Relationship Dish

Fights happen, but what  really matters is what comes next. In this raw and revealing episode of Relationship Dish , Pam and Iona explore the often-missed art of repair —the intentional process of healing after conflict. Whether you grew up in a home where repair was modeled or swept under the rug, chances are no one taught you how to do it well. From repeating old parent/child dynamics to the all...

Thinking about couples therapy? Wondering if it can really fix what's broken—or if you're just signing up for weekly battles on a therapist's couch? In this episode of Relationship Dish , Pam and Iona pull back the curtain on what actually happens in couples therapy, what brings most couples through the door, and why it only works if both partners are willing to show up—messy feelings and all. The...

We all say we want healthy boundaries—but actually setting them? That's where things get messy. In this raw and revealing episode of Relationship Dish , Pam and Iona go beyond the surface-level how-to's and explore the deeper emotional blocks that keep so many of us stuck in people-pleasing, self-abandonment, and silent resentment. They share personal stories of how their childhoods shaped their b...

Sure, you've done the hard work—therapy, repair, tough conversations. But now what? In this feel-good episode of Relationship Dish , Pam and Iona dive into something couples often forget to prioritize: fun . From day trips to date nights, puzzles to pub nights, they explore how joy acts as a deposit in your relationship bank account—and why it's crucial for long-term connection. Pam shares honestl...

What does a real apology sound like—and why is it so damn hard to get one? In this episode of Relationship Dish , Pam and Iona dive into the delicate art of apologizing. After Iona arrives very late to the recording, she offers a genuine, no-excuses apology—and it sparks a deeper conversation about how we repair emotional ruptures in relationships. They explore the difference between heartfelt acc...

Ever feel like you're arguing with your partner's past self—or like they're stuck seeing you as who you used to be? In this candid and insightful episode of Relationship Dish , Pam and Iona explore the "ghosts" that haunt our relationships—old dynamics, traumas, and one-dimensional perceptions that get projected onto our partners and shape how we relate. From confirmation bias to emotional overfun...

In this episode, Pam and Iona unpack how childhood experiences with explosive anger shaped their adult relationships—and their own relationship with anger. From avoiding conflict to striving for perfection, they explore what happens when we bury our feelings to keep the peace, and how that can backfire. With honesty and humor, they show how learning to sit with emotions like annoyance can lead to...

In this episode, Iona and Pam dig into the powerful dynamics of over- and under-compensating in relationships and how these patterns often reflect parent-child ego states. Drawing from personal stories and therapeutic insights, they explore how mindfulness, validation, and understanding our triggers can help us shift into an adult state—where real intimacy and connection can thrive. Whether it's s...

Do your childhood wounds still have a seat at the table in your relationships? In this episode of Relationship Dish , Pam and Iona dive into how early emotional experiences shape our adult love lives—often in ways we don't realize. They explore how childhood traumas, attachment wounds, and subconscious patterns can lead to conflict, insecurity, or emotional distance. Tune in for insights on recogn...

In this episode, therapists Iona and Pam explore how facing—and honoring—your feelings is the key to clear communication and successful negotiation in relationships. They discuss why recognizing and processing emotions, rather than avoiding them, leads to deeper understanding, stronger connections, and more meaningful conversations. Tune in to learn how embracing your emotions can transform the wa...

This week, Iona and Pam dish about whether or not it's possible to have an amicable divorce or breakup. What if only one of you wants to end the relationship? What if you have kids? What if those kids are still young, and your ex brings a new partner into the family? If you're thinking about—or maybe even in the midst of—a divorce and hoping for minimal damage, this episode is for you.

Iona and Pam dish about what people really mean when they say that they've "fallen out of love" with their partner. It can sound so nebulous, scary, and final, and no one really knows how to deal with it! This week, the therapists dig into the logistics of what that statement really means and what to do to avoid it altogether in a relationship. They also destigmatize the phrase so listeners can un...

Are you overriding your instincts—and potentially putting your safety in jeopardy—to make others feel comfortable? Listen in this week as the therapists dish and dive into their personal experiences with feeling unsafe and vulnerable as women.  The conversation explores how their childhood experiences of feeling powerless and voiceless have impacted their ability to assert themselves in potentiall...

Listen in this week as the therapists dish and dive about their fears and vulnerabilities. Pam shares that she struggles with a fear of humiliation, especially related to her intelligence and competence. She recounts past experiences of being publicly embarrassed as a child, which have shaped her tendency to avoid vulnerability in order to protect her self-worth. Iona talks about how negative occu...

Listen in this week as the therapists dish and dive about navigating the differences between you and your partner. How alike—or unalike—can you be in a successful relationship? And can shared values overcome opposing political views? What if you're raising kids together? Pam and Iona explore how differences in upbringing, personality, and life experiences can impact your relationship. They emphasi...

Listen in this week as the therapists dish and dive about navigating life transitions. Iona shares her personal experiences with her daughter's departure to university and its impact on her relationship. Pam opens up about her journey through dating and the lessons she's learned about attachment and intimacy as she navigates her own transitions.

We are on a much needed break between seasons 4 and 5.   We leave you with a 5 min reminder tip to stay open and vulnerable in your relationship with your loved one and with the important people in your life.

We are on a much needed break between seasons 4 and 5.   We leave you with a 5 min reminder tip to stay open and vulnerable in your relationship with your loved one and with the important people in your life.

Listen in this week as the therapists dish and dive about narcissism.    Iona gets a rude awakening about how she's behaved in her relationship and this starts a conversation about people with narcissistic tendencies.   Pam weighs in on her experiences and together they dive into some interesting and enlightening literature on the subject.

Listen in this week for part 2 of our interview with therapist Alistair Moes, as he shares his knowledge about men, their feelings and their relationships. Alistair has run anger management workshops for both men and women for over 25 years  and has much to teach us about men and their feelings.

Listen in this week for part 1 of an interview where the therapists talk with Alistair- a therapist and colleague who's worked for years specifically with men and their anger issues. Learn how the men in his practice have learned to deal with their anger and their needs in relationships and where their issues originally stemmed from. If you've struggled with anger in your life, don't miss parts 1...

Listen in this week as the therapists dish and dive about The Withdrawer. Behind every good pursuer is a good distancer. Iona is married to one and Pam is one, so its a charged topic. Learn how they each cope in their own marriages and learn what it is that the withdrawer is truly feeling underneath the cool exterior. It'll surprise you how much is under there. Also, learn what the distancer reall...

We would like to wish you a very Happy Valentines Day from us at Relationship Dish. Love the one you're with, and most importantly love yourself to help love others more. Iona and Pam

This week the therapists dish and dive about the pursuer position in the cycle. Iona is a pursuer and Pam is married to one, so there is plenty of fodder to go around! Learn what the pursuer really needs, feels and longs for and how their stance can sabotage themselves and their partner. The more I pursue, the more you withdraw!   Learn how to break out of this conflict, voice what you need and ge...

Listen in this week as Iona and Pam dish and dive about growing apart from their partners. It can happen to the best of us but how do we know if it's just a phase or something more permanent? Pam and Iona weigh in on their own experiences and learn how to tell the difference and how to stop the disconnection dead in its tracks.