Connection Codes

What happens when you've spent a lifetime being silent—and suddenly, you can't do it anymore? In this powerful conversation, Connection Codes coach Laurel Simpson shares the moment that changed everything: a walk with her husband John where she realized she had to rebel against the silence that was suffocating her marriage and her mental health. After years of caretaking her mom through Al...

What happens when a simple email about work scripts triggers a complete relationship nosedive? In this raw, unfiltered episode, we witness Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill work through an actual conflict from the day before—and discover how identity loss was at the root of their disconnect. This isn't theory. This is real marriage work happening in real-time. You'll discover: Why the first 60 se...

Episode 188: Identity Over Truth - Why We're All Desperate to Be Seen In this powerful episode, Tera Wages and Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill explore why humans prioritize identity over truth—and how this fundamental need shapes everything from our marriages to the polarizing world we see online. What You'll Learn: Why identity is your #1 human need (backed by the Still Face Experiment) The 5...

In this deeply vulnerable episode, Dr. Glen and Phyllis continue their real-time conflict from last week, diving into the messy reality of what it looks like when one partner is thriving while the other is just beginning to recover from burnout. Recorded just moments after a morning conflict, this episode captures the raw, unscripted reality of navigating relationship pain when one person has no r...

Tera, Dr. Glenn, and Phyllis dive into the powerful interplay between vulnerability and safety in relationships. Drawing from personal stories, cultural examples, and decades of work with Connection Codes , they unpack how many of us were raised to silence emotions—and how this creates barriers to intimacy. The hosts explore why vulnerability is not weakness but the very act that creates safety, a...

In this episode Tera, Dr. Glenn, and Phyllis take on one of the most misunderstood and weaponized words in relationships: forgiveness . They unpack why simply saying “I forgive you” rarely brings peace, and how unprocessed pain lingers in the body long after conflict. Through personal stories, faith reflections, and the practical tools of the Connection Codes , they reveal why true healing comes t...

In this vulnerable and empowering conversation, host Tera Wages sits down with Ally Bullock — licensed marriage and family therapist, Head of Relationships at Paired, and creator of Relationships with Ally . Together, they unpack the realities of sex and intimacy after parenting. From mismatched desire and the weight of invisible labor, to the science behind stress and sexual satisfaction, Ally sh...

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis talk with Paul and Hannah McClure—musicians, parents, and certified Connection Codes coaches—about the journey of learning to process emotions instead of drowning in them. The McClures share openly about walking through miscarriage, facing parenting challenges, and breaking free from long seasons of disconnection. They describe how simple tools...

Tera Wages sits down with Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill to unpack the heart behind launching the School of Connection. Together, they explore why disconnection is one of the most dangerous forces in marriages, families, and workplaces, and how community becomes the missing piece for lasting transformation. With real stories of parents using the Core Emotion Wheel, couples breaking the cycle of confli...

For nearly two decades, Zephan and Sarah's marriage was in "survival mode". On the surface, everything seemed "fine," but underneath, a painful disconnect was growing—one partner felt "particularly lonely," while the other "had no idea". A pivotal moment during a podcast recording led to an emotional "dam break," forcing them to confront years...

Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill welcome their grandson, Asher Hill, to share his journey of learning and practicing the Connection Codes Core Emotion Wheel from a young age. That foundation became life-saving when, at just 14 years old, he was hit with the emotional weight of his mother’s cancer diagnosis. Now 16, Asher reflects on how this tool has carried him through high school pressures, football s...

In this heartfelt episode, we explore the transformative power of vulnerability in personal growth. Join us as Hannah Droll shares her journey of embracing vulnerability through Connection Codes, revealing how it reshaped her relationships and self-awareness. Discover the challenges and triumphs of staying present in moments of emotional intensity, and learn how vulnerability can lead to deeper co...

What if processing emotions could be simple, kind, and transformative? In this conversation, Dr. Glenn sits down with Jonathan Hernandez — psychology student, Certified Connection Codes Coach, and creative visionary bringing the Connection Codes to nearly a billion Spanish speakers. Speaking from his own dating relationship, Jonathan shares how processing emotions like fear, joy, and shame without...

After 30 days apart, Tera and Wes Wages reunite in this raw and reflective episode to walk through the Core Emotion Wheel—live and unscripted. They process everything from the guilt of missed connections to the joy of being truly seen, showing just how powerful emotional honesty can be. Along the way, they model how to use this tool in real-time, talk through what’s really driving their behavior,...

Phyllis and Dr. Glenn Hill sit down with Elijah Runyan, Director of Certified Coaching for Connection Codes, to dive deep into the world of neurodivergence and emotional connection. Both Elijah and Dr. Glenn share personal stories of what it’s like to live with unique emotional wiring—where everyday experiences, like dishes left undone or mismatched hangers, can trigger intense pain experiences. T...

Tera, Phyllis, and Dr. Glenn dive into the deeply human instinct to stay hidden—especially when emotions like shame, sadness, or anger begin to rise. Whether it's saying “I’m fine” when we’re not, or disconnecting to avoid discomfort, the episode unpacks how hiding becomes a form of emotional protection that ultimately costs us connection. Drawing from personal stories and the Connection Codes...

In this powerful episode of the Connection Codes podcast, Tera and Phyllis sit down with trauma-informed coach Echo Hill Vetter to break open what happens when we let go of punishment and choose connection over consequence. Together, they unpack why punishing our kids “into good behavior” often fails — and how to replace control with curiosity, repair, and true partnership. Echo shares how dance a...

If you are in a happy, loving relationship where you feel safe but have moments that suddenly your partner feels like the enemy... Ooooo... you aren't alone. It is easy to feel like they are the ones in the "wrong." Today, we talk about reframing our thoughts and having deep conversations to experience new depth and peace in your relationship. Links and Resources: Download the Core E...

When did motherhood start to mean sacrificing your whole self? In this honest episode, No Guilt Mom founder JoAnn Crohn joins Tera to unmask the hidden expectations that keep moms overwhelmed and stuck in cycles of guilt. JoAnn shares how a single permission slip — and a head of cabbage — helped her break free from the “selfless mom” myth, reclaim her identity, and build a thriving community where...

In this powerful episode, coach Echo Hill Vetter invites us into the often-ignored conversation between our minds and our bodies. With deep vulnerability and insight, Echo shares her transformative journey of realizing that trauma isn’t always dramatic—it’s often stored in the quiet, unmet needs of the body. From the radical idea of going to the bathroom when you need to, to learning how to “feel...

Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill welcome back Chris Cruz—Managing Director at Harbor + Union- for a powerful conversation on leadership, action, and emotional clarity. With refreshing vulnerability, Chris shares how the phrase “clarity is found in motion” transformed his approach to decision-making, leadership, and connection. Listeners will hear how fear often paralyzes us into waiting, but motion—taki...

In this powerful episode, certified Connection Codes coach Bridgett Blood shares her raw and transformative journey through 12 weeks of deep emotional work that redefined her understanding of peace, connection, and faith. Joined by Phyllis, Dr. Glenn, and Tera, she unpacks the shift from peacekeeping to peacemaking—revealing how naming harm, confronting emotional pain, and embracing core emotions...

In this heartfelt episode, certified Connection Codes coach Bridgett Blood joins Tera and Phyllis for an honest and moving conversation about what it means to connect with yourself first . After facing the collapse of a romantic relationship that had initially introduced her to Connection Codes, Bridgett found herself alone—and yet, divinely invited—to use these emotional tools to begin healing fr...

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, Tera shares the emotional weight of discovering a lump and choosing silence over fear—until it became too loud to ignore. Phyllis opens up about years of stored anger and the physical damage it caused before she began the journey of emotional release. Alongside Dr. Glenn, they explore how unprocessed emotions don’t disappear—they go deeper, affectin...

Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill sit down with certified Connection Codes coaches Tanya and James, a couple whose journey into emotional healing began in an unexpected place—deep in a remote part of British Columbia. What started as a midnight podcast listen became a life-altering pursuit of authentic connection. Tanya and James open up about their transformation from emotional shutdown and chronic pain...