Harnessing Healthy Aggression with Jeanne Bunker, Session 4 of 5 (186)

by | Sep 20, 2022 | Current Events, In The News, & Pop Culture, Defense Systems, Episodes, Guest Interviews, Personal Growth, Therapy | 0 comments

Show Notes

Aggression can be a good thing. 

It seems backward, right?  Aggression is not a feeling – it is a behavior that is frequently associated with feelings such as anger, fear and even hunger.  It is a vital energy that propels us forward with an intention. Aggression can be both a positive or negative resource to help us navigate our personal goals, increase intimacy within our relationships, and to act as a catalyst for change when paired with desire.

Follow along as Jeanne Bunker and Sue Marriott break down the negative connotations and provide perspective to harness this resource and help reclaim healthy aggression.

We're going to figure out how to use that aggressive energy – that life giving energy – to propel us forward. – Jeanne Bunker

Aggression is a potentially healthy life force   

Jeanne Bunker – internationally-respected group therapist and bad-ass martial artist

Jeanne Bunker , LCSW, CGP, FAGPA, has had a psychotherapy practice in Austin, TX, working with groups, individuals, and couples since 1993.  Passionate about teaching and mentoring, Jeanne is a faculty member at the Center for Group Studies in NYC, a frequent presenter for the American Group Psychotherapy Association, has taught internationally (Russia, Romania, Spain), and conducts various ongoing training groups for clinicians. She writes about gender, women’s concerns, oppression, and Modern Analysis. To support her own growth and balance, Jeanne studies and teaches Tai Chi and Kung Fu within the Shaolin-Do tradition.

Time Stamps for Healthy Aggression – Ep 186

2:47 – The definition of aggression

8:41 – Distinguishing between aggression and anger and other emotions

15:21 – Connection between aggression and desire

25:30 – The role of aggression in intimacy

30:25 – Creative and constructive versus destructive expression of aggression

37:51 – Example scenario: practicing healthy aggression

50:26 – How “call out culture” can be a defense

Resources for Healthy Aggression, Ep 186

Jeanne Bunker's Website

The Center for Group Studies – NYC

American Group Psychotherapy Assn – excellent resource for training in group therapy

JLBunker@prodigy.net – Contact email – she'd love to hear from you

Podcast on the science behind aggression – Huberman Labs

CLICK HERE FOR DISARMING HUMAN DEFENSES WITH JEANNE BUNKER TRANSCRIPT – Episode 186  – Lightly edited for readability

Other related Therapist Uncensored Episodes – or use the search button on our website to find your topics of interest

Episode 156:  What actually heals in therapy with Dr. Nancy McWilliams 

Episode 168:  Calling in the Call Out Culture with Loretta Ross

 

We have pledged 50% of all corporate profits & merch salesto organizations that support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare.  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons. Please join us today!

By joining as a Patron premium subscriber, you get a dedicated ad-free feed, deeper dives into select content and very unique study opportunities.

Sponsors who help make these episodes free and available to all – support them to support us!

FOR OUR LISTENERS AG1 is offering $30 off if you order by the end of September with our link.

We all know that gut health impacts mood and brain function, but what the heck do you do to support gut health?  We've got you covered by partnering with our sponsor, Athletic Greens product, AG1.  AG1 is Ann and Sue's once-a-day drink that delivers all the basics of important vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. As a TU Listener, Athletic Greens is gives you a free 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D and 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Plus, supporting our sponsors supports the show which supports mental health access, so go to www.athleticgreens.com/therapistuncensored or click HERE

Like what you are hearing? Check out new videos of our full episodes and other bonus clips from the show on our Youtube Channel.Drop us a note there as well, we love hearing from you.

Thanks for stopping by, we hope the podcast (and these show notes) offer quality education and insight about interpersonal relating.  To spread the word about secure relating it helps to rate and review the podcast on our favorite podcast player or simply sharing this episode with someone you think could use the free therapy!  

Recent Episodes

Bonus – The 5 Phases of Divorce: From Heartbreak to Healing with Oona Metz (297)

Bonus – The 5 Phases of Divorce: From Heartbreak to Healing with Oona Metz (297)

Therapist and author Oona Metz draws on three decades of experience supporting women through divorce. She breaks down the emotional arc of separation through her five-phase model, offering a clear lens into the grief, upheaval, and eventual growth that can unfold. The episode also explores common misconceptions, practical guidance for clinicians and individuals, and the powerful role of support groups in the healing process. Listen now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU297

read more
Inner Stability in an Unstable World: Margaret Cullen on Equanimity (296)

Inner Stability in an Unstable World: Margaret Cullen on Equanimity (296)

Explore the role of equanimity, mindfulness, and compassion in navigating an increasingly complex world. Special guest
Margaret Cullen alongside co-host Sue Marriott discuss the evolution of mindfulness in modern culture, the foundations of compassion-based practices, and how these approaches can support resilience and emotional balance. Grounded in both clinical insight and lived practice, this conversation offers a thoughtful, accessible perspective on cultivating steadiness and clarity in the midst of ongoing challenges. Listen to the full episode now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU296

read more
Where Personal Healing Meets Collective Change with Prentis Hemphill (295)

Where Personal Healing Meets Collective Change with Prentis Hemphill (295)

Prentis Hemphill, alongside co-host Sue Marriott, traces their path from social organizing to somatic therapy, revealing how personal healing and collective transformation are deeply intertwined. Together, they explore how inherited myths, power dynamics, and collective trauma shape both our inner worlds and our social systems. This episode invites therapists and change makers alike to consider healing as more than an individual process—it’s relational, embodied, and political in impact.
Prentice offers grounded reflections and practical tools for working with the body, navigating power, and engaging in healing that extends beyond the self. Listen to the full episode now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU295

read more
Bonus – Hormones, Libido, and the Missing Conversation About Women’s Bodies with Dr. Christine Vaccaro (294)

Bonus – Hormones, Libido, and the Missing Conversation About Women’s Bodies with Dr. Christine Vaccaro (294)

Dr. Christine Vaccaro helps demystify women’s sexual health – exploring everything from hormones and anatomy to libido and pelvic floor challenges. Together, we break down what’s often misunderstood or overlooked, offering clear, empowering insights to help women better understand their bodies and advocate for their care. Listen now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU294

read more
How Music Heals What Words Can’t with Ann Koplow (293)

How Music Heals What Words Can’t with Ann Koplow (293)

Ann Koplow shares her journey as a therapist and musician, discussing the healing power of music, her experiences with a rare heart condition, and the importance of authenticity in therapy. She emphasizes the role of shamelessness in creative expression and how songwriting serves as a therapeutic tool for both herself and her clients. The conversation explores the impact of music on mental health, the creation of community through shared experiences, and the necessity of letting go of
shame to embrace one’s true self. Listen now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU293

read more

What else do you want to learn today?

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This