Podcasts about codependence

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.    

Emotional abuse is far too common and yet it can be difficult to recognize, because it's subtle at first and often covert. It can deplete a person's self esteem and simultaneously create dependence upon the abusive partner, which blurs reality and makes it hard to leave. But what is emotional abuse and how can we recover from an emotionally abusive relationship? In this episode, Jodi talks with therapist and author, Leah Aguirre, LCSW, about her new book, Is This Really Love? Recognizing When You're  in a Coercive, Controlling, and Emotionally Abusive Relationship--and How to Break Free. Jodi shares a story about her first addictive relationship and Leah talks about the aha moment that led her to leave an emotionally abusive partner. Jodi and Leah also discuss coercion and control; personality traits of an emotional abuser; and relationship green flags (signs that a relationship or partner is safe). Show notes and resources: Music by JD Pendley Link to Jodi's website and additional resources Leah's website and Instagram Link to order Is This Really Love? Disclaimer: This podcast is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment with a licensed mental health professional or to be used in place of the advice of a physician. If you are struggling please don't delay in seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health practitioner or healthcare professional. If you're in crisis please visit NAMI.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour assistance.  

Being a good friend doesn't mean being someone's emotional lifeline. In this episode, we break down codependent friendships, how to recognize red flags, and how to build relationships rooted in mutual respect, independence, and balance.

"I'm okay as long as you're okay with me": If our wellbeing is dependent upon another person, their opinion of us, or external validation, we are other-esteeming (looking for security outside of ourselves). This is considered emotional dependence, and it plays a big role in love addiction. In this episode, Jodi talks with Allen Berger, PhD, therapist and author of "12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety". Dr. Berger defines emotional dependence, explains why it happens, and what emotional sobriety can look like.  Show notes and resources: Music by JD Pendley Link to Jodi's website and additional resources Link to Dr. Berger's website and his book 12 Insights for Emotional Sobriety Disclaimer: This podcast is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment with a licensed mental health professional or to be used in place of the advice of a physician. If you are struggling please don't delay in seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health practitioner or healthcare professional. If you're in crisis please visit NAMI.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour assistance.

We want to hear from you! Send us a question or comment.Ever wondered why addiction interventions sometimes fall apart, even when everyone wants the same outcome? In this powerful episode, addiction interventionist Matt Brown tackles the vital role of family unity when helping someone struggling with substance use.Drawing from both professional expertise and personal recovery experience, Matt reveals how people battling addiction become masterful at detecting family division. "We as addicted individuals are going to be looking around the room looking for the weak link," he explains. "We want to know where's the chink in the armor? Who is the most likely person in this group that I could sway to see things my way?"This episode dives deep into why families struggle to maintain a unified approach despite shared goals. Matt explores how differing beliefs about addiction (choice versus disease), misunderstandings about trauma, and overemphasis on mental health diagnoses can create fatal cracks in family cohesion. He offers practical guidance on educating family members, designating leadership during difficult conversations, and preventing emotional escalation that derails intervention efforts.Perhaps most valuable is Matt's compassionate understanding of family dynamics. He acknowledges that unity doesn't require everyone to like each other—many successful interventions happen with blended families where relationships are strained. What matters is agreement on the approach and commitment to the goal of getting help. Through compelling storytelling and actionable advice, Matt provides a roadmap for families to set aside differences and present the united front their loved one desperately needs to begin recovery.Whether you're currently struggling with a loved one's addiction or supporting someone who is, this episode offers invaluable insights that could make the difference between a successful interventionHalfway To Dead, A Midlife Spiritual JourneyMidlife is freaking hard. Let's flip the script. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin us Every Monday and Thursday Night at 8:00 EST/5:00PST for a FREE family support group. Register at the following link to get the zoom information sent to you: Family Support MeetingAbout our sponsor(s):Intervention on Call is on online platform that allows families and support systems to get immediate coaching and direction from a professional interventionist. While a professional intervention can be a powerful experience for change, not every family needs a professionally led intervention. For families who either don't need or can't afford a professional intervention, we can help. Hour sessions are $150.Therapy is a very important way to take care of your mental health. This can happen from the comfort of your own home or office. If you need therapy and want to get a discount on your first month of services please try Better Help.If you want to know more about the host's private practice please visit:Matt Brown: Freedom InterventionsFollow the host on TikTokMatt: @mattbrowninterventionistIf you have a question that we can answer on the show, please email us at matt@partywreckers.com

In this podcast, learn about the codependent communication struggles no one talks about. In codependency, the focus is usually on keeping the peace, avoiding conflict, and managing someone else's emotions, at the expense of your own truth. This makes authentic communication feel dangerous, especially if you grew up in a toxic environment where speaking up led to punishment, rejection, or emotional withdrawal. Poor communication is one of the defining features of toxic relationships, especially when one or both partners are codependent. Rather than say what they mean, codependent people tend to hint, people-please, or stuff their emotions down to avoid being abandoned. Over time, this leads to resentment, confusion, and emotional disconnection. Without clear, honest communication, even the strongest connection can break down under the weight of unspoken expectations and unmet needs. Healing from codependency means learning how to communicate with clarity, courage, and compassion. It requires unlearning the belief that your needs don't matter and developing the inner safety to speak your truth.  Whether you're in recovery from a toxic relationship or just starting to recognize codependent patterns in your life, learning how to communicate effectively is essential if you want to build real intimacy and self-respect. The first step, is telling the truth, and learning to take accountability for poor communication skills, while understanding with self compassion, it could literally be no other way.  Today, if this resonates with you, you have a shot at healing your life by unlearning the survival patterns that kept you feeling safe, that also kept you stuck repeating the faulty patterns from the past. Are you codependent? If so, you probably have an insecure, anxious attachment style, and the good news is, we can fix that!  Calling all serious, ready, willing and able souls who have the time and can invest in themselves at this time to finally take their lives back.

With all the conflicting relationship advice floating around, like “you shouldn't need your partner” versus “you should be able to lean on them emotionally”, it's no wonder couples feel confused about what a healthy marriage really looks like. In this episode we unpack the real difference between codependence, hyper independence, and interdependence and why understanding where you and your partner fall on this spectrum could change everything. We also share our own journey through these patterns and explore how they show up in daily life, especially in conflict, under stress, and when you're trying to get your needs met. If you've ever felt too needy, too shut down, or just unsure how to stay connected without losing yourself, this episode is for you. We'll walk you through the signs, the shifts, and the steps to build a partnership that feels secure and sustainable without giving everything away here.   Relationship Resources Grab our 3 Guides Bundle for deeper connection and conflict repair Includes: • The Family Meeting Guide • The De-Escalating Conflicts Guide • The Making Up and Moving Forward Guide These tools will help you communicate clearly, reconnect after conflict, and stay united through life's toughest moments.

We want to hear from you! Send us a question or comment.What if everything you thought you knew about addiction recovery was wrong? In this eye-opening episode, addiction interventionist Matt Brown tackles five crucial questions that families repeatedly ask when trying to help a loved one struggling with substance use.The myth of "rock bottom" gets thoroughly debunked as Matt explains why waiting for someone to hit their lowest point before offering help is not only unnecessary but potentially dangerous. "Rock bottom is really wherever we want to stop digging," he shares, revealing how family organization and education can create earlier opportunities for recovery.Matt offers profound insight into the courage required to set and maintain boundaries with addicted loved ones. Rather than boundaries established from anger (which dissolve when the anger subsides), effective boundaries stem from love and require support systems to withstand the inevitable guilt and pressure that follows. His practical advice for families navigating this emotional minefield provides real hope for those feeling trapped in enabling cycles.Perhaps most illuminating is Matt's exploration of why "doing it on your own" rarely works for addiction recovery. He expertly explains how substance use isn't actually the problem but rather an attempt to solve deeper issues like untreated mental health conditions, trauma, grief, or abandonment. This fundamental misunderstanding leads many down failed paths of repeated attempts at solo recovery.For families seeking treatment options, Matt provides clear warning signs of problematic treatment centers and essential questions to ask before committing. His insider perspective on family programming, communication protocols, and quality clinical care offers a roadmap through the often confusing treatment landscape.The episode concludes with thoughtful reflections on recovery psychology, including Halfway To Dead, A Midlife Spiritual JourneyMidlife is freaking hard. Let's flip the script. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin us Every Thursday Night at 8:00 EST/5:00PST for a FREE family support group. Register at the following link to get the zoom information sent to you: Family Support MeetingAbout our sponsor(s):Intervention on Call is on online platform that allows families and support systems to get immediate coaching and direction from a professional interventionist. While a professional intervention can be a powerful experience for change, not every family needs a professionally led intervention. For families who either don't need or can't afford a professional intervention, we can help. Hour sessions are $150.Therapy is a very important way to take care of your mental health. This can happen from the comfort of your own home or office. If you need therapy and want to get a discount on your first month of services please try Better Help.If you want to know more about the host's private practice please visit:Matt Brown: Freedom InterventionsFollow the host on TikTokMatt: @mattbrowninterventionistIf you have a question that we can answer on the show, please email us at matt@partywreckers.com

In love addiction, we may find ourselves feeling betrayed by a partner-- even if we don't know for sure that something is going on--while doubting our instincts, believing we're too sensitive, and giving an emotionally unavailable partner the benefit of the doubt. This feeling adds to our anxiety, and whatever information a partner is withholding adds to the dysfunction of the relationship...and we stay in the cycle of love addiction hoping things will change. In this episode Jodi talks with betrayal trauma therapist, Lindsay Haverslew, about the reality of betrayal trauma. Jodi and Lindsay share personal experiences with betrayal, and discuss signs that a partner is emotionally unavailable, tips for identifying a trustworthy person, and much more.  Show notes and resources: Music by JD Pendley Link to Jodi's website and additional resources Lindsay's website and instagram Lindsay mentioned the work of Jennifer Freyd and Dr. Kevin Skinner and the book Unleashing Your Power  Disclaimer: This podcast is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment with a licensed mental health professional or to be used in place of the advice of a physician. If you are struggling please don't delay in seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health practitioner or healthcare professional. If you're in crisis please visit NAMI.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour assistance.

This is a special tribute episode to the work of Pia Mellody who passed away May 7th at the age of 82. Pia was a pioneer in the field of trauma and addiction recovery; she developed a groundbreaking model of treatment, and authored several books including Facing Love Addiction and Facing Codependence.  Show notes and resources: Music by JD Pendley Link to Jodi's website and additional resources Links to Facing Codependence, Facing Love Addiction and The Intimacy Factor by Pia Mellody Disclaimer: This podcast is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment with a licensed mental health professional or to be used in place of the advice of a physician. If you are struggling please don't delay in seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health practitioner or healthcare professional. If you're in crisis please visit NAMI.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour assistance.

199 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, & travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that will air monthly throughout the year. In this 4rd episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from her April areas of interest: applying to residencies, untangling her codependent behaviors, and grappling with being enough when she's not trying to prove her relevance. Covered in this episode:Updates on her year-long projects like local food sourcing How HRT (hormone replacement therapy) has been goingWhy she's applying to writing residenciesWhat she's discovering about high-functioning codependencyHow she's asserting boundaries and taking care of her nervous systemHow to release our desire to prove our relevance One important question that's changing everything*This is the fourth episode in a year-long series for paid subscribers. Access for the full episode is available when you become a paid subscriber on Substack.About Nadine:Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-winning author, podcast host, and writing coach. After fifteen years as a professor, she founded WriteWELL workshops and retreats for women writers. She has helped those writers publish countless books and hundreds of essays in The New York Times, Vogue, The Sun, The Boston Globe, Longreads, and more. Her infertility memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure, was named book of the year by the Chicago Writer's Association. Her latest book, Come Home to Your Heart, is an essay collection and guided journal. She has been featured in Cosmo, Authority, MindBodyGreen, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. She interviews renowned female authors on her podcast, Heart of the Story, and writes a weekly column about mid-life reclamation on Substack.

How often do you look within and hear yourself asking the only questions that have any real potential to change your life, such as, "Who am I?, or "Why do I feel not good enough?" If you're like most people, you may never question whether or not you question the quality or validity of your thinking. That's why Lisa A. Romano Breakthrough Life Coach wants to activate higher consciousness within you so that you have a chance at changing your life outcomes.  While going through the early stages of recovery, Lisa realized she had an authenticity problem.  Being raised to fear her mother's gaslighting, rejection, and emotional neglect, conditioned Lisa to feel as if her authentic self needed to be abandoned.  Learn why it is essential to stop apologizing if you are truly serious about becoming a cycle breaker and healing from codependency. Lisa A. Romano Breakthrough Life Coach Online Codependency Recovery Program Facebook Support Group Free Codependency Quiz

What does it mean to be "good"? Unfortunately, for women, being seen as "good" often requires conforming and playing along vs standing up for one's values or against wrongdoing--if you've seen the movie Wicked, you know how this story goes. In this episode, Jodi begins the process of imperfectly unpacking what she's learned throughout nearly a decade of recovery (and 55 years of life): the insidious power of cultural messages; why being seen as a "good girl" can feel so important, but keeps us stuck; and how all of this prevents us from speaking up, being real, and getting to know our true strength.  Show notes and resources: Music by JD Pendley Link to Jodi's website and additional resources Read Jodi's blog  Jodi mentioned the book Ready to Heal by Kelly McDaniel Disclaimer: This podcast is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment with a licensed mental health professional or to be used in place of the advice of a physician. If you are struggling please don't delay in seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health practitioner or healthcare professional. If you're in crisis please visit NAMI.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour assistance.                  

1. The Mother of Codependence shares the difference between healthy and unhealthy helping.  2. The daily practice that helps Melody stop controlling others and “Let Life Happen.” 3. Why no one is able to gaslight you more than you.  4. The one area of life where Codependence is necessary. 5. All four of us surrender to the truth that we will never be Codependent No More. About Melody: A pioneering voice in self-help literature, Melody Beattie is the author of many bestselling books, including Codependent No More – a #1 New York Times bestseller, which has sold over 7 million copies – as well as The Language of Letting Go, Playing It by Heart, The Grief Club, and Beyond Codependency. An updated edition of the bestselling, modern classic, Codependent No More, is available now. Melody lives in Southern California. TW: @MelodyBeattie IG: @authormelodybeattie To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices