The Living Process. Practices in Experience and Existence

Dr Greg Madison
  • 0.0 (0)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Living Process is a new series of conversations hosted by Dr Greg Madison. These conversations feature people from the Focusing world and others who have something to say about practices in Experience and Existence, including Therapy, and Eugene Gendlin’s experiential philosophy. New episodes will appear every 2-3 weeks so if you subscribe and click notifications you'll know when a new conversation is up. These episodes are available as audio-only podcasts and youtube videos. Youtube: @gregmadisontherapy Website: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/

  1. SEP 14

    Roots and Branches of Empathic Listening with Allan Rohlfs on The Living Process with Greg Madison

    Allan Rohlfs guest on Episode 37 of The Living Process. Roots and Branches of Empathic Listening Allan describes to us his method of empathic listening described in his new book, When I Listen People Speak and Come Alive - why write that now? Allan has an extensive history from the early days of Gendlin, Rosenberg, and Roger’s work on therapy, listening and non-violent communication. Allan has some great stories about the early days of Gendlin's teaching and Changes groups. He describes his integration of the steps of NVC and Focusing. It is an entertaining and joyous conversation. I hope you like it as much as I did. Allan on The Living Process:https://youtu.be/dK1IxSrqQ9EAllan Rohlfs is a seasoned psychotherapist, educator, and certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Focusing with over five decades of experience in empathic listening, and integrating Focusing skills into interpersonal communication. His extensive career includes teaching at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago for 30 years, where he focused on pastoral care and listening skills. "When I Listen People Speak and Come Alive" is the culmination of author Allan Rohlfs five decades long work of practicing listening and teaching. Allan's website: https://allanrohlfs.comAllan's new book: https://www.amazon.com/When-Listen-People-Speak-Alive/dp/B0DRS166NQThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQL

    1h 31m

  2. JUL 19

    Beauty, Landscape and Nature. Gugga Jóhannesdóttir on The Living Process with Greg Madison. E36

    Gugga was introduced to Focusing by philosophers at The University of Helsinki. She is a part of the Embodied Critical Thinking and Freedom to Think projects and teaches Focusing and Thinking at the Edge to academics and artists. Gugga came to philosophy after years of being a musician and photographer. Her love of nature made environmental aesthetics and landscape studies an area of philosophy that felt applicable to how she understands the world. In this episode Gugga discusses her interest in the concept of beauty and how it is often narrowed down to something superficial but she redefines beauty as something at the core of being human, an experience that allows us to sense our connection to the world. For Gugga the subtle everyday experiences of beauty can be profound, offering a glimpse of our deep connection to the world. We discussed the meaning of landscape as an interaction between the person and the land and how to be a tourist so that our relation to places is not superficial, taking selfies, but deeper and aesthetic. Guðbjörg (Gugga) Rannveig Jóhannesdóttir is an associate professor at Iceland University of the Arts' department of art education. Environmental philosophy, environmental ethics, phenomenology and aesthetics, and the study of beauty and sensuous knowledge are at the centre of her work. She is a expert group member of the Icelandic government's Masterplan for nature protection and she is an active member of the Embodied Critical Thinking research team and the Freedom to Make Sense research project. She has training in Thinking at the edge and is a certified Focusing trainer. In her teaching at the IUA she has been developing ways to integrate ECT methods into research practices in art and education.  Gugga on The Living Process:https://youtu.be/E6WrG8SfP8wA link to one of Gugga's chapters: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-41344-5_7A video of Gugga's workshop to a group of artists: https://vimeo.com/1053356564The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQL

    1h 10m

  3. JUN 28

    The Everyday Systems of Home Focusing, with Annat Gal On. The Living Process with Greg Madison

    THE EVERYDAY SYSTEMS OF HOME FOCUSING with Annat Gal On. The Living Process with Greg Madison. E35In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Annat Gal On, Focusing Coordinator and Systemic and Family Constellations facilitator. Annat describes her interest in everyday systems of relationships, trauma and criticism, as well as the importance of sibling dynamics. Annat touches on her own story, her development as an only child, experiences of therapy, and how she integrates Focusing into her closest personal relationships. She has taken these interests and influences and developed what she calls Home Focusing. We end the conversation with a few comments about life in Israel and her experience of conflict between and within national systems. I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did. Episode 35 with Annat Gal On: https://youtu.be/CKxIXCwpXxMThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links:https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQLThe Living Process on the FOT Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx3FqA70kQWuHCHmEiZnkn1VcrRIPbcvk#Familytherapy#Constellations#BertHellinger#Bodytherapy #trauma #israel #warzone #psychotherapy #thelivingprocess #Experientialpractice #Gendlin #Focusing #somaticexperience #Somaticwork #couplestherapy #CriticismAnnat Gal On is a TIFI certified Focusing Trainer and Coordinator. Annat accompanies individuals, couples, and families in the HomeFocusing processes, but she emphasises teaching and spreading the word internationally about Home Focusing. She is available to travel and teach this model that integrates Focusing, systems and relationships. Her website includes an interesting blog with accessible articles on various everyday topics. For information on Home Focusing see: https://homefocusing.com/eng-home/Upcoming training in the Netherlands - https://homefocusing.vp4.me/Utrecht

    1h 19m

  4. JUN 12

    Bringing the Body into Schema Therapy with guest Janis Briedis on The Living Process, E34 with Greg Madison

    I’m happy to announce The Living Process, Episode 34 with Schema Therapist Janis Briedis.  In this episode Janis and I discuss the ways in which the body and the level of immediate experience can enhance the schema therapy approach and psychotherapy in general. Janis talks about the usefulness of having a ‘top-down’ theoretical approach that interacts with a ‘bottom-up’ experiential resonance and confirmation. He also speaks about different ‘modes’ of experiencing - what we often refer to as ‘parts’ in FOT. We can each have ‘healthy adult’ modes, ‘child modes’, as well as established schemas (life patterns, habitual ways of feeling and perceiving) that often develop in early life. We notice that there is a lot of familiarity between a FOT and a body-based schema approach, sometimes with different language yet often pointing at similar phenomena. Janis and his colleague, Dr Helen Startup, are co-directors of The Schema Therapy School, offering training in body-based schema therapy for therapists across Europe. Janis Briedis Janis was originally trained in the UK as an existential psychotherapist. He has also completed training in Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Therapy. He was previously trained as a massage therapist so his interest in body approaches is long-standing. He has a personal passion for dance, 5 Rhythms, and Movement Therapies. He is experienced in various theories and approaches to trauma work and includes training in this area. For more information on training programmes see The Schema Therapy School: https://schematherapyschool.co.uk Episode 34: Janis Briedis. https://youtu.be/GSqXsnYeDbU The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/ Living Process on the FOT Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx3FqA70kQWuHCHmEiZnkn1VcrRIPbcvk #experiential  #thelivingprocess #focusing #trauma  #gendlin #schematherapy #CBT #Bodytherapy #somatic experiencing

    1 hr

  5. MAY 23

    Meaning and the Intimate Moment with Russell Delman on The Living Process, host Greg Madison E33

    Meaning and the Intimate Moment with guest Russell Delman on The Living Process, episode 33 with host Greg Madison. In this episode Russell and I share another deep connection discussing the meaning of 'meaning' and what is the path of a meaningful life? In exploring this topic we touch on those moments in life where living itself feels like 'enough' and the intimate feeling of such moments. We also talk about the role of the physical body in these profound experiences, touching on Focusing, Zen practice and everyday living. Russell navigates the edge between Guided Inquiry, Feldenkrais, Zen meditation, and their integration into the practice of The Embodied Life, a learning programme offered by Russell and his wife Linda, influenced by over 50 years of immersion in these practices and his direct relationship with Feldenkrais, Gendlin, and principle teachers in the Zen tradition. Russell DelmanRussell Delman is a well-known and valued teacher within the disciplines of Zen Buddhist meditation and Feldenkrais. He is also known in the Focusing world as a unique embodiment practitioner who integrates all three of these practices in his international training of The Embodied Life. He and Gene Gendlin also shared a warm friendship and Focusing partnership for many years. Russell’s exploration of the crucial importance of awareness in body/mind perspectives and psychology began in 1970. His subsequent journey included gestalt, yoga, the first Feldenkrais trainings, work at The Esalen Institute, Focusing, and many mind-body experiences and teachings. For more information on Russell’s extensive training programmes see The Embodied Life: https://theembodiedlife.orgEpisode 33: Russell Delman. https://youtu.be/Xa1z2o320pAThe Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links:https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/Living Process on the FOT Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx3FqA70kQWuHCHmEiZnkn1VcrRIPbcvk#experiential #thelivingprocess #focusing #spiritualawakening #Russelldelman #feldenkrais #gendlin #zen

    1h 6m

  6. APR 14

    AI and the process of thinking with Donata Schoeller on The Living Process with Greg Madison

    AI and the process of thinking with Donata Schoeller. The Living Process with Greg Madison. Episode 32. This, 5th conversation with Donata, tackles the huge topic of AI - artificial intelligence, something that has now exploded into almost every area of human life. In our conversation, Donata stresses the importance of the process of thinking not just the outcome of thinking. Below are some points that feel most important and a link at the bottom to a document Donata offers as a summary. We both used chatGPT to help generate the points and the document and then refined what was produced so that it resonated with what we wanted to say, an instance of the use of AI that Donata is advocating! * AI discussions often compare it to human intelligence, but we need to improve our understanding of human thinking to use AI for our benefit. * Education should focus on understanding the process of thinking, not just output. * Teachers need to create assignments that imply real engagement and can’t be easily done by AI, encouraging students to think. But how? * Thinking is often seen as vague and hard, making AI a handy tool to avoid it. * Eugene Gendlin’s methods show a grounded, embodied way of thinking that connects with real experiences. * Hannah Arendt's political thinking stresses the need to use real experiences for clarity, encouraging engagement with life’s complexities, including emotions. * Developing inclusive thinking needs courage and openness, with Gendlin’s methods helping with this. * Joint attention and embodied resonance are key for cognitive growth, making thinking more inclusive, joyful, and trustworthy. * Embodied thinkers are connected to the earth and other living processes, a concept educators should promote. Episode 32. AI and the process of thinking, with Donata Schoeller: https://youtu.be/rBMkUm1hO_k Dr Donata Schoeller is a philosopher who teaches internationally at various universities and is the academic director of the program "Training in Embodied Critical Thinking. In addition to her extensive work on Gendlin’s philosophy, Donata has also published on Gendlin’s philosophy and was involved in translating Gendlin’s text A Process Model into German. She teaches Thinking at the Edge and is a Focusing trainer offering courses in Switzerland, internationally, and online. https://www.donataschoeller.com The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/ Living Process on the FOT Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx3FqA70kQWuHCHmEiZnkn1VcrRIPbcvk Donata's document is here: http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx1VV5L6mVxdVZa61ybP3wQijRBa071O_4?si=DiFoqe-SA8aFgDhq #focusing #AI #thinking #Gendlin #The Living Process #Embodied #Philosophy of Embodied Critical Thinking

    53 min

  7. MAR 22

    We Are Nature. Focusing and Ecotherapy with guest Adrian Harris and host Greg Madison

    We Are Nature. Focusing and Ecotherapy with guest Adrian Harris and host Greg Madison. Episode 31 In this episode, Adrian and I share an intriguing conversation about how the body is our connection to the other-than-human and how this embodiment can lead to a deep form of eco-appreciation and activism. Adrian describes what he means by ecopaganism, ecopsychology and lists the 3 keys to ecotherapy self-practice. We also touch on the question of how therapy might expand if it is practiced in nature rather than within four walls. Adrian’s work compliments Gendlin’s statement, ‘In sensing ourselves, our bodies sense our physical environment and our inter-human situations’ (Gendlin, 2003. p.101). Episode 31 with Adrian Harris: https://youtu.be/0xu6x9u0bl4?si=ruRtFeGq9iQ1m_lS The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/ TLP YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQL The Living Process on the FOT Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx3FqA70kQWuHCHmEiZnkn1VcrRIPbcvk Dr Adrian Harris is based in Exeter, UK, and works as a person-centred, FOT and Ecotherapist in person and online. He also has a blog, Bodymind Place and the podcast Embodied Pathways. He has worked as a psychedelic retreat facilitator, lead editor of The European Journal of Ecopsychology and has published numerous academic and popular articles. His PhD research was on The Wisdom of the Body: Embodied Knowing in Eco-Paganism and the Embodiment Resources website has more information on his academic work and his website below has information on courses and offerings.  https://adrianharris.org Harris, Adrian. 2013. ‘Gendlin and ecopsychology: focusing in nature' in Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies Volume 12, Issue 4, 2013. Fisher, A., 2002. 'Radical Ecopsychology: Psychology in the Service of Life'. State University of New York Press, Albany. Ecopsychology: restoring the earth, healing the mind, 1995, edited by Theodore Roszak, Mary E. Gomes, and Allen D. Kanner. Sierra Club Books. San Francisco, CA. This book includes Robert Greenway's chapter: ’The Wilderness Effect and Ecopsychology'  and Chellis Glendinning on 'Technology trauma and the wild'. Ollagnier-Beldame, M., (2025) 'Experiencing life and belonging to nature with Focusing', European Journal of Ecopsychology: https://ecopsychology-journal.eu/v9/EJE_v9_Ollagnier-Beldame.pdf 'The Embodied Pathways of Connection' is Adrian’s ongoing overview project: https://embodiedpathways.org/

    1h 1m

  8. MAR 7

    Awakening to Embodied Living. The Living Process with guest Russell Delman and host Greg Madison. Episode 30

    Awakening to Embodied Living on The Living Process In this episode Russell and I share a heartfelt discussion about the importance of the ‘physical body’ and of going ‘beyond’ it.  Russell talks of the development of his teacher Moshe Feldenkrais, his method and how ‘freedom’ was his main goal. Russell emphasised the important of ‘not-knowing’ and how this helps to navigate the edge between Guided Inquiry, Feldenkrais, Zen meditation and their integration into the practice of The Embodied Life. This is a learning programme offered by Russell and his wife Linda, influenced by over 50 years of immersion in these practices and his direct relationship with Feldenkrais, Gendlin and principle teachers in the Zen tradition.  Episode 30, The Living Process with guest Russell Delman The Living Process - all episodes and podcast links: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/ YouTube video channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0TgN6iVu3n9d9q2l43z1xBMYY3p9FQL The Living Process on the FOT Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx3FqA70kQWuHCHmEiZnkn1VcrRIPbcvk Russell Delman Russell Delman is a well-known and valued teacher within the disciplines of Zen Buddhist meditation and Feldenkrais. He is also known in the Focusing world as a unique embodiment practitioner who integrates all three of these practices in his international training of The Embodied Life. He and Gene Gendlin also shared a warm friendship and Focusing partnership for many years.  Russell’s exploration of the crucial importance of awareness in body/mind perspectives and psychology began in 1970 .His subsequent journey included gestalt, yoga, the first Feldenkrais trainings, work at The Esalen Institute, Focusing, and many mind-body experiences and teachings. Russell and his wife Linda introduced Feldenkrais method to India where they worked with Mother Teresa and brain-injured children at her Mission in Kolkata. Russell says his life learnings are greatly enhanced by his long and loving relationship with Linda his wife and their journey as parents to their daughter, Liliana.  For more information on Russell’s extensive training programmes see The Embodied Life: https://theembodiedlife.org

    1h 24m
See All (40)

About

The Living Process is a new series of conversations hosted by Dr Greg Madison. These conversations feature people from the Focusing world and others who have something to say about practices in Experience and Existence, including Therapy, and Eugene Gendlin’s experiential philosophy. New episodes will appear every 2-3 weeks so if you subscribe and click notifications you'll know when a new conversation is up. These episodes are available as audio-only podcasts and youtube videos. Youtube: @gregmadisontherapy Website: https://www.londonfocusing.com/the-living-process/

Information

You Might Also Like