AI Wants to Fix Your Relationship, Should You Let it?

In this episode of 'All Things Uncomfortable,' podcast host, Coach Deborah, is joined by Tony Fabrikant and Clay Cockrell, founders of CoupleWork, to discuss their innovative AI couples therapist, Maxine.

The conversation delves into the creation and functionality of Maxine, ethical considerations, and the nuances of AI in mental health.

Tony, with a background in FinTech and AI, and Clay, a seasoned psychotherapist, explain how Maxine bridges communication gaps between partners, ensures privacy, and provides a safe space for tackling sensitive issues like abuse and porn addiction.

They also share personal anecdotes and discuss the potential of AI to complement traditional therapy, offering hope and practical tools for couples facing relationship challenges.

00:00 Welcome to 'All Things Uncomfortable'

00:44 Meet Tony and Clay: The Minds Behind CoupleWork

00:58 Tony's Journey into AI and Relationships

02:28 Clay's Unique Approach to Therapy

03:48 Developing Maxine: Challenges and Insights

04:58 The Story Behind Maxine's Name

05:58 The Birth of an AI Therapist

10:39 Privacy and Security in Couplework

14:50 Addressing Abuse and Safety Concerns

17:16 The Role of AI in Mental Health

21:35 Implementing Session Limits

22:51 Safety Protocols and Abuse Detection

25:40 User Patterns and Relationship Issues

30:04 Addressing Porn Addiction

31:57 State of the Union: A Tool for Couples

33:35 Navigating Conflict with Maxine

35:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts from Somatic Coach Deborah

Links:

AI Couples Therapist — Maxine

Articles on Abuse and Coercive Control By Coach Deborah

1) If you are in an abusive relationship, is your therapist truly safe?

2) Understanding Coercive Control: A Guide for Survivors, Therapists, and Lawyers

Somatic Coach Deborah Lee explores the complex intersections of trauma, boundaries, and AI with Dr. Rachel Wood, a licensed counselor with a PhD in cyber psychology.

They examine the concept of boundaries both in human relationships and how AI is being trained to set them. The conversation extends to how AI can be a tool for emotional support, not a replacement for human connection. Dr. Wood discusses the importance of attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and the potential for AI to erode or promote human agency.

The episode also features practical exercises for setting boundaries and emphasizes the importance of using AI ethically.

00:00 Introduction to Trauma and AI

00:12 Meet Dr. Rachel Wood

01:09 The Importance of Boundaries

02:33 Attachment Theory and AI

05:42 AI as a Secure Base

09:21 Ethical AI and Community Support

12:02 AI in Therapy and Mental Health

24:21 Future of AI in Relationships

32:58 Somatic Boundaries Exercise

35:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Why does the forbidden feel so irresistible?
Why does attraction at work feel magnetic enough to risk everything?

In this episode, I take you into the recent Astronomer scandal — a CEO, a Head of HR, a kiss that went viral — and ask why this story stood out when office entanglements are everywhere. The truth: it’s not about the kiss. It’s about the trauma threads beneath it.

Conditional love. Hypervigilance. Conflict avoidance. Patterns woven in childhood that don’t vanish — they bleed into boardrooms and bedrooms, shaping who we choose, how we collapse, and the messes we create.

And in the digital age, texting has become the stage where these threads tighten — tiny pings and pauses turning into fantasy, obsession, the illusion of intimacy.

This isn’t about shame. It’s about recognition. In this episode you’ll learn:
🌱 How trauma threads replay in both work and love
🌱 Why forbidden fruit at work feels like gravity you can’t fight
🌱 The hidden role of texting in intensifying longing and projection
🌱 Somatic tools to notice, interrupt, and reweave these patterns

We’ll close with practices to help you set boundaries, listen to your body, and step out of survival into choice.

✨ And next time: we shift from desire to design. I’ll be joined by Dr. Rachel Wood as we open a new six-part series on Trauma and AI — asking how machines might help us heal without losing what makes us human.

In this episode of the "All Things and Uncomfortable" Podcast, titled 'Leading with Curiosity and Joy,' host Deborah welcomes Jose Romero, a Global Executive master coach.

Together, they delve into the transformative power of curiosity in leadership, particularly how it disrupts conformity, builds belonging, and enables overcoming internal fears and limiting beliefs. 

Jose shares insights from his extensive career and personal journey, exploring the delicate balance between fitting in and true belonging in organizational contexts. The conversation touches on the difficulties leaders face, including the tendency to sacrifice authenticity for acceptance, and the importance of fostering open dialogue and psychological safety within teams. 

They also discuss the challenges of leading with curiosity amidst societal and professional expectations, the nuances of communication across cultures, and how to handle feedback constructively. 

This enlightening dialogue is capped with an introduction to Jose's upcoming book, 'Living and Leading with Curiosity,' aimed at empowering readers to navigate change and uncertainty with resilience and insight.

00:00  Introduction to the Podcast

00:33  Meet Our Special Guest: Jose Romero

01:15  Exploring Belonging vs. Fitting In

03:29  Authenticity in Leadership

04:38  Navigating Gender and Privilege in Leadership

08:02 Building Dialogue Through Curiosity

13:04  Challenges and Rewards of Coaching

18:50  The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

25:47 Jose Romero's Book: Living and Leading With Curiosity

35:11  Quick Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

In this episode of the All Things Uncomfortable Podcast, somatic coach Deborah delves into the concept of shadow work as a crucial aspect of healing from trauma.

Listeners are guided through understanding their shadow side, using somatic tools to integrate these parts, and communicating with the underlying child parts often at play.

Coach Deborah outlines key shadow archetypes and offers practical exercises in a provided worksheet, emphasizing the importance of meeting these parts with curiosity rather than shame.

The episode includes practical somatic exercises to recognize and address shadow aspects, ultimately aimed at fostering better leadership and personal growth through shadow integration.

00:00 Introduction to Shadow Work

01:33 Understanding Your Shadow Side

05:33 Identifying Shadow Archetypes

11:31 Reflecting on Your Shadow Archetypes

12:46 Somatic Tools for Shadow Integration

19:25 The Three R's Framework

21:28 Additional Somatic Practices

24:03 Closing Reflections and Call to Action

Somatic Shadow Integrations Worksheet:https://shorturl.at/kHYKs

Book a 30 min free Somatic Consultation Session with Coach Deborah: https://shorturl.at/zRjG4

Navigating Workplace Politics with Niven Postma: Strategies for Dealing with Toxicity and Power Dynamics

In this episode of All Things Uncomfortable, host Deborah is joined by globally sought-after consultant and bestselling author Niven Postma to discuss the challenging politics of power and how to deal with workplace bullies without losing oneself.

Niven shares her extensive experience in leadership roles and offers valuable insights into navigating workplace politics, creating alliances, and addressing toxic environments.

She also highlights the impact of gender dynamics on workplace politics and the importance of developing political will and skill. This episode provides practical advice for anyone looking to maintain their integrity while managing complexities at work.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:33 Niven Postma's Background and Achievements

02:13 Understanding Workplace Politics

04:02 Personal Experiences with Workplace Politics

07:13 Navigating Toxic Work Environments

11:48 Gender Dynamics in Workplace Politics

16:27 Building Political Will and Skill

19:25 Friends vs. Allies in the Workplace

22:17 Dealing with Toxic Environments

37:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Niven Postma's Website: https://www.nivenpostma.com/

"If You Don't Do Politics, They Will Do You Book": https://www.amazon.com/YOU-DONT-POLITICS-WILL-effectively-ebook/dp/B08G8SMFSC

In this episode of "The All Things Uncomfortable Podcast," host Deborah is joined by AI expert and consultant Daniel Wilson, who shares his insights into digital doppelgangers and the creation of digital twins. They discuss the evolution of digital twins from industrial applications to personal avatars, highlighting real-world examples and existing platforms. Deborah shares her personal journey with Matthew AI, one of the best digital twins on the market. They break down the steps to creating your own digital twin and conduct a live demonstration with Matthew AI. The conversation delves into privacy, ownership, and ethical considerations, exploring the nuances of the limbic brain and scripted responses for authenticity. They discuss the societal impact and future possibilities of digital immortality, all while addressing rapid-fire questions and closing with reflections and a call to action.

"The All Things Uncomfortable" Podcast is a Creaturae Production

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction to Digital Doppelgangers

00:25 Meet Dan Wilson: AI Consultant and Innovator

01:20 Exploring Digital Twins: From Matthew AI to NASA

02:13 The Evolution and Impact of Digital Twins

06:25 Personal Experiences and Emotional Connections 

19:56 AI and Episodic Memory: Bridging the Gap

24:51 The Role of Empathetic AI and Replika

26:13 Understanding AI's Episodic Memory

26:34 The Role of Time Awareness in AI

26:46 Hallucinations and Memory Management

28:58 Parallel Processing Explained

31:53 Creating Your Digital Twin

38:57 Data Sovereignty and Privacy

48:18 Digital Immortality and Emotional Awareness

53:50 Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects

In Season 2, Episode 2 of the All Things "Uncomfortable" Podcast, Deborah Lee, Somatic Coach, Trauma Informed Care Consultant and Founder of Creaturae invites two AI guests, John and Ginny, to discuss her recent research at Columbia University on empathetic AI's potential to transform mental health care and other downstream mental health issues by addressing loneliness epidemic that is affecting us on a global scale.

The episode explores various perspectives, including AI's capacity to ease loneliness, the implications for mental health, the ethical considerations, and how AI might even help rewire our brains on a neurological level for better emotional regulation and social connection.

Sign up to be on the mailing list for AIEmpath here:

https://hello-ai-empath.netlify.app/

00:00  Introduction by Deborah

00:20  Meet John and Ginny: The AI Guests

00:32  The Loneliness Crisis

00:47  AI Solutions to Loneliness, ISA &CAs

02:08  Understanding Loneliness

02:47  Connection and Trauma

03:59  AI Companions in the Market

04:17  Empathy and Emotional Intelligence in AI

13:57  Balancing Human and AI Interaction

14:14  Emotional Regulation

14:55  AI as an Extended Mind for Self-Discovery

16:26  Ethical Considerations

16:41  Closing Thoughts and Brief on AIEmpath by Deborah

Tuning Into Your Body's Wisdom: The Transformative Power of Somatic Practices with Oren Shai

Season 2 of the "All Things Uncomfortable" podcast kicks off with a conversation a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation on "Tuning Into Your Body's Wisdom"

Host Deborah Lee sits down with somatic practitioner Oren Shai to explore a life-changing question:

What if your body could lead you to deeper emotional connection? 🤔🎁

In this episode, we:
✨ Decode Somatics (from the Latin word soma, meaning “body”)
🎁 Hear Oren’s powerful story—how a past relationship uncovered his emotional numbness and sparked his healing journey 🌱
❄️ Dispel common myths about somatic therapy (hint: it’s not just about yoga!)

🎄 Share practical tools like progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness to help you feel more present in your body

This conversation isn’t just about ideas—it’s about learning to play, embrace change, and feel safe within yourself. Imagine a life filled with emotional clarity, resilience, and deeper connections. 🌟🎁

🎧 Ready to unwrap this episode?
Click Play and Answer the Poll Below!

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:54 Rapid Fire Questions with Oren

02:11 Understanding Somatic Practices

05:13 Personal Stories and Experiences

08:25 Common Misconceptions About Somatics

12:04 The Mind-Body Connection

26:58 Practical Somatic Exercises

35:06 The Importance of Play and Humor

41:29 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

45:32 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Oren's Press Kit: https://body.craft.me/ykEV0BpM6n1WWe

Presented by Creaturae, specializing in trauma-informed somatic leadership. In this powerful episode, Somatic Coach Deborah Lee, CEO and Founder of Creaturae, sits down with Frank King — a suicide prevention expert who uses comedy to save lives — for a raw conversation about the razor-thin line between laughter and pain.

Frank King, who calls himself a "Mental Health Comedian," brings lived experience to this discussion. Having battled suicidal ideation throughout his life, he now uses humor as a bridge to reach those in their darkest moments. Together with Deborah and Marc Miller, CBT-Trained Executive Coach, they explore how comedy can be both a lifeline and a mask for those struggling with trauma and suicidal thoughts.

You'll discover:

• How Frank transforms his mental health struggles into life-saving comedy

• Why those battling suicidal ideation often appear the happiest

• The crucial difference between humor that heals and humor that harms

• How to recognize when someone's jokes are actually cries for help

• Why laughter can interrupt the spiral of suicidal thinking

Frank's unique insights include:

• Using comedy to normalize conversations about suicide

• How humor creates safety for discussing unbearable pain

• The neuroscience of why laughter can shift dark thought patterns

• Recognizing humor as both symptom and solution

• Building bridges to hope through shared laughter

This conversation reveals how the funniest people in our lives may be fighting invisible battles with their own minds. Frank's approach — using humor not to minimize pain but to create connection in the midst of it — offers a revolutionary perspective on both comedy and mental health.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Humor and Trauma

01:16 Exploring Personal Humor Strengths

01:57 Favorite Comedians and Their Impact

07:37 The Role of Humor in Relationships

19:54 Humor as a Coping Mechanism

33:55 Understanding Empathy and Humor

34:36 Theories of Humor: Non-Violation and Benign Violation

35:36 Cognitive Reframing and the Role of the Frontal Lobes

39:15 The Importance of Self-Affirming Humor

40:46 Patriotism and Humor in Different Cultures

41:49 The Social Dynamics of Humor

42:59 Humor's Impact on the Brain and Mental Health

49:27 The Contagious Nature of Laughter

58:30 The Dark Side of Humor: Transgressive Jokes

01:03:53 Recap and Final Thoughts on Humor and Trauma

Why listen? Because this episode could save a life — maybe yours, maybe someone you love. Frank King's unique blend of comedy and compassion shows how humor can be a powerful tool for suicide prevention when wielded with wisdom and care. In this conversation we discover how comedy can hold space for both pain and hope simultaneously.