Interior Integration for Catholics

Epizodes

• 183 Can Catholics Become Gods? Straight Talk from Mother Natalia 01.06.2026 1h 37min

  Catholics becoming Gods.  In this episode, Mother Natalia of the Byzantine Catholic of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery and host of the “What God is Not” podcast discuss theosis (or deification) from an Eastern Catholic perspective, bringing in parts and systems thinking.  Join us for a fascinating, rollicking conversation about this most important topic.Mother Natalia’s podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatgodisnotpodcastPraying with Parts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OZ6e6zAMb4Mother Natalia’s Riding Your Hot Mess Express to Heaven talk:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BtvYRfBChcCheck out Dr. Peter and Chris Stefanick on parts work:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSWuvRg5csU&t=1468sThe Resilient Catholics Community is open to new members in June!  Check it out:  https://soulsandhearts.com/rccCatholic Parts Work in Human Formation will be on the evening of June 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM Eastern – register here https://members.soulsandhearts.com/Catholic-parts-workA retreat for Catholic formators, August 10-13, 2026 on “Authentic Being and Authentic Relating.” https://members.soulsandhearts.com/formators-retreat-registration-for-2026Key moments in this episode9:40 Theosis or deification as understood as “becoming God” in the Eastern Catholic Church, and how theosis is becoming more and more one with God.  15:00 What is the impact or effect of theosis on our parts?  How parts can be transfigured19:20 Human formation deficits and inner fragmentation can keep us from theosis, from becoming one with God.  The concept of “involuntary sin” in the Eastern Catholic Church.  28:11 Starting with what health looks like, how the fall affects us, and the effects manifested in spiritual illnesses – allowing all of our parts to heal and be deified.  31:29 Evagrius insists that our desires are inherently good, but can become twisted33:00 Are different parts of a person experiencing different degrees of union with God at the same time?38:01 Jesus seeks out the less desirable members of society – the poor, lame, sick, lepers, the tax collectors, etc.  Does God seek out the exiles first, seeking to redeem them?  Does God bypass the innermost self to reach the exiled parts?  How inner unity is needed for parts to be close to God.  48:45 The difference between essence and energies in Eastern Catholic thought with St. Maximus the Confessor54:20 “Nepsis” or watchfulness1:00:30 Is nepsis about being watchful inwardly and outwardly?  Impulses come from parts which are already in the heart, as opposed to temptation, which originates outside the person.  1:06:30 An example of nepsis or watchfulness and parts from monastic life about a part feeling unseen1:15:01 A model of working with parts in ways similar to working with little children.  With an example from Mother Natalia’s life.  1:19:15 Cutting or self-mutilation as an example of trying to find the good desire within a maladaptive impulse.  Seeking causes underneath the symptom1:30:00 Mother Natalia’s practical takeaway – we are so steeped in our culture’s obsession with productivity and take a functional view of prayer – what can prayer provide us, for some specific good.  But we need to go to prayer to “be with” God and be in His presence.1:33:45 Dr. Gerry’s practical takeaway on prayer is to get a cat, because his cat Nebula, helps him to slow way down and stop being so busy in prayer. 1:35:45 Parts’ desire for theosis is heavily dependent on their God images – patience and kindness and gentleness with parts, and how parts need to experience love from other relationships first1:39:15 The Holy Spirit is unafraid to approach us even when we are still impure, and one of the mistakes we make is that we believe that we need to get to a particular place in order to encounter God.
• 182 The Wonder of the Neglected Gift of Deification (with Parts!) with Dr. Matthew Tsakanikas 04.05.2026 1h 32min

  Deification: A secret in the Catholic Church that really shouldn’t be a secret.  Join Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr Matthew Tsakanikas, professor of theology at Christendom College, and Dr. Peter for a wide-ranging discussion of the glory, the adventure, the awe of partaking of God’s divine nature with the entirety of our being – our hearts, souls, minds, bodies, innermost selves, and all our parts, from a perspective informed by Internal Family Systems and grounded in a Catholic anthropology and metaphysics.  What does it really mean for all of you to be a beloved little son or beloved little daughter of God?  Books by Dr. Matthew Tsakanikas:2025 A Catechesis on Deification, Transfiguration & the Luminous Mysteries: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DX1HZMLM/2026 Meditations on Deification and the Luminous Mysteries: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0GWVYQGPPCheck out our sister podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/@ScriptureForYourInnerOutcasts The Resilient Catholics Community is about to reopen for new members in June. If you are a Catholic who wants to overcome the natural level obstacles to sharing deeply in God's divine nature as his beloved little son or beloved little daughter, and are into parts and systems thinking, consider applying to the RCC at www.soulsandhearts.com/rcc.Online Workshop for those Catholic Formators new to IFS, “Catholic Parts Work in Human Formation” will be on June 10, 2026 from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM Eastern, register at https://members.soulsandhearts.com/Catholic-parts-workThe Formation for Formators Retreat is August 10-13, 2026 in Bloomington Indiana.  The theme is “Authentic Being and Authentic Relating.” This retreat focuses on you finding and loving you in more of your parts, including parts you have not yet encountered – your exiles – more at www.soulsandhearts.com/FFF  Conversation Hours with Dr. Peter are every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time on his cell at 317.567.9594 – it’s an opportunity to discuss themes from this podcat or any of the materials generated by Souls and Hearts.  Key Moments12:00 What is deification/theosis/divinization?  Being made a son or daughter of God means sharing in God’s nature.  15:00  Ephesians chapter 1 reveals God’s plan from before the foundation of the world to makes us sons in the Son.  16:52  Dr. Gerry’s objections to the IFS conceptualization of “Self”21:01 The image of God within us is dynamic – the “capax Dei” 21:50  How Adam and Eve lost their interior integration with the Fall and how Jesus opens the way for re-integration.27:05  Satan to Adam and Eve “Ye shall become like gods….” 30:30  How do we receive the love of God?  34:20  The internal battle: “Parts of me are drawn to receive God’s love and parts of me are not…”41:19 The necessity of entering into a loving relationship with Jesus for interior integration43:40  God’s wills that you flourish in all domains and in all your parts48:40  Divinization and the human body53:00  Divinization is “too hot to handle” for many Christians – but it’s the essential framework for all of the Catholic life, it’s the essential story that holds all the other stories.  1:02:00 The importance of accepting all of my parts as they are right now.  God accepts all parts as they are, so I need to as well.  Acceptance of a part does not mean endorsing that part’s disordered desires, impulses, and emotions1:08:35  Sometimes parts find it easier to tolerate being loved by someone other than God at first, and that lesser loves can help parts open up to God’s direct love1:25:01  Dr. Tsakanikas’ key takeaway:  Love makes the lover want to make the beloved equal to himself,1:26:28  Dr, Gerry’s takeaway:  It’s important for us to evangelize each of our own parts1:27:54  Dr. Peter’s takeaway:  Real love is given freely. But in our fallen human states, in our fallen human condition, it's not received without a cost to our parts. 
• 181 Roundtable Discussion: Catholic Philosophers and Therapists Take On the Tough Questions about IFS and Catholicism 06.04.2026 1h 30min

  Four Catholic therapists and four Catholic philosophers take on the most frequently asked metaphysical questions about grounding Internal Family Systems in a Catholic worldview.  Join Elizabeth Galanti, Dr. Anthony Flood, Dr. Andrea Messineo, Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Monty De La Torre, Fr. Thomas Berg, and Dr. Peter Malinoski for a spirited discussion of: 1) the relationship between IFS and the Catholic Church; 2) problems with the IFS conceptualization of “Self’; 3) the importance of the Catholic IFS clinician staying true to the teachings of the Church; 4) distinguishing between parts and demons in IFS work; 5) how can we prevent parts work from opening the door to demons? 6) what does it mean to say that all parts are good?; 7) how does ordered self-love differ from selfishness?; 8) is there a danger of creating an endless nesting of parts within parts within parts, an “infinite regress” of parts?; and 9) How does the Catholic understanding of conscience related to parts in IFS?  Fr. Thomas Berg’s books: Hurting in the Church: A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hurting-in-the-church-fr-thomas-berg/1124597873Choosing Forgiveness: Unleash the Power of God's Gracee: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choosing-forgiveness-fr-thomas-berg/1140395384?ean=9781681926537 Dr. Andrea Messineo’s book “Alone in Church”: https://www.amazon.com/ALONE-CHURCH-Andrea-Messineo/dp/1732054290Check out Dr. Messineo’s website at Andreamessineolpcc.comDr. Anthony Flood’s books: The Root of Friendship: Self-Love and Self-Governance in Aquinas https://www.cuapress.org/9780813226057/the-root-of-friendship/ The Metaphysical Foundations of Love: Aquinas on Participation, Unity, and Union: https://www.cuapress.org/9780813234205/the-metaphysical-foundations-of-love/Dr. Gerry Crete’s book, “Litanies of the Heart”: https://www.amazon.com/Litanies-Heart-Gerry-Ken-Crete-ebook/dp/B0CSKSCMPP?ref_=ast_author_mpbElizabeth Galanti’s practice:  https://www.elizabethgalanti.com/Dr. Monty De La Torre’s recent reflections:  https://www.soulsandhearts.com/blog/the-metaphysics-of-parts-part-i-the-soul-the-faculties-and-the-senses/https://www.soulsandhearts.com/blog/intellect-knowledge-judgement-reasoning-and-parts-the-metaphysics-of-parts-part-ii/Check out our Resilient Catholics Community (RCC) here:  https://www.soulsandhearts.com/rccCheck out our Formation for Formators (FFF) Community here: https://www.soulsandhearts.com/fffKey moments12:28  "What does the Catholic Church have to say about IFS, and is IFS OK for Catholics?" "How can we make sure that our IFS-informed parts work is fully Catholic?”19:50  Problems with the IFS conceptualization of “Self” and how to modify the idea of the inmost self so that it harmonizes with a Catholic understanding of the human person23:30  The importance of the IFS Catholic clinician staying true to all Catholic doctrine25:20   "How can I tell if I'm connecting with a part or a with a demon?  How do we keep our parts work from creating vulnerabilities toward demonic influences?"35:55  "Why do we say in IFS that there are no bad parts, that all parts are welcome? It certainly seems that some of my parts are urging me to do bad or sinful things, and that I have to resist them."50:00  "From a parts perspective, how does ordered self-love differ from selfishness?"59:00  According to St. Thomas Aquinas, there is no part of you that by itself has hegemony over the role of goodness. Each part has a goodness or proper functioning that is nested in the good of the person as a whole. That is why when willing goods to oneself, you must will goods in a way that is respectful of all of you, not just some of you.1:06:50  "What if I create an endless number of parts? Or, a part, that has a part, that has a part, etc...? "  -- the “infinite regress” of parts1:21:50 How does the Catholic understanding of conscience related to parts in IFS? 
• 180 Right and Wrong: Conscience and Catholic Parts Work 02.03.2026 1h 30min

  Moral theologian Fr. Thomas Berg and philosopher and therapist Dr. Andrea Messineo take on the topic of personal conscience and parts work through a Catholic lens.  We explore the relationships among conscience, parts, the innermost self, the intellect, the will, impulses, and desires.  We address concupiscence and parts, and offer specific examples.  Join us for a fascinating exploration of conscience and parts.  Check out these other episodes:https://youtu.be/bw-zUp2h_TAhttps://youtu.be/f5MNCaCJLychttps://youtu.be/Isxmlx8pQAsDr. Peter’s advanced group for Catholic formators: Relating Wholeheartedly with God in Prayer, Mondays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Eastern starting on March 9, 2026.  Find out more here:  https://members.soulsandhearts.com/registrationDr. Gerry’s advanced group for Catholic formators: Surviving, Healing, Thriving, and Flourishing - A Path To Greater Integration  Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Eastern, starting on March 11, 2026Fr. Thomas Berg’s books: Hurting in the Church: A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hurting-in-the-church-fr-thomas-berg/1124597873Choosing Forgiveness: Unleash the Power of God's Grace: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choosing-forgiveness-fr-thomas-berg/1140395384?ean=9781681926537Dr. Andrea Messineo’s book, Alone in Church: https://www.amazon.com/ALONE-CHURCH-Andrea-Messineo/dp/1732054290Check out Dr. Messineo’s website at andreamessineolpcc.comKey moments:16:15 What are the relationships among one's innermost self, one's parts, and one's conscience?21:25  St. Thomas Aquinas’ emphasis on prudence23:30  How parts with emotions have a role in a well-formed conscience and the innermost self does not have a “localized omniscience.”  31:30 What are the relationships among parts and the faculties of the intellect and the will?37:00 Parts are closely connected with impulses and desires, driving agendas40:00  What about addictions, obsessions, and compulsions?45:40  Can a person possess a virtue, but parts of that person not have access to that virtue?56:20  Does the innermost self need any formation from others, or is it complete, as Richard Schwartz maintains?1:08:00 Causal chains that lead to morally problematic behaviors1:17:20  What is concupiscence and does it always need to be lodged in a part?
• 179 Parts, Subjectivity, Values, and Morals 02.02.2026 1h 28min

  Catholic philosopher Dr. Andrea Messineo and moral theologian Fr. Thomas Berg guide us in moral reasoning from a parts perspective, grounded in Alasdair MacIntyre’s Thomistic thought. Join us as we romp through understanding the development of moral reasoning informed by IFS, “values clarification”, Winnicott’s object relations model, the importance of unblending and recollection for clarity in moral reasoning, the necessity of dependence on others, the proper use and the misuse of penance and mortification, how accepting a part does not mean endorsing that part’s impulses and desires, and so much more. Fr. Thomas Berg’s books: Hurting in the Church: A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hurting-in-the-church-fr-thomas-berg/1124597873 Choosing Forgiveness: Unleash the Power of God's Grace: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choosing-forgiveness-fr-thomas-berg/1140395384?ean=9781681926537 Dr. Andrea Messineo’s book “Alone in Church”: https://www.amazon.com/ALONE-CHURCH-Andrea-Messineo/dp/1732054290 Check out Dr. Messineo’s website at Andreamessineolpcc.com If you want to flourish in loving God, your neighbor, and yourself, with other Catholics in a structured program informed by Internal Family Systems and grounded in a Catholic worldview, check out the Resilient Catholics Community here: https://soulsandhearts.com/rcc and check out our informational video here: https://vimeo.com/1160648485/1d2c052338?fl=ip&fe=ec New groups are forming for Catholic formators – counselors, coaches, spiritual directors, priests, and others who individually accompany others in their formation are welcome to join our Formation for Formators community. Details are here: https://soulsandhearts.com/fff 
• 178 Q&A on Ordered Self-Love, your Body, Parts Work and Catholicism 05.01.2026 1h 28min

  You need to love yourself properly to love others in an ordered way. How can we understand St. Thomas Aquinas' insistence on us governing our passions from an IFS perspective in a way that loves our passionate parts?  How can we be detached from worldly goods?  Do saints get blended with their parts?  Are there benefits to some kinds of blending with parts?  How can we frame the Theology of the Body to resonate more with women's concerns?  How can we consider both errors of commission vs. errors of omission in parts work? What about the importance of mercy, the centrality of love, the requirement of interior integration in for human formation through an Internal Family Systems lens, grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person?  Join Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Peter Martin, and Dr. Peter Malinoski take these questions and more in this episode with a live audience.  
• 177 Christopher West on IFS and TOB – A Powerful Combo for Sexual Healing 01.12.2025 1h 22min

  Christopher West has recently embraced IFS and parts work because of Dr. Gerry Crete’s book, Litanies of the Heart.  Dr. West shares the impact of IFS in his life, seeing it as a “missing piece,” a key to internalizing and living out the powerful message of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.  In this episode, Dr. West, Dr. Gerry, and Dr. Peter invite you into their rollicking, wide ranging, and deep conversation about “marrying” TOB and IFS -- and how the TOB/IFS union brings guidance and light in redeeming eros, healing from trauma, growing in interior integration, living chastely, and loving our parts that experience lustful desires and impulses.   For the full video experience with Beth West's painting of eros, the crumpled painting analogy, and all our visuals, gestures, and graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics
• 176 The Catholic Catechism Guides Our Parts Work 03.11.2025 1h 32min

  A sure norm for teaching the faith – that’s what the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is, according to St. John Paul II.  Today, Elizabeth Galanti, Dr. Gerry, and Dr. Peter look at what the CCC has to say about parts work,  human formation, divided hearts, healthy multiplicity vs. inner fragmentation, self-knowledge, self-governance, self-love, inner unity, sexual sins, the body, and hope.  And all of this in our effort to ground Internal Family Systems and other parts and systems approaches in an authentically Catholic understanding of the human person, informed by the Catechism. Why? So you can flourish.For the full video experience with all our visuals, gestures, and graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics  Our new podcast Scripture for Your Inner Outcasts podcast A daily podcast where we bring Jesus' ministry inside, to all parts of us. Just as Jesus reaches out to the outcasts of society, we reach out to your inner outcasts-- the parts of you that feel unworthy or unlovable.  Join us in seeing Scripture through a new lens, coming alive for those parts of you that may have experienced spiritual neglect and need healing. Check out Scripture for Your Inner Outcasts wherever you listen to podcasts.  
• 175 IFS, Parts Work, Vatican II, and Your Conscience 06.10.2025 1h 27min

  “Man is divided within himself.”  So says the Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes.  Sins – original sin, the sins of others, and your own personal sins lead to your inner fragmentation and the obscuring of your conscience.  What is your conscience?  Where is your conscience within you?  What does Vatican II say about IFS concepts?  How did St. Maximilian Kolbe live sacrificial love in Auschwitz with interior integration, inner unity?  And what does Vatican II say about psychology and the social sciences?  Dr. Gerry Crete joins me for a wide-ranging discussion of these questions and so much more.  
• 174 Richard Schwartz and IFS Meet St. Thomas Aquinas 15.09.2025 1h 25min

  We explore the surprising compatibility of Internal Family Systems with a Thomistic understanding of the human person. The modern pioneer of parts work, Richard Schwartz, originator of IFS harmonizes with the medieval angelic doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas. Join Thomistic philosopher Dr. Anthony Flood, Catholic psychologist Dr. Eric Gudan and me, Dr. Peter, as we discuss how the goodness of IFS can be modified and grounded in the excellence of a Thomistic anthropology.   For the full video experience with all our visuals, gestures, and graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics
• 173 Aristotle and Aquinas on Proper Self-Love 01.09.2025 1h 44min

  How do we love with the three loves in the two Great Commandments?  And what are the relationships among love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self?  Join Catholic philosopher Anthony Flood and Catholic psychologist Eric Gudan as we explore love in Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas.  We address flourishing, friendship, virtues, interior integration, inner unity, union with others, trauma, healing, selfishness, humility, magnanimity, where to find truth, and so much more, all through a Thomistic lens.  Join us!   For the full video experience with all our visuals, graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics
• 172 Questions About Catholicism and Parts Work Answered 18.08.2025 1h 18min

  We have answers to your questions about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Catholicism.  From the experts.  That’s what this episode is all about.  Dr. Peter Martin, Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Christian Amalu and Dr. Peter Malinoski come together with a live audience to discuss your questions about parts’ felt sense of safety, their God images, and your innermost self as a secure internal attachment figure for your parts and a bridge between your parts and God, your will and your parts.  We discuss whether you can love others if you don’t love yourself.  And so much more.  Come and see!
• 171 Know Thyself, Love Thyself, Govern Thyself: Socrates and Plato Discuss Parts Work 04.08.2025 1h 50min

  Both Socrates and Plato were deeply concerned with the questions 1) Who is the human person? and 2) How does one flourish in living the best life possible.  And both addressed these questions through understanding a person’s relationship with self.  Knowing oneself, loving oneself, and governing oneself wisely are the core of their teaching on virtues and ethics.  All three of those imply a relationship oneself.  We explore the “parts of the soul” that Socrates and Plato proposed, and how these parts interact in the inner life.  Join Catholic Thomistic philosopher Dr. Anthony Flood, Catholic psychologist Dr. Eric Gudan and me, Dr. Peter, as we explore Plato’s five forms of self-governance, and which parts of the soul are in charge in each of them, connecting each one to an IFS understanding of inner dynamics.   For the full video experience with all of Dr. Flood's expressive gestures, all our visuals, graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics
• 170 St. Bonaventure Anticipates Catholic Parts Work 21.07.2025 1h 42min

  Q: What can St. Bonaventure teach us about our inner life? A: More than you might imagine. Writing in the 13th century, St. Bonaventure emphasized the importance of the heart, of our emotions and our desires. He prized love and relationality – starting with the relationships among the three Persons of the Trinity, that God is both a unity and a multiplicity. He also emphasized the faculty of memory in addition to the intellect and the will as part of his tripartite model of soul, which opens the door to the modern concept of the unconscious, with parts existing outside of our awareness. Join Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Christian Amalu, and Dr. Peter Malinoski as we “nerd out” on St. Bonaventure, connecting him back to St. Francis of Assisi, St. Maximus, and other Catholic experts on metaphysics in a way that’s accessible, conversational, inspirational, and fun.   For the full video experience with all of Dr. Gerry's expressive gestures, all our visuals, graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics
• 169 St. Maximus the Confessor and Catholic Parts Work 07.07.2025 1h 22min

  Q: Did St. Maximus anticipate Internal Family Systems thinking by 13 centuries?  A: In a word, Yes.  Maximus, writing in the seventh century, described in detail the unity and distinctions within the human person, and how each of us is a mediator that connects the spiritual and natural realms, and microcosm that contains within us the entire cosmos.  Mind-blowing ideas.  He also believes that each of us is a macrocosm, being able to influence the whole world in ways that matter.  Maximus was a sophisticated systems thinker.  He believed we already have certain virtues within us that can and should be released to flower.  And love was at the very center of his message.  Join Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Christian Amalu, and Dr. Peter Malinoski as they explore Catholic parts work and St. Maximus to your imagination break free. 
• 168 Restless Hearts: St. Augustine and Catholic Parts Work 16.06.2025 1h 29min

  You can think of St. Augustine’s heart as an “open book” titled “Confessions.” In this episode, we go deep into his restless heart, sharing with you how well his clear, detailed, and nuanced descriptions of his inner experience reflect Internal Family Systems and parts work so well. As St. Augustine describes his “divided heart” and “conflicting wills” and the stages of his conversion, Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Chrisian Amalu, and Dr. Peter Malinoski show how this translates into IFS terms. And Dr. Christian provides an Augustinian experiential exercise. Join us to see how St. Augustine wisdom connects with and informs Catholic parts work.  If you are a Catholic who wants to jumpstart getting to know and love your own parts, check out the Resilient Catholics Community at https://members.soulsandhearts.com/rcc
• 167 Early Church Fathers and Catholic Parts Work 02.06.2025 1h 23min

  What can the Early Church Fathers teach us about our inner worlds, the complexity of our psyches?  Actually, very much, if we are willing to listen.  Join Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Christian Amalu and me for a highlight tour of what these Early Church Fathers offer us in understanding and loving ourselves, God, and others:  St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Irenaeus, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. John of Damascus.  We particularly focused in on St. Evagrius discussing the “Christ-self” and the “legion of other selves” within each person. We explore how the Early Church Fathers bring in allegory, metaphor, symbol, and typology to capture more readily the richness, variety, complexity, and beauty of the inner life than we moderns generally do.  Dr. Gerry closes with a brief prayer reflection.   For the full video experience with visuals, graphics, and for discussion in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics
• 166 Can IFS and Parts Work Be Catholic? Listening to Scripture 19.05.2025 1h 31min

  Internal Family Systems is extremely popular not only as a therapy model, but as a way of making sense of our inner experience.  IFS does not have specifically Catholic origins.  But can there be a way of understanding parts work and systems thinking and harmonizing them with an authentically Catholic understanding of the human person?  Dr. Christian Amalu, Dr. Peter Martin, Dr. Gerry Crete, and Dr. Peter Malinoski explore that question in these next episodes, starting with Sacred Scripture.  What evidence can be found in the Bible to support the major tenets of IFS?  How might IFS be understood through a Catholic lens?  Join us for a tour of Scripture to answer these questions, with an experiential exercise as well.  
• 165 Your Questions About IFS and Catholicism Answered 05.05.2025 1h 20min

  You have got questions, we have answers – all about IFS and parts work, Catholic style. Join Marion Moreland, David Edwards, Bridget Adams, and Dr. Peter as we engage with a live audience for a discussion. David provides a brief drop-in exercise. The new discuss relating with our parts with love, legacy burdens and legacy gifts, detecting when a part is blended, displaced anger, how core beliefs drive parts, how our human formation arithmetic can help our spiritual formation algebra, Divine Providence working through our flaws, shortcomings, sins, and inadequacies, making the gifts, and the Resilient Catholics Community with the PartsFinder Pro.  For the full video experience with visuals, graphics, and for discussion in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics
• 164 What are Internal Systems in Catholic Parts Work? 21.04.2025 1h 41min

  Question: What do improvisational jazz bands, 8-man rowing shells, the Catholic Church, and a nuclear family all have in common? Answer: They are all human systems. Systems have three components: 1) elements (or parts); 2) interconnections (relationships among elements); and 3) a function or purpose. John David Edwards and Dr. Peter as we explore systems. Understanding yourself as a system, with an innermost self, parts, internal relationships among your innermost self and parts (e.g. polarizations, alignments, suppressions, etc.), and that each unintegrated part has an agenda – a purpose it desires – all that helps us understand ourselves and each other. And that understanding helps so much in being able to receive and give love as Catholics.