<![CDATA[The Self-Led Life]]>The Self-Led Life is an Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed podcast creating intimate spaces for people to turn toward their inner lives with curiosity and compassion—meeting more of themselves, deepening their connection with Self, and discovering how that inner relationship can transform the way they inhabit their everyday lives.

Hosted by Jaclyn Long, LMFT, founder of Mindful Child & Family Therapy, a group psychotherapy practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, The Self-Led Life explores the parts of us that show up in the midst of ordinary—and sometimes extraordinarily difficult—human experiences.

Together, we'll travel the terrain of grief and loss, anxiety, relationships, chronic stress, pain and illness, caretaking, perfectionism, burnout, life transitions, and the places where we find ourselves feeling stuck.

Through guided inner experiences, personal reflections, conversations with therapists and IFS practitioners, and intimate interviews, Jaclyn invites us to become curious about the parts of ourselves we may have spent years judging, avoiding, or trying to change.

Sometimes, what seems to be getting in the way can become a trailhead—a doorway into a deeper relationship with ourselves.

There is room here to slow down. To notice. To feel. And sometimes, simply to be quiet long enough to hear what is happening inside.

Come as you are. Bring all your parts. Let's turn inward—together.

]]>www.mcaft.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 26 Oct 2026 08:18:36 GMTMon, 28 Sep 2026 00:27:44 GMT60Jaclyn Long<p><b><strong>The Self-Led Life</strong></b> is an Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed podcast creating intimate spaces for people to turn toward their inner lives with curiosity and compassion—meeting more of themselves, deepening their connection with Self, and discovering how that inner relationship can transform the way they inhabit their everyday lives.</p><p>Hosted by <b><strong>Jaclyn Long, LMFT</strong></b>, founder of <b><strong>Mindful Child &amp; Family Therapy</strong></b>, a group psychotherapy practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, <i><b><strong>The Self-Led Life</strong></b></i> explores the parts of us that show up in the midst of ordinary—and sometimes extraordinarily difficult—human experiences.</p><p>Together, we'll travel the terrain of grief and loss, anxiety, relationships, chronic stress, pain and illness, caretaking, perfectionism, burnout, life transitions, and the places where we find ourselves feeling stuck.</p><p>Through guided inner experiences, personal reflections, conversations with therapists and IFS practitioners, and intimate interviews, Jaclyn invites us to become curious about the parts of ourselves we may have spent years judging, avoiding, or trying to change.</p><p>Sometimes, what seems to be getting in the way can become a trailhead—a doorway into a deeper relationship with ourselves.</p><p>There is room here to slow down. To notice. To feel. And sometimes, simply to be quiet long enough to hear what is happening inside.</p><p><b><strong>Come as you are. Bring all your parts. Let's turn inward—together.</strong></b></p>episodicJaclyn Longjaclyn@mcaft.comno<![CDATA[Grief & Avoidance: Getting to Know the Part That Turns Away (Episode 4)]]>It makes sense that you want relief from your grief process.

When grief hurts, a part of us may want to turn away. We stay busy, fill the quiet, or reach for something that helps us feel “less” of what we’re feeling. And sometimes, after a day of keeping ourselves occupied, the grief meets up with us at night.

In this episode of The Self-Led Life, Jaclyn Long, LMFT, offers a tender exploration of grief and avoidance through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). We get curious about the protectors that try to keep pain at a distance—and those that rush in to bring relief when the ache of grief breaks through.

Together, we acknowledge the good intentions and protective wisdom of these parts, while making room to notice when their efforts have become exhausting or costly.

The guided experience will invite us to become curious about the compulsion to turn away from the grief. You’ll be invited to listen, offer acknowledgment, and discover what this self-protective aspect of your personality might want you to understand about its experience.
So…come as you are. All parts are welcome here.

Hosted by Jaclyn Long, LMFT, founder of Mindful Child & Family Therapy. Learn more at:
www.mcaft.com

This podcast offers education and guided reflection. It is not therapy and does not create a therapist-client relationship. You’re welcome to pause or stop at any time. Please listen to the guided experience when you can safely give it your attention.

]]>f573109c-2280-402b-aa98-f5a9fe0906afTue, 20 Oct 2026 21:37:39 GMT<p>It makes sense that you want relief from your grief process.<br /><br />When grief hurts, a part of us may want to turn away. We stay busy, fill the quiet, or reach for something that helps us feel “less” of what we’re feeling. And sometimes, after a day of keeping ourselves occupied, the grief meets up with us at night.<br /><br />In this episode of The Self-Led Life, Jaclyn Long, LMFT, offers a tender exploration of grief and avoidance through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). We get curious about the protectors that try to keep pain at a distance—and those that rush in to bring relief when the ache of grief breaks through.<br /><br />Together, we acknowledge the good intentions and protective wisdom of these parts, while making room to notice when their efforts have become exhausting or costly.<br /><br />The guided experience will invite us to become curious about the compulsion to turn away from the grief. You’ll be invited to listen, offer acknowledgment, and discover what this self-protective aspect of your personality might want you to understand about its experience.<br />So…come as you are. All parts are welcome here.<br /><br />Hosted by Jaclyn Long, LMFT, founder of Mindful Child &amp; Family Therapy. Learn more at: <br />www.mcaft.com<br /><br />This podcast offers education and guided reflection. It is not therapy and does not create a therapist-client relationship. You’re welcome to pause or stop at any time. Please listen to the guided experience when you can safely give it your attention.</p>no00:28:464Grief & Avoidance: Getting to Know the Part That Turns Away (Episode 4)full<![CDATA[Feeling Numb in Grief: Welcoming Your Protective Parts (Episode 3)]]>Sometimes when someone you love dearly has died, you might feel at a distance from the pain of it. There might be some numbness, a blank fog, or a sense that the loss doesn’t quite feel real.

In Episode 3 of The Self-Led Life, Jaclyn Long, LMFT, gently explores numbness and dissociation in relationship with grief through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Jaclyn invites you to become curious about a part that may be creating distance from grief with deep devotion to protecting you from the pain of your loss.

Sharing a familiar moment of feeling foggy and disconnected in her own life, Jaclyn invites us to approach these experiences with tenderness. What might this protector be concerned about? What does it need us to understand? How would it like us to be with it?

An optional, eyes-open guided exploration offers space to acknowledge this part while staying connected to your surroundings. (Please be sure to save the guided practice for a time when you’re safely settled and aren’t driving.) You can pause or stop at any time. There’s no need to move past the numbness or ask a self-protective part of you to change. Getting to know the one offering protection can itself be a meaningful encounter.

Come as you are. All parts are welcome here.

And if disconnection affects your safety or daily life, seek support from a qualified mental health professional.

Hosted by Jaclyn Long, licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Mindful Child & Family Therapy.

This podcast offers education and guided self-reflection. It is not therapy and does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

]]>cde18dd7-308b-40df-af7b-fc1cceb75cb4Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:13:26 GMT<p>Sometimes when someone you love dearly has died, you might feel at a distance from the pain of it. There might be some numbness, a blank fog, or a sense that the loss doesn’t quite feel real.<br /><br />In Episode 3 of The Self-Led Life, Jaclyn Long, LMFT, gently explores numbness and dissociation in relationship with grief through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Jaclyn invites you to become curious about a part that may be creating distance from grief with deep devotion to protecting you from the pain of your loss.<br /><br />Sharing a familiar moment of feeling foggy and disconnected in her own life, Jaclyn invites us to approach these experiences with tenderness. What might this protector be concerned about? What does it need us to understand? How would it like us to be with it?<br /><br />An optional, eyes-open guided exploration offers space to acknowledge this part while staying connected to your surroundings. (Please be sure to save the guided practice for a time when you’re safely settled and aren’t driving.) You can pause or stop at any time. There’s no need to move past the numbness or ask a self-protective part of you to change. Getting to know the one offering protection can itself be a meaningful encounter.<br /><br />Come as you are. All parts are welcome here.<br /><br />And if disconnection affects your safety or daily life, seek support from a qualified mental health professional.<br /><br />Hosted by Jaclyn Long, licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Mindful Child &amp; Family Therapy.<br /><br />This podcast offers education and guided self-reflection. It is not therapy and does not establish a therapist-client relationship.</p>no00:28:233Feeling Numb in Grief: Welcoming Your Protective Parts (Episode 3)full<![CDATA[Grief After Caregiving: When You Don’t Even Know How You Feel (Episode 2)]]>In the first weeks after someone you love has died—or after losing a beloved pet—“How are you?” can be a surprisingly difficult question to answer.

You may notice blankness, numbness, or confusion. Perhaps you find yourself sharing logistics, talking about your loved one, or turning the conversation toward the person asking. After so much attention has gone toward caring for someone else, it can take time to discover what’s happening inside you.

In this episode of The Self-Led Life, Jaclyn Long, LMFT, offers a gentle exploration through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Together, we turn toward the caretaking part that has been carrying so much—with appreciation for its devotion, compassion, and depth of care.

Through a guided inner experience, you’re invited to ask how this caretaker is doing and what it needs you to understand. If it feels willing, it may stay nearby and witness a brief moment of compassion reaching a sad or grieving part inside—without having to provide all the care itself.

There’s no need to make grief happen or find a clear answer about how you feel. Spending time with the one who has been caring can itself be a meaningful encounter.

Come as you are. Bring all your parts. Let’s turn inward—together.

Hosted by Jaclyn Long, licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Mindful Child & Family Therapy.

PLEASE NOTE: This podcast offers education and guided self-reflection. It is not therapy and does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

]]>e35a5027-3cf3-4174-989f-db8eeeb4b40bTue, 06 Oct 2026 20:27:28 GMT<p>In the first weeks after someone you love has died—or after losing a beloved pet—“How are you?” can be a surprisingly difficult question to answer.<br /><br />You may notice blankness, numbness, or confusion. Perhaps you find yourself sharing logistics, talking about your loved one, or turning the conversation toward the person asking. After so much attention has gone toward caring for someone else, it can take time to discover what’s happening inside you.<br /><br />In this episode of The Self-Led Life, Jaclyn Long, LMFT, offers a gentle exploration through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Together, we turn toward the caretaking part that has been carrying so much—with appreciation for its devotion, compassion, and depth of care.<br /><br />Through a guided inner experience, you’re invited to ask how this caretaker is doing and what it needs you to understand. If it feels willing, it may stay nearby and witness a brief moment of compassion reaching a sad or grieving part inside—without having to provide all the care itself.<br /><br />There’s no need to make grief happen or find a clear answer about how you feel. Spending time with the one who has been caring can itself be a meaningful encounter.<br /><br />Come as you are. Bring all your parts. Let’s turn inward—together.<br /><br />Hosted by Jaclyn Long, licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Mindful Child &amp; Family Therapy.<br /><br />PLEASE NOTE: This podcast offers education and guided self-reflection. It is not therapy and does not establish a therapist-client relationship.</p>no00:28:482Grief After Caregiving: When You Don’t Even Know How You Feel (Episode 2)full<![CDATA[Grief and the Fear of Overwhelm (Episode 1)]]>What if you let yourself cry—and couldn’t stop?

When grief rises, a part of us may tighten our throat, turn us toward work, or help us say, “I’m doing okay.” That part may be afraid that feeling even a little grief will leave us overwhelmed forever.

In this first episode of The Self-Led Life, Jaclyn Long, LMFT, shares why grief is especially alive for her right now and invites you into a gentle IFS practice. Together, we’ll get to know the part working so hard to hold grief back. If it feels willing, you may also make room for just one small drop of what’s there.

You can take the practice at your own pace. Getting to know your protector is a meaningful place to begin.

Come as you are. Bring all your parts. Let’s turn inward—together.


]]>10280f82-427c-4351-8376-5d83ee6c1b15Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:51:54 GMT<p>What if you let yourself cry—and couldn’t stop?</p><p>When grief rises, a part of us may tighten our throat, turn us toward work, or help us say, “I’m doing okay.” That part may be afraid that feeling even a little grief will leave us overwhelmed forever.</p><p>In this first episode of <i><em>The Self-Led Life</em></i>, Jaclyn Long, LMFT, shares why grief is especially alive for her right now and invites you into a gentle IFS practice. Together, we’ll get to know the part working so hard to hold grief back. If it feels willing, you may also make room for just one small drop of what’s there.</p><p>You can take the practice at your own pace. Getting to know your protector is a meaningful place to begin.</p><p><b><strong>Come as you are. Bring all your parts. Let’s turn inward—together.</strong></b></p><p><br /></p>no00:20:471Grief and the Fear of Overwhelm (Episode 1)full