For nearly two decades, Zephan and Sarah's marriage was in "survival mode". On the surface, everything seemed "fine," but underneath, a painful disconnect was growing—one partner felt "particularly lonely," while the other "had no idea". A pivotal moment during a podcast recording led to an emotional "dam break," forcing them to confront years of unspoken pain. In this episode, Zephan and Sarah share their powerful journey of moving beyond a "people pleaser" dynamic and ineffective relationship "rules". They discuss navigating the chaotic first six months—a period they call "Pandora's Box"—to build a foundation of true emotional safety and transform their communication, learning how to become a true "witness for your life".

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Connection Codes Podcast

• 00:03:16 - Meet Zephan & Sarah

• 00:04:12 - Why Connection Codes Was Different: How it became a "way of life," not just a quick fix.

• 00:05:13 - The First 10 Years: Reflecting on the intensity and "survival mode" of early marriage.

• 00:06:11 - The Turning Point: A failed podcast recording reveals one partner's hidden pain.

• 00:08:43 - Defining Connection: The pain caused by differing views on what connection looks like.

• 00:09:36 - The People-Pleaser Dynamic: How managing a partner's emotions prevents intimacy.

• 00:10:30 - The Problem with "Rules": Why rule-based methodologies for relationships often fail.

• 00:11:08 - The Core Principle of Safety: The commitment to "be safe for one another."

• 00:13:37 - The "Dam Break" of Loneliness: Finding the language to define loneliness within the marriage.

• 00:15:12 - Learning to "Ooh" a Partner's Pain: Validating a partner without taking on their pain as shame.

• 00:15:53 - Seeing "Micro-Resisting": Noticing the pattern of people resisting each other's emotions.

• 00:16:56 - The Journey of Oohing Yourself: Not resisting your own emotions as a path to self-discovery.

• 00:22:39 - Finding Your Voice: How a safe group environment helps in sharing difficult emotions.

• 00:23:58 - A New Way to Argue: Moving from "I'm not enough" to "I'm feeling lonely."

• 00:29:41 - The "Pandora's Box" Phase: The scary and difficult first six months of doing the work.

• 00:31:05 - How to Navigate Early Stages: Advice on staying curious to find connection at the bottom of the pain.

• 00:36:40 - The Vital Role of Community: How supportive friends were essential to their journey.

• 00:38:43 - A Partner as a "Witness": The profound purpose of a committed partnership.

Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill welcome their grandson, Asher Hill, to share his journey of learning and practicing the Connection Codes Core Emotion Wheel from a young age. That foundation became life-saving when, at just 14 years old, he was hit with the emotional weight of his mother’s cancer diagnosis. Now 16, Asher reflects on how this tool has carried him through high school pressures, football struggles, panic attacks, and family conflicts—and even how he uses it with his girlfriend to build a safe, honest relationship. His story proves that emotional intelligence isn’t just for adults—no one is too young to learn it—and that authentic communication and safe spaces for vulnerability can transform every relationship, from family to friendships to future partnerships.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction & Disclaimer(00:02:59) Meet Asher(00:05:14) Why Asher is on the Podcast(00:06:59) Early Memories of Connection Codes(00:08:06) Cousin Conflict(00:10:38) The "Three Sentences" Rule(00:12:56) The Core Emotion Wheel as a "Game Changer"(00:15:56) Learning as We Go(00:19:12) A Cousin-Led Resolution(00:21:44) Navigating a Mother's Illness(00:26:28) Emotional Suppression as a Coping Mechanism(00:27:32) Inhale, Exhale: The Flow of Emotions(00:29:07) The Gym Analogy for Emotions(00:30:44) The Weight of Unprocessed Feelings(00:36:11) Asher's Core Emotion Wheel(00:38:23) Using the Wheel in a Relationship

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠⁠⁠

In this heartfelt episode, we explore the transformative power of vulnerability in personal growth. Join us as Hannah Droll shares her journey of embracing vulnerability through Connection Codes, revealing how it reshaped her relationships and self-awareness. Discover the challenges and triumphs of staying present in moments of emotional intensity, and learn how vulnerability can lead to deeper connections and personal transformation. Tune in to uncover the profound impact of being open and authentic in your own life.

What if processing emotions could be simple, kind, and transformative? In this conversation, Dr. Glenn sits down with Jonathan Hernandez — psychology student, Certified Connection Codes Coach, and creative visionary bringing the Connection Codes to nearly a billion Spanish speakers. Speaking from his own dating relationship, Jonathan shares how processing emotions like fear, joy, and shame without judgment has deepened connection and reduced conflict — and how these same tools are transforming marriages around the world. Together, they explore why emotions “happen to us,” how resisting them keeps us stuck, and practical ways to experience emotional safety in real time. Whether you’re dating, married, or somewhere in between, this episode offers hope, humor, and actionable insight for anyone ready to strengthen their emotional health and relationships.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠⁠
• Jonathan Hernandez on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hernandez-b16070188⁠

Chapters: 

• 00:00:00 - Welcome & Why This Conversation Matters
• 00:00:38 - Finding Joy in Fully Feeling
• 00:01:35 - Meet Jonathan Hernandez & His Mission
• 00:03:13 - The Moment Connection Codes Changed Everything
• 00:07:22 - How Emotions Shape Every Connection
• 00:10:50 - Processing Feelings That Once Felt Impossible
• 00:21:06 - Turning Shame into a Bridge for Closeness
• 00:24:34 - Trauma Responses and the Path to Healing
• 00:27:23 - Experiencing Emotions in a Whole New Way
• 00:28:43 - Using Emotional Processing to Truly Heal
• 00:29:55 - Why Sadness Deserves a Seat at the Table
• 00:32:09 - Applying Connection Codes in Real-Life Dating
• 00:42:20 - Bringing Connection Codes to Millions of Spanish Speakers
• 00:48:02 - The Transformative Power of Emotional Coaching
• 00:49:58 - Walking Through the Emotional Wheel in Action

After 30 days apart, Tera and Wes Wages reunite in this raw and reflective episode to walk through the Core Emotion Wheel—live and unscripted. They process everything from the guilt of missed connections to the joy of being truly seen, showing just how powerful emotional honesty can be. Along the way, they model how to use this tool in real-time, talk through what’s really driving their behavior, and explain how diving deeper into core emotions has helped them move from disconnection to intimacy. If you've ever felt stuck in surface-level conversations, this episode shows how to break through and build meaningful connection—one emotion at a time.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters: 

• 00:00:00 - Welcome, Warm-Up & Quick Heads-Up
• 00:00:49 - Summer Stories & Reuniting on the Mic
• 00:01:10 - Unlocking Connection with the Core Emotion Wheel
• 00:03:33 - Putting the Wheel to Work in Real Life
• 00:05:24 - Peeling Back Layers: Emotions That Shape Relationships
• 00:12:00 - Wes Opens Up: Honest Feelings on the Table
• 00:17:14 - Big Life Shift: Saying Goodbye to the RV
• 00:18:41 - The Emotional Weight of Letting Go
• 00:19:08 - Adventures, Solitude, and Summer Reflections
• 00:20:06 - Joy, Dreams, and What’s Next
• 00:20:35 - Breaking Down the Core Eight Emotions
• 00:22:02 - Chasing Parks, Memories, and Milestones
• 00:23:37 - Why Our Feelings Drive the Choices We Make
• 00:30:52 - The Highs and Hiccups of Life on the Road
• 00:33:04 - How Core Emotions Keep Us Connected
• 00:35:06 - Final Encouragement & Invitation to Join the Conversation

Phyllis and Dr. Glenn Hill sit down with Elijah Runyan, Director of Certified Coaching for Connection Codes, to dive deep into the world of neurodivergence and emotional connection. Both Elijah and Dr. Glenn share personal stories of what it’s like to live with unique emotional wiring—where everyday experiences, like dishes left undone or mismatched hangers, can trigger intense pain experiences. Through candid reflections, they reveal how shame and loneliness can take hold when these experiences go unseen or misunderstood, and how learning to process pain instead of judging it opens the door to authentic connection. This episode highlights how the Connection Codes framework—centered on regard, curiosity, and emotional awareness—has transformed their relationships, helping them move from miscommunication to genuine closeness with their families and partners.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠
• Connect with Elijah here: https://www.runyanstronghealth.com/

Chapters: 

• 00:00:00 - Opening Up: Why This Conversation Matters
• 00:00:56 - What Neurodivergence Really Feels Like
• 00:04:22 - When “Different” Becomes a Daily Struggle
• 00:07:41 - From Shame to Identity: The Pain Behind Control
• 00:12:14 - Why Being Seen Is More Powerful Than Being Helped
• 00:21:15 - Raising Kids While Feeling Misunderstood
• 00:22:22 - Making Room for Everyday Pain
• 00:22:33 - Teaching Compassion Through Lived Experience
• 00:25:10 - Travel, Triggers, and When Systems Break
• 00:26:57 - Navigating Marriage with a Neurodivergent Lens
• 00:29:13 - How We Learn to Speak Each Other’s Language
• 00:30:19 - The Great Hanger Debate (Yes, Really)
• 00:32:37 - Celebrating the Things That Set Us Apart
• 00:35:10 - Final Thoughts on Connection, Curiosity, and Courage

Tera, Phyllis, and Dr. Glenn dive into the deeply human instinct to stay hidden—especially when emotions like shame, sadness, or anger begin to rise. Whether it's saying “I’m fine” when we’re not, or disconnecting to avoid discomfort, the episode unpacks how hiding becomes a form of emotional protection that ultimately costs us connection. Drawing from personal stories and the Connection Codes framework, the hosts reveal how early life messages taught us to suppress emotion rather than engage with it—and how staying hidden, even from ourselves, creates internal dissonance. Through honest reflection and practical tools, they guide listeners toward emotional safety and deeper intimacy by asking the core question: “What’s firing in me right now?” If you've ever shut down, avoided vulnerability, or longed to feel more seen in your relationships, this episode offers a compassionate and powerful path back to connection.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters: 

• 00:00:00 – When You Say “I’m Fine”… But You’re Not
• 00:00:38 – Caught Hiding in the Pantry
• 00:01:38 – The Emotional Weight of Disappearing
• 00:02:34 – Wellness, Vulnerability, and Hidden Triggers
• 00:05:55 – What Hiding Really Does to the Heart
• 00:08:35 – The Silent Disconnect in Relationships
• 00:11:26 – Why Hiding Becomes a Habit
• 00:15:02 – What Happens When You Finally Speak It
• 00:24:25 – The Emotion Wheel That Changed Everything
• 00:25:20 – Saying the Thing You've Never Said
• 00:27:33 – You Deserve to Be Seen
• 00:30:48 – Finding Your Safe People
• 00:33:04 – When Judgment Shuts Us Down
• 00:38:11 – Using the Core Emotion Wheel in Real Life
• 00:43:47 – Wrapping Up: Your Next Step Toward Connection

In this powerful episode of the Connection Codes podcast, Tera and Phyllis sit down with trauma-informed coach Echo Hill Vetter to break open what happens when we let go of punishment and choose connection over consequence. Together, they unpack why punishing our kids “into good behavior” often fails — and how to replace control with curiosity, repair, and true partnership. Echo shares how dance and movement are medicine for kids’ big feelings and how parenting leadership really means supporting our kids from beneath, not controlling them from above. If you’ve ever wondered, “If I don’t punish, what do I do instead?” — this honest conversation shows the way forward.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠⁠⁠

Chapters: 

• 00:00:00 - Welcome + Why This Conversation Matters
• 00:00:38 - Echo’s Raw and Real Parenting Story
• 00:01:10 - When Parenting Feels Like Constant Friction
• 00:01:24 - What It Means to Parent Through Trauma
• 00:03:21 - Why Culture Taught Us to Punish
• 00:05:04 - Dance, Movement & Emotional Survival
• 00:08:28 - The Truth About Traditional Parenting Struggles
• 00:09:22 - Choosing Connection Over Consequence
• 00:18:13 - Leadership Reimagined: Parenting from Beneath
• 00:21:40 - How Our Kids Mirror Us (Literally)
• 00:22:10 - What to Do When Kids “Act Out”
• 00:23:01 - Regulating Ourselves Before Reacting
• 00:23:25 - Is Talking Back Actually a Good Sign?
• 00:24:20 - Seeing the Need Behind the Behavior
• 00:27:27 - Real-Life Tools for Collaborative Parenting
• 00:28:57 - When Your Kid Is Wild (And Wonderful)
• 00:34:51 - Curiosity and Compassion: The Game Changers
• 00:36:13 - Echo’s Parting Encouragement to All Parents

If you are in a happy, loving relationship where you feel safe but have moments that suddenly your partner feels like the enemy... Ooooo... you aren't alone. It is easy to feel like they are the ones in the "wrong." Today, we talk about reframing our thoughts and having deep conversations to experience new depth and peace in your relationship.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Emotional Struggles And Communication Breakdowns
• 00:03:52 - Dr. Glenn & Phyllis: Dedication To Helping Others
• 00:07:40 - Importance Of Deep Connections In Relationships
• 00:18:34 - Power Of Vulnerability In Relationships
• 00:22:48 - Partnering Against The Cyclone: Unity And Protection
• 00:27:55 - Building Deep Connections Through Connection Codes
• 00:31:16 - Effects Of Physical Pain On Behavior And Parenting
• 00:42:31 - Three Steps To Connect And Communicate
• 00:46:02 - Power Of Consistency In Improving Relationships
• 00:50:45 - Emotional And Physical Pain: Loneliness, Guilt, And Fear

When did motherhood start to mean sacrificing your whole self? In this honest episode, No Guilt Mom founder JoAnn Crohn joins Tera to unmask the hidden expectations that keep moms overwhelmed and stuck in cycles of guilt. JoAnn shares how a single permission slip — and a head of cabbage — helped her break free from the “selfless mom” myth, reclaim her identity, and build a thriving community where moms stop doing everything alone. If you’re ready to rewrite the good mom story and trade guilt for real connection, this episode is your sign to start now.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@connectioncodes?si=phORYBsGMOOrj9mA⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/coaches#find-a-coach-menu⁠
• Website: noguiltmom.com
• JoAnn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanncrohn/⁠⁠

Chapters: 

• 00:00:00 - Opening Thoughts & Gentle Disclaimer
• 00:00:38 - Meet JoAnn: The Voice Behind No Guilt Mom
• 00:02:49 - From “No Kids Ever” to Motherhood
• 00:04:25 - Surviving Postpartum: The Turning Point
• 00:06:58 - Why Moms Need Real Self-Care
• 00:12:29 - Journaling: A Safe Space for Truth
• 00:19:11 - Smashing the “Good Mom” Expectations
• 00:22:43 - How Moms Cope (and Why It Changes)
• 00:23:12 - Choosing Sobriety: What It Reveals
• 00:23:40 - Why We All Need Community
• 00:24:15 - Can AI Help Us Connect Better?
• 00:26:05 - The Social Skills We’re All Relearning
• 00:28:17 - Building Real Friendships (Not Just Playdates)
• 00:30:30 - JoAnn’s HAPPY Framework in Action
• 00:35:15 - Using the Core Emotion Wheel at Home
• 00:41:03 - Final Takeaways & Resources You’ll Love