Down With My Demons: The Shadow Work Path

Chloe Lionheart

Down With My Demons is a podcast for people who are ready to stop spiritually bypassing, turn toward their pain, and build a more honest relationship with themselves.   Together, we explore shadow work: all the parts of us we’ve hidden, exiled, or learned to be ashamed of. Through storytelling, depth psychology, trauma-informed insight, and intimate conversations with guests, we look at the raw, uncomfortable material of being human: grief, rage, desire, shame, longing, burnout, and everything in between. This is a space where: No parts are bad parts – every emotion and pattern is seen as meaningful and workable.We connect dots between your personal story and larger systems (family, culture, capitalism, patriarchy, colonization).Nervous system + soul work meet – we talk about the brain, body, and psyche, and how to actually integrate change instead of just talking about it.Big topics are named out loud – complex trauma, addiction, pleasure, power, money, sex, spirituality, and the collective grief of living in uncertain times. I’m Chloe Lionheart – a doctoral candidate in clinical depth psychology, therapist, researcher, and longtime befriender of my own shadows. I don’t come as a guru, but as a fellow human who’s been cracked open and is still learning. Expect real talk, tenderness, and basking in raw humanness. If you’re: tired of self-help that skips over the hard parts,craving language for what you feel but can’t quite name,longing for companionship on the path of becoming… …then this show is for you. Come sit by the fire, bring your demons, and let’s find out what they’ve been trying to tell you about the life you actually deserve to live.

  1. NOV 27

    Death of a Mother: Grief, Alchemy, and Rising from the Ashes

    Send us a text In this episode, I finally name what has been living in the background of everything: my mother’s death, and the grief that took me under. I share how losing her shattered the life I thought I was living, and how that rupture rippled into this podcast: why I went quiet and what it has meant to be reshaped by grief instead of trying to outrun it. Inside this episode, I talk about: The story of my mother’s death and the immediate aftermathHow grief hijacked my body, my nervous system, and my creativityThe guilt and shame of disappearing from the mic Grief as an alchemical process: what has burned away, and what remainsThe slow, messy rising-from-the-ashes The blooming and integrationThis is a tender, honest conversation about love, loss, and the parts of us that die with our parents, and the strange, sacred work of rebuilding a self after that. If you’ve ever gone offline during a season of grief, or felt like you were “failing” at being visible while your heart was breaking, I hope this episode feels like permission and companionship. Thank you for still being here with me in the fire and the rebirth.  https://www.downwithmydemons.com/ To connect with Chloe Lionheart: Email: chloe@downwithmydemons.com or visit: https://www.wholeheartednetwork.com/ Resources: The Prophet (Free E-Book): https://www.kahlilgibran.com/images/The%20Prophet%20Ebook%20by%20Kahlil%20Gibran.pdf "The Wild Edge of Sorrow" by Francis Weller: https://www.francisweller.net/books.html All There Is Podcast with Anderson Cooper https://www.cnn.com/all-there-is-anderson-cooper "The Smell of Rain on Dust" by Martin Prechtel https://www.marcusbooks.com/book/9781583949399 "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson  https://www.newharbinger.com/9781626251700/adult-children-of-emotionally-immature-parents/?srsltid=AfmBOopHG-jOeUKWgRzHFNwLOlKLuXUErO32UvwcPpIizJvMG-Sw45iN Find a therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com Support the show

    1h 12m
  2. 10/19/2023

    Authority, Integrity, and Rage: An Exploration with Claire Thompson

    Send us a text Join my guest, Claire Thompson and me, as we explore the shadow of authority, how that plays into our integrity, small bits about what it means to move with integrity, and over course RAGE! The episode begins with a dive into working for others and beginning to step into our power by bringing awareness to formerly hidden patterns of behavior and how that may be getting in the way of our ability to lead. This then guides us into a juicy conversation on integrity and leads into Rage and the navigation of root emotions. Being a Rage Ritual Practitioner, amongst other amazing offerings, Claire discusses the potency of integrating a rage practice and sheds light on a few ways that might be integrated into our daily lives. Please excuse any dog interferences, even puppies need to rage sometimes. Please subscribe, review, and best of all... SHARE! I hope you enjoy and I'll see you next time.  Visit our site! https://www.downwithmydemons.com/ To connect with Chloe Lionheart: Email: chloe@downwithmydemons.com Join Claire at her next in-person Rage Ritual Event: https://app.oneboulder.one/event/EF3CHTZ9UG4WO Resources: Rage Rituals: https://medium.com/know-thyself-heal-thyself/rage-rituals-and-how-they-can-heal-us-6a1455bf2014 “Love and Rage: the path of liberation through anger” by Lama Rod Owens https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-and-rage-the-path-of-liberation-through-anger-lama-rod-owens/9563937?ean=9781623174095 "The Mountain is You" by Brianna Wiest https://shopcatalog.com/product/the-mountain-is-you/ "Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger" by Soraya Chemaly https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Rage-Becomes-Her/Soraya-Chemaly/9781501189562 "The Power of Women's Anger" a Ted Talk by Soraya Chemaly https://www.ted.com/talks/soraya_chemaly_the_power_of_women_s_anger?language=en "The Dreaded Drama Triangle" a Ted Talk by Lucy Barnes https://www.ted.com/talks/lucy_barnes_the_dreaded_drama_triangle?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare Extra: Queen of Hearts Compilation https://youtu.be/CtCQHCOls2E?si=3nQZ5W2Osznh04Bs Support the show

    1h 28m
  3. 10/16/2023

    The Palestinian Perspective: A Conversation We Need

    Send us a text This special edition episode is a conversation, much needed on the global main stage. For too long, we here in America, have only ever heard one perspective on the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. We are very fortunate to hear from Ramzy, a Palestinian American Man, on the history of Palestinian culture, people, land, and how this conflict began. In this episode we dive deep into the weeds of the issues surrounding the atrocities currently plaguing Palestinian and Israeli citizens and work to shed light on the complexity of colonization. Finally, we are hearing a Palestinian perspective. One rooted in political awareness, understanding, and as much openness and vulnerability as possible. I am infinitely grateful to Ramzy for having this talk with me and I urge you to continue to challenge the media narratives fed to us when searching to understand larger conflicts such as these. Don't forget the words of Ghandi, who said, "An eye for an eye makes the world blind." May this episode bring greater awareness as far and wide as possible, so that we as global citizens, can empower ourselves with information enough to learn and start making whatever changes are needed to bring peace to this land for all. Sit back, open your heart, and enjoy this long overdue conversation. Please subscribe, like, share, and leave a review. Visit our site! https://www.downwithmydemons.com/ To connect with Chloe Lionheart: Email: chloe@downwithmydemons.com Resources: Visualizing Palestine visualizing palestine — Visualizing Palestine If Americans Knew If Americans Knew - What every American needs to know about Israel/Palestine Decolonize Palestine Home | Decolonize Palestine Support the show

    1h 45m
  4. 10/05/2023

    The Grip of Dopamine

    Send us a text This week we are unpacking Dopamine! This is a term that gets thrown around a lot these days and this episode is devoted to the continued exploration of understanding how our brains and bodies work in conscious and unconscious ways. Inside, we learn about what dopamine is, where it is, what it does, and how that might play out in our lives. Part of the shadow work experience is first learning to be aware of ourselves and our many systems, before we can take further steps. Once we are more cognizant of ourselves, next comes learning to show ourselves compassion for our humanness and starting on the path of making necessary shifts.  Please like, subscribed, leave a review, and SHARE! I hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to being with you in there. Till next time... https://www.downwithmydemons.com/ To connect with Chloe Lionheart: Email: chloe@downwithmydemons.com Resources: Adrenal Glands: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23005-adrenal-gland Body-Mind Centering: https://www.bodymindcentering.com/ -Great book on Body-Mind Centering by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen "Sensing, Feeling, and Action: The Experiential Anatomy of Body-Mind Centering" https://bonniebainbridgecohen.com/collections/books Chakras: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/7-chakras-for-beginners Kundalini Energy: https://www.tutorialspoint.com/the-science-of-kundalini#:~:text=Kundalini%20is%20a%20potential%20power,species'%20evolution%20toward%20greater%20consciousness. Dan Siegel: "Dopamine and Teenage Logic" Article https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/01/dopamine-and-teenage-logic/282895/ More info: Scientific Article: "The relationship between childhood trauma, dopamine release and dexamphetamine-induced positive psychotic  symptoms" -  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6848217/ Poem by Khalil Gibran "On Pleasure" from his book "The Prophet" https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/148570/on-pleasure The Prophet (Free E-Book): https://www.kahlilgibran.com/images/The%20Prophet%20Ebook%20by%20Kahlil%20Gibran.pdf Exercise Questions: ...When feeling the pull of dopamine... 1. What do I want right now? 2. What do I need right now? 3. What is going to make me feel my best in hours or days from now? 4. What happened throughout my day that's playing a role in how I feel right now? 5. Will I be able to show myself kindness after I feed this desire? Support the show

    1 hr
  5. 09/22/2023

    PTSD and C-PTSD: Understanding Chronic Trauma

    Send us a text Today we're talking about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder). With so much to unpack, we discuss what these two things are, the differences, neurological factors, somatic sensations, how they show up in our day to day or in our development, what impact they have on our relationships, and how to navigate these depths while living a life full of wonder. Please subscribe, share, and review if you feel called. See you in there! https://www.downwithmydemons.com/ To connect with Chloe Lionheart: Email: chloe@downwithmydemons.com RESOURCES: "What makes complex ptsd different" https://www.brainline.org/article/what-makes-complex-ptsd-different-typical-ptsd-and-how-begin-healing-process Dr. Gabor Mate on Trauma: https://drgabormate.com/trauma/ Neuro-information: Amygdala: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8228195/#:~:text=The%20amygdala%20participates%20in%20the,of%20the%20fight%2Dor%2Dflight Hippocampus: https://www.osmosis.org/answers/hippocampus#:~:text=The%20hippocampus%20is%20involved%20in,to%20the%20objects%20around%20them. Autonomic Nervous System: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539845/#:~:text=The%20autonomic%20nervous%20system%20is,sympathetic%2C%20parasympathetic%2C%20and%20enteric. Limbic System: https://www.webmd.com/brain/limbic-system-what-to-know#:~:text=The%20primary%20limbic%20system%20function,and%20its%20sphere%20of%20influence. Soul Retrieval: https://kripalu.org/resources/soul-retrieval Active Imagination: Confrontation with the Unconscious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRVlWEwmbfQ Mentions: Dysthymia: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dysthymia#:~:text=What%20is%20dysthymia%3F,of%20major%20depression%20at%20times. Somatic Practice: One hand on heart and one below the belly. Feet hips width apart. Slowly rock side to side and close your eyes and breathe. Practice for relationships: “I have this narrative ___________________, would you please confirm or deny it?”“Would you like me to just listen or offer solutions?”“Do you have space at the moment to talk?" Support the show

    1h 29m
  6. 08/31/2023

    Sex Series: A ‘Not So Black and White’ Conversation About Consent with Lisa Chatham Part 2

    Send us a text WE'RE BACK!! Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support. On this weeks episode we've got the second part to our interview with the legendary Lisa Chatham. We cover a lot of ground from consent with partners and owning our wanting, speaking boundaries, polyamory and consenting non-monogamy, what it means to be a hell yes, and much more. The conversation of consent is one we could have indefinitely, and we grappled with such ideas, as not being damaged goods as a survivor of sexual assault and what it might mean to have a somatic practice in order to get back into our bodies after long moments of dissociation. We are all worthy of excellent sexual experiences so press play and enjoy! https://www.downwithmydemons.com/ To connect with Lisa Chatham: http://www.lisachathampsychotherapy.com To connect with Chloe: Email: chloe@downwithmydemons.com Resources Mentioned: https://www.5rhythms.com/ https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/4/21/proposed-changes-harassment-policies/ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1363460720961303 https://sadeclasses.org/speaker/julie-fennell-slutphd Books: The Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy https://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Slut-Third-Practical-Relationships/dp/0399579664 Please Scream Quietly: A Story of Kink by Julie Fennell https://www.hpb.com/please-scream-quietly-a-story-of-kink/P-47814652-NEW.html The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent by Betty Martin with Robyn Dalzen https://wheelofconsentbook.com/ Respect: Everything a Guy Needs to Know about Sex, Love, and Consent by Inti Chavez Perez https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43669272-respect P***y: A Reclamation by Regena Thomashauer https://www.amazon.com/P***y-Reclamation-Regena-Thomashauer/dp/1401950248 Support the show

    1h 13m
4.6
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Down With My Demons is a podcast for people who are ready to stop spiritually bypassing, turn toward their pain, and build a more honest relationship with themselves.   Together, we explore shadow work: all the parts of us we’ve hidden, exiled, or learned to be ashamed of. Through storytelling, depth psychology, trauma-informed insight, and intimate conversations with guests, we look at the raw, uncomfortable material of being human: grief, rage, desire, shame, longing, burnout, and everything in between. This is a space where: No parts are bad parts – every emotion and pattern is seen as meaningful and workable.We connect dots between your personal story and larger systems (family, culture, capitalism, patriarchy, colonization).Nervous system + soul work meet – we talk about the brain, body, and psyche, and how to actually integrate change instead of just talking about it.Big topics are named out loud – complex trauma, addiction, pleasure, power, money, sex, spirituality, and the collective grief of living in uncertain times. I’m Chloe Lionheart – a doctoral candidate in clinical depth psychology, therapist, researcher, and longtime befriender of my own shadows. I don’t come as a guru, but as a fellow human who’s been cracked open and is still learning. Expect real talk, tenderness, and basking in raw humanness. If you’re: tired of self-help that skips over the hard parts,craving language for what you feel but can’t quite name,longing for companionship on the path of becoming… …then this show is for you. Come sit by the fire, bring your demons, and let’s find out what they’ve been trying to tell you about the life you actually deserve to live.

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