Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

Our personal history can shape the way we perceive and react to the behavior of others and the types of relationships we form. If we have experienced neglect or abuse in the past, it may be more difficult for us to trust others and form close relationships. We may also be more prone to anxiety or depression. On the other hand, if we had a supportive and nurturing upbringing, we may be more confident and able to form healthy, positive relationships. In this episode, Ana Gabriel Mann discusses the use of neurofeedback as a treatment for trauma and other issues such as PTSD, brain injury, and processing disorders. They describe the process of neurofeedback and how it can be used to specifically target and address specific areas of the brain that may be over or understimulated. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care and the role it plays in healing and personal growth. Ana Gabriel Mann earned her Master's degree in clinical psychology before going on to serve as an educator, therapist, and corporate trainer. She currently coaches Go-Giver Marriage clients and leads the Go-Giver Marriage Coaches Training Program. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 6:45 Exploring the use of authentic movement in processing and healing trauma. 11:57 The importance of boundaries in therapy, particularly in couples therapy. 22:47 Understanding and managing flooding and multigenerational PTSD with EEG neurofeedback therapy. 29:03 The Benefits of Neurofeedback Therapy for Managing Trauma and Overaroused Nervous Systems. 37:12 Neurofeedback for trauma, brain injury, and processing disorders: How EEG therapy can help regulate brain function and promote healing. 48:46 The importance of prioritizing self-care in trauma healing and personal growth. 51:42 How they're helping individuals and couples. Mentioned The Go-Giver Marriage: A Little Story About the Five Secrets to Lasting Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Sharing Resources (*Google form) ERP 270: How to Resolve Relational Trauma in the Body through Dance & Movement – An Interview with Orit Krug Connect with Ana Gabriel Mann Websites: gogivermarriage.com Facebook: facebook.com/anagabrielmann Twitter: twitter.com/AnaGabrielMann Instagram: instagram.com/AnaGabrielMann Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Death is a natural and inevitable part of life. It is a reminder of our own mortality and the impermanence of things. While it can be a difficult and painful experience, it is believed that consciousness about death brings people closer to each other. In this episode, Dr. Jordana Jacobs talks about the importance of mortality awareness and how denial of this fundamental human experience can lead to greater suffering and isolation. This awareness can also inspire us to prioritize our relationships, make the most of the time we have together, and find a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life. Dr. Jordana Jacobs is a clinical psychologist in private practice in New York City. Her approach is integrative, combining psychodynamic and existential therapy in her treatment of patients. Dr. Jacobs' training at Memorial Sloan Kettering working with terminally ill cancer patients, her studies in Northern India, and her Vipassana meditation practice inspired her work exploring the complex relationship between death and love. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 10:31 Dr. Jacobs' unwavering faith in the power of love and connection to bring meaning and resilience in the face of trauma and loss. 14:09 Exploring the complex interplay between love and death in long-term relationships. 16:56 How the power of mortality awareness can deepen love and meaning in life. 25:56 How denying or avoiding this fundamental human experience can lead to greater suffering and isolation. 35:27 How surrendering to difficult emotions and experiences can help us move forward. 37:33 Actionable steps you can take to gently bring mortality into awareness. Mentioned Ram Dass Fierce Grace (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Love & Death Meditation (*Youtube video) Love & Letting Go Meditation (*Youtube video) WeCroak Sharing Resources (*Google form) Connect with Dr. Jordana Jacobs Websites: drjordanajacobs.com Instagram: instagram.com/drjordanajacobs/?hl=en Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Do you find yourself constantly overreacting to your partner's words and actions, or do you often overthink simple things and always assume the worst? Everyone faces challenges and struggles in life, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed or uncertain at times, but it's important to remember that there are ways to reduce overthinking so you can be your best self and enjoy life. In this episode, Alicia Munoz discusses the five rumination cycles that destroy relationships and four simple ways to break these cycles. Alicia Muñoz, LPC, is a certified couples therapist, and author of four books, most recently "Stop Overthinking Your Relationship: Break the Cycle of Anxious Rumination to Nourish Love, Trust, and Connection With Your Partner" (New Harbinger Publications, 2022). Muñoz currently works as a Senior Writer at Psychotherapy Networker and as a couples therapist in private practice. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 3:17 How overthinking obstructs connection and relationships. 13:56 What rumination in relationships looks like. 18:08 The five rumination cycles. 27:41 How attachment styles influence rumination. 31:16 Four simple ways to reduce the amount of overthinking. 41:22 The significance of having direct contact with oneself. 47:25 How to break the cycle of anxious rumination in your relationship. Mentioned Stop Overthinking Your Relationship: Break the Cycle of Anxious Rumination to Nurture Love, Trust, and Connection with Your Partner (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The 7 Hidden Relationship-Wreckers (free mini course) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with Alicia Muñoz Websites: aliciamunoz.com Facebook: facebook.com/aliciamunozlpc Twitter: twitter.com/aliciamunozlpc LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aliciamunozlpc Instagram: instagram.com/aliciamunozcouples Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Although emotional intelligence is important in developing positive relationships, it is only one piece of the puzzle. Some of the factors that contribute to long-lasting relationships are establishing rapport, developing trust, and embracing inclusivity or diversity. In this episode, Dr. Adam C. Bandelli talks about his research on the pros and cons of emotional intelligence and how this can make or break your relationships. He then introduces the concept of relational intelligence, going through each of its five essential skills. Relational intelligence, sometimes referred to as social intelligence, is the capacity to perceive, understand, and navigate emotions in oneself and others, and to use this awareness to effectively communicate and interact with others. Dr. Bandelli, emphasizes that by developing your relational intelligence, you can improve your communication skills, build strong relationships, and effectively navigate social situations. Founder and Managing Director of Bandelli & Associates, Dr. Adam C. Bandelli is an organizational psychologist and seasoned leadership advisor with over twenty years of corporate consulting experience. In his latest book, "Relational Intelligence," he details the five essential skills he has found to create life-changing relationships. Adam received his Ph.D. and master's degree from the University of South Florida and now runs Bandelli & Associates, where he and his consultants help their clients unleash their true leadership potential. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:14 Guest introduction: An athlete turned psychologist/leadership advisor. 10:12 Emotional intelligence plays a role in creating strong relationships. 12:30 Define relational intelligence and the five essential skills for developing life-changing relationships. 12:50 Building rapport: The ability to use energy to make a positive first impression on others. 18:04 Investing in deepening relationships through time and effort. 22:07 Celebrating diversity and inclusion. 19:08 Understanding and connecting with others. 40:56 Information on how listeners can access resources to support them in improving their communication and negotiating skills in relationships. Mentioned Relational Intelligence; The Five Essential Skills You Need to Build Life-Changing Relationships (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Facilitating Communication and Effective Interpersonal Relationships at Work: A Theoretical Model of Socio-Affective Competence (dissertation) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication ERP 336: Strengthen Your Relationship with 5 Daily Practices — An Interview with John David & Ana Gabriel Mann Connect with Dr. Adam C. Bandelli Websites: bandelliandassociates.com Twitter: twitter.com/abandelli YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCDhhamF26lfFqe8UAsEFv4g/featured Instagram: instagram.com/adambandelli LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adambandelli Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Have you ever felt like you were trying to fit into someone else's shoes? Maybe you've wanted to do something that you know will make you happy but have been holding back out of concern for what people will think of you. Well, you are not alone. Many people around the world are afraid to be who they truly are because they are scared of being rejected and abandoned. As a result, they hide and carry on living lives that are dictated by society, family, or friends. But how would you like to live your life if there were no rules or judgment? In this episode, Keely and Dani, the founders of Coming Out Happy, talk about their journey from their early struggles with sexuality and confidence to living the most authentic lives that they want to share with the world. They discuss overcoming insecurities and fears, self-love, and creating a safe space for queer adults so that they can grow closer as a community. Dani and Keely created the world's leading holistic mental wellness platform for queer adults. They help you achieve better relationship skills, healthier habits, and greater well-being. Instantly, you will find mind-body wellness tools, courses, and intentionally-designed exercises to help one increase their peace, happiness, and balance in life as a queer adult. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:39 Dani's inspiration for supporting the LGBTQ+ community: struggles with sexuality and confidence. 7:37 How Keely's inability to express herself negatively affected her relationships. 8:21 Dani's decision to quit her corporate job and start a membership for the LGBTQ+ community. 14:00 How the inner work of self-care and self-love can help you move into the world in a way that feels more true to you. 17:21 Making a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community? 31:03 How to work with insecurity and fears that will emerge in relationships 36:05 The importance of community and community-building. 45:49 How they resolve conflicts or when either feels triggered. Mentioned Pride Amplified Program Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love ERP 349: Navigating Cultural Differences in Relationship — An Interview with Dr. Kathrine Bejanyan Connect with Keely & Dani Website: comingouthappy.com TikTok: tiktok.com/@comingouthappyteam?lang=en Facebook: facebook.com/comingouthappy YouTube: youtube.com/c/ComingOutHappy Instagram: instagram.com/comingouthappy Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Childhood, environment, culture, religion, and background all have an impact on who we become and how we perceive ourselves. These factors also influence how we present ourselves in relationships. Most relationships start out with the lovely phase of courting and falling in love. Up until differences arise, everything seems to be perfect. These differences can be significant life choices like having children, purchasing a home, moving to a different country or city, or even something as basic as eating habits. Dealing with cross-cultural differences makes this even more challenging. Dr. Kathrine Bejanyan discusses the typical issues that couples from various cultures encounter. She acknowledges that some sacrifices are necessary for the relationships to work, but she also expresses caution, saying that some sacrifices are not worthwhile. In this episode, she discusses how to resolve disagreements with your partner or get yourself ready for a successful relationship with someone from a different background. Dr. Kathrine Bejanyan is a practicing therapist specializing in the areas of dating, relationships, and cross-cultural topics. Her practice focuses on working with individuals and couples on love, dating, and relationship issues, with an emphasis on building deeper intimacy, connection, and authenticity in their love lives. Outside of her private practice, Kathrine is a speaker, consultant, and lecturer in psychology. She holds a Ph.D. in social psychology and a Master's in counseling psychology. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:31 Dr. Kathrine Bejanyan's keen interest in understanding cultural dynamics. 11:34 How overcoming struggles fosters relationships and individual growth. 13:50 Defining the problem before solving it. 17:38 Typical issues that cross-cultural couples face. 20:04 The importance of curiosity in a healthy relationship. 26:33 How to handle cultural differences in relationships. 36:29 Cultural identity is dynamic rather than static. 48:42 How to connect with Kathrine. Mentioned Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Dr. Kathrine Bejanyan Websites: kathrinebejanyan.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-kathrine-bejanyan Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

The separate self is a lie. Contrary to modern culture's idea of the solo self or individualism, which emphasizes the need to look out for and take care of oneself above all else, indigenous people believe that everything is interconnected. There has always been a connection between us and the rest of the world. Although it originated in Western culture, individualism is a global phenomenon that prevents us from living in greater balance and harmony. In today's society, self-reliance is highly stressed and valued, which gives the impression that we are on our own and leaves a lot of people experiencing feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, and desperation. In this episode, Dr. Dan Siegel aims to shift that mindset into a more relational approach. He places a strong emphasis on how crucial it is to understand how connected we all are. He believes that by understanding and embracing this ancient message, we can find solutions to more significant problems like public health and planetary health, in addition to our relationships with other people. Let's dive in. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:38 The inspiration of the book: the deep desire to let go of the idea of the "solo self" and discover how to lead a more balanced, harmonious life. 17:33 The flimsy fantasy of certainty. 20:59 How our culture encourages us to see ourselves as separate, independent beings. 28:34 How the word "me" can be a limiting word and the origin of the word "MWe." 36:08 The ineffective use of the word "self" in the field of mental health. 41:54 The solo self is a lie: a broader understanding of who we are and the realities of our entangled lives. 48:41 How the idea of intraconnectedness, or MWe, can change romantic relationships. Mentioned IntraConnected: MWe (Me + We) as the Integration of Self, Identity, and Belonging (book) Wheel of Awareness by Dr. Dan Siegel Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence--The Groundbreaking Meditation Practice (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Noosphere by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (*Wikipedia) ERP 216: What to Know about Loneliness and Relationship ERP 219: The Human Need for Belonging ERP 215: How to Deal With Being "Alone Together" ERP 208: How to Find Balance and Direction Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with Dr. Dan Siegel Websites: DrDanSiegel.com | mindsightinstitute.com Facebook: facebook.com/drdansiegel Twitter: twitter.com/DrDanSiegel YouTube: youtube.com/user/mindsightinstitute Instagram: instagram.com/drdansiegel Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Do you find yourself easily triggered by your partner's actions or tone? Perhaps he or she really did something offensive, or maybe that's just how you perceived it. Sometimes, you don't even understand why you're upset.As you've probably heard a lot of times, relationships aren't always glitz and glamour. It's more of an attraction that, once you've established safety and gone a little deeper, differences begin to surface. At this point, many would presume that their love for their partner has waned or that they made the wrong decision. Although discomfort in intimate relationships just flies in your face, these relationships also serve a deeper purpose: emotional healing and spiritual development. You learn so much more about yourself in a relationship than you could on your own. In this episode, Dr. Susan Campbell discusses triggers, including how they manifest, the reasons behind our emotions, and—most importantly—the five steps to trigger mastery that she outlined in her most recent book. Susan is a best-selling author of 12 books and is the creator and publisher of three entertaining and educational card games for couples, families, work teams, and singles. Susan's work with couples has been featured on national television, including CNN's News Night, Good Morning America, and The Dr. Dean Edel Show, and she has been widely published in popular magazines. In 2003–2004, she was the couple therapist on the reality TV show, Truth in Love, which aired on UPN, an ABC affiliate network. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:23 The couple's journey and how it can be an opportunity for healing. 12:04 How to work with triggers in a way that is inviting. 13:05 Getting more comfortable with emotional discomfort. 33:23 How to deal with triggers that will inevitably arise in a relationship: co-triggering vs. co-regulation. 41:48 Dr. Campbell's five-step trigger mastery: from triggered to tranquil. 46:30 Why is it in your best interest to make your partner feel secure? 49:18 Your inner good mother archetype. Mentioned From Triggered to Tranquil: How Self-Compassion and Mindful Presence Can Transform Relationship Conflicts and Heal Childhood Wounds (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Five-Minute Relationship Repair: Quickly Heal Upsets, Deepen Intimacy, and Use Differences to Strengthen Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Getting Real: Ten Truth Skills You Need to Live an Authentic Life (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The Couple's Journey: Intimacy As a Path to Wholeness (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) ERP 305: The Surprising & Powerful Benefits of Learning to Tolerate Discomfort — An Interview with Dr. Anna Lembke Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with Dr. Susan Campbell Websites: susancampbell.com Facebook: facebook.com/drsusan99 Twitter: twitter.com/drsusan99 YouTube: youtube.com/user/drsusan95472?themeRefresh=1 Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Most modern people are unaware of the extent to which the human nervous system is dissociated because there are so many forces—technology, social media, politics, and a whole host of other things—vying for our attention.In this episode, Gabriel Kram talks about how these dissociative tendencies are becoming more prevalent in modern culture and how authority has robbed us of our sacred connection to the earth. Gabriel emphasizes the value of real human connection to one's overall well-being and shares their unconventional strategy to reestablish this connection.Natureza Gabriel is a connection phenomenologist. For 25 years, he has studied connection and what gets in its way. He attended Yale and Stanford universities but has been shaped more by sitting in teepees and circles than in classrooms. He has been blessed with many remarkable mentors. He is the founder and CEO of Hearth Science, Inc., convener of the Restorative Practices Alliance, and co-founder of the Academy of Applied Social Medicine. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:55 Gabriel's personal healing journey that inspired him to specialize in connection phenomenology. 11:29 Gabriel defines relatedness. 15:29 Differences between how indigenous people and Western culture conceptualize intelligence. 21:21 How dissociative tendencies are being normalized in modern society. 23:46 How our relatedness to the earth has been obliterated from our language. 39:45 How interoception can improve general wellbeing. 46:40 Gabriel defines social engagement physiology as a physical system. 54:06 A diagnostic and intervention system they've built to strengthen access to the hearts, intuition, and relatedness. Mentioned Restorative Practices of Wellbeing (Connection Phenomenology) (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The Polyvagal Theory Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Gabriel Kram Websites: restorativepractices.com | hearthscience.io | aasm.io Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

In response to criticism or complaints, people frequently resort to becoming defensive as a coping strategy. It's natural for people to defend themselves when they feel harmed or unfairly attacked. While defensiveness is designed to keep us out of danger, it is also one of the major relationship busters. Women commonly complain about their partner's defensiveness and how they feel disconnected. On the other hand, men are perplexed. They have no idea what to do when their partner is upset. And when the nervous system detects a threat, the mind springs into action with a variety of escape strategies or ways to ease the discomfort of anxiety. The mind then intervenes with stories, projections, and defenses. Couples will never truly connect if one partner is in an emotional space and the other responds with information to try to talk him or her out of being upset. In this episode, GS Youngblood introduces embodiment. He differentiates it from the type of meditation that most people are familiar with—noticing your thoughts and then deciding to let them go. He describes how concentrating on specific bodily sensations can help to control the nervous system. He also stresses the significant impact that this kind of awareness can have on how you show up in your relationships. GS coaches men in relationships on how to live, love, and lead from their masculine core. He is the author of the acclaimed books The Masculine in Relationship and The Art of Embodiment for Men, both of which are written to help men build more masculine capacity. His work in this domain of masculine leadership pulls in principles from a variety of fields: psychology, spirituality, martial arts, tango, meditation, and BDSM. Although GS primarily coaches men in relationships, women would equally benefit from practicing being embodied, too. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:03 Embodiment vs. meditation: focusing on specific bodily sensations rather than your thoughts. 8:51 Benefits of embodiment in terms of intimate relationships: consciously choosing how one will respond or react. 21:15 How he helps people have more of this embodiment. 41:24 How is being physical different from being embodied? 45:42 Examples of how people can confront their tendencies to escape in this more embodied way. 53:10 Sexual leadership: how to bring some leadership to the bedroom so that your partner can, if she chooses, can surrender to your lead. 56:28 Discover more information about GS and his work, including his website, books, workshops, and social media handles. Mentioned The Art of Embodiment for Men (Affiliate link to GS's course) The Art of Embodiment for Men: Using the ANI Framework and Daily Practices to Tame Anxiety, Heal Trauma, and Conquer Your Nice Guy Tendencies (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The Masculine in Relationship: A Blueprint for Inspiring the Trust, Lust, and Devotion of a Strong Woman (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) ERP 263: How to Develop Three Key Qualities of Your Positive Masculine Leadership — An Interview with GS Youngblood Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with GS Youngblood Websites: gsyoungblood.com Facebook: facebook.com/gsyoungblood1/groups Instagram: instagram.com/gsyoungbloodmir/?hl=en Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.