Stronger in the Difficult Places

Enmeshment, Co-dependence, and What Healthy Connection Actually Looks Like


Listen Later

Welcome back to Stronger in the Difficult Places. I'm your host, Dr. Zoe, and today we're digging deep into a topic that hits close to home for so many women in difficult relationships: the difference between enmeshment, co-dependence, and healthy interdependence.

These patterns can be hard to recognize when they're all you've ever known. Maybe you were taught that love means sacrifice. That closeness means never saying no. That boundaries are rejection. But the truth? Real love doesn't require you to disappear.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • The key differences between enmeshment and co-dependence
  • How these dynamics show up in parent-child and romantic relationships
  • Why emotional fusion is not the same as intimacy
  • What healthy interdependence actually looks and feels like
  • How to begin untangling your identity from someone else's needs

This episode is for the woman who's tired of losing herself in the name of love. Who wants connection — but not at the cost of her own soul. Who's ready to set boundaries not out of anger, but out of clarity and care.

Remember: We're not fixing them. We're fixing you. And that changes everything.

Resources & Links:

Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book

Free Downloads:

Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here

Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here

Subscribe + Review:

If this episode spoke to your heart, please rate and review the show! It helps more women like you find the strength to get stronger in their difficult places.

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Hit subscribe so you never miss a dose of truth, healing, and empowerment.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Stronger in the Difficult PlacesBy Dr. Zoe Shaw

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

82 ratings


More shows like Stronger in the Difficult Places

View all
Happier with Gretchen Rubin by Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

12,911 Listeners

Pastor Rick's Daily Hope by PastorRick.com

Pastor Rick's Daily Hope

7,380 Listeners

The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast by The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

4,839 Listeners

The Terri Cole Show by Terri Cole

The Terri Cole Show

1,394 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,723 Listeners

The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair by Michelle Chalfant

The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair

1,544 Listeners

On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

27,467 Listeners

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast by Kate Anthony, CPCC

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast

566 Listeners

The Moving On Method® Podcast by Michelle Dempsey-Multack

The Moving On Method® Podcast

306 Listeners

We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

We Can Do Hard Things

41,566 Listeners

Jillian on Love by Jillian Turecki | QCODE

Jillian on Love

1,404 Listeners

Therapy and Theology by Lysa TerKeurst

Therapy and Theology

2,003 Listeners

LYSS by Lyss Boss

LYSS

2,431 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

19,768 Listeners

The Sabrina Zohar Show by The Sabrina Zohar Show

The Sabrina Zohar Show

5,028 Listeners