This week’s post tells the story of a woman who’s spent her life doing for others but never learned how to prioritize herself. Through coaching, she’s begun exploring her internalized guilt and rescuer identity. Shadow work is helping her uncover why saying no feels so difficult—and why creating space for herself is essential. This post invites anyone who gives too much and wonders when it’s finally okay to choose themselves.

Life-altering events can shake us to our core—but they can also shape us in powerful ways. In this post, I reflect on two major turning points in my life: the loss of my business and my divorce. Both left me disoriented and hurting. But through extended retreats—first at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery and later through plant medicine—I found perspective, healing, and a path forward. If you’re navigating a personal upheaval, this post offers insight into the psychological toll of big change and the quiet power of stepping away to reconnect with what matters.

Talking to yourself in the third person (Illeism) may feel odd at first, but it creates instant distance from swirling emotions. In this post I share how “Name It to Tame It” carried me through a rough divorce, why it works neurologically, and how you can use it for quick, compassionate shadow work. I also invite readers to go deeper through one‑on‑one coaching or an upcoming plant‑medicine retreat at Tubac Ranch.

In this honest and uplifting reflection, Mark shares a personal story about a friend whose daily commitment to his artistic calling brought unexpected healing. He weaves in insights about depression, procrastination, and the voice that says “not today”—and how shadow work helps us meet it with curiosity. The post ends with a powerful call to reconnect with what matters, even if you’ve fallen off track. Because saying yes to the grind, over and over, is what unlocks the goodness.

In this heartfelt post, I reflect on a powerful teaching I received during my time at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery: “Love is wanting someone to be happy.” This simple definition has shaped the way I understand love, connection, and fulfillment. I explore how true happiness often comes through attunement—offering genuine, present attention to others and ourselves. By weaving in the tools of shadow work, I share how we can move closer to authentic self-love and invite readers to consider retreating with me this year as a way to return to what matters most.

In this heartfelt blog post, Mark shares the emotional experience of saying goodbye to his beloved cat Ramses, who succumbed to cancer. Through his story, Mark explores the themes of love, loss, and the preciousness of moments shared with our loved ones. He reflects on the lessons learned from Ramses about caring deeply and the significance of cherishing every moment. This narrative serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of holding onto the love and memories we create with those who touch our lives.

In "Skillful Awareness for Anger (and other emotions)," Mark shares his personal challenges with anger stemming from childhood trauma and outlines how he has transformed his approach to emotional regulation. The newsletter delves into the integration of Buddhist mindfulness, Integral perspective-taking, and Shadow Work to form what Mark calls Skillful Awareness. This method helps observe reactions without attachment, allowing for wiser responses to life's triggers. Mark invites readers to explore these techniques further through upcoming retreats, offering a pathway to break free from reactive habits and embrace a more intentional way of living.

In this heartfelt essay, Mark explores the universal resistance to hard tasks and shares the secret to overcoming it: embracing challenges willingly. Reflecting on experiences with clients and his daughter, Mark explains how dropping resistance and saying "yes" to responsibilities can lead to immediate happiness and long-term growth. He invites readers to share their experiences and consider joining his November plant medicine retreat for deeper self-discovery.

Mark shares his personal journey from material-driven success and devastating collapse to inner healing and growth through shadow work and mindfulness. After losing his business and health due to unresolved traumas, Mark found transformation at a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. Today, he offers guidance to those seeking meaning and healing in the face of life’s challenges, inviting readers to explore shadow work and mindfulness as pathways to resilience.

Explore how shadow work can deepen emotional healing by allowing us to face and integrate suppressed emotions, leading to a more fulfilling and emotionally aware life.

Learn how shadow work can reveal subconscious patterns and lead to profound personal transformation.

Discover strategies for emotional mastery through shadow work, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Boost your emotional resilience as you delve into shadow work and distress tolerance techniques with Dr. Mark Pirtle.

Discover effective strategies for managing challenging situations by embracing shadow work techniques.

Discover how shadow work can provide profound insights into stress-related illnesses, offering pathways to healing and resilience by addressing the psychological shadows that influence our health.

Explore the transformative power of shadow work, embrace your inner warrior, take responsibility for everything in your life, and set yourself free.

Explore how shadow work can transform your understanding and experience of pain, turning it into a powerful catalyst for emotional and physical healing.

Discover the power of shadow work in healing childhood trauma and integrating implicit memories.

Discover the symbiotic relationship between Polyvagal Theory and shadow work, offering a roadmap for navigating trauma with compassion and understanding.

Explore the foundational concepts of Attachment Theory and how early interactions with caregivers shape our future relationships. Discover your attachment style and learn strategies for healing attachment wounds.