Conversations from the Heart

Ever spiraled into shame because of one tiny mistake? Or replayed a text convo with a ghoster, trying to decode what you did wrong? You’re not alone, and you’re not broken. 

In this vulnerable and uplifting episode, Tiffany and Patrice bring raw questions to the table, and I offer some insights into how we talk to ourselves when we feel abandoned, rejected, or ashamed.

This one’s for every tender-hearted human who’s been too hard on themselves - and who’s ready for something softer, wiser, and more freeing.

We discuss:

• 1:10 Opening thoughts
• 2:33 How a wrong phone number on a business card led to a spiral of shame - and the exact steps to stop that spiral mid-spin.
• 11:34 Two strategies in the moment of stress:  pause, and name what's happening
• 12:05 Why reclaiming the word “stupid” could be the most liberating thing you do all week.
• 19:52 What ghosting actually tells you about someone - and how it might be the kindest exit you didn’t ask for.
• 25:47 A note on goodness of fit and how it can enable choicefulness
• 33:19 Comments from the audience
• 45:30 Closing thoughts 

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

In this epsiode, we speak with Cathy and Paul.  Cathy is untangling her intentions around gift giving and her desire to be closer to her daughter.  Paul is working to understand an intense emotional reaction after he had a difficult conversation with his partner.

We discuss:

• 3:10 Opening thoughts on the current political climate
• 10:26 How do I discern between my reaction and the reality of a thing?
• 17:46 The sweet spot we're longing for when giving a gift
• 21:30 Finally I feel like an adult!
• 30:18 I am right on time.
• 35:30 Dogs vs. cats
• 41:02 Are you stressed about telling someone a truth?
• 42:13 I had a hard conversation and an intense emotional reaction and I'm not sure why.
• 51:30 Setting an intention to cry
• 55:50 Practical Do's and Don'ts

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

How do we stay connected to ourselves - and to others - when our nervous systems are screaming, our inner critics are loud, and old family patterns are tugging us backward?

In this episode, we examine:

• 2:03 I'm struggling in my relationship with my sister.  Why does my body still react to conflict even when my mind knows I'm safe now?
• 7:19 A new, empowering take on going "no contact" (it's not a rejection - it's a reset)
• 13:51 A practical way to set new terms of engagement in relationships that matter, but hurt
• 20:37 I want to set an intention with my family.  How can I best interact with them?
• 29:44 I'm in a place of transition, how can I best connect with myself?
• 50:33 How can I tell if the resistance I'm feeling needs to be worked through or if I need to switch course?
• 55:25 Closing thoughts

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

What if every awkward silence, every emotional hijack, every misstep can be used as stepping-stone to circle back to a conversation?  To reconnect.  To build trust, not erode it.

What if "failed" moments aren't actually failures at all, but are simply part of a natural, generative learning process?

Today, we examine moments that feel like failures at the time, but are actually opportunities for greater connection with ourself and others.

We explore:

• 1:01   Intro thoughts
• 2:40  How can I incorporate NVC tools at work?
• 3:45  Step 1:  Observe
• 7:20   The most powerful thing you can do when you're in a position of power
• 14:43  'm angry.  What can I do?
• 23:45  How can I stop judging my family?
• 31:07  A script for revealing ourselves in small ways
• 39:53  Q&A
• 51:10  Closing tips and practices

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

In this episode, Jaya brings forward a challenge that many of us can relate to - leaving conversations feeling undermined or devalued.  She struggles with how to maintain her power and self-worth when people dismiss, invalidate, or fail to recognize her contributions.  Her core questions include:

1. How do I keep my power when dealing with people who undermine or devalue me?
2. What language can I use to defend myself?
3. How do I navigate situations where I freeze in response to subtle invalidation?
4. Why do some people always take a contrarian point of view, and how can I respond?
5. How do I handle accusations of being selfish when I set boundaries or withdraw?

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• Shift Your Perspective - Stop seeing these moments as something being done to you and instead as data about the other person's patterns and needs.
• Break the Victim Cycle - Seeing yourself as prey in a predator-prey dynamic keeps you in freeze mode.  Recognizing others' behaviors as their habitual strategies helps reclaim your power.
• Practice Self-Connection - Instead of seeking validation from someone who won't provide it, turn inward and self-attune:  What am I feeling?  What do I need?
• Ask for What You Want - If someone is dismissing your feelings, redirect the conversation by explicitly asking them to focus on your experience rather than rationalizing the other person's behavior.
• Recognize Their Needs - Many people default to giving advice or taking a contrarian stance as a way of meeting their own needs - to feel helpful, competent, or insightful.  Seeing this can help depersonalize their behavior.
• Exit With Grace - If someone is Monopolizing the conversation or invalidating you, set a boundary:  "I just realized I need to get going."  No justification is needed.
• Selfishness vs. Self-Connection - True self-care benefits everyone.  When you act from self-connection rather than obligation, you model healthy relational dynamics.

We Discuss: 

• 1:01 Opening thoughts
• 3:05 I feel undermined and I freeze.  How can I reframe this?
• 12:17 They're not "doing something to me".  They're providing data about themselves.
• 14:28 Asking for what you want as a strategy out of the educating
• 20:51 What can I say if I don't want to listen anymore?
• 28:27 What can I say when someone accuses me of being selfish?
• 31:04 Closing Thoughts

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

What happens when we truly listen?  Not just to respond, but to create space for deeper self-awareness?  This rich and layered conversation with Patrice shows how connection-based, collaborative listening results I moving beyond her initial questions into a profound self-discovery process.  

By gently reflecting, naming patterns, and holding space, we allow the layers of meaning to emerge organically--leading to clarity and self-trust.

Listen in as we explore:

• How our initial questions often point to deeper truths we haven't fully named yet.
• The role of reflective listening in helping someone find their own answers 
• Why deep, presence-based conversations create lasting transformation
• How to listen in a way that fosters connection instead of fixing or advising

Looking for a conversation that honors both depth and autonomy?  Listen in now.

Key moments:

• 1:39 Opening thoughts
• 3:03 I want to break a familiar pattern of seeking connection with those who can't offer what I need.
• 10:10 Noticing the presence of both grief and hope
• 17:30 Closing thoughts

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

Have you ever texted a friend, waited for a reply, and felt like your entire world was crumbling when they didn't respond right away?  Do you find yourself deeply affected by neutral comments or minor critiques?  If so, you might be experiencing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) - a powerful emotional response that can feel like overwhelming pain, shame or devastation after a real or pervceived rejection.

In this episode, we break down:

• What RSD is and why it feels so intense
• How to differentiate between real rejection and fear of rejection
• Practical tools to regulate your emotions and build resilience
• How to work with your sensitive nervous system, not against it
• Real-life strategies for handling rejection in relationships, work and daily interactions 
• A powerful reframe that will help you embrace your sensitivity as a strength, not a flaw

Plus, you'll hear from Annie, a seasoned Nonviolent Communication practitioner, as she vulnerably shares her struggles with RSD - despite all her training - and how she's learning to navigate these deep emotional waves.

✨If you've ever felt "too sensitive" or struggled to bounce back from rejection, this episode is for you.

We discuss:

• 1:55 Opening thoughts
• 3:33 What is RSD?
• 9:50 How can I best deal with RSD?
• 15:09 How can I decrease my suffering and increase my capacity?
• 21:17 Anxious and Avoidant Attachment Styles
• 25:56 Closing thoughts

🔹 Resources and Links:

• Join our 8-week Deep Dive on Repair Work and Accountability (starts March 31st!). Use code PODCAST50 for $50 off!
• Take our free Listening Style Quiz to understand how you process conversations
• Watch more videos on my YouTube Channel
• Learn more at Yvetteerasmus.com

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

When kids act out - whether it’s stealing, shutting down, pushing boundaries, or having emotional outbursts - how can we respond in ways that guide them toward growth rather than shame?

Today, we explore two powerful real-life situations:

1. A young10-year old boy who stole money from his mentor:  What was driving his behavior, and how could adults respond in a way that fosters learning instead of punishment?
2. A seven-year-old struggling with his parents’ divorce: How can his mother support his overwhelming emotions without taking on his distress or trying to “fix” his sadness?

Through these stories, we unpack the difference between control and connection, how to set limits without losing warmth, and why holding space for kids’ emotions is the key to their long-term resilience.

Tune in as we explore - 

• 2:24 Opening thoughts
• 3:21 I'm dealing with a child who stole money and could use some help with a conversation.
• 7:29 I don't like how I showed up and I want to bring something new to the conversation
• 22:13 How can I help my son cope with his new home?

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

Have you ever been cast as the "villain" in someone else's story?  Perhaps you're seen as the one who got it wrong, didn't do enough, or failed to meet expectations?

Today, we explore what it means to hold our ground in relationships without getting defensive, to listen without justifying, and to accept that sometimes, people need to see us as the problem while they process their own pain.

In today's conversation, Jill's daughter just sent her a long list of parenting grievances.  How can she respond with love and understanding without falling into the trap of proving herself?

And, Jaya keeps finding herself in relationships where she feels small. How does she break the cycle of submission, reclaim her voice, and recognize when a dynamic isn't worth staying in?

Together we'll explore:

✨ Why defensiveness keeps us stuck—and what to do instead  

✨ How to recognize the real need behind someone’s anger or blame  

✨ The difference between explaining and connecting  

✨ How to trust your own voice, even when someone else tries to rewrite the narrative  

✨ When to stay, when to engage, and when to let go  

Show Notes:

• 1:01 Opening comments
• 3:43 My daughter wrote me an angry text and I'm not sure how to best respond.
• 20:55 The healing is not in litigating the past, but happens in the present.
• 27:04 My pattern in relationships is to collapse.  How can I be more assertive?
• 30:47 The key to asking for what we want
• 41:28 Healing requires a regulated nervous system
• 49:23 Closing thoughts

If you've ever felt misunderstood, unfairly judged, or struggled to maintain connection while standing in your truth, this episode is for you.

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

In this week's episode, both questions focus on the theme of disappointment, and how to work with people and relationships that leave us wanting.  We discuss:

1:03 Opening comments

7:01 I just found out my friend got married and I wasn't invited

16:28 Avoidant vs. anxious attachment styles

22:18 Role play:  What would you say if you could?

32:14 I want an unconditionally loving relationship and I am always disappointed

43:19 Not all our needs must be met by one person

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection. 

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube