Relationships Made Easy

Are you dealing with family stress? Lashing out at your mom for that condescending thing she said? Feeling guilty that you’re avoiding your dad because he drives you crazy? Today you’re going to learn my top 3 tips on how to not get triggered by family stress so you can find joy and peace in your relationship with your parents and siblings. Full shownotes: https://abbymedcalf.com/got-family-stress...

How do you let things go that bother you? How do you stop overthinking -- going round and round in your head? Maybe your partner hurt you or you’re worried about paying your bills or maybe you’re freaking out about COVID and the Delta variant and you distract yourself for a bit, only to find all those thoughts and worries crashing down on you an hour later. Today I’m going to teach you a simple, e...

What do you do when an extended family member is creating a toxic atmosphere at family gatherings? How do you draw boundaries and feel seen and heard when dealing with toxic family relationships? I'm going deep on this question in today's episode! Full shownotes: https://abbymedcalf.com/ask-dr-abby-what-to-do-when-your-partner-avoids-difficult-conversations/   _____________________________...

Are you finding it hard to trust and connect with your partner because they avoid difficult conversations or lie to you about how they're really feeling to avoid upsetting you? Then today's show is for you! I'm answering another question from a listener with this exact problem and giving my top tips for creating connection! Full Shownotes: https://abbymedcalf.com/ask-dr-abby-what-to-do...

Feeling insecure and not good enough leads to you talking some serious smack to yourself, leaving you feeling anxious, crappy and even jealous. Research shows that your insecurity and all that disapproval inside your head not only hurts your physical and mental health, but it also negatively impacts how both you and your partner feel about your relationship. When you become more secure you’ll sile...

This week we’re doing an “Ask Dr. Abby” episode, where I respond to a question submitted by one of YOU! This week, someone wrote this: “Dear Dr. Abby, I’m feeling unloved and unappreciated or not good enough in some way. Is this a “me” problem, or is my partner causing it?” Stay tuned as I dive deep into issues of feeling unloved and unappreciated in our relationships and what it really means when...

Are you ready to improve your communication in all aspects of your life – with your partner, at work, with your family and friends? If I could boil down everything I’ve learned in the last 30 years to have great communication in both your business and personal life, it would be what I’m teaching you today. In this episode you’ll learn my five-step process to effective communication in every relati...

If you were sitting alone in a room and talking out loud, would you define that as communicating? No, I didn’t think so. But half the time you’re practically doing just that but calling it communicating. You’re speaking to (or at) your partner, coworker or child and think you’re communicating even though they’re not really listening to a word you’re saying! You might as well be alone speaking to a...

You’ve tried all the communication tools: you’ve been to couples counseling, attended workshops, read books, listened to podcasts and watched countless YouTube videos to learn how to communicate more effectively in your personal or work life. You’ve tried the new tool you learned with vim and vigor and maybe you saw some positive changes but soon found yourself falling back into old, unwanted patt...

Can’t stop obsessing about your ex or worrying about your bills? Or maybe you can’t stop beating yourself up over that “stupid” thing you said at work the other day? You’re not alone! Lots of us just can’t stop those negative thoughts! Luckily, there’s a research-backed way to stop ruminating called "self-distancing." Today I’m going to teach you all about self-distancing and my top 4 ways...

Is your mom always pointing out how you should have done something better? Do you share good news with your brother but then he poops all over it? Do you have a friend who says, “Let me just play devil’s advocate for a second?” There are good points to these people, and you love them, but you leave conversations feeling drained, sad, frustrated or resentful. Today, I’m teaching you my five-step pr...

Today I’m answering your top questions when it comes to porn in relationships: Is it an addiction? Is it cheating? What does the research say about it? What do you say about it, Abby? And how the heck do I deal with it, if it’s become an issue? I’m coming at you with all the answers today, so stay tuned! Grab my FREE Communication Tool Kit for Couples: https://abbymedcalfthriving.lpages.co/communi...

I’m sure you’ve heard of the fight/flight/freeze response, but did you know that there’s also a fourth type of response called fawn, which is like people pleasing in hyper drive? Today I’m breaking down these 4 different conflict responses and then you’ll learn my 2-step process to start taking control of your emotional reactions today! Grab my FREE Mindfulness Starter Kit (scroll down): https://a...

When you hear the word "trauma" you might be thinking, “Well, that doesn’t apply to me. I’ve never been the victim of a violent crime or in a war.” But defining any psychological trauma can be hard because it’s such an individual experience. I’ve been working with people for over 35 years, and I can tell you that what traumatizes you, might not traumatize someone else. This is why you migh...

When you hear the word "trauma" you might be thinking, “Well, that doesn’t apply to me. I’ve never been the victim of a violent crime or in a war.” But defining any psychological trauma can be hard because it’s such an individual experience. I’ve been working with people for over 35 years, and I can tell you that what traumatizes you, might not traumatize someone else. This is why you migh...

Do you feel pressure from your partner to be happy or “get over it” when you’re struggling? Does your best friend dismiss or minimize your difficult feelings? When you’re hurt, does your mom say, “You should be grateful” or “Look on the bright side?” You might be dealing with toxic positivity that leaves you feeling resentful, guilty or even ashamed but I’m here to help with my not-so-secret secre...

Do you feel pressure from your partner to be happy or “get over it” when you’re struggling? Does your best friend dismiss or minimize your difficult feelings? When you’re hurt, does your mom say, “You should be grateful” or “Look on the bright side?” You might be dealing with toxic positivity that leaves you feeling resentful, guilty or even ashamed but I’m here to help with my not-so-secret secre...

Do you have a friend who you’re always there for but, when you’re in need, they ghost you or offer minimal energy or support? Basically, are you in a friendship where it’s always all about them? Maybe you’ve been friends for years and you just want things to be more equal. Or maybe you don’t want to be friends anymore but can’t figure out how to leave without all the drama. Either way, I’ve got yo...

Have you been wrestling over The Clash’s epic line, “Should I stay or should I go?” Yes, this indecision is bugging you! The waffling back and forth, the feeling of uncertainty is the worst. You don’t want to regret -- you want to be 100% confident that breaking up (or staying) is the right decision. In my over 30 years of working with couples, I’ve identified a 5-step process you should be thinki...

When you get a compliment do you say things like: “I just got lucky;” “We did so well on that project because Jane was running it;” “I’m not really a good mom -- I’ve got a lot of help.” Then you may have Imposter Syndrome. Today you’ll learn if you have it and the 5 ways it’s hurting all your relationships. Top Tips for Getting Over Your Imposter Syndrome (scroll down to the bottom and enter your...

Being a rescuer will keep you stuck, disconnected and dissatisfied in your relationships. Today you’ll learn my 4 simple steps to stop rescuing so you can start truly connecting and supporting the people in your life. Follow me on Instagram! Join me on Clubhouse: @abbymedcalfphd Full shownotes: https://abbymedcalf.com/how-to-stop-rescuing-and-start-supporting-2/ I Feel Statement Exercise (scroll d...

Owning your shit is the key to a happy life because if you don’t own your shit, it’ll own you. If you’re blaming anyone else for anything in your life, it’s keeping you stuck. If you’re focusing on what your partner, boss or dad is doing wrong, it’s keeping you stuck! Today I’m going to teach you the 3 ways you’re neglecting your own emotional needs and how to fix it! Full shownotes: https://abbym...

If you often feel worried about a loved one, disappointed or upset by their choices, or like your emotions revolve around whether they’re “doing well” or not, then detaching with love is the key to feeling grounded, guilt-free and at peace. Today I’m going to teach you my 3 steps to loving detachment so stay tuned! Please subscribe and leave a review! Full shownotes: https://abbymedcalf.com/3-step...

There you are in the problem. “I can’t pay these bills.” “My partner’s driving me crazy.” “I think my boss hates me.” “I need to lose weight.” “I’m lonely.” Because this is a big issue in your life, you think about it often. You speak to anyone who’ll listen. It keeps you up at night as you search for answers. You believe that the way to solve your issue is to fixate on it but that never gives you...

Talking to someone who’s not listening is like speaking to a drunk person. They can sort of hold a conversation with you, but they’re not really present or engaged, and they’re not going to remember a thing you said tomorrow. Today I’m going to teach you the 5 signs that they’re not listening (so you’re not communicating) and my super simple, amazingly effective tool to get the conversation back o...