In this episode of "The Relationships We Live In" Dr. Laura Havstad and I explore Bowen Theory as a framework for the field of psychology, the concept in theory of societal regression, and the importance of an ecological approach to change. Dr. Laura Havstad is a Clinical Psychologist, and has been practicing in Sonoma County, California since 1980. She obtained her PhD from the University of Southern California, and her approach is rooted in Bowen theory, which she studied directly from the pioneer, Dr. Murray Bowen at the Georgetown University Family Center from 1976-1980. In 1989 she began “Programs in Bowen theory” in Northern California to teach and advance Bowen theory by sponsoring conferences and leading a training seminar that is still ongoing. Her two areas of special interest have been the development of a framework for clinical and family research based on Bowen theory, and the other is Bowen theory as an integrative framework for the discipline of Psychology. More recent, is her interest in researching the societal concept in Bowen Theory. Laura was married for 48 years before her husband’s death in 2021, and she is also a mother to three daughters, and to her four little grandsons she is called Bubby.

In this episode Jake Morrill discuss his work with organizations and leadership from a systemic and relationship perspective, his journey as an organizational and leadership coach, and how his early family life shaped his trajectory.Jake is the founder of Generation to Generation Leadership Coaching (https://www.gentogenleadership.com/) and a faculty member at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. He’s spent nearly two decades as a minister, has coached family businesses and nonprofits through big transitions, and even served as a U.S. Army Reserve chaplain. Jake brings Family Systems Theory to life with stories from boardrooms, congregations, and families—always with an eye toward resilience and real-world leadership. He’s the author of several books, including the upcoming Unshakable: A Family Systems Playbook for NextGen Leaders.

In this episode with Katherine White, direct of Living Systems (https://livingsystems.ca/about/) we discuss the professional development of therapists, couples counseling, perspectives on family issues, and the challenge of thinking broadly and systemically about real life challenges.

Dr. Kathleen Smith is a licensed therapist and writer who lives in Washington, DC. Her books include Everything Isn't Terrible and True to You: A Therapist's Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself. She is a faculty member at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and author of the popular newsletter, The Anxious Overachiever. Visit Dr. Smith @ https://kathleensmithwrites.com/

In this episode we discuss the difference and significance of systems thinking, specifically Bowen Theory, we explore relationship patterns and dynamics, and investigate what make marriages tick.

Dr. Smith is a trustee of the Casey Family Programs foundation based in Seattle Washington. This 2.6-billion-dollar operating foundation has a mission to provide, improve – an ultimately prevent the need for – foster care, and operates in all fifty states, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Member (2018-present.) Chair of board (2021-present)Walter Howard Smith, Jr.’s career focuses on the use of Bowen family systems theory to understand the functioning of families, organizations, and social groups. (1978-present) Dr. Smith has focused on understanding how family functioning from this perspective leads to family violence, particularly child abuse. (1987-present) He attended the post-graduate training program in Bowen theory at the Georgetown University Family Center. (1980-1983)Dr. Smith is board member of the Pittsburgh Foundation, a community foundation that has a mission to improve the quality of life of the Pittsburgh region. (Member 2008-2020 and 2021-present)Dr. Smith is a licensed psychologist with a private practice that specializes in treating children, families, and couples. His practice includes executive coaching, business and organization consultation, conferences and lectures on child abuse and family violence from a family systems perspective. (1985-present)Dr. Smith is the retired Deputy Director and Clinical Director at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. He led child welfare services for a 1.2 million population county. Services under his leadership included child welfare services, and prevention and community-based family support services. The annual budget of these services was 260 million dollars, and services involved approximately 700 staff. (2012-2018)For twenty-five years, Dr. Smith was the clinical director and subsequently the executive director of Family Resources, a non-profit organization that provided child abuse prevention and treatment services. (1987-2012)

In this episode Erik Thompson and I explore a range of topics from parenting and intimacy, to meditation. Erik Thompson is the founder and president of Thompson Leadership Development (www.thompsonleadership.com), an executive coaching firm designed to assist high performing teams in becoming exceptional leaders together. Trained as a leadership psychologist, Erik Thompson’s focus is on the DNA of successful teams. He uses this knowledge to challenge high-performing leaders to expand their impact. Through thousands of meaningful conversations with senior leaders, Erik was inspired to launch the LeaderSight interview podcast. LeaderSight explores topics ranging from CEO succession to the art of coaching and the profound lessons we learn from personal loss. Beyond his work in leadership development, Erik Thompson is deeply invested in family health and well-being. He is a co-founder and Executive Director of the Vermont Center for Family Studies, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering family leaders to cultivate stability, maturity, responsibility, and effective communication within their families. As a 40-year practitioner of Transcendental Meditation, Erik understands the value of presence in leadership. When he’s not immersed in the world of leadership development, you might find him playing pickleball, cheering on his daughter’s high school basketball team, or reading on his porch. The picturesque mountains of Vermont are his home, where he enjoys hiking alongside his wife Sarah, and their daughters, nephews, and nieces.

In this episode Jim Rudes, PhD and I bring the audience in on a conversation we have been having for a few years; looking at the world, ideas, and psychology from a relationship perspective.