theCDeffect Podcast

It's easy to see why so many of us have resisted the call of relationships—or have fallen utterly frustrated moving in and between the relational assignments in our lives. Relationships can be complicated. But if you've been following along with us as we explored the ins and outs of our collective need to connect and belong to others, then you might be feeling a bit bold. You might be feeling ready, to toss out the old limiting beliefs of old, for new more expansive beliefs of what's possible when like minded people unite. In this episode, we explore what we've learned about ourselves and relationships to-date and come to understand the process though challenging, has enlivened our interest and ability to connect with others. Featuring Ahmir Rashad, Viva Diva and music by Lakey Inspired.

Mention relationship goals nowadays and an array of IG images are likely to flood your mind, of couples offering an endless assortment of intentionally orchestrated PDAs anyone with a pulse would want to emulate. But beyond the fantasy of the hashtag, what are your relationship goals? What is it that you truly want from the relationships in your life? In this episode, we explore the challenges of setting intentions for our lives, and come to learn without a clear articulated goal it's easy to find yourself hitched to someone else's, with no true benefit for you. Featuring Ahmir Rashad, Viva Diva and music by Lakey Inspired.

Perhaps the greatest gift you can give to another person is acceptance. Why then do we expend so much energy trying to change who they are? Why aren't we satisfied with their truth? But more so, why do we believe our truth is better than theirs? In this episode, we explore our reflexive tendency to "fix" those we love. What we discover is our fixation on changing others is really our way of saying: "you are not enough". Featuring Ahmir Rashad and music by Lakey Inspired.

Trust is everything. One can successfully argue—that trust is the "single most-important" element of a relationship. But what is it? What sustains it? And, if broken, is it possible to ever regain it again? In this episode, we explore the infrastructure of trust and come to understand: a sound trust-of-self is the "birthplace" of trust; anything less produces a pervasive sense of distrust. Featuring Ahmir Rashad, Viva Diva and music by Lakey Inspired.

Respect is an essential component of human relationships—directly connected to our overall sense of wellbeing and connectedness. But people have a lot of different ideas about what respect actually means. What is your understanding of respect? How does it play out in your life? In your relationships? In this episode we explore the varied ways in which we've interpreted the concept respect, and how many of those definitions, when scrutinized, don't actually convey respect. Featuring Ahmir Rashad and music by Lakey Inspired.

The soul of any relationship is intimacy. Zen Buddhism says, "when you are intimate, you are one with. When you are not intimate you are in your head." When it comes to your expression of intimacy do you find yourself one with, or mostly in your head? In this episode we explore seven ways in which we express intimacy in an effort to create a greater sense of belonging and connectedness. Featuring Viva Diva and music by Lakey Inspired.

If transparency is the heart of a relationship, intimacy is it's soul. When it comes to this deeply sensitive connection, how capable are you of expressing it? How comfortable are you with being seen? But more importantly, do you even possess the skills to make intimacy possible? In this episode we explore the three key ingredients that make intimacy possible and the difficulties we have embracing this tried and true relationship sustainer. Featuring Ahmir Rashad, Viva Diva and music by Lakey Inspired.

Be honest, when it come to your relationships how transparent are you? How open is your inner life to others? But more importantly, what would it take for you to remove the armor? In this episode, we explore the challenges of being our true authentic selves in relationships, and why sometimes its easier to hide. Featuring Ahmir Rashad, Viva Diva and music by Lakey Inspired.

Loneliness, and, relationships. Two words that should never find themselves together, but far too often the relational bonds we're piecing together are the result of our inability to cope with our unresolved feelings of loneliness.What is your relationship to loneliness? How do you manage it in your life? But more importantly, how is it that so many of us can find so much comfort being alone, together? In this episode, we explore the intersection of loneliness and relationships and attempt to develop new coping strategies to manage the emptiness we sometimes feel in our lives. Featuring Ahmir Rashad, Viva Diva and music by Lakey Inspired.

Relationships are assignments. Whether you know it or not, the people in your life are there to help to you become. Through them we get the opportunity to learn, grow and become the individuals we say we are. In this episode, we explore why our relationships are assignments and what we're learning about ourselves in these unions. Featuring Ahmir Rashad, Viva Diva and music by Lakey Inspired.