The Centre for Healing Podcast

Episode Overview In this insightful episode, Ryan Hassan and Noel Haarburger explore the inner critic—its origins, mechanisms, and how it influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Listeners are guided through understanding the difference between a healthy conscience and an unhealthy inner critic, learning strategies to engage with it, and cultivating self-compassion and personal resilience. Key Topics Covered Understanding the Inner Critic Also referred to as the inner judge or superego. Plays a role in shaping self-perception and behavior. Origins and Development Often rooted in childhood experiences and early survival strategies. Cultural expectations and societal norms can amplify the inner critic. Inner Critic Dynamics Interaction with the “victim” part of the self and coping strategies. Contradictory demands that often create internal conflict. Healthy vs. Unhealthy Conscience Healthy conscience guides ethical behavior and personal growth. Unhealthy inner critic fosters guilt, shame, and self-judgment. Futility and Pervasiveness Inner critic demands are often impossible to satisfy. Can manifest in multiple areas of life, creating chronic stress. The Myth of Necessity Belief that high achievement requires a harsh inner critic is false. Self-Compassion Central to countering the inner critic. Involves developing the “adult self” to nurture, protect, and guide the inner child. Key Insights & Takeaways The inner critic often begins as a childhood survival mechanism. Cultural and societal pressures compound its intensity. Awareness and observation of the inner critic is crucial for transformation. The inner critic is contradictory, leading to emotional and physical exhaustion. Effective strategies include: Using humor and paradox to disrupt its patterns. Practicing assertiveness to set boundaries with internal judgments. Cultivating self-compassion and an adult self to respond rather than react. Practical Conclusions & Actions Daily Dialogue: Regularly engage in conversations with the inner critic to understand its motivations. Dual Awareness: Develop the capacity to observe the inner critic without fully identifying with it. Origin Exploration: Reflect on situations that trigger the inner critic and their roots. Defend & Disengage: Learn to protect yourself while maintaining compassion for the inner critic and the self. Listen and Learn: This episode provides actionable guidance for anyone looking to transform the impact of their inner critic, reduce internal conflict, and cultivate a more compassionate, empowered self.

Understanding Boundaries and Boundary Setting Episode Summary In this insightful episode, Noel Haarburger and Ryan explore the art of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. They discuss why boundaries matter, how they are shaped by early experiences, and offer practical strategies for cultivating strong, flexible boundary skills. Whether you tend to be overly accommodating or struggle with rigidity, this episode provides tools and perspectives to help you navigate relationships with confidence and authenticity. Key Topics Covered The Cell Membrane Analogy: Understanding boundaries as flexible yet protective, like a cell membrane. Boundary Extremes: Recognizing patterns of being too accommodating versus overly guarded. Anger and Assertiveness: How integrating these emotions supports effective boundary setting. Early Attachment and Trauma: How childhood experiences influence boundary patterns in adulthood. Practical Exercises: Saying “yes” and “no” with clarity Visualizing personal boundary spaces Role-playing real-life boundary scenarios Insights and Takeaways Healthy boundaries are a cornerstone of personal growth, yet many struggle to establish and maintain them. Suppressing anger or assertiveness can create resentment and emotional blocks; embracing these emotions is essential. Self-awareness, emotional integration, and vulnerability are crucial for reclaiming your capacity to set boundaries. Boundary work is relational—surrounding yourself with supportive people enhances your growth. Sustainable boundary development requires ongoing self-reflection, self-compassion, and challenging limiting beliefs. Resources Mentioned Gabor Maté – Exploring the link between boundaries, anger, and physical health. Book: When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté Connect with Us Join the Healing Hub membership for ongoing support and resources: The Healing Hub For questions or enquiries, email: [email protected]

Episode Overview In this episode, we explore the transformative approach of trauma-informed parenting. We discuss how to understand trauma, create a safe and attuned environment for your children, recognize and address projected trauma, and implement a practical trauma-informed parenting blueprint to support both you and your child’s emotional growth. Key Takeaways Trauma isn’t only about external events—it’s also about the internal impact on the individual. Children’s stress responses require co-regulation, not simply “self-soothing.” Authenticity and attachment can sometimes be in conflict, leading to suppressed emotions. Projecting our unresolved trauma onto our children is common but can be worked through. Awareness of unconscious parenting beliefs and patterns is essential for meaningful change. Integrating difficult emotions, such as anger, in a healthy way is important. Maintaining your sense of identity beyond being a parent helps prevent burnout and resentment. Key Topics Covered Understanding trauma, emotional imprints, and the stress response Creating a space of safety, attunement, and authenticity Recognizing and addressing projected trauma Implementing a trauma-informed parenting blueprint Actionable Steps Deepen your understanding of trauma, the stress response, and nervous system regulation. Create a safe, attuned, and authentic environment where your children can thrive. Notice when you might be projecting your own trauma and take steps to address it. Apply a trauma-informed parenting blueprint, including: Identifying emotional triggers and unconscious beliefs Integrating difficult emotions in a healthy way Preserving your identity beyond parenting Seek support, continue learning, and grow as a trauma-informed parent. Recommended Resources Embodied Processing (EP) Practitioner Training – for deeper trauma work and personal development Awareness by Anthony de Mello V for Vendetta (movie) The Shift (movie)

Episode Overview: In this episode, Ryan Hassan and Matt Kay dive into the transformative world of somatic therapy and share practical insights on how to run an effective session. They explore why working with the body—not just the mind—is essential for addressing trauma, emotional imprints, and deep-seated patterns. Key Topics Covered: Why traditional cognitive approaches alone often fall short in resolving trauma Understanding the body’s role in processing emotions, sensations, and trauma imprints The concept of the “royal road to transformation”—accessing deeper layers of conditioning through the body How the nervous system, survival responses, and pre-verbal imprints influence our behavior and emotional life A step-by-step process of an Embodied Processing session: Resourcing Exploring the qualities of the experience Finding the origins of imprints Processing sensations and emotions Integration and completion Insights Shared: Trauma is stored in the body and nervous system, not just in the mind Developing the ability to stay present with uncomfortable emotions and sensations is key—rather than trying to fix or remove them Approaching inner experiences with curiosity, acceptance, and befriending—instead of resistance—is essential for transformation The body holds invaluable information and access points that cognitive approaches alone cannot reach Conclusion & Recommendations: Embodied Processing (EP) is a powerful modality for addressing trauma, emotional imprints, and facilitating lasting transformation. The EP training program provides: Comprehensive step-by-step training Ongoing support and mentorship Lifetime access to materials for continued learning and application Resources & Links: Center for Healing: www.thecentreforhealing.com.au Embodied Processing (EP) Training Program: Explore EP Connect with Us: Email: [email protected]

Show Notes Summary In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, Melissa connects with trauma-informed practitioner and author Sonia Skewes to explore her powerful journey from hairdressing and community work to creating a deeply healing practice in Penguin, Tasmania. Despite waking up with a cold, Melissa followed her higher self’s guidance and went ahead with the interview- resulting in an authentic, soulful exchange about healing, self-worth, and empowerment. Key Topics Discussed Sonia’s Personal Journey – From creative beginnings to mental health support work, and how her lived experiences shaped her path as a trauma-informed healer. Healing Money Trauma & Shame – How early conditioning and inherited scarcity beliefs impact women’s relationship with money, and how somatic tools like sway testing can release these blocks. Sonia’s New Book: Whoever Said It’s Just Money, Honey – A transformational guide for women to heal inherited money shame and reclaim their worth. Melissa and Sonia discuss practical ways to share this work through free meditations and community resources. Closing Reflections – Sonia’s beautiful reminder to “be the change you wish to see in the world” and an open invitation to visit her peaceful sanctuary in Penguin, Tasmania. About Sonia: Sonia Skewes is a Root-Cause Therapy Practitioner, Trauma-Informed Manifestation Coach, and lifelong creative who began her journey as a hairdresser — working with transformation long before she called it healing. Now based in Tasmania, she blends lived experience with powerful subconscious tools to help others break cycles and create lives that feel aligned, expressive, and free. With warmth and grounded creativity, Sonia supports those ready to reclaim the parts of themselves that were lost along the way. Connect with her at www.soniaskewes.com.auSocial media https://www.instagram.com/soniaskewesintegrativetherapy/Get her book here https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FYNHFW1Q?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title