The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast

Eduardo Cristiano-Hernandez, LAMFT, LPC
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast is a space for honest conversations about connection, communication, and emotional safety. Hosted by a couple and family therapist, this podcast explores the dynamics that shape our relationships.

Episodes

  1. Therapist’s Attachment Style: How It Shows Up with Elisa Brennecke, LCPC

    Apr 24

    Therapist’s Attachment Style: How It Shows Up with Elisa Brennecke, LCPC

    In this episode of The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast, I am joined by Elisa Brennecke, LCPC, Owner & Founder of Marra Therapy, a private practice in Illinois, and we explore a conversation that doesn’t happen enough: how therapists bring their own attachment patterns into the therapy room and the workplace. From anxious over-functioning to emotional distance, therapists are human too - and their relational patterns can influence how they connect with clients, navigate conflict with colleagues, and manage emotional closeness in professional spaces. Whether you’re a therapist, graduate student, helping professional, or someone curious about what really happens behind the scenes in therapy, this conversation is for you!

    59 min

  2. Apr 9

    Latinx Therapy Community Building and Growth | Lo Que Costó with Pati Peña

    What does it really take to build community as a Latinx therapist—and what does it cost to build something of your own? In this episode of The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast, I sit down with Pati Peña - Latina therapist, private practice owner, and co-founder of Latinx Chicago Therapy Group - to explore the power of community, the realities of private practice, and the relational impact of building a career in mental health as a Latinx clinician. We talk about the isolation many Latinx therapists experience in majority-white spaces, the need for culturally grounded communities, and how creating spaces “for us, by us” can become a form of healing and resistance. Pati shares her journey from community mental health to private practice, what she’s gained, what she’s sacrificed, and how relationships - both personal and professional - shape the process. This conversation goes beyond business. It’s about belonging, identity, and the courage it takes to grow without losing connection.

    41 min

  3. Mar 23

    How to Find the Right Couples Therapist: What to Look For, What to Ask, and How to Know It’s the Right Fit

    Finding the right couples therapist can feel overwhelming - and for many couples, it’s the difference between real change and staying stuck in the same cycle. In this episode of The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast, we break down how to actually find a couples therapist who is the right fit for your relationship. Whether you’re just starting to consider therapy or have had past experiences that didn’t work, this conversation will help you move forward with more clarity and confidence. We explore: What to look for in a couples therapist (and what actually matters) The most important questions to ask before starting therapy How to know if your therapist is truly helping your relationship grow Common mistakes couples make when seeking support This episode goes beyond surface-level advice and helps you understand what effective couples therapy should feel like—so you can make informed decisions about your relationship and your care. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this the right therapist for us?” - this episode is for you. The Courage to Talk - where real conversations lead to deeper connection.

    31 min

  4. Mar 6

    "Why You Fell In Love With That Person"

    Why do we fall in love with the people we fall in love with? In this episode of The Courage to Talk, relationship therapist Eduardo Cristiano Hernandez explores love through the lens of Imago Relationship Therapy — breaking down why attraction often feels intense, familiar, and sometimes confusing. We talk about how early emotional experiences shape who we feel drawn to, why many couples find themselves repeating the same conflicts, and how what we call “chemistry” may actually be emotional familiarity. This episode also explores the three phases of love - romantic connection, power struggle, and conscious love - and how conflict can become an opportunity for growth rather than a sign of failure. You’ll also learn practical tools from Imago therapy, including how structured communication can help couples slow down, feel safer, and better understand one another. If you’ve ever wondered why relationships can feel both comforting and challenging at the same time, this conversation is for you.

    27 min
  5. The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast (The Spanish Version)

    Season 1, Episode 4 Trailer

    The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast (The Spanish Version)

    El Valor de Hablar: Un Podcast sobre Relaciones es un espacio dedicado a explorar lo que realmente ocurre en nuestras relaciones. Conducido por Eduardo Cristiano-Hernández, Terapeuta de Parejas y Familia, este podcast profundiza en los patrones de apego, el conflicto, la intimidad, la infidelidad, la comunicación y las heridas emocionales que influyen en cómo amamos y nos desconectamos. Desde una perspectiva psicológica y culturalmente consciente, hablamos sobre: • Relaciones de pareja• Dinámicas familiares• Identidad y cultura latina• Trauma y experiencias tempranas• Celos, confianza e inseguridad• Crecimiento personal dentro de la relación Aquí no buscamos culpables. Buscamos comprensión. Si alguna vez te has preguntado:¿Por qué reacciono así en mis relaciones?¿Por qué discutimos siempre por lo mismo?¿Por qué amar puede sentirse tan vulnerable? Este espacio es para ti. Porque el cambio comienza cuando desarrollamos el valor de hablar.

    4 min

  6. Feb 20

    "Entre Colegas: The Unspoken Relationships Between Latinx Therapists"

    In this episode of The Courage to Talk, we shift the focus away from clients and turn the lens inward — toward the relationships we build with each other as Latinx clinicians. Joined by Maria Perez, LCSW, and Isabel Montoya, LCPC, we explore the realities of being part of a small and growing Latinx therapist community. We talk about collaboration and competition, referrals and visibility, imposter syndrome, cultural identity, and the unspoken dynamics that shape how we show up with one another. What does it mean to support each other when scarcity feels real?How do our own insecurities or unprocessed experiences show up in professional spaces?And what might a more collaborative Latinx therapist community look like? This is an honest conversation about belonging, bias, growth, and community. If you’re a Latinx clinician - or anyone navigating identity and visibility in your profession - this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen in. Nos vemos pronto.

    43 min

  7. Feb 4

    "My Reactions in Love"

    Why do certain moments in relationships feel bigger than they should? Why does conflict lead some of us to reach for closeness—and others to shut down? In this episode of The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast", relationship therapist Eduardo breaks down attachment theory in simple, human terms - without labels, without shame. You’ll learn: What attachment really is (and what it’s not) The difference between secure and insecure attachment as lived experiences How attachment shows up during conflict and disconnection How Latinx family dynamics, culture, and survival shape emotional closeness Why your reactions in love make sense This episode is about self-awareness, not self-blame—and understanding how your nervous system learned to protect connection. 🎧 Perfect for anyone navigating relationships, healing patterns, or wanting to understand themselves and their partner more deeply. Share this episode with a partner or friend and start a gentler conversation.

    22 min
  8. Welcome to The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast!

    Jan 22

    Welcome to The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast!

    The Courage to Talk is an engaging relationship podcast that dives into communication, conflict, attachment, and emotional safety. In our debut episode, we share Eduardo's story and reveal the inspiration behind creating this podcast. We also explore why relationships often feel so challenging.

    12 min

Trailer

About

The Courage to Talk: A Relationship Podcast is a space for honest conversations about connection, communication, and emotional safety. Hosted by a couple and family therapist, this podcast explores the dynamics that shape our relationships.

Information