I’m Not Your Shrink

In this week's mini session, Dr. Tracy is joined by Dr. Morgan Anderson to discuss the challenges of relationship repair through the lens of attachment styles. They explore how individuals with anxious attachment struggle with distance, often engaging in anxious pursuit and abandoning their own needs to regain a sense of safety. These individuals must learn to self-soothe, such as by taking a walk or doing a task, and become comfortable with discomfort. Whereas those with avoidant attachment deactivate their feelings and needs, pushing away closeness and often wanting to sweep conflicts under the rug. For the avoidantly attached individuals, the focus should be on self-soothing while learning to turn toward their partner, asking for reassurance, and setting clear boundaries. Both attachment styles face unique challenges in repairing relationships, but understanding and addressing these patterns can lead to healthier and more resilient connections.

Listen to full episode here:

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In this week's solo episode, Dr. Tracy tackles a topic that affects many of us but is also something that is very near and dear to her heart, and that is perfectionism. She explains how perfectionism is more than a desire to do well, often becoming a relentless pursuit of flawlessness that can harm our mental health and relationships. Dr. Tracy explores the internal and external roots of perfectionism and introduces the concept of urge surfing, a technique used to manage the impulse to be perfect. She shares five practical tips for managing perfectionism that have helped her: raising awareness, stepping into discomfort, practicing self-compassion, challenging negative self-talk, and embracing acceptance. Through her personal experiences and professional expertise, she aims to provide support to listeners in navigating their struggles with perfectionism to foster a healthier, more balanced life. 

Links:  

Download Dr. Tracy’s free guide to overcoming imposter syndrome at www.drtracyd.com/imposter 

If you are looking to find clarity in your business and want to sign up for the Empower Her retreat you can visit www.drtracyd.com/retreat 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

ZocDoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist today.

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Leave Dr. Tracy a voicemail here! 

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Are you dealing with a narcissist or someone with chronically defensive tendencies? In this session, Dr. Tracy and Dr. Jaime Zuckerman explore the key differences between a chronically defensive person (non-narcissist) and a full-blown narcissist. The session delves into the behavioral contrasts, highlighting that defensive partners lack malicious intent, whereas narcissists are often intentionally harmful. To wrap up, Dr. Tracy and Dr. Jaime offer insights on managing relationships with both non-narcissistic and narcissistic partners. 

Listen to full episode here:

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Did you know that 69% of divorces are initiated by women? In today’s episode, we’re going to gain insights on why this is the reality. Join Dr. Tracy and guest Kate Anthony, author and host of the Divorce Survival Guide podcast, as she shares her expertise on the pivotal decision many women grapple with: "Should I stay or should I go?" Having personally navigated an emotionally abusive marriage, Kate understands better than anybody the importance of creating a safe, supportive environment for children caught in the crossfire, the power toxicity holds, and why divorce doesn't ultimately "screw up" our children. She discusses the disproportionate emotional and domestic labor women often shoulder in heterosexual relationships and why women are left exhausted by the time they reach their breaking point. Kate also encourages women to reconnect with themselves in order to make empowered decisions moving forward in their lives. Tune in for a conversation filled with essential perspectives on nurturing healthier relationships and personal well-being. 

Be sure to follow Kate on Instagram, visit her website and listen to her podcast here! 

Leave Dr. Tracy a voicemail here! 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

ZocDoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist today.

Loop - Visit loopearplugs.com and use my code LOOPXDRTRACY for 10% your order.

Cozy Earth - Use code SHRINK for 35% off at cozyearth.com

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions! 

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!    

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!   

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop      

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, Dr. Tracy and Matthew Frey discuss a crucial issue that affects many relationships: defensiveness. They explore how defensiveness not only creates barriers but also diminishes and invalidates your partner's feelings. Matthew shares a personal revelation from his own life, noting how his failure to validate his wife's experiences contributed significantly to the deterioration of their marriage. He highlights that understanding doesn't require agreement but rather a mindful consideration of another's perspective. 

Listen to full episode here:

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In this incredibly important episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Dr. Frank Anderson, a renowned trauma expert and author to discuss the profound impact of trauma on personal development and well-being, as well as insights from his latest book, "To Be Loved: A Memoir of Truth, Trauma and Transformation," exploring the journey towards healing and forgiveness. The two kick things off by highlighting the importance of therapists sharing their vulnerabilities and human-ness to bridge the gap between them and their clients. Frank delves into how trauma is really just absorbed energy from our experiences with others and why that energy doesn't actually "belong" to us. They also touch on the power of forgiveness in healing trauma, emphasizing that it allows us to let go of negative emotions and see the humanity in others, including ourselves. This episode is a deep dive into understanding trauma’s role in shaping our lives and how embracing our true selves through healing can lead to profound transformations.  

Be sure to follow Dr. Frank on Instagram and grab a copy of his book here!  

Leave Dr. Tracy a voicemail here! 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

ZocDoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist today.

Loop - Visit loopearplugs.com and use my code LOOPXDRTRACY for 10% your order.

Cozy Earth - Use code SHRINK for 35% off at cozyearth.com

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions! 

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!    

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!   

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop      

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy and her favourite co-host/hubby, Greg, are back and here to tackle one of the most common issues couples face in relationships: why bringing up one problem with a partner often leads to a flood of additional grievances. They discuss why this might happen, identify defense mechanisms and avoidance strategies, and emphasize the importance of understanding and communication in relationships. They introduce the metaphor of a "bridge" between partners and the importance of integrating regular relationship "check-ins" as crucial for maintaining connection and preventing relationship explosions. They also address some listener questions, offering insights into managing different parenting styles and in-law tensions and stressing the importance of empathy, patience, and individual growth in a relationship. Tune in solo or listen with your partner for the wisdom you didn't even know you needed! 

Be sure to listen back to their “relationship check ins” episode here! 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

ZocDoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist today.

Loop - Visit loopearplugs.com and use my code LOOPXDRTRACY for 10% your order.

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions! 

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!    

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!   

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop      

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply relatable episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with Julie Chavez, an elementary school librarian from Northern California and the author of the USA Today bestselling memoir "Everybody but Myself." Julie opens up about her journey from prioritizing everyone else's needs to understanding the crucial importance of self-care, a lesson learned through her own struggles with anxiety and depression. Together, Julie and Dr. Tracy dive into the transformative power of therapy, the discipline and "work" required to maintain our mental health, and how changing her own patterns impacted her marriage and family dynamics. Tune in, and discover why your joy is worth your time. 

Be sure to follow Julie on Instagram and visit her website here! 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

ZocDoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist today.

Factor - Head to factormeals.com/inys50 and use code inys50 to get 50% off. 

Loop - Visit loopearplugs.com and use my code LOOPXDRTRACY for 10% your order.

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions! 

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!    

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!   

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop      

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming to you from Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Tracy reunites in person with her dear friend Dr. Tanya Cotler, a clinical psychologist specializing in maternal mental health and child-parent attachment. Dr. Tracy kicks off the episode by sharing a recent personal experience of a body memory—a sudden, unexplained emotional outburst she later linked to her childhood. This episode dives deep into the concept of body memories—emotions stored physically that our brains may not recall cognitively—and the importance of addressing intergenerational trauma. They discuss how modern parenting is shifting towards acknowledging and processing these traumas to prevent passing them on to the next generation. The conversation also explores the nervous system's role in safety and emotional responses, mindfulness practices, attachment theory, the influence of social media on our understanding of attachment styles, and so much more. You don’t want to miss this one! 

Be sure to follow Dr. Tanya on Instagram and visit her website 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

ZocDoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist today.

Factor - Head to factormeals.com/inys50 and use code inys50 to get 50% off. 

Loop - Visit loopearplugs.com and use my code LOOPXDRTRACY for 10% your order.

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions! 

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!    

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!   

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop      

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is love really all you need when it comes to relationships? In this insightful conversation, Dr. Tracy and Matthew Hussey, renowned love and relationship expert, explore the very real challenges of finding the right person in today’s society. Before diving into the advice and strategies, the two share a candid connection about the ironic struggle they face as "experts" in their field, when really, they are just humans navigating the same love-life struggles as everyone else. Matthew then shares the details of his new book and breaks down the four critical levels of a relationship that we should value: admiration, mutual attraction, commitment, and compatibility, discussing how each plays a vital role in the journey towards a lasting connection. They also touch on the unrealistic way love is portrayed in the media, the negative role familiarity can play when it comes to our relationships and why so many of us repeat the same patterns when it comes to love. This episode aims to guide listeners through the complex maze of love, offering practical advice on how to find and nurture a fulfilling partnership. 

Be sure to follow Matthew on Instagram and pre-order his book here!  

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

ZocDoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist today.

Factor - Head to factormeals.com/inys50 and use code inys50 to get 50% off. 

Loop - Visit loopearplugs.com and use my code LOOPXDRTRACY for 10% your order.

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions! 

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!    

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!   

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop      

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected   

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever considered the subtle ways grief touches our daily lives? In today's episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with grief therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis to unpack the nuanced experiences of grief and loss beyond what we often associate with obvious tragedies, like the death of a loved one. They discuss how grief can sneak into our everyday lives, often unrecognized, and explore the importance of tuning into our bodies and managing our nervous system's response to grief. Meghan, drawing on both her professional expertise and personal experiences of loss, offers insights into the physical and emotional impacts of grief, strategies for coping with the body's fight or flight response, and the significance of processing grief to avoid long-term trauma. Hopefully, this episode offers a deeper understanding of grief's complex nature and provides listeners with the tools necessary to navigate their own experiences of loss. 

Be sure to follow Meghan on Instagram, listen to her podcast and visit her website!  

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

 Factor – Head to factormeals.com/INYS50 and use code INYS50 to get 50% off  

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions!

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy and her favourite co-host and hubby, Greg, dive deep into the heart of what it means to parent as a team, especially when faced with the unique challenges of raising a highly sensitive child (HSC). Through their personal stories and recent parenting experiences, they offer a candid look at the complexities and joys of navigating life with an HSC. They discuss the critical role of teamwork in understanding and supporting their child's intense emotions, while also reflecting on their own unique sensitivities and approaches to parenting. This conversation sheds light on the strategies that have been helpful for them, highlighting the importance of empathy, depersonalization, patience, and maintaining a united front. Dr. Tracy and Greg aim to not only share wisdom for parenting HSCs but also a message of hope and solidarity for other families facing these beautifully complex parenting journeys. 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

 Factor – Head to factormeals.com/INYS50 and use code INYS50 to get 50% off  

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions!

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to get uncomfortable. This week, Dr. Tracy sits down with Heather Chauvin, a renowned leadership coach, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and author of "Dying to be a Good Mother." Together, they tackle the universal challenge of embracing discomfort and leaning into fear. Heather brings a wealth of experience from her own life, sharing how her battle with stage 4 cancer and the trials of motherhood propelled her towards a life of authenticity and courage. She emphasizes the significance of energetic time management, acknowledging fear in the body, and making conscious choices towards self-care and personal fulfillment. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of facing discomfort head-on, offering listeners actionable insights for living more aligned and purposeful lives. 

You can follow Heather on Instagram, visit her website and listen to her podcast!  

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

 Factor – Head to factormeals.com/INYS50 and use code INYS50 to get 50% off  

Links:

Ready to deepen your connection? Download my 100 Questions!

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Save now! Grab my REPAIR workshop     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected     

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that 1 in 4 couples sleeps in separate beds? In honour of Sleep Awareness Week, we're revisiting the intriguing concept of "sleep divorce," a choice often misunderstood and stigmatized in society. Dr. Renee Reina, a Ph.D. in psychology and host of "The Mom Room," joins Dr. Tracy to debunk myths surrounding this phenomenon. Together, they explore how prioritizing sleep by choosing to sleep apart can actually nurture and strengthen relationships, contrary to the belief that it signifies a lack of love or intimacy. This discussion sheds light on the importance of addressing sleep needs openly and making mindful decisions to enhance both personal well-being and partnership dynamics. 

Links: 

• Listen to Renee's progression of their relationship and sleep, tune into Episode 44 
• Tune into our episode together on Mom Room about resentment and relationships  

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

 Factor – Head to factormeals.com/INYS50 and use code INYS50 to get 50% off  

Feeling like roommates? Join my 10-day challenge now!  

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected     

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel you put others before yourself in order to keep the peace? In this week’s episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with Anna Aslanian to dive into the complex world of codependency, self-sacrifice, and interdependence in relationships. Anna, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a rich background in psychological care, sheds light on the roots of codependent behaviour, often tracing back to early relationships and trauma. Together, they explore the nuances of trauma and debunk the negative connotations of codependency, advocating instead for an understanding of dependency as a means of seeking safety and connection. Anna offers practical advice for embracing authenticity and self-compassion, crucial steps towards cultivating healthier, more balanced relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to find the delicate balance between caring for others and nurturing oneself. 

You can find Anna and her practice on Instagram and at www.mytherapycorner.com 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

 Factor – Head to factormeals.com/INYS50 and use code INYS50 to get 50% off  

Feeling like roommates? Join my 10-day challenge now!  

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected     

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zibby Owens is the creative force behind the award-winning podcast "Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books," an accomplished author and CEO of Zibby Media. In this episode, she joins Dr. Tracy to explore her latest fiction work, "Blank: A Novel," reflecting on her multifaceted journey from writing her first article at 14, through her divorce, and into the literary world, emphasizing the therapeutic power of storytelling. Zibby shares insights into overcoming internal barriers and the importance of embracing the reality of life’s brevity to fearlessly pursue your passions. She also touches on the complexities of work-life balance, doing your best as a mother, the inspiration behind the name of her podcast, and the unique challenges of writing fiction. This episode is packed with wisdom and an inspiring message that it’s never too late to go for it. 

You can find Zibby on Instagram, listen to her podcast and check out her new book here! 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

 Factor – Head to factormeals.com/INYS50 and use code INYS50 to get 50% off  

Feeling like roommates? Join my 10-day challenge now!  

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected     

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Elise Loehnen is sitting down with Dr. Tracy and sharing her journey from a behind-the-scenes ghostwriter to a New York Times bestselling author, tackling the unrealistic expectations placed on women to always be the "good girl." Through her own personal story and insights from her book "On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good," Elise invites us to question why women are hard on themselves and each other. She explores the nuances of envy and jealousy, urging us to view these feelings as signals to our desires rather than sources of shame, and touches on the inherent fear women have about expressing anger. By encouraging women to embrace their ambitions and emotions authentically, Elise offers a pathway to a more fulfilling and self-aware life, challenging societal norms that restrict women's expressions and desires. 

You can find Elise on Instagram and grab a copy of her book here! 

Feeling like roommates? Join my 10-day challenge now!  

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected     

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy, her favourite co-host, and husband Greg dive into the power of "relationship check-ins," sharing their personal experience as partners, parents, and business co-owners. They unpack the value and long-term benefits of these intentional discussions, with Greg shedding light on breaking down the barriers and debunking the stigma from a man’s perspective. Together, they guide us through setting up effective check-ins that don't include personalization and blame and how to focus on constructive feedback and celebrating successes. By weaving in their personal stories, they illustrate how consistent, open conversations can bridge gaps, enhance understanding, and solidify the connection between partners, making the relationship stronger and more fulfilling for both parties. 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Zocdoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

Feeling like roommates? Join my 10-day challenge now!  

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Dr. Jamie Zuckerman, a renowned expert on narcissistic abuse, to explore the complexities of navigating relationships with narcissists. Dr. Zuckerman discusses the subtle yet damaging ways narcissistic relationships can erode one's sense of self and the challenges of recognizing and escaping these toxic dynamics. She highlights the common warning signs that you might be dealing with a narcissist, the textbook behaviour to be aware of, and the long-term impact of having a narcissistic parent, partner, family member, or even friend. Lastly, Dr. Zuckerman offers her wisdom on recovering from narcissistic abuse, emphasizing the need for setting boundaries, understanding the difference between narcissists and those who suffer from chronic defensiveness, and the process of healing and reclaiming one's life. 

You can follow Dr. Jamie on Instagram, check out her practice here and find her books here! 

 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Zocdoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

Feeling Disconnected? Grade my *Free* 100 Questions to Deepen Your Connection

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Mary Van Geffen is an international parenting coach specializing in "spicy" children. This week, she is sitting down with Dr. Tracy and bringing her coaching and teaching skills directly to us! Mary shares her transformation from an overwhelmed mother to an empowering guide, discussing her journey of self-discovery and healing while raising a "spicy" one herself after coming from a long line of "spicy" children. She touches on the importance of understanding and connection over discipline and the necessity of self-care for parents. She then dispels common misconceptions about "spicy" children, highlighting where they shine as individuals. Lastly, Mary provides practical advice for parents on maintaining a united front as they navigate the complexities of parenting "spicy" ones. Whether you are a parent to a "spicy" child yourself or not, hopefully this episode serves as a reminder to give yourself some grace throughout your parenting journey.  

You can follow Mary on Instagram, check out her website and find her courses, CALM: Self regulation 101, and Moms of Spicy Ones.

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Zocdoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

Feeling like roommates? Join my 10-day challenge now!  

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Shelly Robinson, a certified family wellness coach and conscious parenting educator. Together, they explore the intricacies of parenting, relationships, and self-connection. Shelly dives into the concept of re-parenting, addressing the feelings of anger that show up for many parents, the importance of attunement, and practical ways to foster meaningful connections with oneself, children, and partner. The conversation dives into Shelly's insights on inherited toxic behaviours, the significance of self-compassion, and the key to building deep connections within a family. Join them for a thoughtful discussion on breaking generational cycles and creating homes filled with compassion, calm, and joy. 

You can follow Shelly on her Instagram, website and find her Connected Kid Toolkit here! 

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Zocdoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

Feeling like roommates? Join my 10-day challenge now!  

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!   

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here!  

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass      

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected     

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this vulnerable episode, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Nina Caviggiola, an influential online creator, a mom in her mid-thirties, and the powerhouse host behind the "Mama Knows” podcast. Nina shares her journey, from postpartum anxiety to an ADHD diagnosis, and the ways motherhood has shaped the woman she is today for the better. Together, Dr. Tracy and Nina discuss the impact of online comparisons and the power of the “mute” feature on Instagram. Nina opens up about the struggles she’s currently facing in her marriage, and Dr. Tracy provides insightful guidance on how best to navigate these dynamics, especially when you work with your spouse, like they both do! Tune in for an authentic and empowering conversation on self-discovery and the ongoing journey of navigating motherhood and marriage. As a reminder, we don't get to go through life without struggling, and embracing our struggles is a powerful step towards resilience and personal growth. 

You can find Nina on her Instagram, website and listen to her podcast here!  

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Zocdoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

Feeling like roommates? Join my 10-day challenge now! 

Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!  

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready to leave people pleasing behind this year? This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Maria Victoria Albina, a seasoned somatic life coach and family nurse practitioner. Together, they unravel the intricacies of our nervous system's impact on daily life, exploring topics like codependency, perfectionism, and self-sacrifice. Using the polyvagal theory, they dive into the connection between our nervous system and how we experience the world. The conversation touches on self-abandonment, the origins of shame, and the empowering journey of reclaiming personal agency. Sharing tools to practice self-compassion and mindfulness, the two provide valuable insights for a transformative new year. Tune in as they navigate the path to break free from old patterns and create a life centered on compassion and self-empowerment!  

You can follow Maria Victoria Albina on Instagram and visit her website.  

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

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Want your questions answered on the show? Submit them here!  

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

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New year, new season! Dr. Tracy is kicking off Season 5 with fellow clinical psychologist, colleague, and friend, Dr. Meagan Gallagher, to dive into the complexities that come with the new year. They address the societal pressures, especially the overused and abused "new year, new you" mantra, that often lead to comparison and anxiety. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, rest, and acknowledging one's "enoughness." Dr. Tracy and Dr. Meagan challenge the damaging fitness and diet culture associated with resolutions and advocate for setting intentions aligned with personal needs. They also touch on insights about supporting partners in their goals and so much more. Join them for a refreshing perspective on approaching the new year with authenticity and self-compassion! 

You can follow Dr. Meagan on Instagram and find her at Integratedottawa.ca 

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Zocdoc - Go to Zocdoc.com/INYS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For today’s episode, Dr. Tracy is resharing one of her favourite and most beloved conversations from this year with fellow psychologist Dr. Shefali to discuss what it means to build a healthy parent-child relationship. 

Dr. Shefali is an acclaimed author, international speaker, and clinical psychologist.  

If you haven't already, be sure to check out season 3 episode 4 where Dr. Shefali and Dr. Tracy discuss the parent-child relationship. 

EPISODE LINKS 

Order Dr. Shefali's book The Parenting Map 

Free Online Summit the Parenting Mastery 

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Honeylove - Save up to 50% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/INYS 

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her final solo episode of the year, Dr. Tracy reflects on this incredible year of podcasting before diving into something she's personally struggled with and found the power of confronting: self-abandonment. Drawing from both personal experience and listener questions, she explores the signs, reasons, and consequences of self-abandonment in our relationships. The episode offers practical insights into setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and building a supportive community. Dr. Tracy candidly shares the challenges she's faced this year with the creation and release of her new book, "I Didn't Sign Up for This," the ways it brought her self-abandoning tendencies to the light, the relationships she had to walk away from, the loneliness she felt, but the beautiful growth that came from finally choosing herself. Hopefully, this episode serves as a guide for staying true to yourself and living a full and authentic life! 

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Honeylove - Save up to 50% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/INYS 

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the heart of the holiday season, Dr. Tracy and her husband Greg embark on the first official "Dear Dr. Tracy" episode, tackling a fitting and timely listener question about navigating family dynamics. With a primary focus on mother-in-law relationships, they delve into topics like addressing defensive reactions, handling guilt trips, and initiating difficult conversations. Throughout the conversation, this dynamic duo highlights the importance of setting boundaries, practicing effective communication, and initiating generational change within one's own family. With a blend of personal experiences and professional advice, this episode sets the stage for honest and insightful discussions on family dynamics during the holiday season and beyond. 

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Honeylove - Save up to 50% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/INYS 

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we embrace the holiday spirit, it's essential to recognize the challenges it brings and the importance of setting boundaries. In today’s episode, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Terri Cole, a licensed psychotherapist and renowned relationship expert, to unravel the intricacies of setting and maintaining boundaries. Terri, the author of "Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free," shares her personal journey from being a "boundary disaster" to a boundary advocate. The conversation delves into the confusion surrounding boundaries, the concept of high-functioning codependency, and the challenges of setting boundaries with family. The two also discuss navigating guilt, standing firm in decisions, and the empowering choice to stop people pleasing and prioritize what you really want over obligations during the holiday season. Lastly, Dr. Terri leaves listeners with valuable insights on handling boundary challenges with family members and why it's perfectly okay to set them during the holidays and beyond. 

Today’s topics include: 

• Terri’s definition of what boundaries are 
• Why women often fear setting boundaries or saying "no" 
• The importance of making your preferences and limits known 
• Codependency and auto-accommodation 
• Setting boundaries with family and the guilt associated  
• What to do when your loved ones aren’t respecting your “no”  

You can find Terri on her Instagram, website, and podcast. 

Check out a special gift just for you from Terri when you visit https://boundaryboss.me/codependency/ 

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Honeylove - Save up to 50% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/INYS 

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Robyn Silverman, also known as The Conversation Doc! Dr. Robyn, a child and teen development specialist and host of the "How to Talk to Kids About Anything" podcast, just released a new book with the same title and is here to share all of her wisdom. Reflecting on her personal experiences, Dr. Robyn emphasizes the crucial role parents play in initiating important conversations with their children, covering topics like bullying and self-esteem. The discussion explores challenges in addressing body image, the identity feedback loop, and practical advice for fostering self-esteem. Dr. Robyn provides valuable guidance on creating a safe space for children, recognizing self-esteem struggles, and dealing with external influences. This episode is a powerful resource for parents, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and openness in the parent-child relationship at any age. 

Today’s topics include: 

• The importance of having uncomfortable conversations with your children 
• What it means to have a fear response as a parent 
• Parenting out loud and how you can practice it with your own kids 
• Breaking the identity feedback loop   
• Identifying self-esteem struggles and building tools to get back on track 
• How to approach negative external influences 
• Giving yourself grace as a parent 

You can find Robyn on Instagram, on her podcast and website!  

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Honeylove - Save up to 50% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/INYS 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we approach the many gatherings that the holiday season brings, the need for teamwork and connection in our relationships is as relevant as ever. This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Christa Hardin, host of the Enneagram and Marriage podcast, author, and founder of Reflections Counselling Centre, to explore the Enneagram assessment as a tool for building stronger connections in our partnerships. She shares her own personal experience with the Enneagram, the positive impact it’s had on her marriage, and the several benefits of this assessment when it comes to couples seeking to strengthen their relationships and better themselves. Christa takes us through the nine enneagram types, the concept of wings, the three conflict triads, and emphasizes the significance of self-care in maintaining healthy relationships. She also provides guidance on approaching relationships with compassion, focusing on individual self-improvement, and embracing each other's strengths and imperfections. It’s such an eye-opening discussion that goes beyond partnerships and into gaining a better understanding of ourselves to help us navigate and live more meaningful and connected lives. 

Today’s topics include: 

• The benefits of the Enneagram vs. other assessments 
• What to do if your partner isn’t interested in taking the Enneagram test 
• A high-level overview of the nine Enneagram personality types 
• How do Enneagram wings work? 
• The 3 instincts of marriage 
• Conflict triads and what they mean 
• The importance of self-grounding and self-care in the midst of relationship struggles 
• Why you should revisit your love story 
• Leading with intention but leaving a necessary margin 

You can find Christa on Instagram, listen to her podcast and find her book on her website!  

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Honeylove - Save up to 50% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/INYS 



You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*Trigger Warning: Childhood Sexual Trauma 

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with the inspiring and resilient Jessalynn Biederstadt, the host of the Invisible Scars podcast and owner of the Doted Boutique. As a victim and survivor of the Willow River, child sexual assault pornography case in 1999, Jessalynn has shown immense strength in her healing journey and is opening up and sharing the very real ups and downs of that process with us today. From the incredible work she’s doing with her podcast and the platform she’s giving to other victims of trauma to the messy and inconvenient aspects of the healing process and a very realistic look into what it’s like to “do the work” as a mother and partner, we’re so grateful to have her on to share with us today, and we hope this episode is a reminder that there is no right way or time to heal; you're already doing better than you think you are. 

Today’s topics include: 

• The consequences of internalizing trauma 
• Why there will never be a “right” time to begin healing 
• Navigating postpartum while recovering from trauma 
• The power of sitting and reflecting on your growth 
• Overcoming personal trauma and doing the work while in a partnership 
• Losing people during the healing process 

You can find Jessalynn on Instagram and listen to Invisible Scars here!  

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Honeylove - Save up to 50% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/INYS 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Jennifer Chaiken and Emmalee Bierly, licensed marriage and family therapists, co-owners of the therapy practice “The Therapy Group,” and co-hosts of the “Shrink Chicks” podcast. The two kick off the episode by taking us back to their grad school days and the reasons why their ultimate goal as therapists, podcast hosts, and public figures is to make therapy more relatable, digestible, and accessible for all. They then open up about the reality of starting a podcast about therapy as a practicing therapist and the ways it’s impacted their relationships with their clients. For the main event, the conversation dives into the roots of personalization and why some of us are quick to take the blame for other people's feelings or behaviour. From childhood experiences and parental dynamics to how personalization can manifest in our various adult relationships, the trio provides valuable insight and guidance on how to navigate, find empathy, set boundaries, and respond instead of reacting in triggering situations with the people closest to us. Ultimately, this episode emphasizes the power of personal agency and how to honor your authentic self in adult relationships, just in time for the holidays. 

Today’s topics include: 

• Breaking down the traditionally clinical walls of therapy  
• Deepening the client/therapist relationship  
• What personalization is and how it shows up for people  
• Chaotic upbringings and the various ways personalization can develop  
• The importance of reflecting inward and acknowledging some of the survival mechanisms you’ve brought into adulthood  
• Having a highly sensitive child and approaching that as a parent  
• Finding empathy and understanding generational behaviour 
• What it means to be hard on the inside and soft on the outside 
• Preventative care and how to step into responding instead of reacting 
• The power of personal agency  

You can find more from Jennifer and Emmalee on their Instagram, website and podcast!  

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

Honeylove - Save up to 50% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/INYS 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is celebrating 100 episodes of the podcast! Kicking off the show with a moment of gratitude, she reflects on the show’s incredible journey towards nearly one million downloads and expresses her appreciation for the supportive community we’ve created together. 

The episode then dives into the essential topic of emotion regulation with the guest of honour, Dr. Cindy Hovington, a mom of three with a doctorate in neuroscience, podcast host, founder of Curious Neuron, and the Wondergrade app. Together, they explore the shift from impulsive reactions to deliberate responses in parenting, highlighting the formative role of past experiences in shaping our emotional reactions as parents and individuals. The conversation touches on the importance of giving children the space to express their anger in a safe way and the invaluable practice of modelling emotional awareness as parents. Additionally, the episode underscores the significance of identifying emotional regulation zones and addresses the sensitive issue of physical abuse in parenting. Dr. Cindy's profound insights offer invaluable guidance to parents navigating the intricate landscape of emotions, both at home and beyond. 

Today’s topics include: 

• Responding vs. reacting when parenting 
• Managing dysregulation of the nervous system and Dr. Cindy’s 3-zone self-assessment 
• Why revisiting your own upbringing and history with emotional regulation will benefit your children 
• How to best approach anger when it comes to our children and creating a safe space for them 
• The importance of practicing self-awareness in moments of tension and difficulty 
• Why physical abuse is never an acceptable or productive response 

You can find Dr. Cindy and learn more about the Curious Neuron on their Instagram, website and podcast! Also be sure to check out the Wondergrade App.  

A special thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this show possible!

OneSkin - Get 15% off with the code "INYS" at oneskin.co

Lume - As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code "INYS" at lumedeoderant.com

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Stephanie Kramer, a leader in the beauty industry who serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at L'Oreal USA, a professor at FIT, a mother of two, and the author of "Carry Strong”. Stephanie’s book aims to empower women in navigating the intricate balance of pregnancy, parenthood, and work. Drawing from her personal experiences, Stephanie shares her inspiration for writing “Carry Strong”, shedding light on the often-overlooked silent struggles and unique challenges faced by working women before, during, and after pregnancy. The conversation then explores the complexities of work-life balance, the pressure to do it all and how to take a more “flexible” approach to adapt to the ever-changing demands of motherhood. Plus, the two also swap notes on topics like mom guilt, the fear of missing out (FOMO), and the very real struggle of trying to maintain a sense of identity in this particular phase of life. In the words of Stephanie herself, you can do it all, not at the same time, and not alone.  

Today’s topics include: 

• The silent suffering working women endure in the early phase of pregnancy 
• Work-life balance in motherhood and how to approach it more fluidly 
• Moving through mom guilt and shame as a working parent 
• How to go from FOMO (fear of missing out) to COMO (certainty of missing out) 
• The freeing nature of prioritization and making conscious decisions based on your values 
• Struggling with identity and how to come back to yourself 

You can learn more about The Carry Strong Project on Instagram and check out the book and website here!  

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Zoe Shaw, a licensed psychotherapist, motivational speaker, life coach, and podcast host. Her extensive experience spans over two decades, during which she's been dedicated to helping women navigate challenging relationships and discover their inner strength. Dr. Shaw opens up the conversation by candidly sharing her own complex journey with shame, tracing it back to her teenage years, when she grappled with a secret pregnancy at the age of 15. She explores the various ways shame can manifest itself, emphasizing the profound difference between guilt and shame and how these emotions manifest in individuals, leading to externalizing or internalizing behaviours. Lastly, the two address the impact of shame on relationships and offer valuable insights into healing and self-acceptance. 

Today’s Topics include: 

• Shame spirals and how to identify if you’re experiencing them 
• Understanding the difference between guilt and shame 
• Characteristics of shame externalizers and shame internalizers 
• How to get to a place of healing in your relationship if you suffer from complex shame 
• The benefits that deep individual self-work can have on our relationships 
• Recognizing the energy exchange within a relationship and practicing interdependence instead of co-dependency 
• Why vulnerability is key to the healing journey if you suffer from complex shame 

You can find Dr. Shaw on Instagram on her website, and listen to her podcast! 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a licensed clinical psychologist, professor, speaker, and author of two bestselling books “Loving Bravely” and “Taking Sexy Back”. Her work on relational self-awareness has reached millions of people around the world, and today, Dr. Solomon and Dr. Tracy are diving into the real experiences of therapists, the common misconceptions of couples therapy, and how to develop a strong relationship with your therapist. Together, they explore the elements that went into Dr. Tracy’s new book, “I Didn’t Sign Up For This,” and the importance of the patient-client relationship. They also discuss the shifting narrative and stigma of therapy and the many misconceptions and fears of couples therapy in particular.  

Today’s Topics include: 

• Shifting narrative in therapy 
• Importance of the patient-client relationship and the need for giving feedback to therapists 
• Acceptance as a requirement in love and relationships 
• How our ambitions have an impact on relationship challenges 
• Decreasing stigma around therapy and the common misconceptions about couples therapy 
• Seeing couples therapy as a sign of strength and vulnerability 
• Normalizing life changes and addressing relationship problems openly 
• When to consider solo therapy versus couples therapy 

You can find Dr. Alexandra on Instagram, on her website, and listen to her podcast! 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy sits down with Alyssa Blask Campbell, parent, teacher, emotional development expert, and CEO of Seed and Sew, and together, they delve into the realm of children's emotional intelligence. Alyssa shares her journey into this field, driven by the need for personalized approaches to regulating children's emotions when she recognized that all of the resources out there were often crafted as a “one size fits all” approach. She shares her work creating the Collaborative Emotional Processing (CEP) method, emphasizing sensory mismatches, the impact of parental shame, and the importance of allowing children to experience various emotions safely. Together, they highlight the significance of equipping children with emotional processing tools and supporting them through challenging experiences that will help them not only when they are young but as they grow into adulthood. Lastly, they discuss the significance of setting boundaries and understanding consequences in the context of a child's growth and the development of their emotional intelligence skills.  

Today’s topics include: 

• The need for personalized approaches to regulate children's emotions 
• Introduction of the Collaborative Emotional Processing (CEP) method 
• Emphasis on sensory mismatches and understanding children's unique needs 
• The impact of parental shame 
• The Importance of allowing children to safely experience a range of emotions 
• Equipping children with tools for emotional processing 
• Supporting children during challenging experiences 

You can find Alyssa Blask Cambell on Instagram, on her website, and listen to her podcast! 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Tanya Cotler, a renowned clinical psychologist and co-founder of Renni, to discuss attachment science and its profound influence on our parenting and relationships. Dr. Cotler sheds light on how our earliest years, particularly the first three, significantly shape our relationship blueprints. Together, they explore the intriguing link between attachment and feelings of shame, stressing the spectrum of attachment strategies, from anxious to avoidant. Dr. Cotler also dispels common parenting misconceptions, advocates for compassionate and intuitive parenting, and underscores the value of recognizing ruptures and repairs in nurturing a child's autonomy. Furthermore, the discussion extends beyond parenting to how these principles can enrich various relationships, emphasizing negotiation and acknowledging our own needs while fostering connections with others. 

Today’s topics include: 

• The importance of the first three years of life in forming our blueprint for relationships. 
• The connection between attachment and the experience of shame in challenging moments 
• How the attachment system is related to our survival instincts and emotional responses 
• Coping strategies developed in childhood and their impact on adult behavior 
• Understanding anxious and avoidant attachment styles and their impact on relationships 
• Exploring intuitive and compassionate parenting and dispelling common myths. 
• How children communicate through their behavior and body language 
• The concept of ruptures and repairs in parent-child relationships 
• The essence of gentle, compassionate parenting and allowing children to learn autonomy 
• Understanding that it's impossible to meet every need at every moment and the importance of negotiation 

You can find Dr. Tanya on Instagram, on her website, and learn more her work at Renni on their website! 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy sits down with her husband Greg to discuss what it means to fight fair. Whether it’s in your relationship or with a friend, they are breaking down the 8 practices that will help you navigate those frustrating disagreements that we find ourselves in when we feel overwhelmed. Together, they discuss the common build ups that can happen when one person isn’t clearly communicating their feelings and the importance of acknowledging each others frustrations. They expand on each of the 8 practices including sticking to one issue at a time, giving the most generous interpretation, avoid bringing up the past, and more.  

Lastly, they dive into your personal questions surrounding what it means to fight fair and offer valuable advice to help you shift your mindset and navigate those challenging moments. 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with her editor at PESI Publishing for a behind-the-scenes look into the making of her new book, "I Didn't Sign Up for This." In this intimate conversation, Dr. Tracy shares the origin story of her book and her observation of the common experiences we all often face in relationships yet we don’t talk about openly. Recognizing that people often learn best from stories rather than just tips and tricks, she wanted to create something that was accessible at home and incorporated realistic, everyday stories such as the fights with our partners, the stressors of cohabitation, co-parenting, blending families, and even retirement. Dr. Tracy also opens up about her decision to incorporate her own experiences into the book, drawing from her own marriage. She explains what led her to choose the title "I Didn't Sign Up for This" and how she maintained client confidentiality while sharing their powerful stories within the book. 

Today’s topics include: 

• The power of storytelling and the need to address everyday relationship challenges that often go unspoken 
• The common stressors and complexities of various life scenarios, including cohabitation, co-parenting, blending families, and retirement 
• The concepts of dependence vs. interdependence in relationships, with a focus on self-reflection and healthy dynamics 
• Dr. Tracy’s decision to include her own experiences from her marriage and explains why she chose the book's title 
• How she maintained client confidentiality while including their impactful stories in the book 

You can now order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Dr. Tracy returns for episode 4 of her mini-series, and she's joined by the remarkable couple, Ryan and Britt, hosts of The Laughing Couple Podcast. Together, they shed light on balancing both the romantic and professional aspects of their relationship with their bustling home lives and their thriving business. They share how they’ve learned to navigate the often unspoken challenges that arise and emphasize the importance of open and honest communication in relationships. Together, they dive into the key pillars that they've really leaned on to maintain a connection with each other, including focusing on experiential intimacy and creating a bucket list of shared activities that they both look forward to completing with each other. Ryan and Britt also share some heartfelt advice for those struggling in their relationships, emphasizing the importance of generosity and empathy in partnerships. They share the exercises and tools they've used to overcome relationship roadblocks, especially when it comes to navigating the mental load both at home and in business. 

Today’s topics include: 

• Balancing romance and business as partners 
• Challenges of sharing relationship struggles openly with friends and family 
• The importance of having trusted sounding boards outside the relationship 
• The importance of open communication and how starting their podcast saved their marriage 
• The importance of setting aside quality time for each other and encouraging generosity and empathy in relationships 
• The role of experiential intimacy in maintaining a strong bond 
• Exercises and tools for overcoming relationship roadblocks 
• How they navigate the mental load at home and in business 

Be sure to follow Ryan and Britt on Instagram @thelaughingcouple and listen to their podcast!  

Join us LIVE in Toronto on September 12th for my book launch event where I will be joined by Renee Reina to teach you the key to building a healthy interdependent relationship. Tickets here! 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy sits down for episode 3 of her mini-series to speak with Audra and Chelsi, hosts of the "Dear Chiefs" podcast, to discuss the complexities of relationships and marriage with a first responder. As two wives of fire fighters, Audra and Chelsi know all too well the challenges that come with being the default parent while their partner is away at work for days and weeks at a time. 

In this episode, Audra and Chelsi discuss the often-misunderstood sacrifices of stay-at-home parents, emphasizing that these individuals take on immense responsibilities both at home and within their relationships. They shed light on the concept of being the "default parent", the emotional toll it can take, and the importance of planning, setting expectations, and finding a balance that prioritizes both partners and children. Lastly, they share realistic strategies on how to integrate their partner back into family life after their work block is complete and the importance of prioritizing your own well-being and independence. 

Today’s topics include: 

• Balancing the role of being a stay-at-home parent and the sacrifices involved 
• Unveiling the reality of living with a split person due to first responder schedules 
• Managing missed family moments and embracing the role of the default parent 
• Strategies for prioritizing both partner and children while maintaining personal balance 
• The importance of having backup plans and self-care routines 
• Navigating reintegration and supporting partners after work blocks 
• Setting realistic standards and reframing expectations in parenting and partnership 
• Addressing resentment and embracing personal agency within the relationship 
• Shifting from dependency to self-sufficiency and self-fulfillment 

Be sure to follow Audra and Chelsi on Instagram @dearchiefspodcast and listen to their podcast! 

Join us LIVE in Toronto on September 12th for my book launch event where I will be joined by Renee Reina to teach you the key to building a healthy interdependent relationship. Tickets here! 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy sits down for episode 2 of her mini-series highlighting the hard, less talked-about moments in relationships that we often don’t see on social media. This week, she’s joined by the hilarious and honest duo, Cat and Nat, to bring a fresh perspective on the realness of building and balancing strong friendships as adults and how rewarding it can be when you put yourself out there. Together, they delve into the nitty-gritty of maintaining the balance between personal needs and nurturing friendships—a struggle especially familiar to parents. They also highlight their experiences of being both friends and business partners and the importance of recognizing what each person brings to the partnership and the ebbs and flows of their relationship. Whether you're navigating the complex landscape of adult relationships or just looking to make new connections, this episode offers valuable insights into fostering meaningful bonds that truly last. 

Today’s topics include: 

• Navigating personal needs and emotions while exploring friendships 
• The role of friendships in the lives of parents – an essential component often overshadowed by other commitments 
• Cultivating strong friendships, acknowledging that genuine connections take time to develop 
• The challenges faced by mothers striving to build adult friendships and sharing their vulnerabilities 
• The pivotal role parents play in teaching their children about the essence of friendship 
• Recognizing the reality that not every person will form a connection with you, and getting comfortable with it 
• Understand the value of recognizing individual strengths within a friendship and remaining flexible 
• Building resilience by embracing rejection and understanding that it's often not a reflection of personal worth 
•  

Be sure to follow Cat and Nat on Instagram @catandnat and listen to their podcast Cat and Nat Unfiltered. Be sure to also check our their business the Common Parent for resources for parenting teens and tweens. 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is episode 1 of Dr. Tracy's exciting new mini-series, where she sits down with real couples to unravel their untold stories beneath the surface of their relationships. In this episode, Dr.Tracy sits down with Shaun and Rini Frey, parents to a 2.5-year-old daughter with another baby on the way. They share how their relationship felt more than solid for so many years and how the arrival of their daughter brought on new challenges in their relationship that they didn’t anticipate. From passive-aggressiveness to scorekeeping and doubts, they share the struggles they faced and the steps they took as a couple to strengthen their relationship again. 

Topics of today’s episode include: 

• The unexpected challenges faced by new parents and the impact on relationships 
• The importance of leaning on resources like couples therapy to help you navigate the difficult periods of your relationship 
• How childhood experiences can shape your approach to resolving conflicts 
• Exploring the differences in expectations placed on partners versus children 
• The significance of discussing important topics before becoming parents 
• Prioritizing connection through shared activities, date nights, and quality time 
• Embrace challenges, prioritize one another, understand each other's love languages, and maintain open communication 

Be sure to follow Rini and Shaun on Instagram @ownitbabe and @ownitdad! 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is joined by Deja Riley, a renowned dancer, Lululemon global ambassador, podcast host, and trainer. Deja has had an extraordinary career, having danced alongside global icons including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears. She is now a trainer in the fitness space and serves on the Lululemon ambassador advisory board. Together, they discuss establishing personal boundaries and finding the connection between the mind, body, and soul. Deja shares her own experiences, from her artistic upbringing to her transformative shift from her dancing career to the fitness industry, and shares her path to self-acceptance and self-care. She also sheds light on the unpublicized moments that shape us. 

Topics of today’s episode include:  

• Navigating unsolicited advice on parenting and setting personal boundaries 
• Deja's upbringing in the arts, its influence on her open and fluid nature, and adapting to change 
• Recognizing the significance of internal work alongside external achievements 
• The pressures of societal expectations on appearance and self-worth 
• The unity of mind, body, and spirit in wellness 

You can find Deja on Instagram @dejariley and be sure to listen to her podcast Dose of Duality. 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy explores the complex emotions of anger and shame and how they shape our relationships and upbringing. She discusses the responses she received when asking how her audience learned about anger growing up, how anger was handled at home, and what anger meant. Additionally, she discusses the powerful impact of shame, especially on highly sensitive children, and the struggles it poses in embracing and understanding our emotions. Dr. Tracy, offers insights on how to navigate these emotions in our relationships and provides valuable tips on expressing anger constructively and how to let go of those shame-based parenting patterns. 

Today’s discussion includes: 

• The fear of anger and the impact of childhood experiences on our relationship with this emotion 
• Common beliefs about anger that lead to emotional suppression 
• Tips on expressing anger constructively and fostering open communication with partners 
• The detrimental effects of shame and its link to depression and social anxiety 
• Breaking free from shame-based parenting patterns to create a nurturing emotional environment for children 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy sits down with Eli Weinstein, a therapist specializing in relationships and parenting with a private practice in New York and Nevada. He is the host of The Dude Therapist Podcast, where he aims to modernize mental health discussions and offer relatable views. Together, they discuss communication patterns in relationships, renegotiating the expectations we hold in our relationships, and some of the things we should consider early on in a partnership. Eli discusses parenting and the idea that often arises that each parent has to parent the same, and when it’s important to recognize that each person in a partnership brings something unique to the table when it comes to parenting. Lastly, they discuss parenting challenges and boundaries, along with understanding the core needs in relationships and how addressing these core needs can positively impact relationship dynamics. 

Today’s discussion includes: 

• Communication patterns and renegotiating relationship expectations 
• Exploring partnership dynamics and the significance of vulnerability in difficult moments 
• Navigating social media as a therapist and managing personal/professional boundaries 
• Embracing differences in parenting, using the "import/export list" to assess family values 
• Recognizing the importance of evolving together in marriage and embracing individual growth 
• Understanding core needs in relationships, such as connection and respect 
• Eli's personal challenges as a parent, including managing expectations and communication 

Episode Links:  

You can find Eli on Instagram @eliweinstein_lcsw and on his website eliweinsteinlcsw.com. Be sure to also listen to his podcast The Dude Therapist Podcast! 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is joined by Dayna Abraham, a bestselling author and parenting expert. She is the founder of Lemon Lime Adventures, and her unique, out-of-the box perspective and workshops have been used by 200k+ parents, teachers, therapists, and pediatricians to get control of their child’s most difficult behaviors. Together, they will discuss Dayna’s Calm the Chaos Framework and roadmap, consisting of five key steps that everyone experiences at their own pace. Dayna provides practical insights on diffusing challenging situations, emphasizing the impact of fatigue on our patience.  

EPISODE LINKS:  

You can learn more about Danya on her website and pre-order her book Calm the Chaos: a Fail-Proof Road Map for Parenting Even the Most Challenging Kids. You can also find her on Instagram and TikTok. 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is joined by Dr. Vanessa LaPointe, a clinical psychologist, author, international speaker, and mother, and together they discuss the effects of social media on children in this digital age and the importance of guiding conversations around it within the household. She shares the importance of fostering genuine connections, the stages of brain development in children, and the crucial role parents play in co-creating a healthy digital experience. Dr. LaPointe also shares valuable insights on maintaining discipline with a balance of firmness, compassion, and kindness and highlights effective tools and resources, such as the Dove Confidence Kit, to empower parents in guiding their children through the complexities of social media. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• The desire for social connection and the surface-level engagement provided by social media 
• Concerns about the mental health of youth and the role of social media in isolation 
• Co-creating a positive online experience for children by teaching and modeling wise consumption 
• The Dove Confidence Kit as a tool for meaningful conversations about social media and resources for parents on self-image and self-esteem discussions 
• Balancing firmness, compassion, and kindness in disciplining children without shame or blame 
• Prioritizing family connections and moments of quality engagement over screen time 

Episode Links: 

• You can find Dr. Vanessa LaPointe on Instagram and be sure to learn more about her work on her website! 
• Learn more about the Dove Confidence Kit HERE! 
• Stand up for #KidsOnlineSafety HERE. 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Tracy is joined by Dr. Taylor Arnold, a kids nutrition expert, nutritionist, PhD, pediatric dietician, and mom of three. Dr. Arnold specializes in helping parents shape healthy relationships with food, and she offers valuable insights on how to raise the next generation of eaters who love and nourish their bodies. Together, they discuss generational patterns related to food, high-pressure eating environments, and the importance of allowing children to learn about how different foods affect them, enabling them to connect feelings in their bodies with the foods they eat. We also address the challenges posed by well-meaning grandparents who may overstep boundaries and inject diet culture into conversations at mealtime. Lastly, Dr. Arnold discusses setting boundaries at mealtime and exploring alternative ways to minimize waste beyond forcing children to eat everything on their plates. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• Generational patterns: the clean plate club and high-pressure eating environment 
• Managing children's relationship with sweets and food in general 
• Helping children connect feelings in their bodies with the foods they eat 
• Dealing with well-meaning grandparents and their influence on kids' eating habits 
• Setting boundaries at mealtime 
• Avoiding food waste and finding alternative ways to minimize waste 
• Food neutrality and creating a healthy and respectful mealtime environment. 

You can find Dr. Arnold on YouTube where she offers 3 free courses along with Instagram, and her website Growing Intuitive Eaters! 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with Mr. Chazz, a parent coach, consultant, and conscious discipline practitioner who is dedicated to helping adults truly understand and connect with children. Together, they discuss several topics including the challenges men face in expressing emotions and ways to create an environment that promotes emotional openness. They also delve into breaking free from generational patterns, embracing conscious and gentle parenting techniques, and effectively differentiating between attention-seeking and connection-seeking behaviours. Mr. Chazz shares the importance of redefining discipline and consequences, empowering parents to respond in new ways during conflicts, and promoting effective communication to understand and meet children's needs. 

In this episode we discuss:  

• Breaking free from generational programming and embracing conscious, gentle parenting 
• Understanding the distinction between attention-seeking and connection-seeking behaviours 
• Rethinking discipline and consequences: natural consequences, logical consequences, and punishments 
• Empowering parents to respond differently in moments of conflict 
• Teaching effective communication and understanding children's needs 

You can find Mr. Chazz on Instagram, TikTok and be sure to check out his podcast Mr.Chazz’s Parenting and Teaching Podcast 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Tracy sits down to discuss bids for connection in a relationship and what these bids can look like. She provides valuable insights on how to effectively respond to these bids and offers tips specifically for individuals who tend to be people pleasers. Dr. Tracy also unveils details of her new book, "I Didn’t Sign Up for This", which is now available for pre-order and will launch on September 12th. She shares a glimpse into the lives of four real-life couples that she will be discussing in her book, all of whom she has personally worked with as their couples therapist. 

In this episode, we discuss:  

• Defining bids for connection in relationships  
• Understanding what bids for connection can look like 
• Types of people pleasing and how to respond in relationships  
• People pleasing as a subconscious form of safety and connection 
• Acknowledging the presence of a bid without sacrificing everything 
• Tuning in and practicing active engagement in bids for connection 

You can pre-order my new book “I Didn’t Sign Up for This” here 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Mira Simone, a grief coach, published writer, mother, and widow. Mira shares her experience of losing her partner Brian to an aggressive form of cancer in 2019 and her story of navigating this grief in the years that followed. Mira discusses how she found her passion for writing, which led her to launch her grief support platform, New Moon Mira, in 2022. Together, we discuss how writing and sharing her story publicly became a crucial outlet for her to process her thoughts and grief, guiding her on her healing journey. We also discuss the additional challenges of being a solo parent, starting a business, and navigating friendships and relationships following her partner’s passing.  

In this episode, we discuss:   

• Writing publicly about her grief became a vital outlet for Mira to process her thoughts and guide her healing journey.  
• The feelings and challenges you experience in the first 2 years of grieving   
• How to receive and give comfort to someone who is grieving 
• Navigating solo parenting, starting a business, and raising a young daughter as a widow  
• The difficulties and challenges of navigating dating as a widow and a parent 

Mira Simone Instagram 

New Moon Mira Website 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again    

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with renowned Potty Training Consultant, Allison Jandu. As the owner and founder of Potty Training Consultant, Allison has worked with over 6,000 families, offering potty training advice and support for parents. Together, we explore the pressures and challenges of potty training, how to navigate setbacks, and the importance of taking a personalized approach that suits your family's needs. From identifying readiness signs in your child to incorporating rewards and measuring small wins, we cover a range of practical strategies to make the potty training journey smoother and more successful.  

In this episode, we discuss:   

• How to know when your child is ready and when to start the potty training process  
• The pressures of potty training and how to navigate setbacks  
• The importance of allowing you and your family time to readjust along the way  
• Using rewards in the potty training process  
• The importance of acknowledging the successes of your potty-training progress 
• Recognizing that potty training involves everyone in your family   
• Allison’s top tips to parents entering the potty training process 

Episode Links: 

Allison Jandu Instagram 

Potty Training Consultant Website 

Potty Training Consultant Free Resources  

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again    

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with my husband Greg to discuss our experience completing my 100 Questions to Spark a Deeper Connection Guide. We'll also discuss the poll results from a series of relationship questions I shared on my Instagram, and share our perspectives on enhancing communication and connection with your partner. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• Our experience completing the 100 Questions Guide (it's free!)
• Finding balance between the quantity and quality of communication in your relationship 
• The significance of open discussions and setting expectations during major life transitions like starting a family 
• Identifying common triggers for resentment and finding effective ways to address them in relationships 
• Overcoming the challenges of initiating meaningful conversations with your partner 
• The benefit of dedicating regular check-ins with your partner to nurture and strengthen your relationship 

Pre-order my book now (Released 09/12)! Your pre-order purchase includes many exclusive bonuses.

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Kacie Rose, the world traveler behind Kacie Rose Travel. After a life-changing solo trip and her own "Under the Tuscan Sun" moment, Kacie Rose moved to Italy in January 2021 to be with her long-distance partner. By sharing her experiences online about her life as an American living abroad, travel tips, and more, she has built an outstanding online community of 1.5 million people. 

Together, we delve into her experiences of moving abroad and the struggles of navigating life living in a new country. She shares her experiences of embracing a new culture, navigating the language barrier, building friendships as an adult, and how she has worked to maintain a healthy relationship with her partner. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• The importance of prioritizing quality time in a long-distance relationship 
• Navigating personal growth and significant life changes as a couple 
• Adapting to cultural differences in an intercultural relationship 
• Struggles with losing independence when navigating language barriers 
• Building and nurturing friendships as an adult 
• Tips for individuals planning to live abroad 

EPISODE LINKS:  

Kacie Rose Travel Instagram 

Kacie Rose Travel TikTok 

Kacie Rose Travel YouTube 

Kacie Rose Travel Website 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again    

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

 Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

 Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Fray, a relationship coach and author of "This is How Your Marriage Ends". He leans on the lessons of his failed marriage and divorce to help others avoid making the same mistakes he did.    

Together, we discuss the importance of mindful validation and communication in marriages. He shares his insights on how small actions can lead to bigger messages and the impact of emotional neglect and micro-betrayals in relationships. Matthew also shares tips on how to embrace uncomfortable conversations and work towards conflict resolution in a marriage. 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• The common struggle between communication and validation when there is a problem  
• Inadvertently delivering a message through small actions and the long term effects  
• How to get over your defensive and invalidating tendencies  
• Mindful validation during disagreements can help couples work through conflicts  
• How our relationships often reflect the stuff we are working through  
• The key to working towards conflict resolution is leaning into discomfort and embracing uncomfortable conversations 

EPISODE LINKS: 

Matthew Fray Instagram 

Matthew Fray Blog 

Purchase his book here! 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again    

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love   

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass     

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected    

Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Christina Nelson, a social worker and creator of the Radical Stepmoms podcast.  

Cristina is passionate about providing support to stepmoms and assisting them in getting unstuck so they can build the love and life they desire.  

Together, we take a deeper look at the realities of being a stepmom and open up an honest conversation to discuss resentment, responsibilities, and dynamics within the stepmotherhood role.  

In this episode, we discuss:   

• How stepmotherhood changes and challenges your identity  
• The negative representation of stepmoms in the media 
• Processing the grief and your initial expectations of motherhood   
• How to find confidence in your place and power in the stepmom role   
• The feeling of resentment and how to process through it   
• Addressing your needs and advocating for yourself when moving into a set family dynamic   
• Practicing open communication and boundary setting  
• The definition of "disengaging" and how to practice it   
• Tips to strengthen your relationship with your partner  

EPISODE LINKS:   

The Radical Stepmoms Podcast Instagram 

The Radical Stepmoms Podcast Website

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again   

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love  

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass    

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected   

Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Lo Mansfield, a specialty certified OB nurse who has spent her career in labor and postpartum, and the teacher and face behind the Labor Mama community courses and resources. 

Together, we discuss the intricacies of postpartum and the power of how resources and knowledge can change our experiences. 

In this episode, we cover: 

• The feeling of grief in pregnancy and child birth  
• The importance of having a support system and receiving help in postpartum 
• How to acknowledge and have grace for your own change on the parenting journey  
• The ability to have an empowered and knowledgeable birth experience 
• Responding to fear in the labor process 
• How to practice pain with purpose  
• Recognizing postpartum mental health challenges and implementing accountability 

EPISODE LINKS:  

The Labor Mama Instagram 

The Labor Mama Website  

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again  

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass   

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Deepen your Connection with your Partner: 100 Questions to Connect

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Tracy sits down to answer some of your most asked questions across social media, her website, and clinical visits.

Listen as Dr. Tracy tackles key topics in marriage and parenthood when it comes to managing boundaries, the mother-in-law dynamic, and more.

In this episode, she covers:

• Grief and raising your family in a city without family support
• How to build friendship and connection with others outside of your family
• How to process inner narratives in alignment with your values
• Adjusting your expectations when the reality of family-life is different than you planned
• The shifts to the marriage dynamic after having children
• How to set, communicate, and act upon our boundaries with others
• Practices to create safe and secure environments in your marriage
• How to raise your children to be autonomous, interdependent individuals
• Tips to navigate different background experiences in defining your values and creating compromise with others

Want Dr. Tracy to answer your questions? Submit your topic on drtracyd.com/podcast.

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again  

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass   

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with neurodiverse affirming pediatric occupational therapist, Laura Petix, who specializes in sensory processing skills for neurodivergent individuals.   

Laura is the parent of a neurodivergent daughter and CEO of the OT Butterfly, where she educates parents on how sensory processing can have a direct impact on learning and behavior.  

Together, we discuss neurodiversity, sensory processing, and a lot of good stories in between. 

In this episode, we cover: 

• Defining the "sensory cup" and what that means for neurodivergent children  
• The differences in sensory processing between the neurodivergent and neurotypical brain  
• How to share knowledge with a partner when raising a neurodivergent child    
• The negative narratives children internalize about themselves  
• How to have regulated and calm responses as parents in dysregulated moments   
• Understanding the child’s internal experience when having a dysregulated moment    
• Normalizing communication with your child about your sensory stimulation and needs as a parent  
• Breaking down the meaning of neurodiversity and neurodiverse affirming 
• High threshold vs. low threshold profiles for sensory processing and how to regulate them   
• The autonomous connection we can have with our spouse and child when it comes to our sensory experience 

After listening to this episode, be sure to listen to part 2, Episode 73, with Laura and Dr. Tracy here.

EPISODE LINKS:  

Laura Petix Instagram  

Laura Petix Website  

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again  

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass   

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Neha Ruch, a rising thought leader and sought after speaker in the world of women, work, parenting, and identity. 

Featured in Forbes, Oprah Daily, and New York Family Magazine, and founder of Mother Untitled, the digital destination for ambitious and progressive women, Neha is on a mission to update the perception of stay at home motherhood in America.  

Together, we tackle the topic of what it means to be “A Stay At Home Mom” and dive into the complexities that mothers face when transitioning from traditional career paths into a focus on family life.  

In this episode, we discuss: 

• What it means to be ambitious and lean into family life for a chapter 
• The societal and internal barriers mothers face when choosing to pause from their careers 
• How to practice proper consideration and communication with your partner when preparing for shifts in parenthood and career life  
• What it means to “re-meet” your partner when you become parents 
• The responsibility behind advocating for your own needs and nurturing your identity 
• What it means to practice conscious parenting in the midst of healing from your own pain and trauma 
• How to ask and invest in help when you are the parent on pause 

EPISODE LINKS:  

Neha Ruch Instagram  

Neha Ruch Website  

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again  

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass   

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Jolene Brighten, a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women’s medicine to address the common question we all have when addressing our hormones: Is This Normal? 

We take a deeper look at common misconceptions behind every day female symptoms such as our energy levels, period pains, appetites, and sex drive in order to gain a more holistic understanding of why we feel the way we feel.  

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Common signs that our hormones may not be normal  
• How societal pressures play a role in pushing us to function outside of our physical and mental capacity 
• The barriers that women face when it comes to putting themselves first 
• Implementing practices to help shift your stress and take control of your day 
• A multifaceted approach to understanding and responding to lower sex drive 
• Sleep and other lifestyle factors we can address in order to bring our hormones into balance 
• The impacts of intermittent fasting on the female body  
• Living in the “both, and” space when approaching our nutrition 

EPISODE LINKS:  

Dr. Jolene Brighten Instagram 

Dr. Jolene Brighten Website   

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again  

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass   

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with my in-house defensiveness expert and husband, Greg, to unpack the often-misconceived topic of assertive vs defensive communication styles.   

We answer real questions from our community about what it looks like to champion self-respect and a deeper understanding of your partner by lending practical steps to change the defensive patterns in our relationships and implementing assertive and authentic responses.   

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Important examples of defensive and assertive responses  
• How modelled communication styles from our personal history effect our present communication styles   
• The effect that the words we use have on our inner narratives  
• The ways that adequacy, shame, and self-worth play a part in our responses  
• How self-respect is a key player in understanding defensiveness  
• The key differences between the female and male experience in our responses   
• How assertiveness creates space for your thoughts, feelings, needs, and your partner’s understanding   

EPISODE LINKS:  

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again   

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass   

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Allyn Rose to discuss her unique journey of processing grief, a preventative double mastectomy, IVF, marriage, and motherhood.   

Allyn first made waves in the media and society when she decided to undergo a preventive double mastectomy as a contestant on Miss America. 

Years later, she is sharing her journey as a breast cancer advocate, professional speaker, on-air host, legal and political scholar, Tedx speaker, national media outlet contributor, and the first ever featured Sports Illustrated swimsuit model with a mastectomy, wife, and new mom.   

In this episode, we discuss: 

• The power of vulnerability and sharing your story   
• Processing grief through life’s different seasons  
• Bravery despite negative feedback   
• The effects of the IVF journey when in a partnership   
• Finding grace through the heaviness of motherhood by practicing gratitude and perspective   
• Balancing being a mom with other responsibilities, despite comparison   
• Tips to be proactive about your breast health   

EPISODE LINKS:  

Allyn Rose Instagram  

Allyn Rose Website  

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again  

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass   

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have triggers.

Our partners all have triggers.

And they are not always the same things.

Building a relationship that brings an understanding of each other’s triggers, strengths and differences is complicated.

When we bring compassion, understanding, kindness and accountability into our relationships, our love and connection blossoms.

In this replay episode, Michaela Thomas, clinical psychologist, couples therapist and founder of the private psychology practice The Thomas Connection, and I discuss building compassion for healthy and strong relationships.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Fire Triangle of Relationships [7:23]
• The 3 Parts of Compassion [22:59]
• Motherhood & Compassion [29:12]
• Defining Compassion & Mindfulness [33:13]
• What you can do in your relationship to start using compassion [46:07]

EPISODE LINKS:

Michaela Thomas on IG

Pause*Purpose*Play Group on Facebook

The Thomas Connection

The Lasting Connection Book Now Available

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you’re expecting your first child or your fourth, pregnancy, childbirth, and bringing home baby can stir up a lot of big feelings. Fear of the unknown, discomfort from lack of control, sleepless nights, and hormones can leave us feeling anxious. 

This week, I sit down with Liesel from Mommy Labor Nurse to discuss how birth and postpartum education can help empower couples to feel more satisfied with their experience. 

If you haven't yet, be sure to check out Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast Episode 136 where Liesel and I talk about preparing your relationship for baby. 

Liesel Teen, BSN, RN is a labor and delivery nurse and the founder of Mommy Labor Nurse. Mommy Labor Nurse equips pregnant women with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to erase the unknown, feel in control, and have an even better birth - no matter how they deliver.

With 8 years and counting as a bedside labor and delivery nurse, Liesel knows that knowledge is the key to an even better birth. To date, over 40k women have completed a Mommy Labor Nurse birth class, eliminated fear, and been empowered by Liesel’s comprehensive childbirth education.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• The biggest fears that show up during pregnancy and delivery
• Boundaries 
• The mental load of pregnancy 
• Tracy’s experience with her unplanned c-section 
• Liesel’s tips for expecting parents

EPISODE LINKS:

Mommy Labor Nurse Instagram

Mommy Labor Nurse TikTok

Mommy Labor Nurse Online Birthing Classes

Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever tried to explain the mental load to your partner only to find yourself struggling to find the words or perhaps frustrated that your partner just doesn’t get it? 

If you have, you’re not alone. This is a common experience shared in DMs, comments, and even in therapy sessions. So how do we communicate the mental load so our partners can understand? 

In this episode, I sit down with Zach Watson, to talk about the mental load. Zach is a content creator, Accountability Coach using the Fairplay method, husband, father, author, TEDx speaker, rapper, and former teacher.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• What lead Zach to learn about the mental load
• Ways we can help our partners better understand the mental load
• The common fallacy about the worth of our time
• Zach’s Christmas present that helped his wife get back into her unicorn space
• Having tough, vulnerable conversations around sex and intimacy 
• Showing up authentically and vulnerably on social media

EPISODE LINKS:

Zach’s Instagram

Zach’s TikTok

Zach’s YouTube

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we wired to fix our loved ones? It might feel that way when you notice discomfort showing up when your kids or your partner are experiencing something unpleasant. 

It’s easy to get caught up in finding the solution, but could we be missing their feelings and leaving them feeling invalidated? 

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Kenney from Peace and Parenting, to talk about repair, the urge to fix our loved ones, and what we can do instead when these feelings show up in our partnerships and parenting. 

Michelle is a mother of two girls, as well as a former teacher and counsellor turned Certified Parenting Instructor. After years of consequences, bribes and star charts, she finally reshaped the relationship she shares with her daughters and credits peaceful parenting for changing her life. Michelle considers herself a recovering yeller, perfectionist and control freak who has found a more calm and connected way to parent. Using the ideas of Brain Science as her guide and working on childhood hurts as her deeper work, she helps other parents do what she has been able to do for herself over the last decade.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Fixing in our relationships [03:00]
• The desire for our partners to parent as we do [05:45]
• Our inability to separate other people’s suffering from our own [06:15]
• The contrast between how we consciously parent our children and how we treat our partners [07:00]
• Helping our partners parent vs telling them what to do [11:45] 
• Seeing our younger self is our child’s reaction [19:30]
• Apologies without saying “I’m sorry” [22:30] 
• Why we push pain away [27:30]

EPISODE LINKS:

Peace and Parenting Instagram

Peace and Parenting Website

Peace and Parenting YouTube Channel 

Peace and Parenting Podcast

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For today's bonus episode, I sit down with fellow Psychologist Dr. Shefali to discuss what it means to build a healthy parent-child relationship. 

Dr. Shefali is an acclaimed author, international speaker, and clinical psychologist. 

If you haven't already, be sure to check out season 3 episode 4 where Dr. Shefali and I discuss the parent-child relationship.

EPISODE LINKS

Order Dr. Shefali's newest book The Parenting Map

Free Online Summit the Parenting Mastery

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all pee ourselves a little after having kids and it’s totally normal, right? Sure, it’s common… but it actually isn’t normal.

Chances are your OB didn’t sit you down at your first prenatal appointment to discuss the importance of keeping your pelvic floor healthy and there’s an even higher chance they never talked to you about how urinary incontinence, at any level, isn’t normal after baby.

So what is normal and how do we take care of our pelvic floor?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sara Reardon from The Vagaina Whisperer, to talk about your pelvic floor. Dr. Sara Reardon PT, DPT, WCS is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board-Certified Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Therapist, and mom of 2. She is the founder of The Vagina Whisperer, an online platform for pelvic floor health and the owner of NOLA Pelvic Health. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• The importance of normalizing correct terminology and the care/treatment of our pelvic floors (5:30)
• What the pelvic floor is (6:30)
• Common pelvic floor issues during pregnancy (8:30) and postpartum (13:00)
• The myth that “leaking is normal” (17:15)
• Common mistakes surrounding bladder health (19:15)
• Pain with sex (21:30)
• What a visit with a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist might look like (22:45)
• Sarah’s tips for you (32:30)

EPISODE LINKS

The Vagina Whisperer Website

The Vagina Whisperer on Instagram

The Vagina Whisperer on TikTok

FREE GUIDE: How to Take Great Care of Your Pelvic Floor

NOLA Pelvic Health website

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Struggling with intimacy? Download my FREE GUIDE with 5 ways to improve your intimacy

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself suddenly the default parent, with your partner nowhere in sight and you’re left to tend to the baby?

Or maybe you find yourself asking your partner to watch the baby and if now is a good time to shower.

I’ll never forget the time I couldn’t find my husband one sunny Saturday. Left to do our baby’s bottle and nap time, I was enraged. When did I become the default parent and why?

When I saw Renee’s TikTok about her husband making pancakes, I knew this was a conversation we needed to have on the pod! 

Renee Reina is the mom friend you always wanted. She is a writer, content creator, Doctor of Psychology, busy body, mom, self-proclaimed over-sharer, and is the host of the top-ranking parenting podcast The Mom Room. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why Renee doesn’t want her husband to make pancakes on Saturday Mornings
• How expectations, desires, and wishes differ
• Renee’s strategy for smoother weekends
• Tracy’s “pancake” story
• Expressing our needs to our partners 
• The “me” parts and coming to the “we solution”
• Why you want an equal partner (rather than delegating tasks)

EPISODE LINKS

Renee’s Instagram

Renee’s TikTok

The Mom Room Instagram

The Mom Room Website

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Get intentional with your partner and reconnect with small actions every day with 28 Days of Love

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another Q&A episode where I answer your questions! In today's episode, I answer a community member's question about sex after baby.

Life changes so much after baby is born and the pressure to have intercourse can feel overwhelming. 

Breastfeeding, hormone fluctuation, sleep deprivation, birth trauma, feeling touched out, recovering from birth.

Is sex off the table? Absolutely not, but the pressure to have it should be. There is no right amount of sex to have and during this postpartum period we are reassessing our entire lives... so intimacy might be a bit different than it was before.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Why the pressure to have sex should be off the table for one year postpartum 
• How communication with your partner and negative patterns can impact intimacy, especially postpartum
• My 3 tips for what you can start doing in your relationship today to address intimacy and shift toward connection 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Start nurturing your intimacy today. Grab my FREE Nurturing Intimacy Guide

Looking for more support? Check out my Nurturing Intimacy Webinar

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve prepared everything for baby’s arrival:

✅Birth plan

✅Hospital bag

✅Freezer meals

✅Set up nursery

✅Install car seat

You’ve done the research and checked your list twice.

But did you prepare your relationship?

Many of us have thought that a baby will bring us closer as a couple. Perhaps you haven’t had any noteworthy struggles in your relationship so far and think nothing will change. Or perhaps things have changed a lot since then.

As a mother and a clinician, the thing that strikes me the most is just how much we don’t share our relationship difficulties. The resentment. The moments of anger towards our partner. The feelings of disconnection and like we are ships passing in the night. 

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cassidy Freitas to talk about the things no one told you would happen in your relationship after having a baby. Dr. Cassidy Freitas is a San Diego based mom to three and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in supporting millennial parents through pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. She hosts the top-rated parenting podcast HoldingSpace. Every Friday on Instagram Dr. Cassidy shares relatable reels and doses of joy with the funniest TikToks. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dr. Cassidy’s experience of becoming a mother [6:30]
• The one thing Dr. Cassidy and Dr. Tracy didn’t prepare before baby [8:30]
• Feelings of fear entering motherhood [11:30]
• Postpartum mental health [12:45]
• The challenge of being a couples therapist who struggles with their relationship [18:15]
• The myth that we will feel closer after baby [19:15]
• What we can do to work through this phase [26:30]
• Values [30:10]
• Generous interpretation [31:15]
• Kids learn by what they observe [37:30]

EPISODE LINKS

Dr Cassidy’s private practice website

Follow Dr. Cassidy on Instagram

Listen to her podcast: Holding Space

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Looking to deepen your connection? Download my free guide of 100 Questions

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we first fall in love, there’s an attraction and excitement that sets the person apart from anyone else in the world - yet over time, we shift away from this.

When I polled the community 67% of you said you felt like your partner’s roommate rather than their lover. Conversations feel transactional. There’s a loss of physical connection. The spark feels lost.

But why does this happen? What can we do about it?

 In this episode, I discuss:

• What the honeymoon phase is [0:30]
• Reasons why you might feel like roommates [1:30]
• 7 ideas to try to shift from roommates back into lovers [3:48]

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Get intentional every day with your partner. Grab my Daily Rituals Guide.

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you find yourself frequently feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated by your environment?

Perhaps you’ve heard those close to you say “You’re too sensitive.”

You’re not alone and in fact, you might be part of the 20-30% of the population that are highly sensitive people. 

Today I am sitting with Natalie Brunswick to talk about highly sensitive people and the impact that being a highly sensitive person can have on our lives.

Natalie Brunswick is a registered occupational therapist who focuses on supporting parents during the perinatal period, navigating the parenting journey, and beyond. She believes in a holistic, relational, and trauma-informed approach to mental health, wellness, and parenting. She has also been trained with Postpartum Support International and is a proud mom to two amazing boys. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What a highly sensitive person (HSP) is [4:55] 
• What makes the trauma experience unique for HSP [8:00]
• Traits of HSP we can identify in our children [14:35]
• Family dynamics that show up when there are HSP [22:30]
• How our childhood as an HSP might impact our adult relationships [30:30]
• HPS and attachment styles [34:30] 

EPISODE LINKS

Natalie’s Website

Connect with Natalie on Instagram 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again

Get intentional with your partner. Grab my 100 Questions to Deepen Your Connection Guide

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, I talk about 7 things your parents didn’t teach you about relationships, and the things we should tell our children. I polled the community several months ago about this topic and your responses were so cool to see. 

It’s fascinating to see how so many of us didn’t learn how to show up in relationships - things like how to build healthy communication and what a healthy relationship looks like. So let’s deep dive into today’s episode where I’ll share what I think we should help the next generation learn.

EPISODE LINKS

Download my free Year in Review guide

Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Grab my 28 Days of Love email series built with evidence-based tools to help you and your partner start to reconnect.

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let me set the scene.

The tree is up.

The lights are on.

The decorations are hanging.

And I am envisioning a picture perfect moment… the kids smiling in their Christmas outfits while we all smile for that Instagram-worthy photo.

Cue. Reality.

My kids are now 5 and 7. Hot chocolate ends up on their clothes more than in their bellies. I haven’t sat down all day. And this is nothing like what I envisioned. 

And I pause. I take a breath. I welcome my perfectionistic voice and say, “Oh, hey there, I was wondering when you would show up this holiday season.”

The challenge with social media is that we see these beautifully crafted images without seeing what truly happened before. 

Family photos? Don’t even get me started – you know it didn’t look like “and everyone say cheese!” in one frame. 

Holiday get-togethers? Nope, not everyone is happy 100% of the time. 

The work project? Also probably didn’t go down as it is shown on social media.

The nursery and beautifully captured image of baby laying in the crib? This is the highlight reel.

So many women and mothers show up in my office struggling with high expectations and perfectionism. 

The challenge? Life is not perfect. You are not meant to be perfect. There will be mistakes. It is not possible to be the perfect caregiver, partner and individual.  

And even more so? It’s a trait that society places on us.

And this pressure from society is not helpful.

Join me as I speak with DR. JEN DOUGLAS, a clinical assistant professor at Stanford University, licensed psychologist, and mental wellness speaker. She focuses on helping individuals overcome anxiety, perfectionism and trauma which may be holding them back from living their lives in the most full and authentic way.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 13:47 – What is perfectionism and how does it show up for people?
• 22:23 – Why do I strive for it?
• 34:37 – What is the connection between burnout and perfectionism?
• 48:09 – Overcoming the all-or-nothing thinking
• 53:13 – What you can start doing now to help perfectionism

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Jen Douglas on Instagram

Check out her Freedom From Perfectionism Course

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Grab my 28 Days of Love email series built with evidence-based tools to help you and your partner start to reconnect.

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For so many, the holidays stir up so many emotions and old wounds. This is particularly true for parents while they sit in front of their children, seeing their own struggles and triggers being reflected back by their children - a window, an opening to be curious and to heal. And it often brings up questions of - where am I with my parent? How do I feel with them? What works and isn’t working anymore? What am I still holding on to? We’re going to tackle something big today.

Abbey Williams, MSW, LSW is a behavioural health therapist, the found of You, The Mother, the producer and host of the You, The Mother Podcast, Author of “An ABC of Families,” and mother of 4. She is committed to supporting, empowering, and connecting with mothers in all seasons of motherhood. Abbey has been featured in PopSugar, Parents, Romper, and SheKnows. She navigates her blended family/co-parenting life with her husband, four kids, and two sister labs in Cincinnati, OH.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Abbey’s healing journey as she navigates motherhood
• Acknowledging unhelpful dynamics between family members
• Grieving old parts of us that aren’t serving you anymore
• Abbey’s hardest moments on being a mother while also healing old wounds from her family
• The answer to this question: How do I know when I need to cut contact with my family?
• Grieving a mother she didn’t have 

EPISODE LINKS

You The Mother Website

Follow You The Mother on Instagram

Follow You The Mother on Facebook

Follow You The Mother on TikTok

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Grab my 28 Days of Love email series built with evidence-based tools to help you and your partner start to reconnect.

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media has recently become a place for mothers to connect and share their real, raw truths, but it hasn’t always been this way. For many, we open up our feeds and are flooded with highlight reels of the lives of others. Perfectly curated holiday pictures, clean homes, and women glowing - it can seem as though every other mother has their life together. 

Am I the ONLY mother who doesn’t love every aspect of motherhood? Am I the only one crying daily and feeling overwhelmed? Does anyone else feel a rush of anger that feels unrecognizable? 

In this episode I sit down with Libby Ward, the Honest Mom, to talk about the myths, shame, and emotions that show up with motherhood. Libby is a digital creator, speaker, and mental health advocate with a deep commitment to breaking the cycles of trauma. Focusing on today’s difficult and complex experiences of mental health, Libby is focused on reaching more women with her perspective-changing stories through her community of over 1.3M on social media.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Anger and rage experienced in motherhood
• Resentment in relationships after having kids
• The changes in our identities after having children
• Supporting mothers in the context that they are mothering in
• Tackling shame and guilt in motherhood

Be sure to check out Libby’s Guided Journal on Amazon! The Honest Mom Journal

EPISODE LINKS

Connect with Libby on Instagram

Follow Libby on TikTok

Check out her website

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Want to be on the same page with your partner this holiday season? Grab the Same Page Parenting Holiday Webinar and feel like a team with family. 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

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Does it feel like a never-ending cycle with your partner when it comes to setting boundaries with the family? 

Maybe you both end up getting stuck on what you should do when your mother-in-law gives TEN gifts, when you both told her only two. 

What are the missteps in our relationship when it comes to boundaries?

My husband and business partner joins me for today's episode on boundaries. Why bring in Greg? In a heterosexual cis-gender relationship, he has the other side of the experience when it comes to holiday boundaries. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Who should set the boundaries with extended family
• What it means when we're at different points in our journey with boundaries (e.g., one gets defensive; one is critical)
• Important decisions to consider when it comes to setting boundaries with family 

Looking for more? Join me in my online teachings so you can feel like a team again. 

Want to be on the same page with your partner this holiday season? Grab the Same Page Parenting Holiday Webinar and feel like a team with family. 

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclass

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Season 4!

With each season this community passes new milestones and continues to grow! I am incredibly grateful for you - your DMs, downloads, shares, and comments. Each week, you show up. You bring me your ah-ha moments, your wins, and your struggles. Thank you for joining me here and let's get started with another amazing season!

To kick off the season, I am so excited to bring Dr. Becky Kennedy to this space. New York Times bestselling author and child psychologist, Dr. Becky is referred to as the parent whisperer of our time. If there is one thing that resonates with all of us from Dr. Becky's work, it is this: You are good inside. Your kids are good inside. Let's go into today's episode. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What it means to sit with emotions [2:38] and what this looks like with our children [4:30] 
• The intergenerational legacy of feelings [8:20] 
• Why acknowledging, validating, and empathizing with others' emotions is not soft [13:15]
• What happens to a child when no one repairs for them and what it means to go back and repair with your child [23:00]

EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Becky Kennedy Good Inside Book

Dr. Becky Good Inside Membership

JOIN ME in my community!

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclass

Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

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Being a parent brings new challenges to your life, but one that might have surprised you was constantly feeling touched out. Your child is tapping your arm, the furnace is humming, and you're beginning to feel like your head is going to explode. 

So why is this?

In this episode, I sit down with Larissa Geleris, MS, OTR/L from Steady Parents to discuss parenting and sensory overload. Larissa is a licensed occupational therapist specializing in the identification and treatment of sensory processing dysfunction. 

Originally a pediatric therapist, Larissa experienced a life-altering concussion and experienced severe sensory and motor challenges. She soon realized the knowledge she used for her patients was helping her cope and that she could use this to help other parents who are experiencing overstimulation, overwhelm, and dysregulation. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is sensory processing? [9:44]
• The three senses you've probably never heard of [10:20]
• How parenting impacts our sensory processing [15:00]
• Why are noises and touch so triggering? [24:58]
• Proactive strategies for sensory overload [37:50]
• Larissa shares a strategy to use in the movement for sensory overload 40:20]
• How do we get our partners to understand what is happening to us? [42:00]

EPISODE LINKS

Steady Parents on Instagram

Steady Parents Website

JOIN ME in my community!

Ready to learn how to repair? Take my free masterclass

Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship

Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected

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We are here! Already at the season finale.

Season finales are bittersweet. I have gratitude for all the amazing conversations of this season and I feel sad that we are taking a break!

I love ending the season by taking your questions.

So here are three of YOUR questions that I will answer in this episode:

• How does one deal with the fear of abandonment when you are someone with anxious attachment?
• How do I get my partner to prioritize better?
• How do I navigate the mother wound while feeling low self-esteem, mom-guilt, and exhausted in general? 

Did something resonate with you this episode? If so, be sure to share it with a friend!

Ready to learn how to repair, feel closer after the fight, and connect with your partner? Join me in my FREE MASTERCLASS. I will teach you my 4 A’s on how to repair so that you can look at your partner and feel like a team again.

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

What’s Coming Next?

We're taking a summer vacation! I'll be back in the fall with more great episodes and conversations. Be sure to leave me a review and send me a DM on Instagram about your topic ideas for next season. I love hearing from you!

Subscribe and Review in iTunes

"This podcast provides sound advice, examples, and information for the modern mother navigating a world full of opposing advice. I feel uplifted and empowered after listening." ~ Kat&Babe_

I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!

Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you!

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Many people don't think of divorces as happy, which is why the story from today's guests is an important one!

When Nikki DeBartolo and Benjamin Heldond got divorced, they devised a strategy to put their son's needs first.

Together, they helped each other heal and build a new, blended, family. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Nikki and Ben came to be "Our Happy Divorce"
• The markers/moments that they knew it was time to divorce
• When you're trying to find the "right" way through separation
• Nikki's and Ben's response to someone who says "I have to stay for the kids"
• Their individual pain points in their divorce
• Their prioritization of their son
• The key piece of respect and mutuality

For more from Our Happy Divorce:

• Follow them on Instagram
• Learn more about their book
• Head over to their website

Ready to learn how to repair, feel closer after the fight, and connect with your partner? Join me in my FREE MASTERCLASS. I will teach you my 4 A’s on how to repair so that you can look at your partner and feel like a team again.

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

What’s Coming Next?

The season finale where I answer YOUR questions!

Subscribe and Review in iTunes

"This podcast provides sound advice, examples, and information for the modern mother navigating a world full of opposing advice. I feel uplifted and empowered after listening." ~ Kat&Babe_

I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!

Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you!

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"My partner isn't willing to change - what do I do?"

We love certainty and the only thing that is certain about our relationships is that we cannot control other people.

It's really challenging when our partners are not interested in learning to shift - especially since a couple is two people that make up the struggles. 

In this episode, I discuss:

• What if your partner doesn't want to change?
• Can change happen when only one person is ready?

Ready to learn how to repair, feel closer after the fight, and connect with your partner? Join me in my FREE MASTERCLASS. I will teach you my 4 A’s on how to repair so that you can look at your partner and feel like a team again.

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

What’s Coming Next?

When change feels one-sided. What are we left to do?

Subscribe and Review in iTunes

"This podcast provides sound advice, examples, and information for the modern mother navigating a world full of opposing advice. I feel uplifted and empowered after listening." ~ Kat&Babe_

I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!

Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you!

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Do you find yourself asking…

How do we feel close again after we just had a disagreement? 

My partner doesn’t like to come back and talk about the hard stuff. 

My partner doesn’t apologize. I always have to bring up the hard conversations.  

I get it. 

This is a common experience in our relationships. 

The reality?

We didn’t learn how to repair. It was never modelled to us or it came attached with a lot of shame.

And yet, repairing is one of the most important things we need to do in our relationship because without it, we are more likely to build resentment and disconnection. 

In today’s episode, I get to sit with Dr. Morgan Anderson. A previous guest on the podcast (Season 2, Episode 21, a must listen), we talk about:

• What happens in relationships when you can’t work through conflict
• Why you need to repair
• Difficulties with repair through an attachment style lens

Ready to learn how to repair, feel closer after the fight, and connect with your partner? Join me in my FREE MASTERCLASS. I will teach you my 4 A’s on how to repair so that you can look at your partner and feel like a team again.

Learn More About Today's Guest:

Dr. Morgan is a clinical psychologist and relationship coach, host of the “Let’s Get Vulnerable” podcast and creator of the E.S.L relationship method. She helps women break the toxic dating cycle, raise their self-worth and attract the healthy relationship they’ve always wanted. Make sure you head over to her IG page and send her a DM to say hello!

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Ready to learn how to repair? Take my FREE masterclass
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

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One of the most common concerns I hear is, "My partner is struggling with their mental health, what do I do?"

Dr. Kojo joins me on the podcast to discuss how mental health can show up in relationships.

Dr. Kojo Sarfo, DNP, PMHNP-BC is a social media content creator, mental health nurse practitioner, and psychotherapist with over two million followers on all of his social media channels (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Triller).

He posts skits, songs, and videos in order to bring people together and promote mental health awareness. On social media, he uses relevant trends and popular music to educate individuals about mental health conditions and the importance of self-care. Dr. Kojo is also the author of Amazon's best-selling book titled "You Already Won". He is also working on his second book, which will be a mental health workbook.

He is also the host of Late Night w/Dr. Kojo - which is a daily live show that streams primarily on Facebook on Monday-Thursdays at 6pm PST/9pm EST.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What inspired Dr. Kojo to start his TikTok videos and online media presence
• How does ADHD impact a couple? What are some things people should be aware of?
• What can people do in their relationships when their partner is coping with mental health difficulties
• What are the top three things you wish everyone know about mental health?

Connect with Dr. Kojo:

• Follow him on Facebook
• Follow him on TikTok
• Follow him on Instagram
• Check out his YouTube channel
• Watch The Late Night with Dr. Kojo on Facebook

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

What’s Coming Next?

Dr. Morgan Anderson on why you need to repair in your relationship.

Subscribe and Review in iTunes

"This podcast provides sound advice, examples, and information for the modern mother navigating a world full of opposing advice. I feel uplifted and empowered after listening." ~ Kat&Babe_

I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!

Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you!

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Growing up we learn so much from our mothers and growing up the messaging we receive is "obey thy mother."

The things we learned from our mothers growing up and the way they coped in the world show up in us, throughout our lives.

But

What if our mother was wrong?

What if they are passing along their own trauma?

What if they cross our boundaries and teach us not to listen to ourselves?

Bethany Webster began blogging in 2013 about the Mother Wound and quickly experienced a worldwide demand for her work. Though blending research on intergenerational trauma, feminist history, and psychology with her own personal story, Bethany's work is the result of decades of research and her own journey of healing.

She is a writer, international speaker, and transformational coach around the world sharing her growing body of work that is raising the standard of women's leadership and personal development. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is the Mother Wound?
• How does shame, guilt, and fear play a role?
• What does the Mother Wound look like for women?
• Why is it important to heal it?
• What happens in our lives when we are willing to heal?

To Learn with Bethany:

• Visit her website
• Check out her book
• Learn more about her online course
• Join her facebook group

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

What’s Coming Next?

Healing after conflict: why you need repair in your relationship with special guest Dr. Morgan Anderson.

Subscribe and Review in iTunes

Lovely Addition to Personal + Couple's Therapy

“I just love listening to her podcasts. Super resourceful and I definitely recommend taking a listen" ~ Afireinside7

I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it!

Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you!

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You finally have a minute to pause and relax. As you hold your cup of coffee, just heated up for the fourth time, and look around your house, you feel overwhelmed.

How can you relax when the mess keeps triggering you?

I get it. There can be so much stuff in our homes that we stop feeling happy in our space, get stuck getting rid of things, and in general, feel a sense of overwhelm by everything going on.

Enter Katy Wells. She is a decluttering expert, podcaster, and simplifier, a boy mom, and she knows how to help you declutter your home and your life. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why are we so triggered by mess?
• What are the negative thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that come up with mess?
• Identifying when your "stuff" owns you, and what you can do to shift out of this
• Letting go of things that feel sentimental
• And Katy's top tips to help you start living a simplified and decluttered life

To Learn with Katy:

• Follow Katy on Instagram
• Take her 14-day challenge
• Check out her toy course

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

What’s Coming Next?

The Mother wound with Bethany Webster.

Subscribe and Review in iTunes

Lovely Addition to Personal + Couple's Therapy

“I just love listening to her podcasts. Super resourceful and I definitely recommend taking a listen" ~ Afireinside7

I would love to hear from you. I would be so grateful if you left me a review on iTunes. I love hearing what you have to say about the episode, but also so that others who might benefit from listening to this podcast can find it! 

Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I can’t wait to hear from you!

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A client once told me through tears that she hadn't been honouring her, and she pointed to her body.

I could see reflected in her face the experiences of so many women - including me.

It wasn't just a week of not listening to her body. It was years. Possibly her whole lifetime.

We build these inner dialogues and narratives around our bodies and food, many of them being unconscious that guide us to make daily decisions. Some of these decisions leave us feeling good, albeit temporarily. While many of these are more examples of ways that we deeply abandon ourselves - the inner wisdom that our bodies hold.

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Dr. Meagan Gallagher, psychologist at Integrated Wellness, on how we can start to listen to our bodies and goss these old messages around size, food, and body.  

In this episode, we discuss:

• The common harmful and negative messages we learn about our bodies
• Breaking the connection between body size and self-worth (hint: stop saying to yourself that you'll do something when you lose those 5 pounds)
• The connection between stress and food (and how we can use our bodies to shift this)
• Learning to sit in discomfort and acknowledging that our bodies are noisy
• How to support someone if you suspect they are struggling with their body
• When to seek professional help

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

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Does your partner share everything with their parents?

This episode dives into this topic after receiving a question from one of our community members. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What kind of impact could sharing everything with your extended family/mother-in-law have on you? Your relationship with your partner? Your relationship with their family?
• Exploring triangulation and scapegoat dynamics
• Key questions for you to explore within yourself
• The reason behind your partner's sharing
• How to move forward

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

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One of the most common complaints I receive is, "We never talk about the hard stuff."

What's the barrier to turning towards each other and talking?

For many, it's time.

For others, it's not wanting to upset the other person.

Dr. Morgan Cutlip joins me on the podcast for this episode. Dr. Morgan is a relationship expert and owner of My Love Thinks. If you are struggling with the mental load, be sure to check out Season 2 Episode 6 and Dr. Morgan's great Instagram space @MyLoveThinks. Dr. Morgan and I also have a boundary webinar that we created together. 

In this episode, Dr. Morgan and I break apart all the details around the Weekly Check-In Meeting - a key strategy we encourage all of our clients to use. We talk about:

• The common objections to the weekly meeting
• How attachment styles may play a role in approaching our partners and how the weekly meeting can help you navigate this
• How we can tackle these barriers
• Why this meeting matters
• Our top question to put in this meeting
• And our confession - do we use this tool in our relationships?

I want to hear from you. What ONE question would you want to ask each other this week?

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

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We're getting ready for another holiday season. With Passover, Good Friday, Easter, Eastern Orthodox Easter, and Ramadan coming up, it seemed like a great time to ask you, my community, some important questions about family get togethers and talk about how you want to show up.

When it comes to family gatherings, 46% of you feel "okay negative" about them.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What you can and cannot control when it comes to our family, including acknowledging a key emotion that shows up here
• Shifting towards consciously choosing so that you can show up aligned
• Being a united front with your partner

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

Many said you have negative feelings about things you cannot control (86%). That's a lot!

One of the things we must recognize is that family gatherings bring out things that we have no control over, including:

• Other's views of you
• Toxic behaviours and comments
• When others push your boundaries

... and more.

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For the parents who just want their child to be happy.

When I told my daughter that I just needed five minutes before I could rub her back at bedtime, she screamed at me. And what I did next was not my best moment. I could feel it coming over me. I screamed back at her. I know so many parents get to this point - the exhaustion and overwhelm. The Demands. Being pulled in so many directions.

We raise our voice. We show up not aligned with how we want to. We maybe even slip into shame.

It was my luck that I was sitting with Dr. Shefali the next day for the podcast. It was my luck that I was sitting with Dr. Shefali the next day for the podcast. Dr. Shefali is an acclaimed author, international speaker, and clinical psychologist. 

In this episode, we talk about:

• Navigating one of the hardest relationships in our life - with our children
• When our expectations are not met and setting our own boundaries
• Building compassion with ourselves as parents
• How do we approach the meltdowns
• How do I get my partner to do this work too

To learn more about Dr. Shefali:

• Visit her website
• Check out her coaching program
• Follow her on instagram

Join me in my community!

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

What’s Coming Next?

I'm answering your questions in preparation for another holiday. How can we navigate difficult situations with our in-laws and family? 

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In this week's podcast, I answer your question.

Q. Dear Dr. Tracy. Every time I try to share something with my partner, he goes and makes it about himself. Recently, I was trying to share about an issue with my sister. He got so heated and upset - we've had frequent conflict about my sister - that I ended up stop asking for the support that I needed. I'm not sure what to do in these moments, but I do know that resentment is building up and it doesn't feel good. - Nicole 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Different ways to approach a conversation
• Recognizing why your partner might do this
• How to respond at two different times

Looking for more:

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take the free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join me in my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more

What’s Coming Next?

I sit down with Dr. Shefali and dive into the world of conscious parenting. 

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Did you know that 1 in 4 couples sleep in separate beds?1

Despite this common experience, many people continue to feel a lot of stigma around speaking out about their need for a restful night's sleep - which may mean sleeping in a different room from your lover.

People tend to learn that there must be something wrong with a relationship if a couple is sleeping in separate beds.

There is a term for sleeping in separate beds that contributes to this learned stigma: "Sleep divorce." This term implies that sleeping apart is a sign of a relationship lacking in love and sex.

But what if you continue to sleep in the same bed with restless night's sleep? Does your relationship improve or deteriorate? Are you more snappy and short with your partner the next day because their snoring kept you awake? Or maybe you feel a missing desire for your partner because you're the one waking with the baby all the time.

I invited Renee Reina, Ph.D. in Psychology and host of the top-ranking parenting podcast "The Mom Room" to break through the stigma and talk about prioritizing sleep and continuing to nurture our relationships.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Renee's community's surprising response to her disclosure of sleeping in separate rooms
• Early messaging around parents not sharing beds
• The relationship progression she experienced in terms of bed sharing and sleeping with her partner
• When sleeping in separate beds works - and when it doesn't
• Prioritizing and making choices to nurture her relationship

Links:

• Listen to Renee's progression of their relationship and sleep, tune into Episode 44
• Tune into our episode together on Mom Room about resentment and relationships 
• Join me in my online community, Be Connected, to learn how to improve your communication and connection.

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Our collective experiences recently have been beyond challenging. The frequent suggestions of "go for a walk" are often not enough anymore.

Enter Eve Rodsky, an expert in family mediation and organizational management, and author of New York Time's bestselling book Fair Play and Finding Your Unicorn Space. Her message to us is to burn our guilt and get rid of other toxic messages that stop us from doing the very thing we need to find ourselves - and that is to find our Unicorn Space.

Eve and I talk about finding your creative space to ensure a life lived aligned with your values.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why women are so burnt out
• What is the Unicorn Space and why it's so important
• 3 permissions you need to give yourself (Hint: something you need to do with your guilt!)
• Taking responsibility and choosing discomfort over comfort

To Learn With Eve:

• Visit her website
• Follow her on instagram
• Check out her newest book

Join Me in My Community:

• Curious about the relationship cycle you get stuck in? Take my free quiz
• Looking to improve your relationship? Join me in my online program, Be Connected
• Join my monthly newsletter where I give you actionable tips that you can use today in your relationship
• Visit my website for more!

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This episode is quite a bit different than every other episode this season. I asked the community, via Instagram, to submit questions and I picked some to answer similar to a Dear Abby column.

As we close out Season 2 I want to thank this beautiful community - especially since we've hit the 100K download milestone! We truly would not be here without each of you listening and sharing it with those you love.

One of the most powerful things I have learned is what it means to rest. Just like flowers aren't always in bloom, we all have seasons and require periods of rest so we can bloom again. As this season comes to a close I will be taking time this summer to focus on rest.

Stay tuned for season 3 Fall 2021! Be sure to hit subscribe so you will be the first to know when the new season drops.

In this episode, I answer your questions!

Now it’s your turn! Join me over on Instagram, or leave me a note here about what you would like to see on the podcast.

What’s Coming Next?

Stay tune for Season 3 in Fall 2021!

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What happens when you sit two relationship experts down for a chat?

This episode is just that - two relationship experts, one conversation.

Everyone has their own attachment style, it's the way we build and respond to relationships. When we understand our attachment styles we can better help our relationship maintain healthy boundaries.

Speaking of boundaries, have you ever sat down with your partner to discuss your boundaries within the relationship?

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Morgan Anderson to discuss attachment styles and growth edges within relationships.

Dr. Morgan Anderson is a clinical psychologist and relationship coach, host of the “Let’s Get Vulnerable” podcast and creator of the E.S.L relationship method. She helps women break the toxic dating cycle, raise their self-worth and attract the healthy relationship they’ve always wanted. She’s on Instagram @drmorgancoaching - make sure you head over to her page and send her a DM to say hello

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Communicating in relationships and finding your boundaries
• Using your attachment style to tune into how you show up in your relationship
• Finding your growth areas for each attachment style
• What security can look like in a relationship

What’s Coming Next?

My next episode is the season finale where I answer your questions!

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Have you ever reached a point, through your motherhood journey, where you felt like something needed to change in order for you to be happy?

Perhaps you felt as though your needs were somehow lost in the mix while you were putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own. Who looks out for mom when she's taking care of everyone else?

But what if I told you the change you need in order to reach happiness comes from within?

This episode's guest is on a mission to encourage women, especially mothers, to prioritize themselves and choose to set time aside to do what makes them happy, outside of motherhood.

In this episode I sit down with Katie to discuss her journey through motherhood including learning to love her body and putting herself first.

Katie is a working Mom of three, a self-love advocate, a true believer in the mental and physical benefits of exercise, and she's on a personal mission to encourage women (especially Moms!) to put themselves on the top of their priority lists.

During her second postpartum season, Katie - craving connection, and determined to develop self love and confidence - began sharing her life publicly on Instagram. What began as an accountability page for her postpartum fitness journey, grew into an authentic, vulnerable, and relatable journal of self acceptance, body respect, and the highs and lows of motherhood.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Learning to care for ourselves as mothers
• Katie's a-ha moment of realizing she had to prioritize herself, as no one else could do this for her
• Shifting out of goal focused body confidence to body positivity
• Waiting for motivation or time to show up (when it never really does)
• Showing up authentically with others

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Why is it that we treat men's time as if it is as "precious as diamonds" and women's time as if it is as "infinite as sand?" (As this week's podcast guest stated it).

Chances are you never sat down with your partner, before moving in together, getting married, or having children, to discuss who does what. Who takes the trash out? Who buys the mustard? Who care for the children when they are home sick from school? Who coordinates their activities and schoolwork? If needed, who leaves their job to become a full-time parent?

But how have mothers become the default?

In this episode I sit down with Eve Rodsky to discuss mental load and her book FAIR PLAY. In her New York Times bestselling book FAIR PLAY, she uses her Harvard Law School training and years of organizational management experience to create a life-management system to help couples both rebalance all of the work it takes to run a home and reimagine their relationship, time and purpose.

Eve Rodsky received her B.A. in economics and anthropology from the University of Michigan, and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. After working in foundation management at J.P. Morgan, she founded the Philanthropy Advisory Group to advise high-net worth families and charitable foundations on best practices for harmonious operations, governance and disposition of funds. In her work with hundreds of families over a decade, she realized that her expertise in family mediation, strategy, and organizational management could be applied to a problem closer to home – a system for couples seeking balance, efficiency, and peace in their home. Rodsky was born and raised by a single mom in New York City and now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their three children.  

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• The smoothie requirements for Eve’s partner that led to building the Fair Play system and impacting change for women and couples
• Losing our identities and the importance of the unicorn space
• When resentment shows up in our relationships
• The Fair Play system and breaking down the CPE (Conceptualization, Planning, and Execution)

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Step moms seem to get a bad rap in movies - even cast in a poor light and labeled "Evil Stepmothers."

In reality, stepmothers are human beings parachuted into co parenting arrangements they had no part in making.

It can feel like fitting a circle peg into a square-shaped hole. You might be told you aren't a 'real' mother and in the same breath criticized for not being involved enough.

No one hands you instructions on how to be a stepmother and there sure isn't a one-size-fits-all approach.

In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Scrimgeour, a Life Coach specializing in Stepfamily Dynamics and the creator of The Exclusive Stepmom Community. We discuss her experience with becoming a stepmother and how her identity has changed since then.

Jamie Scrimgeour is a mom of one and a stepmom of three with kids ranging in ages from 6-18. Jamie creates raw, real, and relatable digital content about all things parenting, step-parenting, entrepreneurship, and living a KICK-ASS Life. She is also the host of The Jamie Scrimgeour Podcast. With candidness and humor, Jamie uses her personal and professional experience to support woman in living their best life. 

In this episode, we discuss the following:

• Jamie’s journey to becoming a step mom, as well as having a baby with a partner who already has children
• The role of perfectionism and control that gets in the way of connecting with ourselves and our families
• The stigmas and negative beliefs others have of step moms (and how this is different from step dads)
• Setting boundaries when there are so many demands and hats to wear
• Managing transition days and keeping a calendar
• Navigating challenges, boundaries, and growth in your relationship as you navigate what it means to be a blended family
• Shifting into acceptance and your identity as a step mom

Now it’s your turn! Join me over on Instagram, or leave me a note here about your experience as a step mom.

What’s Coming Next?

My next episode is with Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play, where we will talk all about the mental load and creating balance in your relationship

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"Don't go to bed angry" is probably one of the most common well wishes provided to newly weds during evening toasts and handwritten cards.

But what this misses is that if you are escalated and angry, the last thing you should do is continue to talk about the issue at hand. When both partners are flooded and overwhelmed, this is a recipe for additional hurt words that do not get unheard.

In this episode, I sit down with Greg, co-owner of Integrated Wellness, my business partner, my co-parent, and my partner in life, to discuss some of the common stereotypes, misperceptions and myths in romantic relationships. 

In this episode, we discuss:

- Not going to bed angry and what you can do instead

- Is it love at first sight?

- Are having disagreements dealbreakers?

- Does validating my partner mean they are right?

- "Happy wife, happy life"

- The idea that women should be the ones to stay at home with the kids and how this is a huge myth in our own home

- The stay at home parent isn't really "working"

- Women hold the cards in the relationship to make things work

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"You're young..." "You'll get pregnant again..." "At least you have a healthy child..." "At least you can get pregnant..."

It's estimated that nearly 1 in 4 pregnancies results in a miscarriage. Yet somehow most of us are unaware of how many people we know that have experienced pregnancy loss until we experience one.

Feelings of isolation, self-blame, guilt, and shame can pour in during the aftermath of a loss, however the experience of pregnancy loss is incredibly personal and does not impact two people the same way.

An out of order loss can make it difficult for our support networks to know what we need and what to do, leading to an array of platitudes.

But how do we deal with these feelings and the platitudes?

I sat down with Dr. Jessica Zucker the creator of the #IHadAMisscarriage campaign and the psychologist behind the Instagram account @IHadAMiscarriage. Together we discussed our personal experiences with miscarriage, common themes that show up for mothers after, and the challenges that come with asking for support when a loss has occurred.

Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based reproductive and maternal mental health psychologist. She specialized in this field long before experiencing a second trimester miscarriage firsthand. She earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, a Master's degree in human development, as well as a Master's degree in public health. Her educational pursuits married with her clinical practice and research have lead her to write extensively on this topic for outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Vogue. Her first book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement is available now (Feminist Press + Penguin Random House Audio)

In this episode, we discuss:

• What lead Dr. Jessica Zucker to do this work and her own personal journey
• The themes that show up for mothers after miscarriage
• The platitudes that are offered by others and how to cope
• Dealing with uncertainty and grief surrounding miscarriage and control
• Dealing with self-blame, guilt, and shame
• How fixing is the denial of emotional intimacy
• Coping with the anxiety of getting pregnant again after a loss

Now it’s your turn! Join me over on Instagram, or leave me a note here about your experience with miscarriage.

What’s Coming Next?

My next episode is with a special guest that has changed my world, and we are going to bust through the common relationship myths that couples can fall into.

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Have you ever thought to yourself "are we having enough sex?" or maybe you have fallen into a rut where you can recall step-by-step how each time will go because nothing ever changes.

Could anyone else be feeling this way too?

In most relationship we will find mismatched sex drives, doubts, unspoken desires, and self-esteem issues blending into the bedroom.

Sex is something humans do, but for many women we've been socialized to hate our bodies, minimize our desires, and to not talk with our partners about sex.

I was able to sit down this week with a fellow college, Vanessa Marin, to talk all things about sex and intimacy, like what kind of myths about sex women hold, the role of body confidence in our sexuality, the foundations of desire, and what makes sex great.

Vanessa Marin is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in sex therapy. She's here to help you stop feeling embarrassed about sex and start having way more fun in the bedroom.

She has a bachelor's degree in Human Sexuality and Sociology from Brown University, and a master's degree in Counseling Psychology. She writes for The New York Times, Allure, and Lifehacker, and has been featured in over 1,000 times in major publications like O, The Oprah Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29, and Real SImple.

Vanessa specializes in online programs that help you transform your sex life from ordinary to extraordinary, all from the comfort and privacy of your own home. Through Courses like The Passion Project: A Couple's Blueprint To Rediscovering Desire And Reigniting The Spark and Finishing School: Learn How To Orgasm and Orgasm With A Partner, she finds immense joy in spreading the message that we all deserve more from our sex lives. 

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Have you ever had someone say to you "I'm sorry about your divorce?" or maybe you've said this to someone.

Is there really something to be sorry for?

"It was a choice I had to make and for other people, who don't understand what it is to be in a bad marriage and how hard it is to get yourself out of it, all they feel for you is sadness."

Sometimes marriages just don't work. Toxic relationships can bring out the worst versions of ourselves and we just know it's time to move on.

Moving on and your relationship with yourself after is what we are talking about in today's podcast episode as I sit with Michelle Dempsey-Multack to talk about divorce.

Michelle Dempsey-Multack is a co-parenting mom, author, divorce coach and certified divorce specialist helping women move on before, during, and after divorce.

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We all know that feeling when someone apologizes but doesn't really apologize. Or what about for ourselves, when we aren't sure we have anything to apologize.

Why is apologizing so hard? What makes a good apology?

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So many women and mothers show up in my office struggling with high expectations and perfectionism. 

The challenge? Life is not perfect. You are not meant to be perfect. There will be mistakes. It is not possible to be the perfect caregiver, partner and individual.  

And even more so? It’s a trait that society places on us.

And it’s not healthy.

Join me as I speak with Dr. Jen Douglas, a clinical assistant professor at Stanford University, licensed psychologist, and mental wellness speaker. She focuses on helping individuals overcome anxiety, perfectionism and trauma which may be holding them back from living their lives in the most full and authentic way.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 13:47 - What is perfectionism and how does it show up for people?
• 22:23 - Why do I strive for it?
• 34:37 - What is the connection between burnout and perfectionism?
• 48:09 - Overcoming the all or nothing thinking
• 53:13 - What you can start doing now to help perfectionism

To find our more about Dr. Jen Douglas, visit her on Instagram or check out her Freedom from Perfectionism course.

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One of the biggest struggles being seen with dealing with COVID19?

The uncertainty. 

What does this look like tomorrow? Next month? This winter? 

So it's no wonder that 85% of the women I polled said they were stressed out and experiencing burnout. 

Today, I sit with Dr. Julie Beaulac to talk about how we can calm the F*#$ down by re-tuning our nervous systems. And ultimately, if we can retune our nervous systems, we can master burnout. Dr. Beaulac is a registered psychologist and consultant based in Ottawa, Canada. She is also a mindfulness and yoga teacher and an enthusiast of all things movement and in nature. She works with individuals, groups, and organizations to become more engaged, productive, and happier in their lives. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• 13;01 - What is leading us to burn out?
• 18:19 - What happens inside of us when we experience chronic stress? 
• 21:14 - Explaining polyvagal theory
• 28:42 - How to hack our vagus nerve
• 37:47 - Quick and easy ways to retune and calm your nervous system

Grab Dr. Beaulac’s free guide to the 5 QUICK and EASY things you can do right now to find calm. Click here to download. 

Looking for more to tackle burnout? Dr. Beaulac and I have a special BLACK FRIDAY SALE for our e-course Beyond Burnout. Save $100 off with promo code F2020 (because it’s just that kind of year). You can overcome burnout. Click here for more information.

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Take a moment and reflect on the year of 2020. 

Sidenote. It’s already November 3rd!

Did you get all of the projects completed that you wanted to? Make all of the moves you planned to? Start that new workout routine, begin to eat healthier, and find extra time in the day to be with your friends and family? 

Let’s be honest, the answer is probably “no.” 

And you are not alone in that. 

In today’s episode we slow down and talk about the stress of 2020 and how, as a female, this affects your body. And we need to be aware of this! 

Join me and Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur as we dive into how the stress of 2020 is affecting your hormones, your sex drive and so many other systems in your body.

Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur helps women reboot their thyroid for energy they can count on. She is the owner of Docere Naturopathic Clinic located in the heart of Little Italy in Ottawa and has been working for the past decade to help women who are suffering from fatigue, thyroid conditions and hormone imbalances. Her mission is to help women get back to a healthy, happy, feel-good life. Dr. Sarah believes health is the result of creating new habits, one small step at a time. She helps make lifestyle changes feel possible and enjoyable and she truly believes that coffee, chocolate and wine can be part of a healthy diet.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 12:08 - What stress is doing to women in 2020
• 16:57 - The bodily systems that are impacted by stress
• 23:45 - The drive to thrive and push to measure our worth
• 38:04 - Why tuning into your cycle is so important in the overall management of your health and stress
• 39:34 - The different phases of your cycle
• 1:00:15 - Top tip for managing stress today

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We all long to know that we matter to the ones we love. We have an innate need for emotional contact and security, and these attachment needs are healthy and adaptive.  

But at times, we question if we are important to our partners or if we matter.

When our attachment figures - our partners - are not reliably accessible and supportive, the ability to securely attach is undermined. Insecurity develops when there are repeated experiences of nonattunement and noncontingent communication, and our partners are repeatedly unavailable and rejecting. How we ask for our needs will depend on our attachment style. When we do not feel secure, we must find other ways to cope with this stress.

How can we cope when we struggle with insecurity? This is exactly what I talk about in this episode. I sit with Elizabeth Earnshaw, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Certified Gottman Therapist. She owns A Better Life Therapy in Philadelphia, PA where she and her colleagues have supported hundreds of couples. Elizabeth also writes and speaks on relationships. She shares many of her insights on her Instagram account, @lizlistens, and within her membership program Love Lessons 365.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 4:54 - What is attachment theory
• 14:37 - How can someone who is more anxiously attached become more secure?
• 18;40 - What does avoidant attachment look like?
• 23:12 - What is key for the development of secure attachment?
• 31:48 - How to train your body in those tough disagreements
• 37:39 - A conversation around “We marry our unfinished business”
• 42:07 - Strategies for next steps

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We all have triggers.

Our partners all have triggers.

And they are not always the same things.

Building a relationship that brings an understanding of each other’s triggers, strengths and differences is complicated.

When we bring compassion, understanding, kindness and accountability into our relationships, our love and connection blossoms.

In this episode, Michaela Thomas, clinical psychologist, couples therapist and founder of the private psychology practice The Thomas Connection, and I discuss build compassion for healthy and strong relationships:

7:23 - The Fire Triangle of Relationships

22:59 - The 3 Parts of Compassion

29:12 - Motherhood & Compassion

33:13 - Defining Compassion & Mindfulness

46:07 - What you can do in your relationship to start using compassion

Links From This Episode:

Michaela Thomas on IG

Pause*Purpose*Play Group on Facebook

The Thomas Connection

The Lasting Connection Book Now Available

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In June of this year, I was asked to speak at a conference on imposter syndrome for women in business. Being one of my goals for the year, I was super excited and quickly said yes.

Then, a feeling crept in.

This feeling of “who are you to speak in front of all those women?” and “do you really have anything to share that they already don’t know?”

Have you been there before? When you start feeling like an imposter and that you are not qualified or worthy of that opportunity?

That’s what Amanda Tobe, an Industrial Organizational Psychologist from Toronto, Canada, and I are diving into on the podcast today: Imposter Syndrome. Whether this is a new term for you, or an old familiar face, Amanda shares how to move beyond imposter syndrome that may be holding you back:

• 7:10 - Amanda’s personal experience with Imposter Syndrome
• 8:58 - What is Imposter Syndrome?
• 12:21 - How your core beliefs support Imposter Syndrome
• 21:14 - Imposter Syndrome and Self Sabotaging
• 22:19 - The 3R’s to help you overcome Imposter Syndrome
• 37:07 - Growth Mindsets and the Key Factors
• 41:32 - How you can use fear in a positive way

Links from this episode:

Free E-Book: Leading Through Crisis and Transition: A COVID19 toolkit to help you lead with strength, intention, and grace

Book: Own your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt and Succeed in Life (by authors Lisa Orbé-Austin and Richard Orbé-Austin

Book: Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

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We know that women and mothers carry a higher mental load than their partners. It isn’t just completing the household and childcare tasks, it is also the mental and emotional work that it takes to remember to do these tasks.

The mental load became even more evident to me after my second child was born. It wasn’t just going to the doctor appointments for check ups, it was remembering to schedule them. It wasn’t just showing up for the birthday parties, it was buying the gifts and remembering to RSVP.

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Cutlip, relationship coach and owner of My Love Thinks, and I discuss the mental load:

• 5:05 - Our own stories of addressing the mental load in our relationships
• 8:19 - Taking the invisible and making it visible
• 16:28 - How women tend to self-sabotage addressing the mental load
• 29:28 - Dealing with the guilt that shows up when we start to change
• 39:09 - How to address this with our partners

 To find out more about Dr. Cutlip, you can visit her blog here, check out her course for couples on coping with the mental load, and be sure to follow her on Instagram.

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When I returned to work after my second maternity leave, I was doing it all.

Eight clients back to back.

An hour commute home.

Nursing my daughter.

Building a website. 

Creating a podcast.

The list goes on. I was feeling exhausted. I was often dizzy and short of breath (despite looking after regular meals, water intake, and sleep). And then my body started screaming at me, telling me that I needed to stop. 

This. Was. Burnout. 

If you have experienced burnout, or think you might be experiencing it, you are not alone. In this episode, I speak with Mallory Rowan, coach and speaker, and a recovered woman from burnout, about moving towards living your life and business in alignment with what matters most to you: 

• 9:26 - Mallory’s experience with burnout
• 13:01 - Signs and symptoms of burnout
• 18:39 - How to start recovering from burnout
• 26:49 - The mindsets that put us at risk for burnout
• 30:41 - Mallory’s non-negotiables for managing self-care
• 44:26 - Strategies to help live a meaningful life

For Mallory’s free guide to help you master your Instagram bio, click here.

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Overwhelmed.

Can you relate to this feeling? 

Overwhelmed with the number of things you need to get done. From cleaning the house, homeschooling your kids, organizing meals, working, maintaining friendships, and connecting with your partner - the list goes on.

But what would happen if you took a pause? Took a deliberate moment to rest through the day.

In this episode, I connect with Allison Keating, founder of bWell Clinic in Ireland, about how we can move out of the mindset of being a perfect woman and giving ourselves the space to not always please, perform or be perfect.  Here are a few of the highlights: 

• 5:32 - What does the ‘striving mode’ look like?
• 9:53 - The Pause 
• 12:03 - Reflecting to determine where we learned our norms from
• 19:43 - What’s the impact on our relationships with our partners and children?
• 21:43 - Strategies to help you let go of the overwhelm
• 37:53 - Ways to start to nourish and replenish yourself

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Friendships are hard, particularly as adults. Many of us believe that the quality of our life is based on the number of people we can count on as friends. The more friends we have, the better off we are.

So when we go through a friendship breakup, it's hard to understand that it’s not necessarily about the type of person we are, or the kind of life we live, but rather a part of any relationship and personal growth.

To dive deeper into the world of friendships, I had the honour to speak with my good friend, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer. We spoke about: 

• How we relate friendships to success
• How can friendships change?
• What are changes appearing in our friendships through COVID
• How can we support our friendships through change
• How to give you friend feedback
• How to decide when you need to let go of a friendship
• Ways you can choose to end a friendship
• How do you mourn the loss of a friend and why do they hurt so badly?

Want to learn more with us?

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer and I have a special bonus. We were asked what it’s like to build friendships as therapists. So, we had a candid and unscripted conversation around what it’s like to make friends as a professional. 

If you are a professional, a therapist, or curious about friendships, head over to drtracyd.com/friends to download this bonus episode. 

To learn more about Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, visit her website or follow her on Instagram.

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There is so much happening in the world today. The events taking place are outside of our control, from COVID19 to the Black Lives Matter Movement.

So that is why today’s podcast brings my favourite colleagues from across North America to share their top way of coping with the challenges so many of us are facing in the world today.

Here is the list of experts sharing on this episode: 

Dr. Rachel Goldman, Clinical Psychologist in New York City, New York, on the importance of daily check-ins. www.DrRachelNYC.com

Dr. Morgan Francis, Clinical Psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, on how to cope through the pressure of a whole body transformation after this pandemic. www.scottsdalepremiercounseling.com

Dr. Ann Louise Lockhart, Pediatric Psychologist, parent coach and business owner in San Antonio, Texas on the importance of connection over correction. www.anewdaysa.com

Dr. Betsy Chang, Clinical Psychologist in Newport Beach, California, shares about the power of teamwork in your relationship. www.DrBetsyChung.com

Hatty J Lee, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Los Angeles California, dives into our own trauma responses and what happens when they are triggered. www.oakandstonetherapy.com

Dr. Shawn Horn, Clinical Psychologist, TEDx Speaker and host of the Inspired Living Podcast, shares what toxic shame is and how to work through it. www.drshawnhorn.com

Dr. Morgan Anderson, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Coach shares one mindset that you, as single women, could find helpful right now. https://www.drmorgancoaching.com/

Dr. Morgan Cutlip, Relationship Expert, Coach and Course Creator on how to shift the guilt of motherhood during this time. http://www.lovethinks.com/

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We are in a time of crisis. Moving into the summer, what is one question that you should be asking yourself.

Picture your life as a garden. Everything you can pour your energy into, everything that is important to you is a different plant.

You have a plant for each relationship (your children, your partner, your extended family), for career, friendships, self-care, etc. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine your garden.

When you can see your garden, now picture a watering can filled with water.

That watering can - that’s you.

You get to choose, each day, where you pour your water into. You only have 1 watering can; what will you choose today?

Launching Season 2 of I’m Not Your Shrink Podcast, I share the number one question we all need to be asking ourselves, which I have personally learned in the past year.

Looking for more with me?

Check out my weekly Q&A. Each Friday I answer your questions: https://drtracyd.com/blog

Join my 5-day challenge to help cope with crisis in your relationship: https://sendfox.com/lp/1x7ey3

Come join me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tracyd/

Check out my new membership space for women who are looking to strengthen their relationship: https://beconnected.drtracyd.com

Looking to master stress and find balance? Check out my e-course to help you Cultivate Self-Compassion and Awareness: https://cultivating-awareness.teachable.com/p/from-stressed-to-balanced

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It's episode 12 and the season finale! In this episode I'm talking about my THREE R's for maximizing your wellness over the summer months. Be sure to get out a piece of paper because I challenge you to set an intention for this season, and I want you to write down one idea under each R! We know that when we write out our goals and intentions we are more likely to achieve them! 

I look forward to touching base with all of you in Season Two! Want to get the latest updates and keep in touch? Sign up for my email list here.

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Anxiety. So many of us experience this normal emotion. And yet, anxiety is a common presentation in the therapy office, often times clients saying they want to get rid of it. It has taken over their lives and impacted their ability to cope each day. They have stopped going out to the grocery store. They have stopped seeing friends. They can't complete what they want to do each day because they are stuck in a worries and fears.

Can you get rid of anxiety?

Dr. Julie Groveman, clinical psychologist in NYC who focuses on helping clients break toxic patterns, conquer fear and empower them to be the most confident version of themselves, talks about whether we can get rid of this emotion, and what we can do to manage anxiety.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dr. Julie’s early experience with anxiety and what this message taught her
• The importance of labelling and noticing this emotion
• Traits about you that contribute to the experience of anxiety
• How our inner critic and self-doubt leads to anxiety
• Common things people do to cope with anxiety that are NOT helpful
• Dr. Julie’s top three tips for coping with anxiety

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Today I chat with Melissa Mitri, a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, where her practice is focused on helping moms and moms-to-be build a healthy baby and nourish themselves through a practical, whole foods approach.  Melissa has over 10 years of experience in the field of nutrition, and has a true passion for helping women feel confident entering motherhood.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Melissa's journey into motherhood and her struggle with breastfeeding
• Top nutritions that you need to be considering for your postpartum body and for breastfeeding. We only talk about two of the six, so Melissa created this handout so you don't have to make notes! Click HERE to download it.
• Adjusting to motherhood and body image acceptance
• Healthy weight loss after having a baby.

If you are a new mom or soon to be mother, this is a must listen! Melissa shares such key pieces of nutrition that I wish I had known earlier on. If you know a new mom, or soon to be mom, or even if you are going to be a second, third, or fourth time mom, her tips are helpful for managing key nutrients and body health in this stage.

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Shame is the notion that one is unworthy, defective, or a failure in some way. As one of the most painful emotions experienced, shame disconnects us from others, leading to feelings of isolation. And we all experience shame! On a regular Tuesday morning, I find myself yelling at my son, and then being washed away in shame. In this episode, I talk all about shame and how it impacts our relationships, the difference between shame and guilt, and give strategies you can use to help you cope with shame. 

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Money matters. But women don’t like to talk about it and there are so many emotional barriers to talking about and addressing issues related to money. I chat with financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin about the challenges women face when it comes to the view of money and their own worth, connecting money to your values, core themes that people get stuck on when it comes to managing money, and how couples can begin to manage their money together.

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I sit down with registered physiotherapist, yoga teacher, and mother, Andrea Plitz. We talk about the the fundamentals of pelvic floor health for ALL women and when you need to see a pelvic floor therapist. I ask Andrea to demystify the kegal and teach us how we can access this area in our body. Finally, Andrea gives three different ways that you can connect to your pelvic floor. 

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I answer a listener’s question on how to deal with her partner’s defensiveness in their relationship. I first talk about what is defensiveness, and then discuss different strategies for you to use to address and change this tricky response style with our partners! Are you someone that tends to feel defensive? This episode is also for you!

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I sit down with Erica from Mom.Break and talk about her experience with postpartum depression and going to therapy. As a psychologist, I could never ask my clients to share in this format. When I met Erica through Instagram and for coffee, I wanted others to hear her story. We talk about the realness of motherhood, the intrusive thoughts and difficulties coping as a parent. Tune in to hear Erica's journey of acknowledging when she needed help and how she told others about going to therapy.

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I am talking all about self-care this week - an important aspect of living a meaningful life. I talk about what self-care is not and what gets in the way of you looking after you. I offer specific tips about how you can improve your self-care. Be sure to tune in to the end of the episode - since so many people struggle with the term "self-care," I offer a new perspective on how you can view this pivotal act.

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I speak with psychologist Dr. Soph about authenticity, shame, and navigating boundaries in your life. Setting boundaries is one of the top things we talk about with our clients. Tune in to find out more about just what boundaries are, signs you may need to set boundaries, and how you can do this. If you are someone that always says yes, has a hard time saying no, feels overwhelmed by others asking you to do things, and feels stressed by caring for everyone but you, this episode is for you!

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There are so many times when fear stops us from doing something that is important – from taking that big risk or making a change. In this episode, I talk about my experience of fear through creating this podcast and how this primary emotion derails us from living a meaningful life. You will learn specific tools that you can use to help face your fear so that this emotion becomes just an emotion and not something that stops you in your life!

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Join me, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, psychologist and couples therapist, as I discuss two core themes that I see in therapy every day and why I created this podcast. With over ten years of training and experience in providing therapy, I’m combining what I have learned as a psychologist sitting with people in their hardest moments and my experiences of being a mother and a wife, to help you change the dialogue in your life so you can live a life filled with meaning.

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