Joined by special guest, Julie Menanno, our hosts sit down to discuss self-awareness, emotional regulation, and developing a secure relationship with oneself. She emphasizes that attachment wounds manifest through self-abandonment, which leads to unhealthy relational patterns. Healing involves learning to sit with and process difficult emotions rather than seeking external reassurance, shifting from self-protection to self-support. In relationships, individuals must take turns being caregivers for one another, creating an attachment-friendly environment

Explore the tension between personal experience and factual correctness in relationships, particularly in boundary-setting and decision-making. The hosts discuss how relying too heavily on logic and research to "win" arguments can create gridlock and emotional disconnection, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, empathy, and slowing down difficult conversations. They demonstrate how shifting from a debate-style approach to one focused on safety and understanding can lead to more productive and fulfilling discussions between

Rituals create trust, connection, and predictability between partners. Whether it is daily acts, like greeting each other after work or having a bedtime routine, or larger, less frequent traditions, like weekly date nights, annual celebrations, or even rituals for personal space. Without these conversations, there an be an unspoken expectations around rituals that can create frustration and misinterpretation in relationships. In the episode, we talk about topics such as: Defining Rituals

Learn how miscommunication and emotional defenses—such as criticism, defensiveness, or withdrawal—reinforce each other in a self-perpetuating loop. By identifying these cycles and understanding the emotions driving them, couples can shift from blame to curiosity, fostering better connection and repair. In the episode, we touch on relationship topics such as: The Root of Negative Cycles Common Protective Moves Emotional Drivers of Conflict Recognizing & Breaking the Cycle Repairing the Cycle Give Me

Dive into boundaries, emphasizing their importance in maintaining personal energy, trust, and healthy relationships. The hosts delve into the pitfalls of rigid or non-existent boundaries, offering strategies to navigate requests thoughtfully while prioritizing individual values and needs. By sharing real-life examples, they highlight how to say "yes," "no," or propose counter-offers based on personal capacity and relational dynamics. In the episode, we touch on topics such as: Binary Boundaries: Resentment vs.

How to help, how to love, and how to communicate with the pursuers in a relationship. We hate absolutes, but are pretty confident in saying that every relationship has a pursuer and a withdrawer, so if there are two podcasts you listen to of ours, let this be them! In this episode, we discuss: The protective moves that withdrawers gravitate towards How withdrawers handle conflict How we can love our withdrawer

How to help, how to love, and how to communicate with the withdrawer in a relationship. We hate absolutes, but are pretty confident in saying that every relationship has a pursuer and a withdrawer, so if there are two podcasts you listen to of ours, let this be them! In this episode, we discuss: The protective moves that withdrawers gravitate towards How withdrawers handle conflict How we can love our withdrawer

What does it means to be relational over being right. We've heard it said before that you can be right or you can be in a relationship. Which is so hard when you like being right as much as we all do! We also dig through how we get so focused on the content of the conversation but how the process is really what is important. In the episode, we touch

Explore the relationship between emotional needs and actionable requests in the context of individuation. They discuss how recognizing individual differences and pairing emotional needs with specific requests can enhance communication and connection in relationships. The episode highlights practical strategies for navigating common relational challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding and negotiating needs. In the episode, we touch on topics such as: Understanding Individuation Emotional Needs vs. Actionable Requests Raw Spots and