171 episodes

Relationship advice and exploration. Two experienced and passionate relationship therapists, Angela Dierks and Tom MacKay, talk about all aspects to do with building fulfilling relationships, dating and marriage advice. All successful relationships start with a good look at yourself. Learn more about your relationship style and what makes you tick in relationships - the good, the bad and the ugly. We explore challenges that you might face when dating or in your relationships such as arguments and conflict, miscommunication, stress, anxiety, depression, low self esteem and much more. We consider how you can understand and change your behaviour and build more hope, resilience and strength. And we provide you with plenty of insight and advice on building a long lasting and successful relationship whether you are currently dating, just set out in a relationship or are in an established relationship or marriage.

The Relationship Maze Relationship advice

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 18 Ratings

Relationship advice and exploration. Two experienced and passionate relationship therapists, Angela Dierks and Tom MacKay, talk about all aspects to do with building fulfilling relationships, dating and marriage advice. All successful relationships start with a good look at yourself. Learn more about your relationship style and what makes you tick in relationships - the good, the bad and the ugly. We explore challenges that you might face when dating or in your relationships such as arguments and conflict, miscommunication, stress, anxiety, depression, low self esteem and much more. We consider how you can understand and change your behaviour and build more hope, resilience and strength. And we provide you with plenty of insight and advice on building a long lasting and successful relationship whether you are currently dating, just set out in a relationship or are in an established relationship or marriage.

    The Parent, Adult, Child, Model: Understanding Your Behaviour And Interactions

    The Parent, Adult, Child, Model: Understanding Your Behaviour And Interactions

    Welcome to another engaging episode of "The Relationship Maze" podcast. In today’s discussion, Angela and Tom dive into the intriguing world of Transactional Analysis, particularly focusing on the Parent-Adult-Child model introduced by Eric Berne. 
    This model helps us understand the dynamics of our communications and interactions in relationships—be they personal, professional, or casual. By examining how we often revert to childlike or parental behaviours during conversations, our hosts explore how these roles impact our relationships and how becoming more aware of these dynamics can lead to healthier and more satisfying interactions. 
    Get ready to uncover which ego state you might be operating from and learn strategies to foster more adult-to-adult dialogues. Join us as we navigate the complexities of communication in relationships, aiming for more fulfilling connections.
    00:00 Improving communication with transactional analysis and resources.
    06:27 Rebelling against being told what to do.
    07:47 Adult ego state reacts logically to situations.
    12:24 Partner reactions triggered by past experiences quickly.
    15:33 Partners need to communicate like adults.
    18:29 Reflect on reactions and behaviors in conflicts.
    22:00 Balancing playful and responsible parenting dynamics.
    23:02 Temporary usefulness of rebellious child state.

    • 24 min
    Emotional Avoidance - How to Create More Connection With Others

    Emotional Avoidance - How to Create More Connection With Others

    Welcome to The Relationship Maze podcast. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of experiential avoidance, a common psychological phenomenon where individuals steer clear of situations that evoke negative emotions. 
    Hosts Tom and Angela explore the underlying fears that drive this behaviour, such as the worry that addressing certain topics might negatively impact their relationships. They discuss how these fears are often rooted in past experiences and societal conditioning which teach us to suppress so-called negative emotions. 
    Join us as we uncover the significance of facing these uncomfortable situations to foster deeper intimacy and stronger connections in relationships. We'll also provide practical guidance on how to recognize and manage the physical sensations and thoughts associated with these challenging emotions, ultimately helping you lead a more fulfilling life. Stay tuned to learn how to navigate the emotional landscapes of your relationships more effectively.
    00:00 Overcome avoidance for better, fulfilling relationships.
    04:39 Avoiding conflict in relationships due to fear.
    07:16 Shortsighted way of interacting, withholding truth from partner.
    12:18 Clients' childhood emotional experiences impact current behavior.
    16:11 Avoidance driven by unknown uncomfortable feelings, disconnection.
    17:10 Identify feelings, tune into the body.
    21:13 Open communication fosters intimacy and connection.
    24:30 Encouraging openness and curiosity in a relationship.

    • 26 min
    The Inner Film: Exploring the Role of Projection in Shaping Relationship Experiences

    The Inner Film: Exploring the Role of Projection in Shaping Relationship Experiences

    In today's episode of The Relationship Maze, we explore the concept of projection and its impact on relationships. Join Tom and Angela as they delve into the fascinating topic of projection, shedding light on how our past experiences shape our perceptions of others. 
    They discuss how projection can influence our attraction to certain people and how it impacts our behavior in relationships. Through insightful examples and discussions, they highlight the importance of self-awareness and how understanding our projections can lead to healthier, more fulfilling connections. 
    Stay tuned as they offer practical tips and tools for navigating the intricate web of projection in relationships. Don't forget to visit the relationshipmaze.com for additional resources and information. This thought-provoking episode will deepen your understanding of projection and its role in relationships.

    00:00 Early experiences shape our understanding of the world
    05:32 Raising voice can signal fear or danger.
    10:06 Exploring the shadow side and projection onto others.
    13:23 Understanding personal emotions and projections in relationships.
    15:50 Couples therapy theories: Familiarity in partner attraction.
    17:50 Understanding projection gives control over subconscious behaviors.
    22:07 Reflect on experiences, emotions through daily journaling.

    • 24 min
    The Inner Critic: Understanding Its Influence and Developing a Kind and Supportive Inner Voice

    The Inner Critic: Understanding Its Influence and Developing a Kind and Supportive Inner Voice

    Welcome to a new episode of "The Relationship Maze" where we dive into the complexities of your critical, inner voice and the impact it has on our relationships. In this episode, Tom and Angela explore the role of the inner critic, discussing why it might have developed, its effects on your life and ways to manage it for a more positive experience in your relationships. They delve into the impact of early experiences, schooling, and social media on developing and reinforcing the inner critic, offering insights and practical techniques to challenge and detach from negative self-talk. Join us as we navigate through the maze of our inner thoughts and learn to cultivate a more compassionate relationship with ourselves.

    00:00 Negative emotions can impact performance and relationships.
    04:57 Developing soothing inner voice is important.
    07:17 Insecure childhood attachments affect self-worth and relationships.
    11:48 Agreement leads to public scrutiny and feedback.
    15:46 Create character names to represent inner critic.
    18:33 Negative self-talk hinders performance and meaning.
    19:54 Adapting to criticism requires time and practice.
    23:21 Writing down self-talk helps identify patterns.

    • 24 min
    Which Developmental Stage Are You At In Your Relationship?

    Which Developmental Stage Are You At In Your Relationship?

    In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," Tom and Angela dive into the different developmental stages of relationships, exploring the model developed by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson from the Couples Institute. 

    Drawing parallels with early childhood development, they discuss the stages of adult relationships:  symbiosis, differentiation, practicing, rapprochement, and mutual interdependence. Each of these stages serves a specific function in the development of the relationship and each of these stages requires particular developmental tasks of each individual as well as the couple as a team.

    Tom and Angela unpack the challenges and dynamics couples face at each stage, from the initial euphoria of the honeymoon phase to the struggles of couples who don't move beyond this initial stage. These often present in couples therapy and face the challenges of enmeshment or hostile dependency.  Tom and Angela also touch on the complexities of partners being at different stages in relationships and provide insights into navigating these relationship stages towards a healthier and fulfilling connection. 

    If you're looking to understand and improve your relationships, join Tom and Angela as they guide you through this enlightening exploration.

    00:00 Couples Institute's relationship model based on developmental stages.
    05:52 Stages of couple relationships: symbiosis and differentiation.
    06:59 Seeing people in a different light is natural.
    11:49 Practicing stage focuses on individual autonomy and self-esteem.
    15:26 Stage of relationship development towards mutual interdependence.
    18:16 Mutual interdependence creates a secure, mature relationship.
    19:59 Rare to have partners at different stages.
    25:12 Couple therapy: partners' different developmental phases challenge.
    26:57 Visit relationshipmaze.com for improving your relationships.

    • 27 min
    Navigating Dating Challenges: The Issue of Ghosting and Early Rejection in Online Dating

    Navigating Dating Challenges: The Issue of Ghosting and Early Rejection in Online Dating

    Welcome to another insightful episode of The Relationship Maze. In today's episode  Tom and Angela dive into the challenges of online dating, particularly the phenomenon of ghosting. 
    They discuss the impact of being ghosted, potential reasons for ghosting, and offer valuable insights into maintaining a positive attitude and healthy mindset when navigating the complexities of modern dating. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to approach early stages of dating and learn strategies for building fulfilling relationships in the digital age.

    00:00 Challenges of online dating addressed in podcast.
    03:54 Traditional dating relied on personal connections, trust.
    09:42 Overwhelmed with choice due to restaurant abundance.
    11:10 Early dating involves projecting rather than knowing.
    13:36 Early red flags signal potential relationship issues.
    18:45 Building connections takes time for genuine attraction.
    22:17 Online dating takes time and patience.
    24:27 Take time, attraction can develop, respect yourself.

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
18 Ratings

18 Ratings

SamFenster ,

Amazing work

Episode on Loneliness was amazing. Great job!!

jlfb123 ,

So Helpful!!

The information is so helpful, insightful and insightful to me. Delivery is highly professional and most pleasant to listen to. Thank you for your podcasts!

BekahL72 ,

Please slow down how fast you speak

I love your advice and information but you both speak so fast that it’s difficult to understand and absorb the information that you are providing.

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