Rediscovering Healthy Masculinity: Insights from Johnny Cole

In this episode of Date Night Confessions, hosts Zak and Michele discuss the concept of healthy masculinity with guest Johnny Cole, a men's work practitioner from South Africa. The conversation covers the recent surge in their relationship coaching program and introduces their new monthly membership upgrade aimed at building secure love. Johnny elaborates on the impact of patriarchy on men, explaining how it shapes their behaviors and societal roles. He also talks about the importance of men's work in helping men cultivate emotional skills, build self-esteem, and foster healthy relationships. The discussion touches on the challenges in modern dating, the importance of parental involvement in raising emotionally healthy boys, and practical steps men can take to start their personal development journey. The episode provides valuable insights for both men and women on fostering healthier relationships and promoting emotional wholeness.

00:00 Exciting Announcements and New Beginnings

01:08 Introduction to Date Night Confessions

01:49 Welcoming Johnny Cole: A Deep Dive into Men's Work

06:22 Understanding Patriarchy and Its Impact

15:37 Defining Healthy Masculinity

16:50 Challenges and Solutions in Relationships

27:54 The Importance of Men's Emotional Work

42:49 Signs of Emotional Immaturity in Men

43:17 Understanding Anger and Emotional Expression

44:17 The Role of Patriarchy in Emotional Expression

44:59 The Importance of Emotional Regulation

45:31 Violence and Emotional Regulation

46:47 Patriarchy and Relationship Dynamics

52:47 Economic Pressures and Traditional Values

56:08 The Role of Domestic Labor in Relationships

58:24 The Impact of Patriarchy on Dating

01:02:25 Parenting Boys in a Patriarchal Society

01:12:28 Encouraging Healthy Masculinity

01:17:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Moving On After a Breakup: Finding Closure Within Yourself

In this episode of 'Date Night Confessions,' hosts Zak and Michele announce the sell-out of their January relationship coaching intensive and introduce their new monthly membership upgrade aimed at helping individuals rewire their triggers and build secure love. They dive deep into the emotional and psychological aspects of breakups, discussing why they feel so devastating and how to effectively move on. The episode focuses on regulating the nervous system, challenging destructive thoughts, and rebuilding a new identity and life post-breakup. They emphasize the importance of creating safety and closure within oneself and provide practical steps for moving forward. The hosts also promote their monthly membership upgrade for those seeking personalized support, live coaching, and a community of like-minded individuals.

00:00 Exciting Announcements and New Beginnings

01:08 Welcome to Date Night Confessions

01:50 Discussing Relationship Dynamics

02:39 The Reality of Breakup Seasons

05:02 Financial Transparency in Relationships

07:45 Why Breakups Feel So Hard

13:07 Rebuilding After a Breakup

19:15 The Emotional Impact of Breakups

20:05 Understanding Attachment and Safety

21:37 The Urge to Reconnect and Stalk

24:30 The Myth of Closure

28:29 Steps to Healing and Moving On

32:54 Rebuilding Your Identity

35:06 Final Thoughts and Support

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Upgrade- Monthly Program:

https://www.skool.com/the-upgrade-2717/about?ref=f91a9d5a6d9544a98583233378b1e7d6 

Manifesting Love: New Year, New Relationship

In this special New Year's episode of Date Night Confessions, hosts Zak and Michele share exciting news about their sold-out January relationship coaching intensive and hint at upcoming offerings. They delve deep into the power of manifestation, defining it as using energy to attract what you truly want. The conversation covers the importance of aligning your values, beliefs, and actions to create the relationship you desire, whether you are single or wanting to uplevel your current partnership. Zak and Michele detail their personal experiences, emphasize the significance of identifying and embodying core values, and provide actionable steps to transform your relationship through conscious manifestation and aligned action. The episode ends with guidelines on how to visualize and feel the qualities you seek in a partner, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own patterns and beliefs as they head into the new year.

00:00 Exciting Announcement: Sold Out Coaching Intensive

01:00 Introduction to Date Night Confessions

01:41 New Year's Special: Manifesting Your Dream Relationship in 2026

03:11 Understanding Manifestation and Law of Attraction

04:55 Personal Stories and Examples of Manifestation

08:08 The Importance of Aligned Action in Manifestation

19:09 Defining and Living by Your Values

26:41 Embodying Your Values

28:54 Manifesting Relationships Based on Values

31:08 Self-Worth and Relationship Standards

33:18 Upgrading Existing Relationships

37:28 Navigating Relationship Dynamics

40:11 Manifestation and Self-Improvement

49:47 Practical Exercises for the New Year

52:36 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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Healing and Finding Healthy Love: Moving Beyond Toxic Relationships

In this episode of Date Night Confessions, hosts Zak and Michele explore deep conversations about love, growth, and conscious relationships. They focus on debunking the myth that one must be fully healed before finding a healthy relationship, emphasizing that attracting a negative partner doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. Sharing personal experiences, they discuss the transition from toxic relationships to healthy ones, the importance of self-awareness, and healing childhood patterns. The episode provides practical steps to rebuild self-worth, heal the nervous system, and develop relational maturity, stressing that previous bad relationships do not determine future ones. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their past relationship blueprints and whether they are ready to receive healthy love.

00:00 Introduction to Date Night Confessions

00:40 Diving into Listener Questions

01:26 Debunking Relationship Myths

03:50 Healing from Toxic Relationships

06:07 Understanding Relationship Dynamics

10:12 Building Healthy Relationship Skills

25:56 Practical Steps for Relationship Growth

38:18 Reflecting on Relationship Patterns

39:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Understanding and Healing Relationship Triggers

In this episode, we delve into those critical moments in relationships when a seemingly simple conversation can lead to an unexpected emotional reaction or trigger. We explore the concept of triggers, how they arise, and their roots in past experiences. The discussion focuses on transforming urgent reactions into reflective moments that foster deeper connections with partners. We provide strategies for identifying and understanding these triggers, and practical steps for personal healing to prevent conflicts. Learn how to give yourself the validation needed and create a more harmonious and emotionally safe relationship.

00:00 Introduction: Understanding Relationship Triggers

03:13 Defining Triggers and Their Impact

03:44 Recognizing and Investigating Triggers

05:15 Healing and Reprogramming Triggers

06:17 Practical Steps to Manage Triggers

08:43 The Importance of Pausing and Reflecting

13:55 Inner Child Healing and Body Awareness

25:01 Building Emotional Safety and Connection

31:11 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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👉 “Things will get better once my partner changes.”

Instead, we’re teaching you how to transform your relationship from the inside out by becoming the one—the partner who leads with emotional responsibility, regulation, softness, and presence.
When you shift, the entire relationship dynamic shifts. This is how you bring the butterflies back to long-term love.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why waiting for your partner to change keeps you stuck and resentful

• How nervous system regulation creates safety, intimacy, and spark

• The 3 pillars of becoming the one:

  1. Self-sourced safety

  2. Emotional responsibility

  3. Leading with the qualities you want to experience

• How old wounds shape your stories, triggers, and reactions

• What actually changes when you embody affection, presence, and curiosity first

• Why this isn’t self-sacrifice—it's leadership and relational empowerment

  
  

  Episode 58

  Episode 59

  1:1 Relationship Coaching

  Follow us on socials-

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  FREE Relationship Guide:

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Unlocking the Power of Boundaries for a Healthier Relationship

In this episode of Date Night Confessions, hosts Zak and Michele dive into the importance of boundaries in intimate relationships and how they can reignite the spark between partners. They explore the misconceptions about boundaries and provide practical advice on setting and maintaining them to enhance trust, clarity, and connection. The episode offers actionable tips on identifying personal limits, practicing self-awareness, and fostering a balanced relationship dynamic. Listeners will learn how to navigate the complexities of love and partnership by focusing on self-regulation and mutual respect.

00:00 Introduction to Date Night Confessions

00:40 Post-Thanksgiving Reflections

01:21 The Importance of Boundaries

04:03 Understanding and Setting Boundaries

09:11 Boundaries in Practice

12:42 Boundaries and Relationship Dynamics

25:05 Rekindling the Spark with Boundaries

35:10 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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In this episode of Date Night Confessions, hosts Zak and Michele dive deep into the science of the honeymoon phase and why the spark often fades in long-term relationships. They discuss the biochemical reactions that make the honeymoon period feel magical and offer practical, actionable tips for maintaining that excitement over the long term. The episode explores five key strategies: introducing novelty, fostering curiosity, embracing polarity, regulating the nervous system, and putting in intentional effort. Zak and Michele share personal anecdotes and low-cost date ideas to inspire listeners to put these tips into practice. Whether you're in a new relationship or have been with your partner for years, this episode will provide valuable insights and tools to help rekindle the butterflies and deepen your connection.

00:00 Introduction to Date Night Confessions

01:08 Why Long-Term Relationships Lose the Spark

02:39 The Science Behind the Honeymoon Phase

06:02 Transitioning from Honeymoon to Real Life

10:15 Building Depth in Long-Term Relationships

11:45 Five Steps to Recreate the Butterflies

18:35 Practical Tips for Reigniting the Spark

21:34 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

28:30 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement

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The Power of Self-Compassion: Healing and Growth in Relationships

In this episode of Date Night Confessions, hosts Zak and Michele explore the importance of self-compassion in personal growth and relationships. They discuss the pressures of the holiday season and how often people push themselves too hard, advocating instead for a softer, more compassionate approach to self-care. Emphasizing that self-love is foundational to healing and creating meaningful change, the hosts share practical tips for practicing self-compassion. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, they illustrate how meeting oneself with kindness can lead to healthier, more fulfilling relationships. This episode offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to improve their connection with themselves and their partners.

00:00 Introduction to Date Night Confessions

00:40 Navigating the Holiday Rush

02:44 The Power of Self-Compassion

06:49 Understanding Self-Compassion vs. Self-Love

22:30 Practical Self-Compassion Techniques

27:33 Self-Compassion in Relationships

31:15 Conclusion and Reflections

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Exploring Deep Conversations and Vulnerability in Relationships

In this episode of 'Date Night Confessions,' hosts Zak and Michele delve into honest and heartfelt discussions about love, growth, and self-connection. They explore how asking intimate questions can foster connection and understanding within a relationship. The couple takes turns asking each other vulnerable questions, providing insights into their personal lives and relationship dynamics. They discuss the importance of de-escalating conflicts, practicing patience, and maintaining romance. The hosts also reflect on their past experiences, personal growth, and envision their future together. The episode emphasizes the significance of ongoing communication and vulnerability to build a strong and fulfilling partnership.

00:00 Introduction to Date Night Confessions

00:40 Welcoming Back and Setting the Stage

00:57 Diving into Intimate Questions

03:34 Exploring Acts of Service

09:23 Navigating Conflict and Loneliness

10:44 Reflecting on Relationship Growth

16:58 Proud Moments and Family Dynamics

23:49 Conflict Needs and Resolutions

25:15 Cooling Down and Softness

25:52 Vulnerability and Fear of Judgment

28:01 Sharing Inner Worlds

30:30 The Meat Talk

32:16 Desires and Romance

37:52 Vision for the Future

43:17 Practicing Vulnerability

45:09 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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