Talk with Francesca

If you’ve ever felt like you’re giving more than you’re getting, you’re probably not imagining it. So many women feel this way. You give. You care. You keep showing up.But when you look around, it’s like… where is everyone when it’s your turn? Here’s the thing: it’s okay to want what you give.I struggle with this, too. I’ve been told my expectations are too high, that I should grow a thicker skin. Maybe you’ve heard that, too. But let’s drop a Love Bites truth bomb right here:Sometimes, without even realizing it, we train people to rely on us—and they get real comfortable doing just that. You’re the one remembering birthdays. Organizing the dinners. Holding space for everyone’s crisis of the week.And then… when it’s your turn? Crickets. So let’s pause for a second and start noticing the patterns. Before anything can change, you have to see it clearly.Ask yourself: Who checks on me just because they care? Who listens without flipping the conversation back to themselves? Who shows up without needing something in return? Say this to move the relationship forward: “Hey, I’ve been off lately. Can I talk to you about it?” Then, really pay attention to how they respond.Some people will lean in. Others will get uncomfortable or disappear. Good to know. Here’s another game-changer: pause before jumping in.Let’s say someone texts you mid-crisis. Before rushing to save the day, ask: “When I was struggling, were they there for me?” This isn’t about keeping score. It’s about clarity.Because when relationships are always one-way, you end up drained—and eventually, disappointed. Or worse, resentful. Think of it like a tangled necklace. You can’t wear it until you undo the knots. Same goes for your emotional bandwidth.You might be fine for a while, until suddenly you’re in need—and no one’s there. That hurts. And that pain deserves your attention. So here’s your permission slip:Pull back a little.Give less.See what happens. If they notice and ask what’s up? That’s a good sign.If they don’t… again, good to know! Ask your future self: “Is this someone I want in my life long-term?”“If yes—what needs to change so that my needs are also met?” And don’t be afraid of alone time. Sometimes the quiet gives you answers connection never could. I’ll leave you with this: If you’re always the strong one… the supportive one… the available one—It’s time to ask: who supports me? And if the answer feels shaky or silent, maybe the first step is becoming that person for yourself—and choosing relationships that are more mutual, more balanced, and more real. You deserve that kind of love, Babe.

An internationally recognized expert on relationships, Dr. Alexandra Solomon, is the author of several best-selling books including Loving Bravely, Taking Sexy Back, and Love Every Day. Dr. Solomon’s work has helped millions navigate the messiness and magic of love using her groundbreaking framework of Relational Self-Awareness, an approach that invites us to slow down, turn inward, and bring more honesty and intention to our love lives. We’re diving into her question of the hour: “Is your situationship working?”We’ll talk dating in the digital age, emotional limbo, the risks of ‘vibe over values,’ and how to stop sleepwalking through romantic gray zones.Whether you're deep in a maybe-relationship or trying to avoid another confusing situationship altogether, this one’s for you.

She’s hot, she’s magnetic… and completely shut off. You’re craving connection, but she’s giving you crumbs — if that. In this no-B.S. episode of Love Bites, we’re calling it like it is: the girlfriend who’s emotionally unavailable. Is she protecting her peace… or just playing cold games? Let’s unpack the drama, the damage, and what you really deserve!

You walk into a room feeling confident, maybe even a little fabulous. And then you trip over absolutely nothing. Your ankle rolled , and now you’re absolutely sure the entire room is staring at you. Been there? Me too.That overwhelming sense that the whole world is watching your every move? That’s not just your imagination running wild. It’s something called the spotlight effect—a fancy term for your brain being a little too obsessed with itself.

Toxic workplaces… We’ve all heard the term, but what does it really mean? It’s not just annoying coworkers or tough deadlines… workplace toxicity runs deeper. It’s the environment where passive aggressive emails, manipulative leadership, favoritism, gaslighting, and constant burnout thrive. It’s the kind of place that chips away at your self worth, makes Sunday nights feel dreadful, and leaves even the most passionate employees questioning their value.

Listener Wants To Know How Far Is Too Far For a Long Distance Relationship? Long-distance relationships are tough.  I’M NOT A FAN, BUT THAT’S ME. Seriously though…When was the last time you met someone in a long-distance relationship who said: “Oh yeah, my boyfriend lives halfway across the country and it’s… F…I…N…E. FINE!!!!” Unless you're the avoidant type...(Been there. My marriage was long-distance. Full disclosure—I liked it for a while. I’m not still married to him though. So there’s that.) Listen for the real challenges in this segment.

One of the most painful questions a person can ask in a relationship is, “Is my partner cheating on me?” It’s a thought that carries weight, anxiety, and often shame. This segment is about helping you sort through what you're feeling, recognizing potential red flags, and deciding how to move forward — whether it's toward healing, confrontation, or letting go.

Being with someone who has abandonment issues can feel like dealing with a child who never gets enough sugar. Only, instead of sweets, it's emotional attention they’re after—endless, exhausting, and impossible to fully satisfy. Here’s the tough reality: you can't fill that void for them. So, What Are Abandonment Issues? At their core, abandonment issues stem from a deep fear of being left. This fear often has roots in childhood experiences—loss, neglect, or emotional unavailability from caregivers. Ironically, people who fear abandonment the most are often the ones who leave first. Whether consciously or not, they may end relationships prematurely or constantly threaten to walk away. Why? Because being the one to leave feels safer than being left behind. How It Shows Up in Relationships • Hypervigilance: They’re extremely sensitive to any shift in tone, timing, or behavior. A delayed text can feel like rejection. • Emotional Overreactions: Small disagreements may spiral into big emotional outbursts. • Control via People-Pleasing: At first, they may seem like the ideal partner— attentive, generous, and always agreeable. But this can be a way to “secure” the relationship, making it harder for you to walk away later.

Listener wrote in: my boyfriend and I have a great physical relationship but he's not available for important events. Is he just high maintenance or is he a full blown narcissist? Listen to the South Shore Morning News segment here to find out what lifestyle coach, Francesca Luca says about this. She continues the conversation on Wednesday nights at 8pm on The Francesca Luca Show on WATD 95.9fm

Narcissism. It's a word we toss around a lot, but what does it really mean in the context of a relationship? Is it just about selfies and ego? Or is it something much deeper… something that can chip away at a partner’s self-worth, create emotional exhaustion, and leave love feeling more like a transaction than a connection? Marie Morin, a licensed therapist, wellness coach, educator, and bestselling author brings thoughtful, compassionate insight to the emotional terrain we often don't know how to name… until it hurts.