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.

In this candid story, Dr. Mark Pirtle shares how ignoring his own advice about tennis elbow led to a powerful moment of shadow work. When he noticed his double standard, it reminded him how often we know what to do—but fail to do it. That insight is the heart of shadow work: spotting blind spots, aligning behavior with values, and growing from the inside out. Mark introduces the SA360 Diagnostic, his new coaching tool designed to help clients identify power leaks and strengthen the core aptitudes needed to thrive. There’s still time to participate in the pilot!

After an overwhelming response to last week’s newsletter, Dr. Mark Pirtle dives deeper into a powerful question everyone seems to be asking: “How do I grow?” The SA360 Diagnostic, part of the SkillfullyAware system, offers clear insight by analyzing your responses to 19 reflective questions. Get your free personalized report and discover your growth stage, where you may be leaking power, and how to evolve with clarity and intention. It’s a practical and profound step toward self-understanding.

Dr. Mark Pirtle is inviting members of his community to help test a new self-assessment tool—the SA360. Unlike surface-level personality tests, this assessment maps the deeper layers of your development, from worldview and self-regulation to shadow patterns and power center imbalances. In return, participants receive a custom developmental report based on their responses, complete with tailored growth recommendations. Join the pilot and be part of something that could transform the way people grow.

Dr. Mark Pirtle is inviting members of his community to help test a new self-assessment tool—the SA360. Unlike surface-level personality tests, this assessment maps the deeper layers of your development, from worldview and self-regulation to shadow patterns and power center imbalances. In return, participants receive a custom developmental report based on their responses, complete with tailored growth recommendations. Join the pilot and be part of something that could transform the way people grow.

Last week, Dr. Mark Pirtle introduced a framework for identifying and sealing power leaks in our lives. This week, he reveals the deeper system behind that work—one rooted in neuroscience and vertical development theory. Using the SkillfullyAware method, Mark helps clients map where they are developmentally, where they’re stuck, and what’s needed to evolve. It’s not just mindset coaching—it’s a comprehensive, research-informed approach to whole-person growth and transformation.

We all have moments where we feel off-center, reactive, or drained—but these patterns often signal deeper issues beneath the surface. In this post, Dr. Mark Pirtle introduces the SkillfullyAware framework: seven Power Centers and six Core Aptitudes that help pinpoint where you’re leaking personal power. Learn how to spot these patterns, work with them skillfully, and lead from a place of greater presence, resilience, and alignment.

This post announces the soft launch of Dr. Mark Pirtle’s updated website and introduces the expanded offerings within the SkillfullyAware system. From new retreats and coaching frameworks to the upcoming release of his book and online course overhaul, Mark shares how his approach to helping people heal, grow, and align has matured—and what it means for clients and readers.

In this post, Mark reflects on the opportunities and challenges of AI in a content-driven world—and reaffirms that the core task of becoming a wiser, more skillful human being still rests with us. AI can assist, but it won’t raise your kids, regulate your emotions, or live your values. That’s our work. And it’s more relevant than ever.

In this short reflection, Mark shares the story of a long-time coaching client—a successful CEO in her sixties—who continues to struggle with prioritizing her inner life. The post raises thoughtful questions about time, value, and the need to honor our spiritual and emotional wellbeing before it's too late.

We all face big decisions—whether to stay the course or make a bold change. In this post, Mark explores how shadow work can open up the inner space to sit with life's biggest questions. You’ll learn why logic alone won’t get you there, how unconscious patterns and external pressures shape our choices, and why stepping away—on retreat or into reflection—might be exactly what’s needed to rediscover your next “right” step.

In this insightful post, Mark Pirtle explores the crucial role of making and keeping agreements in both personal and professional relationships. Drawing from the experiences of a client, he introduces the "Six Stages of Oversight," a model illustrating the progression of employee empowerment and responsibility. This model not only applies to business but also reflects the foundations of trust and accountability necessary for thriving relationships. Mark discusses how shadow work can help individuals understand and overcome the subconscious barriers that prevent them from keeping their commitments. He invites readers to join him for a Plant Medicine Retreat in May, where they can explore their relationship dynamics and learn to apply these insights for significant personal growth and relational success.

In this reflective essay, Mark shares insights from a coaching session with a client who excels in golf, business, and mentorship. A fable comparing the journeys of a monk, a golfer, and an entrepreneur highlights shared principles of mastery: motivation, intention, awareness, and focus. Mark extends an invitation to his upcoming plant medicine retreat for those ready to align personal and professional growth with mindfulness and self-discovery.

This newsletter explores three common defense mechanisms—denial, rationalization, and projection—and how they manifest in everyday life. It explains how these mechanisms can hinder personal growth if overused and provides red flags that indicate overreliance. The newsletter also highlights the importance of shadow work in recognizing and transforming these unconscious behaviors. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their use of defense mechanisms and are invited to join an upcoming plant medicine retreat for deeper introspection and healing.

Engaging in shadow work is crucial for business leaders. It helps them understand and manage their unconscious motivations, directly impacting their decision-making, relationships, and leadership style.

Explore how integrating shadow work with setting intentions can dramatically enhance personal growth and help overcome entrenched behaviors.

Explore the profound impact of shadow work on identifying and transforming underlying impulses for a more connected and ethical life.

Embrace wholeness by acknowledging all parts of yourself, including the shadow. Use shadow work to discover, heal, and transform towards a more authentic life.

Uncover the power of shadow work and how it sheds light on your deepest desires and motivations to help you can make decisions more aligned with your authentic self.

Discover how integrating shadow work into our pursuit of truth can offer profound insights and guide better decision-making across various aspects of life, from parenting to politics.