What happens when the emotional distance of a beloved parent drives you to seek deeper meaning and connection in life? Join us as we welcome Tom Kelly, a business psychologist and organizational development expert, who shares his deeply personal story of growing up with an emotionally distant father, a decorated Irish cop and war hero, whose battle with depression left lasting impacts on Tom’s life. Through a candid exploration of his journey through Jungian psychoanalysis, Tom reveals how his father’s struggles ultimately led him to find solace and direction in personal development and therapy, guided by the contrasting warmth and spirituality of his mother. In this reflective narrative, we explore themes of alienation, identity, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth.
Our conversation takes a deeper look at the complexities of personal relationships and the inevitable disillusionment that comes with recognizing the fallibility of parental figures. Through engaging discussions on the transformative power of embracing one’s shadow self, inspired by Jungian philosophy, we uncover how confronting darker aspects can lead to authenticity and fulfillment in relationships. Tom’s anecdotes, including humorous encounters with therapists, bring a lighthearted touch to the profound insights into self-acceptance and personal growth. As we near the episode’s conclusion, we also tackle the universal struggle with fear, drawing inspiration from Laurie Anderson’s wisdom on maintaining tenderness amidst adversity. This episode is a compelling exploration of the strength and resilience found in confronting life’s obstacles head-on.
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Malcolm Stern has worked as a group and individual psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He was a co-founder of Alternatives at St James’s Church in London and runs groups internationally.
He is the author of Falling in Love / Staying in Love (Piatkus 2004) and Slay Your Dragons with Compassion ( Watkins 2020). He co-presented Channel 4’s relationship series, ‘Made for Each Other’ in 2003 and 2004 and sailed on the ‘Rainbow Warrior’ with Greenpeace in the 1980s. The book he is currently writing is an exploration of the shadow and its necessity in our evolutionary development.
Malcolm Stern in conversation with guests overcoming & thriving through adversity.
