This Complex Life

ADHD can bring creativity, energy, and passion, but it can also make everyday life feel chaotic or overwhelming.

In this episode of This Complex Life, I talk with Ron Souers, ADHD coach and host of Don’t Mind Me, I Just Have ADHD. We explore how understanding your ADHD brain can turn struggle into strength, and how self-compassion plays a huge role in that process.

You’ll hear about:

• Why ADHD is more than distraction or forgetfulness
• The emotional side of ADHD (and why self-blame makes it worse)
• What happens when we stop trying to “fix” ourselves
• Practical ways to work with your brain, not against it
• How support, structure, and self-understanding build confidence

Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or you’ve always suspected your brain works a bit differently, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and hopeful.

Resources:

• Ron Souers – https://dadhdwss.com/
• Don’t Mind Me, I Just Have ADHD podcast

Connected Teens

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

We all like to think of ourselves as grown-ups, but what does it really mean to grow yourself up? And how does that shape every relationship you have at home, at work, and with the people you love most?

In this encore episode, I’m joined by Dr Jenny Brown, author of Growing Yourself Up: How to Bring Your Best to All of Life’s Relationships. We explore what maturity actually looks like in practice, why we can’t change others without first managing ourselves, and how family patterns shape the way we love, work, and connect.

You’ll hear about:

• The difference between genuine maturity and “borrowed” maturity
• How family systems influence the way we manage stress and relationships
• What self-differentiation really means (and why it’s so important)
• Why emotional independence isn’t the same as disconnection
• How to stay calm and connected during family stress
• Why growing up is a lifelong process, not something we finish in adulthood

If you’ve ever found yourself reacting to your family dynamics or wondering why certain patterns keep repeating, this conversation will help you see yourself and your relationships in a whole new way.

Learn more about Dr Jenny Brown: https://parenthopeproject.com.au/ 

Resources:

Previous conversation: Building Stronger Parent-Child Relationships: A Conversation with Jenny Brown

Connected Teens

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

Does it ever feel like your teenager just doesn’t hear you?

You remind them about chores, offer advice, try to connect  and all you get back is silence, an eye roll, or a quick “whatever.”

In this encore episode, I unpack one of the biggest frustrations parents face: why teens seem to tune parents out and what’s really going on beneath the surface.

You’ll hear about:

• Why advice often makes teens shut down
• How to shift from “fixing” to listening
• Why chores and constant reminders can backfire
• What brain changes make teens focus on peers over parents
• How to respond in ways that build connection, not conflict

If your teen feels like they’ve stopped listening, this episode will help you understand why. and what small changes can help rebuild your connection.

Listen now and find practical ways to reconnect with your teen.

Resources:

Explore my Connected Teens Course: https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

As kids grow into teens, they start to need more independence, and for many parents, that shift can feel like rejection. When your child pulls away, stops talking, or wants less of you, it’s easy to take it personally.

In this encore episode of This Complex Life, I unpack why this happens, what it means for your relationship, and how you can respond in ways that protect connection instead of widening the gap.

We’ll explore:

• Why parents often feel rejected as their children grow up
• What’s actually happening when teens pull away
• The shift from being your child’s “manager” to their “consultant”
• How to stay connected without guilt or control
• What healthy boundaries look like during this stage
• How to model accountability and repair after conflict

Listen now and learn how to stay close, even when your teen seems far away.

Resources:

Part of this conversation: https://marievakakis.com.au/the-psychology-of-rejection-and-what-to-do-about-it/ 

Learn more about Connected Teens™, an on-demand program to help you rebuild communication and strengthen connection: https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens 

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

Rejection stings,  whether it’s a friend pulling away, not getting the job, being ghosted, or a partner feeling distant. Our brains don’t like ambiguity, so they fill in the blanks with painful stories about not being good enough, smart enough, or lovable.

In this encore episode, I explore:

• Why rejection hurts so much and how it’s linked to survival wiring
• The ways we often respond, withdrawing, lashing out, or people pleasing
• How our brains make up unhelpful stories when we don’t have answers
• Practical tools from Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• The role of mindfulness, values, and diffusion in managing rejection
• Why self-compassion and support are essential in moving forward

Part one focuses on understanding rejection and building strategies to cope. In part two, I’ll explore rejection in parenting, especially as teens start to need more independence.

Resources:

The Future of Friendships: Are We Getting Lonelier?

Connected Teens :

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie :

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast:

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

It can feel heartbreaking when your teenager pulls away, shows little interest in your life, or seems dismissive of family connections. This is a common experience for many parents,  and while it can feel personal, it’s often just part of healthy adolescent development.

In this episode, I talk through what’s happening for teens at this stage, and what parents can do to stay connected without pushing their kids further away.

You’ll hear about:

• Why teenagers turn toward peers and away from parents
• How to avoid taking their changes personally
• Moving from “manager” to “consultant” in your parenting role
• Why empathy is key (even when you disagree)
• The problem with angry pursuit and guilt-driven connection
• How to invite closeness without criticism
• Practical ideas for spending meaningful time together
• Why listening and curiosity matter more than fixing

This episode is all about finding ways to feel connected, even when your teen seems uninterested in you.

Resources:

• Submit a question for a future episode: https://forms.gle/6GJsNv9MeppUvw5j8 
• Connected Teens Program: https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/  
• Grab my free ebook https://marievakakis.com.au/my-teen-wont-talk-to-me/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

Have you ever had a reaction that felt bigger than the situation? Maybe your partner forgot something small, and suddenly you felt worthless. These moments often have roots in our past.

In this episode of This Complex Life, I sit down with Tamera Broughton to talk about how our unmet childhood needs show up in adult life, relationships, and emotional reactions. We explore how trauma is more than big, obvious events, it can also be the quiet absence of attunement, delight, or safety when we need it most.

Together, we unpack how to recognise when old wounds are being triggered, what healing can look like through therapies like EMDR, and why making the “invisible visible” is key to moving forward.

Key Takeaways:

• Trauma isn’t just what happened to you, it’s also what was missing.
• Disproportionate reactions often signal old pain, not just present triggers.
• Unmet emotional needs can create shaky “scaffolding” that affects self-worth and relationships.
• Healing involves strengthening internal resources as well as processing past pain.
• EMDR therapy can help shift old beliefs (“I’m not enough”) into healthier, adaptive ones.
• Noticing patterns and reactions is the first step toward change.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or loved one who’s curious about the impact of childhood experiences on adult life.

Resources:

• Tamera’s website: https://centreself.com.au/clinicians-item/tamera-broughton-n/  
• What Happened to You? by Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo

Connected Teens

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

Friendships are some of the most important relationships we have, but they’re also one of the easiest to neglect. In this episode of This Complex Life, I’m joined by Steph Clarke, futurist, facilitator, and author of How to Friend, to explore whether we’re really facing a loneliness epidemic, how friendships evolve as we age, and why maintaining meaningful connections takes intention.

We talk about:

• Why friendships can feel harder to maintain in adulthood

• How technology shapes connection and disconnection

• Overcoming fear of rejection and ‘cringe culture’

• The importance of making time for low-stakes hangouts

• Why conflict and repair are part of healthy friendships

• Simple ways to nurture friendships in everyday life

Steph works with leaders to anticipate change and challenge the status quo, and she brings that lens to personal connection, offering practical advice for building meaningful friendships in a fast-paced, digital world.

Listen now and start small; a simple message or quick call could mean more than you think.

Resources:

• How to Friend by Steph Clarke

• 28 Thursdays

• Join the This Complex Life Newsletter

Connected Teens

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

Affairs can devastate a relationship, leaving couples questioning everything they thought they knew about each other. In this episode of This Complex Life, I sit down with couples therapist Andrea Dindinger to talk about healing after betrayal, the slow process of rebuilding trust, and the courage it takes to move forward. 

We unpack why affairs happen, what betrayal does to relationships, and how couples can recover together or separately with intention and care.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why betrayal can feel so destabilising and isolating
• How couples can start rebuilding trust after an affair
• Signs a relationship can heal versus when it’s time to walk away
• The importance of self-reflection and understanding attachment needs
• How therapists support couples in high-conflict or post-betrayal recovery
• Why healing isn’t about quick fixes but consistent emotional work

Healing after betrayal takes time, courage, and a lot of honest conversations. Whether you’re the one who’s been hurt or the one seeking forgiveness, there’s a path forward if both partners are willing to do the work. Tune in for this compassionate and practical discussion, and share it with someone who may need hope and guidance. 

Connect with Andrea Dindinger:

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist & Relationship Coach 

Andrea Dindinger is a San Francisco-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 20 years’ experience helping people create meaningful, fulfilling intimate relationships. 

https://www.andreadindinger.com/  

https://enroll.andreadindinger.com/relationship-reboot-course

Resources:

• The Therapy Hub
• Andrea Dindinger’s website
• Book: After the Affair by Janis A. Spring
• Esther Perels: The State of Affairs and Mating in Captivity
• Emily Nagoski's Come as You Are and Come Together

Connected Teens

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

When suicide is mentioned, the room often goes quiet. The heaviness of the topic shows how much fear and stigma surround it, but also how important it is to talk about.

In this solo episode of This Complex Life, I explore the silence around suicide, why the subject feels so confronting, and the impact it has not only on families and communities but also on practitioners who sit with these stories.

You’ll hear about:

• Why suicide is such a difficult conversation to have

• The ripple effect on families, friends, partners, children and communities

• The complicated grief that follows suicide and how it is carried

• Myths and misconceptions that keep people from asking directly

• The importance of clear, direct language when you are worried about someone

• The impact of suicide work on practitioners and the need for support

• Why connection and follow-up matter more than perfect words

Episode discussed

https://marievakakis.com.au/when-a-client-dies-by-suicide-reflections-for-mental-health-professionals/

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467, Beyond Blue 1300 224 636, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset