Elevator Systems - Bowen Family Systems Theory

Episodes

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  S5 Ep1 Holding on to Systems Thinking with Dr. Kathleen Smith 20.10.2026 40m

  This episode explores how to hold on to systems thinking in everyday life and relationships. Dr. Kathleen Smith, Katie, and Dixie share practical ways to widen the lens, stay curious, and notice patterns instead of assigning blame. Through examples from family transitions, clinical work, and stories from books and television, they discuss how small practices—like observing emotional process, asking different questions, and focusing on your own choices—can help make systems thinking more accessible.Dr. Kathleen Smith joins us from Washington DC where she’s a licensed therapist and writer. Her two books are Everything Isn't Terrible and True to You, and she also writes the popular online newsletter, The Anxious Overachiever. Kathleen is a faculty member at the Bowen Center.Resources:Dr. Kathleen Smith - The Anxious Overachiever newsletterDr. Kathleen Smith - Everything Isn’t TerribleDr. Kathleen Smith - True to YouAnthony J. Wilgus, “Mom’s Committed Suicide: Now What?” In Titelman & Reed, Ed., Death and Chronic Illness in the Family Roberta M. Gilbert, MD - Extraordinary RelationshipsAnne S. McKnight, EdD - Thinking SystemsOct 23rd Living Systems Conference, Thinking Big About Family Challenges2027 International Conference, July 7-9, 2027Nov 6-7th Bowen Center 63rd Annual Symposium Living Systems Counselling and TrainingWant to speak with a counsellor? Contact usSeason 5 episodes will be released every two weeks from Tuesday October 6th til the International Conference in July of 2027. Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 to 4.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #Patterns #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk
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  S5 Pre-Season Episode: Bowen Theory Beyond Borders 06.10.2026 15m

  Elevator Systems is back for Season 5. This season’s theme connects with the Bowen Theory International Conference happening in Vancouver, BC (and online) in July 2027. The conference title is Bowen Theory Beyond Borders: Exploring Current Applications and Growing Global Connections. See the link below for more information on that conference. Season 5 welcomes Bowen thinkers and practitioners from around the globe to discuss different areas they are using and expanding the theory. Dixie Vandersluys is a Canadian Certified Counsellor based in Manitoba, Canada. She has undergraduate degrees in history and philosophy and a Master of Arts in Counselling from Providence Theological Seminary.  Dixie enjoys seeing clients across Canada in her private practice and doing workshops with different groups. Dixie is a faculty member at Living Systems and the creator and host of the Elevator Systems podcast.  Katie White is a Marriage and Family Therapist registered in the US and Canada.  She has been working with individuals, couples and families in schools, clinics, and non-profit centres for twenty years in the US, Australia and Canada. In 2010, Katie began focusing her practice using Bowen family systems theory and has attended the Post-Graduate Program at the Bowen Center.  Katie is currently the Executive Director of Living Systems in Vancouver Canada. Katie teaches and supervises interns there, as well as managing a private practice.Season 5 episodes will be released every two weeks from Tuesday October 6th til the International Conference in July of 2027. Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 to 4.Resources:Kerr & Bowen, Family Evaluation2027 International Conference, July 7-9, 2027Oct 23rd Living Systems Conference, Thinking Big About Family ChallengesNov 6-7th Bowen Center 63rd Annual Symposium Living Systems Counselling and TrainingSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast
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  S4 Bonus Episode - Beliefs with Dr. Anne McKnight 21.07.2026 46m

  The Season 4 bonus episode is a conversation with Dr. Anne McKnight on beliefs, relationships, and Bowen family systems theory. It looks at how emotional pressures influence how people think, act, and believe, and how slowing down, getting curious, and examining one’s position in a relationship system can help clarify beliefs and how one wants to live out beliefs.Dr. Anne McKnight is a long time student of Bowen theory and has worked as a clinician using the theory in her practice for forty years. She is a Director Emerita of the Bowen Center, which she led from 2010-2020 and the author of Thinking Systems: Applying Bowen Theory in Clinical Practice — which Katie and I both recommend. Anne has presented nationally and internationally on Bowen theory, but most importantly it has been useful in her own life with her family, three children, and nine grandchildren.Resources:Anne S McKnight, Thinking Systems: Applying Bowen Theory in Clinical PracticeMurray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical PracticeMichael Kerr & Murray Bowen, Family Evaluation Robert L Williamson, Family Thoughts: Studies of the Function of Beliefs within the Family UnitRobert L Williamson, The Beliefs Chart and Walter Inglis Anderson, Family Systems Forum, Fall, 2008 Vol 10, No.3: https://csnsf.org/family-systems-forum/article-index/Victoria Harrison, “The Belief Paper Assignment” Family Systems Forum, Fall 2022, Vol 24, No.3: https://csnsf.org/family-systems-forum/article-index/Interested in the Submitting an Abstract for the International Conference? Email: conferences@livingsystems.caBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Look for Season 5 coming this fall.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #Anxiety #Beliefs #Values #Differences #Conversations #Dialogue #Growth #Maturity #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #Differentiation #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S4 Ep10 Money with Kathy Wiseman 07.07.2026 51m

  This episode explores how money is linked to family and relationship processes. Kathy Wiseman shares her personal and professional experience from across the decades in a conversation about how Bowen family systems theory is helpful for individuals, families, and organizations to be more thoughtful about their financial situations, struggles, and goals. Kathy Wiseman trains and coaches people who live, work, and govern in family business, family foundations and family offices. Kathy is a faculty member at the Bowen Center and was adjunct faculty at the George Washington University School of Business and the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. She also served as President of the Family Firm Institute and Dean of the Family Office Exchange Learning Academy and founded Working Systems. Kathy has co-authored three books: Understanding Organizations, The Emotional Side of Organizations, and Trustworthy.Resources:Kathy Wiseman: Understanding OrganizationsKathy Wiseman: The Emotional Side of OrganizationsKathy Wiseman & Hartley Goldstone: TrustworthyMariana Martinez & Peter Bloom: Seeing the Blindspot: A Guide for Advisors Working with the Family EnterpriseVictoria Harrison: The Emotional Side of Money, Family Systems Forum No. 4, Winter 2007Victoria Harrison: The Emotional Side of Money Part 2, Family Systems Forum No. 4, Spring 2008Eileen G. Pendegast: Wealth, Inherited or Acquired - A Multi-Generational Family Issue in The Family, Vol 11, No.1Interested in the Submitting an Abstract for the International Conference? Email: conferences@livingsystems.caLiving Systems programs: https://livingsystems.ca/Want to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #Money #Wealth #Inheritance #FamilyMoney #Anxiety #GenerationalWealth #FinancialDynamics #WealthTransfer #MoneyConversations #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S4 Ep9 Sexual Diversity with Kent Webb 23.06.2026 41m

  This episode discusses Bowen family systems theory and sexual diversity. Kent Webb joins to share his personal journey and research on the topic. The conversation explores how curiosity and open dialogue can encourage understanding and growth in relationships as well as in Bowen theory itself.Kent Webb works in both the organizational and mental health worlds with practices in each field. He is an executive coach and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has obtained broad experience and education as both a chief executive officer and a mental health coach. Kent trained in the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center and became a faculty member there in  2020. His publications include a chapter in Chronic Illness and Death in the Family, two articles in Family Systems Forum on Sexual Diversity and a chapter in The Emotional Side of Organizations: Applications of Bowen Theory.Resources:Kent Webb: Chronic Illness and Death in the Family (Ed. Titleman & Reed)Kent Webb: The Emotional Side of Organizations: Applications of Bowen TheoryKent Webb: Family Systems Forum articlesFrans de Waal: Different: Gender Thru the Eyes of a PrimatologistBowen Center Spring 2025 conference link: Sexual Diversity & the Human FamilyNathan Lents linksInterested in the Submitting an Abstract for the International Conference? Email: conferences@livingsystems.caLiving Systems programs: https://livingsystems.ca/Want to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #SexualDiveristy #Gender #GenderDiversity #LGBTQ+ #Curiosity #Conversation #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast
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  S4 Ep8 Sexual Abuse Scandals with Kathleen Cotter-Cauley 09.06.2026 41m

  Today’s episode looks at how Bowen family systems theory is useful in the complex area of sexual abuse scandals. Kathleen Cotter-Cauley joins this episode to discuss the many groups involved in scandals and how an eye on the family and relationship systems is a lens that can add clarity and understanding to this complicated and relevant topic.Kathleen Cotter-Cauley is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has a private practice in both Virginia and Florida. She’s been a faculty member of the Bowen Center since 2012, was involved in founding the Florida Family Research Network, and has been on the faculty of Extraordinary Leadership and Systems Leadership seminars. Some of her community service efforts include working with guide dogs and being part of review boards for sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church.Resources:Dr. Bowen: Family Therapy in Clinical PracticeDr. Walter Smith: Child Abuse in Family Emotional Process, Family Systems Journal 5.2Interested in submitting an abstract for the 2027 International Conference? Email: conferences@livingsystems.caLiving Systems programs: https://livingsystems.ca/Want to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #Abuse #SexualAbuse #Scandals #Secrets #WomenTalking #SpotlightMovie #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S4 Ep7 Politics with Dr. Robert L. Davis 26.05.2026 46m

  In this episode of Elevator Systems, we explore politics and Bowen family systems theory. Dr. Robert L. Davis is our guest as we zoom out across time and zoom in to the influence on family life, as well as the challenge of maintaining objectivity in politically polarized environments.Dr. Robert L. Davis is founder and Executive Director of Seasoned With Grace UnBoxed, a nonprofit committed to helping develop strong authentic leaders, as well bringing communities together to develop solutions around public safety and policing. Seasoned With Grace UnBoxed leads two community-centered projects: The Task Force to Reimagine Policing and Public Safety and Transforming Our Communities Alliance (TOCA). He has over 20 years of experience as a senior pastor, Family Life Educator, hospice chaplain, bereavement coordinator, and community leader.Resources:Dr. Robert L Davis, Transforming Our Communities Alliance (TOCA) Dr. Bowen, 1970 letter, The Murray Bowen Archives ProjectKatherine Gratwick Baker: Emotional Process in Society, Family Systems Journal, 13.1 W.E.B. Du Bois “Why I Won’t Be Voting in 1956” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “Why I Oppose the Vietnam War” Family Matters, “Political Reactivity and Self Regulation”Family Matters “Making Decisions in an Emotionally Aroused Social Environment”Want to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #Politics #Polarization #Democratic #Republican #History #Leadership #Differences #Curiosity #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S4 Ep6 Religion with Matt Steele 12.05.2026 47m

  Today’s episode looks at religion and relationships. We are diving into a hot topic and seeing how Bowen family systems theory is a resource to thinking about and observing religion and how people function around religion - within and between religious communities. Matt Steele joins us to share his thinking and experience on the topic. Matt Steele is a Bowen theory coach and pastoral supervisor who grew up in Sydney Australia. Matt is also an ordained Anglican minister and worked in a range of church ministry roles before shifting into his current work. Matt is an associate faculty member at the Family Systems Institute in Australia and now works primarily with Christian pastors, leaders and communities through his business changeroom. Last year he delivered the keynote talks at the Family Systems Institute’s Systems In Ministry Symposium titled, The Emotional Ecosystem of Ministry: Navigating The Relationship Jungle Without Becoming a Predator Or Being Eaten Alive.Resources:changeroom: http://changeroom.au/FSI Ministry Symposium recording Dr. Bowen 1966 letter, The Murray Bowen Archives ProjectRabbi Edwin Friedman: Generation to Generation Derek Thompson articleLiving Systems programs: https://livingsystems.ca/Thriving in Ministry conference recording: https://www.thebowencenter.org/conferencesWant to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #Religion #Faith #Belief #Doubt #Questions #SpiritualGrowth #Differences #LifeTogether #Congregations #Church #God #Christianity #FaithCommunity #Community #Friedman #Mindfulness #Values #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk
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  S4 Ep5 Sports with Amie Post 28.04.2026 41m

  What does Bowen family systems theory have to say about sports? A surprising amount! Amie Post is on the podcast again to think about the emotional processes of sports and how athletic performance can mirror relationship dynamics. Learn more on how automatic reactions, anxiety, and differentiation of self influence both the game and real-world relationships, offering insights into personal growth and group functioning.Amie Post, MA, LCMFT is a marriage and family therapist with extensive experience in leadership who began studying Bowen theory in 2001. She is the Interim Director of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, DC, as well as the Executive Director of the Center for Family Systems Theory of Western New York. Previously Amie held the role of Executive Director at the Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County. Amie is also a wife, mother, and grandmother.Resources:Dr. Bowen 1973 letter, The Murray Bowen Archives Project Dr. Bowen: Family Therapy in Clinical PracticeKathleen Smith, The Anxious OverachieverFamily Systems Forum The Bowen CenterThe Center for Family Systems Theory of Western New YorkCenter for Family Consultation (Chicago), Midwest Symposium informationWant to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #Sports #Team #Player #Athlete #Teamwork #Game #TedLasso #TomBrady #Football #Basketball #Schoolsports #TeamSports #Workout #Practice #Growth #Coaching #Coach #MentalHealth #AthleticPerformance #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk
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  S4 Ep4 Family Expectations with Maybo Lui 14.04.2026 39m

  This episode is a conversation about culture and family expectations from a Bowen family system theory perspective. Counsellor Maybo Lui joins us to discuss how cultural norms and environmental contexts influence family expectations, and how curiosity and flexibility are important to better understanding one’s own perspective as well as the family narrative. Maybo Lui, MS, RCC is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and faculty member at Living Systems Counselling. She works mainly with adults and couples navigating relationship challenges, anxiety, and life direction. She has been studying Bowen Theory since 2015 and enjoys making these ideas more accessible through visuals and storytelling. Having grown up in a Chinese immigrant family, she often reflects on how family roles and cultural expectations influence how people show up and relate to each other. Resources:Maybo Lui’s practice: www.couplesontheroad.com Dr Murray Bowen, Commitment to Principles: https://murraybowenarchives.org/boyd-book/chapter-5/Peggy Chan: Bowen Theory, Culture and Therapeutic Applications to Asian Families, Australia and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 2024.Kathleen Smith: Overfunctioning? Try Leaving Instructions for AliensCenter for Family Consultation (Chicago), Midwest Symposium informationWant to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes are be released every two weeks.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen # #SystemsThinking #Culture #Family #Expectations #Differences #Communication #FamilyStories #Narrative #Flexibility #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S4 Ep3 Artificial Intelligence with Dr. Patrick Stinson 31.03.2026 48m

  In our latest podcast, we explore how Bowen family systems theory is useful in navigating the world of artificial intelligence and how artificial intelligence may inform Bowen theory. In a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, understanding how we relate to technology is more important than ever. How does one go from jumping in the deep end or panicked avoidance to thoughtful engagement? Dr. Patrick Stinson, Psy.D. combines 25 years as a software architect with clinical training in family systems. He is a Doctor of Psychology who studied at the California Institute of Integral Studies and has done pre and post-doctoral internships at The Bowen Center in Washington, DC. Patrick founded Alaska Family Systems, developed the Family Diagram App, and is currently an AI Engineer/Architect at Micron Technology. His 2020 dissertation on problems in psychological science provides the intellectual foundation for this workResources:Alaska Family SystemsFamily Diagram AppDr. Stinson's Open Source ProjectsWant to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes will be released every two weeks starting Tuesday March 3rd.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen # #SystemsThinking #Polarization #Differences #HotTopics #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Technology #TechEthics #Ethics #Values #CriticalThinking #SocietyChange #IndustrialRevolution #Communication #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk
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  S4 Ep2 Mental Health with Dr. Samantha Stokesberry 17.03.2026 38m

  Today’s episode explores the application of Bowen family systems theory in understanding mental health. Dr. Sam Stokesberry is our guest looking at the role of the counsellor in navigating their own emotional processes while supporting clients and differentiation of self in therapy. The discussion highlights a nuanced understanding of mental health that considers the interplay of individual and systemic factors.Samantha Stokesberry, PhD, LPC, NCC is a licensed professional counsellor, consultant, and speaker. Her professional path was shaped by four years living in South Africa, where playing professional soccer and coaching at a futsal academy led her into nonprofit work and her first real world exposure to the human trafficking industry. Today, she provides counselling to individuals and families in Texas and offers consultation and training services internationally. Sam specializes in working with trafficking survivors and their families, as well as families impacted by incest, sexual abuse, and chronic anxiety. Sam has trained at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and her doctoral research, which will be published this upcoming year, examines the relationships between differentiation of self, family unit functioning, and post-traumatic growth in adult female survivors of trafficking in the United States.Resources:Dr Sam Stokesberry’s practice Dr Michael Kerr - Bowen Theory’s SecretsDr Jenny Brown - Worry Cycle Podcast EpisodeKathleen Kerr - (1999). The Projection Process in Health Care Systems. Family Systems, 5(1).Stephanie Ferrera - (1999) What is help: a theoretical and personal perspective. Family Systems, 5(1).Stephanie Ferrera - The evolution of helping: from altruism to empathy to differentiation of self. In P. Titelman (Ed.) Differentiation of Self: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives. Want to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes will be released every two weeks starting Tuesday March 3rd.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen # #SystemsThinking #Polarization #Differences #Trauma #HumanTrafficking #Abuse #Recovery #MentalHealth #Relationships #DifferentiationOfSelf #DifferentiationDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S4 Ep1 Polarization with Dr. Barbara Laymon 03.03.2026 40m

  To introduce Season 4, Dr. Barbara Laymon joins the podcast to discuss the complex dynamics of polarization and the interplay between individuality and togetherness as described in Bowen family systems theory. This episode explores what individuality and togetherness look like in relationships, the impact of societal pressures, and the importance of maturity in navigating differences. Examples, including the Bonhoeffer family, prairie dogs, COVID-19, and the Olympic Games, illustrate natural tendencies towards both cooperation and competition. The conversation offers practical takeaways for managing polarization in everyday life.Barbara Laymon, Ph.D. is a family systems consultant, a writer and a researcher. Her latest book, “All the Families of the Earth” is a fictional piece imagining family therapists at work behind the scenes of Biblical stories. Her most recent academic article involved a validated scale of congregational functioning, published in the Journal of Pastoral Psychology.Resources:Dr Barbara Laymon - All the Families of the Earth Dr Barbara Laymon - Measuring Congregational Functioning: A Scale Based Upon Bowen FamilySystems Theory, Journal of Pastoral PsychologyDr Ronald Richardson - Polarization and the Healthier ChurchDenmark “boxes" Commercial - All That We ShareWant to speak with a counsellor? Click hereBuy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Season 4 episodes will be released every two weeks starting Tuesday March 3rd.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen # #SystemsThinking #Polarization #Differences #HotTopics #Communication #Individuality #Togetherness #Maturity #Bonhoeffer #COVID-19 #Evolution #Prairiedogs #Group #Groupdynamics #UsandThem #Competition #Cooperation #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S4 Preseason Episode: Mild/Medium/Hot Topics 24.02.2026 14m

  Welcome to the Season 4 kickoff of Elevator Systems! In this episode, Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White share a sneak peek into the themes and topics being explored this season: the tough conversations and topics we often avoid! Join us as we dive into what makes a topic ‘hot’, how to engage more thoughtfully, and how Bowen family systems theory is helpful when tensions rise. Whether you're familiar with Bowen theory or new to these ideas, this season promises lots of ideas and engaging discussion on managing differences in relationships. Dixie Vandersluys is a Canadian Certified Counsellor based in Manitoba, Canada. She has undergraduate degrees in history and philosophy and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Providence Theological Seminary.  Dixie enjoys seeing clients across Canada in her private practice. Dixie is also a faculty member at Living Systems and the creator and host of the Elevator Systems podcast.  Katie White is a Marriage and Family Therapist registered in the US and Canada.  She has been working with individuals, couples and families in schools, clinics, and non-profit centres for twenty years in the US, Australia and Canada. In 2010, Katie began focusing her practice using Bowen family systems theory and has attended the Post-Graduate Program at the Bowen Center.  Katie is currently the Executive Director of Living Systems in Vancouver Canada. Katie teaches and supervises interns there, as well as managing a private practice.Season 4 episodes will be released every two weeks starting Tuesday March 3rd. Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3Resources:Living Systems Counselling and TrainingElevator Systems at the Bowen Center Professional Lecture SeriesSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen # #SystemsThinking #Polarization #Differences #HotTopics #Communication #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcastDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S3 Ep18 Death with Priscilla Friesen 04.11.2025 35m

  Welcome to Elevator Systems! For the last episode of our season on relationships across the lifespan, we will be looking at Bowen family systems theory and death. Priscilla Friesen joins hosts Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White to talk about her personal and professional perspective.Priscilla Friesen is a family consultant who trained as a licensed clinical social worker. She was introduced to Bowen theory in 1976 and has spent years at the Bowen Center where her responsibilities have included: administrator of Biofeedback Programs, Director of the Postgraduate Training Programs, developing meetings, presenting and teaching. Priscilla has a special interest in biofeedback and neurofeedback and how physiological reactivity is regulated in relationships. Priscilla has also worked to make Dr. Bowen’s archival legacy available to the world, working with the Bowen family since his death in 1990 and serving on the board of directors of The Murray Bowen Archives Project today.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The many relationships impacted by the death of a family member.Ways death is regulated within the family system.The variation in how families handle death provides valuable information about the family system.What an open system is and how it’s useful to a family around death.The adjustment of roles in the family after a death and the emergence of family leaders.Examples include: personal stories, estate planning and family discussions, the grief of Queen Victoria and her family life.This episode is for anyone interested in thinking about death from a systems perspective and anyone who works professionally with families that are facing death, grief and loss. Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 & 2.Recommended Resources:The Murray Bowen Archives Project Dr. Murray Bowen: Family Therapy in Clinical PracticeDr. Jenny Brown: Growing Yourself UpDeath and Chronic Illness in the Family, Ed. Peter Titelman & Sydney K. ReedLiving Beyond Loss: Death in the Family, Ed. Froma Walsh & Monica McGoldrickFamily Matters The Relationships We Live In podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/episode-1-the-relationships-we-live-in/Thanks for listening to Season 3! A special episode to wrap up Season 3 will be released in the coming weeks! Look for Season 4 of Elevator Systems in early 2026. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss a weekly release. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caKey Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #Therapy #SystemsThinking #Death #Dying #Grief #Loss #Mourning #Funeral #Goodbye #Communication #Estates #Plans #Aging #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Family #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast #MurrayBowenArchives #TMBAP #TheMurrayBowenArchivesProjectDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk
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  S3 Ep 13 Empty Nest with John Bell 30.09.2025 35m

  Welcome to Elevator Systems! This episode will explore the empty nest stage from a Bowen family systems theory perspective. Joining Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White today is John Bell.John Bell is an ordained United Methodist pastor who became interested in Bowen theory after hearing Peter Steinke say, "Good leadership rises about the anxiety of the group."  He has spent the last 30 years putting these theoretical words to practice in congregational, family, and civic life. In addition to training and mentoring clergy, John works with non-profit leaders and organizations who have an interest in sustainable and adaptive practices. John and his wife Alison work and live near Chicago and have three grown children.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The balance of dependency and independence in relationship, and the usefulness of parents working on maintaining a supportive yet independent relationship with adult children.How other family changes can influence functioning in the empty nest phase, such as divorce, remarriage, grandchildren, retirement and aging of parents.The transition to an empty nest can reveal the roles children played in the marriage and allows for a reevaluation of relationships.The importance of open communication and curiosity about each other's goals and aspirations.Examples include: analogy of a plate spinning routine, the family cellular plan, and variation among families navigating changes and independence.This episode is useful for families going through the empty nest stage or professionals wanting to think more systemically about this time of life. Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 & 2.Recommended Resources:The Murray Bowen Archives Project Dr. Jenny Brown: Growing Yourself UpMonica McGoldrick & Betty Carter: The Family Life CycleKathleen Smith, “Where’s All Your Energy Going?”Eric Brenn Plate Spinning on Ed Sullivan ShowLiving Systems Conference: Aging - Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?New podcast episodes released every Tuesday this season—stay tuned as we explore relationships across the lifespan! Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss a weekly release.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caLiving Systems Hybrid Conference: October 17–18, 2025Conference theme: Aging—Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?Learn more: https://livingsystems.ca/education/conferences/fall-2025-conference-on-aging/Key Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #Therapy #SystemsThinking #Family #Parenting #Parents #Children #Kids #Launching #LeavingHome #GrowingUp #EmptyNest #LifeStages #YoungAdult #Resources #Transitions #Goals #Aspirations #Communication #TherapyPodcast #Anxiety #MentalHealth #Relationships #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast #MurrayBowenArchives #TMBAP #TheMurrayBowenArchivesProjectDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S3 Ep 14 Grandparenting with Amie Post 07.10.2025 37m

  Welcome to Elevator Systems! Today Amie Post joins Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White to talk about grandparenting from a Bowen family systems theory lens. Amie is the keynote speaker at Living Systems’ conference, Aging: Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity on October 17th and 18th. Details below.Amie Post, is a marriage and family therapist with extensive experience in leadership. She serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Family Systems Theory of Western New York and previously held the role of Executive Director at the Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County. A dedicated student of Bowen Theory since 2001, Amie is a faculty member and board director at the Bowen Center in Washington, DC. She is also a wife, mother, and grandmother.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The basic invitation of growing yourself up and being thoughtful about how to participate in family relationships with intentionality.The significance of observing multi-generational patterns and how they influence family relationships. How generational anxiety affects current family dynamics.Recognizing automatic expectations of grandparenting roles, doing “differently” than previous generations, and the usefulness of the "beliefs paper" exercise.The role of grandparents in providing wisdom and support without overstepping boundaries.The importance of meaningful relationships across generations and the resource of the family.Examples include: the movies Minari and Moana, childcare, family vacations, the various ways grandparents show up, and “treats at grandma’s house” with a personal example.This episode is not only for grandparents, but for adult children navigating parenting, grandparenting, and grandchildren, as well as clinicians working with families. Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 & 2.Recommended Resources:The Murray Bowen Archives Project Dr. Murray Bowen: Family Therapy in Clinical PracticeDr. Jenny Brown: Growing Yourself UpRoberta M. Gilbert, M.D.: Connecting with Our ChildrenVictoria Harrison: The Belief Paper Assignment, Family Systems Forum, Fall 2022, Vol 24, No. 3Living Systems Conference: Aging - Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?New podcast episodes released every Tuesday this season—stay tuned as we explore relationships across the lifespan! Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss a weekly release.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caLiving Systems Hybrid Conference: October 17–18, 2025Conference theme: Aging—Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?Learn more: https://livingsystems.ca/education/conferences/fall-2025-conference-on-aging/Key Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #Therapy #SystemsThinking #Family #Grandparenting #Grandparents #Grandchildren #Expectations Resources #Transitions #Goals #Generations #GenerationalPatterns #Anxiety #Aging #Parenting #Boundaries #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast #MurrayBowenArchives #TMBAP #TheMurrayBowenArchivesProjectDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S3 Ep 11 Stepfamilies with Kathleen Cotter Cauley 16.09.2025 43m

  Welcome to Elevator Systems! This episode explores all of the complexities of when families combine in stepfamily relationships and how Bowen family systems theory can be a resource. Kathleen Cotter Cauley is back on the elevator, sharing her thoughts and experiences with Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White.Kathleen Cotter Cauley is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has a private practice in both Virginia and Florida. She’s a faculty member of the Bowen Center and was involved in founding the Florida Family Research Network. Her thinking on triangles has been published in the book “Triangles: Bowen Family Systems Perspectives” by Peter Titelman. Kathleen has been married for almost 40 years, is a stepmom, a stepdaughter, and a grandma. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Stepfamilies provide a unique opportunity to apply Bowen family systems theory to the complex dynamics Managing anxiety and working on self-differentiation are important in navigating stepfamily challengesUnderstanding the roles and expectations for each member of a stepfamily can help in managing transition and integration processesThe importance of curiosity about each family member's perspective and experienceThe useful framework of the family diagram and family history Examples include: personal experience and Hollywood examples including the movie “Stepmom”, the classic “wicked stepmother", and “The Brady Bunch”For anyone who is connected to a blended family. This episode offers a unique perspective and framework to think through and manage the complex dynamics of stepfamily life. Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 & 2.Recommended Resources:The Murray Bowen Archives Project Monica McGoldrick & Betty Carter: The Family Life CycleRoberta Gilbert, “On Stepparenting” Family Systems Forum, Winter 2009, Vol 10 No4Dr. Daniel Papero: Developing A Systems Model for Family AssessmentKathleen Smith: The Cycle of Overfunctioning and DistanceFamily Matters: Navigating the Blended Family MazePeter Titelman, Ed: Triangles: Bowen Family Systems Theory PerspectivesNew podcast episodes released every Tuesday this season—stay tuned as we explore relationships across the lifespan! Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss a weekly release.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caLiving Systems Hybrid Conference: October 17–18, 2025Conference theme: Aging—Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?Learn more: https://livingsystems.ca/education/conferences/fall-2025-conference-on-aging/Key Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #Therapy #SystemsThinking #Family #Marriage #Remarriage #Divorce #Death #Widow #BlendedFamily #Stepfamily #Stepparent #Stepchild #FamilyChallenges #Challenges #Complexity #StepfamilyLife #TherapyPodcast #Anxiety #MentalHealth #Relationships #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast #MurrayBowenArchives #TMBAP #TheMurrayBowenArchivesProjectDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S3 Ep 8 Parenting with Lauren Errington 26.08.2025 38m

  Welcome to Elevator Systems! Today Lauren Errington joins hosts Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White as we think about parenting from a Bowen family systems perspective.Lauren Errington is the Executive Director of the Family Systems Institute in Sydney, Australia. She is also a Mental Health Social Worker and Clinical Family Therapist and Supervisor at the Family Systems Practice. She has written articles on the application of Bowen of theory in family therapy for multiple journals including co-authoring a soon to be published article for the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. Lauren is married and a parent of three school-aged children.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:A parent’s effort to manage their own reactivity and provide kids developmental spaceDifferentiation of self, balancing individuality and togetherness, in parentingGetting clear on one’s own parenting beliefs and values amid the many perspectives and pressures in parenting todayHow viewing the family as a system can help parents manage challenges by understanding multi-generational patternsThe importance of humour and flexibility for parents to step back and see situations from a different perspectiveExamples: the humorous side of emotion coaching, the movie Parenthood, parenting in other species, and thinking through “taking off the training wheels” at different stages This episode is for parents, anyone who works with parents, and anyone who has parents! Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 & 2.Recommended Resources:The Murray Bowen Archives Project Parent Hope Project podcast and resourcesDr Jenny Brown: Confident ParentingRoberta Gilbert: Extraordinary RelationshipsAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy (Vol 45, Issue 2), Special Issue: Bowen Family Systems TheoryWhite, Errington and Ruggier, “Promoting Parent Agency Across the World through the Parent Hope Project: The Difference Bowen Family Systems Theory Makes”, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy - in revision. New podcast episodes released every Tuesday this season—stay tuned as we explore relationships across the lifespan! Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss a weekly release.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caLiving Systems Hybrid Conference: October 17–18, 2025Conference theme: Aging—Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?Learn more: https://livingsystems.ca/education/conferences/fall-2025-conference-on-aging/Key Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #Therapy #SystemsThinking #Family #Parenting #Parents #Parenthood #Children #Kids #ChildDevelopment #Development #Help #Resources #Helpfulness #Individuality #TherapyPodcast #Anxiety #MentalHealth #Relationships #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast #MurrayBowenArchives #TMBAP #TheMurrayBowenArchivesProjectDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.
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  S3 Ep5 Dating with Joe Berger 05.08.2025 33m

  Welcome to Elevator Systems! Therapist Joe Berger joins Dixie Vandersluys and Katie White to think about how Bowen family systems theory is useful in the dating world. Joe Berger is a therapist who works with individuals, couples, and families and previously worked for several years in community mental health. He received a Masters in Social Work from the University of Vermont in 2012, and has completed two years of postgraduate training at the Bowen Center in Washington. He is currently a faculty member at the Vermont Center for Family Studies.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:A Bowen theory approach to dating emphasizes focusing on oneself rather than the other personBeing clear about one's goals and guidelines in dating helps maintain authenticity and self-awarenessThe influence of societal and familial expectations on dating behaviours and relationship choicesKeeping a sense of fun and curiosity is important in the dating process, alongside serious considerationsExamples shared from personal experience, clinical cases, and the entertainment worldCounsellors, parents, and anyone navigating the dating world will find useful ideas for further thinking in this episode.Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1 & 2.Recommended Resources:The Murray Bowen Archives Project Dr. Jenny Brown: Growing Yourself UpDr Ronald Richardson: Jane Austen’s Guide to Good RelationshipsDr Kathleen Smith: Everything Isn’t TerribleAvrum Nadigel: Learning to CommitAvrum Nadigel: It Takes More than LoveEsther Perel: Mating in Captivity New podcast episodes released every Tuesday this season—stay tuned as we explore relationships across the lifespan! Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss a weekly release.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment.Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.caLiving Systems Hybrid Conference: October 17–18, 2025Conference theme: Aging—Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity?Learn more: https://livingsystems.ca/education/conferences/fall-2025-conference-on-aging/Key Topics:#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #Therapy #SystemsThinking #Family #Dating #Couples #AuthenticDating #RelationshipInsights #RelationshipGoals #Single #Love #Marriage #BeingLiked #Monogamy #Polyamory #Divorce #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealth #Relationships #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast #MurrayBowenArchives #TMBAP #TheMurrayBowenArchivesProjectDISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.