Transform Your Life with the Change Your Story Retreat Series Update

BusinessLeadership Development
Written By Mark Pirtle

Photo by Mark Pirtle

Last week I had the great honor of guiding five courageous individuals through a transformative four-day experience we referred to as "Trauma School."

The curriculum we worked through was not what you might imagine. Instead of digging up past traumas, we focused on the present moment. After all, the best time to address and resolve a traumatic memory is precisely when it's triggered.

The "Our Traumas" retreat was the second in a year-long, four-retreat series I call Change Your Story, Change Your Life. This series is modeled after my PBS documentary, Is Your Story Making You Sick? If you'd like to watch the film, you can stream it here.

We began the series in April of this year with the "Our Stories" retreat. Next up is "Our Shadow Selves" in November, and we will wrap up with "Our Many Perspectives" in March 2025.

We are currently accepting applications for next year's series. If you or someone you know is interested in this life-changing experience, please email me at mark@skillfullyaware.com for more information.

Featured
Of Wolves, Rivers, and Us
Of Wolves, Rivers, and Us

In Yellowstone, the return of a handful of wolves reshaped an entire ecosystem—even changing the rivers. Our inner lives work the same way: restore one key relationship, and everything reorganizes. In this post, Dr. Mark Pirtle explores how attunement acts as the “one right action” that brings balance, vitality, and creativity back online—and invites readers to join the Book Launch Team for his upcoming book, The Healing Mindset.

Read More →
The detour that made the book better
Self Improvement, Mental Health
The detour that made the book better
Self Improvement, Mental Health

Sometimes the long way around is the way that gets you there. After a challenging detour with my original publisher, I found the right team at Manuscripts.com—and now The Healing Mindset is officially back on track for Summer 2026. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and how you can join the Book Launch Team helping bring this book into the world.

Read More →
Self Improvement, Mental Health
A Big Change: Doing Something Meaningful, Together
Mindfulness, Meditation, Spirituality
A Big Change: Doing Something Meaningful, Together
Mindfulness, Meditation, Spirituality

My book, The Healing Mindset, is officially back on track with a new publisher. In a world full of reactivity and anger, this book aims to offer a path toward attunement, healing, and positive change. Here’s why the timing matters — and how you can be part of launching it.

Read More →
Mindfulness, Meditation, Spirituality
From State to Trait
Business, Leadership Development
From State to Trait
Business, Leadership Development

In this article, Mark reflects on the difference between momentary breakthroughs and lasting transformation. Drawing on personal experience and decades of clinical and contemplative work, he explains how fleeting states like calm or insight can become enduring traits through the right kinds of practice. His new book, The Healing Mindset, distills five key practices that help you rewire your brain, build emotional resilience, and grow into a more grounded, attuned version of yourself. It’s not about chasing peak experiences—it’s about becoming the kind of person who lives from that awareness every day.

Read More →
Business, Leadership Development
Featured
Mark Pirtle
Previous

Integrating Internal Family Systems Therapy and Shadow Work
Next

Empowering Your Child: The Role of Parental Guidance and Shadow Work