<p><b>To introduce Season 4</b>, Dr. Barbara Laymon joins the podcast to discuss the complex dynamics of polarization and the interplay between individuality and togetherness as described in Bowen family systems theory. This episode explores what individuality and togetherness look like in relationships, the impact of societal pressures, and the importance of maturity in navigating differences. Examples, including the Bonhoeffer family, prairie dogs, COVID-19, and the Olympic Games, illustrate natural tendencies towards both cooperation and competition. The conversation offers practical takeaways for managing polarization in everyday life.</p><p></p><p><b>Barbara Laymon, Ph.D.</b> is a family systems consultant, a writer and a researcher. Her latest book, “All the Families of the Earth” is a fictional piece imagining family therapists at work behind the scenes of Biblical stories. Her most recent academic article involved a validated scale of congregational functioning, published in the Journal of Pastoral Psychology.</p><p></p><p><b>Resources:</b></p><p>Dr Barbara Laymon - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wipfandstock.com/9781666783087/all-the-families-of-the-earth/" target="_blank">All the Families of the Earth</a> </p><p>Dr Barbara Laymon - Measuring Congregational Functioning: A Scale Based Upon Bowen Family</p><p>Systems Theory, Journal of Pastoral Psychology</p><p>Dr Ronald Richardson - Polarization and the Healthier Church</p><p>Denmark “boxes" Commercial - <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD8tjhVO1Tc" target="_blank">All That We Share</a><b><br /></b>Want to speak with a counsellor? <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livingsystems.ca/about/contact/" target="_blank">Click here</a></p><p></p><p><b>Buy us a “coffee”</b> at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems" target="_blank">https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems</a> and support the production of the podcast!</p><p></p><p><b>Terms you don’t understand?</b> We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livingsystems.ca/resources/elevator-systems-podcast/" target="_blank">Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 &amp; 3</a></p><p></p><p><b>Season 4 episodes will be released every two weeks starting Tuesday March 3rd.</b></p><p></p><p><b>Subscribe</b> on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. <b>Like, subscribe, and comment</b>.</p><p></p><p><b>Living Systems Counselling and Training</b> provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://livingsystems.ca" target="_blank">https://livingsystems.ca</a></p><p></p><p><b>Key Topics:</b><br />#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen # #SystemsThinking #Polarization #Differences #HotTopics #Communication #Individuality #Togetherness #Maturity #Bonhoeffer #COVID-19 #Evolution #Prairiedogs #Group #Groupdynamics #UsandThem #Competition #Cooperation #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast</p><p></p><p><b>DISCLAIMER: </b>This podcast is general information about Bowen family systems theory and is not considered the practice of counselling or therapy.  The information presented are the views of the people who say them. Any information used from this podcast is used at your own risk.</p>