Positive Disintegration
Episodes
Voices at the Margins
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 83 includes something we’ve never done before on Positive Disintegration. It’s a conversation among seven neurodivergent podcasters—reco...
Flourishing with AuDHD and PDA
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 82, Chris and Emma talk with Mattia Maurée about the intersection of ADHD, autism, and PDA—the Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. Mattia is a...
Reflections at Year Four
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 81, Chris and Emma mark four years of the podcast with a candid look at what’s changed—in themselves, their work, and their relationshi...
Sexuality and Relationships
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 80, Chris and Emma talked with Heather Anne Keyes, a neuroqueer Gestalt psychotherapist and educator based in Durango, Mexico. Together, we...
Crisis, Connection, and Fractals of Transformation
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 79, Chris and Emma explore the revolutionary idea that positive disintegration extends far beyond individual psychology with guest Richard ...
Polyvagal Pathways to Connection: Part 2
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 78, we continued our rich and engaging conversation with Autum Romano, an educator, bodyworker, and author from Colorado Springs, CO. This ...
Polyvagal Pathways to Connection: Part 1
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 77, Chris and Emma were joined by Autum Romano, an educator, bodyworker, and author from Colorado Springs, CO. This is the first in a two-p...
Cosmic Connections
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special crossover episode, we’re sharing Episode 3 of cosmic cheer squad—our new podcast from the Positive Disintegration Network. Chris a...
Authenticity, Community, and Creative Unmasking
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 75, Chris and Emma were joined by Gordon Smith, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Coach, and Creative from Gifted and Growing in...
Live from Wisconsin, Part 2
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 74 includes Part 2 of our very first in-person podcast special. After years of collaborating across continents, Chris and Emma finally sat dow...
Live from Wisconsin, Part 1
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a very special episode of Positive Disintegration! For the first time ever, Chris and Emma sat down together in person to record—not virt...
Healing Through Writing
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 72, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Lil Jedynak—a memoir writing coach, multi-potential creative, and gifted adult—who helps people tell...
Suicide, Stigma, and Support, Part 2
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
*Content Warning: This episode contains a discussion about suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners. Click here for resources.In episode 71...
Suicide, Stigma, and Support, Part 1
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
*Content Warning: This episode contains a discussion about suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners. Click here for resources. In episode 7...
Myth, Neurodivergence, and Transformation
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 69, Chris and Emma talked with Lian Brook-Tyler, shamanic healer, teacher of unity, podcaster, and co-founder of the Be Mythical podcast. I...
Overexcitabilities and Dąbrowski's Theory
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 68, Chris and Emma debriefed about Chris’s session from NAGC 2023 titled “Overexcitabilities and Dąbrowski’s Theory: Correcting the ...
Depathologizing Intense Experiences
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 67, Chris and Emma were joined by Caitlin Hughes from the Divergent Dialogues podcast. Caitlin is an accredited mental health social worker...
Three Years of Positive Disintegration
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 66, Chris and Emma celebrated the podcast’s third birthday! We reflect on our highlights, challenges, and lessons over the last year.One ...
Reflections on Giftedness and Dąbrowski's Theory, Part 2
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 65, Chris and Emma continue their two-part conversation with Dr. Linda Silverman. Linda shares her insights on asynchronous development, em...
Reflections on Giftedness and Dąbrowski's Theory, Part 1
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 64, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Linda Silverman, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist in Westminster, Colorado. Linda founded...
Diverse Voices and Gifted Belonging
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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-identi...
Discovering Your Inner Compass: Our DC2024 Workshop
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 62, Chris and Emma delivered the audio from the DC2024 workshop they previewed in episode 58. The Dabrowski Congress was a special experien...
The Power of Professional Identity
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 61, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Sarabeth Berk Bickerton, a professional identity researcher and the leading expert on hybrid professi...
Dabrowski 101, An Introduction to the Theory of Positive Disintegration
07 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 60, Chris and Emma introduced the theory of positive disintegration in a nutshell. We did our best to make it as approachable as possible ...
Building Better Social Worlds with Theory
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 59, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Sergej van Middendorp and Abbie VanMeter of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution. We d...
Walking Your Talk: DC2024 Workshop Preview
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 58, Chris and Emma shared a preview of the workshop they’ll deliver together at the 2024 Dabrowski Congress on July 11, 2024. We started ...
Nurturing Giftedness and Overexcitabilities in the Classroom
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 57, Chris and Emma talked with Summer Cowick, an educator with over 15 years of classroom experience specializing in gifted education in Ka...
Why You'll Never Walk Alone
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
[Voiceover of written post] The song You’ll Never Walk Alone began life on Broadway in 1945, thanks to Rodgers and Hammerstein. It was instantly pop...
From the Archive: Inner Growth
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first official “From the Archive” post. We’ve added DC Archive to our Substack navbar, where you’ll find posts like this one wi...
Autoethnography for Personal Growth
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 56, Chris and Emma discussed autoethnography as a research method, and powerful tool for autopsychotherapy and transformation. Chris descri...
Gifted Intersections and Transformation
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 55, Chris and Emma talked with Kaitlin Smith, a Boston-based scholar, facilitator, and founder of Our Wild Minds, which offers online commu...
Rethinking Mental Illness
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This post contains the transcript and audio recording from a panel session I participated in at the virtual 2022 International Symposium on Autoethnog...
Navigating the Tides of Change
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 54 features the presentation Chris and Emma gave at Gift-a-Palooza 2024, a virtual summit with more than 45 speakers on the topics of giftedne...
Quick Bite: Red Flag Behaviors 🚩
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 53, Chris and Emma discussed some of the “red flags” to be aware of when consuming content on positive disintegration. They discussed t...
Voice as a Mirror of Inner States
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 52, Chris and Emma talked with Laura Stavinoha, who offers singers and speakers coaching and counseling about the voice and personal develo...
Quick Bite: Gift-a-Palooza
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 51, Chris and Emma shared the news that they are presenting at a virtual summit, Gift-a-Palooza, and discussed their plans for the session....
Giftedness and Personality
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 50, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Deborah Ruf, author of the award-winning book 5 Levels of Gifted. In 2023, she released a follow-up book...
Quick Bite: Battling Socialization
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 49, Chris and Emma delve into the topic of socialization. We discussed how our understanding of socialization has evolved and how it plays ...
Piechowski's Insights on Positive Disintegration
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 48, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Michael M. Piechowski, close collaborator of Dr. Kazimierz Dąbrowski and a scholar in the field of gift...
Harry Potter and the Path of Positive Disintegration
05 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 47, Chris and Emma talked with Katy McDaniel and Emily Strand from the Potterversity podcast. Katy is a professor of history at Marietta Co...
Quick Bite: Two Years of Positive Disintegration
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 46, Chris and Emma celebrate the second birthday of the Positive Disintegration podcast and reflect on their work together. Our first episo...
Quick Bite: Dabrowski Congress 2024
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 45, Chris and Emma discussed the upcoming 16th International Dabrowski Congress, which will be held virtually on July 11-13, 2024. In the e...
Complexity, Intensity, and Multiple Perspectives
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 44, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist specializing in neurodivergence and giftedness. Matt discussed hi...
Quick Bite: Trauma and Disintegration
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 43, Chris and Emma delved into the topic of trauma and disintegration, spurred by a question from our Facebook community. We discussed that...
Dynamisms, Personality Ideal, and Inner Work
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 42, Chris and Emma continued the conversation with Catherine Zakoian, MA, NCC, LPC, a counselor and consultant from Boulder, Colorado, and ...
Overcoming the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness (Part 3)
24 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
[Voiceover of written post] In part three, Chris reflects on their journey of self-discovery through the lens of Dąbrowski’s theory and autoethnogr...
Emotional Tension, the Shadow, and Personal Growth
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 41, Chris and Emma talked with Catherine Zakoian, MA, NCC, LPC, a counselor and educational consultant from Boulder, Colorado. Catherine is...
Overcoming the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness (Part 2)
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
[Voiceover of written post] This is part two of Chris's personal journey of overcoming self-stigma. Chris narrates their struggle with self-stigma and...
Quick Bite: Writing on Substack
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 40, Chris and Emma shared that they now offer a newsletter and paid subscriptions on Substack. Chris has decided to hold off on producing a...
Overcoming the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness (Part 1)
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
[Voiceover of written post] This is part one of Chris's personal journey of self-discovery and overcoming self-stigma. Growing up, they always felt ou...
Disintegration and Neurodivergence
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 39, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Joey Lawrence, a PDA autistic person, clinical psychologist, and neurodiversity advocate living and work...
Quick Bite: Regret
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve added Quick Bites to our podcast offerings to allow Chris and Emma the opportunity to discuss topics of interest with brevity. In episode 38, ...
Self-Directed Education
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 37, Chris and Emma talked with Marni Kammersell, a 2e adult, doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School, and parent of three 2e children i...
Fostering Gifted Growth at Yunasa
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
*Note: Chris will not be returning to Yunasa. In episode 36, Chris and Emma discussed Yunasa, a camp for gifted and twice-exceptional children offered...
Dąbrowski's Theory in Practice
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 35, Chris and Emma talked with Dr. Patricia Gatto-Walden, an American licensed psychologist with offices in Colorado and Florida. Patty app...
Mental Health Awareness
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
**Content warning**: Please be aware that this episode contains sensitive topics such as addiction, death, suicide, and trauma. In episode 34, Chris a...
A Personal Journey of Self-Discovery
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 33, Chris and Emma talked with David Sweeney, a fellow traveler on the path to authenticity. Identified as gifted late in life, David share...
You Are Not Alone!
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 32, Chris and Emma talked with Sophia Elliott, parent, advocate, and host of the Our Gifted Kids podcast. We covered a wide range of topics...
Gifted Connections
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 31, Chris and Emma talked with Celi Trépanier, author, blogger, and parent, about the gifted community and the challenges of raising gifte...
Celebrating Neurodiversity, Overexcitabilities, and Giftedness
12 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 30, Chris and Emma were joined by Katy Higgins Lee, MFT, a therapist and clinical supervisor in private practice in Santa Rosa, California....
The Disintegrating Duck
26 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 29, Chris and Emma discussed The Ugly Duckling, the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, from the perspectives of giftedness, neu...
Positive Disintegration in Organizations
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 28, Chris and Emma were joined by Kate Arms, JD, PCC, for a discussion on what positive disintegration looks like in organizations and work...
Through the Neurodivergent Mirror
29 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 27, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Tracy Winter, an ICF-credentialed coach with a PhD in Human Development. In her coaching practice, sh...
Experiences Being Profoundly Gifted: Part 2
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 26, we continued the conversation with Nth Bar-Fields and Joi Lin in the second half of our two-part series about their experiences as prof...
Experiences Being Profoundly Gifted: Part 1
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 25, Chris and Emma were joined by Nth Bar-Fields and Joi Lin. This fascinating and fun discussion was too long for one episode, so we’ve ...
Through the Lens of Youth
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Content warning: This episode includes sensitive topics such as depression, intrusive mental imagery, and suicidal ideation. Please also note that our...
Explorations in Gifted Diversity
03 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 23, Chris and Emma were joined by psychologist Jennifer Harvey Sallin, founder of InterGifted, a worldwide community and support organizati...
Nonviolent Communication
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 22, Chris and Emma talked with Bob Yamtich, a coach who uses Nonviolent Communication to build poise, joy, self-connection, and choice. We ...
GTN Awareness Week
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 21, Chris and Emma were joined by Marc Smolowitz, a director, producer, and executive producer who is currently in post-production on THE G...
Values
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode wraps up year one of our podcast! It has been a privilege to share Dabrowski’s theory with our audience, and we want to thank you for l...
The Challenge of Levels
18 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 19, Chris and Emma were joined by Stephanie Tolan, an author and long-time advocate and champion of the gifted. This episode was inspired b...
Engaging Transformation
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 18, Chris and Emma were joined by Rachel Fell, a coach, consultant, educator, and guide working with creatives, thinkers, leaders, and grou...
The Highs and Lows of Positive Disintegration
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 17, Chris and Emma were joined by Elizabeth Mika, a Polish-born psychologist and expert on the Theory of Positive Disintegration. Elizabeth...
Overexcitability and Openness to Experience
02 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 16, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Shelagh Gallagher, for a discussion of overexcitability (OE) and openness to experience (OtE), based ...
Creativity and Authenticity
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 15, Chris and Emma were joined by Melissa Bernstein, co-founder of Melissa & Doug Toys and author of LifeLines. We learned about Melissa’...
Relationships and Vulnerability
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 14, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Michele Kane, an educator, storyteller, and long-time Dąbrowski enthusiast. She has done wonderful w...
Through the Dąbrowski Lens
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 13, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. Amanda Harper, an educator and Dąbrowski scholar from Tasmania, Australia. We discussed the deep and...
Gender and Authenticity
24 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 12, Chris and Emma were joined by Ellie Krug and Tamara Grady for a discussion of gender and authenticity. Ellie is the author of Getting t...
Positive Disintegration in Children and Adolescents
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 11, Chris and Emma were joined by Tina Harlow, LCSW, a child and family therapist specializing in giftedness in Steamboat Springs, Colorado...
Complexity and Positive Disintegration
27 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 9, Chris and Emma were joined by Lotte van Lith, a coach, lecturer, and author from the Netherlands. Lotte has been studying and working wi...
Surviving Disintegration
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
**Content Warning**: Please be aware that sensitive issues such as suicide attempts, hospitalizations, police-related trauma, and drug use and treatme...
Gifted Minds and Empathy
29 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 7, Chris and Emma were joined by Fiona Smith, a psychologist from Sydney, Australia. Fiona brings to life the issue of living with intensit...
Autopsychotherapy and Self-Leadership
12 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 6, Chris and Emma were joined by Kate Arms, JD, PCC, a leadership coach who talked about her personal experience of development through pos...
Researching Overexcitability
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 5, Chris and Emma were joined by Dr. R. Frank Falk, who has been dealing with the construct of overexcitability as a researcher for more th...
Overexcitabilities and Pseudoscience
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 2, Chris talked about their presentation at the 2021 NAGC Conference on distinguishing science from pseudoscience. Emma and Chris went over...
Welcome to Positive Disintegration!
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the inaugural episode, Emma and Chris introduced themselves and Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration. The discussion touched on some of...