If you’re a woman who can run circles around most humans — yet still finds herself scheduling her partner’s appointments, tracking his moods, or generally keeping his life stitched together — congratulations, you’re unofficially in man-keeping mode. Hilary is calling it out the silent epidemic of high-achieving women accidentally becoming their partner’s project manager instead of their partner. Spoiler: nothing kills attraction faster than turning romance into a daycare.

But rather than blaming men, she hands the steering wheel back to us. How much of this dynamic exists because we keep jumping in? What happens if you stop over-functioning and let him rise,  or reveal that he won’t? This episode is a wake-up call for every woman who’s tired of being needed more than she’s cherished. Because you don’t need another job title. You need a partner who carries his own weight without being micromanaged.

Episode Highlights:

The real reason competent women keep ending up in mothering roles

How “helping” becomes control disguised as care

Why boundaries are sexier than over-giving

The one-liner that stops you from taking on his “we should” ideas

How to instantly shift the power dynamic without drama or nagging

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 What Is Man-Keeping?

01:09 When You Start Feeling Like His Mom

02:33 The Real Fix: Change Your Own Patterns

06:25 Stop Overfunctioning and Set Boundaries

07:27 Flip the “We Should” Script

11:08 Love Is Partnership, Not Parenting

✨ I’m Hilary Silver, LCSW, former psychotherapist turned master coach and founder of Ready for Love. I help high-achieving women show up in love as confidently as they do in their careers.

💡 Through this podcast, I share my WOMAN-centered, SELF-centered approach—time-tested methods that blend psychology, brain science, relationship skills, and no-BS dating advice.

🎙️ Since 2017, we’ve helped over 10,000 women with a 98% success rate, making Ready for Love the #1 program in the world for women who’ve tried everything else.

✨ Ready to stop repeating the same patterns and finally create the love you deserve? 

🎯 Watch my free masterclass to learn the proven 4-step Ready for Love Method: https://readyforloveinc.com/masterclass

💬 Apply for a free Love Breakthrough Call with my team: https://readyforloveinc.com/apply