PODCAST · society
Soul Path Alchemy
by Annie O'Brien
Tired of love & light nonsense? Same.Soul Path Alchemy cuts through the BS and speaks to the part of you that’s bone-tired, soul-hungry, and done pretending. Hosted by psychotherapist Annie O’Brien, this podcast dives into the messy, mystical truth of healing, heartbreak, and living. No masks. No jargon. Listen if you dare to change. It is raw and unfiltered... but so is life! Soul Path Alchemy isn’t here to soothe your ego. It’s for those who’ve been through it - the heartbreak, the shame, the silence - and want truth. Covering sex, relationships, betrayal, grief, rage, desire & more...
Episodes
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122. Feelings are your friend - When Feelings Speak: Why Listening Heals More Than Suppressing
Most of us were taught early on to hide, ignore, or dismiss our feelings. Anger was “bad,” sadness was “too much,” joy was “silly.” Over time, we learned to disavow what we feel and the cost is high. Repressed emotions don’t vanish; they return as anxiety, depression, physical tension and broken...
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121. Important Update: Where to Find New Episodes - New Episodes Are on YouTube First
A Small Shift to Keep the Soul Work Flowing. https://www.youtube.com/@SoulPathAlchemyPodcast This is a little update from me - Annie - to let you know what’s next for Soul Path Alchemy. For now, new episodes will be shared on YouTube first, simply because it’s become too much to manage both...
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120. Why You’re Arguing in Circles (and Don’t Even Realize It)
Are you stuck having the same fight on repeat? Whether it’s with a partner, family member, or friend, circular arguments leave you drained, unheard, and frustrated. In this episode, I unpack the real reason conflicts keep looping, the hidden wounds, unmet needs, and unspoken fears that fuel the...
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116. Morning Meditation: In The Doorway of Breath, Enter The Miracle & Remember The Light: Meditation for Beauty, Confidence, Connection & Grace
Safety Notice: Do not listen while driving, operating machinery, or performing any activity that requires your full attention. This meditation is designed for relaxation and deep inward focus only. Step through The Doorway of Breath and enter the miracle of your own becoming. This Soul Path…
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114. Why People Cheat - The Truth No One Admits
Cheating isn’t random. It isn’t just about lust, boredom, or “a mistake.” There’s always a psychology behind it and it’s usually deeper, darker, and more human than people want to admit. In this episode, I unpack the real reasons people cheat: the unmet needs, the escape routes, the fantasies…
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113. Hypervigilance: When Safety Becomes the Enemy. Freud Made Me Do It.
Hypervigilance looks like control, like being “on it,” like nothing gets past you. But really? It’s a defence... a way of scanning every room, every text, every sigh from your partner, because some part of you never feels safe enough to switch off. In this episode of Freud Made Me Do It, I break...
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112. Guided Meditation for Self-Identity & Inner Freedom (Psychosynthesis/Assagioli Practice)
This guided meditation is based on Roberto Assagioli’s classic psychosynthesis exercise of identification and disidentification. It is my version - altered. Designed to help you step out of limiting roles, thoughts, and emotions, the practice creates space for deeper self-awareness and inner...
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111. Stonewalling: The Truth Behind the Silent Treatment - Why Stonewalling Destroys Love Faster Than Cheating.
Stonewalling isn’t quiet. It’s loud. It’s the slammed-shut door in the middle of an argument, the blank stare when you’re desperate to connect, the silence that says more than any words could. In this episode, I break down exactly what stonewalling is, why people do it, and the damage it causes…
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109. The Ick Explained: Attraction, Disgust & the Truth Behind It. Intuition or Intimacy Defence?
What is “the Ick” that sudden shift from attraction to disgust? Most people call it avoidant attachment, but that’s missing the point and it's definitely only a tiny percentage. In this Relationship Autopsy I break down the real psychology of the Ick: primal disgust, projection collapse, loss of...
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107. Deep Self-Love Meditation: A Guided Journey into the Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit & Beyond!
This meditation is designed to support your relaxation and inner well-being. Please do not listen while driving, operating machinery, or engaging in any activity that requires your full attention. Only listen when you are in a safe place where you can relax completely. Step into a deep self-love...
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106. Cosmic Wisdom: Mind Rules, Hermetic Principles & Universal Laws That Govern Life
Cosmic Wisdom: Mind Rules, Hermetic Principles & Universal Laws That Govern Life explores the hidden architecture that shapes every thought, choice, and relationship. Everyone has heard of the Law of Attraction but it’s only one note in a much bigger symphony. This episode brings together the…
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105. Ghosted: The Psychology Behind Disappearing Acts
Ghosting isn’t just rude, it’s deeply psychological. In this episode, we break down why people disappear without explanation, what ghosting reveals about attachment styles, and the hidden shame and avoidance driving it. You’ll learn how ghosting impacts self-worth, why it triggers old wounds, and...
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104. Transformation, Power & Deep Change-Pluto Direct October 13
On October 13, Pluto goes direct and the energy is nothing short of transformative. In this episode, we explore what Pluto direct really means: the shift from deep inner excavation to outer change, the release of buried power, and the invitation to step into a new phase of rebirth. We’ll look at...
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103. Why Sex Disappears - And What It Really Means.
No one gets into a relationship planning to stop having sex. Yet millions of couples end up there in a quiet, unspoken desert where intimacy has dried up but the relationship still limps on. In this episode, I tear into the truth about sexless relationships: why they happen, what they reveal…
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102. Why That Disaster Felt Like Destiny - Bad Choices In Relationships
Think you chose them because of chemistry, charm, or fate? Think again. This episode rips open the psychology of attraction and shows you exactly why you fell for that person ; the patterns, the blind spots, and the tricks your own mind played on you. It’s sharp, it’s funny, and it might just…
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101. Thank You!
A brief thank you message after 100 episodes. For all the support I want to say I am truly grateful!
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100. Love Lost in Translation: Mishearing, Mind-Reading & Meltdowns
Most couples don’t break up because of betrayal they break up because they stop hearing each other. In this episode, I unpack how mishearing, mind-reading, projecting, and tone-twisting can sabotage connection faster than any affair. You’ll hear the psychodynamic truth behind distorted listening,...
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99. Emotionally Checked Out? Isolation of Affect - Freud Made Me Do It!
In this episode of Freud Made Me Do It, we dive into Isolation of Affect, the defense mechanism that lets you talk about the worst thing that ever happened to you as if you were reading the weather. Freud noticed how the mind sometimes severs facts from feelings, keeping you cool and detached on...
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94. When Laughing Means Crying: Humour As Emotional Armour. (Freud Made Me Do It).
In this episode of Freud Made Me Do It, we dive into humour as a defense mechanism - the Irish favourite and one we all secretly rely on. From Freud’s early notes to Vaillant’s research, we’ll explore how humor works in your psyche: when it helps, when it heals and when it keeps you from facing…
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89. Regret & The Life You Didn't Live: Regret's Shadow Over Love & Life
Regret is one of the most powerful and painful emotions we face. It’s the haunting shadow of the life we didn’t live, the choices we didn’t make, the words we never spoke. In this episode, I explore the psychology of regret and the “life unlived,” drawing on depth psychology, psychoanalysis and...
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87. The Beauty of Directness: No Games. No Guesswork! Make Love Thrive. Stop Hinting & Start Loving!
In this Love That Lasts episode I get into the beauty of directness in relationships. No games and no guesswork. When we hint, when we drop signals, or when we expect someone to read our mind, we set ourselves up for frustration and distance. Directness might feel risky but it is the fastest way…
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86. Toddler Tantrums Decoded: From Meltdowns to Meaning; A Parent’s Guide to Tantrums
Tantrums aren’t just noise, they’re also communication. In this guide, you’ll learn the four main types of tantrums in children ages 0-7 (frustration, overwhelm, boundary-testing, and distract tantrums), how to tell them apart and the best ways to respond without shame or power struggles.…
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85. Ego On Steroids! Self-Aggrandisement: Freud Made Me Do It!
In this Freud Made Me Do It episode, we dive into the defense mechanism of self-aggrandisement that subtle (or not so subtle) ego inflation that shows up in conversations, relationships and even on social media. Why do people exaggerate their achievements? How does this defense mask deep...
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84. Happy Birthday, Sophie! Freud, Fur and Four-Legged Magic
Sophie turns two! 🐾 My golden cocker spaniel and executive paw-ducer - gets her very own birthday episode. From Sigmund Freud’s dog-filled therapy sessions (yes, patients bribed his pups to behave) to the mind-blowing superpowers of canine noses, we’re celebrating everything that makes dogs...
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83. Situationships! Here’s the Psychology Behind It and NO... It's NOT Complicated
Situationships aren’t love, they’re limbo. This episode explains why they feel so magnetic, why they drain you and how to finally walk away. Are you stuck in a situationship???Not quite love, not quite single, caught in the endless “almost”? This episode unpacks the psychology of why…
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82. Sexual Frustration: Power, Silence and the Death of Desire.
Nobody talks about sexual frustration but it’s everywhere. This episode takes a deep dive into the hidden psychodynamics of unmet desire. From the shame, anger, and loneliness it creates, to the sideways numbing through food, drink, porn, shopping or overwork. Sexual frustration is the silent...
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81. Low Libido: The Partner Who Wants Less Sex Has The Power!
Who really holds the power in your relationship? In this episode I unpack Schnarch’s provocative insight: thepartner with the lowest libido has the most power. But it’s not just about sex; it’s about desire, conversation,affection, money and the subtle imbalances that shape intimacy. We’ll…
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80. Ex Revival Syndrome: The Psychology of Going Back! Relationship Autopsy
Why do we resurrect old relationships long after they’ve ended? In this episode, we dive into X-Revival Syndrome - the powerful psychological pull that makes us text an ex, stalk their socials, or fantasize about a reunion years later. We’ll explore the psychodynamics of nostalgia, unfinished...
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79. Stop Acting, Start Feeling: Freud’s Take on Dramatisation. Freud Made Me Do It!
Dramatisation!!! It’s that defence mechanism that turns everyday struggles into full-blown theatre. In this episode of Freud Made Me Do It, we’ll explore why some of us instinctively exaggerate, act out or re-stage our pain instead of simply naming it. From Freud’s original observations to the...
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78. Lunar Eclipse 7th September 2025: Virgo - Pisces. Thresholds Of The Psyche. (A Virgo Pisces eclipse through the lens of Soul Signatures, alchemy and psychological astrology.)
Astrology meets psychology in this deep dive into the Virgo Pisces eclipse. In this episode I explore the symbolism of eclipses, the exact Sun Moon opposition, and the powerful aspects shaping this moment in the sky; from Saturn’s karmic flashpoint at 29° Pisces to Neptune, Uranus and Pluto at…
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77. Love That Feels Like Home - Safety Is Sexy! Love That Lasts.
What makes love feel safe, steady and lasting? In this episode we explore the psychology of love that feels like home; the kind that settles your nervous system instead of setting it on fire. We look at the difference between drama and depth, how early attachment shapes what feels familiar and…
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76. Thinking Without Feeling, Feeling Without Thinking. Freud Made Me Do It.
Ever told a story about the worst moment of your life and wondered why you sounded like you were reading a bus timetable? That’s isolation of affect. It is a defense mechanism where the mind protects itself by stripping the feelings away from the facts. In this episode we explore where this…
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75. Healthy Fights - Stronger Love. Love That Lasts!
How to fight fair! Healthy conflict in relationships. Conflict doesn’t ruin relationships; avoiding it or fighting destructively does. In this episode we unpack how healthy couples argue in ways that strengthen, not shatter their bond. You’ll learn why fair fighting matters, the hidden dynamics...
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74. Why Shared Vision Is The Secret To Love That Lasts
What makes love last isn’t just chemistry. It’s vision. In this episode we unpack why shared purpose is the foundation of extraordinary relationships. We look at the psychology of risk and trust, the role of novelty and growth, and the ways couples keep love magnetic when they back each other’s...
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73. Why They’re Hiding You...When Love Won’t Go Public
You are dating but are you really seen? Some people will share your elbow, your shadow or your half-cropped face on social media before they ever claim you as a partner. In this episode we look at what is really going on when someone hides love in plain sight. We explore the psychology behind...
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72. Separation Anxiety Explained: Calming the Tears, Building the Bond. Back to School.
Separation anxiety can turn school mornings, bedtime or even short trips to the shop into an emotional storm. In this episode we’ll unpack what separation anxiety really is, not just “clinginess” or “bad behaviour” but a normal stage of child development rooted in attachment and safety. You’ll...
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71. Confabulation: When Your Mind Makes Up Stories to Protect You. Freud Made Me Do It!
Confabulation is a defense mechanism that fills in the blanks of memory with stories that feel true but are not. It is not lying on purpose but the mind’s way of protecting you from shame fear or uncertainty by creating a version of events that you can live with. In this Freud Made Me Do It…
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70. Why You Feel Superior When You’re Falling Apart Inside - Grandiosity. Freud Made Me Do It!
Grandiosity is the defense mechanism that makes you feel larger than life when inside you feel small and threatened. It is the mind’s trick of inflating the ego to protect against shame doubt and vulnerability. In this Freud Made Me Do It episode we explore the roots of grandiosity in...
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69. Tearing People Down... Devaluation. Freud Made Me Do It
Devaluation is one of Freud’s most cutting defense mechanisms and you have seen it or lived it whether you realised it or not. It is the moment someone flips from praise to contempt or when love curdles into criticism and coldness. In this Freud Made Me Do It episode we break down why the mind…
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68. The Exhausted Parents Guide to a Quick &Effective Bedtime Routine
Struggling with bedtime battles? In this episode I share the exhausted parent’s guide to bedtime routines that actually work. From worry boxes and magic jellybeans to body scans and storytime hacks and even binaural beats for kids’ sleep you’ll get practical funny evidence-based strategies to…
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67. Emotional Abandonment: When Your Partner Chooses the Pub Over You
What happens when your partner is physically present in your life but emotionally married to the pub or the golf course or anywhere that is not you? In this Relationship Autopsy episode we dig into the quiet heartbreak of being a “pub widow” or widower, the neglected partner left at home while...
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66. Being Fake - Inauthenticity: The Defence of Wearing Masks. Freud Made Me Do It.
In this Freud Made Me Do It episode, we take apart inauthenticity...the defence that keeps you smiling, pleasing and performing while betraying your true self. From childhood survival strategies to adult relationship sabotage, inauthenticity is the mask we wear to avoid rejection and conflict.…
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65. PCOS - Mood, Hormones, Heartbreak & Hope
PCOS is more than irregular periods and hormonal charts, it’s exhaustion, mood swings, fertility worries, and the invisible weight of not being understood. In this episode, the layers of PCOS are peeled back: the hormonal chaos, the misdiagnosis of depression and anxiety, the deep frustration and...
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64. Daydreaming - Illusion Formation:The Defence That Writes Rom-Coms in Your Mind (While Life Falls Apart Outside) Freud Made Me Do It
In this Freud Made Me Do It episode, we unpack daydreaming...the subtle defence where fantasy replaces reality. From harmless mind-wandering to full-blown illusion formation, daydreaming protects us from pain by building a world in our heads. But while it feels soothing, it often sabotages...
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63. Where the Heart Is: Chosen Family, Abandonment & the Love That Waits. (Movie Mirrors)
Where the Heart Is isn’t just a small-town drama; it’s a masterclass in attachment, abandonment and the miracle of chosen family. In this Movie Mirror episode, I dive deep into Novalee Nation’s journey: from barefoot, pregnant and abandoned at Wal-Mart, to discovering sisterhood, dignity and...
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62. Liar Liar - The Defence That Destroys Trust - Prevarication (Freud Made Me Do It)
In this Freud Made Me Do It episode, we dive into prevarication; the defence mechanism of lying, dodging and spinning stories instead of facing truth. From everyday fibs to pathological deception, prevarication reveals how the psyche protects itself by avoiding straight answers. We’ll explore its...
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61. Failure to Launch & to Love: Mammy's Boys (Relationship Autopsy)
In this Relationship Autopsy, we cut straight into the Irish classic: the Mammy’s Boy. Why do some men stay fused to their mothers, unable to separate, launch or truly love a partner? We’ll explore the psychodynamics of enmeshment, arrested development and emotional suffocation; why intimacy...
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60. Over-React Much? Condensation - The Defense That Crams Ten Feelings Into One Reaction (Freud Made Me Do It)
Freud called it condensation - the brain’s trick of cramming a whole mess of feelings, fears, and forbidden desires into one neat little package. Think: five arguments, three childhood wounds, and a dash of shame - all dumped into a single dream, word, or reaction. In this Freud Made Me Do It...
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59. Passion Is NOT Pain! Volcanic "Love"!!! Relationship Autopsy
Passion isn’t supposed to feel like pain. If love feels unpredictable, unsafe, or like a battlefield, it’s not love - it’s a trauma pattern. In this episode, I dig into why we mistake chaos for chemistry, how reenactment keeps us hooked, and what it really means to build love that lasts.Walking…
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58. One Day You're Adored - The Next - Despised! Splitting - Freud Made Me Do It!
One day you’re adored, the next you’re despised. Splitting is the psychological defense that turns relationships into black-and-white battlegrounds — and it leaves no room for nuance, compassion, or truth. In this episode, I unpack why people split, how it shows up in love and family life, and…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Tired of love & light nonsense? Same.Soul Path Alchemy cuts through the BS and speaks to the part of you that’s bone-tired, soul-hungry, and done pretending. Hosted by psychotherapist Annie O’Brien, this podcast dives into the messy, mystical truth of healing, heartbreak, and living. No masks. No jargon. Listen if you dare to change. It is raw and unfiltered... but so is life! Soul Path Alchemy isn’t here to soothe your ego. It’s for those who’ve been through it - the heartbreak, the shame, the silence - and want truth. Covering sex, relationships, betrayal, grief, rage, desire & more...
HOSTED BY
Annie O'Brien
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Soul Path Alchemy have?
Soul Path Alchemy currently has 108 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Soul Path Alchemy about?
Tired of love & light nonsense? Same.Soul Path Alchemy cuts through the BS and speaks to the part of you that’s bone-tired, soul-hungry, and done pretending. Hosted by psychotherapist Annie O’Brien, this podcast dives into the messy, mystical truth of healing, heartbreak, and living. No masks. No...
How often does Soul Path Alchemy release new episodes?
Soul Path Alchemy publishes regularly with 108 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Soul Path Alchemy?
You can listen to Soul Path Alchemy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Soul Path Alchemy?
Soul Path Alchemy is created and hosted by Annie O'Brien.
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