The Dr. Zoe Show

Welcome back to Stronger in the Difficult Places. I'm your host, Dr. Zoe, and today we're digging deep into a topic that hits close to home for so many women in difficult relationships: the difference between enmeshment, co-dependence, and healthy interdependence. These patterns can be hard to recognize when they're all you've ever known. Maybe you were taught that love means sacrifice. That closeness means never saying no. That boundaries are rejection. But the truth? Real love doesn't require you to disappear. In this episode, you'll learn: The key differences between enmeshment and co-dependence How these dynamics show up in parent-child and romantic relationships Why emotional fusion is not the same as intimacy What healthy interdependence actually looks and feels like How to begin untangling your identity from someone else's needs This episode is for the woman who's tired of losing herself in the name of love. Who wants connection — but not at the cost of her own soul. Who's ready to set boundaries not out of anger, but out of clarity and care. Remember: We're not fixing them. We're fixing you. And that changes everything.   Resources & Links: Buy My book Stronger In The Difficult Places:  drzoeshaw.com/book   Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here   Subscribe + Review: If this episode spoke to your heart, please rate and review the show! It helps more women like you find the strength to get stronger in their difficult places. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Hit subscribe so you never miss a dose of truth, healing, and empowerment.    

In this powerful episode, Dr. Zoe sits down with author and biblical life coach Dawn Ward to talk about the often-invisible toll that guilt, shame, and self-blame take on mothers of addicted children. Dawn shares how faith helped her move forward in her calling, even while her loved ones were still in the midst of their struggle. Together, they explore how trauma can keep us stuck, what it means to truly feel again, and how to reclaim peace without waiting for the perfect outcome. Dawn Ward is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and a certified biblical life coach. She is the founder of The Faith to Flourish, a ministry offering support and encouragement to women with addicted loved ones. She is married to Steve and mom to three adult children. Her book, From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children, published September 2024, is now available.   Connect with Dawn: Website: www.thefaithtoflourish.com Instagram: @thefaithtoflourishblog Her Book: From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children: here   Resources & Links: Free Downloads: Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: here Share This Episode With: A friend stuck in a confusing, painful relationship Someone who keeps hoping for change but needs permission to take a breath Any woman struggling to trust again—whether in their relationship, or in themselves Subscribe + Review: If this episode spoke to your heart, please rate and review the show! It helps more women like you find the strength to get stronger in their difficult places.   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website    

Trust is the foundation of every healthy relationship—and when it breaks, it can feel like your world is unraveling. In this deeply honest and empowering episode, Dr. Zoe speaks to the woman who finds herself in the painful in-between: staying in a relationship with a partner she no longer fully trusts. Whether the betrayal is emotional, financial, or physical—or the result of consistent minimization of your needs—Dr. Zoe shares five powerful steps to help you regain clarity, agency, and peace. This episode isn't about making the decision to stay or leave. It's about choosing you—your healing, your stability, your voice. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why radical honesty is the first step to healing How to detach your emotional stability from your partner's behavior What clear, consequential boundaries actually sound like How to reclaim your agency instead of waiting for change Why grieving the loss of trust is necessary—before you can truly choose your next step   Resources & Links: Free Downloads: Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here   Are you a writer? Join me in person at the HopeWriters Writing Retreat—a beautiful weekend designed to help you craft, connect, and confidently step into your calling. For one week only, we're offering a Mother's Day special—your spot is just $97 with the code MOM2026. (Valid from April 18th - April 24th) Sign up here Share This Episode With: A friend stuck in a confusing, painful relationship Someone who keeps hoping for change but needs permission to take a breath Any woman struggling to trust again—whether in their relationship, or in themselves Subscribe + Review: If this episode spoke to your heart, please rate and review the show! It helps more women like you find the strength to get stronger in their difficult places.   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

If you're feeling tired—but not just in your body, in your soul—this episode is for you. Dr. Zoe sits down with Tracie Braylock, holistic nurse, educator, and author of Radical Relaxation: Releasing the Stress You Were Never Meant to Carry. Together, they unpack what “radical relaxation” really means (hint: it's not about bubble baths) and why women especially need to redefine their relationship with rest. We talk about: Why modern stress is more than just a lifestyle issue—it's a spiritual and physiological one The difference between numbing out and true restoration How to recognize your stress signals before your body forces you to stop The role of boundaries in protecting your peace How Biblical wisdom and scientific research both point to the necessity of deep rest Tracie brings her experience as a former operating room nurse and her current role as a writer with Proverbs 31 Ministries to offer grounded, compassionate insights for women who carry too much—and rest too little. Take a deep breath, press play, and give yourself permission to stop striving and start receiving the rest your body and soul actually need. Connect with Tracie: Website: traciebraylock.com Instagram: @traciebraylock Book: Radical Relaxation: Releasing the Stress You Were Never Meant to Carry   [Free Download] Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here   Are you a writer? Join me in person at the HopeWriters Writing Retreat—a beautiful weekend designed to help you craft, connect, and confidently step into your calling. Sign up here   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Parenting doesn't end when your kids become adults—and neither does the complicated relationship we have with shame as parents. In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by family coach, former educator, and licensed mental health expert Anastasia Arauz to explore how shame weaves its way into our parenting, our family dynamics, and even into the lives of our adult children. Anastasia brings her rich background in counseling, play therapy, and education to help us uncover the hidden ways shame impacts how we show up as parents—and more importantly, what we can do about it. Her work empowers moms to lead their families with love, clarity, and resilience, while also prioritizing their own well-being. In this episode, we discuss: How shame sneaks into your parenting even when you "know better" The connection between shame and unhealthy family dynamics Why our unhealed shame can unintentionally burden our children Practical steps to parent from a place of confidence instead of fear Strategies to break cycles of guilt, perfectionism, and self-criticism in parenting Whether your children are toddlers, teenagers, or fully grown adults, it's never too late to examine how shame is operating in your family—and to make powerful shifts toward healthier, more joyful relationships.   Connect with Anastasia: Website Instagram: @anastasiaju YouTube TikTok: @anastasia.arauz4 LinkedIn   Links and Resources: [Free Download] Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: here Are you a writer? Join me in person at the HopeWriters Writing Retreat—a beautiful weekend designed to help you craft, connect, and confidently step into your calling. For one week only, we're offering a Mother's Day special—your spot is just $97 with the code MOM2026. (Valid from April 18th - April 24th) Sign up here   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

In this episode of Stronger in the Difficult Places, I'm joined by transformational relationship guide Nick Brancato for a powerful conversation on a subtle but common challenge in long-term relationships—priority drift. Nick opens up about his own relational journey and how even the most connected couples can find themselves slowly drifting apart when life's demands begin to compete with their shared values and intentions. We unpack what priority drift looks like, how it shows up in everyday life, and most importantly—how to resist it. Nick shares his holistic approach to keeping love aligned, to help couples turn emotional disconnection into meaningful, sustainable growth. His insight is both tender and practical, offering tools for getting back in sync when you feel misaligned with your partner. We talk about: What “priority drift” is and why it's so common How to recognize the early signs of disconnection Rituals and practices to help couples realign Why emotional insight + actionable steps are the key to lasting change Whether you're in a new relationship or have been partnered for decades, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and recommit to what matters most—together.   About Nick Brancato: Nick Brancato is a seasoned personal development coach and educator with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and couples connect, communicate, and thrive. With a master's degree in education and a background as a Microsoft systems engineer, Nick blends practical tools with data-driven frameworks to guide clients through life's challenges, including career shifts, financial pressures, and personal growth. Connect with Nick: Website Instagram: @personaldevcoach Book: Prioritize Us   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Is this emotional abuse… or just a hard relationship moment?” You're not alone. In today's episode, Dr. Zoe breaks down the crucial difference between emotional abuse and other common relational struggles—like conflict, insensitivity, emotional immaturity, or human imperfection. When you've grown up in dysfunction or carry the weight of Complex Shame™, it can be hard to trust your internal radar. This conversation is here to help you recalibrate. You'll Learn: What emotional abuse actually looks like—and why it's often so subtle How to distinguish between a painful moment and a toxic pattern The role of Complex Shame™ in how we interpret (and misinterpret) relationship dynamics Why clarity is essential to healing—and how to start finding it Resources Mentioned: [Free Download] Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: here Are you a writer? Join me in person at the HopeWriters Writing Retreat—a beautiful weekend designed to help you craft, connect, and confidently step into your calling. For one week only, we're offering a Mother's Day special—your spot is just $97 with the code MOM2026. (Valid from April 18th - April 24th) Sign up here   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

In this episode, we dive deep into the body's role in healing with Kate, a physical therapist, author, and embodied freedom and transformation coach. Kate specializes in helping service-driven women who feel like they're falling apart—overwhelmed, exhausted, and trapped in cycles of chronic anxiety, pain, and fatigue. We also unpacked how shame shapes our identity and how the unhealed stress and trauma we carry doesn't just affect us—it ripples into our relationships. When we stay disconnected from our bodies, we struggle to show up fully for ourselves and others. But when we begin to listen, release, and heal, we open the door to deeper connection, compassion, and freedom. With a background in neuro and pain science, she offers a powerful lens into how stress and trauma are held in the body—and how releasing them can create real transformation. We talked about what it means to come back to your body, how physical tension reflects emotional holding, and she even guided me through some surprising exercises to uncover what I've been carrying. This conversation is a reminder that healing isn't just a mental process. It's physical. It's embodied. And it's deeply personal. Resources & Mentions: Her book: The Good Girl RX Freebie: Sneak Peek of The Good Girl RX     Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

We've all been taught how to spot red flags in others—but what if we're the red flag? In this powerful episode, Dr. Zoe unpacks the uncomfortable but essential question: could your own behaviors, coping mechanisms, or unresolved trauma be playing a role in your relationship struggles? With compassion and clarity, she explores how complex shame and survival patterns might show up as self-sabotage, emotional unavailability, or codependency—and how recognizing these patterns is the first step toward healing. This isn't about blame. It's about brave introspection, self-compassion, and taking radical ownership of your growth. What You'll Learn: The subtle ways red-flag behaviors can manifest in everyday life How complex shame might be driving your relationship dynamics Why self-awareness is the most powerful relationship tool you have Practical steps to shift from reactivity to intentional connection Whether you're healing from a toxic relationship or trying to build healthier ones, this episode will challenge and empower you to look inward—and come out stronger on the other side. Resources & Mentions: Book: Stronger in the Difficult Places (coming soon!): pre-order now   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

In this powerful episode, Ian and I explore how these time-tested principles can radically shift your relationship with yourself and others. We talk about the freedom that comes from radical honesty, the courage it takes to confront your own story, and how the Twelve Steps can guide anyone—no matter their background—toward healing and wholeness. This conversation is real, vulnerable, and packed with insight. Whether you're familiar with the Steps or just curious, this episode will challenge and inspire you to take your own brave next step toward change. Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, speaker, trained psychotherapist, songwriter, and Episcopal priest, but he may be best known for popularizing the Enneagram.   You can learn more about Ian and his book: https://ianmorgancron.com/about-ian   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Addiction isn't just about substances—it can show up in our everyday lives in ways we don't always recognize. Whether it's scrolling endlessly on social media, emotional eating, overworking, or even seeking validation from others, these everyday addictions can hold us back from true freedom. And often, the biggest barrier to overcoming them isn't just the habit itself—it's the shame we carry around it. In this episode, I sit down with author and speaker Chris Janssen to talk about the sneaky ways addiction manifests, why shame keeps us stuck, and how we can break free from the cycle. If you've ever felt trapped in patterns you can't seem to shake, this conversation will help you find hope, healing, and a path forward.   What We Cover in This Episode: ✔️ Redefining addiction beyond drugs and alcohol ✔️ How shame fuels compulsive behaviors ✔️ The connection between emotional pain and everyday addictions ✔️ Steps to break free and cultivate self-compassion ✔️ The role of faith and community in healing   If you've ever felt guilty or ashamed about the habits you can't seem to control, this episode is for you.   Connect with Chris Janssen: Chris Janssen, MA, BCC, is the author of Grace Yourself: How to Show Up for the Sober Life You Want and a leading results coach in performance and mindset. She has worked with hundreds of sought-after athletes, creatives, soldiers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses internationally, helping them to close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. As a board-certified coach with a master's in counseling psychology and over 25 years of experience, Chris excels in helping high-achieving perfectionists navigate performance pressure, overcome self-sabotage, and rewrite narratives. A California native, Chris and her husband, Scott, have been married for nearly 30 years. Together, they raised three children, now thriving young adults. Chris and Scott live in Los Angeles and love to ski, golf, be with their horses, and adventure outside.   Links: Website: https://www.chrisjanssencoaching.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisjanssencoaching/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris3janssen New Book, Grace Yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Yourself-Show-Sober-Life/dp/1637633378   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Grief isn't just about losing a loved one or experiencing life's biggest losses. In this episode, I sit down with Natasha Smith to explore the often-overlooked grief we carry in our everyday lives. From unmet expectations to life transitions, we discuss why acknowledging these losses matters and how we can find healing in the small moments. Whether you're navigating a major loss or simply feeling the weight of unspoken grief, this conversation will help you give yourself permission to process, heal, and move forward with grace. Natasha Smith is a certified grief educator, advocate, wife, mother, and former engineer turned homeschooler. Now a two-time published author and a native of North Carolina, she is also a speaker and podcaster, sharing stories on faith, family, and grief. Natasha's work has been featured in Propel Women, Influence Magazine, Her View from Home, Focus on the Family, TODAY Parents, and other online publications. She has contributed essays to books with Guideposts and in So God Made A Grandma, a new release from Her View From Home. Natasha's books, Can You Just Sit with Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life (September 2023, IVPress) and Black Woman Grief: A Guide to Hope and Wholeness (February 2025, IVPress), are available wherever books are sold.  Connect with her on social media @imnatashasmith. BOOK INFO: https://www.ivpress.com/black-woman-grief PRESS KIT: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Press-Kits/A0964-press.pdf EXCERPT: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Downloads/Excerpts-and-Samples/A0964-excerpt.pdf BIO: https://www.ivpress.com/natasha-smith Listen to her podcast and read her blog at imnatashasmith.com. Follow her on Twitter: @imnatashasmith     Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Why is it so easy to stand up for others but so hard to advocate for ourselves? If you've ever felt stuck between not wanting to seem "too much" and not knowing how to use your voice effectively, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Heather Hansen—former trial lawyer turned advocate coach—who shares powerful insights on breaking free from “good girl syndrome,” building the skills to confidently speak up, and learning how to own your voice without fear or guilt. If advocating for yourself feels uncomfortable, overwhelming, or just plain impossible, this conversation will empower you to step into your confidence and ask for what you truly deserve. Don't miss this one! About Heather: Heather Hansen empowers leaders to build belief in their ideas, leadership, and potential. Drawing on her experience as a trial attorney, psychology degree and dispute resolution training, time as a media personality, and hypnosis training, she helps leaders use stories, evidence, and their bodies' energy to influence their teams, clients, and results. Heather has appeared on The Today Show, Dr. Oz, CNN, Fox News, and CBS and has worked with top organizations, including Harvard Business School, Google, LVMH, and the American Medical Association. She's the bestselling author of The Elegant Warrior: How to Win Life's Trials Without Losing Yourself and Advocate to Win: 10 Tools to Ask for What You Want and Get It. She lives in New York City with her dog, Wolf. Visit her website:  www.beliefbuilders.com Visit her Youtube: here Get her book:  here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website     Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website   Connect with Heather: Website: https://www.beliefbuilders.com/ Instagram @anelegantwarrior Books: https://www.beliefbuilders.com/books-by-heather-hansen    

I hear this all the time: How do I make a good decision when I feel guilty for making it? In today's episode I address how to make a decision, even when you feel bad about it. It's easier than you think and you can do it!   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

It doesn't matter what you say, the only thing that matters is what is heard. This isn't my original quote, but I've lost who said it along the way. Understanding this truth has been the turning point in my communication in all of my relationships.  In today's episode, I have such a wonderful, meaty, conversation with Rebecca Mullen, author, speaker, relationship coach, about how to have better communication with your spouse in 6 simple steps- Even if you barely talk anymore. Rebecca is my personal business coach and friend. This is her second time on my podcast and I'm inviting her again because she is a wealth of wisdom.  Don't miss this episode. She will help those with the worst and the best of marriages, communicate better.    Episode resources: www.rebeccamullencoaching.com Link to Rebecca's book: 6 Steps to Better Marriage Communication:  https://a.co/d/b3Kwn1B You can find Rebecca on TikTok at: @rebeccamullencoaching In this episode we spoke about Corey Rosenke- author of  The Magnetic Heart Of God Check out episode 237 with Rebecca: Listen here   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Your thoughts are powerful and most of us believe them- much to the detriment of ourselves and our relationships. On today's episode, I have a discussion with renowned author, Joseph Nguyen about why you shouldn't- and more importantly how you go about the process of not believing what you think. Joseph Nguyen is the author of the #1 international bestselling book, Don't Believe Everything You Think, which has been translated into 17+ languages. He is a writer who helps others realize who they truly are beyond their own thinking and conditioning to live an abundant life free from psychological and emotional suffering. When he's not busy petting his 3 cats that he's allergic to, he spends the rest of his time writing, teaching, speaking, and sharing timeless wisdom to help people discover their own divinity from within and how they are the answer they've been looking for their entire lives.  You may visit his website at www.josephnguyen.org for more books, resources, and videos to help you on your journey.   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Stephanie Quayle, Nashville Recording Artist and author talks about her own toxic relationship, why she stayed and insight she hope will help other women in difficult relationships. Stephanie Quayle is a Nashville recording artist who tours the world with her music and an entrepreneur with her own record label, Big Sky Music Group. Rolling Stone Country called her “an artist you need to know,” CMT named her as part of its “Next Women of Country” franchise, and she's appeared on popular programs like The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. As an independent artist with two Billboard charted singles, “Selfish” and “Whatcha Drinkin 'Bout,” she has repeatedly performed at CMA Fest and the Grand Ole Opry.   Quayle's latest album On the Edge chronicles her personal experience in a toxic relationship and the healing she's gone through since—inspiring others and redefining her future. Stephanie is the author of the new book, Why Do We Stay? How My Toxic Relationship Can Help You Find Healing. Through half a million followers, Stephanie's social media garnered 19 million impressions in 2023.   You can view her website, social media and music via the links included below. Website: https://www.stephaniequayle.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniequayle Instagram: @StephanieQuayle X: @StephanieQuayle YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/STEPHANIEQUAYLE TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephaniequayle Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/stephanie-quayle/6365037 Spotify: Stephanie Quayle   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website  

Today is a solo episode, where I ask you 6 questions to determine if you're in love with your partner or just their potential. If you are brave, you could ask your partner these questions, but if you are truly committed to health you should turn these questions back on yourself and ask if you represent any of these things for your partner.    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Maybe you grew up in it. Maybe you've never heard about it. Dr. Camden Morgante and I had an eye opening conversation about how the purity culture in the evangelical community in the 1990's has created a ripple effect on relationships and marriages to this day. And we had a conversation regarding the intersection of the effects of purity culture and shame. Dr. Camden is a psychologist and author of the book Recovering From Purity Culture.   Visit her website here   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website    

Whether you have lost a pregnancy, an infant or an older child, or you know of someone who has, this episode is for you.  Today, we honor Infant Loss Awareness Month with a very moving conversation with author, Chris Manion.   We answer questions like: How do you incorporate the loss into your life? What are good strategies for seeking support? Which commonly held beliefs around pregnancy and telling the family may need to be re-considered? What do you say to someone who has lost? About Chris: Chris Manion is an award winning speaker and author of three books. You can find her book, The Light We Cannot See here: https://a.co/d/3ERa1r9 More resources for pregnancy and infant loss: Postpartum Support International (PSI) has pregnancy and infant loss support groups. Loss & Grief in Pregnancy & Postpartum | Postpartum Support International (PSI): https://www.postpartum.net PSI also lists resources such as · Compassionate Friends - comfort for loss of any child/grandchild; (has Spanish/other language versions) · Miscarriage Matters community, · M.E.N.D. (Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death) is a Christian non-profit, · Miscarriage for Men, · Hope MOMMIES non-profit, · Rachel's Gift · helpline 800-944-4773, · tool to track your symptoms to discuss with a medical provider, · Sisters in Loss replaces silence with storytelling around pregnancy infant loss, and infertility of black women · Stay Legacy Foundation – virtual grief support groups including Spanish

Sometimes we can be anxious. Sometimes we can be avoidant. Sometimes we can be both. In this episode, I am joined by author, Charisse Cooke. We talk about understanding how your early childhood experiences can affect your relationships and what to do when you feel disappointed in your relationship. Charisse Cooke, Author of The Anxious Avoidant Dance is an attachment-based psychotherapist with over eighteen years of professional experience. She works in private practice in London and is also an online educator through social media where she shares effective tools and strategies we can all adopt to develop healthy, stable, and authentic bonds with the people around us. Connect with her on social media: @CharisseCooke   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

In this episode I share five valuable lessons I've learned this past year as a result of letting go of things I previously held dear. My hope is that in hearing my experience, you can learn to let go of things that may feel like they are valuable, but are actually junk holding you back in your life and relationships.    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

You had a plan for how your life would turn out. You were working your plan and then life happened. How do you cope and how do you rebuild a worthy life, full of joy when it hasn't turned out how you expected? Dawn Sanders and I have a talk about how she did it.   Visit her website here Get her book to get a free course:    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

This masculine/feminine energy debate may feel over discussed, but the more I work with women who are experiencing difficulty in their relationships, the more I see this issue creeping up. In this episode, I address how an imbalance of the masculine/feminine energy may be wreaking havoc in your relationship.  Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

We talk about all your other relationships on this podcast, but we've never addressed your relationship with food. It's time.  Many, if not most American women have a dysfunctional relationship with food. I teamed up with Courtney Gray and had a wonderful conversation about how changing your relationship with food can create weightless that remains for a lifetime.    About Courtney Gray: Courtney Gray is a Body and Life coach for women who want to lose weight permanently. In her 1:1 coaching program she uses mindset and strategy, and her clients lose weight without deprivation and giving up all the foods they love. She helps them understand why they turn to foods they know don't serve them, and teaches them to eat better consistently, not perfectly. She believes something amazing happens when women decide how they want to look and feel in their body and then they start living in a way that supports that vision.  Courtney's coaching centers around mindset and self-mage. She believes that a person's thoughts create their habits and daily routines, which create the results in their life. Courtney believes that when women learn how to think intentionally and choose what they want to believe, their life uplevels in every way. When it comes to helping her clients lose weight for the last time, Courtney believes it is an exciting, loving, and transformational process.  Join Courtney's Get Your Body Back in 2024 workshop here or visit her Instagram account here   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

We all lie. Whether it's the little “white” seemingly insignificant ones or the really big, shameful deceits, we are all guilty of not being completely honest all of the time. As I continue to seek deeper wisdom regarding women, our relationship with ourselves, others and God, I have done a deep dive into trying to understand the unique types of deception that seem more prevalent in women than in men. Why? Because I want you to understand yourself more. Because I want to talk about the real things- the things we don't often talk about. Because when you understand yourself better, you show up healthier for yourself and your relationships. I brought on Susan Barash, who is a journalist and author on my podcast and we had a great conversation about the many societal influences that have shaped the ways that we women choose to tell the truth or not. I think it's a phenomenal conversation that solves nothing except inciting you to possibly look at your motivation for not being truthful and examine if there are places for you to heal and grow so that you can be a woman of honor and truth.  You can visit Susan's website and get her books here.   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Do you feel like you don't believe enough in yourself, your relationships, your God or that things will even work out for you? Listen in as I talk about how even a wobbly faith can change everything.    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Join me as I discuss with Dr. Meaghan Price the topic of finding bedazzlement in your relationships. We aren't bedazzled by our partners every single day, however at the core of our relationship should be that potential. You deserve to have a relationship partner who, at times, wants to, and is able to, bedazzle you! Understanding your own diamonds, your own bedazzlement within yourself, can help you find a partner who amazes you. You deserve it. Visit Dr. Meaghan Price's site here and connect with her directly here. Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Vulnerability. How do you know when it's safe to be vulnerable in a relationship? Join me as I discuss this crucial topic with my guest, Jason VanRuler, a licensed therapist, author, speaker, and coach who helps people grow their relationships, become stronger leaders, and own their past to drive a better future for themselves. You can visit Jason VanRuler's site here and find his book here. Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

There are five reasons that people want to get married, and those are the same five reasons that people ultimately choose divorce. How powerful is that statement? Today I am excited to talk about the 5 cravings of your soul with my guest Corey Rosenke, the author of The Magnetic Heart of God: Understanding the Five Cravings of Your Soul. Listen in as we discuss these fundamental cravings and how you can learn to name them, understand them and ultimately see them in others and in your relationship.   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

It's the things that we don't say that get us in the most trouble. Often we are afraid of saying the wrong thing, for fear that our loved ones can't handle what we need to talk about. These fears prevent us from saying the thing that needs to be said. Listen in and learn how to overcome those fears and how to have hard conversations with the people we love.   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

You know what's worse than being by yourself on Valentine's Day? Being in a relationship and still feeling lonely on Valentine's Day. In this episode, I help you make sure you're asking for what you need in your relationship and I also give some tips for healthy self-care on this day of celebrating love. Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website    

In this episode, I discuss setting boundaries between you and those you love. Often I work with clients who work to set and keep boundaries, but are constantly violated when their loved one crosses those boundaries. I talk through the clear steps you can take to set and hold those boundaries that are sacred to both your own wellness as well as the health of your intimate relationships. Listen in and connect. I'm here to help. Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

In this episode, I interview poet Emily Bridget Taylor about her journey of healing from divorce and marriage breakdown trauma. She gives encouragement to the woman in difficult relationship or having just ended a a difficult relationship. She shares how poetry or any kind of creative expression can help healing. She also shares two beautiful poems at the end of the episode. See Emily Bridget Taylor's new poetry book, Remedy, and also visit her site here for a free gift. Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

So many of us spend the majority of our life at work. I'm always talking about relationships in your life, often intimate ones. But if you're spending the majority of your life at work - you're going to have some relationships there just as significant as your personal ones. It makes sense that we talk about having health in relationships at work as well.  In this episode, Dr. Zoe talks with author and workplace thought leader Jake Brown about his sometimes humorous and very poignant perspective on how to navigate difficult relationships with your boss, finding hope for your career. Listen in to find out how to work with a difficult boss.   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website Check out Jake Brown: Jake's Book, Leadershit: Tales & Tools to Survive a Bad Boss & Have Fun at Work

We often focus on individual goals for the New year, as we should, but it's crucial to the long term health of your relationship, that you regularly assess and create goals for your relationship as well. Healthy relationships happen intentionally.  In this episode, Dr. Zoe shares her own word of the year and addresses setting yourself and your relationship up for success in the new year.    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Dr. Tracy Dalgleish is a clinical psychologist and relationship expert who is on a mission to help couples break old relationship cycles and find joy in their relationships again. She is the owner of Integrated Wellness, a mental health practice in Ottawa, Ontario, and has been working with individuals and couples for 17 years. Her book, I Didn't Sign Up for This: A Couples Therapist Shares Real-Life Stories of Breaking Patterns and Finding Joy in Relationships...Including Her Own, features case studies from her practice and her own relationship. The book helps readers learn how to get unstuck in their relationships. You can find Dr. Tracy's popular Instagram account @DrTracyD where she brings her therapeutic expertise and advice to a broader audience looking for help in their relationships. Dr. Tracy and Dr. Zoe have an engaging conversation about what you can do when you didn't sign up for this in your relationship.    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

For people pleasers and relationship supporters, the holidays can easily feel overwhelming when your needs aren't getting met and you are trying to make the holidays great for everyone else.  In this second episode of Navigating Your Difficult Relationship Over the Holidays, I address how you can honor your spouse while still caring for yourself.    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

For people pleasers and relationship supporters, the holidays can easily feel overwhelming when your needs aren't getting met and you are trying to make the holidays great for everyone else.  In this episode, I address why your needs matter over the holidays and how to care for yourself, while caring for everyone else.    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

I'm excited to return after a much needed break, during which I wrote a book and navigated a divorce. In this episode, I am interviewed by my coach, Rebecca Mullen. She is a Master Certified Life Coach. Together, we walk you through the hardest decision of my life. Through my story, I provide you with examples of what you can do when something terrifying is happening to you. I will model for you how I tackled the hard questions, including divorcing as a Christian, and how I have ultimately found freedom in my choice.    Rebecca Mullen can be found at: https://rebeccamullencoaching.com   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Deb Curtis's personal journey, marred by hardship and strife, has molded her into a resilient advocate In her early years, Deb encountered numerous trials that could have shattered the spirit of anyone lesser. At the age of nine, she was left abandoned in a drug-infested home. Throughout her teenage years, she wrestled with feelings of rejection, leading her to attempt suicide twice. At twenty-six, she married a man whose severe alcoholism and violent behavior threatened her life. But through these hardships, Deb yearned for love and recognition, searching for it in all the wrong places. Deb and I spoke about resiliency and true forgiveness.   Watch this episode in video format: HERE   Connect with Deb: Website: www.debcurtis.com Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website  

Dr. Zoe and Naketa talk about the boldness and necessity of learning to be “selfish”. Naketa's the #1 Balance (and) Relationship Advisor in the World activating power couples and potent humans who are ready to recalibrate and own their right to be intentionally selfish to amplify relationship intimacy as they grow to live in the space of (and) fully. After a successful career helping families push through trials caused by trauma, lost confidence and communication challenges impacting intimacy within their relationships, Naketa Ren Thigpen, broke barriers and glass ceilings when she decided to break free from outdated expectations and binding patriarchal definitions that limit the ability to self-actualize. Utilizing her distinct experiential, intuitive, and highly energetic style, Naketa is the host of the Balance Boldly Podcast & International Best Selling Author of the book Selfish: Permission to Pause, Live, Love, and Laugh Your Way to Joy. A highly sought-after Transformative Empowerment Speaker and CEO of ThigPro Balance (and) Relationship Management Institute, this brilliant beauty has revolutionized how to heal traumas while balancing work/life (and LOVE).   Watch this episode in video format: HERE   Connect with Naketa: Website: http://thigpro.com/   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Dr. Zoe and Jami Nato talk all things shame, purpose, faith and parenting and how you can use the breadcrumbs of the past to find your purpose. Jami is a serial entrepreneur, social media influencer (94.4k on Instagram), and writer. She's known for her humor, and she speaks candidly about the real ups and downs of life—specifically her own—to encourage women from a Christian perspective. She's open about her husband's infidelity, her struggles with parenting, and how she views women need more encouragement to find their passions and purpose. Jami has been on The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, the Daily Grace Podcast, the (in)courage podcast, The 700 Club, and Behind the Scenes with Jeremy and Audrey Roloff.   Watch this episode in video format: HERE   Connect with Jami: Website: https://jaminato.com/ Instagram: @jaminato    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website  

In this episode Dr. Zoe and Ashlee Gadd speak to women who have creative passions, but feel guilt or shame when they follow them. Listen in for tips, encouragement and advice for creating in the margins.   Watch this episode in video format: HERE   About Ashlee Gadd: Ashlee Gadd is author of Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood and the founder of Coffee + Crumbs—a beautiful online space where motherhood and storytelling intersect. As a writer and photographer, Ashlee has spent her entire motherhood creating in the margins. When she's not writing or vacuuming Cheerios out of the carpet, she loves making friends on the internet, eating cereal for dinner, and rearranging bookshelves. She and her husband have three kids and live in Northern California.    Connect with Ashley: https://www.ashleegadd.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ashleegadd/ https://www.pinterest.com/ashlee_gadd/ https://ashleegadd.substack.com/ Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood book    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Are you or someone you know cut off from a family member by choice or circumstance? The pain of feeling disconnected from our loved ones can be overwhelming, and I want you to know that you are not alone. Family is often considered the cornerstone of our lives, a source of love, support, and understanding. But sometimes, circumstances arise that create rifts and distance between family members. Family estrangement can leave us feeling lost, confused, and burdened with a sense of longing for the connection that once was. In this episode, Dr. Zoe Shaw, licensed psychotherapist and author discusses the main reason for estrangement in families and how you can have health in the midst of estrangement, whether you chose to end a relationship or your family member did.  Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Sandy Stream is an author and activist whose work is built on the belief that everyone deserves and is capable of finding peace and warrior-like strength within themselves. After teaching law for 20 years, raising her two children, and facing a life full of adversities and lessons, she decided to turn her efforts towards facilitating workshops for young and experienced adults to encourage them to live in peace and power. In this episode we talk about what courage means in everyday life and how to cultivate it.   Watch this episode is video format: HERE   Connect with Sandy: https://thecouragecircle.com   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

The rates of Infidelity are rising in women. I chose to have Susan Shapiro Barash on to discuss this topic because she has studied women and infidelity for over 30 years. I do not condone infidelity and deception in a relationship. I don't believe it is a recipe for a healthy relationship. The purpose of this episode is to understand yourself better if you find yourself in this space and to help to prevent you from getting there to begin with. Susan has written a timely new book called, "A Passion for More" which is the culmination of her over three decades of research about today's women and infidelity.   Watch this episode in video format: HERE   Connect with Susan: www.susanshapirobarash.com    Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Have you had a breakup or divorce? Have you noticed that your self-confidence has taken a hit? You are not alone. It's common for self-confidence to take a plunge after divorce, but there are actions you can take to recover and rebuild your confidence . Leah Mazur is a certified Divorce Recovery Coach for women. She has a private Facebook community of women supporting them in their divorce recovery.   Leah addressed these questions in our interview: Why does self esteem take such a big hit after divorce? What is the biggest mistake you see women make after divorce? What do you recommend women focus on while recovering from divorce? What are some common obstacles you see your clients struggle with? What advice do you have for women who struggle with being alone? Connect with Leah: https://www.mindfullyready.com/   Watch this episode in video format: HERE   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook

Jodie Rosser is an author, podcaster, and speaker who serves women through her podcast, Depth, and her blog, Heartbreak to Strength.  She is author of Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength. She is passionate about helping find depth, growth and strength through hard times.    You can connect with Jodi on Instagram, @jodi.rosser or visit her website www.jodirosser.com.   Watch this episode in video format: HERE   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook  

Elana Israel, relationship expert and host of the podcast, Partnership Aligned, joins me today to discuss how you can attain personal growth through the experience of a difficult relationship.   In this episode, we discuss: 1. What's the difference between a regular resentment and a shower resentment? 2. How can you grow when your partner isn't? 3. What are the 5 steps to letting go of resentment?    Watch this episode in video format: HERE   Connect with Elana: https://partnershipaligned.com/   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook

We all have occasional negative self-talk, but how do you know when it morphs into self-abuse?⁣ ⁣Today, I speak with Jacquie Elliott, Certified Life, Spiritual and Relationship Coach, specializing in Healing Abusive Brain Chatter using ABCs.⁣ ⁣ In this episode, we cover:⁣ ⁣What is Abusive Brain Chatter (ABC) and how is it different from negative self-talk?⁣ ⁣Why do we have ABC?⁣ ⁣How can people overcome abusive brain chatter?⁣   Watch this episode in video format: HERE ⁣Connect with Jacquie: www.jacquieelliottclc.com   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook