Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson Codependency and Healthy Dependency with Nedra Glover Tawwab
74 snips
Feb 16, 2026 
Nedra Glover Tawwab, a licensed therapist and bestselling author known for her work on boundaries, explores the balance between rigid boundaries and isolation. She traces codependency’s roots, maps the spectrum from hyper-independence to enmeshment, and links attachment styles to relational patterns. Short, practical conversations cover asking for help, tolerating distance, deepening friendships, and repairing after conflict.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Boundaries Taken Too Far
- Boundaries can be weaponize or overused, producing isolation instead of safety.
- Healthy dependency balances autonomy with connection rather than eliminating dependence entirely.
Dependency Is Not Inherently Bad
- Dependency is neutral and universal: we all rely on others for goods, services, and care.
- The healthy middle avoids both hyper-independence and harmful codependency.
Codependency's Origins And Limits
- Codependency originated in the addiction field but applies beyond substance use to patterns that enable harmful behavior.
- Eradicating codependency wholesale misses nuance; assess severity and which relationships are affected.
