Episode 388: What Drives You

25 Oct 2024 · 47 min
46:46

In this Winey Fluesa Podcast episode, host Rebecca Greene interviews Ellen Schutt, LMSW, ACSW, professor, and author of the workbook What Drives You: How Our Family Dynamics Shape the People We Become. Ellen explains the core metaphor of a family as a car, where each member occupies a seat that influences identity, self‑worth, and behavior. She describes how early brain development (ages 0‑6) and attachment patterns embed beliefs about self and others, and how these beliefs can be reshaped through therapy. The conversation covers intergenerational and cultural trauma—particularly within the Jewish community—epigenetic considerations, and the role of compassionate self‑awareness. Ellen shares personal stories about her own seat (the back‑seat child), her parents’ roles, and how her adult family dynamics differ. Practical workbook tools are highlighted, including exercises to recognize the “hamster wheel” of rumination, mindful breathing, and developing a compassionate inner voice. The episode also touches on common family‑origin challenges, success stories of clients shifting their family seats, and details on how listeners can obtain the workbook and contact Ellen.

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