Elevator Systems - Bowen Family Systems Theory

This episode discusses Bowen family systems theory and sexual diversity. Kent Webb joins to share his personal journey and research on the topic. The conversation explores how curiosity and open dialogue can encourage understanding and growth in relationships as well as in Bowen theory itself.

Kent Webb works in both the organizational and mental health worlds with practices in each field. He is an executive coach and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has obtained broad experience and education as both a chief executive officer and a mental health coach. Kent trained in the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center and became a faculty member there in  2020. His publications include a chapter in Chronic Illness and Death in the Family, two articles in Family Systems Forum on Sexual Diversity and a chapter in The Emotional Side of Organizations: Applications of Bowen Theory.

Resources:
Kent Webb: Chronic Illness and Death in the Family (Ed. Titleman & Reed)
Kent Webb: The Emotional Side of Organizations: Applications of Bowen Theory
Kent Webb: Family Systems Forum articles
Frans de Waal: Different: Gender Thru the Eyes of a Primatologist
Bowen Center Spring 2025 conference link: Sexual Diversity & the Human Family
Nathan Lents links
Interested in the Submitting an Abstract for the International Conference? Email: conferences@livingsystems.ca
Living Systems programs: https://livingsystems.ca/
Want to speak with a counsellor? Click here

Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!

Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3

Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.
Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.ca

Key Topics:
#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #SexualDiveristy #Gender #GenderDiversity #LGBTQ+ #Curiosity #Conversation #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast

Today’s episode looks at how Bowen family systems theory is useful in the complex area of sexual abuse scandals. Kathleen Cotter-Cauley joins this episode to discuss the many groups involved in scandals and how an eye on the family and relationship systems is a lens that can add clarity and understanding to this complicated and relevant topic.

Kathleen Cotter-Cauley is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has a private practice in both Virginia and Florida. She’s been a faculty member of the Bowen Center since 2012, was involved in founding the Florida Family Research Network, and has been on the faculty of Extraordinary Leadership and Systems Leadership seminars. Some of her community service efforts include working with guide dogs and being part of review boards for sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church.

Resources:
Dr. Bowen: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice
Dr. Walter Smith: Child Abuse in Family Emotional Process, Family Systems Journal 5.2
Interested in submitting an abstract for the 2027 International Conference? Email: conferences@livingsystems.ca
Living Systems programs: https://livingsystems.ca/
Want to speak with a counsellor? Click here

Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!

Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3

Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.

Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.ca

Key Topics:
#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #Abuse #SexualAbuse #Scandals #Secrets #WomenTalking #SpotlightMovie #Epstein #EpsteinFiles #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast

DISCLAIMER: 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.

In this episode of Elevator Systems, we explore politics and Bowen family systems theory. Dr. Robert L. Davis is our guest as we zoom out across time and zoom in to the influence on family life, as well as the challenge of maintaining objectivity in politically polarized environments.

Dr. Robert L. Davis is founder and Executive Director of Seasoned With Grace UnBoxed, a nonprofit committed to helping develop strong authentic leaders, as well bringing communities together to develop solutions around public safety and policing. Seasoned With Grace UnBoxed leads two community-centered projects: The Task Force to Reimagine Policing and Public Safety and Transforming Our Communities Alliance (TOCA). He has over 20 years of experience as a senior pastor, Family Life Educator, hospice chaplain, bereavement coordinator, and community leader.

Resources:
Dr. Robert L Davis, Transforming Our Communities Alliance (TOCA) 
Dr. Bowen, 1970 letter, The Murray Bowen Archives Project
Katherine Gratwick Baker: Emotional Process in Society, Family Systems Journal, 13.1
W.E.B. Du Bois “Why I Won’t Be Voting in 1956” -
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “Why I Oppose the Vietnam War”
Family Matters, “Political Reactivity and Self Regulation”
Family Matters “Making Decisions in an Emotionally Aroused Social Environment”
Want to speak with a counsellor? Click here

Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!

Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3

Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.

Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.ca

Key Topics:
#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #Politics #Polarization #Democratic #Republican #History #Leadership #Differences #Curiosity #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast

DISCLAIMER: 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.

Today’s episode looks at religion and relationships. We are diving into a hot topic and seeing how Bowen family systems theory is a resource to thinking about and observing religion and how people function around religion - within and between religious communities. Matt Steele joins us to share his thinking and experience on the topic. 

Matt Steele is a Bowen theory coach and pastoral supervisor who grew up in Sydney Australia. Matt is also an ordained Anglican minister and worked in a range of church ministry roles before shifting into his current work. Matt is an associate faculty member at the Family Systems Institute in Australia and now works primarily with Christian pastors, leaders and communities through his business changeroom. Last year he delivered the keynote talks at the Family Systems Institute’s Systems In Ministry Symposium titled, The Emotional Ecosystem of Ministry: Navigating The Relationship Jungle Without Becoming a Predator Or Being Eaten Alive.

Resources:
changeroom: http://changeroom.au/
FSI Ministry Symposium recording
Dr. Bowen 1966 letter, The Murray Bowen Archives Project
Rabbi Edwin Friedman: Generation to Generation 
Derek Thompson article
Living Systems programs: https://livingsystems.ca/
Thriving in Ministry conference recording: https://www.thebowencenter.org/conferences
Want to speak with a counsellor? Click here

Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!

Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3

Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.

Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.ca

Key Topics:
#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #Religion #Faith #Belief #Doubt #Questions #SpiritualGrowth #Differences #LifeTogether #Congregations #Church #God #Christianity #FaithCommunity #Community #Friedman #Mindfulness #Values #MentalHealth #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast

DISCLAIMER: 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

What does Bowen family systems theory have to say about sports? A surprising amount! Amie Post is on the podcast again to think about the emotional processes of sports and how athletic performance can mirror relationship dynamics. Learn more on how automatic reactions, anxiety, and differentiation of self influence both the game and real-world relationships, offering insights into personal growth and group functioning.

Amie Post, MA, LCMFT is a marriage and family therapist with extensive experience in leadership who began studying Bowen theory in 2001. She is the Interim Director of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, DC, as well as the Executive Director of the Center for Family Systems Theory of Western New York. Previously Amie held the role of Executive Director at the Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County. Amie is also a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Resources:
Dr. Bowen 1973 letter, The Murray Bowen Archives Project
Dr. Bowen: Family Therapy in Clinical Practice
Kathleen Smith, The Anxious Overachiever
Family Systems Forum
The Bowen Center
The Center for Family Systems Theory of Western New York
Center for Family Consultation (Chicago), Midwest Symposium information
Want to speak with a counsellor? Click here

Buy us a “coffee” at https://ko-fi.com/elevatorsystems and support the production of the podcast!

Terms you don’t understand? We have episodes on all 8 concepts of Bowen theory and other ideas in Elevator Systems Seasons 1, 2 & 3

Season 4 episodes are released every two weeks.

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Like, subscribe, and comment.
Living Systems Counselling and Training provides educational material for those interested in learning more about Bowen family systems theory: https://livingsystems.ca

Key Topics:
#BowenFamilySystems #LivingSystems #MurrayBowen #SystemsThinking #HotTopics #Sports #Team #Player #Athlete #Teamwork #Game #TedLasso #TomBrady #Football #Basketball #Schoolsports #TeamSports #Workout #Practice #Growth #Coaching #Coach #MentalHealth #AthleticPerformance #Relationships #TherapyPodcast #DifferentiationOfSelf #Differentiation #Therapy #BowenTheory #ElevatorSystems #FamilySystemsTheory #ElevatorSystemsPodcast

DISCLAIMER: 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