#88 10 Phrases to Help You Reconnect When Conversations Go Sideways
What if every awkward silence, every emotional hijack, every misstep, is simply a chance to circle back? To help you reconnect? To build trust, not erode it?
#86 Have Unmet Needs in a Relationship? How to Tell and What to Do
Have you ever felt frustrated, disconnected, or emotionally drained in a relationship, but couldn’t quite put your finger on why? Maybe you’ve found yourself thinking:
Why do I always feel like I’m giving more than I get?
Why does this relationship leave me feeling so exhausted?
Am I expecting too much—or is something really missing?
These feelings aren’t random. They’re signals—your mind and body’s way of alerting you to unmet needs in a relationship. Instead of ignoring them or blaming yourself (or the other person), learning to recognize and respond to them can lead to healthier, more fulfilling connections.
#74 Protecting Kids from Bullying: Tools for Immediate Safety and Lasting Change
When it comes to protecting kids from bullying and fostering inclusive environments, we often encounter objections that dismiss or minimize the urgency of these issues. Phrases like “Kids will be kids” or “You’re being too sensitive” can shut down conversations and prevent meaningful change. These objections aren’t just casual remarks—they reflect deeper societal patterns, discomfort, and sometimes, a lack of awareness. This week’s podcast episode, Episode 74: Protecting Kids from Bullying, dives into the complexities of ensuring immediate safety while addressing the root causes of harm.
Staying Grounded in the Face of Big Emotions
What if you had skills for staying grounded and present when fielding someone else’s anger, hurt or indignation? What if you could approach emotionally charged conversations without feeling overly injured or controlled by another’s feelings? As we increase our emotional resilience and engage in our own growth and healing work, we are more and more able to stay present and engaged, even in the face of difficult emotions in ourselves and others.
Co-Parenting with a Narcissistic Ex: Practical Strategies for Toxic Relationships
Co-parenting is never simple, but when your ex-partner exhibits narcissistic tendencies, the challenges can feel insurmountable. You may find yourself oscillating between hope for collaboration and frustration at the reality of unpredictability and conflict. How do you discern what’s possible, protect your child’s well-being, and maintain your sanity? This post dives into the nuances of co-parenting with a narcissistic ex, examining the differences from healthy co-parenting and offering practical tips and scripts for navigating this complex dynamic.
Stop Being Polite: How To Speak Up With Empathy
We’ve all been there: that moment when we hear something that makes our hearts race, our stomachs churn, and our minds spin. It could be a comment, an assumption, or a dismissive remark that doesn’t sit well. Something that perpetuates old patterns of harm and injustice. And yet, many of us find ourselves holding back, […]
How to Build Authentic Connections with Difficult Family Members
So often, past hurts make it really difficult to connect with family in authentic ways. It’s a recipe for hurt if we want to show up in ways that are true to who we are, and our own family has a difficult time seeing us that way. We had a great conversation on the podcast this week about how to get more of what we want from difficult family members.
4 Scripts That Connect
It can be so difficult to know what to say next. Whether you need to have a personal or professional conversation, sometimes finding the words are hard, especially if you’re looking for scripts that connect.
When Blame is the First Response
Have you ever complained to someone about your pain, only to receive blame for it? It’s a common, and extremely painful dynamic. Sometimes our loved ones think they’re helping us by telling us the “honest truth.” However, “tough love” often leaves us with the blame but rarely soothes us or inspires us to change. So if that strategy doesn’t work, what does?
How to Listen Without Getting Defensive
It’s rarely our first instinct to listen without getting defensive. Defensiveness is a natural response designed to protect us in situations where we may be concerned for our safety. However, when we become defensive, we close ourselves off to our hearts. We become unable to access the vulnerable part of us that can actually shift and de-escalate conflict. Additionally, we become cut off from valuable insights and perspectives from others, ultimately sabotaging effective communication and connection. The key to stepping out of our heavily reinforced habit of defending ourselves in conflict lies in focusing on two internal resources: our intention and our attention.