It’s that exciting moment when a couple announces that they are soon having a baby. As a couple, the focus immediately goes to baby showers, picking the baby’s name, choosing their birthing plan and space, and selecting those cute first outfits for baby and mom. Rarely do we think about how to prepare our marriage for postpartum or prepare our mental health for the challenges that lie ahead after birth, including breastfeeding barriers, exhaustion, navigating parental roles, shifts in our marriage, and much more.

Join us as we welcome a very special guest for a two-part series, Angela Das, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and new parent educator. For part one, Angela shares her in-depth knowledge of challenges and potential tools for feeding baby and creating a team mentality in couples in postpartum. Angela also dives into maternal gatekeeping and how to avoid this common, yet potentially maritally devasting, pattern post-birth. You do not want to miss this one!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at RelationshipsInsideOut@gmail.com!

In two weeks, we are ecstatic to welcome Angela Das, IBCLC back for part 2 in our series with her, this time focusing on intimacy and sexuality in postpartum! Later topics include: trauma, military families, gender roles, parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• Maternal Gatekeeping: What It Is, Examples, & How to Stop
• 3 Reasons Behind ' Maternal Gatekeeping,' According To A Psychologist
• Who are the Gatekeepers? Predictors of Maternal Gatekeeping
• Angela Das, IBCLC - Motherhood Untamed
• Motherhood Untamed Virtual Class (Breastfeeding + Baby Care Basics + Preparing for Parenthood)

Imagine running into a wall made of thick steel. It is likely that the wall would not budge and you might feel pain and helpless at breaking it down. Rigid boundaries are akin to that steel wall: firm, immoveable, and unforgiving. While rigid boundaries are often born out of self-protection, people with these boundaries may reinforce the very things they fear: rejection, isolation, loneliness, and emotional pain.

Join us as we explore the second part of our boundaries series, rigidity. In opposition to last week’s episode focusing on enmeshment, this week we unpack rigid boundaries, boundaries that are firm, inflexible, and often inconsiderate of other’s desires. If you or someone you know leads with these impenetrable boundaries, you don’t want to miss this episode!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at RelationshipsInsideOut@gmail.com!

In two weeks, we welcome another guest, Angele Das, IBCLC, for part one of our two-part series with her. This episode discuss all things breastfeeding and maternal gate keeping after birth! Part two will focus on intimacy and sexuality in postpartum. We are honored to share her expertise! Later topics include: trauma, military families, gender roles, parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc

Some resources related to this episode:

• What are Personal Boundaries? (PDF)
• Are Your Boundaries Too Weak or Too Rigid?
• Families and Groups with Rigid Boundaries

Boundaries are at the core of any healthy relationship. Boundaries dictate how close or distant we are from another person, including physically, mentally, and emotionally. When those boundaries become weak and permeable, we have now entered into the territory of enmeshment. Enmeshment is born out of a desire for love and closeness, but potentially breeds the risk of loss of self, diminished confidence, and volatile relationship patterns.

Join us as we define enmeshment, identify the risks of this boundary level, and ways to strengthen boundaries for your own health, as well as others. Boundaries can be very difficult to navigate, especially when there has been a consistent pattern of a lack of boundaries before. Let us help you identify if this is something you may be facing and ways to hold loving yet confident boundaries!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at RelationshipsInsideOut@gmail.com!

In two weeks, we dive into part two of our two-part series on boundaries, rigidity! Later topics include: trauma, military families, gender roles, parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• The Enmeshed Family System: What It Is and How to Break Free
• How to Set Healthy Boundaries With Anyone
• How to Set Boundaries with Toxic People

Sex and intimacy, both holding the potential for so much pleasure but also so much pain. Sex therapy, a specialized type of therapy that focuses on strengthening our intimate and sexual selves, helps with understand any barriers or fears that inhibit our most intimate experiences, as well as provide tools to live a fully satisfying sexual life. We are eager for you to tune into this episode and hear from a certified sex therapist about how sex therapy could be in incredible resource for you or someone you love!

Join us as we welcome our next guest, Abby Neuberg, MA, LMFT, LPC, Certified Sex Therapist, to talk about sex therapy! Abby explains what to expect in sex therapy, common concerns that sex therapists can help individuals and couple address, and some tools to improve intimacy and sex. We are all prone facing challenges with our intimate and sexual selves at various points in our lives, but we don’t have to struggle alone! Que: sex therapy!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at RelationshipsInsideOut@gmail.com!

In two weeks, we go into part one of our part series on boundaries, starting with enmeshment! Later topics include: trauma, military families, gender roles, parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this topic:

• What Is Sex Therapy?
• Sex Therapist: What They Do and When to See One
• How to Pick the Right Sex Therapist
• American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (Referral Directory)

“I am a failure.”

“I hate my body. Why would anyone find me attractive?”

“I am a disappointment.”

“Why can’t I do anything right?”

“I don’t deserve love or connection.”

“Everyone is better than me. I will never be good enough or worthy.”

Have you ever said any of these phrases, or something similar, to yourself? These are all evidence of negative self-talk, a common yet still unhealthy pattern of thinking. We want you to consider: if a friend talked to you the way you talk to you, would you still be friends with them? If the answer is “no,” it is time for a change!

Join us as we shine a light on negative self-talk. At its worst, negative self-talk has the ability to devastate our mental health, relationships, parenting, career, and friendships. We are all subject to negative self-talk from time to time, but when it takes over how we feel, talk, and value ourselves, it is officially unhealthy and worthy of your attention to change. Let us help you start the journey towards self-compassion, self-worth, and positive self-talk!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at RelationshipsInsideOut@gmail.com!

In two weeks, we dive into the world of sex therapy! Later topics include: trauma, military families, gender roles, parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• Self-Talk
• The Toxic Effects of Negative Self-Talk
• How to Transcend Self-Doubt and Negative Self-Talk

Books

• Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
• Negative Self-Talk and How to Change It

What are you doing with your life?

Have you ever wondered this to yourself about your own life? Are you truly living the life you want and deserve? What gets in the way of living that dream, or at minimum happy, life? These questions are among the many we ask and help you process to get you on track of finally doing the things you WANT to do!

Join us as we deep dive the question, what are you doing with your life?. We wholeheartedly believe everyone has the right to a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful life. If you are bored, dissatisfied, unhappy, or drudging through your life, you do not want to miss this one! It is time for a change, and we hope to guide you there!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at RelationshipsInsideOut@gmail.com!

In two weeks, we unpack negative self-talk! Later topics include: sex therapy, military families, gender roles, parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• When Should You Re-Evaluate Your Career and Life?
• 20 Questions to Plan Your Life
• Wheel of Life Self-Assessment Tool
• 5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life
• 10 Psychological Predictors of Happiness Across the Lifespan

Have you ever felt like you were walking on eggshells with a partner, friend, family member, coworker, or child? Do you worry about his or her reaction to your feedback or emotions, limiting who you are and how you behave around them? This pattern is far too common, and deeply unhealthy. Join us as we unpack what it means to be walking on eggshells and steps to break this toxic cycle.

Join us as we breakdown the experience of walking on eggshells, including warning signs that this is happening, the other person’s role, your role, and next steps to overcome this cycle. You deserve to be your whole and authentic self in all of your relationships, free from fear, manipulation, reactivity, and gaslighting. Let’s tackle this together and help you both feel healthier in your relationship!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at RelationshipsInsideOut@gmail.com!

In two weeks, we ask the hard questions to help you examine what you are doing with your life! Later topics include: sex therapy, military families, gender roles, parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this episode:

• What to Do If You Feel Like You're Walking on Eggshells in Your Relationship
• Always Walking on Eggshells? How to Stop
• Walking on Eggshells with Loving Steps

Anxiety spraying: the act of casting your anxiety on those around you. We all get anxious, but do you or someone you love sometimes become so anxious, that others around cannot help but pick up those emotions? We have all been there! Emotions are contagious, often leading to others being affected by our emotional state without even intending it. It is time we all come to understand our emotions and how our emotions impact others, we well as how to take control of them!

Join us as we dive into anxiety spraying, and other forms of emotional contagion. We explain what it is, why it matters, and how to prevent it. We also explain emotional reciprocity and why this is key for emotionally safe, balanced relationships with those we love. You are responsible for your emotions, and we are here to help you take ownership of them!

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at RelationshipsInsideOut@gmail.com!

In two weeks, we dive into walking on eggshells with those you love! Later topics include: sex therapy, military families, gender roles, parenting, self-acceptance, domestic violence, and so much more!

For more updates and helpful resources, follow us on Facebook at @RelationshipsInsideOutllc!

Some resources related to this topic:

• How to Create Emotional Boundaries in Your Relationship
• 8 Ways to Provide Emotional Support for Your Partner...and what to avoid
• Grounding Techniques for Trauma and Anxiety
• 11 Tips for Coping With an Anxiety Disorder