061 The Art of Mentalizing: Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships through Emotional Awareness (with Dr. Lina Ponder)

We've all heard about mindfulness. But what about "mentalization"? We are talking about how this little-known concept helps us understand ourselves (creating more self-compassion), understand others (leading to more empathy), and connect to God.
Our guest, Dr. Lina Ponder is a clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and spiritual director—so she is perfect for this podcast. She has trained with international experts on the role of early life bonding on the quality of relationships and well-being throughout life. She loves to teach and facilitate the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as she marvels at the profound convergence of developmental psychology and developmental spirituality.
Discover the critical importance of developing emotional awareness and mentalization skills from infancy, and how our caregivers shape these abilities. Learn how experiences beyond childhood can help overcome early limitations in our mentalizing capacity. Dr. Ponder also shares her insights on accessing our inner worlds through spirituality, reflecting on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, and how they can powerfully enhance our understanding of ourselves, others, and our connection with God. Don't miss this enlightening episode that merges the worlds of psychology and spirituality, offering transformative insights and practical applications for personal growth.

Check out the DMIN in Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience here.

Stay Connected:

• NEED spiritual direction or coaching that aligns with this podcast? Connect with Cyd Holsclaw here.
• Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.
• Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).