Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
by Dr. Jessica Higgins
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.
Episodes
-
ERP 552: When Being Capable Becomes a Burden: How Self-Reliance Can Undermine Connection — An Interview with Dr. Ricki Pollycove
Are you the capable, self-reliant one who always figures things out, holds it all together, and rarely asks for help? In a culture that celebrates independence and constant productivity, being capable can feel like a superpower—but when it becomes a way of life, it can quietly turn into a burden....
-
ERP 551: When Difference Feels Threatening: How Trust Helps Us Stay Connected — An Interview with Dr. Claude Steele
Trust is the invisible thread that holds relationships together, yet it's so easily frayed when identity, background, or beliefs come into play. In today's world, where diversity is a constant companion—at work, in our communities, and in our most intimate partnerships—many find themselves…
more -
ERP 550: When Desire Doesn't Come Naturally: How Couples Can Intentionally Create Pleasure and Connection — An Interview with Elana Auerbach
Is your relationship's spark starting to flicker instead of burn? Many couples find that as life gets busier and routines take over, the effortless intimacy and passion that once defined their connection begins to fade. Questions arise—Is something wrong with us? Is a declining libido just an...
-
ERP 549: Beyond Emotional Intelligence: How Spiritual Intelligence Deepens Love and Connection — An Interview with Dr. Yosi Amram
What if the very challenges that frustrate you in your relationship could become stepping stones to deeper intimacy and connection? For many couples, the cycle of conflict, misunderstandings, or emotional distance can feel endless—leaving each partner feeling unseen or unsupported. At the root of...
-
ERP 548: Your Brain in Love: How Brain Health Shapes Connection, Conflict, and Intimacy — An Interview with Dr. Majid Fotuhi
Is your relationship running on autopilot, derailed by misunderstandings, stress, or simply the exhaustion of daily life? Too often, we fail to recognize how the health of our brains—our most vital organ—directly shapes the way we connect, love, and even argue with those closest to us. What if…
more -
ERP 547: When "Having It All Together" Keeps You from Being Known: Perfectly Hidden Depression in Relationships — An Interview with Dr. Margaret Rutherford
Are you the person everyone leans on, appearing to have it all together—successful, reliable, always in control—yet quietly wrestling with loneliness and hidden pain beneath the surface? The struggle of perfectionism and emotional hiding can create a silent barrier, making true intimacy in...
-
ERP 546: When Parenthood Awakens the Past: Turning Triggers Into Healing and Connection — An Interview with Dr. Angele Close
Motherhood changes everything—and not just in the ways we expect. While welcoming a child can bring immense joy, it also stirs up unseen emotions, hidden wounds, and internal struggles with guilt, shame, and the daunting pressure to "get it all right." Far from the sugar-coated images often seen…
more -
ERP 545: Why We Hold Back from the People We Love: The Surprising Power of Revealing More — An Interview with Leslie John
Do you think your partner truly knows what's on your mind—or are you just hoping they'll pick up on your unspoken cues? The gap between what we feel and what we actually communicate can quietly sabotage intimacy, leading to misunderstandings and missed chances for genuine connection. Expecting…
more -
ERP 544: When Love Activates Our Defenses: How Couples Move From Protection to Connection — An Interview With Dr. James Cordova
The paradox of intimacy is that our yearning for closeness often puts us at risk of pain, creating a delicate dance between connection and self-protection. As we draw near to those we love, our natural defenses can surface—sometimes in ways that inadvertently push each other away, leaving us...
-
ERP 543: From Betrayal to True Intimacy: Building the Foundations That Last — An Interview with Joanna and Matthew Raabsmith
Broken trust in a relationship can feel like an earthquake, shattering the very foundation you once believed was unshakable. The pain, confusion, and sense of being lost can leave couples wondering if true intimacy is even possible after betrayal. Many couples long for closeness but find…
more -
ERP 542: The Deep Human Need to Matter: Why Feeling Significant Changes Your Relationship — An Interview with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein
Do you ever find yourself wondering, deep down, "Do I really matter—to anyone?" In our fast-paced, achievement-driven world, the quiet ache of wanting to be truly seen and valued can ripple beneath even our closest relationships. So often, beneath arguments or emotional distance, lies an even...
-
ERP 541: Breaking the Shame Cycle: How Couples Create Safety and Connection — An Interview with Brannon and Tyler Patrick
Shame might be the silent architect behind our biggest relationship struggles—fueling secrecy, driving distance, and making genuine intimacy feel just out of reach. When the fear of rejection or not being enough sneaks in, it often keeps us locked in painful cycles of criticism, defensiveness…
more -
ERP 540: Healing After Betrayal: Why Truth Comes Before Trust — An Interview with Tammy Gustafson
Is true healing after infidelity really possible? When trust is shattered by betrayal, the pain often feels insurmountable—turning love and certainty into confusion, grief, and self-doubt. The world seems to shift on its axis, leaving many to quietly question whether relationships can ever fully...
-
ERP 539: When Work Follows You Home: Protecting Connection Before Stress Becomes Disconnection — An Interview with Dr. Guy Winch
Are you bringing home more than just your briefcase at the end of a long workday? For many, the hidden toll of workplace stress doesn't stay behind at the office—it seeps into our most intimate relationships, silently undermining connection, emotional safety, and even physical closeness. It's a...
-
ERP 538: The Agreements That Hold Love Together: What a Divorce Attorney Sees Couples Learn Too Late — An Interview with Diana Romanov
Is it ever just one big betrayal that ends a relationship—or is it those little, silent compromises and unspoken problems that slowly unravel the love you built? Too often, couples find themselves at a crossroads, wondering when things started to go wrong and why the issues weren't tackled before...
-
ERP 537: The Relationship Mirror: How Dreams Reveal What We're Not Seeing — An Interview with Dr. Bonnie Buckner
Ever wonder why certain conflicts keep resurfacing in your relationships, or why you wake from a vivid dream feeling shaken without understanding why? Sometimes, the real roots of our struggles with loved ones aren't just out in the open—they're buried in the deeper layers of our own…
more -
ERP 536: Beyond the Budget: How Couples Align Money, Happiness, and Meaning — An Interview with Lori Atwood
Money can be the silent partner in every relationship—often creating tension, stress, and confusion that can easily escalate into conflict. Beneath the numbers, every dollar spent or saved carries deeper questions about happiness, security, and the life we're working so hard to build together.…
more -
ERP 535: When Walls Replace Boundaries: The Hidden Path Back to Connection - An Interview with Kate King
Are you building walls—or are you setting boundaries? It's a question that goes to the heart of why so many relationships end up feeling distant or disconnected. In a world where emotional safety matters more than ever, knowing when you're protecting yourself versus shutting others out can make…
more -
ERP 534: Why Emotional Safety Isn't Just a Conversation—It's a Nervous System Experience - An Interview with Dr. Monique Thompson
Feeling safe in a relationship isn't just about talking things through—it's about what happens deep within our bodies. When emotional wounds strike or betrayals occur, the impact is felt not only in the heart but in the nervous system, shifting how we experience and respond to our partners. Real...
-
ERP 533: How Couples Unintentionally Trade Passion for Stability — An Interview with Dr. Bruce Chalmer
Do you feel miles apart from your partner—even though you still love each other deeply? Many long-term couples gradually drift into a "roommate" dynamic: life feels stable, the relationship is intact, but something vital is missing. Over time, habits and strategies designed to avoid conflict and...
-
ERP 532: Acceptance and Change in Love: How Couples Navigate Conflict and Connection - An Interview with Dr. Shireen Rizvi
Navigating the ups and downs of relationships can feel like learning a new language without a guidebook. When emotions run high, or misunderstandings arise, it's easy to get stuck in frustration or repeat patterns that don't serve us—or our partners—well. How do you ask for what you need, stay…
more -
ERP 531: When Desire Feels Lost: Why It's Not the Problem and What Actually Is — An Interview with Tarisha Tourok
Desire isn't always as simple as it seems. For many couples, the initial spark of sexual and emotional intimacy can dim over time, replaced by questions, misunderstandings, and the painful sense that something has faded or is "broken." When mismatched desire enters a relationship, it can quickly...
-
ERP 530: When Productivity Becomes a Barrier to Intimacy — An Interview with Israa Nasir
Are you caught in the race to do more, be more, and achieve more—only to find yourself feeling stuck, disconnected, and unfulfilled? In an age where "hustle culture" pushes us to optimize every moment, a quiet crisis is unfolding: our relentless drive for productivity may actually be undermining...
-
ERP 529: Unspoken Relationship Contracts: Why You Feel Resentful and What to Do About It — An Interview with Elizabeth Webb
Are you stuck in a cycle of giving too much—or never quite feeling your needs are met—in your relationships? So many of us find ourselves trapped in unspoken agreements, repeating old patterns of imbalance, and wondering why our closest connections leave us feeling depleted and resentful. It's…
more -
ERP 528: Love as a Practice: How Virtues Help Couples Stay Connected and Aligned - An Interview with Susanne Alexander
What if the key to lasting love wasn't just about finding the right person, but about growing the right partnership? Too often, couples step into long-term relationships without the relational tools, shared vision, or understanding of virtues that make for true unity. Instead of connection,...
-
ERP 527: How Unconscious Patterns Shape Communication and Why We Miss Each Other — An Interview with Julie Nise
Repeating the same old arguments with no satisfying conclusion? It's a frustrating cycle—misunderstandings compound, resentment simmers, and the sense of connection begins to fade. Many couples find themselves stuck in patterns where efforts to communicate and show love seem to miss the mark,...
-
ERP 526: Why Speaking up Deepens Love, Even When It Feels like Conflict — An Interview with Tonya Lester
Are you tired of feeling like you have to choose between keeping the peace and being true to yourself in your relationships? Many people mistake silence for harmony, stuffing down their true feelings for fear of conflict, only to wake up one day feeling unheard, unseen, and disconnected. But what...
-
ERP 525: Why 'Right and Wrong' Thinking Is Hurting Your Relationship—and What to Do Instead — An Interview with Anna Sterk
Ever found yourself stuck in an argument, desperately clinging to being "right," only to realize it's pushing you further from the person you love? So many of us fall into this silent trap—believing that our idea of respect, kindness, or connection is universal, only to watch as those assumptions...
-
ERP 524: Rethinking Forgiveness: Letting Go Without Letting It Be Okay — An Interview with Dr. Margaret Cochran
Are you stuck in the painful loop of blame, shame, or resentment after a breakup or conflict? "Forgive and forget" sounds simple, but the reality of moving forward—especially when trust or boundaries have been violated—often feels like an impossible task. The baggage we carry from past...
-
ERP 523: The Subconscious Patterns That Keep Us Stuck in Love — And How to Break the Cycle – An Interview with Riana Malia
Are you living a life that looks great on paper, but feels like something's missing beneath the surface? You've climbed the ladder, checked all the boxes, yet relationships and real fulfillment seem just out of reach. The cycle of "almost, but not quite" can leave even the most accomplished...
-
ERP 522: Fair Isn't 50/50: How Couples Build a Financial Partnership That Works - An Interview with Heather and Douglas Boneparth
Money isn't just about numbers; it's the silent language shaping intimacy, trust, and fairness in our closest relationships. Beneath the surface of budgets and bank accounts often lies a tangled web of beliefs, emotions, and unspoken histories that can spark misunderstanding, resentment, or even...
-
ERP 521: Resentment as a Mirror and What It Reveals About You and Your Relationship - An Interview With Katie Rössler
Resentment is the silent killer of connection—creeping in beneath the surface, quietly eroding the intimacy and trust between partners. Too often, the frustration we feel in our relationships stems not just from our partner's actions, but from deeper unmet needs and patterns we haven't paused to...
-
ERP 520: Why We Keep Repeating the Same Relationship Patterns and How to Change Them — An Interview With Dr. Molly Burrets
Have you ever wondered why you keep finding yourself in the same relationship patterns, no matter how hard you try to change? It's almost as if, despite our best intentions and awareness, we're drawn to the familiar—even if it's painful. The fear of uncertainty trumps the discomfort of what we...
-
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.…
more -
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,...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
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...
-
ERP 511: From Protection to Connection: Healing Shame and Building Secure Connection — An Interview with Dr. Arielle Schwartz
Have you ever wondered why, in the moments you crave connection the most, you suddenly find yourself pulling back or feeling unworthy of love? It's a confusing cycle—wanting deep intimacy yet stumbling over old shame and protective patterns that keep you at arm's length from those who matter…
more -
ERP 510: The Last 8%: How to Have the Conversations That Matter Most in Your Relationship — An Interview with Bill Benjamin
Ever notice that it's not the everyday conversations or simple disagreements that shape the quality of a relationship—it's those high-stakes moments, the tough talks that feel risky and uncomfortable, that truly define the connection. Far too often, we skirt around what really needs to be said,...
-
ERP 509: When Ambition Costs Connection: How Overachievers Can Find Healthy, Aligned Love — An Interview with Keren Eldad
Are you chasing every gold star, climbing every ladder, and nailing every "right" mark—only to find yourself missing out on real fulfillment and meaningful connection? The relentless pursuit of achievement can sometimes leave us feeling lonely, disconnected from ourselves, and trapped in...
-
ERP 508: The Power of Collaboration: Building Trust and Connection in Love and Life — An Interview with Leslie Grossman
In a world that often glorifies rugged individualism, finding real connection and mutual growth with others can feel elusive, especially when it comes to our closest relationships. The secret ingredient might just be what so many overlook: genuine collaboration—both at home and beyond. What if…
more -
ERP 507: The Power of Attention: How to Access What Really Matters in Moments of Conflict — An Interview with Dana Caspersen
Why do the smallest disagreements with loved ones sometimes feel like the fiercest battles? Conflict in relationships often spirals into unproductive cycles of attack and defense, leaving us stuck, misunderstood, and further apart from the connection we crave. We rush to defend, strategize, and...
-
ERP 506: Regulate Your Body, Transform Your Bond: The Habit Science Behind Healthy Love — An Interview with Hadlee Garrison
Ever feel like your to-do list is running your life and you barely have any energy left for what matters most—like connecting with loved ones or just enjoying the moment? In our fast-paced world, we often believe productivity comes from pushing ourselves harder, burning the candle at both ends…
more -
ERP 505: Money Wounds in Love: Healing the Hidden Stories Behind Your Spending and Saving — An Interview with Shari Rash
When was the last time you felt a sinking feeling just thinking about money? For many, money is far more than just numbers in a bank account—it's tangled up with our emotions, childhood experiences, and even our closest relationships. All too often, conversations around money get swept under the...
-
ERP 504: Loving Through Estrangement: How Couples Can Heal, Support & Stay Connected — An Interview with Dr. Rachel Glik
Navigating the complexities of family dynamics can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope—especially when relationships between parents and adult children become strained or even break down completely. Family estrangement is an increasingly common challenge that can leave everyone involved…
more -
503: How to Feel Safe in Love: Healing Attachment Wounds and Building Secure Relationships — An Interview with Jessica Baum
Many of us move through life repeating the same painful relationship patterns—feeling unsafe, unseen, or disconnected, even when we're trying our hardest to "do everything right." Invisible wounds from early experiences quietly shape the ways we love, cope, and relate as adults. Instead of...
About this show
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.
Hosted by
Dr. Jessica Higgins