In this first installment of our Ego Development Series, we explore the earliest stage of human meaning-making: the impulsive, egocentric world of Stage One. This is the part of us that wants what it wants right now—the toddler inside who hasn’t yet learned perspective, patience, or planning… but who carries our instinct, vitality, imagination, and raw life force.
We trace how this stage forms in childhood, how it continues to show up in adulthood (yes, including road rage and grocery line chaos), and why every one of us still returns to this level under stress. We also talk about the gifts of Stage One—intuition, courage, embodied power, and imaginal creativity—and its shadows of impulsivity, narcissism, and reactivity.
You’ll hear stories, real-life examples, and two guided practices: a grounding exercise to embody healthy power, and an imaginal practice to re-parent your younger self with compassion and steadiness. We close with reflection questions to help you recognize where Stage One appears in your life and relationships—and how to work with it lovingly rather than judging it.
- For a deeper dive, read this episode's page on our website: https://rememberingyou.life/episode-8
- Or, learn about ego development by watching movie clips! https://rememberingyou.life/ego-development-via-movies-other-media
- Standalone versions of the 2 guided practices in this episode are available on our Patreon: https://link.rememberingyou.life/pbdCkj
CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome
00:39 – Series Begins
01:37 – Why Ego Development Matters
02:30 – History of Ego Development
06:34 – Five Perspectives Overview
13:30 – What Is Stage One?
14:41 – Childhood Expressions
17:03 – Adult Expressions
20:49 – Early Needs: Safety & Boundaries
21:20 – Grocery Line Example
24:20 – Stress & Impulse
26:04 – Healthy Stage One
30:05 – Unhealthy Stage One
35:00 – We All Have Stage One
36:04 – Healing Stage One
41:06 – Grounding Practice
46:04 – Inner Toddler Practice
49:30 – Supporting Stage One
52:07 – Self-Reflection Questions
55:27 – Driving Story
58:08 – Summary & Stage Two Preview
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Join the Remembering You community on Patreon and learn about our offerings and upcoming events! https://link.rememberingyou.life/pbdCkj
Podcast music licensed for non-commercial use by mobygratis.com
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