Connection Codes

In this heartfelt episode, certified Connection Codes coach Bridgett Blood joins Tera and Phyllis for an honest and moving conversation about what it means to connect with yourself first. After facing the collapse of a romantic relationship that had initially introduced her to Connection Codes, Bridgett found herself alone—and yet, divinely invited—to use these emotional tools to begin healing from the inside out. She shares how journaling her core emotions, honoring the signals from her body, and staying present through the pain helped her rebuild a sense of wholeness and self-worth. This episode is a powerful reminder that the journey to connection with others must begin with ourselves—and that even in our darkest seasons, we can learn to stay.

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 - Let’s Begin: A Gentle Disclaimer

• 00:00:39 - Welcome to the Space Where Connection Matters

• 00:01:32 - Meet Bridget: A Journey of Heart and Healing

• 00:03:03 - From Breakup to Breakthrough: Bridget’s Path to Wholeness

• 00:03:55 - Her Daily Practice: Wheels, Words, and Staying Present

• 00:07:02 - Emotional Honesty: The Real Work of Being Human

• 00:11:20 - When Phyllis Needed the Tools Too

• 00:18:06 - How to Stay True to Yourself in Love

• 00:24:02 - Listening to Your Body When It’s Screaming Softly

• 00:30:48 - Pain Isn’t the End—It’s the Invitation

• 00:31:16 - One Massage, a Lifetime of Emotions

• 00:32:20 - The Weight We Carry When We Don’t Process

• 00:34:01 - What Our Bodies Remember from Generations Past

• 00:35:02 - The Science (and Soul) Behind the Body’s Memory

• 00:38:16 - Bridget’s Road Back to Self-Care

• 00:40:07 - Loving Yourself While Loving Someone Else

• 00:42:27 - The Courage Men Need to Feel

• 00:45:42 - What Healing Sounds Like for All of Us

• 00:49:04 - You’re Allowed to Ask for Help

• 00:55:19 - A Soft Landing: Final Thoughts & Tools for You

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, Tera shares the emotional weight of discovering a lump and choosing silence over fear—until it became too loud to ignore. Phyllis opens up about years of stored anger and the physical damage it caused before she began the journey of emotional release. Alongside Dr. Glenn, they explore how unprocessed emotions don’t disappear—they go deeper, affecting not just relationships, but our health and sense of self. Through honest storytelling and the powerful tool of the Core Emotion Wheel, this conversation invites listeners to stop stuffing, start feeling, and gently uproot what’s been buried for far too long. It’s not about fixing everything overnight—it’s about finally starting.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/cew-podcast⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/all-coaches⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Before We Begin: A Gentle Disclaimer
• 00:00:39 - Welcome to Connection Codes: Let’s Get Real
• 00:01:32 - Tera’s Story: When Fear Took Over
• 00:02:27 - What Happens When We Avoid Emotion
• 00:03:10 - How Emotions Take Root in Us
• 00:05:05 - Phyllis on Anger: The Emotion She Never Spoke
• 00:07:04 - Why Feeling Is Healing
• 00:08:09 - The Brain-Body Link You Didn’t Know About
• 00:17:16 - Learning to Actually Connect With Yourself
• 00:26:52 - The Paint Job Metaphor That Says It All
• 00:27:18 - When Gratitude Becomes a Mask
• 00:28:03 - Getting Honest About Gratitude
• 00:28:49 - Why Downtime Is Not Optional
• 00:30:12 - Success Means Nothing Without This
• 00:31:33 - Using the Core Emotion Wheel to Process Life
• 00:33:19 - Real-Life Ways to Apply the Wheel
• 00:39:37 - How One Tool Is Changing the World
• 00:40:19 - Making Emotional Check-Ins Part of Everyday Life
• 00:45:13 - Your Invitation to Try the Core Emotion Wheel

Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill sit down with certified Connection Codes coaches Tanya and James, a couple whose journey into emotional healing began in an unexpected place—deep in a remote part of British Columbia. What started as a midnight podcast listen became a life-altering pursuit of authentic connection. Tanya and James open up about their transformation from emotional shutdown and chronic pain to a marriage bursting with joy, purpose, and practical tools. From ordering the book late at night to leading small groups in their home, launching initiatives in their church, and becoming certified coaches, they share how simple—yet not easy—the journey of emotional fluency has been. Their story is an invitation to bring the tools of Connection Codes into your home, your marriage, your community—and to experience the life-changing impact for yourself.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/cew-podcast⁠⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Find a coach:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/all-coaches⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Kicking Off the Journey: Meet Tanya & James
• 00:01:11 - A New Chapter Begins: Who Are Tanya and James?
• 00:02:10 - The Moment That Changed Everything: Discovering Connection Codes
• 00:04:34 - Turning Insight Into Action: Bringing Connection Codes to the Community
• 00:06:52 - Real Growth, Real Struggles: Their Personal Transformation Unfolds
• 00:08:48 - A Ripple Effect: Teaching, Leading, and Inspiring Through Change
• 00:09:33 - From Pain to Power: How They Faced Trauma and Chronic Struggles
• 00:11:02 - Unlocking Emotional Power: The Gift of Processing Feelings
• 00:16:36 - Redefining the Classroom: What Happens When You Connect First
• 00:21:25 - From Hurt to Healing: Connection as the Bridge
• 00:23:22 - Ready to Grow? Join Our Summer Coaching Cohort
• 00:24:21 - Why Emotional Processing Is a Superpower (Yes, Again!)
• 00:25:39 - Cracking the Teen Code: Helping Adolescents Be Understood
• 00:26:58 - Glen’s Eye-Opening Tale: When Emotions Go Ignored
• 00:29:14 - Transforming Communication: Using the Core Emotion Wheel
• 00:35:59 - Chase the Dream: Why Your Passions Matter More Than You Think
• 00:40:04 - The Transformation Is Real: What Connection Codes Changed
• 00:43:09 - Your Next Step: Final Thoughts and an Invitation to Act

Have you ever wondered if it's okay to raise your voice or show big emotion when you're deeply upset—without damaging your relationships? In this powerful conversation, Tera, Dr. Glenn, and Phyllis dive deep into what it really means to express emotions like anger, fear, or sadness in a way that fosters connection instead of creating conflict. From breaking down the difference between acting through emotions and naming them out loud, to confronting the fear of “not being sweet enough,” the hosts unpack the beauty of emotional clarity and the science-backed power of saying emotion words out loud. This episode offers both raw vulnerability and practical tools to help you show up as your full, intense self—without shutting down or blowing up.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/cew-podcast⁠⁠

• Find out how to become a Certified Coach: ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠⁠

• Find a coach: ⁠⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/all-coaches⁠⁠⁠

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Kicking It Off: Big Emotions and How to Handle Them

• 00:01:01 - What It Really Means to Express Emotion

• 00:02:38 - Spoiler: We’re Not Here to Be “Sweet”

• 00:04:13 - Why Saying “I Feel Angry” Can Change Everything

• 00:06:12 - Letting Yourself Be Loud—Without Hurting Others

• 00:08:45 - Anger Isn’t the Villain: It’s a Message

• 00:10:47 - Teaching Respect Through Raw Honesty

• 00:14:00 - When We Name It, We Process It—Together

• 00:18:03 - From Suppressing to Sharing: A Personal Emotional Shift

• 00:20:01 - Breaking the Fear Around Feeling Angry

• 00:23:37 - Emotion Words = Human Connection Magic

• 00:28:37 - Why the Core Emotion Wheel Is a Game-Changer

• 00:34:23 - Final Words: You’re Allowed to Feel Fully and Freely

Tera sits down with Vanessa Marin, licensed sex therapist and CEO of Vanessa Marin Sex Therapy, to explore how our early messages around sex shape our adult relationships—and how we can reclaim joy, freedom, and connection in the bedroom. Vanessa shares her personal journey of unlearning shame, learning how to speak up for her needs, and rewriting her sexual story. From navigating body confidence to overcoming a sex-negative upbringing, this conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is possible—and your pleasure matters. Whether you're struggling with desire, communication, or emotional intimacy, Vanessa’s insights will leave you encouraged, empowered, and equipped.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/get-the-cew⁠⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach: ⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠⁠
• Find a coach: ⁠⁠https://connectioncodes.co/all-coaches⁠⁠
• Vanessa Marin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessaandxander/?hl=en
• Website: https://vmtherapy.com/

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – A Warm Welcome + A Quick Note on Therapy
• 00:00:50 – Meet Vanessa Marin: Sex Therapist, Real Talker, Freedom Fighter
• 00:01:39 – Growing Up Silent: How Shame Shaped Our Sexual Narratives
• 00:04:32 – From Shame to Liberation: Vanessa’s Personal Turning Point
• 00:06:11 – The Call to Sex Therapy: Where Curiosity Meets Calling
• 00:11:01 – Kids, Chaos & Connection: Keeping Intimacy Alive in Parenthood
• 00:17:21 – Desire Decoded: What Your Libido Might Be Telling You
• 00:23:02 – Let’s Talk Initiation: Who Starts, Why It Matters
• 00:29:42 – Spicing It Up: Creating a More Playful Sexual Menu
• 00:30:09 – What Actually Works for You? Redefining Sexual Connection
• 00:31:13 – Vanessa’s Go-To Tools & Practices for Better Sex
• 00:32:58 – Sex Positions: Myths, Pressure & What to Let Go Of
• 00:33:26 – Fresh Energy: How to Stay Curious in Long-Term Love
• 00:36:16 – Permission to Laugh: Why Playfulness Belongs in the Bedroom
• 00:42:38 – Too Busy for Sex? Why Prioritizing It Changes Everything
• 00:46:55 – It’s More Than Just the Act: The Deeper Value of Sex
• 00:47:52 – Orgasm Isn’t the Goal: Navigating Challenges Without Shame
• 00:50:38 – Where Emotional Safety Meets Sexual Connection

Tera and Wes Wages get vulnerable about what truly makes — and breaks — connection over time. In this heartfelt and revealing conversation, they explore the hidden challenges of long-term love, from battling insecurity and body image fears to maintaining consistency through the daily chaos of life. They also candidly share insights on emotional validation, how minor daily efforts like scheduled texts can transform a relationship, and why talking openly about sex — even without pressure — can reignite intimacy. With real-life stories, expert emotional tools, and a viral 8-million-view surprise moment, this episode is an honest look into the beautiful, messy, and rewarding journey of authentic connection.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠https://connectioncodes.co/get-the-cew⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach: ⁠https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠
• Find a coach: ⁠https://connectioncodes.co/all-coaches⁠

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - 17 Years In: What Marriage Really Looks Like Behind the Scenes
• 00:01:01 - How Wes Became Instagram’s Favorite Husband (And the Viral Moment)
• 00:03:03 - Why Feeling Truly Seen Changes Everything in Relationships
• 00:03:59 - The Small Acts of Validation That Keep Love Alive
• 00:10:04 - Facing Insecurities Head-On: Real Talk About Marriage Fears
• 00:11:50 - Building Unshakable Trust by Processing Core Emotions
• 00:20:38 - Why Consistency, Not Grand Gestures, Sustains Long-Term Love
• 00:21:20 - Juggling Dreams, Kids, and Marriage: Finding the Balance
• 00:24:07 - The Daily Connection Habit That Makes or Breaks Relationships
• 00:27:45 - How Scheduling Texts Can Actually Save Your Relationship
• 00:28:54 - Power Tools for Deeper, Faster Emotional Connection
• 00:30:03 - How Connection Codes Revolutionized Our Marriage
• 00:35:05 - Getting Real About Sex, Pressure, and Intimacy After 17 Years
• 00:40:45 - Final Takeaways: Hope, Growth, and Staying Connected Through It All

Do you ever lay in bed exhausted, but your mind won’t turn off? This episode breaks down why it’s not your to-do list that’s draining you—it’s unprocessed emotion. Hosts Tera, Phyllis, and Dr. Glenn explore the physiological and psychological toll of unacknowledged fear, anxiety, and emotional overload in today’s high-stress world. From Sunday scaries and doom-scrolling to navigating news-induced stress and personal loss, they reveal how naming your feelings and using the Core Emotion Wheel can bring your nervous system back into balance. With neuroscience, vulnerability, and practical insight, this conversation offers a roadmap to emotional regulation, deeper connection, and truly restorative rest.

Links and Resources:

• Download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠https://connectioncodes.co/get-the-cew⁠
• Find out how to become a Certified Coach: https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching⁠
• Find a coach: ⁠https://connectioncodes.co/all-coaches

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – A Sleepless Mind & The Chaos Within
• 00:01:04 – Welcome to the Place Where Emotions Finally Make Sense
• 00:01:44 – Fear Isn’t the Problem—It’s the Key
• 00:03:02 – What Science Says About What You're Feeling
• 00:04:28 – Can Fear Really Wreck Your Sleep? Yes—Here’s How
• 00:07:21 – Cortisol: The Tiny Hormone Running Your Life
• 00:12:26 – Are You Being Emotionally Hijacked by Your Phone?
• 00:16:38 – What Happens When You Choose Peace Over Noise
• 00:21:31 – Human Connection: Your Brain’s Favorite Medicine
• 00:31:51 – When Caring Becomes Crushing: Walking the Advocacy Tightrope
• 00:38:55 – Speak the Fear, Set Yourself Free
• 00:39:25 – Safe People: Your Emotional Safety Net
• 00:39:56 – Is That Fear Even Real? Let’s Talk About It
• 00:40:57 – This Simple Tool Could Change the Way You Communicate Forever
• 00:42:50 – Real Fear, Real Stories, Real Healing
• 00:44:19 – The 8 Words That Can Set You Emotionally Free
• 00:50:38 – Don’t Dismiss Their Feelings—Here’s Why It Matters
• 00:52:56 – The Wheel Isn’t Just a Tool—It’s a Game-Changer
• 01:00:37 – You’re Not Alone—And You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck

In this week’s episode, Tera, Dr. Glenn, and Phyllis dive deep into the power of hurt—specifically, how we respond when our partner is hurt by something we’ve done. If you’ve ever deflected, avoided a tough conversation, or struggled with shame and guilt in your relationship, this episode is for you. Learn practical tools to process hurt, communicate with compassion, and move forward with authentic connection.

Download the Core Emotion Wheel:

https://connectioncodes.co/get-the-cew

Find out how to become a Certified Coach:

https://connectioncodes.co/certified-coaching

Find a coach:

https://connectioncodes.co/all-coaches

What if the story you’ve been telling yourself… isn’t even yours? In this deeply validating and insight-rich episode of the Connection Codes podcast, Tera Wages joins Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill to explore how childhood messages, cultural labels, and relationship dynamics shape—and often limit—our identity. Through personal stories, including leaving church, navigating marriage intimacy, and feeling misunderstood by family, the hosts unpack what it means to "wear a hat" that no longer fits.

Listeners will be challenged to ask: Who put this label on me? Why am I still wearing it? With raw emotional depth and practical wisdom, the episode empowers you to identify the inner “judge,” rewire internal narratives, and intentionally reclaim who you want to become.

Links and Resources:

• Book a discovery call for Overwhelm Overhaul: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/tera-wages/30min?month=2025-03 ⁠⁠⁠
• Connection Codes: ⁠https://connectioncodes.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

(If links are not working, please copy and paste connectioncodes.co to your search bar and look through our site menu!)⁠⁠

________________________________________________________________

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Identity Isn’t Just a Concept—It’s Personal
• 00:02:26 – When You Realize You’ve Been Wearing the Wrong Hat
• 00:05:53 – Do I Even Matter… to Me?
• 00:09:23 – The Labels We Live By (And How to Let Them Go)
• 00:13:26 – How External Voices Shape Internal Battles
• 00:25:56 – Old Messages, New Awareness: What Are You Still Carrying?
• 00:27:19 – Step Into the Judge’s Chamber—You Might Be Surprised Who’s Inside
• 00:28:14 – The Dishwasher Story: It Was Never About the Dishes
• 00:29:28 – Tearing Off the Labels That Keep Us Small
• 00:32:46 – Speak Life: The Words That Shape Who You Become
• 00:42:00 – Feel It to Heal It: A Real Look at the Core Emotion Wheel

Tera, Dr. Glenn, and Phyllis explore one of the most foundational elements of human connection: identity. What does it mean to give identity—or to take it away? Through tender personal stories and real-life encounters, they unpack how kindness, often seen as a simple virtue, carries the power to either affirm or strip away someone’s sense of significance. Phyllis introduces the concept of the "identity meter"—a powerful internal gauge that shifts based on whether we're seen, valued, and understood. From social media judgments to a heartfelt moment with a grieving artist, the episode beautifully illustrates how much we long to matter—and how our everyday interactions either feed or deplete that longing. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do I matter to them?”, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Links and Resources:

• Book a discovery call for Overwhelm Overhaul: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/tera-wages/30min?month=2025-03 ⁠⁠
• Connection Codes: https://connectioncodes.co/⁠⁠

(If links are not working, please copy and paste connectioncodes.co to your search bar and look through our site menu!)⁠⁠

________________________________________________________________

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - What If Identity Could Heal the World?
• 00:01:22 - Is Kindness Actually the Key?
• 00:02:21 - Social Media: Boosting or Breaking Your Identity Meter?
• 00:03:24 - She Left Him… and He Finally Knows Why
• 00:04:37 - The Hidden Definition of Identity in Love
• 00:07:10 - Tiny Acts, Massive Emotional Impact
• 00:08:48 - The Domino Effect of a Single Kind Word
• 00:16:36 - When Faith and Identity Collide
• 00:27:25 - One Greeting. One Shift. One Human Seen.
• 00:28:15 - The Power of Being Noticed—Really Noticed
• 00:29:34 - “Do You Even Know Me Anymore?”
• 00:30:31 - Rebuilding Intimacy, One Small Gesture at a Time
• 00:31:41 - What Happens When We Truly See Someone
• 00:33:05 - Unspoken Needs That Quietly Destroy Connection
• 00:34:58 - From Global Conflict to Family Feuds: It’s All Identity
• 00:36:30 - When Human Connection Becomes a Superpower
• 00:43:48 - The Cost of Feeling Invisible
• 00:43:57 - One Tool to Help You Understand What’s Firing Inside
• 00:50:00 - You’re Not Broken—You Just Need to Be Seen
• 00:53:25 - Your Challenge: Give Identity Today