the Henny Flynn podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Today I'm in conversation with Soulla Demetriou - a dear friend, a teacher who profoundly shaped my journey, and the author of the newly released book You Have Always Been Enough.

Soulla introduced me to self-compassion work and later to Internal Family Systems, and our paths have been beautifully interwoven ever since.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Soulla's journey from corporate London through pain, and the suffering that came from that, to yoga, mindfulness, self-compassion, and eventually Internal Family Systems - and why IFS felt like 'the jigsaw piece that made sense of everything'
• How our protective parts are actually expressions of love, trying to keep us safe - and what shifts when we turn toward them with curiosity instead of judgement
• The moment I realised I'd been making painful faces at myself in the mirror, and what that part needed to hear to feel safe enough to stop
• Why self-trust might be the greatest gift any of us can cultivate, and how the parts work brings us into that connection

This is a long, intimate conversation between two practitioners who love this work. We follow tangents, we cry, we laugh, and we let what needs to emerge come forward.

Settle in, and see where the episode takes you.

We touch on some deep topics here. Please go gently with yourself if you find anything in this conversation is activating for you - and do reach out to trusted sources if you need any additional support.

Soulla's book You Have Always Been Enough is available now. Find out more and connect withsoulla.com

You'll hear this episode begins with me sharing a complete technical breakdown. I had recorded a really lovely episode and when I went back to listen, it sounded like it was voiced by AI. I couldn't fix it, despite my best efforts, and so I had to start again.

It's often in moments like these that I turn to my old journals. When I opened one of them at random, this is what emerged:

• A reflection on the parts of us that get activated when things go wrong 
• The recognition that these aren't parts to suppress, but parts that have been asking for attention
• An invitation to hold these parts in love

After reading it aloud, I noticed how much more grounded I felt. And so, of course this is what today's episode actually needed to be. 

Settle in, and see where the episode takes you.

Solo Retreat @ Bach Brook - discover what it could feel like to have time to yourself, where you're fully cared for
https://www.hennyflynn.co.uk/solo-retreats

Awaken Your Hopes & Dreams - begins Thursday March 26th - 5-week, small group course
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983524212314?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join the mailing list - and hear what's emerging in the next few weeks
https://hennyflynn.kit.com/profile

As we step into a new year, this episode explores the quiet clarity that can emerge when we move with both energy and deliberation.

In this reflective, stream-of-consciousness episode, I share a short piece of writing that arrived unexpectedly — and then open it up gently, listening for what wants to be heard.

You’ll hear reflections on:

• The juxtaposition between energy and deliberation — and how this can feel like clarity rather than conflict
• Strengthening the energetic trails that genuinely draw our attention
• Choosing discernment over momentum, alignment over urgency
• Letting go without attachment — even when something once felt right
• Trusting the wisdom that grows underground, in the dark, before it reaches the light

I also share a simple Flow Journaling prompt — “As I listen ever more closely…” — as an invitation to notice what might be asking for your attention, and what may be ready to be laid down with gratitude.

For now, let this be enough.

With love.

Currently…

At the moment, my work is centred around:

• A Piece of Quiet — a private weekly practice of listening, reflection, and Flow Journaling - hear the first three episodes here https://apieceofquiet.transistor.fm/ 
• Occasional live gatherings and courses, softly shared through my mailing list - you can join that here https://hennyflynn.kit.com/profile

You can find everything I offer here: https://www.hennyflynn.co.uk/

Tap to send me your reflections ♡

A little bonus episode to bridge the gap from season 10 to season 11.

A reflection on Wisdom from Within - on how we can tap into it whenever we need it - and a letter written from my wisest inner self.

To explore your own Wisdom from Within, and meet your wise Inner Guide, take a look at this special ImageWork recording https://hennyflynn.ck.page/9ca85eeaaf

This is something you can return to again and again, whenever you're looking for guidance.

Support the show

***

A piece of quiet
Your weekly pause - a calming relaxation practice, every Wednesday. A few minutes to settle, a few minutes to write. First aid for the soul.
Join here - use the code PEACE for 20% off your first year

Let’s stay connected
Sign up to hear more - and only receive what speaks to you.
Join the list here

everyday ♡ compassion
Tiny reminders of self-love and presence, delivered three times a week.
Subscribe here

Free Events & Small Group Courses
Explore the power of Flow Journaling, self-compassion and gentle change in a supportive space.
See what’s on

Solo Retreats at Bach Brook
Rest, reflect and reconnect – fully supported in a place of deep natural beauty.
Retreat with me

Books, Journaling Resources & Self-paced Courses
Explore tools for inner connection and compassionate growth.
Visit the library

Free 20-minute Call
Explore whether coaching could support what’s calling for change.
...

Tap to send me your reflections ♡

A foray into procrastination - inspired by a conversation, a realisation and a faltering intention.

There is so much richness to be explored about the whole topic of procrastination and the friend I mention at the beginning of this episode is someone I'd love to bring onto the show, so she can share some of her reflections on it. To connect with Saranne - find her here https://www.instagram.com/thesaranneday/

But this episode is about a tiny aspect of procrastination - something I have noticed in myself about what can get in my way when I FEEL I want to do something purely for myself but I THINK I need to do something else first.

There is SO much more that can be explored here. This is a toe-dip into the topic. Maybe is sparks some reflection for you too.

See you in series 11 - and in the meantime it would be wonderful to see you at...

Wisdom from Within
17 June '23 10.30-12.00 BST https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/623777383947

Journaling Quest Gathering
25 June '23 11.00-12.00 BST https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/580179060187

Support the show

***

A piece of quiet
Your weekly pause - a calming relaxation practice, every Wednesday. A few minutes to settle, a few minutes to write. First aid for the soul.
Join here - use the code PEACE for 20% off your first year

Let’s stay connected
Sign up to hear more - and only receive what speaks to you.
Join the list here

everyday ♡ compassion
Tiny reminders of self-love and presence, delivered three times a week.
Subscribe here

Free Events & Small Group Courses
Explore the power of Flow Journaling, self-compassion and gentle change in a supportive space.
See what’s on

Solo Retreats at Bach Brook
Rest, reflect and reconnect – fully supported in a place of deep natural beauty.
Retreat with me

Books, Journaling Resources & Self-paced Courses
Explore tools for inner connection and compassionate growth.
Visit the library

Free 20-minute Call
Explore whether coaching could support what’s calling for change.
...

Tap to send me your reflections ♡

This is a meander through a theme that connects three poems from My darling girl 2.

The theme of being seen.

But this is not about being seen by others (though that can feel vital at times), it's about seeing ourselves, as we truly are. In all our pain and our magnificence*.

With love.



*I owe credit for that phrase 'pain and magnificence' to my teacher Dr Dina Glouberman - have a listen to episode 7 of this season for more from her. She's definitely worth listening to!

Support the show

***

A piece of quiet
Your weekly pause - a calming relaxation practice, every Wednesday. A few minutes to settle, a few minutes to write. First aid for the soul.
Join here - use the code PEACE for 20% off your first year

Let’s stay connected
Sign up to hear more - and only receive what speaks to you.
Join the list here

everyday ♡ compassion
Tiny reminders of self-love and presence, delivered three times a week.
Subscribe here

Free Events & Small Group Courses
Explore the power of Flow Journaling, self-compassion and gentle change in a supportive space.
See what’s on

Solo Retreats at Bach Brook
Rest, reflect and reconnect – fully supported in a place of deep natural beauty.
Retreat with me

Books, Journaling Resources & Self-paced Courses
Explore tools for inner connection and compassionate growth.
Visit the library

Free 20-minute Call
Explore whether coaching could support what’s calling for change.
...

Tap to send me your reflections ♡

I debated about whether to call this the art of forgiveness OR the art of SELF-forgiveness - and the second one won out… for reasons I’ll share.

We’re often told as children that we have to forgive another child for hitting us, hurting us, taking the toy we really wanted.

We’re taught we need to be the bigger, better person and RISE ABOVE the lowly behaviour shown by the other child.

This is curious in many ways.

Because embedded within that are SO many messages - not all of them that helpful. And I'll explore some of these as we go.

And while we might have been taught we 'must' forgive others, there is also the view that the only place forgiveness is truly valuable is in forgiving ourselves.

And that can be the hardest thing of all.

Listen in to hear more about why it may not be our 'place' to forgive others - and how we can learn to forgive ourselves.

Support the show

***

A piece of quiet
Your weekly pause - a calming relaxation practice, every Wednesday. A few minutes to settle, a few minutes to write. First aid for the soul.
Join here - use the code PEACE for 20% off your first year

Let’s stay connected
Sign up to hear more - and only receive what speaks to you.
Join the list here

everyday ♡ compassion
Tiny reminders of self-love and presence, delivered three times a week.
Subscribe here

Free Events & Small Group Courses
Explore the power of Flow Journaling, self-compassion and gentle change in a supportive space.
See what’s on

Solo Retreats at Bach Brook
Rest, reflect and reconnect – fully supported in a place of deep natural beauty.
Retreat with me

Books, Journaling Resources & Self-paced Courses
Explore tools for inner connection and compassionate growth.
Visit the library

Free 20-minute Call
Explore whether coaching could support what’s calling for change.
...

Tap to send me your reflections ♡

My guest today is psychotherapist, writer, international trainer, and world expert in imagery based therapies, Dr Dina Glouberman. 

The co-founder/director (since 1979) of Skyros Holistic Holidays, Dina is also the founder/director of the Aurora Centre in Southern Italy; training therapists, counsellors, and consultants in ImageWork.

This is a frank and generous exploration of what led Dina to develop her pioneering ImageWork therapy - touching on painful stories from her past and revealing the transformation that can come from purposeful exploration of imagery and visualisation.

Dina began her work as a psychotherapist in the early 1960s and continues to share her life-long learnings with others through her books, courses and the diploma in ImageWork - first run this year (2023).

At the end of our conversation, Dina says: “We’re all in this together”. 

To me that feels like the most fitting phrase; it sums up the deep connection Dina offers those who work with her. And it speaks to our universal connection - with others and with our Self.

I am so honoured to be sharing this conversation with you today. Dina is one of my own teachers and I have seen first hand the beneficial power of ImageWork, both with my own clients and through my own experience.

If you’re curious to find out more, see Dina’s website - and if you’re a practitioner and want to learn how to use ImageWork with your clients, take a look at the Diploma course running in 2024. I have loved my own process of deepening my knowledge.

*****
CONNECT WITH DINA

https://www.dinaglouberman.com/

BOOKS BY DINA

Life Choices, Life Changes

The Joy of Burnout

You Are What You Imagine

Into the Woods and Out Again

ImageWork - a guide for practitioners and counsellors

*****

EXPERIENCE ImageWork

Join my next live on-line event - June 17 '23 - 10.30-12 (BST): Wisdom from Within   

We'll be quietening the noisy chattering of the conscious mind and taking an inner journey to explore the transformativ

Support the show

***

A piece of quiet
Your weekly pause - a calming relaxation practice, every Wednesday. A few minutes to settle, a few minutes to write. First aid for the soul.
Join here - use the code PEACE for 20% off your first year

Let’s stay connected
Sign up to hear more - and only receive what speaks to you.
Join the list here

everyday ♡ compassion
Tiny reminders of self-love and presence, delivered three times a week.
Subscribe here

Free Events & Small Group Courses
Explore the power of Flow Journaling, self-compassion and gentle change in a supportive space.
See what’s on

Solo Retreats at Bach Brook
Rest, reflect and reconnect – fully supported in a place of deep natural beauty.
Retreat with me

Books, Journaling Resources & Self-paced Courses
Explore tools for inner connection and compassionate growth.
Visit the library

Free 20-minute Call
Explore whether coaching could support what’s calling for change.
...

Tap to send me your reflections ♡

At times self-compassion can feel like a hard thing to find.

We may have been conditioned through our life experiences to see it as something unimportant or selfish and yet, our deepest wisest Self has an innate understanding that it’s something we all need.

I’ve recently created a short course for the InsightTimer App that offers up 3 deceptively simple tools that I think of as ‘first aid’ - or ‘practical compassion’ in action.

3 quick steps to help you access self-compassion when it feels needed or when it feels hard to find.

And while each of them are simple to put into practice, they represent a profound choice: the decision to choose your own mental and physical well-being as being worthy of your attention. The decision to choose your Self, over any stories you may carry that might lead you in another way.

And these 3 practical compassion tools are all things you can return to again and again in your day.

Your body will never get tired of being given this kind of kind attention.

Check out the InsightTimer course - with a fuller explanation of each of these tools, across 3 lessons, with mindful moments to accompany each lesson https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/uVlsX5hyGD020lmHVAst

Support the show

***

A piece of quiet
Your weekly pause - a calming relaxation practice, every Wednesday. A few minutes to settle, a few minutes to write. First aid for the soul.
Join here - use the code PEACE for 20% off your first year

Let’s stay connected
Sign up to hear more - and only receive what speaks to you.
Join the list here

everyday ♡ compassion
Tiny reminders of self-love and presence, delivered three times a week.
Subscribe here

Free Events & Small Group Courses
Explore the power of Flow Journaling, self-compassion and gentle change in a supportive space.
See what’s on

Solo Retreats at Bach Brook
Rest, reflect and reconnect – fully supported in a place of deep natural beauty.
Retreat with me

Books, Journaling Resources & Self-paced Courses
Explore tools for inner connection and compassionate growth.
Visit the library

Free 20-minute Call
Explore whether coaching could support what’s calling for change.
...

Tap to send me your reflections ♡

Today's episode is a romp through wordy things.

Headlines are:

• We bandy words about and use them without thinking
• Words can have multiple meanings - including ones we haven't been consciously aware of
• The words we use influence our behaviours and the choices we make
• The word 'should' is a shame-based word (maybe not always - but it's an interesting perspective)
• Replacing 'should' with 'could' opens us up to new possibilities
• Our unconscious usage of language  can express our profound awareness of what we’re experiencing inside
• Freud said we ‘leak’ what we're experiencing under the surface of what we think we’re saying
• Always notice with love
• Affirmations can be POWERFUL tools for change - positive language in the present tense
• My box of  LoveWords© — I might share this one day - or make your own!

And finally, I share a marvellous quote about words from Khalil Gibran. It's worth listening just for that!

With love, always
Henny x

Support the show

***

A piece of quiet
Your weekly pause - a calming relaxation practice, every Wednesday. A few minutes to settle, a few minutes to write. First aid for the soul.
Join here - use the code PEACE for 20% off your first year

Let’s stay connected
Sign up to hear more - and only receive what speaks to you.
Join the list here

everyday ♡ compassion
Tiny reminders of self-love and presence, delivered three times a week.
Subscribe here

Free Events & Small Group Courses
Explore the power of Flow Journaling, self-compassion and gentle change in a supportive space.
See what’s on

Solo Retreats at Bach Brook
Rest, reflect and reconnect – fully supported in a place of deep natural beauty.
Retreat with me

Books, Journaling Resources & Self-paced Courses
Explore tools for inner connection and compassionate growth.
Visit the library

Free 20-minute Call
Explore whether coaching could support what’s calling for change.
...