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Freedom in Acceptance

Paul Dunion Author Interview

Within Family: In Search of Genuine Belonging, you examine the various factors that impact family dynamics and provide insight into how to end the toxic patterns that plague family relationships. Why was this an important book for you to write?

There are two reasons making the writing of this book important to me. The first was my understanding of the power of boundaries which control the flow of affection, inclusion, decision making, problem solving and communication as well as trauma resulting when physical, emotional, or sexual boundaries are violated. I wanted to better understand what family constellations created particular kinds of boundaries. Secondly, I came to believe that people can more easily interrupt toxic patterns and legacies when they can identify the root of these dynamics.

Can you share with us a little about the research process required to write this book?

Much of my research came from listening to hundreds of clients offer reports regarding their families of origin.

What is one thing you hope readers can take away from your book?

My hope is that readers can take away a deeper understanding of the family role they played and see it as just that, a role, and not the cornerstone of their identity. When that occurs, people have more choice to claim how the role might serve them and let go of material that offers no substantial service. An example would be a person who occupied the role of hero being able to more fully accept their limits and the freedom which comes from such acceptance.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

My current work is entitled “Living Intimately – Devotionally Serving the Generous Moment”. My hope is that it will be available during the summer of 2025.

Author Links: GoodReads

    In Dr. Paul Dunion’s Family: In Search of Genuine Belonging, readers are taken on a journey to explore the many different ways that love can be derailed within a family dynamic. From the surface-level facade of the Looking Good Family to the emotionally Enmeshed and Estranged Families, Dunion provides insightful guidance on how to identify and break free from toxic patterns that may be holding us back.

    Through examining childhood roles and family expectations, readers are encouraged to step out of limiting beliefs and find their own path towards a healthy, whole love story. Dunion explores the concept of Enmeshment, where the family unit becomes the primary focus at the expense of individual interests, and the Estranged Family, where independence is valued above all else.

    But the real power of Family lies in its ability to guide readers towards a more complete understanding of love, one that cherishes both the self and others. With practical advice on how to navigate emotional intimacy and address relational breakdowns, Dunion’s work is a profound invitation to find acceptance for where we come from while charting our own path towards individuation.

    Whether you come from a family that embraces or rejects individuality, Family: In Search of Genuine Belonging is an essential read for anyone looking to create a more authentic, fulfilling life. Dunion’s insights and guidance offer a roadmap towards a whole love story that values both deep connections with others and a strong sense of self.

    Family: In Search of Genuine Belonging

    Family: In Search of Genuine Belonging, by Paul Dunion, EdD, is a thought-provoking exploration into the myriad ways children relate to their families, offering a profound look at family dynamics. This book delves into the psychological and spiritual aspects of maturing into adulthood, focusing on the transformative journey and underscoring the importance of personal development in positively impacting society.

    Dr. Dunion begins the book with a set of intriguing questions related to security, belonging, and love. These are designed to be reflective touchpoints for readers as they delve deeper into the text, encouraging a thoughtful examination of how family relationships shape one’s interaction with the world. The text navigates various family structures and dynamics, such as “The Enmeshed Family” or “Too Much Family,” “An Estranged Family” or “Not Enough Family,” “The Looking Good Family,” and “The Shame-Based Family.” This exploration offers a comprehensive understanding of key family aspects like communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and boundary-setting. It also touches on the more nuanced themes of affection, learning, and authority within family units.

    Echoing the sentiments of Virginia Satir, Dr. Dunion posits the family as a microcosm of society. He argues that global change is rooted in the transformation of familial relationships and structures. By examining elements such as power dynamics, intimacy, autonomy, trust, and communication, the book extends its relevance beyond family to include societal interactions. For readers with an interest in psychology and spirituality, this non-fiction work stands out for its clarity and accessibility. Dr. Dunion’s rigorous research and structured approach, combined with thoughtful quotations and compelling metaphors, enrich the reading experience.

    Family: In Search of Genuine Belonging not only engages and enlightens but also offers pragmatic tools for personal development and healing. It is a recommended read for those grappling with family dynamics or seeking deeper insights into the intricacies of life.

    Pages: 228 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CW6H1JYW

    Buy Now From Amazon

    This is Not a Parenting Book

    This is Not a Parenting Book by Amy Huntsman offers a refreshing and inclusive perspective on child-rearing, blending established educational philosophies with contemporary research. The book’s structure, dividing key concepts alphabetically from ‘A to Z,’ makes it an accessible and practical guide.

    Huntsman’s writing style is engaging and insightful, striking a fine balance between professional advice and empathetic understanding. The book stands out for its emphasis on the Respectful Care® approach, which highlights the importance of nonjudgmental and inclusive practices in parenting and child care. Her use of real-world examples makes complex theories relatable, and the reflection exercises included with each concept encourage active engagement from the reader.

    The alphabetical arrangement of topics from ‘Acknowledgment’ to ‘Zone of Proximal Development’ serves as an educational tool and handy reference for parents and caregivers. This structure, along with the appendix’s inclusion of helpful scripts and catchphrases, ensures that the book is a practical resource for day-to-day parenting challenges.

    While the book covers a broad range of topics, some readers might seek a deeper exploration of certain complex issues. However, its breadth makes it a valuable starting point for anyone involved in child care.

    Amy Huntsman’s book is like a treasure chest of ideas for anyone involved in raising kids. It touches on a whole bunch of topics, which means it doesn’t always dive super deep into every single issue. But I feel that’s actually part of its charm. It’s kind of like having a friendly, knowledgeable guide that gives you a great overview and starting points, making it perfect for anyone stepping into the world of child care. I found the book to be very helpful and packed with insights and practical tips.

    This is Not a Parenting Book is recommended for parents, educators, and caregivers seeking a holistic and respectful approach to child-rearing. Its practical guidance, grounded in research and real-life examples, makes it a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand and implement inclusive and empathetic childcare practices.

    Pages: 189 | ASIN : B0CQ2SLFRP

    Buy Now From B&N.com

    The Best Form of Health Care

    Dagmar Ganser Author Interview

    Conversations With My Daughter: How to Have a Healthy Baby looks at the rise in infertility issues and illness in children, what the cause of this increase is, and how to make changes that will lead to a healthy baby. Why was this an essential book for you to write?

    As a Naturopath my focus is on health and wellness. Starting at the very beginning – that is, with a healthy baby – seemed the best place to begin. Prevention has always been the best form of health care and preventing illness in babies/children must be the foundation for a healthy future.

    How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?

    Indirect research covered the past 20 years in clinical practice from the first time I helped a woman conceive the child she had wanted for years to latest research and courses. Once I decided that this information needed to be shared and worked up the courage to start writing, it didn’t take long at all. Writing the initial draft of the complete book took about 8 weeks.

    What is your background and experience in writing, and how did it help you write this book?

    Writing was never a forte or love of mine. Attending university and college forced me to write essays which, one could see as the foundational training for writing a book. I wrote the book as if I were speaking to a patient in my clinic and hope that this is how it reads.

    What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Conversations With My Daughter: How to Have a Healthy Baby?

    Knowledge is power, and this equips every parent with the conviction that they CAN make a positive difference to the health of their child. In today’s society there seems to be a trend to just accept a diagnosis with very little questioning as to ‘why’ a problem exists. Explaining the human body, fertility and the pregnancy journey in light of modern-day living to the reader will hopefully empower them to take positive steps to achieve their desired outcome – having a healthy baby.

    Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | Amazon

    Are you planning on starting or adding to your family? Are you already pregnant and want to make sure you do everything you can to support the health of your baby? Or have you been trying to conceive but struggling?
    This book will provide answers to questions you didn’t even know to ask.


    Written by an accredited practitioner of Australian Traditional Medicine Society, Dagmar Ganser.
    At last a book that delves into why so many children are born unwell or go on to develop debilitating illnesses. An easy to understand insight into the myriad of contributors to illness. Learn how to stop the illness continuum right at the beginning – ensure your children are born healthy. A must read for both women and men.
    Dagmar instills years of her medical experience along with thorough scientific research which cultivates into a significant resource for all prospective parents. Be empowered rather than overwhelmed by understanding how your body works and what you pass on to your baby. Once you realize that you can make a difference and ensure your children, and your grandchildren, have the best chance at long healthy lives, you will ask the question, “Why aren’t we told these things?”
    In this book, you’ll learn how to:
    Optimize Newborn Health: Explore the correlation between parental well-being and child health, making informed lifestyle choices to promote the well-being of your newborn.
    Improve Your Fertility: Empower soon-to-be parents with the resources needed to enhance their chances of conception in a context of decreasing fertility rates.
    Focus on Environmental Impact: Special attention is given to the environmental factors that can affect health, emphasizing the potential transfer of toxins to future generations. This insight encourages you to consider the broader impact of your immediate surroundings.
    Evaluate Your Lifestyle: Contemporary lifestyles can directly and unknowingly impact health. The book explores the influence of factors such as diet and habits on overall well-being.

    “Based on extensive research and lived experiences, Ganser collects the most significant elements that’ll aid women, alongside their partners, in adopting an all-around healthy lifestyle that, by default, will blend into their own children, creating a purposeful, positive impact.
    Filled with details… each point the author exposes is backed up by evidence, adding weight to the warnings provided. In the book, readers are shown how to recognize the way in which our modern lifestyles directly and unsuspectedly impact our health. Because of this, particular attention is given to what we eat, breathe, and surround ourselves with. Every toxic particle in our immediate environment will have the potential of not only affecting us. Still, it can also be transferred to our future offspring, negatively affecting their physical and mental health. Even though at first all of the modern problems exposed will seem overwhelming, by the end, each chapter will have fully wrapped up possible and feasible solutions to deal with them. The only thing necessary will be cultivating a strong will to remain on the path toward a healthy lifestyle.
    This is a well-researched and deeply impactful book with key medical advice that will lead you and your children on a healthier path. Even though the book mainly focuses on women, current mothers, and mothers-to-be, anyone can find useful tips in it, given that the overall solution for nurturing healthy babies comes first by having a healthy life.”
    Karen Almeida, Assistant Editor
    Literary Titan

    Pick up your copy today for a deep dive explanation on all things that will set up your conception for having an incredibly healthy and happy baby!

    Conversations With My Daughter: How to Have a Healthy Baby 

    Conversations With My Daughter: How to Have a Healthy Baby is Dagmar Ganser’s solution for women worldwide to raise healthy babies. Based on extensive research and lived experiences, Ganser collects the most significant elements that’ll aid women, alongside their partners, in adopting an all-around healthy lifestyle that, by default, will blend into their own children, creating a purposeful, positive impact.

    Filled with details, the book is divided into chapters to guide women through the many steps that should be taken to guarantee a healthier life for their children. Each chapter covers a particular topic following the timeline of pregnancy: from conception until childbirth and even sometime after that. The book’s structure makes it perfect to follow through the whole child-bearing journey. The first step towards developing a healthier life with healthier children starts with being aware and attentive to the problems: your own actions could be the main ones needed to guarantee their health.

    Readers will find the main theme quite a compelling one. Each point the author exposes is backed up by evidence, adding weight to the warnings provided. In the book, readers are shown how to recognize the way in which our modern lifestyles directly and unsuspectedly impact our health. Because of this, particular attention is given to what we eat, breathe, and surround ourselves with. Every toxic particle in our immediate environment will have the potential of not only affecting us. Still, it can also be transferred to our future offspring, negatively affecting their physical and mental health. Even though at first all of the modern problems exposed will seem overwhelming, by the end, each chapter will have fully wrapped up possible and feasible solutions to deal with them. The only thing necessary will be cultivating a strong will to remain on the path toward a healthy lifestyle.

    Conversations With My Daughter: How to Have a Healthy Baby is a well-researched and deeply impactful book with key medical advice that will lead you and your children on a healthier path. Even though the book mainly focuses on women, current mothers, and mothers-to-be, anyone can find useful tips in it, given that the overall solution for nurturing healthy babies comes first by having a healthy life.

    Pages: 179 | ASIN : B0CJM7QX6D

    Buy Now From Amazon