Reimagining Love (Dr. Alexandra Solomon)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Reimagining Love
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
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| 13 Aug 2024 | Ten Essential Skills for Navigating Conflict (Part Two) (Re-release) | 01:08:43 | |
In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra shares ten essential skills for couples struggling with routine conflict in their relationship. Offering strategies from her couples therapy practice, Dr. Alexandra provides new language and ways of thinking about arguments that promote empathy and care, shifting couples into a "we" perspective so that they can move through hard times as a team. Relevant links: Listen to Part One of the Conflict series Access the Conflict Skills worksheet Couples therapy directories: Order Dr. Alexandra's new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 18 Mar 2025 | Is There an “Effort Mismatch” in Your Relationship? | 00:56:27 | |
When two partners have a major difference between them, it can kick up a lot of dust in a relationship. One of the most common is what Dr. Alexandra calls “The Effort Mismatch”: while one partner tends to scan the relationship for problems and is always on the lookout for growth opportunities (The Change Partner), the other partner holds steady, generally accepting the relationship for what it is today (The Acceptance Partner). The good news is, when both partners understand and value their differences, this contrast between them can be a huge asset to their relationship. However, most couples with an Effort Mismatch struggle to reckon with this discrepancy, digging their heels into their side of the dynamic or wishing their partner would magically change. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra explores the internal and relational experience of each of these two types of partners, shares tailored reminders and guidance for each of them, and explains how this difference can actually be extremely complementary, even as it poses challenges for a couple. Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 12 Nov 2024 | What Role Did You Play in Your Family of Origin? (Re-release) | 01:06:30 | |
Today’s episode is the first of a new solo episode series on Reimagining Love about Family of Origin Roles. Tune in on the first two Tuesdays of each month to learn about how the roles we were cast into as children and held within our family systems shape how we show up in our relationships today. Whether you were the one who held the family together, the rebel who pushed back against household norms, or the “easy” kid who flew under the radar, we all inhabited a position in the community of our family and absorbed certain messaging about love, connection, and worthiness as a result. To start off this series, we’re revisiting this in-depth solo episode, in which Dr. Alexandra explains the six common roles we might have played in our original family systems. Through understanding our past, we can see how these roles continue to show up in our relationships today and use that knowledge as a powerful Relational Self-Awareness tool. In December, we’ll begin releasing role-specific episodes for each of the six roles, starting with “The Perfect One,” so be sure to catch that conversation next month. Relevant links: Take the Family of Origin Roles Quiz Reimagining Love: “Tending to “Little You” & Exploring Your Family of Origin” Dr. Alexandra’s Psychotherapy Networker Article Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 25 Feb 2025 | How to Know When It’s Right: The Conversations that Unlock Connection with Lindsay Jill Roth | 00:55:51 | |
Many of us have cultivated confidence in our careers, our family life, and our friendships, but when it comes to dating, we feel lost at sea. This was the case for acclaimed TV and live events producer Lindsay Jill Roth, who found herself asking what she knew were the wrong questions in dating (What does he want me to say? How can I make this person like me?). So, she set out to create a tool for herself that she's now sharing with the world. In her new book, Romances & Practicalities, Lindsay offers a roadmap for how to understand your wants and needs better and truly communicate and connect with the person you’re dating, through 250 research-backed questions spread across twelve categories—from money to children to chores to sex. These questions help folks develop deeper intimacy and open up about what they’re looking for in an intimate partnership. In her conversation with Dr. Alexandra, you’ll hear about Lindsay's budding romance with her now husband, the couples she spoke with who have used this system, and the wisdom and practical guidance she’s garnered from the clinical experts she interviewed for the book—including Dr. Alexandra! Lindsay urges listeners to view expansive and thoughtful dialog as something sexy, not just vital, as they get to know someone that they think might be their person. Lindsay and Dr. Alexandra also address a thoughtful listener question at the end of the episode, about dating across socio-economic class. Romances & Practicalities: A Love Story (Maybe Yours!) in 250 Questions by Lindsay Jill Roth Lindsay’s website Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 18 Feb 2025 | From Disconnected to Passionate: How to Get Out of a Sexual Rut with Dr. Kate Balestrieri | 00:50:07 | |
Conversations about sex are so important, but approaching the topic with a partner can feel overwhelming. When we come up against sexual challenges in our relationships, it can be easy to fall into patterns of blame and shame. Listening to this episode is a great first step as you find your voice and reclaim your power in your sex life. You’ll hear from psychologist and sex therapist Dr. Kate Balestrieri, who joins Dr. Alexandra for a conversation all about sexuality and her new book, What Happened to My Sex Life? They explore the importance of creating shared agreements and visions with your partner when it comes to sex, how to navigate retroactive jealousy, and the role safety plays in our sexual connections. They also respond to a listener question about how someone’s sexual history can impact their current relationship dynamic. Dr. Kate’s book: What Happened to My Sex Life? A Sex Therapist's Guide to Reclaiming Lost Desire, Connection, and Pleasure Dr. Kate’s Instagram: @drkatebalestrieri Dr. Kate’s website: Modern Intimacy Get Naked with Dr. Kate (podcast) Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 11 Feb 2025 | Family of Origin Roles Series: The Rebel (From Critical to Curious) | 00:57:07 | |
Today’s episode is part of a solo series on Reimagining Love about Family of Origin Roles (a.k.a. FOO roles). We’re exploring how the roles we were cast into as children and held within our family systems shape how we show up in our relationships today. Whether you were the one who held the family together, the rebel who pushed back against household norms, or the “easy” kid who flew under the radar, we all inhabited a position in the community of our family and absorbed certain messages about love, connection, and worthiness as a result. Check out the introductory episode of the series if you missed it! All previous role-specific episodes are also linked below, along with the FREE Family of Origin Roles workbook, Reclaiming You. We’re taking a look at “The Rebel” role in today’s episode. Some family systems are well-equipped to handle disagreement, debate, and resistance. But when a family is under pressure in any way, a child who questions or challenges the system is going to be seen as a threat. While the Rebel may cling to their strong opinions and double down on their critical stance, feelings of fear, isolation, and anxiety may occur and continue into adulthood, especially around conformity and authority. Does this sound like you, or someone you love? Listen to the episode to learn more about this role and how The Rebel can break free from old stories that their only path to safety was to push back and choose the path of opposition. Relevant links: Get the FREE Family of Origin Roles Workbook: Reclaiming You Reimagining Love episode: “People-Pleasing vs. Brutal Honesty: When & How to Share Feedback with Your Partner” Reimagining Love episode: “When Having ‘No Filter’ Hurts a Relationship” Take the Family of Origin Roles Quiz Dr. Alexandra’s Psychotherapy Networker Article Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 15 Oct 2024 | High-Functioning Codependency: From Managing to Loving with Terri Cole | 00:55:37 | |
What would your reaction be if someone asked if you’re codependent? If “Certainly not!” is your immediate response, this episode invites you to look a little deeper. While we often turn to a single definition of codependency—enabling another person in a situation that is damaging or dangerous, such as addiction—Terri Cole‘s new book, Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency, expands on this traditional and insufficient definition to include those who are “overly invested in the feelings of the people in our lives to the detriment of our own internal peace.” Terri is a licensed psychotherapist, empowerment coach, and recovering high-functioning codependent. In therapy sessions with her highly capable patients, Terri noticed a lot of pushback when she would suggest that they might be codependent. However, when she clarified her updated definition, they immediately recognized these traits in themselves and could begin recovering from these detrimental behaviors. It is likely that you recognize these traits in yourself or someone close to you, so I hope that you will come away enlightened and empowered from Terri’s explanation of the clues that highlight these traits, the heavy cost to both the individual and their loved ones, and how we can all be of service to others without adopting problematic patterns. We also unpack a thoughtful question from a listener in Nova Scotia Canada about rebuilding a damaged relationship with her four adult children. Relevant Links:
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| 04 Mar 2025 | Stop, Breathe, Be: Transformative Resets to Curb Stress with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar | 00:45:17 | |
Are you stressed? According to physician and stress expert Dr. Aditi Nerurkar’s research, the answer is most likely “YES.” Whether it’s due to pressure at work, the unrelenting deluge of news, care responsibilities, or relationship challenges (or all of the above!), it’s understandable that most of us feel overwhelmed. But when old coping strategies aren’t working anymore and life feels unmanageable, it takes a toll on our brains, bodies and longevity. Dr. Aditi joins Dr. Alexandra on today’s episode for a transformative conversation, centered on her bestselling book “The Five Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body For Less Stress and More Resilience.” Dr. Aditi is a Harvard stress expert, medical doctor, and researcher who is committed to offering actionable, practical, and science-backed approaches to reimagining your relationship with everyday stress and burnout. They discuss the solutions she shares in her book, which will empower you to develop the right kind of resilience, the kind that will allow you to move through challenges with patience and stability. And Dr. Aditi also shares her three second brain reset, “Stop, Breathe, Be” for listeners to try out. Relevant Links: The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar Dr. Aditi’s website Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 29 Oct 2024 | Finding "The Self": Exploring Internal Family Systems Therapy with Dr. Richard Schwartz | 01:02:43 | |
Have you ever felt like different parts of yourself were competing for attention and power? Maybe you have aspects of your personality that you’re proud of, and others that you’d rather keep hidden from the world—the ones that tend to rear their heads in your not-so-shining moments. According to Internal Family Systems Therapy, a framework developed by today’s guest, Dr. Richard Schwartz, we are all made up of sub-personalities or “parts.” IFS posits that by investigating and understanding where each of those parts come from and how they are dictating our current behavior, we can better understand our unique mental world and determine how to make change to support our healing and improve our relationships. Dr. Alexandra talks with Dr. Dick about how IFS has the potential to help individuals understand themselves, strengthen their romantic relationships, or even navigate the dating world. They also explore a question from a listener in Toronto who wants to feel more deeply understood in conversations with her boyfriend. IFS is a theoretical framework that has helped many folks, but as always, Dr. Alexandra encourages you to see what resonates with you in this conversation and what might be helpful to bring into your own processes of self-discovery and healing, and to your relationships. Relevant Links:
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| 10 Sep 2024 | Healing Relationships: Reclaim the Masculine and Feminine Within with Dené Logan | 01:01:22 | |
In North America, we’re conditioned from an early age to cultivate specific components of our full personalities and curtail others. For people socialized as girls, traditionally “feminine” qualities such as softspokenness and emotional exploration are encouraged, while assertiveness is discouraged. For people socialized as boys, qualities like toughness and a stiff upper lip are considered masculine, and they are advised against being open about their feelings. But as hard as patriarchal society has worked to separate us into specific personas based on our sex, the truth is that we all carry masculine and feminine energies within us. In this episode, marriage and family therapist and Depth Psychology expert Dené Logan embarks with me on an exploration of how we manage, heal, and share our internal energies—this is the fascinating topic of her new book, Sovereign Love: A Guide to Healing Relationships by Reclaiming the Masculine & Feminine Within. Relevant Links:
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| 11 Apr 2025 | Introducing ‘No Small Endeavor’: How to Have Flourishing Relationships with Alexandra Solomon | 00:51:42 | |
Today, we are excited to share Dr. Alexandra’s recent interview on the Signal Award-winning podcast No Small Endeavor. Produced by PRX and Great Feeling Studios, the podcast explores what it means to live a good life with the help of courageous and impassioned guests like renowned happiness expert Gretchen Rubin, Hidden Brain podcast host Shankar Vedantam, and New York Times bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell. In this specific episode, host and theologian Lee C. Camp and Dr. Solomon discuss insights from her book, "Loving Bravely,” as well as the secrets to thriving intimacy, mastering the art of apology, and staying truly present with your partner. Not to mention she shares practical tools for navigating the inevitable challenges of long-term love. Listen to more episodes of No Small Endeavor here: https://lnk.to/D28Fv3 | |||
| 19 Mar 2024 | From Burnout to Balanced: Bringing Self-Compassion to Our Careers with Esther Boykin | 00:50:52 | |
Esther Boykin joins Dr. Alexandra for an expansive conversation around the intersection of mental health and our careers. Esther highlights the difference between self-care and self-compassion, and points us towards using self-compassion as an essential tool for improving both our personal and work lives. When we bring self-compassion to our careers, we prevent burnout by opening up a deeper connection to our common humanity. Together, Esther and Dr. Alexandra then respond to a listener who thinks her relationship is being held back by her partner's ambition. Relevant links: Connect with Esther online and on Instagram Learn more about Therapy Is Not A Dirty Word and the Compassion Collective Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan Reimagining Love episode: "Talking about the Future: Navigating a Pace Discrepancy" Order Dr. Alexandra's new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 02 Apr 2024 | When Shame Blocks Repair | 00:52:09 | |
In this solo episode, Dr. Alexandra confronts a common roadblock to repair: shame. Often, in the wake of relational harm, feelings of shame secretly run the show, causing you to get combative and defensive or freeze, flee, or fawn in essential moments. Dr. Alexandra provides strategies for moving from shame into action—so that you can make yourself available for repair—and gives tangible tips for how to make a heartfelt and effective apology. Relevant links: Access this episode's companion worksheet here Reimagining Love episode: "Why Can't I Get Over It?" Dr. Alexandra's e-course: Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding after Betrayal or Deceit Brené Brown's TED Talk: Listening to Shame Building Self-Esteem: How Learning from Shame Helps Us to Grow by Joseph Burgo Order Dr. Alexandra’s new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 17 Dec 2024 | Bedroom Conversations: Why Great Sex Starts With Great Communication with Vanessa & Xander Marin | 01:00:07 | |
On today’s episode of Reimagining Love, Vanessa & Xander Marin join Dr. Alexandra for a frank and compassionate conversation about sex—specifically, sex in long-term relationships. It’s normal for couples to fall into a rut in the bedroom, ranging from sex feeling kind of “meh,” to long periods without any intimacy at all. These ebbs and flows are part of being in a long-term relationship or marriage, and the good news is, there are actions you can take to chart a new course with your partner and to get excited about each other again. Vanessa and Xander are a couple who have been creating that very roadmap for folks, through their amazing online courses, their podcast, Pillow Talks, and their New York Times-bestselling book, Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life. Vanessa is a sex therapist with 20 years of experience who has been featured in outlets like O, The Oprah Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Goop, and she has written for The New York Times, Allure, and Lifehacker. And Xander? Well, he is a “regular dude” who left his corporate job to join Vanessa in this work. Together they blend clinical wisdom, humor, openness, and their own personal stories to normalize talking about our sex lives and to offer techniques for improving yours. You are going to hear about their personal experience with couple therapy and how they landed on the agreement, “If it matters to one of us, it matters to both of us.” They share so many juicy insights about sex, from desire discrepancy to initiation to their amazing acronym “P.L.E.A.S.E.,” which you’ll learn in this conversation. This episode will give you the confidence to shift the way you and your partner talk about sex and couple therapy, as well as anything else you might be stuck on. Relevant Links: Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life by Vanessa & Xander Marin Vanessa & Xander’s website: https://vmtherapy.com/https://vmtherapy.com/ Vanessa & Xander’s courses & challenges: https://vmtherapy.com/holiday-gift-guide-2024 Vanessa & Xander’s podcast, Pillow Talks: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pillow-talks/id1569466131 Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 03 Dec 2024 | Family of Origin Roles Series: The Perfect One (From Performance to Presence) | 00:48:57 | |
Today’s episode is part of a new solo series on Reimagining Love about Family of Origin Roles (aka FOO roles). Tune in on the first two Tuesdays of each month to learn about how the roles we were cast into as children and held within our family systems shape how we show up in our relationships today. Whether you were the one who held the family together, the rebel who pushed back against household norms, or the “easy” kid who flew under the radar, we all inhabited a position in the community of our family and absorbed certain messages about love, connection, and worthiness as a result. Check out the introductory episode of the series if you missed it last month! Up first in Dr. Alexandra’s exploration of family roles is “The Perfect One.” If you were the superstar kid in your family, known for bringing home good grades and accolades, this might be you. As an adult, perhaps you seek validation and affirmation of your worthiness through tangible accomplishments. You may believe you’re only as good and worthy of love as your job title, latest career win, parenting flex, or fitness milestone. Does this sound like you, or someone you love? Listen to the episode to learn more about this role and how The Perfect One can embark on their healing journey. Visit www.masterclass.com/alexandrasolomon to check out the class I co-taught with Ryan Holiday and other experts about the wisdom of ancient philosophy and how it can help us improve communication, resilience, and relationships. Relevant links: Get the FREE Family of Origin Roles Workbook: Reclaiming You Take the Family of Origin Roles Quiz Reimagining Love: “Tending to ‘Little You’ & Exploring Your Family of Origin” Dr. Alexandra’s Psychotherapy Networker Article Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 09 Jul 2024 | Relational Ambivalence: Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Part Two) (Re-release) | 00:45:55 | |
In the second part of the "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" series, Dr. Alexandra continues the conversation about Relational Ambivalence and offers listeners eight things they can do to help them move from stuckness to clarity. Relevant links: Listen to Part One of this series Get the Relational Ambivalence worksheet "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" article by Dr. Alexandra Order Dr. Alexandra's new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 16 Jul 2024 | Ditch the “Shoulds”: How Feminism Improves Your Love Life with Kara Loewentheil | 00:56:41 | |
Research shows that gender socialization plays out most rigidly in our intimate relationships. How do we learn to separate our thoughts and actions from our socialization? In this episode, podcaster, author, and feminist coach Kara Loewentheil joins Dr. Alexandra for an expansive conversation that confronts the ways in which patriarchy influences our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Relevant links: Take Back Your Brain: How a Sexist Society Gets in Your Head--And How to Get It Out a New York Times Bestseller by Kara Loewentheil Listen to the Unf*ck Your Brain Podcast Order Dr. Alexandra's new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 13 Feb 2024 | Are You Ready to Date Again? | 00:58:03 | |
Thinking about re-entering the dating scene after a breakup or loss? How can you tell if you're truly ready to get back out there? In this solo episode, Dr. Alexandra provides five Relational Self-Awareness-informed indicators that you can use to help you discern whether you’re ready to date again. Relevant links: Access this episode's companion worksheet here Listen to Reimagining Love's "Guidance for the Newly Single" episode Learn more about Relational Self-Awareness with Dr. Alexandra's books, Loving Bravely and Taking Sexy Back Order Dr. Alexandra’s new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 20 Aug 2024 | Safe Conversations: The Healing Power of Listening with Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt and Dr. Harville Hendrix | 00:47:29 | |
What happens when we listen and are listened to more fully, forging a deeper connection? Decades of research tell us that the brain undergoes physiological changes when we begin to “talk without criticizing, listen without judgment, and connect beyond difference.” This is the definition of dialogue coined by today’s guests, Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt and Dr. Harville Hendrix. Doctors Hunt and Hendrix are internationally recognized couples therapists, educators, speakers, and a married couple themselves. Through decades of research, they developed the Imago Relationship Therapy method, which is taught to therapists around the globe. In this episode, they speak with Dr. Alexandra about moving from monologue (turning the conversation to focus on oneself) to dialogue (keeping the conversation focused on the speaker), and how listening and ensuring true understanding of a speaker’s meaning has enormous benefits to our relationships and our brains. Relevant Links:
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| 05 Mar 2024 | "Why Can't I Get Over It?" | 00:55:56 | |
Deceit, infidelity, and betrayal profoundly shake our inner worlds. If you're struggling to heal from relational harm, you may be endlessly ruminating on the past and wondering why you can't just let it go. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra breaks down the process of forgiveness and provides seven reasons why you can’t get over it. Relevant links: Access this episode's companion worksheet here Dr. Alexandra's e-course: Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding after Betrayal or Deceit Reimagining Love episode: "Tending to "Little You" & Exploring Your Family of Origin" Taking Sexy Back: How to Own Your Sexuality and Create the Relationships You Want by Dr. Alexandra Solomon | |||
| 27 Aug 2024 | Love and Loss: Expanding Compassion as You Grieve with J.S. Park | 00:47:23 | |
Loss and grief are universal and profoundly human. The death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a trauma that drastically shifts the trajectory of a life—each spurs a unique grieving process that can be difficult to navigate for both the people grieving and their support systems. As a chaplain at a Level One Trauma Center in Florida, J.S. Park provides emotional and spiritual care for and comfort to those experiencing grief. His support of patients at the end of their lives, and of the loved ones who remain, adds tremendous impact and compassion to his most recent book, As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve. In this episode, J.S. shares with Dr. Alexandra what his education and experience have taught him about the “right” things to say and the ways to support grieving loved ones. He offers deeply considered insights into our misguided fear of bringing up the deceased, the impact of loss on the past and the future, and how to care for both a loved one and oneself during the grieving process. Relevant Links:
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| 06 Aug 2024 | Ten Essential Skills for Navigating Conflict (Part One) (Re-release) | 00:40:38 | |
In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra shares ten essential skills for couples struggling with routine conflict in their relationship. Offering strategies from her couples therapy practice, Dr. Alexandra provides new language and ways of thinking about arguments that promote empathy and care, shifting couples into a "we" perspective so that they can move through hard times as a team. Relevant links: Access the Conflict Skills worksheet Couples therapy directories: Order Dr. Alexandra's new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 25 Mar 2025 | Can You Have an Amazing Career AND an Amazing Relationship? | 00:48:31 | |
Few topics are more relevant to our day-to-day lives than work. For many of us, our jobs are more than just occupations—they’re where we achieve goals, make meaning, experience successes and failures, and cultivate our self-esteem. So, when work and love collide, we find ourselves at a rich intersection of emotions, expectations, and needs. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra uncovers why fighting with your partner about work is never just that, and shares tools you can use to cultivate intimacy and ambition simultaneously. You’ll learn about what Dr. Alexandra calls “the Work-Love Matrix,” understand the connections between your experience in the workplace and your experience growing up in your Family-of-Origin, and hear a five-step practice you can use today to have more supportive conversations about work with your partner. Further Listening: Is Work Stress Taking a Toll on Your Relationship? (Reimagining Love) Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 20 Feb 2024 | Love By Design: Why Couples Succeed with Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh | 00:59:29 | |
Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh returns to Reimagining Love to share her research on the six ingredients that help love bloom into a thriving relationship. In this conversation, Dr. Sara encourages us to move beyond our culture's myth of finding a perfect mate and instead, focus on creating something special together. Relevant links: Love by Design: 6 Ingredients to Build a Lifetime of Love by Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh Use code "Reimagine" for 10% off Dr. Sara's Relationship Panoramic Inventory (Valid until 2/29/24) Learn more about Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh Order Dr. Alexandra's new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 27 Feb 2024 | Trauma Bonds: Healing from Unhealthy Relationship Dynamics with Dr. Laura Copley | 01:02:43 | |
What are trauma bonds and how can we heal from them? Dr. Laura Copley joins the podcast to dive into the sticky dynamics of unhealthy, trauma-bonded relationships. Drawing from personal experiences and her work as a relationship trauma expert, Dr. Laura gives us insight into what she calls "the hero's journey" — a transformative path towards recognizing our origin stories, attachment wounds, and current relationship dynamics so that we can transcend our trauma and form authentic connections. Relevant links: Loving You Is Hurting Me: A New Approach to Healing Trauma Bonds and Creating Authentic Connection by Dr. Laura Copley Learn more about Dr. Laura's work online and on Instagram Order Dr. Alexandra's new book, Love Every Day | |||
| 04 Feb 2025 | Family of Origin Roles Series: The Parentified Child (From Confidant to Consultant) | 00:45:36 | |
Today’s episode is part of a solo series on Reimagining Love about Family of Origin Roles (a.k.a. FOO roles). We’re exploring how the roles we were cast into as children and held within our family systems shape how we show up in our relationships today. Whether you were the one who held the family together, the rebel who pushed back against household norms, or the “easy” kid who flew under the radar, we all inhabited a position in the community of our family and absorbed certain messages about love, connection, and worthiness as a result. Check out the introductory episode of the series if you missed it! All previous role-specific episodes are also linked below. We’re taking a look at “The Parentified Child” role in today’s episode. The child cast into this role likely heard that they were “so mature,” “wise beyond their years,” or were praised for their comforting presence when they were growing up. The problem? Kids shouldn’t have to provide emotional support to the adults in their family. Unfortunately for the Parentified Child, this felt like the surest route to safety and love, perhaps due to a chaotic environment, overwhelmed parents, or conflict in the family system. As an adult, the Parentified Child carries with them a certain set of beliefs and tendencies that they picked up as a kid in this role. Does this sound like you, or someone you love? Listen to the episode to learn more about this role and how The Parentified Child can free themselves from always taking on others’ needs and create more egalitarian relationships that feel safe and nourishing. Relevant links: Get the FREE Family of Origin Roles Workbook: Reclaiming You Reimagining Love episode with Dr. Hillary McBride: Getting Present: Tuning Into Your Body with Dr. Hillary McBride Reimagining Love series: “I Love My Partner, But Their Family is Toxic”: Part 1, Part 2 Girlhood Interrupted: The Erasure of Black Girls' Childhood (Rebecca Epstein, Jamilia J. Blake, Thalia González, from the Center on Poverty and Inequality, Georgetown Law) Past episodes of the Family of Origin Roles Series: Introductory Episode, The Perfect One (From Performance to Presence), The Easy One (From Accommodation to Authenticity), The Struggling One (From Scapegoat to Self-Advocate), The Peacemaker (From Referee to Realist) Take the Family of Origin Roles Quiz Dr. Alexandra’s Psychotherapy Networker Article Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day | |||
| 30 Sep 2021 | Trailer - Reimagining Love | 00:02:51 | |
Reimagining Love with Dr. Alexandra Solomon is your destination for profound, enlightening discussions about love, family, intimacy, and everything in between — a podcast that gives us the opportunity to reimagine ourselves, our relationships, and our world. Hosted by renowned clinical psychologist, professor, and award-winning author Dr. Alexandra Solomon, featuring conversations with notable guests from the worlds of therapy, academia, and pop-culture. To join our conversation about the relationships that matter most, subscribe or follow the podcast today. (Guest voices include: Esther Perel, Nick Viall, Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh, Dr. Adia Gooden, Shadeen Francis) Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: | |||
| 26 Oct 2021 | Loving Through Crisis: How We Reconnect with Esther Perel | 00:49:22 | |
How do we reconnect with our loved ones, and ourselves, during times of global crisis? On this episode, Dr. Alexandra is joined by renowned psychotherapist and author Esther Perel to puzzle through this pressing question. You may recognize Esther’s voice from her celebrated TED talks, which have garnered more than 30 million views. Her bestselling books delve into topics of desire, infidelity, and sustaining mystery and excitement in long-term relationships. Together, Esther and Alexandra address a nuanced listener question about whether to move forward with a relationship that has fallen flat during the COVID-19 lockdown. They also share information about Esther’s upcoming conference, Sessions Live, which is dedicated to therapists, coaches, and other professionals who help people navigate the complexities of modern relationships. Reimagining Love listeners can get a discount on their Sessions Live ticket by using the code “reimagininglove” at checkout: https://sessions.estherperel.com/sessions-live-2021 Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Mentioned in this episode: Terry Real: UCSF burnout study: The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller: Adam Grant on Languishing https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grant_how_to_stop_languishing_and_start_finding_flow Lisa Fortuna: https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/profile/lisa-fortuna/ Rachel Botsman: | |||
| 02 Nov 2021 | Inviting a Reluctant Partner Into Relationship Work | 00:45:12 | |
When one partner is ready and committed to doing the deep emotional work of improving a relationship, and the other partner is not quite there yet, it can feel like a difference that is impossible to bridge. In this solo episode, Dr. Alexandra explores “Relational Self-Awareness Discrepancies,” sharing tools and ideas that couples can use to generate empathy and move to a place of understanding and growth when faced with this common issue. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Gabor Mate: https://drgabormate.com/ Dr. Sue Johnson: https://drsuejohnson.com/ | |||
| 09 Nov 2021 | Difference as a Bridge: Cross-Cultural Love with Dr. Adia Gooden | 00:43:20 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by guest expert Dr. Adia Gooden for an in-depth discussion about loving across a cultural difference. Together they answer a listener question and then broaden out to discuss racial, ethnic, religious, and political differences in intimate partnerships. Dr. Alexandra and Dr. Gooden validate the challenges these couples will likely face while also highlighting the beautiful possibilities for growth, richness, and respect between two individuals with different origin stories. This episode also explores the ways that cross-cultural relationships have the potential to send positive reverberations through families, communities, and beyond. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Dr. Adia Gooden’s website: Pew: Intermarriage in the U.S. 50 Years After Loving v. Virginia: Pew: Interfaith marriage is common in U.S., particularly among the recently wed: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/06/02/interfaith-marriage/ Pew: Shared religious beliefs in marriage important to some, but not all, married Americans: | |||
| 16 Nov 2021 | Dating & Dealbreakers: Lessons from Reality TV with Nick Viall | 00:48:44 | |
Nick Viall starred on the 21st season of ABC’s The Bachelor and hosts the popular podcast The Viall Files, where he discusses all things Bachelor Nation. On this episode, Dr. Alexandra chats with Nick about the national conversations that The Bachelor franchise spurs about relationships, gender, and dating, and how these conversations can be both productive and divisive. Nick shares experiences and tools from his own relationship and helps Dr. Alexandra answer a listener question about defensiveness. (CW: brief mention of sexual harassment & abuse) Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Dr. Alexandra Solomon: A Clinical Look at the Break-Up of Katie & Greg (The Viall Files): Breaking Down Marriage 101 with Dr. Alexandra Solomon (The Viall Files): Nick's Instagram: | |||
| 23 Nov 2021 | Getting Your Needs Met: Relationship Boundaries with Shadeen Francis | 00:48:56 | |
Therapist Shadeen Francis joins Dr. Alexandra to respond to a listener who is interested in opening up her marriage, but is facing resistance from her partner. They use this question as a springboard to explore the topic of disclosed non-monogamy, unmet needs, mental health and communication in a long-term partnership. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Shadeen’s Website: Shadeen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadeenfrancis/ Terry Real's book, "I Don't Want to Talk About It": https://terryreal.com/product/i-dont-want-to-talk-about-it/
Learn more about the topics covered in this episode: The Flexibility of Female Sexuality with Wednesday Martin (The Psychology Podcast) Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma, and Consensual Nonmonogamy (Jessica Fern) Relationship Bill of Rights (Eve Rickert and Franklin Veaux) | |||
| 30 Nov 2021 | Love Stories: Unconditional Love with Moe Ari & Sandra Brown | 01:28:09 | |
In this first “Love Stories” episode, Dr. Alexandra sits down in the studio with Moe Ari and his mother, Sandra Brown. Originally assigned female at birth, Moe has used his own gender transition story to help many others discover their authentic voice and navigate the difficult journey of alignment, as a therapist and mindset coach. Moe and Sandra discuss their respective experiences of Moe’s transition, sharing the moments of realization, layers of grief, and unconditional love that allowed them to deepen their relationship through this major transformation. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Moe’s website: Moe’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveoutproud/?hl=en
Additional resources: Moe Ari on the Mark Groves Podcast | |||
| 07 Dec 2021 | (Re)Gathering for the Holidays | 00:55:26 | |
The holidays are upon us. How do we want to do things differently this year? Dr. Alexandra discusses how to make the most of gatherings with loved ones, from having compassionate conversations, to taking breaks, to connecting over shared memories. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Games to spark connection and conversation: Table Topics: Heads Up: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wb.headsup&hl=en_US&gl=US Where Should We Begin? A Game of Stories (Esther Perel) https://www.estherperel.com/where-should-we-begin-the-game Catch Phrase: https://www.target.com/p/ultimate-catch-phrase-game/-/A-79749959 Love Lingual: Referenced in this episode: Priya Parker in conversation with Krista Tippett: | |||
| 14 Dec 2021 | Dating Again: Healing the Past, Embracing the Present with Elizabeth Earnshaw | 00:48:43 | |
A listener question about dating after divorce spurs a fascinating discussion between Dr. Alexandra and guest expert Liz Earnshaw, a marriage and family therapist and author of the new book I Want This To Work. Liz and Dr. Alexandra offer encouragement and possibilities to this listener as he considers looking for love in this new chapter. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Referenced in this episode: Liz Earnshaw's book: I Want This to Work: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating the Most Difficult Relationship Issues We Face in the Modern Age Gottman’s “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” | |||
| 21 Dec 2021 | Relocating for Love: Finding Agency in Accommodation with Vienna Pharaon | 00:51:32 | |
How do we know when we are too accommodating in relationships, or not accommodating enough? Dr. Alexandra invites therapist and friend Vienna Pharaon on the show to talk about major life transitions and how they can impact our intimate partnerships. Together, they answer a question from a listener who is struggling to adjust to a new city and lifestyle, after having moved where her partner is doing his med school residency. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Vienna Pharaon’s e-course, “The Origins of You”: http://www.newyorkcouplescounseling.com/ Vienna Pharaon’s Instagram, @mindfulmft | |||
| 28 Dec 2021 | Love Stories: Embodied Sisterhood with Drs. Lindsay & Lexie Kite | 01:16:03 | |
For this special Love Stories episode, Dr. Alexandra welcomes identical twins Dr. Lindsay Kite and Dr. Lexie Kite to Reimagining Love. Lindsay and Lexie received PhDs in the study of women’s body image and have become leading experts in body image resilience and media literacy. Dr. Alexandra dives deep with the Kites to hear about their childhood growing up as identical twins, tracing how the challenges and joys of their sisterhood led them to the important work they do today and how their relationship has evolved through every stage of life. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ More Than a Body: Your Body is an Instrument, Not an Ornament by Drs. Lindsay and Lexie Kite The Kites’ website: | |||
| 04 Jan 2022 | Working Through Jealousy as a Couple | 00:48:06 | |
In this solo episode, Dr. Alexandra gets into the nitty gritty of a common relational challenge: jealousy. Addressing both the jealous individual and their partner, Dr. Alexandra illustrates how jealousy can manifest, what it says about a relationship and how couples can move through the emotion as a team. Dr. Alexandra’s E-Course: Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding After Betrayal or Deceit https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/can-i-trust-you-again-rebuilding-after-betrayal-or-deceit Get the companion worksheet for this episode: www.dralexandrasolomon.com/jealousy Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Resources and help lines for relationship abuse and domestic abuse: The Widespread Suspicion of Opposite-Sex Friendships (The Atlantic) https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/08/mistrust-opposite-sex-friendships/596437/ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Romantic Jealousy (Psychology Today) Study: The Price of Distrust: Trust, Anxious Attachment, Jealousy, and Partner Abuse https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5380380/ Study: Romantic Attachment and Subtypes/Dimensions of Jealousy | |||
| 11 Jan 2022 | Reclaiming Pleasure: Trauma, Healing, & Communicating Boundaries with Holly Richmond | 00:46:34 | |
Dr. Holly Richmond joins Dr. Alexandra for a rich discussion about her book, Reclaiming Pleasure: A Sex-Positive Guide for Moving Past Sexual Trauma and Living a Passionate Life. They also answer a listener question about communicating sexual boundaries in dating situations. (CW: sexual trauma) Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Dr. Holly Richmond’s book, Reclaiming Pleasure: A Sex-Positive Guide for Moving Past Sexual Trauma and Living a Passionate Life: Dr. Holly Richmond’s free mini-course, “Grounding Exercises for Survivors Reclaiming Pleasure after Sexual Trauma” https://www.reclaimingyourpleasure.com/freeminicourse Dr. Holly Richmond’s Instagram, @drhollyrichmond https://www.instagram.com/drhollyrichmond/ National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) Additional resources and help lines: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 18 Jan 2022 | Discernment in Dating: Cutting Through the Noise with Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh | 00:45:38 | |
Dating is hard enough, and with so many voices offering advice, opinions, and hot takes, it can be challenging to tune in with yourself and how you really feel about a new prospect. Dr. Alexandra invites Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh on the show to answer a question from a listener who is having this exact challenge, and they discuss ways to regulate the nervous system and tune in with the body before, during, and after a date. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski: https://bookshop.org/books/burnout-the-secret-to-unlocking-the-stress-cycle/9781984818324 Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh’s website: https://www.sara-nasserzadeh.com/ Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh’s Instagram: | |||
| 25 Jan 2022 | Love Stories: Recovering from Infidelity with Kristi Born & Rainier Wylde | 01:36:28 | |
On this Love Stories episode, Dr. Alexandra welcomes on a couple with a stunning story of rebuilding their marriage in the aftermath of infidelity: Kristi Born & Rainier Wylde. Together, they explore the story of their relationship, starting from the day they first met, to the early years of their marriage, to the moment of rupture, and the incredible journey of repair that they continue today. Their story gives us the opportunity to empathize with the pain of infidelity, as well as providing insights about what rebuilding trust can look when both partners are committed to walking forward together. Dr. Alexandra’s E-Course: Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding After Betrayal or Deceit https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/can-i-trust-you-again-rebuilding-after-betrayal-or-deceit Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Books on infidelity and related topics: What Makes Love Last?: How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal (John Gottman) New Monogamy: Redefining Your Relationship After Infidelity (Tammy Nelson) The State of Affairs (Esther Perel) The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World (Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu) The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (Bessel Van Der Kolk) Kristi's website: Rainier's website: | |||
| 01 Feb 2022 | Can We Rebuild After Infidelity? | 00:44:52 | |
Deciding whether to stay or leave a relationship in the aftermath of infidelity is not easy, and in this episode, Dr. Alexandra walks through the factors to consider when reeling from this crisis. She poses reflection questions for both partners and situates the crisis of infidelity in research and our cultural context. Dr. Alexandra also announces the launch of her new e-course, Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding After Betrayal or Deceit, which can be found below. Get the companion worksheet for this episode: www.dralexandrasolomon.com/trust Dr. Alexandra’s E-Course: Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding After Betrayal or Deceit https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/can-i-trust-you-again-rebuilding-after-betrayal-or-deceit CU Boulder Infidelity Study Infidelity Around the World (The Economist) https://www.economist.com/1843/2018/01/16/infidelity-around-the-world Extramarital Affairs (Pew Research Center) https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2014/01/14/extramarital-affairs-topline/ Post-Traumatic Stress & Infidelity Study (Stress & Health) | |||
| 08 Feb 2022 | Values & Communication: The Next Sexual Revolution with Cindy Gallop | 00:46:27 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by tech entrepreneur Cindy Gallop, who has made waves in the business world. She's the founder of Make Love Not Porn, the world’s first user-generated, human-curated social sex video-sharing platform, socializing and normalizing sex in order to make it easier to talk about sex, and to promote consent, communication, good sexual values and good sexual behavior. Cindy tells the story of MLNP and discusses a listener question with Dr. Alexandra. Dr. Alexandra’s E-Course: Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding After Betrayal or Deceit: https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/can-i-trust-you-again-rebuilding-after-betrayal-or-deceit MakeLoveNotPorn: | |||
| 15 Feb 2022 | From the Inside Out: Attachment Theory & Mindful Parenting with Dr. Dan Siegel | 00:52:07 | |
Dr. Dan Siegel joins Dr. Alexandra to talk about attachment theory, parenting, and healing intergenerational trauma. Dr. Siegel's work looms large in the worlds of psychology, psychotherapy, and interpersonal neurobiology, and he has published many bestselling books, linked below. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Links to a selection of Dr. Dan Siegel's books: Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 22 Feb 2022 | From Performance to Pleasure: A New Vision for Sexuality with Dr. Emily Nagoski | 00:47:57 | |
Dr. Emily Nagoski comes on the show to talk all things sexuality and pleasure with Dr. Alexandra. They answer two listener questions together and discuss Dr. Emily's work and research around female pleasure as well as burnout and the stress cycle. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Come as You Are: Revised and Updated: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. & Amelia Nagoski, DMA https://bookshop.org/books/burnout-the-secret-to-unlocking-the-stress-cycle/9781984818324 Dr. Emily Nagoski's Worksheets: Sexual Temperament Questionnaire Sexual Cues Assessment Worksheet Turning Off the Offs Worksheet The Nap Ministry @thenapministry | |||
| 01 Mar 2022 | "I Love Them, But I'm Not in Love With Them" | 00:42:36 | |
This solo episode focuses on the phrase “I love them, but I’m not in love with them.” Have you heard it in your own life? Dr. Alexandra unpacks what can lie beneath the surface of this phrase and explores the feelings, ideas, and commitments that the world “love” captures for different people. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 The Brain in Love (Helen Fisher, TED): https://www.ted.com/talks/helen_fisher_the_brain_in_love?language=en Taking Sexy Back: How to Own Your Sexuality and Create the Relationships You Want by Dr. Alexandra Solomon: | |||
| 08 Mar 2022 | What Women Lose in Marriage: The Case for a Radical Awakening with Dr Shefali Tsabary | 00:50:11 | |
Dr. Shefali Tsabary, New York Times bestselling author and parenting expert, joins Dr. Alexandra for a rich discussion about her new book, A Radical Awakening: Turn Pain into Power, Embrace Your Truth, Live Free, which explores the ways in which our patriarchal culture traps women into cycles and arrangements that keep them from living their fullest lives. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 A Radical Awakening: Turn Pain into Power, Embrace Your Truth, Live Free by Dr. Shefali Tsabary https://bookshop.org/books/a-radical-awakening-turn-pain-into-power-embrace-your-truth-live-free/9780062985897 | |||
| 15 Mar 2022 | Tending to Loss: What We Get Wrong About Grief with Megan Devine | 00:49:05 | |
Today's episode is all about grief, featuring guest expert Megan Devine. Megan is a grief advocate, dedicated to helping us live through the things we never thought we’d face. Dr. Alexandra and Megan discuss what we all get wrong about grief, and they address a question from a well-meaning listener who wants to learn how to better support a friend who has suffered a painful loss. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 It's Ok That You're Not Ok: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Devine: How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed: A Journal For Grief by Megan Devine: https://bookshop.org/books/how-to-carry-what-can-t-be-fixed-a-journal-for-grief/9781683643708 Refuge in Grief: Megan's Online Community: Connect with Megan: Here After, Megan's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-after-with-megan-devine/id1595914505 | |||
| 22 Mar 2022 | Relational Health: Loving with the Brain in Mind with Dr. Mona Fishbane | 00:50:54 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by renowned guest Dr. Mona Fishbane for a deep-dive into healthy relational habits, conflict resolution, and aging alongside one's partner. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Loving with the Brain in Mind: Neurobiology and Couple Therapy by Mona Fishbane, Ph.D. Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain At Any Age by Sanjay Gupta, MD https://bookshop.org/books/keep-sharp-build-a-better-brain-at-any-age/9781501166730 The Vulnerability Cycle (Dr. Mona Fishbane's article with Michele Scheinkman, CSW): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2004.00023.x Dr. Fishbane's website: | |||
| 29 Mar 2022 | Ten Essential Skills for Navigating Conflict (Part One) | 00:40:12 | |
In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra shares ten essential skills for couples struggling with routine conflict in their relationship. Offering strategies from her couples therapy practice, Dr. Alexandra provides new language and ways of thinking about arguments that promote empathy and care, shifting couples into a "we" perspective so that they can move through hard times as a team. Shop Dame Products (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout) https://www.dameproducts.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3IqSBhCoARIsAMBkTb0r5_iBQR_NRXogKj6fneSiDWl64rULQK1kh0RbSp-HWfzT9_dPZbgaAlRwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Get the companion worksheet for this episode: www.dralexandrasolomon.com/skills Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Couples therapy directories: https://gottmanreferralnetwork.com/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists Domestic violence resources: | |||
| 05 Apr 2022 | Ten Essential Skills for Navigating Conflict (Part Two) | 01:09:00 | |
In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra shares ten essential skills for couples struggling with routine conflict in their relationship. Offering strategies from her couples therapy practice, Dr. Alexandra provides new language and ways of thinking about arguments that promote empathy and care, shifting couples into a "we" perspective so that they can move through hard times as a team. Listen to Part I of the Conflict series: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagining-love/id1588419386?i=1000555568444 Get the companion worksheet for this episode: www.dralexandrasolomon.com/skills Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Couples therapy directories: https://gottmanreferralnetwork.com/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists Domestic violence resources: | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | Relational Authenticity: How Boundaries Protect Us, and Connect Us with Terri Cole | 00:49:44 | |
Boundaries are front and center in this episode with guest expert Terri Cole, author of the book “Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free.” Dr. Alexandra and Terri talk about how the skill of setting boundaries is essential in relationships, and they answer two listener questions together that relate to this issue. Shop Dame Products (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout) Share your feedback in the Reimagining Love Listener Survey: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/survey/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free by Terri Cole: Terri’s Boundary Quiz: Terri’s website: | |||
| 19 Apr 2022 | Somatic Abolitionism: Understanding Racialized Trauma Through the Body with Resmaa Menakem | 00:46:33 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by Resmaa Menakem, a therapist and licensed clinical social worker who specializes in the healing of racialized trauma, for a truly transformative conversation about the somatic impacts of racism and how we can move towards reckoning and healing. Share your feedback in the Reimagining Love Listener Survey: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/survey/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Resmaa's website: The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating Our Nation's Upheaval and Racial Reckoning by Resmaa Menakem My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem | |||
| 26 Apr 2022 | Love Stories: Writing Relationships with Novelist Monica Ali | 00:55:38 | |
In celebration of her new novel, Love Marriage, acclaimed writer Monica Ali joins Dr. Alexandra for a vibrant discussion about writing love stories, exploring themes of sexuality and culture in fiction, and the things that creative writing and therapy may have in common. Love Marriage is a beautiful book that follows two cultures, two families and the secrets they keep, and is available for pre-order now (see below). Pre-order Love Marriage by Monica Ali: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-Marriage/Monica-Ali/9781982181475 Share your feedback in the Reimagining Love Listener Survey: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/survey/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Monica Ali's website: | |||
| 03 May 2022 | We Need to Talk About Ghosting | 00:59:05 | |
Have you ever been ghosted? Dr. Alexandra dives into the cultural weight of this term, and why the experience of being left in the lurch can feel so incredibly painful. Rather than fixating on the unanswerable question of why someone ghosted us, wondering if we did something wrong, or minimizing the pain, Dr. Alexandra encourages us to sit in the grief of a confusing ending and find strength amid the disappointment. Shop Dame Products (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout) https://www.dameproducts.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3IqSBhCoARIsAMBkTb0r5_iBQR_NRXogKj6fneSiDWl64rULQK1kh0RbSp-HWfzT9_dPZbgaAlRwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Dr. Alexandra’s E-Course: Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding After Betrayal or Deceit: https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/can-i-trust-you-again-rebuilding-after-betrayal-or-deceit We Need to Talk About Ghosting - Worksheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AdPotRUt94nPJ5i8-mDavCuzsmwecgRPrg4rqnjWmFg/edit?pli=1 Share your feedback in the Reimagining Love Listener Survey: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/survey/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: | |||
| 10 May 2022 | Reaching the Summit: The Challenges & Possibilities of Modern Love with Dr. Eli Finkel | 00:49:37 | |
Dr. Eli Finkel, a social psychology professor at Northwestern University, joins Dr. Alexandra for an in-depth discussion about the state of marriage and long-term partnership today, in an ever-changing and ever-complicated world. They also discuss Eli's book, The All-Or-Nothing Marriage, and answer a listener question together about a new relationship. The Family Institute at Northwestern University: https://www.family-institute.org/ The All-Or-Nothing Marriage by Eli J. Finkel: https://bookshop.org/books/the-all-or-nothing-marriage-how-the-best-marriages-work/9781101984345 Dr. Eli Finkel's Website: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 17 May 2022 | Self-Advocacy in Action: Finding Your Voice in Relationships with Nedra Tawwab | 00:51:56 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by Nedra Tawwab to talk about relational boundaries, self-advocacy, and communication. Nedra offers a whole host of wonderful questions we can ask ourselves when we are feeling drained or annoyed by our partner, as well as suggestions for a listener with a depressed partner who is struggling to establish caretaking boundaries in her relationship. Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout) https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Shop Dame Products (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout) https://www.dameproducts.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3IqSBhCoARIsAMBkTb0r5_iBQR_NRXogKj6fneSiDWl64rULQK1kh0RbSp-HWfzT9_dPZbgaAlRwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab: https://bookshop.org/books/set-boundaries-find-peace-a-guide-to-reclaiming-yourself/9780593192092 Nedra's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nedratawwab/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 24 May 2022 | Understanding Ourselves: The Challenge & Gift of Therapy with Lori Gottlieb | 00:51:37 | |
Lori Gottlieb, Atlantic columnist and bestselling author of “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone,” joins Dr. Alexandra for a conversation about her book and the role of therapy in modern life. They also answer two listener questions together. Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout) https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb: "Dear Therapist" Column in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/projects/dear-therapist/ Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb & Guy Winch (podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-therapists-with-lori-gottlieb-and-guy-winch/id1523340696 Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 31 May 2022 | Love Stories: Permission for Pleasure with Al Fine, Co-Founder & CEO of Dame Products | 00:47:40 | |
On this Love Stories episode, Dr. Alexandra is joined Alexandra Fine, the co-founder and CEO of Dame Products, an innovative company that designs pleasure-enhancing products for people with vulvas. This episode is all about Dame the brand, but more importantly, it’s about Al, the very special person behind Dame's groundbreaking products, who had a radical vision she followed to fruition. Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout) https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Shop Dame Products (use code LOVEPOD for a discount at checkout): Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 07 Jun 2022 | Disrupting the Underfunctioning/Overfunctioning Dynamic | 00:59:10 | |
Dr. Alexandra explores the common underfunctioning/overfunctioning dynamic in long-term partnerships. She talks about why many couples fall prey to these roles, including cultural messaging and family-of-origin scripts, and she shares strategies for breaking free from this dance so that the relationship can feel more balanced. Get the companion worksheet for this episode: www.dralexandrasolomon.com/dynamic The Family Institute at Northwestern University: https://www.family-institute.org/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout) https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 “Overfunctioning and Underfunctioning” by Dr. Will Meek: https://willmeekphd.com/overfunctioning-underfunctioning/ “Women Aren't Nags—We're Just Fed” Up by Gemma Hartley (Harper’s Bazaar, September 2017): https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a12063822/emotional-labor-gender-equality/ “I Live With a Woman—We're Not Immune to Emotional Labor: How LGBTQ couples navigate gender roles at home” by Trish Bendix (Harper’s Bazaar, October 2017): https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a12779502/emotional-labor-lgbtq-relationships/ Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky: | |||
| 14 Jun 2022 | Learning to Cherish: From "You & Me" to "Us" with Terry Real | 00:47:32 | |
World-renowned author and therapist Terry Real joins Dr. Alexandra for a discussion about his career, his new book (Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship), men in relationships, conflict resolution, and more. The Family Institute at Northwestern University: https://www.family-institute.org/ Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship by Terry Real: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 21 Jun 2022 | Getting to Zero: Conflict & Repair with Jayson Gaddis | 00:50:18 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by Jayson Gaddis, founder of The Relationship School and the book "Getting to Zero: How to Work Through Conflict in Your High-Stakes Relationships." They discuss Jayson's approach to conflict-repair, which focuses on calming the nervous system and bringing both partners to their baseline, where the potential for positive change is highest. Jayson and Dr. Alexandra answer a great listener question as well about broaching difficult topics in the context of an intimate partnership. The Family Institute at Northwestern University: https://www.family-institute.org/ Getting to Zero: How to Work Through Conflict in Your High-Stakes Relationships by Jayson Gaddis: The Relationship School: https://relationshipschool.com/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 28 Jun 2022 | Love Stories: Toddcast | 01:10:01 | |
Dr. Alexandra's husband Todd joins her in the studio for a special and personal episode about their decades-long love story and marriage, sharing joyful moments and the lessons they've learned along the way. Check out Dr. Alexandra's community on the Peanut App: peanut.app.link/ReimaginingLove Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 02 Aug 2022 | Relational Ambivalence: Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Part One) | 00:38:17 | |
Welcome back to Reimagining Love! On today's episode, Dr. Alexandra explores the complicated question that many of us have faced at some point in our lives: Should I stay in this relationship, or should I leave? If you're unsure of what the wisest path forward is, and you're hoping to proceed with compassion for your partner and yourself, this episode is for you. Check out Dr. Alexandra's community on the Peanut App: peanut.app.link/ReimaginingLove Get the Relational Ambivalence worksheet: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/ambivalence/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 09 Aug 2022 | Relational Ambivalence: Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Part Two) | 00:44:54 | |
In the second part of the "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" series, Dr. Alexandra continues the conversation about Relational Ambivalence and offers listeners eight things they can do to help them move from stuckness to clarity. Listen to Part 1 of this series: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagining-love/id1588419386?i=1000574755271 Get the Relational Ambivalence worksheet: www.dralexandrasolomon.com/ambivalence "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" article by Dr. Alexandra: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-relational-uncertainty/ E-course for therapists & coaches: “Loving Bravely: Helping Clients who are Single, Dating, and Single Again”: https://catalog.psychotherapynetworker.org/sales/pn_c_afc001347_15_lovingbravely_email-105645 Mark Groves Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_groves_you_were_born_to_love_you_evolved_to_fit_in?language=en Book: Deliberate Practice in Emotion-Focused Therapy (Essentials of Deliberate Practice) by Dr. Rhonda N. Goldman: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Submit your question to Dr. Alexandra: | |||
| 16 Aug 2022 | Tuning into You: How Self-Reflection Creates Healthy Relationships with Emmalee Bierly & Jennifer Chaiken | 00:47:35 | |
The Shrink Chicks—therapists Emmalee Bierly and Jennifer Chaiken—join Dr. Alexandra for a vibrant conversation about cultivating self-understanding in the context of relationships and family. They tackle two wonderful listener questions and share lots of laughs along the way. Check out Dr. Alexandra's community on the Peanut App: peanut.app.link/ReimaginingLove Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Get the Relational Ambivalence worksheet from last week's episode: | |||
| 23 Aug 2022 | Loving and Loving Again: Personal Evolution in Relationships with Mark Groves | 00:47:06 | |
Mark Groves joins Dr. Alexandra to answer a listener question about getting back together with an ex, and they discuss the personal growth and expansion that's possible when we allow ourselves to get honest and vulnerable with the people we love most, and with ourselves. Check out Dr. Alexandra's community on the Peanut App: peanut.app.link/ReimaginingLove Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Get the Relational Ambivalence worksheet from last week's episode: | |||
| 30 Aug 2022 | Love Stories: Partnership & Parenthood with Cathy & Todd Adams | 01:07:42 | |
On this special Love Stories episode, Dr. Alexandra is joined by Cathy and Todd Adams. They're husband and wife, co-hosts of the popular podcast Zen Parenting Radio, and so much more. Cathy and Todd open up about all aspects of their relationship, discuss how it's grown and changed over time, and explore how it connects with their work around parenting and personal growth. Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and Our Children in an Unpredictable World by Cathy Cassani Adams Zen Parenting Radio: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zen-parenting-radio/id414414318 Zen Parenting Website: https://zenparentingradio.com/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding After Betrayal or Deceit (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/can-i-trust-you-again-rebuilding-after-betrayal-or-deceit | |||
| 06 Sep 2022 | Talking About the Future: Navigating a Pace Discrepancy | 01:03:14 | |
On this solo episode, Dr. Alexandra dives into a topic that all of us have grappled with at some point or another: talking about the future with our partner. If you're struggling with a pace discrepancy with your partner, whether it's about becoming exclusive, moving in together, getting married, or starting any kind of new chapter, this conversation is for you. Get the Talking About the Future worksheet: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/future Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Intimate Relationships 101 (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/intimate-relationships-101 Take Dr. Alexandra's E-Course, Can I Trust You Again? Rebuilding After Betrayal or Deceit (use code LOVEPOD for 10% off at checkout): https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/can-i-trust-you-again-rebuilding-after-betrayal-or-deceit | |||
| 13 Sep 2022 | Coming Home to Ourselves: The Path to Thriving with Dr. Thema Bryant | 00:48:15 | |
Dr. Thema Bryant, president-elect of the American Psychological Association, joins Dr. Alexandra for a rich conversation about how we can heal, grow, and thrive, both on the individual and community level. They also answer a listener question about how and when to speak up in difficult family arguments about religious beliefs. Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole, Authentic Self by Dr. Thema Bryant: The Antiracism Handbook by Dr. Thema Bryant and Dr. Edith G Arrington: The Homecoming Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-homecoming-podcast-with-dr-thema/id1471604689 Dr. Thema's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.thema/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: | |||
| 20 Sep 2022 | How to Love Well: The Little Things that Change Everything with Drs. John & Julie Gottman | 00:51:10 | |
Today's episode features two legends from the fields of couples therapy and relationship science: Dr John Gottman, and Dr. Julie Gottman. They sit down with Dr. Alexandra for a conversation about their groundbreaking research and careers, as well as their own relationship with one another, and share simple and actionable steps you can use today to deepen connection in your long-term partnership. The Gottman Institute website: The Love Prescription: Seven Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy by Drs. John & Julie Gottman Small Things Often (The Gottman Institute podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-things-often/id1498172564 | |||
| 27 Sep 2022 | Love Stories: Leading with Purpose with Julie Lythcott-Haims | 00:43:30 | |
Julie Lythcott-Haims, bestselling author of the books "How to Raise an Adult," "Real American," and "Your Turn: How to Be an Adult," joins Dr. Alexandra on the show to discuss her career, groundbreaking writing, and the challenges she's decided to take on along the way. Listen to feel inspired by Julie and her mission to bring attention to the issues that matter most. How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims: How to Be an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims: https://bookshop.org/books/your-turn-how-to-be-an-adult-9781250838414/9781250137777 Real American: A Memoir by Julie Lythcott-Haims: https://bookshop.org/books/real-american-a-memoir/9781250296733 Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: | |||
| 04 Oct 2022 | "I Love My Partner, But Their Family is Toxic!" (Part One) | 00:44:13 | |
In-law dynamics are complicated. What do you do when your partner's family is particularly challenging, or you're the one in the relationship with the family drama? Dr. Alexandra addresses all of this and more in today's episode. Sessions Live Conference with Esther Perel (use code "ALEXANDRA" at checkout for 10% off): Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: | |||
| 11 Oct 2022 | "I Love My Partner, But Their Family is Toxic!" (Part Two) | 00:43:17 | |
In-law dynamics are complicated. What do you do when your partner's family is particularly challenging, or you're the one in the relationship with the family drama? Dr. Alexandra addresses all of this and more in today's episode. Sessions Live Conference with Esther Perel (use code "ALEXANDRA" at checkout for 10% off): Get the In-Laws worksheet: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/inlaws/ Listen to Part 1 of this episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagining-love/id1588419386?i=1000581520129 Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: | |||
| 18 Oct 2022 | Getting Present: Tuning Into Your Body with Dr. Hillary McBride | 00:49:24 | |
Dr. Hillary McBride joins Dr. Alexandra to discuss her work on embodiment and presence. They talk about why and how to listen to what your body is telling you, and Dr. Hillary guides listeners through a body meditation that can help you come back to the present moment and feel more at ease. Sessions Live Conference with Esther Perel (use code "ALEXANDRA" at checkout for 10% off): The Wisdom of Your Body: Finding Healing, Wholeness, and Connection Through Embodied Living by Dr. Hillary McBride: Mothers, Daughters, and Body Image: Learning to Love Ourselves as We Are by Dr. Hillary McBride: Dr. Hillary's website: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: | |||
| 25 Oct 2022 | Love Stories: Building a Life Together with Elise & Suz | 00:54:27 | |
In this Love Stories episode, Dr. Alexandra sits down with Elise & Suz, a young and recently married couple, for a thoughtful conversation about queerness, modern marriage, and building a life together. Elise & Suz share the story of how they met, their relationships with their own queerness and identity, and how they reimagined traditions for their wedding. They also reflect on some of the challenges, and the joys, of the post-marriage chapter. Sessions Live Conference with Esther Perel (use code "ALEXANDRA" at checkout for 10% off): Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 01 Nov 2022 | Tending to "Little You" & Exploring Your Family of Origin | 01:06:03 | |
Dr. Alexandra guides listeners through an exploration of their "Original Love Classroom"—the family system they grew up in—and explains why the roles we were cast in as children impact the way we relate to those we love in the present. Register for Dr. Alexandra's E-Courses before the price increases on 11/11/22: https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/ Download the worksheet for this episode: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/roles/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: | |||
| 08 Nov 2022 | Caring For Ourselves & Each Other: How We Heal with Alex Elle | 00:50:02 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by Alex Elle, author of the new book "How We Heal." They discuss healing through personal writing, how we can re-parent ourselves, and how we can build a life full of individual and relational growth amidst challenges and change. Register for Dr. Alexandra's E-Courses before the price increases on 11/11/22: https://courses.dralexandrasolomon.com/ How We Heal: Uncover Your Power and Set Yourself Free by Alexandra Elle Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: | |||
| 15 Nov 2022 | The Sweetness of Self-Care: Baking by Feel with Becca Rea-Tucker | 00:40:05 | |
Becca Rea-Tucker is a cookbook author and Instagram sensation who bakes with a purpose, and she joins Dr. Alexandra for a sweet discussion about her new cookbook, Baking by Feel, and her cakes with feminist messages that inspire people to use their voice. Baking by Feel: Recipes to Sort Out Your Emotions (Whatever They Are Today!) by Becca Rea-Tucker Becca's Instagram (@thesweetfeminist) https://www.instagram.com/thesweetfeminist/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: | |||
| 29 Nov 2022 | Love Stories: My Best Friend Ali | 00:46:19 | |
Dr. Alexandra sits down with her lifelong best friend, Ali, for a heartfelt conversation about their four decades of friendship and everything they've learned about each other and themselves along the way. Ali's book, "The Heirloom" https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-heirloom-alexandra-folz/11612835?ean=9780998276908 Ali's intuitive counseling website: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 22 Nov 2022 | We All Deserve Support: Making Therapy Accessible & Healing from Heartbreak with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford | 00:48:11 | |
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, founder & CEO of Therapy for Black Girls, joins Dr. Alexandra to discuss her mission to make mental health topics more relevant and accessible for Black women. They also discuss what to look for in a new therapist, the personal growth that comes from breakups and new beginnings, and a listener question from a single mom who's struggling with FOMO. Therapy for Black Girls (including the online therapist directory): https://therapyforblackgirls.com/ Dr. Joy's website: Therapy for Black Girls Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therapy-for-black-girls/id1223803641 Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 06 Dec 2022 | Is Work Stress Taking a Toll on Your Relationship? | 00:57:39 | |
Stressing about our jobs is inevitable, and it can take a real toll on our intimate partnerships. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra explores what happens when we take work home with us, and how it may create challenging dynamics with those we love. She provides tools and strategies to manage work stress in healthier ways, have empathetic conversations with our partners, and foster compassion for ourselves. Get the Work Stress companion worksheet: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/workstress/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 13 Dec 2022 | Moving Through Our Emotions: Cultivating Joy & Resilience with Erica Hornthal | 00:51:03 | |
Dance movement therapist Erica Hornthal joins Dr. Alexandra for an enriching conversation about how movement and dance can have a transformative positive impact on our mental health. They also answer a listener question about regulating one's emotions during difficult conversations with a partner. Body Aware: Rediscover Your Mind-Body Connection, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Improve Your Mental Health with Simple Movement Practice by Erica Hornthal: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 03 Jan 2023 | When Having "No Filter" Hurts A Relationship | 00:38:18 | |
Open communication is a key component of a healthy intimate partnership. But discerning what to share with our partner, as well as when and how to share it, is a common challenge. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra teases out this issue, offering ideas for how we can be both candid AND compassionate towards those we love. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 10 Jan 2023 | People-Pleasing vs. Brutal Honesty: When & How to Share Feedback with Your Partner | 00:54:24 | |
Open communication is a key component of a healthy intimate partnership. But discerning what to share with our partner, as well as when and how to share it, is a common challenge. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra teases out this issue, offering ideas for how we can be both candid AND compassionate towards those we love. Get the companion worksheet for this episode: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/nofilter/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 17 Jan 2023 | Evolving Together: Updating Our Relationships with Our Parents with Daniel Maté | 01:27:21 | |
Daniel Maté joins Dr. Alexandra for a discussion centering on parent-child relationships, with a focus on how to cultivate and update this relationship once both parties are adults. They discuss the "Hello Again" workshops that Daniel and his father, Gabor Maté, facilitate for people to work on this specific relationship, and explore the challenges and possibilities of the parent-child bond. Shop Organifi products and get 20% off as a Reimagining Love listener: https://www.organifishop.com/pages/lovepod Hello Again: A Fresh Start For Parents And Their Adult Children: https://www.helloagainproject.com/ Walk with Daniel: https://www.walkwithdaniel.com/ Let's Get Lyrical with Carice & Daniel (Podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-get-lyrical-with-carice-daniel/id1661415500 Daniel's website: The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté with Daniel Maté Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 24 Jan 2023 | Masculinity & Vulnerability: How Men's Healing Helps All of Us with Connor Beaton | 00:53:06 | |
Dr. Alexandra's guest on this episode is Connor Beaton, a coach, speaker, and author of the new book "Men's Work." Their conversation focuses on men’s work and healing and touches on universally relevant topics including breaking free from shame and self-isolation, owning our emotions, and connecting with a kind of inner-strength that comes from courage and humility, rather than domination. Shop Organifi products and get 20% off as a Reimagining Love listener: https://www.organifishop.com/pages/lovepod Men's Work: A Practical Guide to Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, and Find Freedom by Connor Beaton: Connor's website: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 31 Jan 2023 | Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness: The Connection Between Thriving Relationships and A Fulfilling Life with Dr. Marc Schulz | 00:52:36 | |
Dr. Marc Schulz, co-author of the book "The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness" joins Dr. Alexandra for a fascinating overview of the longitudinal research that he and his colleague Dr. Robert Waldinger synthesized in their new book. Dr. Schulz discusses some of the biggest takeaways from this study with Dr. Alexandra, including hopeful and exciting insights about the connection between thriving relationships and a fulfilling life. Shop Organifi products and get 20% off as a Reimagining Love listener: https://www.organifishop.com/pages/lovepod The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger MD and Marc Schulz PhD Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 07 Feb 2023 | Is Your "Situationship" Working? | 00:44:54 | |
Casual and/or circumstantial relationships can be fun, but they also pose unique challenges and often bring up complex emotions. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra shares her thoughts on "situationships" and provides prompts and questions to assess whether your particular relationship is continuing to be enriching, respectful, and clear for both partners—or whether it may be time to move on. Shop Organifi products and get 20% off as a Reimagining Love listener: https://www.organifishop.com/pages/lovepod Get the companion worksheet for this episode: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/situationship/ NPR's 1A: The Joys and Pains of Multigenerational Households: https://the1a.org/segments/the-joys-and-pains-of-multigenerational-households/ "Compersion" article: https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=advance-archive Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 14 Feb 2023 | "Right Person, Wrong Time" | 00:52:31 | |
The timing of how things play out in our lives is often out of our control. How do we decide whether to pursue a budding relationship, even when "the time isn't right," or whether to accept circumstances and let things go? Dr. Alexandra discusses all of this in more in this episode. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 21 Feb 2023 | Breaking Family Patterns & Healing Wounds: The Origins of You with Vienna Pharaon | 00:54:05 | |
Vienna Pharaon returns to Reimagining Love for a profound conversation about her new book, which focuses on the impacts of our family of origin and how we can understand our past to improve our relationships in the present. The Origins of You: How Breaking Family Patterns Can Liberate the Way We Live and Love by Vienna Pharaon: What's Your Origin Wound? Quiz: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Solomon's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 28 Feb 2023 | Building a Home Within Ourselves: From Surviving to Thriving with Tara Schuster | 00:57:52 | |
Dr. Alexandra's guest on this episode is Tara Schuster, an accomplished entertainment executive turned mental health advocate and best-selling author. In this touching conversation, Tara shares her inspiration for her new book, Glow in the F*cking Dark, and how she has lived the mission of building a nurturing home within herself, even when life presents challenges. Glow in the F*cking Dark: Simple Practices to Heal Your Soul, from Someone Who Learned the Hard Way by Tara Schuster: Tara's website: Tara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taraschuster/ Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 07 Mar 2023 | How to Get Closure After a Breakup | 00:50:48 | |
The end of a relationship can feel disorienting and earth-shattering, so it's only natural for us to yearn for the ever-elusive feeling of "closure." In this episode, Dr. Alexandra posits that we often look for closure in the wrong places after a breakup, and she offers an empowering reframe for anyone who's grieving the end of a partnership. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 14 Mar 2023 | Dealing with Breakup Regret | 00:47:53 | |
In this episode, Dr. Alexandra explores common feelings that can follow a breakup, including regret, grief, and loneliness, even for the partner who initiated the breakup. She explains where these emotions come from and what they can signal to us about our healing journey ahead. Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/rsa-quiz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 21 Mar 2023 | The Neuroscience of Pleasure: Why Good Sex Matters with Dr. Nan Wise | 00:55:50 | |
Dr. Nan Wise, a neuroscientist researcher and certified sex therapist, joins Dr. Alexandra for a discussion about the importance of prioritizing healthy pleasure. Dr. Nan shares some of the most fascinating findings from her team's research, especially pertaining to female pleasure. Why Good Sex Matters: Understanding the Neuroscience of Pleasure for a Smarter, Happier, and More Purpose-Filled Life by Dr. Nan Wise: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 28 Mar 2023 | Gender, Family, & the Home: Why "Fair Play" Helps Our Relationships Thrive with Eve Rodsky | 00:51:49 | |
Guest Eve Rodsky is the author of the bestselling book "Fair Play," a gamified life-management system that helps partners rebalance their domestic workload and reimagine their relationship. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra and Eve discuss the problem of invisible domestic labor, especially for women and mothers, and explore how we can reimagine family life to create a more equitable and healthy future for all. Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky: Fair Play Card Deck: https://www.fairplaylife.com/the-cards Fair Play Documentary: https://www.fairplaylife.com/documentary Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 04 Apr 2023 | "I'm Thinking About Getting Back Together With My Ex." (Part One) | 00:44:07 | |
If you are thinking about getting back together with an ex, there's a lot to consider. In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra guides listeners through 12 Relational Self-Awareness questions that will help them gain clarity about their situation and create version 2.0 of their relationship with confidence, if they make the choice to reconcile with their former partner. In next week's episode, Dr. Alexandra will share an accompanying worksheet for this series. Episode 67: Dealing with Breakup Regret: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagining-love/id1588419386?i=1000604088930 Episode 66: How to Get Closure After a Breakup: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagining-love/id1588419386?i=1000603123829 Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 11 Apr 2023 | "I'm Thinking About Getting Back Together With My Ex." (Part Two) | 00:47:54 | |
If you are thinking about getting back together with an ex, there's a lot to consider. In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra guides listeners through 12 Relational Self-Awareness questions that will help them gain clarity about their situation and create version 2.0 of their relationship with confidence, if they make the choice to reconcile with their former partner. Find the link below to listen to Part I of this series if you missed it. Get the companion worksheet for this episode: www.dralexandrasolomon.com/secondchances Part I of this series (previous week's episode): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagining-love/id1588419386?i=1000607309489 Episode 67: Dealing with Breakup Regret: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagining-love/id1588419386?i=1000604088930 Episode 66: How to Get Closure After a Breakup: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reimagining-love/id1588419386?i=1000603123829 Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | Identifying Patterns & Getting Curious: Dating Mindfully with Jordana Abraham & Dr. Naomi Bernstein | 00:58:28 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by sisters and co-hosts of the "Oversharing" podcast, Jordana Abraham and Dr. Naomi Bernstein. They have a candid conversation about modern dating, gender scripts, and practical tools for how to stay centered and present on a date. Oversharing Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oversharing/id1620971837 U up? Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u-up/id1313996383 Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||
| 25 Apr 2023 | Finding Yourself Again: The Truth About Codependency with Melody Beattie | 00:51:56 | |
Dr. Alexandra is joined by Melody Beattie, a legendary self-help author. A revised edition of Melody's 1986 book "Codependent No More" was recently published, and she and Dr. Alexandra discuss the topics it delves into and answer a listener question about losing oneself in relationships. Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie: Subscribe to Dr. Alexandra’s Newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/ Submit a Listener Question: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274 Take Dr. Alexandra's "Relationship Superpower" Quiz: | |||