Connection Codes

Have you ever wondered if it's okay to raise your voice or show big emotion when you're deeply upset—without damaging your relationships? In this powerful conversation, Tera, Dr. Glenn, and Phyllis dive deep into what it really means to express emotions like anger, fear, or sadness in a way that fosters connection instead of creating conflict. From breaking down the difference between acti...

Tera sits down with Vanessa Marin, licensed sex therapist and CEO of Vanessa Marin Sex Therapy, to explore how our early messages around sex shape our adult relationships—and how we can reclaim joy, freedom, and connection in the bedroom. Vanessa shares her personal journey of unlearning shame, learning how to speak up for her needs, and rewriting her sexual story. From navigating body confidence...

Tera and Wes Wages get vulnerable about what truly makes — and breaks — connection over time. In this heartfelt and revealing conversation, they explore the hidden challenges of long-term love, from battling insecurity and body image fears to maintaining consistency through the daily chaos of life. They also candidly share insights on emotional validation, how minor daily efforts like scheduled te...

Do you ever lay in bed exhausted, but your mind won’t turn off? This episode breaks down why it’s not your to-do list that’s draining you—it’s unprocessed emotion. Hosts Tera, Phyllis, and Dr. Glenn explore the physiological and psychological toll of unacknowledged fear, anxiety, and emotional overload in today’s high-stress world. From Sunday scaries and doom-scrolling to navigating news-induced...

In this week’s episode, Tera, Dr. Glenn, and Phyllis dive deep into the power of hurt —specifically, how we respond when our partner is hurt by something we’ve done. If you’ve ever deflected, avoided a tough conversation, or struggled with shame and guilt in your relationship, this episode is for you. Learn practical tools to process hurt , communicate with compassion , and move forward with authe...

What if the story you’ve been telling yourself… isn’t even yours? In this deeply validating and insight-rich episode of the Connection Codes podcast, Tera Wages joins Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill to explore how childhood messages, cultural labels, and relationship dynamics shape—and often limit—our identity. Through personal stories, including leaving church, navigating marriage intimacy, and feelin...

Tera, Dr. Glenn, and Phyllis explore one of the most foundational elements of human connection: identity. What does it mean to give identity—or to take it away? Through tender personal stories and real-life encounters, they unpack how kindness, often seen as a simple virtue, carries the power to either affirm or strip away someone’s sense of significance. Phyllis introduces the concept of the &quo...

Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill unpack a recent “miss” in their relationship—one that reflects a broader season of emotional exhaustion, grief, and life transition. From losing Glenn’s mother to living a nomadic life out of a suitcase, the Hills open up about the cumulative weariness they’ve been carrying. Phyllis courageously names the fear of “forever missing each other” and the exhaustion that somet...

So many of us live as stunt doubles, showing up in spaces—church, work, even our own homes—feeling like we have to perform instead of just be. In this episode, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis unpack the weight of that, the exhaustion it brings, and how Connection Codes gives us the tools to step out of the act and into real, life-giving connection. They share stories from their recent event in Austin, the i...

Marriage is full of seasons—some where you’re both thriving, some where you’re both struggling, and the hardest ones, where one of you is drowning while the other is doing just fine. In this episode, Tera, Echo, and Phyllis get real about what it looks like to stay connected when your partner is in a tough place, how codependency sneaks in without us realizing it, and why we were never meant to ca...

In this episode, Tera Wages sits down with Phyllis Hill and Echo Hill Vedder to talk about a game-changing concept: desire vs. capacity—the difference between what we want to do and what we actually have the bandwidth for. They discuss how ignoring our capacity leads to burnout, why so many of us push through exhaustion, and how tuning into our bodies can be the key to reclaiming energy and joy. E...

In this episode, Tera sits down with trauma-informed coach Echo Vetter to unpack something most of us were never taught—how to process anger in a healthy way. Echo breaks down the difference between core anger and secondary anger, why we misdefine it, and how it actually exists to protect us. She explains how unprocessed anger lives in the body, often showing up as chronic pain, stress, or emotion...

Tera sits down with Meaghan Hill for an update that so many listeners have been asking for. Nearly a year after her diagnosis, Meg shares what this journey has been like—the hard days, the unexpected moments, and the deep gratitude she has for the people who have surrounded her. She talks about what it’s like to sit in the emotions that come with something this heavy, how faith has played a huge r...

Certified coach Bridgett Blood joins Phyllis Hill for a conversation about sexual joy and sexual loneliness—what they actually mean and why we’re so uncomfortable talking about them. Bridgett explains how these feelings show up whether you're single or married, why we’ve been taught to fear our own sexual energy, and how embracing it can lead to deeper connection and self-acceptance. She share...

Tera Wages is joined by Bridgett Blood and Phyllis Hill to explore the concept of Psycholation—a state of psychological isolation where people experience emotions alone, even when surrounded by others. They discuss how past experiences can make us want to keep pain to ourselves and the impact it has on relationships and mental well-being. Bridgett shares how she overcame isolation, while Phyllis a...

Elijah Runyan, a Connection Codes-certified coach, wellness mentor, and father of four, joins Tera to dig into the emotional rollercoaster of parenting. In this episode, Elijah opens up about the challenges of raising teenagers and young kids, trying to understand their emotional needs, and confronting his own fears and shame as a parent. He shares how Connection Codes tools have completely change...

Phyllis and Dr. Glenn are joined by Elijah Runyan, a seasoned Connection Codes coach and the director of their coaching certification program. Elijah shares how fear of shame, fear of emotions, and avoidance can drive our behaviors in relationships and everyday life. Through real-life client stories and his own experiences, he explains how slicing emotions thinner and processing them authentically...

Tera sits down with Dan and Kay Ockey, founders of Centsei, to talk about the emotional and practical side of finances in relationships. From overcoming $20,000 of debt in their early marriage to building a system that has helped thousands of couples find financial peace, the Ockeys share their journey of vulnerability, teamwork, and transformation. They discuss the shame that often surrounds mone...

The Connection Codes team has a conversation about the transition into 2025, sharing their insights on goals, community, and the intentional steps they’re taking for growth in the new year. They discuss the importance of connection, both within relationships and with oneself, and the small, actionable changes that can create meaningful momentum. Tera shares her word of the year—see—which is about...

Tera Wages, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill continue their conversation about how they’re navigating life’s big transitions. They reflect on the decision to sell their home of 11 years, the emotional and physical toll of letting go, and the unexpected challenges of rebuilding a new normal. Through stories of fear, exhaustion, and fleeting moments of clarity, they share how community, small steps, and v...

Tera and Wes talk about the challenges of staying emotionally connected during the busy and often chaotic holiday season. They openly share moments of guilt, shame, and loneliness, showing how quickly small interactions can turn into emotional disconnect if left unaddressed. They discuss using the Core Emotion Wheel to break cycles of resentment and miscommunication. It’s not about avoiding confli...

Phyllis and Dr. Glenn Hill, alongside Tera Wages, reflect on years of caregiving, immense responsibility, and the hidden toll of staying too long in life’s boiling pot. As she shares moments of unexpected joy, pain, and tough decisions, Phyllis talks about how recognizing and addressing pain can lead to profound change. Tera joins the conversation, helping frame the journey of shifting from “I can...

Tera, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis dive right into the deep emotional impact of hurt and how it shapes our decisions, often leading us to throw out meaningful connections. They discuss the origins of the phrase “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” and share examples where unresolved pain led to disconnection—from friendships to church experiences and even political divides. The Connection Codes tea...

Tera, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis talk about the surprising ways emotions can surface and the impact they have on our lives and connections. Phyllis shares a deeply personal moment when a Broadway play unexpectedly brought her to tears, triggering memories and grief she hadn’t felt in years. Tera, Glenn, and Phyllis reflect on the Connection Codes principle that emotions happen to us, often without warn...

Tera sits down with Sharon McMahon, widely known as America’s government teacher, to discuss the power of fear as a driver in politics and history. They discuss how emotions influence decision-making, the importance of warm relationships in bridging divides, and the steps individuals can take to create meaningful change in their communities. Sharon shares insights from her journey, highlights from...