Positive Disintegration Podcast

By: Emma Nicholson and Dr. Chris Wells
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • What can be positive about disintegration? Join us for an exploration of positive disintegration through conversation and shared stories. It’s a framework for understanding a variety of intense experiences that often look and feel like mental illness, but which can also be viewed as building blocks for creating an authentic personality.

    www.positivedisintegration.org
    Emma Nicholson & Chris Wells
    Show more Show less
Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology
Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • Reflections on Giftedness and Dąbrowski's Theory, Part 1

    Reflections on Giftedness and Dąbrowski's Theory, Part 1
    Oct 14 2024
    In episode 64, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Linda Silverman, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist in Westminster, Colorado. Linda founded and directs the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD) and its subsidiary, Gifted Development Center. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series with Dr. Silverman. The first conversation explores Linda's discovery of Dabrowski's theory in 1979 and her role in establishing the Dabrowski Study Group with Dr. Frank Falk at the University of Denver. Listeners will also gain insights into the complexities of giftedness, including the controversial issue of IQ testing. Linda reflects on how societal shifts have shaped gifted education and the changes she has observed during her career. She offers a candid critique of the limitations of the field, highlighting the challenges of adequately identifying and supporting the unique needs of highly gifted individuals. Her work has had a profound impact on individuals as well as our broader understanding of giftedness. This discussion included many articles and resources, which we’ve shared below. Part 2 will be released soon!Links from this episodeGifted Development Center websiteAdvanced Development JournalInstitute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD)We’ve tried to include the following links in the order they were mentioned.Michael Piechowski’s chapter on Developmental Potential from New Voices in Counseling the Gifted. The other chapter mentioned was Giftedness as Multilevel Potential by Kay Ogburn-Colangelo. The book, edited by Nicholas Colangelo and Ronald T. Zaffrann, can still be found online. Click here to read Linda's review for Contemporary Psychology called “Gifts for The Gifted.” The Theory of Positive Disintegration and its Implications for Giftedness by Silverman & Ellsworth, from the 1980 conference Linda discussed attending. Interesting Quotes, Vol. 7 featured work by Marlene RankelEpisodes with folks mentioned in this episode:* Episode 5, Researching Overexcitability, with Frank Falk* Episode 35, Dąbrowski’s Theory in Practice with Patty Gatto-Walden* Episode 48, Piechowski’s Insights on Positive Disintegration with Michael M. PiechowskiChris discussed meeting Linda at the 2015 SENG Conference. SENG stands for Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted. Making Friends and Building Community is the post that Chris mentioned.Two papers by Linda were mentioned: * The Two-Edged Sword of Compensation (Gifted Education International)* My Love Affair with Dabrowski’s Theory (Roeper Review)Nancy Miller’s MACS coding system and dissertation were mentioned. You can also read about MACS in this paper, which Nancy co-authored with Linda in Roeper Review. Sam Ammirato’s dissertationIn a Different Voice by Carol GilliganLinda mentioned her book Counseling the Gifted & Talented How the Gifted Cope With Their Emotions by Annemarie RoeperLinda talked about chapters by Michael Piechowski on emotional giftedness. His chapter from 1997 was the focus of Interesting Quotes, Vol. 2. She also pointed out that his book Mellow Out is an excellent source for learning about emotional and spiritual giftedness. “When Does Water Become Steam?” was presented by Linda in 2018 at the Triple Nine Society’s annual ggg999 meeting.Ann Klein’s book A Forgotten Voice is a biography of Leta S. Hollingworth.“A Feminine Perspective on Giftedness” is the chapter Linda said is currently being updated. Connect with usPositive Disintegration on SubstackVisit the Dabrowski Center websiteFacebookInstagramThe Positive Disintegration YouTube ChannelAdults with Overexcitabilities group on FacebookThe Tragic Gift blog by EmmaEmail us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.comPlease consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.Find Positive Disintegration MerchIf you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify, please remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • Diverse Voices and Gifted Belonging

    Diverse Voices and Gifted Belonging
    Sep 25 2024
    In episode 63, Chris and Emma talked with Sheldon Gay, a serial entrepreneur with a background in engineering and a tech-focused MBA. As a late-identified gifted and, therefore, neurodivergent Black man, Sheldon uses his experiences to help others embrace their unique identities and foster community through his podcast, I Must Be BUG’N.In this episode, we dive into the complexities of giftedness, the importance of diverse voices in the gifted community, and the journey of self-discovery. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:The Power of Mirroring: Sheldon emphasizes the critical need for representation and mirroring within the gifted community, especially for marginalized populations. Many gifted individuals often feel isolated, believing they are the only ones experiencing their unique challenges. By elevating diverse voices, we can create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels seen and understood. This mirroring is essential for fostering authentic connections and validating our experiences.Self-Reflection as a Tool for Growth: Throughout our conversation, we explore the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection in navigating the complexities of giftedness. Sheldon shares his journey of discovering the theory of positive disintegration and how it opened the floodgates to understanding himself better. This process of introspection is not just about identifying where we stand but also about recognizing the areas where we can grow. It’s a reminder that our paths are not linear, and embracing the messiness of self-discovery is part of the journey.Challenging Traditional Definitions of Giftedness: Part of our conversation touches on the traditional definitions of giftedness, which often focus on IQ and academic performance. Sheldon challenges this by suggesting giftedness is a multifaceted experience that encompasses emotional depth, creativity, and unique perspectives. By broadening our understanding of what it means to be gifted, we can create a more inclusive understanding that celebrates diverse talents and abilities.We also discuss levels of development, self-awareness, and multidimensionality. Doing inner work and exploring our depths. Sheldon introduces the concept of "shadow thoughts," which are the unspoken beliefs and internal narratives that shape our self-perception. These thoughts often originate from external influences, such as societal expectations or familial messages, and can hinder authentic self-expression. By confronting and understanding these shadow thoughts, individuals can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent them from fully embracing their giftedness.This is a rich conversation, and we invite you to join us. We also suggest you follow Sheldon’s podcast, which we’ve linked to below. Links from this episodeSheldon’s podcast I Must Be BUG’NWe mentioned the episode It Must Be Them, Not Me, Part 1 (with Visuals)Sheldon’s websiteOur Wild MindsEpisode 55 with Kaitlin SmithEpisode 48 with Michael PiechowskiThe Origins paper Chris mentioned writing with Frank FalkConnect with usPositive Disintegration on SubstackVisit the Dabrowski Center websiteFacebookInstagramThe Positive Disintegration YouTube ChannelAdults with Overexcitabilities group on FacebookThe Tragic Gift blog by EmmaEmail us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.comPlease consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.Find Positive Disintegration MerchIf you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify, please remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Discovering Your Inner Compass: Our DC2024 Workshop

    Discovering Your Inner Compass: Our DC2024 Workshop
    Sep 10 2024
    In episode 62, Chris and Emma delivered the audio from the DC2024 workshop they previewed in episode 58. The Dabrowski Congress was a special experience, and this workshop was no exception. So, we’d like to say a big thank you to the people who shared their thoughts and questions with us during the session because they really helped make it amazing. We hope you’ll enjoy our workshop, too, and participate with us as you listen!Values are at the heart of the theory of positive disintegration. They play a crucial role in personal growth and understanding your identity, serving as an inner compass to guide behavior and decision-making. We emphasize the significance of understanding personal values, their evolution, and their impact on our behavior.Values are the principles or standards that inform our behavior, driven by what we perceive as important in life. They are not static—they shift and evolve as we grow and encounter new experiences and challenges. This dynamic nature is essential for personal development, as it allows us to reassess and redefine what is meaningful to us over time. Just as a compass provides direction, values help us navigate our lives, particularly during times of disintegration or uncertainty. Establishing and understanding your hierarchy of values is critical for the processes of autopsychotherapy and self-education. The journey toward authenticity is facilitated by recognizing and aligning with our core values. The session aims to help participants discover their core drivers, define their values, and embark on a journey toward authenticity, so there are reflection exercises and questions through the workshop.A quote we shared from an interview Dr. Dabrowski gave in 1979, which was published as “The Heroism of Sensitivity” in 1994:“Creating new values is a fundamental part of development. When we grow, we start to have a different view of reality and that leads us to reorder our value system. We create values by our self-observation, by our thinking, and by putting our ideals into practice. Discovering in ourselves higher levels of development, higher tendencies, and sensitivities, we simultaneously create them.” Listeners are encouraged to participate actively by taking notes and reflecting on prompting questions throughout the workshop. There will be places during the episode for you to pause and reflect on the questions being asked. Workshop slides are available for further reference by clicking the button below or from the resource list. Links from this episodeClick here to download the PDF of our slidesWatch the video of our session on YouTubeVisit the 2024 Dabrowski Congress pagePurchase DC2024 recordingsConnect with usPositive Disintegration on SubstackVisit the Dabrowski Center websiteFacebookInstagramThe Positive Disintegration YouTube ChannelAdults with Overexcitabilities group on FacebookThe Tragic Gift blog by EmmaEmail us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.comPlease consider supporting the podcast to help fund this work through the Dabrowski Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.Find Positive Disintegration MerchIf you enjoyed this episode on Apple or Spotify, please remember to click on the stars and leave a rating or write a review. Thank you! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.positivedisintegration.org/subscribe
    Show more Show less
    58 mins

What listeners say about Positive Disintegration Podcast

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available