Being vulnerable in a healthy relationship can feel unsafe—especially if you've been burned before. But vulnerability is the key to building real emotional intimacy and connection. In this episode, Christina Hathaway, licensed marriage and family therapist, breaks down what healthy vulnerability actually looks like, why it’s not oversharing or trauma dumping, and how to express your truth without losing your identity.

If you’ve ever struggled to say what you really feel, if you tend to merge into your partner or over-function emotionally, or if you're navigating relationships with old wounds, this episode is for you!

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Vulnerability in healthy relationships can feel unsafe at first
00:38 – Inspired by Matthew Hussey’s take on intimacy
01:31 – Defining vulnerability: It’s not oversharing or codependency
02:44 – The power of sharing truth without performance
03:44 – Real-life example: Writing a note to her husband
04:16 – Navigating boundary-setting early in dating
05:03 – Language to honor boundaries while staying open
06:11 – Don't confuse merging with intimacy
07:49 – Staying present through discomfort and hormonal shifts
09:26 – Healthy intimacy isn’t about safety all the time—it’s about discernment
10:25 – Never weaponize someone's vulnerability
11:55 – Allowing mutual emotional exposure in relationships
13:00 – You don’t rush trust—you build it
14:21 – Key questions to ask yourself when gauging emotional safety
15:35 – What to do when you fear someone will leave after opening up
16:11 – Final thoughts + call to share this episode