How do you navigate shame? What does inner criticism have to do with shame? In our society, it’s easy to slip into what we think we know as shame and often, the most common first response is to figure out a way to relieve it or treat it. Instead, what happens if you explore the unshaming way? Who will you find? Today we continue our mini series speaking with mental health professionals such as therapists, somatic educators, social workers, and other professional caregivers. Our special guest today is David Bedrick, counselor, attorney, and a teacher of shame-based studies for therapists, coaches, and healers. In this episode of the Moonbeaming Podcast, host Sarah Faith Gottesdiener and guest David Bedrick peel back the layers of shame and uncover what shame is here to tell us. You’ll learn: the definitions and functions of shame the process of the unshaming way how to work with your inner criticism how inner power gets suppressed why you must respond with self-compassion If you’ve been stuck in a shame spiral and want to learn the first steps to unshaming yourself, this episode is for you. Please note: This episode contains examples of abuse. About David Bedrick: David Bedrick, JD, Dipl. PW, is a teacher, counselor, and attorney. He grew up in 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. Thousands of students have studied with David in addition to his 30 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and groups. David writes for Psychology Today and is the author of three books: Talking Back to Dr. Phil: Alternatives to Mainstream Psychology and Revisioning Activism: Bringing Depth, Dialogue, and Diversity to Individual and Social Change. His new book is You Can’t Judge a Body by Its Cover: 17 Women’s Stories of Hunger, Body Shame and Redemption. His upcoming book, The Unshaming Way, will be published by North Atlantic books in 2024.