IFS Parts Work for Entrepreneurs: When Strategy Isn’t the Issue [Inner Infrastructure for Founders]

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Part 2 in the Series of Inner Infrastructure for Founders

Is it a strategy problem or a mindset problem? This is the episode to help you find out...

In this episode, Caitlan explores how our parts (fear parts, belonging parts, worth parts, inner critics, hustlers, avoiders) can unknowingly take the CEO seat and start making decisions on our behalf. Not because you’re broken. Not because you’re “self-sabotaging.” But because unmet needs don’t disappear in adulthood… they just get more strategic.

You’ll learn how to tell when a part is running the show, how unmet needs shape business behaviors (like over-posting, undercharging, freezing, over-planning), and you’ll be guided through Caitlan’s signature exercise: Business Parts Mapping which is a practical, embodied way to untangle inner conflict and come back to Self-led leadership.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The clearest signs a part (not Self) is running your business decisions
• The difference between a true business problem (skills/strategy) vs a nervous system/parts problem (you “know” what to do but can’t do it)
• Common “flavors” of business parts: fear parts, validation parts, visibility parts, inner critics, hustlers, procrastinators, caretakers, and more
• How unmet needs show up as business behaviors (and why it makes total sense)
• Why “heal this part and money will flow” is not only unhelpful, but can collapse trust
• A step-by-step Business Parts Mapping process you can do today
• How to reassign parts into healthier roles (inner critic → discernment editor, hustler → short-burst activator, avoider → misalignment signal)

Chapters:

• 00:00 Who’s really running your business? Introducing business parts & unmet needs
• 01:10 Naming the heaviness of the moment + grounding into humanity
• 04:53 How to tell when a part (not Self) is making business decisions
• 10:52 Unmet needs and how they show up as overworking, freezing, people-pleasing, or avoiding
• 18:15 Business Parts Mapping: a step-by-step embodiment exercise
• 29:14 How to move forward Self-led + invitations to go deeper

Links & Resources:

• Join Return+ (For community, extra podcast episodes, teachings & much more)
• Next Level Decisions (free private podcast/ audio course)
• Book your Human Design sessions + integration support with Caitlan
• Money Parts episode with Rick Kahler
• Part 1 of Being Seen Series

Support the show

Produced by Caitlan Siegenthaler
Cover Art by Kiara Opara

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me. And if you really loved it, the best thank-you is a written review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify.

That is a beautiful energetic exchange for Caitlan creating the show.