Relationship Dish

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.

As a special treat to celebrate our recent 100th episode, this week the therapists interview Eric, Pam's husband, to find out what impact the podcast has had on him, the relationship and Pam . We learn what's changed for Eric as a result of his partner's podcast journey and how their relationship has grown over the past 2 years. We also hear what's remained the same and what Eric's learned about h...

Listener pick! Just in time for cold and flu season... Listen in this week as the therapists discuss hypochondria. Ever worry if the headache you have is really a tumour? Or if the cough you have is more nefarious than you think? Many of us, of course,  wonder from time to time, but to obsess constantly about these long shots is the pain of hypochondria.    Pam and Iona discuss how it has personal...

Listen in this week as the therapists dish about healthy guilt. Is that a thing? You betcha! Sometimes feeling healthy guilt is really useful. Pam and Iona dish about their healthy guilt and the fallout they've experienced of not truly feeling it. Dive into the literature about healthy guilt and learn its vital role in our lives, if we'll accept it!

Happy new year! What better way to start 2020 than with learning how to regulate your emotions so that you can maintain your relationships!  Listen in as the therapists dish about their own struggles with discharging emotions in their relationships and the damage it's done.   Then learn what the literature says about the window of tolerance and  how to keep ourselves within it so we can stay true...

Happy New Year and Happy Holidays, Here is a replay of one of our favourite episodes, Falling in Love. Sometimes we have to do away with the image we create  of our partner, so we can meet and fall in love with who this person really is. They learn that this is not a selfish thing, that another person is not out on this earth to fill all of our fantasies, but rather to be loved for who they truly...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Here is a replay of one of our favourite episodes. The Critic. This week the therapists dish and dive about that critical voice in their heads, their inner critics. They look at where they come from and  how we can learn to manage them so they don't take over our lives. Listen in and learn how to beat those negative voices! 

This week the therapists continue their interview with a couple who are beating the odds ! Typically divorce rates for second marriages are even higher than for firsts. But not for this couple!  Listen in and learn how they've persevered against toxic ex partners, blended families and outside responsibilities to keep and nurture the love they found with each other the second time around.  Our fina...