Show notes
On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I had the honor and delight of speaking with one of my teachers and mentors, David Bedrick!
David is a teacher, counselor, attorney, and the founder of The Sante Fe Institute for Shame-based Studies.
He's also the author of four books and on this episode, we discuss his latest: THE UNSHAMING WAY - A Compassionate Guide to Dismantling Shame.
This fantastic book addresses how to heal from shame, unlearn self-blame, and reclaim your story.
As someone who has been deeply impacted by his work on shame and the unshaming process, I was super excited to dive into a rich conversation about vulnerability, trauma, and the power of authentic expression.
We also explored the profound impact of violence, childhood trauma, and how the internalization of shame can shape our adult experiences.
Perhaps most importantly, David shared his unique approach to "unshaming," which involves genuine curiosity and a deep respect for each person's sacred story.
Rather than trying to fix or change someone, he invites them to fully inhabit and express their authentic selves - a process that often unlocks hidden gifts and strengths.
One of the surprising key moments for me was when David and I both reflected on how we were once labeled as "shy" kids, when in reality, we were simply responding to fear and a lack of safety!
I’ve benefited immensely from this work, and now I'm so happy to get to share David and these insights with you.
I’d love to hear your favorite and most impactful takeaways, too!
KEY POINTS:
• The power of vulnerability and transparency in building trust and safety
• How childhood trauma can lead to internalized shame and self-criticism
• Reframing "shyness" as a response to fear - rather than a personality trait
• David Bedrick's definition of shame as a viewpoint, not just a feeling
• The transformative potential of authentic expression and the "unshaming" process
• The exacerbating role of systemic oppression in fueling internalized shame
• The Nest - Group Mentoring Program
DAVID’S BIO:
David Bedrick, JD, Dipl. PW, is a teacher, counselor, and attorney. He grew up in a family marked by violence. While his father’s brutality was physical and verbal, his mother’s denial and gaslighting had its own covert power. This formative context introduced David early to the etiology of shame and instilled an urge to unshame.
Professionally, he was on the faculty for the University of Phoenix and the Process Work Institute in the U.S. and Poland and is the founder of the Santa Fe Institute for Shame-based Studies where he trains therapists, coaches and healers and offers workshops for individuals to further their own personal development.
David writes for Psychology Today and is the author of four books: Talking Back to Dr. Phil: Alternatives to Mainstream Psychology and Revisioning Activism: Bringing Depth, Dialogue, and Diversity to Individual and Social Change, and You Can’t Judge a Body by Its Cover: 17 Women’s Stories of Hunger, Body Shame and Redemption.
His new fourth book, The Unshaming Way, was published by North Atlantic books in November 2024.
Links:
Order The Unshaming Way: https://a.co/d/dYTwNa7
Website: https://www.davidbedrick.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david.bedrick/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DBedrick
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/david-bedrick-jd-dipl-pw
KK's BIO:
Karen Kenney is a certified Spiritual Mentor, Writer, Integrative Change Worker, Coach and Hypnotist. She’s known for her dynamic storytelling, her sense of humor, her Boston accent, and her no-BS, down-to-earth approach to Spirituality and transformational work.
KK is a wicked curious human being, a life-long learner, and has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years! She’s also a yoga teacher of 24+ years, a Certified Gateless Writing Instructor, and an author, speaker, retreat leader, and the host of The Karen Kenney Show podcast.
She coaches both the conscious + unconscious mind using practical Neuroscience, Subconscious Reprogramming, Integrative Hypnosis/Change Work, and Spiritual Mentorship. These tools help clients to regulate their nervous systems, remove blocks, rewrite stories, rewire beliefs, and reimagine what’s possible in their lives and business!
Karen encourages people to deepen their connection to Self, Source and Spirit in down-to-earth and actionable ways and wants them to have their own lived experience with spirituality and to not just “take her word for it”.
She helps people to shift their minds from fear to Love - using compassion, storytelling and humor. Her work is effective, efficient, memorable, and fun!
KK’s been a student of A Course in Miracles for close to 30 years, has been vegan for over 20 years, and believes that a little kindness can make a big difference.
KK WEBSITE: www.karenkenney.com
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