonate with her words. We discussed empathy, overexcitabilities, what it’s like to be image-free (aka aphantasia), and how Dąbrowski’s theory has played a role in Fiona’s life and work. The bottom line is that you're not alone in struggling with your intensity—there's a reason why you don't fit into the world. And you know what? That’s OK! The blessings of rich experience are as real as the challenges. Resources mentioned in this episode Gifted Minds [Fiona’s website] Walking in Another’s Shoes and Getting Blisters (Fiona’s article from Advanced Development Journal) Article for Mensa Australia: Celebrating Your Gifted Child's Sensitivity New chapter coming soon : “On Boredom and Bullying: How Being Gifted, Bored and Frustrated in the Classroom Can Lead to Being Bullied or Being a Bully at School” by Fiona Smith & Dominic Westbrook We talked about the 2016 Dabrowski Congress. Click here for the playlist of videos on YouTube from the 2022 Dabrowski Congress in Denver. Maggie Brown’s research: “ Research With Gifted Adults: What International Experts Think Needs to Happen to Move the Field Forward ” * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel <a tar
Wed, January 12, 2022
Autopsychotherapy and Self-Leadership
In episode 6, Chris and Emma were joined by Kate Arms, JD, PCC, a leadership coach who talked about her personal experience of development through positive disintegration, and how she created her own autopsychotherapy practice. What is Autopsychotherapy ? This is a question that has been asked often on social media, and it is one of Dabrowski’s dynamisms that requires more explanation than you will find in the literature. Kate talks about some of the strategies and methods that have worked for her, and we share our ideas and stories on what we have found useful, in the hope that others in the process of development will benefit. Definitions mentioned during our discussion AUTOPSYCHOTHERAPY: Psychotherapy, preventive measures, or changes in living conditions applied to oneself in order to control possible mental disequilibrium. Autopsychotherapy is the process of education-of-oneself under conditions of increased stress, as in developmental crises, in critical moments of life, in neuroses and psychoneuroses. It is an off-shoot of education-of-oneself operating at the borderline of levels III and IV. As development advances through spontaneous to organized multilevel disintegration, the conflicts, disturbances, depressions, and anxieties are handled consciously by the individual himself. Because of the great rise and differentiation of autonomous factors the individual has available to him the means not only to contain areas of conflict and tension but even more so to transform them into processes enriching and strengthening his development. Conscious self-healing is an example of this process at work; it is, however, more crucial in the mental and emotional than in the physical realm. Solitude and concentration play a very important role in this process. (Dąbrowski, 1996, p. 40) SUBJECT-OBJECT IN ONESELF: One of the main developmental dynamisms which consists in observing one’s own mental life in an attempt to better understand oneself and to evaluate oneself critically. It is a process of looking at oneself as if from outside (the self as object) and of perceiving the individuality of others (the other as subject, i.e. individual knower). (Dabrowski, 1972, p. 305) Resources mentioned in this episode Kate’s books: * Extreme Resilience Workbook * L.I.F.T.: A Coach Approach to Parenting * Side by Side: A Model for Healthy Relationships * Unblock: Writing Prompts for Works in Prog
Mon, January 03, 2022
Researching Overexcitability
In episode 5, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. R. Frank Falk, who has been dealing with the construct of overexcitability as a researcher for more than 40 years. Frank talked about his work with the original Overexcitability Questionnaire (OEQ) and the subsequent development of the Overexcitability Questionnaire-Two (OEQ-II). We discussed the challenges of researching OE and the effort that Chris and Frank are making to rectify misunderstandings about Dąbrowski’s theory in the gifted community. Resources mentioned during this episode : Developmental Potential by Michael M. Piechowski (this is the chapter Frank mentioned from New Voices in Counseling the Gifted ). Most of the research on overexcitabilities can be found in this repository on the OSF website: Research on Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration . The Origins and Conceptual Evolution of Overexcitability by Wells & Falk. ( Click here to access the article from the journal’s website.) Reexamining Overexcitability: A Framework for Understanding Intense Experience by Piechowski & Wells. Bill Tillier’s website: positivedisintegration.com . Mellow Out by Michael M. Piechowski. Living with Intensity by Daniels & Piechowski. Gifted Development Center website (for more about the OEQ-II). The Dabrowski Newsletter we mentioned can be found in the materials available for download from Bill’s website (for a fee). The two special issues of Roeper Review co-edited by Cheryl Ackerman: Vol. 31 (2) and Vol. 31 (3) . Frank’s work can also be found on ResearchGate . * A <a target="_blank" href="https://dabrowskicenter.org/episod
Wed, December 29, 2021
Depression and Anxiety in Development
In episode 4, Chris and Emma were joined again by Dąbrowski archivist, Bill Tillier. Bill talked about neuroses and psychoneuroses from a historical perspective and then tied them to Dąbrowski’s views. Anxiety and depression were discussed in light of the theory of positive disintegration and their developmental implications. Instead of our usual list of links in the show notes, for this episode, we’re glad to share the following notes from Bill. The quotations he’s shared are from Dąbrowksi’s books: Multidimensionality – a broad view The levels of mental development can be defined with respect to such properties as: typological characteristics; instincts; intelligence; social, moral, religious and aesthetic emotions; inner psychic milieu; volition; creativity; and mental disturbances. On the basis of observation and clinical tests we should be able to place these properties in the sequence of developmental transformations of an individual. 1970, p. 99 Multilevelness – hierarchy; a deep view DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL. The constitutional endowment which determines the character and the extent of mental growth possible for a given individual. The developmental potential can be assessed on the basis of the following components: psychic overexcitability (q.v.), special abilities and talents, and autonomous factors (notably the Third factor). 1972, p. 293 1970 title – Mental growth through positive disintegration Without nervousness and neuroses there is no positive disintegration, and without positive disintegration there seems to be no positive development. 1972, p. 159 Overexcitability and nervousness are synonymous: PSYCHIC OVEREXCITABILITY. Higher than average responsiveness to stimuli, manifested either by psychomotor, sensual, emotional (affective), imaginational, or intellectual excitability, or the combination thereof. 1972, p. 303 NERVOUSNESS. Enhanced psychic overexcitability in the form of excitability of movements, senses, affect, imagination, and intellect. Nervousness does not in any way entail the impairment of mental functions. 1972, p. 299 According to our theory accelerated psychic development is actually impossible without transition through processes of nervousness and psychoneuroses, without external and internal conflicts, without maladjustment to actual conditions in order to achieve adjustment to a higher level of values (to what “ought to be”). 1972, p. 220 1972 title – Psychoneurosis is not an illness Neuroses – a common definition A relatively mild mental illness that is not caused by organic disease, involving symptoms of stress (depression, anxiety, obsessive behaviour, hypochondria) but not a radical loss of touch with reality. NEUROSIS. Psychophysiological or psychosomatic disorders characterized by a dominance of somatic processes. There are no detectable organic defects, although t
Wed, December 01, 2021
Dąbrowski, Philosophy, and Influences
In episode 3, Chris and Emma were joined by Dąbrowski archivist, Bill Tillier. A retired forensic psychologist with over 20 years of experience, Bill is an author and former student of Dr. Dąbrowski’s at the University of Alberta. Bill shared his personal experiences as Dąbrowski’s student, and what KD was like. We also get an insight into what led KD to develop the TPD, as Bill introduces us to the philosophical influences behind the theory. Resources and links from episode 3 : Bill’s website on the Theory of Positive Disintegration * Biographies of Kazimierz Dąbrowski * The Dąbrowski Bibliography * D ą browski’s works available for download Bill’s book Personality Development through Positive Disintegration * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find Positive Disintegration Merch
Mon, November 22, 2021
Overexcitabilities and Pseudoscience
In episode 2, Chris talked about their presentation at the 2021 NAGC Conference on distinguishing science from pseudoscience. Emma and Chris went over the five types of overexcitability and their forms and expressions, the connection between OE and positive disintegration, and also discussed some of the myths and misunderstandings about OEs that are found in the gifted community. Resources mentioned in this episode : Mellow Out by Michael M. Piechowski Reexamining Overexcitability: A Framework for Understanding Intense Experience by Piechowski and Wells The Origins and Conceptual Evolution of Overexcitability by Wells and Falk The Curse of Tony Stark by Emma Nicholson Living with Intensity by Daniels and Piechowski * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center website Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider <a target="_blank" href="https://donorbox.org/positive-disintegration-podcas
Mon, October 25, 2021
Welcome to Positive Disintegration!
In the inaugural episode, Emma and Chris introduced themselves and Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration. The discussion touched on some of the basics, such as: * Who was Dr. Kazimierz Dąbrowski, and where did his theory come from? * What is positive disintegration? * Unilevel vs. Multilevel processes * Overexcitabilities and Developmental Potential * Levels of Development * Dynamisms We also talked about how Chris and Emma came to learn about the theory and find meaning in the idea of positive disintegration. Thank you for joining us on this journey! Click here for extended show notes with an edited transcript (Paid subscribers only) * A transcript of this episode is available on the Dabrowski Center website. Connect with us! Positive Disintegration on Substack Visit the Dabrowski Center Facebook Instagram The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook The Tragic Gift blog by Emma Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com Please consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find Positive Disintegration Merch If you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify , please remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you! Please share this post with others who would appreciate learning about Positive Disintegration. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
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