Through the lens of narrative therapy we’re looking at people being defined, and their identities being authored, within larger systems and communities.
Travis Heath is an associate professor at University of Denver, specializing in narrative therapy. He earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, his MA from Pepperdine University, and his BA from Metropolitan State University-Denver. Travis is a former team consultant for the NBA and a psychologist in private practice.
I was first introduced to Travis through our mutual friend Andrés Alvarez, who sent me Travis’ Ted Talk, which starts with Travis recounting a patient telling him, “I will shoot them all.”
It’s a must-watch, and a great primer for our conversation.
In this discussion, Travis and I talk:
My book Zen and the Art of Coaching Basketball (available here).
What is Narrative Therapy?
“Be careful of the stories you tell about yourself and the stories you allow others to tell about you.”
How Travis’ work is centered in the dignity of the individual.
“Oftentimes we come to be defined by single stories.”
“You can’t change the past but you can story that event differently.”
Travis’ work in the NBA: “Everyone wanted to talk to Melo or AI. I was more interested in talking to Johan Petro.”
“People are endlessly fascinating.”
Mass shootings and gun sales.
“Your care is bound up in mine, and mine in yours.”
Is the NCAA a disordered system?
The good side of Twitter.
At the end of the episode we talk about Travis’ upcoming book which you can pre-order here.
Please take a minute to share this post and podcast with anyone who might be interested in Travis’ work.
This episode pairs nicely with my conversation with mindfulness coach Greg Graber.
61. Why do we think removing a sick person from a sick system fixes anything?