A Podcast with Charlie Swenson - To Hell and Back

The perspective within this podcast is that our current political process is seriously dysfunctional, having been taken over by decision-makers who seem disconnected from normal human morality. After noticing the resemblance of that process to what goes on in mob organizations and families, and in some families where incest occurs, we will identify the various roles in this ugly process and consider what can be done to improve things. View video version of this podcast

This podcast focuses on the fact that we spend most of our lives living in the stories we tell ourselves about reality, but not in reality itself. Hear how DBT helps us to find our way back to reality, and how doing so increases the quality of our lives and the lives of those around us View video version of this podcast

In this podcast, I explore what is meant by dialectics in general, dialectics in the practice of DBT, and especially what it takes to “do dialectics-in-action.” It’s way more common and profound than simply applying dialectical strategies to certain situations. View video version of this podcast

In this podcast, the third in a series, I clarify the place of dialectics in DBT as an antidote to polarization. Using some case examples, I detail how one might use dialectics. Then I bring the same lessons into finding a way to deal with political polarization and what appears to be a fascist takeover. By the end of my search, I find a way. View video version of this podcast

To say NO to the forces and practices of fascism in the U.S., effectively enough to stop it, can be frightening. We will borrow from the DBT skills training model, explaining ways to acquire, strengthen, and generalize the skill of saying NO in hopes that each of us can find our voice and make a difference. View video version of this podcast

In this podcast, Charlie draws from DBT in search of ways to understand the current assault on democracy in the United States, and to become more effective at taking care of oneself and acting more effectively. View video version of this podcast

In this episode, the fourth in a series on autism and DBT, Charlie is again joined by Amara Brooke and Rachel Kraus, two DBT therapists who are autistic and who have subspecialties in working with autistic clients. Our focus here is entirely on the application and adaptation of DBT skills in the work with autistic individuals. Which skills work well as they are? Which skills require adaptation in order to work well with this population? Which skills can actually make things worse if you aren’t mindful of autistic features? Please rate, review, and write to me with comments and qu...

In this episode, Charlie explains, and gives lots of examples of, being irreverent in therapy. What is the essence? What is the point? Why is it important to do? Why is it hard to do? What are the forms irreverence can take? What are some tips for becoming irreverent? View video version of this podcast

Charlie moderates a discussion between Amara Brook and Rachel Kraus, both of whom are DBT-informed therapists with subspecialties treating autistic and ADHD individuals, as they come of with ten things to consider when adapting DBT to autism.

In the next episode after this one, the same guests will specifically address how to modify DBT skills in working with autistic clients. View video version of this podcast

Charlie talks further with Amara Brook about autism, neurodiversity, and DBT: how can DBT be adapted, not to target autism itself, but to help autistic folks succeed at their own life-worth-living goals; how can we apply DBT’s bio-social theory in understanding and treating autistic individuals; and what are the barriers for autistic individuals in becoming DBT therapists? View video version of this podcast

Charlie provides an in-depth discussion of WISE MIND as used in DBT. What is it, why is it so valuable, what are perspectives on it, what are its features, how do you access it and use it? He then discusses a painful example from his own life when he needed wise mind but failed to access it.

In a manner that is absolutely true to these words from her DBT and life mentor, Seth Axelrod, Andrea Gold has completed her one year of prescribed treatment for breast cancer, with the best results one can hope for. Tune in to this episode to hear Andrea celebrate the completion of the year and reflect upon how she managed the suffering (a lot) and created fun and connection through it all (a lot). She brings an infectious and intelligent enthusiasm, an emotional and affiliative personality, and a bad-ass exposure and DBT lifestyle, to rather grim cancer-related events: diagnosis, staging, mastectomy...

Be your best by inspiring the best in others. Join Nicole and Charlie as they tap into Cem Eren’s two-decades of wisdom training elite NBA athletes, boxers, bodybuilders, beauty contestants, and ordinary humans of all ages. In examples that apply to therapy and coaching, Cem shares how he meets his clients every single day with freshness, compassion, dignity, and nonjudgmental presence, helping them connect with their strengths while building toward their goals.

Learn how to be your best by inspiring the best in others as Nicole and Charlie tap into Cem Eren’s two-decades of wisdom trai...

Learn how to be your best by inspiring the best in others as Nicole and Charlie tap into Cem Eren's two-decades of wisdom training elite NBA athletes, boxers, bodybuilders, beauty contestants, and ordinary humans of all ages. In examples that apply to therapy and coaching, Cem shares how he meets his clients every single day with freshness, compassion, dignity, and nonjudgmental presence, helping them connect with their strengths while building toward their goals.

In part one of a two-part conversation, Charlie and Nicole seek to discover the secret to world class trainer, Cem Eren's two decade career...

"In this episode, Nicole and Charlie tap into the wisdom that Cem Eren has gained from two decades of training elite NBA athletes, boxers, bodybuilders, beauty contestants, and ordinary humans of all ages. In examples that extend to therapy and coaching, Cem shares how he meets his clients every single day with freshness, compassion, dignity, and nonjudgmental presence, helping them connect with their strengths while building toward their goals.

In this episode Charlie and Nic explore the ways we find meaning through expressing identity, how we hold space for inner contradictions, and why self definition is a paradox, ripe for dialectical intervention.