Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

Dr. Jessica Higgins
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The Empowered Relationship Podcast helps you turn relationship challenges into opportunities and sets you up for relationship success, satisfaction, and intimacy. This podcast is designed to inspire, motivate, and guide individuals and couples into more empowered, conscious, and evolved ways of loving.

  1. 3D AGO

    ERP 519: From Love to Leadership: Creating Alignment in Family Life - An Interview with April Eldemire

    Love alone isn't always enough to keep everyone under one roof feeling connected and secure. Despite the dream of harmony and the promise of new beginnings, many families find themselves struggling with uncertainty, misaligned expectations, and recurring conflicts that love simply can't resolve. Is it possible to create a sense of "home" where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported—without sacrificing your relationship or your own well-being? In this episode, listeners will discover why building a thriving blended family isn't just about love—it's about creating alignment through clear roles, structure, and intentional communication. The conversation explores the real-life challenges that stepfamilies and modern families face, including competing parenting philosophies, the presence of ex-partners, and loyalty struggles with children. Listeners will learn actionable strategies such as the Pause, Align, and Present method for unified parenting, tips for connecting before correcting, and ways to foster trust and emotional safety while honoring everyone's unique needs. Get ready to transform overwhelm into clarity, and confusion into a cooperative partnership—one step at a time. April is a licensed marriage and family therapist, stepfamily expert, and founder of Couples Thrive. She specializes in helping modern couples, especially those in blended families, create emotional safety, reduce conflict, and parent as a united team. She is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the most research-backed approaches for couples, and her work has been featured in national outlets like Psychology Today and the Gottman Institute.   Episode Highlights 06:09 Unique challenges blended families face as they merge different histories and systems. 09:56 Building alignment through clear structure and defined expectations. 12:24 Navigating family differences with the 60-30-10 rule. 14:19 Smoothing family life with weekly check-ins and defined roles. 19:09 Setting realistic expectations and practicing patience in blended families. 23:22 Overcoming common challenges through preparation and planning. 25:22 Unifying parenting decisions with the Pause, Align, and Present method. 28:13 Modeling teamwork and authentic connection during disagreements. 31:34 Building mutual respect through the power of pausing. 35:58 Balancing parental authority while empowering children's voices. 39:36 Building trust as a stepparent by navigating loyalty binds. 43:19 Fostering respectful communication with clear boundaries and rules. 46:40 Helping blended families thrive with expert tools and support.   Your Check List of Actions to Take Start a shared journal or Notes app with your partner to track moments of alignment and areas of struggle throughout the week. Set aside time for a weekly alignment conversation where you review your journal and discuss patterns and sticky points together. Establish clear roles and expectations in your family system, considering each person's strengths and the needs of the children. Practice the "Pause, Align, and Present" method in moments of disagreement: pause the discussion, align privately, and then present a unified decision to the family. Use a 60-30-10 rule—aim for 60% compromise, navigate 30% gray areas, and allow 10% flexibility for the sake of peace. Involve children appropriately by hearing their voices and feelings, but maintain parental authority when making decisions. For stepparents, focus on connection before correction—build rapport and trust first before stepping into disciplinary roles. Regularly review your family values, using "we language" and modeling respectful communication, especially during challenging transitions or conflicts.   Mentioned Stepfamilies: Love, Marriage, and Parenting in the First Decade (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) ERP 313: How To Become A Successful Blended Family — An Interview With Ron Deal ERP 256: The Mistakes People Make When Blending Families And What To Do Instead – An Interview With Tracy Poizner Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication (free guide)   Connect with April Eldemire Website: couples-thrive.com Facebook: facebook.com/AprilEldemire YouTube: youtube.com/@couplesthrive Instagram: instagram.com/couplesthrive LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/april-eldemire-lmft-8a8b3059 TikTok: tiktok.com/@couples_thrive

    51 min

  2. MAR 4

    ERP 518: When Stress Hijacks Connection: How Couples Can Use Stress to Grow Closer — An Interview with Dr. Rebecca Heiss

    Ever notice how the smallest trigger in your relationship—a tone of voice, a lingering look, or a forgotten chore—can suddenly feel like a five-alarm fire? The truth is, most couples aren't fighting about the dishes or the laundry; they're struggling against the undercurrents of stress, anxiety, and unspoken needs that simmer just beneath the surface. When these emotions erupt, it's not just about the task at hand but the deep human urge to be seen, valued, and connected. Left unchecked, these survival-driven stress responses can turn moments of misunderstanding into cycles of blame, defensiveness, or painful silence. In this episode, you'll discover a refreshing reframe of stress in intimate relationships—not as a signal to run or shut down, but as an invitation to meaningful connection and growth. Learn how to recognize your triggers, transform heightened emotions into curiosity and constructive action, and tap into the power of vulnerability—even in the heat of conflict. Through practical strategies, thought-provoking questions, and powerful mindset shifts, this conversation is packed with insights to help you break free from old reaction patterns, deepen trust, and turn even your toughest moments into a pathway for a stronger partnership. Dr. Rebecca Heiss Bio: Dr. Rebecca Heiss is a Stress Physiologist and full-time keynote speaker residing in Greenville, South Carolina, who has worked with household names like VISA, P&G, SHRM, Bloomberg, and Northwestern Mutual. Dr. Heiss hails from a small town in upstate NY! She grew up playing basketball and football in the backyard with her sister and neighborhood kids. Basketball stuck with her, and she continues to enjoy playing with friends today while promoting her co-founded non-profit, Gamechanger Basketball.   Episode Highlights 03:40 Discover how personal loss led to a life-changing approach to handling stress. 08:42 Learn why our brains react so strongly in relationships—and how to respond differently. 11:37 Find out how curiosity can replace fear and build a deeper connection during stress. 14:41 Get simple, real-life tools for managing conflict and assessing vulnerability. 19:01 Uncover powerful questions that can turn arguments into understanding. 20:51 Explore a three-step process for navigating stress as a team and how to use this method to resolve everyday relationship challenges. 26:25 Discover why embracing—not avoiding—stress leads to more meaning and growth. 39:40 Quick, physical techniques anyone can use to release tension. 40:58 How community, service, and the right resources can transform your stress.   Your Checklist of Actions to Take Pause and Breathe: When feeling stressed or triggered, take a moment to pause with a deep inhale and exhale to help settle your nervous system. Invite the Tiger In: Instead of avoiding stress, consciously sit with the discomfort for three minutes to allow yourself to fully experience and acknowledge it. Get Curious: Ask yourself, "What is this stress here to help me do?" to start shifting out of a blame mindset and into a place of productive inquiry. Connect with Others: Reflect on "Who do I need to connect with?"—be it your partner, a friend, or even a part of yourself—to seek support and reduce isolation. Use Physical Outlet: If you're more nonverbal, move your body (e.g., fast feet, punching a pillow, yelling—in a safe space) to help release stress energy. Name Your Feelings: Verbally recognize and share your emotional state with your partner, such as "I'm feeling defensive," to foster vulnerability and mutual understanding. Set a Break Word: Agree on a lighthearted code word as a couple to pause heated discussions, allowing each person to process and return with more clarity. Direct Your Energy Constructively: After working through the initial stress, focus on what you need—whether it's an apology, to be heard, or a change in behavior—and express this clearly to your partner.   Mentioned Instinct (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Springboard (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Man's Search for Meaning (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication (free guide) Connect with Dr. Rebecca Heiss Websites: rebeccaheiss.com Facebook: facebook.com/drrebeccaheiss X: https://x.com/DrRebeccaHeiss YouTube: youtube.com/hannel/UCO3XmakQmJX0z0TbSfr3agg Instagram: instagram.com/drrebeccaheiss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebeccaheiss/details/experience

    45 min

  3. FEB 24

    ERP 517: Pleasure, Pain, and Partnership: Navigating Pelvic Floor Health Together - An Interview with Dr. Sara Reardon

    There's a silent struggle that many couples face—issues of pain, discomfort, or disconnection in intimate life that go unspoken and unattended. For so long, pelvic floor challenges have been seen as private burdens to bear alone, surrounded by stigma or confusion about where to turn for help. But what if we viewed these not as individual problems, but as shared matters that impact the whole relationship? Could better understanding and open conversation actually transform your intimacy and emotional connection? In this episode, you'll discover how pelvic floor health influences pleasure, pain, and intimacy—and why these challenges are best faced together, not solo. Drawing from expert insights and practical guidance, you'll learn how increased awareness and communication can bridge the gap between partners, foster support and compassion, and empower you with tools for healing. Whether you're struggling silently or simply want to deepen trust and connection, this conversation offers actionable steps and hope for anyone ready to turn hidden struggle into shared strength. Since 2007, Dr. Sara Reardon has been caring for people's pelvic floors as a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist. She is the Founder of The V-Hive, an online pelvic floor workout platform for pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, painful sex, and pelvic floor strengthening. As The Vagina Whisperer on Instagram and TikTok, she has hundreds of thousands of followers. She is the author of FLOORED: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage.   Episode Highlights 03:53 Understanding pelvic floor anatomy and its impact on intimacy. 07:50 Breaking stigma and introducing pelvic health conversations. 09:37 The role of partners and destigmatizing pelvic floor challenges. 14:47 Exploring pelvic floor dysfunction: Causes and effects on relationships. 18:56 Pelvic floor health and sexual pleasure.. 21:16 Exploring arousal: Physical and emotional components. 23:13 Daily habits and exercises for intimate health. 28:26 Tools, devices, and progression in pelvic floor therapy. 36:35 Debunking myths: Arousal, climax, and individual differences.   Your Check List of Actions to Take Learn about your pelvic floor anatomy to understand how it affects day-to-day functions and intimacy. Openly discuss pelvic health and intimacy challenges with your partner to reduce shame and foster teamwork. Attend pelvic floor therapy sessions together when possible for shared education and support. Practice mindful urination and bowel movements—sit fully, breathe, and avoid straining or "power peeing." Incorporate pelvic-friendly exercises such as yoga poses (e.g., child's pose, pigeon, happy baby) to encourage muscle relaxation. Explore self-stimulation privately to discover which types of touch and stimulation are most pleasurable or comfortable. Consider using vaginal trainers or dilators, starting small and gradually increasing size, and involve your partner for support and collaboration. Normalize communication around sexual pleasure, pain, and individual needs, recognizing that every body and relationship is unique.   Mentioned Floored (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) V-Hive (*Google Play link) (app) Online Workouts (free workout) Come as You Are (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Squatty potty (e-commerce website) Vaginal Dilators (e-commerce website) 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide) Connect with Dr. Sara Reardon Websites: thevagwhisperer.com Facebook: facebook.com/thevagwhisperer YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC2MllrS6zD974pxBFbVUHdA Instagram: instagram.com/the.vagina.whisperer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sara-reardon-pt-dpt-wcs-4a6b1025 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thevagwhisperer

    41 min

  4. FEB 17

    ERP 516: Conscious Love: From Reactivity to Responsibility in Intimate Relationships — An Interview with Christian de la Huerta

    Why do so many relationships, despite the best intentions, end up stuck in cycles of hurt, disappointment, or disconnection? We search for "the one," hope for a soulmate to fulfill us, and cling to romantic ideals—even as we find ourselves repeating old patterns and feeling powerless when things get tough. The real challenge, it seems, isn't just finding love, but learning how to nurture it consciously and responsibly. What if the secret isn't about changing others, but transforming how we relate, both to ourselves and to our loved ones? In this episode, discover how to break free from the unconscious habits that sabotage intimacy, shift out of victim mindsets, and reclaim your personal power within relationships. Learn why conscious love is an ongoing practice—not just a feeling—and explore actionable principles for moving past reactivity into mature, collaborative connection. Through insights on emotional intelligence, responsibility, healing past wounds, and embracing vulnerability, you'll gain tools to create deeper, more authentic bonds and turn your relationship into a dynamic space for growth. Christian de la Huerta is a spiritual teacher, personal transformation coach, and award-winning author with over 30 years of experience. He has spoken at TEDx and led transformational retreats around the world. His books include Coming Out Spiritually and Awakening the Soul of Power. His latest book, Conscious Love: Transforming Our Relationship to Relationships, offers practical tools for healing and deeper connection.    Episode Highlights 06:16 Identifying and overcoming subconscious obstacles to love. 09:41 Approaching relationships as paths for personal growth. 11:18 Choosing conscious relationship through self-awareness and intention. 13:54 Differentiating emotional intensity from real intimacy and love. 19:04 Balancing self-agency and interdependence in relationships. 20:24 Letting go of the victim mindset and embracing responsibility and power. 23:33 Understanding personal power versus ego power in relationship dynamics. 29:00 Tools for cultivating deep connection. 32:26 Assessing relationship health through growth and transformation. 34:36 Integrating somatic practices and breathwork for healing. 38:06 Expanding relationship consciousness and integrating transformative experiences.   Your Check List of Actions to Take Take Responsibility: Own your choices and responses in relationships rather than blaming others or past experiences. Practice Self-Awareness: Regularly pause to check in with your feelings and triggers, asking yourself what's really going on beneath the surface. Move Beyond the Honeymoon Phase: Recognize that love is not just a feeling—commit to the act of loving even when the initial intensity fades. Stop Searching for "The One": Shift your mindset from finding someone to fulfill you to consciously practicing love principles in your relationships. Heal Old Wounds: Reflect on parental or past relationships to notice patterns you might be unconsciously repeating and seek ways to address them. Use Conflict as Growth: When triggered, resist the urge to react immediately; instead, get curious about the underlying source and use the moment for personal evolution. Communicate Your Needs: Express your preferences and boundaries clearly while also listening and compromising for mutual benefit. Integrate Mindfulness Practices: Develop habits like meditation or breath work to build present-moment awareness and emotional regulation in your daily life and relationships.   Mentioned Conscious Love: Transforming Our Relationship to Relationships (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Committed: A Love Story (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The power of breath: Christian de la Huerta at TEDxCoMo (YouTube link) (video) Ken Wilber (website) A Course in Miracles (*Amazon link) (book) 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide)   Connect with Christian de la Huerta Websites: soulfulpower.com Facebook: facebook.com/christian.delahuerta.1 Instagram: instagram.com/christiandlh LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christiandelahuerta YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC4hOzeGdhkTcRxOHkV9tfbQ

    45 min

  5. FEB 10

    ERP 515: How Couples Can Rethink Time to Reduce Burnout and Strengthen Connection — An Interview with Michelle Niemeyer

    Are you constantly racing against the clock, feeling like life's demands are pulling you in every direction—and yet, your own needs, goals, and relationships are slipping through the cracks? Burnout, overwhelm, and the tricky balance of work, family, and personal fulfillment are challenges that leave many people wondering: Does time own me, or can I truly shape how I live within it? In this episode, the conversation delves deep into how our relationship with time can be transformed from a relentless source of stress into a foundation for personal wholeness and relational strength. You'll hear practical strategies for recognizing the real drivers behind burnout, prioritizing what lights you up, integrating wellness into busy schedules, and collaboratively setting goals within families or partnerships. Whether you're looking to manage your calendar more efficiently or searching for greater meaning and connection in your everyday moments, this episode offers insight, tools, and a paradigm shift to help you bend time to work for you—instead of against you. Michelle Niemeyer is a speaker, coach, and former attorney who teaches professionals how to bend time so they can stay sharp, productive, and profitable – without burning out. After finding her way to burnout and back in her own high-performing legal career, Michelle created The Art of Bending Time, a framework that helps people connect the dots across work, life, and purpose to magnetize success and reclaim their joy. She helps businesses retain top talent, boost development, and keep their people energized and engaged – all while making the magic   Episode Highlights 05:53 Understanding and recognizing burnout. 09:43 Integrating wholeness over compartmentalization. 11:08 Discovering personal sparks and daily joys. 15:19 Prioritizing wellness for personal effectiveness. 18:17 Setting priorities and learning to delegate. 22:55 Eliminating time wasters: Internal and external distractions. 26:51 Applying SWORD analysis to family goals. 30:17 Aligning goals with genuine desire. 36:13 Shifting responsibilities according to strengths and passions.   Your Check List of Actions to Take Identify Your Spirit Sparks: Take a few moments each day to notice and savor the small things that light you up, like a warm cup of coffee or a moment outdoors. Prioritize Quality Sleep: Make your bedroom a phone-free zone to reduce interruptions, improve rest, and start your day more refreshed. Hydrate and Eat Well: Focus on drinking enough water and eating a variety of whole, colorful foods to support your physical and mental health. Integrate Movement: Find simple ways to move your body regularly, whether it's a walk outside or standing to stretch throughout the day. Assess and Address Time Drains: Notice what tasks or habits waste your time (like procrastination or environmental distractions), and create systems or boundaries to minimize them. Practice Whole-Person Living: Show up authentically in all areas of your life, sharing aspects of yourself at work and at home to foster real connection. Clarify Priorities as a Family or Couple: Have honest conversations about what truly matters, so your time and energy align with your shared goals and values. Use the SWORD Analysis for Big Decisions: Evaluate Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Risks, and Desire before pursuing major goals together, ensuring everyone's buy-in and avoiding unnecessary drains.   Mentioned Link for free community access to SWORD tool The Art of Bending Time (program link) 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide)   Connect with Michelle Niemeyer Website: michelleniemeyer.com Facebook: facebook.com/groups/theartofbendingtime LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-melin-niemeyer

    39 min

  6. FEB 3

    ERP 514: Measuring What Matters: How Awareness and Alignment Create Enduring Love - An Interview with Zoey Charif

    Ever wondered why, despite our best intentions, we keep falling into the same relationship traps? Or how two people can feel worlds apart even when they desperately want things to work? The subtle dance of self-worth, mutual respect, and compatibility often determines whether love thrives or fizzles out. Too often, we end up settling for relationships that slowly chip away at our confidence, hoping for change while ignoring the mismatch in values, traits, and emotional needs. In this episode, listeners are guided through a groundbreaking and practical approach for understanding the science behind love and relationship fulfillment. The conversation explores how to identify personal values and trait preferences, assess compatibility, break destructive patterns, and recognize the significance of self-worth in sustaining a healthy partnership. With fresh, research-backed insights, the episode offers actionable steps and honest reflections to help anyone desiring deeper connection, clarity, and empowerment in their romantic life. Zoey Charif spent two decades decoding patterns of human attraction, pulling from her background in criminology, data analytics, and a drive to challenge everything we've been taught about love. Born in Afghanistan, raised in Vancouver, and now based in Orange County, California, Zoey brings a rare blend of emotional depth, analytical precision, and lived experience to her work. Her framework is coachable and designed to help people transform their relationships.   Episode Highlights 04:43 Explaining the Love Formula: Scoring self and partner alignment. 08:41 When perceived value differs: Anxious and avoidant relationship patterns. 10:05 Attachment styles, emotional investment, and patterns of effort. 14:12 Personality dichotomies: Are we attracted to similar or opposite traits? 18:34 Distinguishing between values and traits in attraction. 21:14 Recognizing and interrupting destructive relationship patterns. 26:15 Impact of inconsistency: How decreasing value affects relationship satisfaction. 29:34 Core values: Dependability and reliability as key to relationship stability. 30:27 Using the Love Formula to rebuild connection and alignment in marriage. 33:47 Maintaining mutual admiration and fulfillment in long-term love. 36:58 The crucial role of self-worth and normalizing singlehood.   Your Check List of Actions to Take Reflect on Your Self-Worth: Honestly assess your own values and self-worth before seeking or deepening a relationship. Identify Core Values: Clearly write down the values that matter most to you in life and relationships. Rate Yourself: Give yourself a score on how well you feel you embody your own values and standards. Evaluate Your Partner: Honestly assess your partner against your values, noting alignment and gaps. Notice Trait Preferences: Identify the traits you're consistently attracted to, even if they might not serve you in the long term. Watch for Destructive Patterns: Examine your previous relationship patterns for recurring traits or behaviors that led to dissatisfaction. Communicate Openly: Share your value and trait scores with your partner as a tool for honest, non-defensive discussions about your relationship. Prioritize Self-Awareness: Regularly check in with yourself to ensure your choices align with your values and that you're not compromising your well-being for the relationship.   Mentioned Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) (*Psychology Today) (link) The Gottman Method 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide) Love Can, In Fact, Be Calculated (Hardcover) by Zoey Charif   Connect with Zoey Charif Websites: lovecaninfactbecalculated.com Instagram: instagram.com/zoeycharif TikTok: tiktok.com/@zoeycharif?_t=8ruz0ZyCH9i&_r=1

    45 min

  7. JAN 27

    ERP 513: Why Openness Matters More than Resolution in Couple Communication — An Interview with Kathryn Ford M.D.

    Ever felt like no matter how much you prepare for an important conversation with your partner, you still end up missing each other entirely? In the heat of tough conversations, even the best intentions can get lost as tension rises and defenses go up. It's all too easy for moments of misunderstanding to snowball, leaving both people feeling disconnected and unsure how to find their way back to each other. In this episode, you'll discover a radically simple approach to transforming those tense moments into opportunities for true connection. Looking through the lens of openness, which the conversation calls the "aperture effect," you'll learn why slowing down, becoming mindful, and attuning to each other's emotional states can help you break free from unhelpful patterns. Explore practical techniques to foster emotional safety, collaboration, and presence so you can turn even challenging interactions into pathways for deeper understanding and closeness. Kathryn Ford, M.D., is a psychiatrist, couples therapist, and author. Her work is a unique integration of mindfulness, psychotherapy, and neuroscience. After receiving her M.D. degree from Brown School of Medicine, Dr. Ford completed a residency in psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine. Her meditation practice and studies developed her understanding of the power of mindfulness for building deeper, more resilient relationships. She has taught at Stanford Continuing Studies, Stanford Medical School, and  Santa Clara University, and publishes regularly online in Psychology Today.   Episode Highlights 04:02 The Aperture Effect—an exploration at the intersection of psychiatry, mindfulness, and neuroscience. 09:40 What happens when openness shuts down in conversation? 11:26 The brain's role in relationship dynamics and mindful self-awareness. 15:23 Recognizing and responding to real-time emotional signals. 17:14 How our openness fluctuates moment to moment: Practical awareness skills. 21:08 Why slowing down changes everything: Strategies for connection over resolution. 26:06 Openness on a continuum: Tracking your state in challenging conversations. 29:16 Regrouping when things get rocky: Navigating pauses and timeouts. 33:53 Moving between vulnerability and defensiveness. 38:13 Vulnerability as the pathway to connection. 42:18 The power of naming your emotional state. 43:30 Learning and practicing aperture awareness and mindfulness.   Your Checklist of Actions to Take Practice mindful pausing: When you notice tension or confusion in conversations with your partner, pause for a deep breath to ground yourself and slow the interaction. Regularly check in with yourself during discussions. Ask, "Am I open or closed right now?" and observe your body for cues like warmth (open) or tension (closed). Use the "Two Sentences" exercise by limiting your speaking turns to one or two sentences and then pausing, giving both you and your partner time to process before responding. Be explicit about your emotional state, for example, saying, "I'm feeling a bit vulnerable discussing this," to invite empathy and understanding. When things get heated, intentionally slow down the dialogue. Avoid rapid-fire responses and give space for reflection. Call a timeout if needed: If either partner rates their openness as a 4 or lower (on a 1-10 scale), suggest a short break to allow both people to regroup and prevent escalation. Reassure and regroup: Offer reassurance like, "I didn't mean to sound harsh," and check if both partners feel ready to continue before moving forward. Acknowledge the need for ongoing conversations: Accept that not every topic needs a final resolution. Focus on maintaining connection, trust, and openness even when issues remain unresolved.   Mentioned The Aperture Effect (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Polyvagal Theory (website) Gottman Institute (website) Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) (*Psychology Today) (link) ERP 340: The Essential Skill Of Tracking Openness in Relationship — An Interview With Dr. Kathryn Ford 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide)   Connect with Kathryn Ford M.D. Websites: kathrynfordmd.com Facebook: facebook.com/KathrynFordMD Instagram: instagram.com/KathrynFordMD LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kathryn-ford-m-d-1a675b2b Substack: substack.com/@kathrynfordmd   Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship  Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins  Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins  Twitter: @DrJessHiggins  Website: drjessicahiggins.com   Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com

    54 min

  8. JAN 20

    ERP 512: The Courage Practice: How Facing Fear Deepens Intimacy and Connection — An Interview with Scott Simon

    What if playing it safe is actually keeping you from the life and relationships you truly want? Too often, fear convinces us to stay small, avoid discomfort, and stick to familiar routines, especially when it comes to our most important connections. The result? Missed opportunities for deep intimacy, vibrant trust, and authentic connection. It's a paradox: the very quest for comfort may be the greatest risk of all. In this episode, listeners are invited to challenge the idea that comfort equals happiness. Through inspiring stories and practical tools, the conversation explores how embracing courage, even in small, everyday ways, can lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships. Discover why facing fears (rather than running from them) is essential for personal growth and intimacy, and how a simple courage practice can transform both self-perception and connection with loved ones. Whether it's starting an uncomfortable conversation or supporting each other through life's uncertainties, this episode offers actionable steps to help anyone move from fear to flourishing in their relationships. Scott Simon is a thought leader, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and founder of the Scare Your Soul movement, helping people transform their lives through small daily acts of courage. He's worked with the UN, Nestlé, Ritz Carlton, Logitech, and the Cleveland Clinic to build braver teams and more connected cultures. When he's not leading keynotes or designing transformative retreats, you'll find Scott chasing live music, journaling in strange airports, or hunting down the world's best hole-in-the-wall restaurants.   Episode Highlights 04:24 Overcoming the tendency to shrink back and building momentum through bravery and courage. 09:20 How embracing discomfort leads to growth and creativity. 16:16 How small actions outside your comfort zone can build courage and lead to transformative outcomes. 20:08 Challenging relationship norms for deeper bonds. 28:47 Unlocking authenticity through vulnerability in relationships. 32:10 Aligning courageous choices with core values in relationships. 35:30 Personal examples of standing in your truth. 39:56 Practicing self-awareness and micro acts of courage for relational growth.   Your Checklist of Actions to Take Start a daily courage practice: Each day, do one small thing that scares you or takes you out of your comfort zone, just as the guest recommends. Pause and check in with yourself: Before difficult conversations, take a moment to breathe deeply and center yourself, allowing self-awareness to guide your next steps. Reflect on your core values: Use your values as a filter when deciding which courageous actions to take in your relationships. Initiate honest conversations: If you're holding back something important, practice being the one to "go first" and share vulnerably, even if it feels risky. Name your feelings in real-time: During tough moments, state what you're experiencing physically or emotionally (e.g., "My heart is racing right now"), to foster connection and authenticity. Seek support for brave actions: Engage a partner or friend to do something courageous together, which can increase commitment and make the experience richer. Replace silence with authentic sharing: Consider what keeping quiet is truly serving, and choose to communicate openly instead of bottling things up. Practice small acts of kindness: Try courage-building social acts, like initiating a friendly conversation or buying someone a coffee, to strengthen your confidence and connectedness.   Mentioned Scare Your Soul (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) David Schnarch (*Wikipedia link) Conscious Loving (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide)   Connect with Scott Simon Websites: scottsimon.us | scareyoursoul.com Instagram: instagram.com/scareyoursoul Substack: scareyoursoul.substack.com

    49 min
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4.8
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138 Ratings

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The Empowered Relationship Podcast helps you turn relationship challenges into opportunities and sets you up for relationship success, satisfaction, and intimacy. This podcast is designed to inspire, motivate, and guide individuals and couples into more empowered, conscious, and evolved ways of loving.

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