Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast Stephanie and Mairead discuss

• Characteristics that are commonly looked for!
• The dynamics of choice 
• The decisions we make and why?
• The role of the unconscious and how it interrupts our decisions!
• Early sexual and love choices and how they impact our patterns!
• Recognising our own desire separate from what family and friends want for us!
• Consciously choosing!
• Knowing your Deal Breakers!- Does it help you or hinder you? Does it over focus you on what you don’t want and where is the balance?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Mairead and Stephanie discuss the important conversations you should consider having before moving in together.

• Finances can you put this means in terms of equality and responsibility.
• Cleaning and chores - , how small things can irritate but how women need to be careful not carry the emotional load.
• Work schedules-finding couple time and setting it aside amidst busy work schedules.
• Alone time and how much are personal space you need.
• Decisions-discuss how decisions will get made, and who feels what about that process.
• Habits lifestyles and idiosyncrasies.
• Boundaries-things you know already about yourself don't need to be communicated in terms of your boundaries.
• Pets-if you buy pets together and your break up what is going to happen.
• Furniture and belongings-make a simple list it may be invaluable later.
• Privacy-who will be allowed to come to stay and who will have a key.
• Whose house is it and the implications of this-are you creating a house or a home?
• The importance of living together before marriage and is marriage any different?]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tough Love podcast, Stephanie and Mairead discuss Narcissists.

What is the narcissistic abuse cycle?

Behaviours of a narcissist

- High sense of importance

- Need to be admired and seen as superior

- Critical of others

- No problem using someone for their own advantage

- Envious of others and feel others are envious of them

How to break up with a narcissist

How to heal after dating a narcissist.

If you would like to get in contact with us or book a private session with Stephanie and Mairead visit www.toughlove.ie

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tough Love podcast, Stephanie and Mairead speak about coercive control and abuse within relationships.

This podcast includes:

What is coercive control exactly?

What are the micro presentations of it?

What to do if you suspect it?

Dealing with toxic control or toxic power in your relationship!

The value of slowing down to help you see the red flags ?

Narcissism and how it is masked in successful relationships.

The narcissist you date!

The exaggerations !

The lies! And what lies behind that!

The wild wonderful promises!

How to protect yourself against the narcissistic dater.

If you are worried about your own relationship or a friend's relationship you can call Women’s Aid on the 24Hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900 or use the free and confidential chat support service. Men needing support can contact the Male Advice Line on 1800 816 588

If you would like to get in touch to confidentially share your stories or queries with Mairead and Stephanie, visit www.toughlove.ie

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Mairead and Stephanie discuss friendships and the importance of having healthy bonds in our lives.

Topics covered 

Friendships over our life span.

Why new friends are refreshing!

Stephanie and Mairead's friendship,how it has developed.

Should you be friends with your ex?

How to create and analyze your social universe.

Ending the friendships that need to be ended.

Friends that can't celebrate your success.

When your friends pull away after falling in love or having children.

Cobwebbing your friendships.

The challenge for friends after divorce.

How to expand your social circle.

Plan your connections, reach outs, and social life.

Friendships in the remote working era. 

Keeping friendships when you're a couple and mind those boundaries.

Tending and nurturing a diverse and varied social universe.

If you would like us to confidential share your story, discuss a particular topic or if you would like to book a private consultation with Stephanie and Mairead together visit www.toughlove.ie and don't forget to follow us on instagram- tough_love_podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tough Love, Mairead and Stephanie speak about how to press reset on all of your relationships for the new year ahead. Whether it is friendships, work relationships or your romantic relationships, how to press reset and have better relationships.

• Thinking about what you want from your relationship now, or the one you are working toward.
• Creating space for yourself- tune into you. 
• Be compassionate with yourself.
• Look for patterns.
• Acknowledge your feelings.
• Assessing the balance of your relationship - Is it how you want it?
• Are trying to do all the work. 
• How to invite, ask or forge change in your relationship. 
• The imperative of finding your individual and couple power source. 
• How to handle disappointment in your relationship.
• Has Xmas exposed something in your relationship that needs addressing. 
• Create some quietness so you can tune into yourself. 

If you would like to book a private online session with Stephanie and Mairead, visit www.toughlove.ie

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tough Love, Mairead and Stephanie speak about sex and how important is it in a relationship?

In this episode we discuss-

-The average people lose their virginity.

-How much sex are people actually having?

-The reasons why men and women flirt.

-How often are Irish people having sex?

-How many orgasms are Irish women having per week?

-Do all partners talk about sex and how important is it that couples talk about sex?

-Do couples go to therapy to talk about sex?

-How do you talk about se with your partner?

-Why do people go to sex workers?

-Why do people become addicted to sex?

-What are women's no. 1 regrets when it comes to sex?

-When should you have sex with a new partner?

-What are the average age groups of people having one night stands?

If you would like to confidentially share any of your relationship or dating stories with us for our podcast or if you would like to book a private session with Stephanie and Mairead, please visit us at www.toughlove.ie

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tough Love, Mairead and Stephanie speak about the traditional roles in modern relationships. How and why men and women choose their partners differently and why the more successful a woman is in her career, the more difficult it can be to find a suitable partner.

In this episode we discuss-

-When freedom really began for women in Ireland.

-The roles of men and women in modern relationships.

-The impact female education is having on modern relationships.

-"Marrying up", the science of how men and women choose their partners.

-Are women now dating younger.

-When women are the main earners and the additional stress of being the bread winner of the relationship.

-Who tends to earn more money? Single or married people.

-What are men seeking in a modern relationship?

-Why you have chemistry with someone people and not other.

If you would like to share any of your relationship or dating stories with us for our podcast or if you would like to book a private session with Stephanie and Mairead, please visit us at www.toughlove.ie

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Stephanie and Mairead explore the ups and downs of being single at Christmas! The highs and the lows, and how family and friends can make it worse or better for you.

• What is Christmas for you? Do you romanticize it?
• The external narrative around singles !
• Where is the opportunity at this time of year!
• The dreaded family questions!
• What is your version of happiness?
• Invitations and how to respond!
• Your internal narrative- what you are telling yourself. 
• The loneliness factor.
• The dating fatigue. 
• Introducing a new partner to your family. 
• Single and without family or family relationships feel toxic.
• There are times when being single is exactly the right thing. 
• How success changes how we look at singledom.
• The opportunities that are there for you. 
• Using the time to shape your lovelife and life ahead. 
• How others may devalue your time, because you're single.
• Building your own happiness, one day at a time. 
• What are you actively doing to move your life to where you would like it to be.
• Turning up the volume on fun, activity and opportunities in your life. 
• Prepare the answer to that awkward question!
• How Mairead and I can support your love journey. 
• 
  

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.