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Episode 92: Visibility, Vulnerability & Why It Matters

In this kickoff to a new series on Being Seen, Caitlan Siegenthaler invites you into a real, layered conversation about what it actually means to be seen. From her grandmother’s quiet affirmation to the spirals of sharing your work online, Caitlan unpacks the human need for recognition and the very real fears that hold us back. She also shares personal updates—new IFS intensives, Human Design readings, and her brand-new membership space, Return+ before guiding you into reflection prompts that help you navigate the push-pull of wanting to be seen while also fearing exposure.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why being seen is a core human need and why it feels so risky.
• The cycles we get stuck in when we both crave and resist visibility.
• How Internal Family Systems (IFS) explains the parts of us that long for attention vs. the parts that want to hide.
• The difference between authentic visibility and performative “authenticity.”
• Why visibility ≠ validation, and how to define success by your own internal signals.
• How to work with polarization (the inner tug-of-war) to find safe, sustainable ways of showing up.

Chapters:

• 00:40 – Why visibility, why now: an overview of the new series
• 02:00 – Life + business updates: IFS intensives, HD readings, group program, and Return Plus
• 07:59 – The human ache to be seen
• 13:00 – Childhood roots of feeling witnessed
• 15:00 – The messy cycle of creating, hiding, and showing up again
• 17:30 – Visibility vs. the right visibility
• 19:30 – Vulnerability, authenticity & performative “realness”
• 21:30 – Reflection prompts: hiding, validation, boundaries
• 26:30 – Working with IFS polarizations: the part that wants to be seen vs. the part that doesn’t
• 29:00 – Where this series is headed on Return Plus

• 🌟 Subscribe to Return+ on Substack
  to access the full visibility series (essays + paid podcast episodes).
• ✨ Book an IFS Intensive
  (3- or 6-hour deep dives).
• 🔮 Book a Human Design Reading
• 📅 Join Undefined
  —the group program for Projectors, Manifestors & Reflectors (starting November 3rd).

FROM CAITLAN:
Thank you for being part of my own journey of being seen—I couldn’t do this without you. If today’s episode resonated, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next in the visibility series. And if you’re ready to dive deeper, join Return+ for exclusive essays, workshops, and behind-the-scenes conversations.

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts. Bonus: your review gets you a free 30-min session with me through The Dip. Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/1968a8cf/appointment/77001185/calendar/6030714?appointmentTypeIds[]=77001185

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Hi, hi, hi. I am literally sitting in a Chicago hotel room with a mini mic, fresh off the IFS conference, coffee in hand, and a brain buzzing with about a million things I could share. But instead of doing a full recap (that’ll come later), I kept feeling pulled to hit record on something simpler—something we all actually need right now: a five-minute reset.

This episode is not about more information, more learning, or more hustle. It’s about pausing. Coming back to yourself. Noticing your body, your surroundings, and the parts of you that are whispering (or maybe yelling) for attention. Think of it like me sitting on the edge of the hotel bed saying: “Hey, let’s just check in together for five minutes and see what comes up.”

What you’ll learn in this episode

• A quick, no-rules “meditation” that actually feels doable (no perfect posture required)
• Three guiding questions to carry into the rest of your day: What did you notice? What was that like? What do you need?
• Why embodiment and tiny, consistent check-ins matter more than cramming in more knowledge
• How slowing down for five minutes can shift the way you show up for work, family, and the world

Key takeaways:

• You don’t need fancy props or silence to return to yourself—standing, walking, lying down, coffee in hand, it all counts.
• Curiosity is your superpower. If a part of you rolls its eyes or says you’re doing it wrong, notice that too.
• Even five minutes of presence gives you real-time info you can use to make different choices.
• Returning to yourself isn’t just self-care—it’s how we become the kind of humans who can hold space for others.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Caitlan sets the scene: hotel room, IFS conference vibes
• 01:30 An Uber ride, Adele on repeat, and the magic of quiet connection
• 04:49 Why our bodies will “take us out” when we don’t pause
• 07:19 Invitation to a five-minute reset (don’t call it meditation)
• 09:04 Instructions: step away, get curious, let’s do this together
• 10:50 The guided check-in begins
• 15:02 Wrapping up the reset & Caitlan shares what came up for her
• 16:38 Embodiment = using the info to move through your day differently
• 18:24 Outro, invitation to share, and Return+ shout-out

Links & resources

• Become a Return+ subscriber on Substack for bonus pods, juicy essays, and discounts on Human Design Readings: Return+ on Substack
  
  
• Follow Caitlan on Instagram @caitlansiegenthaler
  for daily snippets and behind-the-scenes

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts. Bonus: your review gets you a free 30-min session with me through The Dip. Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/1968a8cf/appointment/77001185/calendar/6030714?appointmentTypeIds[]=77001185

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Subscribe to Return+ on Substack for the full unfiltered episode and more: https://substack.com/@caitlansigenthaler

Episode 90: BTS of a Human Design Reading with Dr. Richard Schwartz — Invitations, Parts Work & Nervous System Prep

This one still feels surreal to say out loud: I gave a Human Design reading to Dr. Richard Schwartz, the founder of Internal Family Systems therapy.

In this episode, I’m inviting you into the messy, magical behind-the-scenes of how it all unfolded. From the invitations that landed in my lap, to the parts work it took to even say yes, to the nervous-system rituals I leaned on the day of, I’m sharing the real story — link snafus, panic moments, tears, and all.

I want you to hear not just what happened, but how I prepared, what I learned, and how this big moment is shaping the way I see expansion in my own life and business.

What You’ll Hear in This Return+ Episode:

• The wild (and very Human Design) way the invitation to read for Dr. Schwartz showed up.
• The parts that almost talked me out of saying yes — and how I worked with them.
• My rituals and nervous-system practices before the reading.
• The chaotic way it started (“you’re meeting my embarrassed part…”).
• What it was like to sit with Dr. Schwartz’s chart.
• The emotional crash that followed and why success doesn’t always feel shiny.
• The big takeaways I think will help you prepare for your next big opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

• Big moments aren’t about over-prepping; they’re about tending your system so you can show up as yourself.
• Expansion brings up as much fear as it does excitement and that’s normal.
• Self-energy in IFS is the living embodiment of Human Design.
• Receiving success is its own practice.

Links & Resources:

• Return Podcast Ep with Jalon Johnson: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mETBaanRdUlE0C2ctd7O5?si=e7bde47482494e26
• Subscribe to Return+ on Substack: https://substack.com/@caitlansigenthaler
• My work: caitlansiegenthaler.com
  
  

If this story lights something up in you — maybe a reminder that your next “big moment” doesn’t have to be chased, forced, or perfectly prepared for ...I’d love to hear about it. Share your reflections with me on Instagram or Threads, and if you want the full, unfiltered dinner party version of this episode, join me inside Return+ on Substack. That’s where I spill all the tea.

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts. Bonus: your review gets you a free 30-min session with me through The Dip. Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/1968a8cf/appointment/77001185/calendar/6030714?appointmentTypeIds[]=77001185

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Episode 89: Labels, Excuses & the Dark Side of Spiritual Systems

This episode is a pop culture–meets–self-growth breakdown, this time inspired by Love is Blind UK Season 2. After watching Human Design coach Patrick become the show’s accidental “villain,” Caitlan unpacks what happens when people hide behind spiritual systems instead of taking responsibility. This episode explores the “dark side” of Human Design, the dangers of boxing yourself in with labels, and how to use these tools as pathways to freedom, not excuses.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Patrick’s reliance on his “spleen” in Love is Blind rubbed people the wrong way
• The three big ways spiritual tools can go wrong: the cop-out problem, the box problem, and the authority problem
• How Human Design, astrology, and similar systems can expand your freedom instead of limit it
• Red flags to look out for when people use labels as excuses or shields
• Practical, compassionate ways to experiment with Human Design without outsourcing your power

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & Love is Blind UK tea
04:50 – Team astrology vs. team skeptic (and why Caitlan isn’t on either)
07:10 – Patrick’s “spleen” problem: hiding behind jargon
09:16 – Why Human Design is a tool, not a life raft
14:00 – Freedom, alignment, and the danger of over-identifying
16:30 – The cop-out, box, and authority problems explained
18:53 – Editing vs. accountability: Patrick as a case study
21:20 – Personal example: why “waiting for the invitation” isn’t always it
23:45 – Red flags: when systems make you smaller instead of bigger
26:08 – How to use these tools well (curiosity + lived experience)
27:25 – Reflection questions

Links & Resources:

• Magic Mind
  – Podcast sponsor: mental performance shot with calm energy & adaptogens
• Next Level Decisions Free Podcast
  – 5-day audio series blending Human Design & IFS to help you stop outsourcing decisions and start trusting yourself
• Book a Deep Dive Session with Caitlan
  – 90 minutes of real-time Human Design & IFS exploration
• Return+ Substack
  – Bonus pods, juicy essays, and Parts & Purpose series where Human Design, IFS, and creativity collide

Thanks for listening to this episode of Return. If you’ve ever felt the ick from people hiding behind their design or caught yourself doing it, Caitlan wants to hear from you. DM or email her with your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s special episode, where Caitlan spills the tea on reading the Human Design chart of a low-key famous guest.

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts. Bonus: your review gets you a free 30-min session with me through The Dip. Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/1968a8cf/appointment/77001185/calendar/6030714?appointmentTypeIds[]=77001185

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Episode 89: " Discernment is the missing link between overconsumption and authentic creation."

Virgo season always calls us back to the basics, and this week Caitlan is talking about one of the most underrated skills we can practice: discernment. In this episode of Return, Caitlan shares why learning to tell the difference between what’s truly for you and what’s just noise is everything.

Caitlan opens up about her own struggles with overconsumption (like binge-listening to too many podcasts for “inspiration” and ending up more confused than clear) and the endless scroll that can leave us feeling like everyone else has the answers. She also shares how she’s started asking one simple question before saying yes to anything: “Will this give me energy, or drain it?” That question alone has shifted how she works, how she commits, and even how she spends her mornings.

You’ll also hear about a few tools and resources that can help you practice discernment in your own life, including one of Caitlan’s favorite books, Essentialism. This conversation is for you if you’ve been feeling stretched too thin, overwhelmed by decisions, or like you’ve lost your ability to hear your own wisdom.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Virgo season is the perfect time to practice discernment
• How to catch yourself in overconsumption before it leads to burnout
• A simple way to tell if a decision is a true yes or a protective no
• Personal examples of where Caitlan has had to refine her choices to protect her energy
• Practical tools, including the book Essentialism, that will help you create more clarity and ease

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Episode Overview
01:21 – Why Discernment Matters
03:52 – Caitlan’s Struggles With Overconsumption
09:24 – How to Apply Discernment in Real Life
20:55 – Tools and Recommendations to Try
26:55 – Final Thoughts and Closing

Links & Resources:

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown
• 🥚 Bonus pods, juicy essays, and Caitlan’s Parts & Purpose series where Human Design, IFS, and creativity come together → Join Return+
• Feeling pulled in a million directions? Book a Deep Dive Session
  with Caitlan to cut through the noise and get clear on your next steps

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts. Bonus: your review gets you a free 30-min session with me through The Dip. Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/1968a8cf/appointment/77001185/calendar/6030714?appointmentTypeIds[]=77001185

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Episode 88: Your Human Design Environment , It will Refresh You

What if your business isn’t stalling because of your strategy but because you’re trying to plug into the wrong outlet? Your Human Design environment is your charging dock. When it fits, your energy replenishes and your business flows. When it doesn’t, you’re basically running on 1% battery and praying for a miracle.

In this episode, Caitlan Siegenthaler (therapist turned biz strategist, 4/6 Splenic Projector, and professional caller-out of burnout) digs into how your Human Design environment shapes your energy, your offers, and your results. From caves to kitchens to mountains and beyond, each environment comes with its own way to recharge and thrive.

Caitlan shares her own stories (why she craved sunshine in Ohio, how Switzerland snuck her into isolation, and what Virginia Beach reawakened) plus a client case study where aligning with the right environment doubled conversions in three months. Consider this your permission slip to stop building your business in places that drain you and start plugging in where your energy actually thrives.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why your environment is your charging dock, not just your backdrop
• The six Human Design environments and what fuels each one
• A real client story of doubled conversions after shifting into the right setup
• Why forcing yourself into content calendars or constant hustle might actually be misalignment
• Quick, environment-specific tweaks you can use this week to recharge your biz.

Chapters:

• (00:00) Welcome and why place is never casual
• (01:26) Francis Mayes quote and the craving for place
• (03:11) Caitlan’s stories from Ohio, Switzerland, and Virginia Beach
• (04:34) Client breakthrough: environment as the missing 20%
• (06:23) Deep dive into Mountains
• (07:48) Quick tour of Markets, Shores, Valleys, Kitchens, Caves
• (11:42) Reflection: when do you feel most charged
• (14:05) Client transformation: caves and doubled conversions
• (16:08) Adding environment-aligned energy zones to your week
• (17:37) Invitation to The Place to Be workshop

Links & Resources:

• Register for The Place to Be workshop (August 27, 2025 at 12 pm EST): Sign Up Here
• Add a discounted 60-minute one-on-one environment session at checkout
• The Return Episode that breaks down Environments
• Work with Caitlan: Mentorship + Strategy

If this episode charged you up, share it with a friend or snag your spot in The Place to Be. Both help keep the podcast alive and flowing. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review so you never miss the next recharge.

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts. Bonus: your review gets you a free 30-min session with me through The Dip. Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/1968a8cf/appointment/77001185/calendar/6030714?appointmentTypeIds[]=77001185

Send us a text

Episode 87: How Our Relationship Has Changed in 11 Years (and What It’s Really Like Being Married to a Projector)

Back by popular demand—my favorite Manifestor, love of my life, and father to our toddler tornado, Remo Siegenthaler ,returns for his third appearance on Return. Our past episodes together are some of the most downloaded, so clearly you like hearing from him… or maybe you just enjoy hearing us roast each other with love.

In this episode, we get real about how our relationship has changed over the last 11 years, what it’s like being married to a Projector (spoiler: “exhausting” made the list), and how Human Design has shaped our understanding of each other. We talk communication, commitment, parenting a Generator as two non-sacrals, and why marriage didn’t mean much to him until it did.

You’ll also hear his evolving take on Human Design, his advice for Manifestors who feel misunderstood, and the listener questions that had us both laughing.

THANK YOU TO OUR EPISODE SPONSOR TAELOR:

For 25% off your first order click this link & use the code: CAITLAN at checkout

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How long-term relationships evolve (and why communication is still a work in progress)
• The pros and cons of being married to a Projector and a therapist
• How Human Design shows up in our marriage and parenting
• Why Remo shifted from “marriage doesn’t matter” to proposing
• Parenting dynamics when your child has more energy than both parents combined
• Advice for Manifestors on finding the right audience for their truth

Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome back, Remo (+ a Taelor sponsorship shout-out)
2:20 – How our relationship has evolved over 11 years
6:40 – How we’ve each changed individually
12:10 – Human Design in our marriage
17:45 – The highs and lows of being married to a Projector
20:00 – The reality of being married to a therapist
21:50 – Advice for Manifestors feeling misunderstood
23:10 – Parenting a Generator as two non-sacrals
25:20 – Commitment, marriage, and what changed his mind
31:30 – Matching “mountains” environments in Human Design
33:50 – Listener questions: Vegas videos, favorite things about each other
40:50 – What we appreciate most about our partnership
42:50 – Closing thoughts & The Dip free session offer

Links & Resources:

• Sponsor: Taelor– Rent menswear with personal styling + AI recommendations. Get your discount here. use code: CAITLAN at checkout
• Episode with Anya Cheng, Taylor’s CEO – Listen here
• Book your free 30-min Dip session after leaving a podcast review – Details here
• Follow me on Instagram: @caitlansieg

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts. Bonus: your review gets you a free 30-min session with me through The Dip. Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/1968a8cf/appointment/77001185/calendar/6030714?appointmentTypeIds[]=77001185

Send us a text

“Life is a dinner party—and healing is a descent.” – Antonia Dolhaine

Episode 86: The Parts That Drive Us, the Pain That Transforms Us & the Courage to Go Deeper with Antonia

In this episode of Return, Caitlan sits down with Antonia, a somatic depth coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer who now works with what she calls “uncommonly creative, ambitious, and committed humans.” Together, they explore the parts of us that chase excellence, the pain that often fuels our ambition, and the deep initiatory process of healing through Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic work.

Antonia shares how her creative and driven parts helped her survive a traumatic childhood, and how her pursuit of success on the world stage ultimately led her to a healing collapse, what she now calls her “cosmic chiropractic adjustment.” This episode is a raw and potent look at what happens when our bodies say no, how we surrender identities that no longer serve, and why slowing down might just be the bravest thing we ever do.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the pursuit of success often stems from deeper parts needing love, safety, or validation
• How Antonia moved from performing on arena stages to becoming a grounded somatic depth coach
• The difference between achievement-driven ambition vs. self-led purpose
• What surrender really looks like during deep initiatory cycles (including breaking up with the love of her life and leaving the circus world)
• How Antonia blends somatic work, IFS, dreamwork, and active imagination to meet her clients at the roots
• Why supervision, community, and personal integrity are non-negotiables in depth work

Chapters:
01:30 – Antonia’s creative and ambitious parts as survival strategy
03:00 – The drive to perform: Antonia’s early years in circus arts
05:00 – When performance isn’t enough: the reckoning on stage
08:00 – Listening to the body when it says “no more”
10:00 – Healing isn’t linear: spiral paths and subtle shifts
14:00 – What we’re really seeking in achievement
19:00 – The surrender process: identity deaths & deep initiation
26:00 – Why supervision, integrity, and reciprocity matter
34:00 – Breaking up with the love of your life as a sacred act
38:00 – Somatic work, dreamscapes & psychedelic parts work
44:00 – Therapist parts doing parts work: when your own parts try too hard
48:00 – The joy of witnessing & the honor of holding
50:00 – Dinner party parts, cosmic invoices & finding belonging
55:00 – Kurt Vonnegut, dark humor & absurd wisdom

Links & Resources:

• Antonia’s Website
• Antonia on Substack – check out her $8 workshops
• Apply to work with Antonia one-on-one here
• Connect with Antonia on Instagram

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts. Bonus: your review gets you a free 30-min session with me through The Dip. Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/1968a8cf/appointment/77001185/calendar/6030714?appointmentTypeIds[]=77001185