277 - Ki Smith - Why Curiosity is the Best Catalyst for Change

Jan 22

“I can't be with people in places that I have not been myself.” - Ki Smith

There's no denying that our systems and selves are at a crossroads. So, my fellow therapists, will we accept the universe's invitation to evolve, or will the profession regress beyond the point of no return? The former option requires us to co-create communities steeped in personal accountability and collective compassion. Proponents of the latter don't think we have the will to dismantle the ideologies that have boxed us in. They're counting on us to become even more isolated and apathetic than we already are.

Ki Smith believes in the potential of the collective to transform and transcend our current fractured moment. They're a psychotherapist, coach, mediator, and facilitator of power-conscious nonviolent communication and an affiliated teacher with the Right Use Of Power Institute. The two of us explore what it means to foster personal and professional relationships in which collective care is valued, communal wisdom is centered, and power to the people is reinforced. Hell yeah, that's hard work! But, if anyone can help us unhook ourselves from supremacy culture and build beloved community, it's Ki.

"We have to actually sit with ourselves to heal and, when we can, there are ripples all around us, all of the people that we are in relationship with," marvels Ki, who is a fierce advocate for getting curious about our shadow selves to better accompany clients as they explore their own. "Self-energy draws out self-energy. Healing ourselves supports others in doing their own healing." Ki urges therapists to "be with" rather than trying to "fix," allowing room for the complexities (and discomfort) of human nature, thought, and experience to arise. They remind us that "being with is not doing nothing; it absolutely is not!"

As for relationships beyond the therapy suite, Ki hopes that folks (especially white folks) realize how close they are to the reality of beloved community. No need to start from scratch! "There are so many pockets of community that are just really beautiful and rich and kind of developmental," they explain. Here, again, curiosity comes into play. Ki invites us to open ourselves to what is literally all around us at all times.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Right Use Of Power Institute

Tara Brach, PhD

Naropa University

James Madison University

The Enneagram Institute

Human Design Institute

Robert Kegan, PhD

ACT - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

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African Education Festival 2025 in Rwanda - Anne’s session is Trauma Informed Teaching- Supporting the Wellbeing of Students and Teachers

RECOMMENDED EPISODES

Robin Winn - Human Design: Who You Really Are

Reframing and Repairing Our Relationship to Power With Amanda Aguilera, The Right Use of Power Institute

Lama Rod Owens - Heartbreak and Liberation on the Tantric Path

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Ki Smith (she/they) is an Internal Family Systems (IFS)-trained contemplative psychotherapist, coach, mediator, and facilitator of Power-Conscious Nonviolent Communication, and an affiliated teacher with the Right Use of Power Institute. Ki works with individuals, dyads, and groups to support restoration, healing, and transformation. She is passionate about co-creating beloved community where collective care is valued, collective wisdom is centered, and collective power is strengthened.

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