The Blog
Essays on Patterns, Leadership & Growth
Short, practical reflections on why painful patterns repeat, why change is hard, and how people can become more SkillfullyAware in life, relationships, and leadership.
The Pain That Woke Me Up
When Dr. Mark Pirtle ignored his own healing advice, a moment of self-awareness sparked deep insight into shadow work and the gap between knowing and doing.
How We Grow
The SA360 Diagnostic reveals your developmental stage, power leaks, brain hemisphere bias, and which aptitudes need strengthening.
See Yourself More Clearly
Help test the SA360 Diagnostic—a new 20-minute self-assessment that maps your development stage, brain hemisphere bias, power centers, core aptitudes, and shadow indicators.
From Patterns to Progress
Be part of the SA360 pilot and receive a personalized developmental assessment that maps your shadow patterns, power leaks, and growth potential.
Do You Know Where You Are Leaking Personal Power?
Your personal power depends on your perspective. The SkillfullyAware system integrates neuroscience and developmental theory to map lasting change.
Plug Your Power Leaks
Discover where you may be unconsciously leaking personal power—and how to restore it through seven Power Centers and six Core Aptitudes.
SkillfullyAware Is Evolving—So Am I
Announcing the soft launch of the updated website and the expanded SkillfullyAware system—from new retreats and coaching frameworks to the upcoming release of The Healing Mindset.
What AI Can't Touch
As AI transforms how we work and create, one truth remains: it can't do the human work for us. Personal growth, emotional intelligence, and spiritual maturity still matter most.
The Shadow That Drives Us
A successful CEO in her sixties continues to struggle with prioritizing her inner life over work. When is enough enough? When does doing give way to being?
Which Path Feels Right?
We all face big decisions—whether to stay the course or make a bold change. Shadow work opens up the inner space to sit with life's biggest questions.
Airplane Thoughts on Relationships and Agreements
Mark explores the crucial role of making and keeping agreements in personal and professional relationships, introducing the "Six Stages of Oversight" model.
Different Paths, Same Destination
A fable comparing the journeys of a monk, a golfer, and an entrepreneur highlights shared principles of mastery: motivation, intention, awareness, and focus.
Transform Your Life with the Change Your Story Retreat Series Update
Three common defense mechanisms—denial, rationalization, and projection—are explored, with red flags that indicate overreliance and how shadow work can transform them.
The Critical Role of Shadow Work in Leadership
Engaging in shadow work is crucial for business leaders—it helps them understand and manage their unconscious motivations, impacting decision-making and leadership style.
Aligning Intentions with Shadow Work for Personal Growth and Transformation
Explore how integrating shadow work with setting intentions can dramatically enhance personal growth and help overcome entrenched behaviors.
Harnessing Shadow Work for Intentional Living: Aligning Actions with Values
Explore the profound impact of shadow work on identifying and transforming underlying impulses for a more connected and ethical life.
Embracing Wholeness: The Transformative Power of Shadow Work
Embrace wholeness by acknowledging all parts of yourself, including the shadow. Use shadow work to discover, heal, and transform toward a more authentic life.
Navigating Life's Crossroads: The Role of Shadow Work in Making Authentic Choices
Uncover the power of shadow work and how it sheds light on your deepest desires and motivations to help you make decisions more aligned with your authentic self.
Illuminating Truth: How Shadow Work Enhances Clarity and Decision-Making
Integrating shadow work into our pursuit of truth offers profound insights and guides better decision-making across parenting, politics, and professional life.