Caring for the Soul of the Helper w/Holly Oxhandler, Ph.D, LMSW, 2-9 Pairing

Friends, this week, I would imagine that you're already getting activated for helping…

Perhaps you're encouraging kids, your family, your spouse, and more than likely others too (coworkers, other people's kids, adult parents, etc.)… 

You're busy and that's a good thing. In fact, researcher Steve Cole, UCLA and his team have studied RNA blood markers and found that those who actively helped others had healthier immune systems and this was compared to the self-care group.*

You're on the right track indeed if you're helping, friend! 

But you're ALSO on the right track if you're trying to figure out how to balance well. Notice I didn't say balance perfectly, but well since every day will have both its joys and its challenges even when we're doing our work. 

On this pod, we're giving you the tools to do just that!

Why is this so vital? Well, in addition to helping you to avoid crashing and burning from exhaustion (huge!)…

Another truth is that when we overhelp others in the community, we also miss a chance to love on the people right at home. 

Our spouse often gets the least of us and marriage quality predictably goes down over years as humans find their work and helping relationships more meaningful and fulfilling.

To counter this tendency, we are joined by the exquisite Dr. Holly K. Oxhandler, PhD, LMSW, Baylor U, on this show. 

Holly may have a lot of accolades but as an Enneagram 2 doing her work ongoing (2-9 pairing), she is humble and has walked through the dark night of the soul when helping to excess burned her out and taught her the gentler and yet still more meaningful way to love and love.

This also, to our great blessing, inspired her to write her beautiful book, The Soul of the Helper also, which we discuss on the show along with her seven practices including a centering practice I'm holding onto dearly as we discuss here!

You can listen on Apple, Spotify, or Watch on YouTube!