Building Trust and Safety in Relationships: How to Thrive, Maintain, and Have a Healthy One!

Do you ever wonder how to keep relationships thriving? What’s that secret ingredient? How to stay happy and still like each other? Did you know the quality of your relationships shapes your happiness and well-being? Listen as Lauren Abrams dives deep into the secrets of building and maintaining meaningful, lasting connections. We’re thrilled to have Dr. Widian Nicola, educator, esteemed author, psychotherapist, and relationship expert, sharing her wisdom with you. Whether you're looking to strengthen your bonds or understand the secrets behind vibrant relationships, you don't want to miss this insightful conversation. 

In this episode, Dr. Widian Nicola gives you a sneak peek into her much-anticipated book, "To Love and Hold: A Guide to Thriving Modern Relationships." She talks about the four essential pillars that form the foundation of strong, enduring relationships. One of the standout lessons is the incredible power of gratitude. 

Dr. Nicola explains how simply acknowledging and appreciating your partner’s daily efforts can transform your relationship. She shares a beautifully simple practice: make it a habit to say "thank you" for even the little things. It’s a small gesture with a big impact. 

"Thank you is a physical, tangible way in which I can say to you that I see you and that I see what you're doing for our family or the health of our relationship."– Dr. Nicola, (13:55)

Discover how empathy can transform your relationships! Dr. Widian Nicola and Lauren Abrams uncover the essential role of empathy in building deep emotional connections and fostering mutual respect. They discuss how being attuned to your partner's feelings and responding with genuine compassion can make all the difference. 

“Tenderness and empathy and compassion for our inner child, the parts that have been neglected or abandoned or unseen or hurt or wounded, tenderness towards those parts is primary.” – Dr. Nicola, (19:42)

Listen to Dr. Widian Nicola's fresh perspective on intimacy. She explains that intimacy goes far beyond physical closeness. Intimacy is about connecting on emotional, intellectual, and even spiritual levels.

In this episode, you'll also uncover the surprising power of playfulness in adult relationships. Dr. Nicola and Lauren Abrams reveal how bringing fun and lightheartedness into your interactions can rekindle connection and joy between partners.

Conflict in relationships doesn’t have to be a bad thing! Dr. Widian Nicola and Lauren Abrams take a fresh look at conflict resolution. They explain that conflicts are not just inevitable but can be beneficial. Think of them as signals highlighting areas in your relationship needing attention and care. You can strengthen your connections and create deeper, lasting bonds by embracing and addressing these moments with understanding and openness. 

“Everything about being free is to be yourself in this world—authentic, genuine, broken, wounded, you know, like crazy, you know, like all the things that make us fully alive and fully human.”– Dr. Nicola, (31:37)

Tune in to this inspiring conversation with Dr. Widian Nicola for more insights and practical advice on how to thrive, maintain, and have a healthy relationship!

In this episode:

• (00:00) The four pillars of healthy relationships
• (01:49) Manifestation and relationship coaching
• (04:25) The journey to becoming a relationship expert
• (10:30) Gratitude as a relationship tool
• (15:22) Defining intimacy in relationships
• (18:18) Navigating unconscious processes in relationships
• (18:43) Patterns and Attachment Theory
• (21:06) Impact of Historical Reactions
• (23:54) Conflict Resolution and Play
• (28:55) Overcoming Challenges and Community

Resources and Links 

• Weeks of Hope