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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ERP 471: How the Pelvic Floor Is Related to Many Aspects of Health, Even the Domain of Relationship Health — An Interview with Patricia Siegel
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 • Duration 51:58
About this Episode
Pelvic floor health is a topic that's often shrouded in mystery and silence, yet it is fundamentally linked to our overall well-being, affecting everything from incontinence to intimacy. Many individuals, particularly those with female bodies, face the challenges of pelvic floor dysfunction post-pregnancy, during menopause, or even as athletes, without realizing that it is common but not normal and certainly not something they have to live with. Ignoring pelvic floor care can lead not only to physical discomfort but also strain in relationships due to issues like pain during intimacy or a lack of awareness surrounding one's own body needs.
In this episode, we delve deep into the world of pelvic floor rehabilitation and prevention therapy to uncover the importance of addressing these issues head-on. Through holistic approaches, including exercises, education, and community support, listeners will learn about the often-overlooked muscles that play an important role in our bodily functions and intimate relationships. By shedding light on the resources and techniques available, listeners are encouraged to break the stigma, embrace their journey to healing, and ultimately improve their quality of life and connections with others.
Patricia Siegel is a German native and Sports Scientist specializing in pelvic floor rehabilitation and prevention therapy. A former semi-professional track athlete, she is now the STRONG Fitness expert columnist regarding pelvic floor health.
If you have a topic you would like it to be discussed, please contact us by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins” button here.
Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship.
Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here.
Thank you!
*With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.
ERP 470: How to Get Off the Emotional Roller Coaster in Relationship, So That You Can Develop a Deeper, Lasting Connection — An Interview with Drs. Susan Thau & Sondra Goldstein
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 • Duration 54:29
About this Episode
One common struggle many face in a relationship is the challenge of getting off the emotional roller coaster. The highs and lows, misunderstandings, and unresolved conflicts can create a cycle of emotional upheaval, leaving partners feeling disconnected and frustrated. But what if we could find a way to smooth the ride and create deeper intimacy? If you've ever felt caught in a whirlwind of emotions in your relationships, you're not alone, and there are ways to navigate this complex terrain.
In this episode, we delve into strategies and insights aimed at helping listeners break free from these patterns. With expert guidance, the discussion illuminates ways couples can enhance their emotional intelligence, communication skills, and conflict resolution abilities. By exploring both the individual and relational aspects of these dynamics, the conversation provides tools for transforming the way partners interact with each other. This episode offers a chance to learn how to nurture a relationship's foundation while navigating life's inevitable challenges, ultimately creating a more harmonious and enduring partnership.
Susan Thau, Ph. D., Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, wife, mother and grandmother treats individuals, couples and families, working intensively with emotional states. Along with Sondra Goldstein, Susan studied in a consultation group with Alan Schore, becoming interested in attachment and affect regulation. Dr Thau began as a parent educator, later Kaiser Permanente, and eventually private practice in Los Angeles where she specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Sondra is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice for many years in Los Angeles. She is a former Clinical Associate Professor, UCLA Department of Psychology. Past study with Allan Shore, PhD, enhances her understanding of neuro-psychobiology in the processing of emotion in couples. Her study of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps in understanding emotional dynamics in couples therapy. Sondra is also a wife of 53 years, a mother, and a grandmother.
Episode Highlights Mentioned Connect with Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins
ERP 461: How to Increase Psychological Flexibility for Healthy Relationships — An Interview with Dr. Steven Hayes
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 • Duration 55:40
Do you ever find yourself caught in repetitive patterns that hinder the growth and intimacy of your relationships? Whether it’s a recurring conflict, a deep-seated trauma, or simply the inability to stay fully present, many of us struggle to break free from the habits and thoughts that get in the way of true connection. Imagine how transformative it could be to learn the strategies and skills that foster psychological flexibility, enabling you to navigate life's complexities with grace and authenticity.
In this episode, we delve deep into the science and practice of psychological flexibility, exploring how openness, presence, and active engagement can revolutionize not just how we relate to others but how we relate to ourselves. Through expert insights and practical examples, we will uncover the smallest set of principles that do the most good in fostering a meaningful, connected life. So, get ready to learn how to align your actions with your deepest values, respond effectively to life's challenges, and unlock the full potential of your relationships.
Steven C. Hayes is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Nevada, Reno. An author of 48 books and over 700 scientific articles, he originated Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. His book Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life was the best-selling self-help book in the US, and his TEDx talks and blogs have been seen or read by 4 million people. He is among the 30 most cited psychologists in the world.
04:53 Exploring the origin and philosophy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
16:07 Integrating science and spirituality within ACT.
17:06 Understanding the nature of learning and vulnerability.
The role of humility in relationships and life.
Mentioned Connect with Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins
ERP 371: Why “Learn To Compromise” Is Often The Worst Relationship Advice — An Interview With Dr. Alexandra Stockwell
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 • Duration 01:01:04
You’ve probably heard the well-meaning relationship advice to “learn to compromise.” It seems like a reasonable solution to navigate differences and find middle ground. But what if I told you that this popular advice might be doing more harm than good?
In this thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Jessica Higgins and Dr. Alexandra Stockwell, we explore why the conventional wisdom of compromise may not be the ultimate solution for relationship harmony.
If you're tired of settling for less and yearn for a relationship that thrives on passion, understanding, and unwavering closeness, then this episode is an absolute must-listen. Prepare to embark on a journey towards uncompromising intimacy, where compromise takes a backseat, and authentic connection takes center stage.
Known as “The Intimacy Doctor,” Alexandra Stockwell, MD, is an Intimate Marriage Expert who specializes in coaching ambitious, successful couples to build beautiful, long-lasting, passionate relationships. She is the bestselling author of “Uncompromising Intimacy,” host of The Intimate Marriage Podcast, and creator of the Aligned & Hot Marriage program.
Dr. Alexandra has been featured in the Huffington Post, Rolling Stone, USAToday, Cosmopolitan, Business Insider, Thriveglobal, Mindbodygreen, FOX NEWS, and many more.
5:17 Dr. Stockwell’s personal journey that led her to focus on relationships and intimacy.
12:46 The significance of personal transformation and setting positive examples for others in fostering healthy relationships and self-discovery.
ERP 370: Steps To Reduce Stagnation In Relationship — An Interview With Abi Singh
Tuesday, May 2, 2023 • Duration 45:46
Are you feeling like your relationship has hit a plateau? Perhaps you and your partner have been together for a while and things just don't seem to be moving forward. Don't worry, you're not alone.
Maintaining a healthy and happy relationship can be a challenging task, even for the most committed couples. Over time, relationships can hit a stagnant point where both partners feel disconnected, bored, or unfulfilled. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to avoid that.
In this episode, Abi Singh and Dr. Jessica Higgins shares valuable insights and tips on how to reignite the spark in a relationship and prevent it from fading away. From effective communication to prioritizing self-care, these tips can help bring your relationship back to life.
So if you're ready to take action and bring some excitement back into your love life, listen to the full episode.
Abi Singh is a life coach and relationship expert. Abi helps couples find balance and prioritize intimacy so that they can effectively make key decisions that will positively impact their relationships. Abi and her husband live on the beautiful island of Grenada and run their restaurant business, which they co-founded in 2017.
6:52 Abby’s personal experience in an intercultural marriage.
8:58 How to overcome stagnation in relationships after the honeymoon phase.
12:12 The importance of communication and intentionality in relationships: Avoiding the faux pas of relationship.
16:23 Overcoming misunderstandings and building a stronger connection.
21:53 The importance of communication and comprehension in relationships.
ERP 369: Develop The Skills For Secure Attachment In Relationship — An Interview With EJ & Tarah Kerwin
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 • Duration 49:37
Developing secure attachment skills in a relationship is crucial for creating a strong and lasting bond with your partner. In this fast-paced world, it can be easy to neglect your relationship and fail to prioritize the emotional safety that comes with a secure attachment. However, neglecting your relationship can have long-term consequences and negatively impact both you and your partner.
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Higgins, EJ, and Tarah Kerwin discuss the skills needed to develop secure attachments in relationships. They provide actionable steps to help you strengthen your attachment style and create a more loving and fulfilling partnership.
Whether you're single, dating, or in a long-term relationship, listen to this episode to discover how you can develop secure attachment skills in your relationships.
EJ and Tarah Kerwin are the hosts of The Relationship Renovation Podcast. They are two licensed therapists, a married couple raising a blended family with four children, and owners of a couples counseling center in Tucson, AZ. They have created a couples counseling program that has supported thousands of couples in creating more secure, loving, and intimate relationships.
11:43 Creating emotional safety and support: Understanding secure attachment in couples therapy.
17:07 Recognizing negative core beliefs and learning from conflict.
23:33 Creating emotional safety in heterosexual relationships: Understanding triggers, developing compassion, and managing conflict.
27:56 Improving relationships through self-reflection and shared responsibility.
ERP 368: How To Express Yourself In Ways That Inspire Love & Connection — An Interview Laura Doyle
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 • Duration 56:23
Communication is the foundation of any healthy and fulfilling relationship, but expressing yourself in a way that fosters love and connection can be difficult, especially when conflicts arise.
In this interview, Dr. Jessica Higgins and Laura Doyle, a relationship coach, discuss six essential skills for building intimacy and connection with your partner. From taking care of yourself to relinquishing control, showing respect, receiving graciously, embracing vulnerability, and using positive affirmations, Laura offers practical tools that can transform your relationship, even in seemingly hopeless situations.
If you're looking to deepen your connection and create a more fulfilling relationship, listen to this episode to discover expert advice on how to express yourself in ways that inspire love and connection.
New York Times bestselling author Laura Doyle was the perfect wife...until she actually got married. She is the founder of the international relationship coach training school Laura Doyle Connect, the star of Empowered Wives on Amazon Prime, the Creator of The Ridiculously Happy Wife program, the host of The Empowered Wife Podcast. She has helped over 15,000 women fix their relationships--even the hopeless ones-- without their husband’s effort.
6:19 Laura shares how her personal experience led her to develop a coaching model and framework that supports women in heterosexual relationships.
10:24 How a women’s support group turned into a movement to end divorce.
19:49 Two "cheat phrases" that can help improve communication in a relationship.
25:43 The power of intimacy skills, receptivity, and manifesting desires.
Take charge of your own happiness: The power of self-care and positive cycles in relationships.
ERP 367: Learning To Disarm Our Emotional Weapons — An Interview With Dr. Shawn Haywood
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 • Duration 45:46
Is your relationship constantly fraught with emotional arguments? When things get tough, do you resort to emotional weapons like anger, blame, or shutting down?
It's time to take a step back and examine the role these emotional weapons play in your relationship.
In this episode, Dr. Shawn Haywood and Dr. Jessica Higgins discuss the ways in which people use emotional weapons to protect themselves, the negative impacts of using these weapons, and how to identify and disarm them. Dr. Haywood shares valuable insights and practical tips for gaining awareness of our emotional weapons, asking for what we need, and finding healthier ways to meet our needs in relationships.
Through deep devotion and commitment to her evolving spiritual path, author, speaker, and life and relationship coach for 24 years, Shawn Haywood, Ph.D., continues to transform toward increasing unconditional love and joy for the whole of her life, while teaching her clients and team to do the same so that their lives, marriages, health, and businesses can thrive in unimaginable ways.
If you're interested in improving your relationships and creating deeper connections with your partner, this interview is a must-listen.
2:57 Dr. Shawn Haywood shares insights on laying down emotional weapons and achieving fight-free marriages and relationships.
8:48 Emotional weapons and surrender techniques for relationship success.
13:10 How to overcome disempowering effects caused by blaming oneself or others.
16:00 How to work with the body, mind, and spirit to resolve conflict.
22:08 How to break old habits and replace them with new ones.
ERP 366: How To Assess The Health Of Your Connection — An Interview With Dr. René Vázquez del Valle
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 • Duration 49:08
In today's fast-paced world, we often hear about the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship, but how do we actually assess the health of our connection?
In this episode, Dr. Réne Vázquez del Valle, a psychotherapist, and author of "Head Heart Crotch Connections: How Not to Fail in Search of Your Perfect" shares his simple yet profound formula for evaluating the head, heart, and sexual connection in our relationships and provides tips for identifying areas of weakness and working on them.
Dr. Vázquez del Valle breaks down his technique and offers a free connection scale on his website, allowing individuals to assess their level of connection and identify areas that need improvement.
Join us in this insightful conversation as we explore the importance of connection and how to maintain its health.
Dr. René G. Vázquez del Valle, DSW, received his MSW at Columbia University and his Doctorate at the CUNY Graduate School. He was an Adjunct Professor at Long Island University; guest speaker at both the NYU School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry and CUNY Law School. He retired from the NYS Office of Mental Health after 30 years of clinical practice. He currently resides in NYC and East Hampton, NY, and works as a private practice therapist.
3:44 How to assess success or failure in a relationship and the different factors that contribute to it.
13:16 The importance of descriptive language and mutual connection in relationships.
17:26 The importance of different types of connections in a relationship.
23:40 Understanding your partner’s needs: Enhancing connection in relationships through emotional, sexual, and intellectual fulfillment
ERP 365: How To Develop Modern, High-Value, Masculine Traits — An Interview With Kristal DeSantis
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 • Duration 51:15
With the changing dynamics of society, the traditional definition of masculinity is being redefined, and there is a growing need for men to develop new skills and behaviors to thrive in today's world.
In this episode, we will explore actionable steps that men can take to develop these traits, enhance their personal growth, and succeed in both their personal and professional lives. Join us as we dive into this fascinating topic and discover how you can develop modern, high-value, masculine traits.
Kristal DeSantis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with specializations in trauma, sex therapy, couples, and men's mental health issues. Creator of the STRONG Relationship Therapy Model of trauma-informed couples therapy. Certified clinical trauma professional with training in EMDR, complex PTSD, and relational trauma in first responders, LEOs, and veterans.
5:32 Kristal Desantis’ background and interest in working with men, emphasizing the importance of normalizing therapy and emotional intelligence as part of strength building.
9:06 Redefining masculinity: moving beyond traditional roles and finding new ways to be a “high value” man.
16:33 Relationship field guide for the modern man: emphasizing safety and self-awareness.
20:05 The four key components of building a healthy relationship
27:07 Importance of self-regulation and trust in building healthy relationships.
30:35 The importance of Strong model for healthy and thriving relationships.
37:15 The importance of nurturing connection in relationships and expanding the definition of pleasure beyond just sex and increasing and expanding examples of pleasure.
Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website.
03:56 Understanding the framework of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
09:39 Meeting the authors: a journey of professional collaboration.
10:51 The power of vulnerability and emotional connection.
15:36 Coregulation and the impact of presence in therapy.
18:09 Navigating emotional triggers and attachment styles.
21:44 Challenges of vulnerability and the role of the therapist.
25:54 The importance of repair and building resilience.
28:30 Acknowledging individual differences in processing.
31:45 Demystifying therapy: The role of the therapist as a stranger attractor.
34:12 Developing a secure base: The journey of earned security.
39:20 Processing stress: Sensitive emotional and aggressive responses.
41:15 Dealing with differences and building a strong relationship foundation.
46:10 The role of curiosity and connection.
49:16 Resources and guidance for relationship growth.
If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins” button here.
Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship.
Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here.
Thank you!
*With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.
17:21 Challenging the notion of compromise in marriage: Discovering a vibrant and satisfying intimacy.
27:41 Uncompromising intimacy: The Key to vibrant and fulfilling relationships.
32:53 The impact of unspoken compromises: Nurturing vulnerable honesty for deeper connection.
38:40 Embracing authenticity and empowering relationships through uncompromising intimacy.
51:11 Cultivating sensory awareness and unleashing the power of pleasure in intimacy.
56:07 Connect with Dr. Stockwell and learn more about the tools and principles for a committed partnership and creating lasting and fulfilling connections.
If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins” button here.
Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship.
Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here.
Thank you!
*With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.
28:52 Analyzing the fight-or-flight response to improve connection in relationships.
31:07 Understanding attachment style and types of connections.
33:25 Defense mechanisms and their impact on an individual's ability to connect with others
39:56 Understanding marianismo and the effects of shame on connection and wellbeing.
44:00 Dr. René Vázquez del Valle talks about his book and explains how the simple formula of assessing head, heart, and crotch connections can have profound effects on people's lives.
If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins” button here.
Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship.
Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here.
Thank you!
*With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.
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