Breaking Bad (habits)

We all have patterns we don't see—habits operating in the shadows, shaping how we live. This blog is about bringing them into the light, understanding where they come from, and finding real solutions that stick.

Society Mark Pirtle Society Mark Pirtle

Shadow Work at Scale

Many people associate shadow work with personal healing, but what happens when an entire culture or country refuses to face its past? In this post, Mark reflects on the 50th anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam as a powerful example of avoided reckoning. He explores how the absence of public reflection mirrors unprocessed shadow—leading to repetition, division, and silence. Mark invites readers to view shadow work as a communal and national responsibility, not just a personal one, and offers retreats as a space to begin this deep and necessary work.

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Society Mark Pirtle Society Mark Pirtle

Where Are All the Grownup?

In this post, Mark reflects on a recent dark night of the soul—triggered by the state of the world and the absence of mature leadership. He connects the dots between global chaos and collective underdevelopment and offers shadow work as a path to emotional maturity. The post ends with an invitation to join him on retreat or through coaching.

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Society Mark Pirtle Society Mark Pirtle

A Call for Evolution

The tragic story of Brian Thompson and the disturbing reactions it sparked highlight the need for shadow work. Shadow work uncovers the unconscious values and biases driving our actions and helps us align with a vision of equity and sustainability. To change broken systems, we must first evolve within ourselves, choosing mindfulness, compassion, and personal transformation over violence and blame.

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