Is it Me or is it Them? with April Boyd

April Boyd

Toxic friends. Frustrating partners. Boundary-breaking in-laws. 3 am questions. Honest answers.This podcast is like having a life-changing chat with your BFF who loves you unconditionally - but will also give you a kick you in the butt when you need it. Oh and she’s also a therapist & relationship coach. Listen in as April Boyd shares tips and tools from her private practice to help you step into the kindest, wisest, and bravest version of yourself – in your relationships, in your life, in your conversations and conflicts, with the ones you love and the ones who drive you crazy.

  1. 12 AUG

    Anxiety Advice That Might be Keeping You Stuck

    In this episode of Is It Me or Is It Them?, we unpack one of the most misunderstood ideas about anxiety: the belief that feeling safe is the ultimate goal. We're going to explore why seeking safety can sometimes keep us stuck—and why building trust in ourselves is a more sustainable path forward. Drawing on my work as a therapist, and real-life examples from clients and my own experiences, I walk you through the subtle but important shift from trying to avoid discomfort to learning we can handle it. What You’ll Hear: Why “safety” might not be what you actually needThe difference between control and trustHow to build inner confidence and resilience, especially after traumaA reframe for those of us who tend to overprepare, overthink, or retreatIf you’ve ever tried to fix your anxiety by making your world smaller—by canceling plans, avoiding conflict, or needing constant reassurance—this one’s for you. Resources + Next Steps:Try a self-trust journal prompt this week: What have I already survived that proves I can do hard things?Want support applying this to your own life or relationship? Learn more at www.aprilboyd.ca Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.

    11 min
  2. 5 AUG

    What Happens When You See the Worst in the Person You Love.m4a

    No one warns you about this part of love. One day you look across the table at the person you built a life with—and ask yourself: What if I made a huge mistake? You have spent years getting to know them better than they may even know themselves- and some of it's ugly. And you wonder: Is this still workable—or am I just fooling myself? In this episode of Is It Me or Is It Them?, we’re talking about the part of long-term relationships that doesn’t get enough acknowledgment: The moment when your partner’s flaws aren’t just annoying, they are damn right repulsive, infuriating—and they make you question everything. Here’s what we explore: Why seeing the worst in your partner is sometimes inevitable—and what it meansThe difference between difficult and deal breakerHow your nervous system interprets relationship conflict as dangerThe internal process you need to go through before making major decisionsWhy even good people can still be wildly incompatible sometimesWhat to do when love starts to feel like work you don’t want to doWhether you’re in the middle of a long slow burnout or just hit a bump that’s bigger than usual, this conversation is here to bring some clarity, calm, and honest reflection. Mentioned in this episode: → The Reset Your Relationship audio program – now self-paced and audio-only, for busy people doing hard relationship work. Check it out here. If this episode resonates, share it with someone else who’s wondering what’s “normal” in long-term love—and what isn’t. And as always, thank you for being here. Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.

    22 min
  3. 22 JULY

    When Your Partner Won’t Stand Up to Their Family.m4a

    What do you do when the problem isn’t just your in-laws—but your partner’s refusal to set limits with them? In today’s episode of Is It Me or Is It Them? we’re talking about one of the most painful and confusing dynamics that shows up in relationships: when your partner won’t back you up, won’t speak up, and won’t protect the boundaries that matter to you. You’re not imagining it. You’re not being too sensitive. You’re not crazy—you’re just outnumbered. Here’s what we’ll explore: Why your partner might be avoiding hard conversations with their family (even when they agree with you privately)How your people-pleasing, approval-seeking tendencies might be keeping you stuckWhy waiting for your partner to “handle it” often backfiresWhat it looks like to stop outsourcing your self-respectThe mindset shift that changes everything: Above no one. Below no one. You’ll also hear a real (anonymous) client story about what changed when she stopped trying to get her partner to fix it—and started showing up as her own steady, grounded, grown-ass self. This is not about going to war. This is about stepping out of the dance of dysfunction and giving yourself permission to speak truth, hold the line, and take up space—with clarity and dignity. If this episode resonates, I’d love if you shared it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’re ready to go deeper into the work of getting on the same page as your partner, check out the Reset & Reconnect program here. Thanks for listening. I’m so glad you’re here. Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.

    32 min
  4. 15 JULY

    Silenced, Mocked, Dismissed: The 'Karen' Effect".m4a

    In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on a cultural trend that might seem harmless, but actually functions as a form of social control: the "Karen" meme. While it may have started as a way to call out rude or entitled behaviour, it’s morphed into something much darker—something that often punishes women for speaking up, setting boundaries, or simply taking up space. Especially as they age. Drawing on personal experience and research, April unpacks how the Karen label is weaponized to silence assertiveness in women, while men exhibiting the same behaviours are often rewarded or even celebrated. What We Explore in This Episode: 🔹 Why calling someone a “Karen” is more than just a joke—it’s a tool of silencing🔹 The disturbing double standards women face in leadership, public, and social spaces🔹 The emotional cost of always having to be “extra nice” just to avoid backlash🔹 Why male assertiveness is respected—and female assertiveness is often resented🔹 How this meme reinforces internalized misogyny among women themselvesStats You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🧠 33% of women in performance reviews were told they’re “too opinionated” — compared to just 4% of men source 🗣 Women’s perceived competence drops 35% when they are described as assertive source 👔 66% of women receive feedback about their personal style (tone, demeanor) vs. 1% of men source A Personal Story: April shares a moment during a family trip in Amsterdam when she found herself at risk of being labeled a “Karen”—just for holding her ground about a café table she’d been given. This episode is an invitation to: Question how we treat assertive womenNotice how we might be unconsciously policing each otherStart calling out sexism—even when it’s hiding behind a memeIf you liked this episode, you might also enjoy: Silence or Truth? Two Times I Bit My Tongue—And One Time I Didn’tThe Ugly Truth About Long-Term LoveThanks for listening. If this resonated with you, share it with someone else who'd benefit from hearing it. And if you have a story or topic you'd like April to talk about on the show, feel free to reach out. ✨ This podcast is a place for nuance, honesty, and taking up space with dignity. Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.

    14 min
  5. 8 JULY

    When You’re Afraid to Speak Up—Start Here

    Welcome back to Is It Me or Is It Them? After a short break, I’m so glad to be back with you—and today, we’re diving into something that comes up all the time in relationships: the fear of speaking up. You might think the problem is that you don’t know how to say it. But what if the real issue is that you don’t think you’re allowed to? In this episode, we’ll explore: Why many people struggle to voice their needs, even when the words are right thereThe cultural and relational conditioning that makes speaking up feel unsafeHow guilt, shame, and people-pleasing silence us—and what that silence costsA mindset shift that can help you speak with more clarity, confidence, and careWhat to ask yourself when you’re stuck between honesty and harmony Whether you're dealing with in-laws, a disconnected partner, or a moment where your heart is screaming to say something but your mouth won’t move—this conversation will help you start untangling the inner blocks to speaking your truth. Mentioned in this episode: My break from the podcast and why honouring your own season mattersThe importance of knowing your intentions before having a hard conversationWhat it looks like to be direct and kind (at the same time) If this episode resonates, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a review or share it with a friend. And if you're navigating these kinds of stuck points in your own relationship, check out the Reset & Reconnect program here. Thanks for listening—I’ll see you next time. Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.

    15 min
  6. 11 MAR

    Being the 'Good Wife' is Overrated + 2 Reasons Why We Over-Function.

    Send us a text Today we explore two reasons why  the heavy burden many women feel when juggling responsibilities in their personal and professional lives. The conversation dives into the cultural expectations that lead to overfunctioning, how these beliefs impact relationships and why over-working becomes a stress management tool you probably don't even notice you're using. • Discussing the overwhelming mental load women carry • Societal expectations and the "good wife" stereotype • The correlation between overfunctioning and self-worth • Unpacking overfunctioning as a coping strategy for stress • Challenging fears of being seen as demanding in relationships • Introducing the Reset and Reconnect Program to help shift dynamics Come check out Reset and Reconnect and see if this program feels right for you. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Sign up to get tips & tools sent to your inbox. https://fun-cell-31288.myflodesk.com/ppxzb70s3e Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality. Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.

    26 min
  7. 4 MAR

    You Want More Support—But Are You Blocking It?

    Send us a text The episode dives deep into the often-overlooked dynamic where one partner assumes a parental role over the other. We explore the roots of this behavior, how it can backfire, and actionable ways to restore balance in relationships.   • The pitfalls of becoming a caretaker rather than a partner • How societal expectations play into relationship dynamics • Strategies for breaking the cycle of over-functioning Check out the "Reset and Reconnect" program for couples ready to evolve their relationship dynamics!  Get all the details here. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Sign up to get tips & tools sent to your inbox. https://fun-cell-31288.myflodesk.com/ppxzb70s3e Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality. Want to get better at speaking up? Sign up for the free on-demand workshop that will help you be more confident in standing your ground when you're dealing with a boundary bulldozer. Sign up here. Have a topic or question you'd love to hear about? Message me and let me know. email april@lovelossproject.com Instagram @with.love.april https://www.instagram.com/with.love.april/ Please note: This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.

    14 min

About

Toxic friends. Frustrating partners. Boundary-breaking in-laws. 3 am questions. Honest answers.This podcast is like having a life-changing chat with your BFF who loves you unconditionally - but will also give you a kick you in the butt when you need it. Oh and she’s also a therapist & relationship coach. Listen in as April Boyd shares tips and tools from her private practice to help you step into the kindest, wisest, and bravest version of yourself – in your relationships, in your life, in your conversations and conflicts, with the ones you love and the ones who drive you crazy.

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