Greg looks at ways we can start to overcome the unconscious patterning of our insecurely attached past – allowing us to live in the present moment.

Greg works through how emotional transactions from our childhood can affect our relationships today.

Greg continues his discussion of Attachment Systems, introducing the Avoidantly Attached/Dismissive profile. We join Sara's husband Tony in his individual session.

Mis-attunement in our relationships can be the result of all kinds of factors for one or both partners like genetics, environment, culture, and health, as well as one of the most telling – our attachment system. Tune in as Greg talks about how this system affects our lives.

Validating our partner means more than just listening to them, it means we respect who they are and what they mean to us. In this episode we meet Tony and Sara, a couple working through this process.

Greg reviews how two types of cognitive bias impact our listening abilities in relationships with others and shares that being present doesn't mean literally; it means being present in intent and emotional engagement. He reminds listeners that "fixers" often unintentionally hijack engagements because they were likely not permitted to be right or were often corrected resulting in low self-esteem and coping mechanisms. Regardless of origin, "fixers" don't develop a sufficient emotional vocabulary and emotions provide the needed input for managing ourselves and responding effectively to others. He shares other "fixer" traits and offers hope that the autopilot can be rerouted in a positive direction. To learn more about Greg and his practice, go to www.kipercounseling.com

Greg continues to talk about how our frame of reference when listening is through the lens of Cognitive Bias which results in our brains filtering the information we process. This can lead to short-cuts that leave out significant information and sensitivities. Greg goes on to explain the two types of cognitive bias he sees most often and how they impact our ability to listen. Often one partner hijacks an interaction because of their need for validation and respect; essentially ignoring the other's need for same. Stacy continues to pepper Greg with questions as she searches for answers for her and other "Fixers" out there. To learn more about Greg and his practice, go to www.kipercounseling.com

Greg continues to talk about the topic of listening and how when we listen it's usually with cognitive bias or as a "Fixer." He spends a lot of time talking about "The Fixer" and their origin story; where their need for answers, control and fear of emotion began. He also explains why they need to be met with compassion versus frustration. Stacy asks lots of questions on the topic since she relates to The Fixer. To learn more about Greg and his practice, go to www.kipercounseling.com

Greg picks up where he left off on the topic of listening and how we should listen with context, intent and awareness of our own interpretation; something he refers to as "the fluffy stuff." He comments that today's norm is forcing a point of view rather than listening to, understanding or respecting other's points of view. We have Fixer Bias, we can be attributed to an inability on the Fixer's part to feel, share and express emotions. That makes it increasingly difficult to bridge the gap and find common ground. To learn more about Greg and his practice, go to www.kipercounseling.com

Greg and Stacy review what they discussed last week about listening for intent AND content, and they talk a bit more about the power of our two "brains;" the brain and the heart. Greg picks up where he left off to discuss more about how our past experiences influence what we hear and how we hear it. He explains that listening with our hearts creates empathy which bridges the gap between our own past, and what is being shared presently. Greg shares some heavy truths which are lightened with ideas for how to approach communicating with curiosity, lack of judgement, and a heavy dose of self-awareness and humor. To learn more about Greg and his practice, go to www.kipercounseling.com