You Think You Might be a Tad Defensive?

Explicit content warning

04/22/25 • 38 min

In this episode, Doug and Dr. Talia take on “defensiveness” as the most common maladaptive self-protective coping strategy in relationships. As you all know, that doesn’t tend to go well. We feel attacked, defend ourselves, or maybe we roll our eyes, sigh heavily and tell our partner they misunderstood or they are too sensitive. We might not realize that we are creating a rupture by not validating their experience in that moment, but we are. Tune in to learn practical strategies to take that crucial momentary pause and learn to respond differently in those moments. Your partner will thank you!

Previous Episode

My boyfriend has no ambition. So what?

Can differing ambition levels tank a relationship? When can it work and when is it a crack in the pavement? She loves him. He is happy to be who he is where he is, and there is no stopping her ambitious career path. An amazing mailbag episode honoring love from all walks of life.

Next Episode

Were you the Golden Child or the Scapegoat in your Family of Origin?

In this episode, Dr. Talia and Doug take on the idea that having been either the Golden Child or Scapegoat in your family of origin had a lasting impact on you and is most certainly showing up in adulthood and in your romantic relationships. Both roles are toxic and either cursed you with a pressure to perform and please or an assumption that you can never do anything right. Tune in and weigh in, we want to hear from you!