Ask yourself, have you ever wanted to win an argument with your partner/spouse? Have you thought of yourself as completely right and your partner as fully wrong? Have you sought to prove your point, no matter the toll it took on your partner or relationship? If we are honest, just about all of us have done these things, and as a result, all of our relationships have suffered from it. It is time to shift our thinking from winning to collaborating!

Join us as we breakdown collaboration vs. competition in romantic relationships. When we are competitive in getting our needs met within our relationship, we actually push our partner away and reduce our chances of getting our needs met. Instead, we invite you to learn with us how to shift to a mindset of collaboration, ensuring both of you feel heard, seen, and cared for. Let’s improve your relationship together!  

 If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we unpack phubbing your partner! Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this topic:

• 20 Signs You Are in a Competitive Relationship
• Marriage Is a Team Sport
• The Victim Competition in Intimate Relationships

Welcoming home baby and raising children comes with countless challenges, but one that is often not discussed is the tricky dynamic between new parents and their parents. For many parents, grandparents can be a blessing to new parents, offering additional support and wisdom. But for others, grandparents can add a challenging dynamic that may be hard to navigate, leaving both parents and grandparents in discord and the children stuck in the middle. 

Join us as we unravel the tangled tapestry of grandparents’ involvement in new families. We discuss both sides of the potential conflict, illuminating stress points for both the parents and the grandparents. We offer considerations for both sides to reflect on, as well as possible solutions to overcome the barriers that arise and truly enjoy the incorporation of extended family while raising children.   

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we breakdown collaboration vs. competition in romantic relationships! Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• How Adult Children Can Set Boundaries with Their Parents
• Resources For Grandparents
• 13 Tactics Families Use to Alienate Grandparents
• How to Navigate Difficult Relationships with Your Family
• Setting Boundaries with Addicted Grandparents

Prioritizing your relationship is more vital than you might realize to maintain a long-lasting, healthy, and fulling relationship! Our partner needs to feel valued and important in our lives each and every day. So, how do we do that? We are here to offer our insights on 4 simple things to keep at the center of your relationship, leading to you truly prioritizing your relationship! 

Join us as we unpack the four C’s of prioritizing your relationship. As marriage therapists with over two decades of combined experience and two doctorates in marriage and family therapy, we know what it takes to foster healthy and strong relationships. We are eager to share our knowledge and for you to find out what the 4 C’s are (with a bonus one!), helping you prioritize your relationship! 

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we will discuss grandparent relationships, including potential challenges and ways to navigate this dynamic! Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

 For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• How to Set Relationship Goals With Your Partner
• 9 Ways to Prioritize Your Relationship When Life Gets Busy
• Why Compassion Is So Important for a Romantic Relationship
• Compassion for Couples 
• How to Improve Your Communication In Relationships
• 10 Ways to Connect With Your Partner Daily

“I don’t feel like doing that.”

“Why even try? I just know I am going to fail.”

“I don’t have enough time to do it.”

“I feel stuck but don’t know how to make a change.”

Have you ever said any of these to yourself? Us too. At the heart of each of these could be a lack of motivation, the central driving force we use to accomplish the things we desire. Motivation helps us get up in the morning, do the things we don’t want to do, and reach for our biggest dreams. If you are struggling with motivation, or have in the past, you do not want to miss this episode!

Join us as we unpack motivation, including what to do when motivation seems out of reach. Motivation drives just about all that we do, and when we are struggling with it, it can feel like we are swimming through mud. Lack of motivation is a common experience but it can feel debilitating. No need to continue to struggle with lack of motivation! We are here to help!  

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we share the four C’s to prioritizing you relationship! Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• Motivation: The Driving Force Behind Our Actions
• How to Increase Self-Motivation
• SMART Goals
• 7 Best Goal Tracker Apps for 2023

Compassion fatigue is emotional and physical exhaustion as a result of giving compassion to others who are experiencing stress or trauma. While giving compassion and support to others, it can be tricky to manage our own needs and boundaries. Compassion fatigue can sneak up on people, leading to exhaustion, irritability, blunting of empathy or other emotions, detachment, self-blame, cynicism, or rumination. If you are someone who finds themselves in the position of caring for another and are experiencing any of these symptoms, tune in and join us for this important conversation. 

Join us as we illuminate this often-unrecognized condition of compassion fatigue. We not only provide understanding of what this means, but also ways to improve symptoms and prevent compassion fatigue in the future. When we care for some in need, we are at risk of forgetting about or neglecting our own needs. This puts not only our physical health at risk, but also our mental health. Let us give guidance to prevent you from falling into the trap of compassion fatigue! 

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we aim to improve your motivation! Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

For more helpful resources and updates, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc

Some resources related to this topic:

• Compassion Fatigue: The Toll of Caring Too Much
• Burnout Vs. Compassion Fatigue
• Compassion Fatigue among Healthcare, Emergency, and Community Service Workers: A systematic Review
• Compassion Fatigue in Adult Daughter Caregivers of a Parent with Dementia
• Caring for Aging Populations: Examining Compassion Fatigue and Satisfaction

When you think about therapy, including what it may look like and what purpose it serves, what do you imagine? Perhaps it is the Hollywood depiction of someone laying down on a couch with the therapist sitting in judgement behind a desk? Or maybe you imagine a venting session, where all you do it talk? In any case, these myths, as well as others, may prevent some from seeking therapy. We are here to shed light on what therapy actually looks like and what it can be like as we debunk many common therapy myths in our culture! 

Join my colleague, Dr. Greg Seibert, LMFT, and I as we breakdown common therapy myths, providing accurate information about therapy and some helpful guidance to find your best fit in a therapist! Therapy is much more than just talking! Therapists offer guided support to assist people in expanding their personal insights, finding solutions to personal challenges, and living the life they desire. If you have any questions or worries about what therapy would be like for you, you do not want to miss this episode! 

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we offer understanding and support for compassion fatigue. Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• 10 Common Myths About Therapy
• Common Misconceptions About Psychotherapy

Trauma. A complex interplay within the systems of the body following an event that led to us feeling out of control, a loss of autonomy, fear for our safety, or an intense unwanted emotional response. You may be asking:  What makes something traumatic for one person but not for another person? What happens in the brain and body when we experience trauma? Can anyone ever actually move past their trauma to true healing? What does the treatment of trauma look like? Will treatment even work for me or my loved one? We answer these questions, as well as many more, with our next guest, Andrew Kuchnick!

Join us as we welcome another guest, Andrew Kuchnick. Andrew Kushnick is an experienced Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an EMDR Certified Therapist. As a former attorney, Andrew utilizes science-based and evidence-based approaches with individuals and couples, to alleviate trauma, anxiety, work stress, burnout, relationship problems and depression. Andrew joins us in a deep dive exploring what trauma is, symptoms of trauma, and a variety of support tools and treatments for trauma. Andrew demystifies EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), the leading treatment for trauma. You do not want to miss out on his wealth of knowledge! 

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we debunk many common myths of therapy. Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!


Some resources related to this episode:

• Andrew Kushnick Psychotherapy
• What is Trauma? 
• How Trauma and PTSD Impact the Brain
• Understanding the Trauma Brain

Books

•  Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being, by Linda Graham
• Tapping In, by Laurel Parnell
•  The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk
•  The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole, by Arielle Schwartz

Emotion regulation: the ability to notice, identify, and manage our emotions before they escalate. Emotion regulation is a skill, one we must intentionally learn and practice to use effectively. While we expect everyone to possess this skill, we rarely are given the opportunity to see it modeled and thus learn its intricacies. Failure to regulate our emotions not only impacts us individually, but also our partners, family, children, friends, coworkers and much more. Join us as we unpack emotion regulation and tools for success, both individually and in our partnerships!

Join us as we discuss emotion regulation in couples. Couples are expected to have disagreements, but with proper tools, those disagreements should be brief, productive, and eventually resolved. If you notice that you and you partner tend to escalate or even shut down during disagreements, this episode is for you! We must gain the tools to soothe our own bodies while also supporting our partner in soothing their body and regulate the dyadic dynamic together. Let’s break the cycle of fighting together through some of our tangible tools and move towards a more regulated self and partnership!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we will lift the veil on trauma therapy. Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• What is Emotion Regulation? 
• How Emotion Regulation Skills Promote Stability
• 9 Science-Based Emotion Regulation Skills
• 3 Proven Techniques to Regulate Your Emotions
• Dyadic Coping: A Systemic-Transactional View of Stress and Coping Among Couples: Theory and Empirical Findings
• The Relationships Between Dyadic Coping and Marital Quality: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study
• Stress, Dyadic Coping, and Relationship Satisfaction:

Breaking up is hard to do. Breakups do not just happen in romantic partnerships, but also in friendships, family relationships, and with employment. Breaking up can be incredibly challenging, eliciting a wide range of emotions including anger, grief, confusion, relief, fear, and much more.  So, what do we do if we are faced with breaking up, either by our choice or someone else’s choice? How do we not only conquer the hard emotions but grow from the experience? 

Join us as we wade through the waters of breaking up. We unpack breaking up, including emotions that may arise, how to break up well, and ways to recover and grow post-breakup. We also provide helpful guidance about how to heal and prepare for our next relationship, including tangible tools to move forward intentionally and effectively. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of total self-blame or hiding away from the potential of new, healthy relationships. You can and will get through any breakups you face, no matter who it is with! 

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

In two weeks, we discuss emotion regulation in couples. Later topics include: parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, premarital tips for relationship success, navigating milestones as a couple, how to have tough conversations, self-awareness in relationships, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• 24 Signs That a Relationship May Be Coming to an End
• Why Some People Can't Let Go of Past Relationships
• When Is It Time to Leave a Relationship? 
• How to Break Up
• 8 Ways to Feel Better After a Breakup
• Family Estrangement
• How to Know When to End a Relationship With Family

Defensiveness: defending ourselves when we feel vulnerable, often in the face of criticism. Defensiveness can take on many masks, including yelling, shutting down, deflection, putting another person down, diffusing responsibility, over-explaining, and much more. In any case, defensiveness blocks us from healthy conversation, effective resolution, and getting our needs met. So, what do we do if we notice that we feel defensive or often witness our partner feeling defensive? Let us give you some guidance! 

Join us as we breakdown defensiveness. Defensiveness is all too common in modern day relationships, including with romantic partners, friends, and family. Defensiveness protects us from experiencing hurt or feeling vulnerable or judged. While it can feel protective in the moment, defensiveness blocks you from the healthy relationships and effective communication you deserve! Join us as we explore each type of defensiveness, how to identify defensiveness in real time, and tools to overcome these toxic patterns in relationships. While disagreement is expected, defensiveness does not have to be! 

• What Is Defensiveness?
• How to Stop Being Defensive
• Why Some People Can Get So Defensive
• Defensiveness: An Enemy of Growth and Good Relationships