Relationships Let's Talk About It!

Robin Fann-Costanzo is the Co-Owner of Asheville's Still Point Wellness Spa, a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, Esalen massage instructor and practitioner, craniosacral therapist, somatic experiencing practitioner, and yoga instructor. In this episode, Robin and I have a conversation about the challenges and benefits of working in business with your spouse or partner. Many couples that wor...

In this episode I have a conversation with Thomas Doochin. Thomas is a men's work Facilitator, a farmer, and a storyteller. He lives with his family in the mountains surrounding Asheville, NC. Thomas is a believer in Life and human's innate capacity to bring forth more Beauty. For 9 years, Thomas led Daymaker, a social impact startup that grew to serving kids in over 30 states. He is also my neigh...

In this episode I have a conversation with Zucu Ingersoll. Zucu is a relationship facilitator and relational healing guide. She is a perennial (and stumbling) student of the spiritual paradigms and practical skills that lead to deeply satisfying relationships. She and her beloved work as a team supporting individuals, couples, and groups who long for relational healing and the deepening of authent...

In this episode I have a conversation with Eric Ingersoll. Eric is a relationship transformation guide. He knows transformation from the inside out, because he is walking this path himself. Once a brooding indie-rock musician using sexual fantasy to try and meet his needs for aliveness and acceptance, he has since learned the relational skills that empower him to get his needs met in his real-life...

In this episode I have a conversation with Mana Vermeulen-McLeod . Mana has been an  Earthaven Ecovillage (in Black Mountain, NC) resident and member since 2007. She believes in the potential of transformation in each present moment. She is a mother, natural builder, hair-dresser and conflict mediator at her village. A social activist committed to anti-oppression work in areas of race, gender and...

In this episode I have a conversation with my wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky. She is the founder of Artsy Goddess Studio, where she actively carries out her role in helping others and the planet heal. Rainbow is passionate about art, as seen in the upcycled clothing she creates from second-hand materials, as well as the visual arts she creates, such as murals, paintings, and tapestries. She also h...

Corey Costanzo is the Co-Owner of Asheville's Still Point Wellness Spa, a licensed addiction counselor, trauma specialist, licensed massage therapist, master didgeridoo player, colleague, and good friend. In this episode, Corey and I have a conversation about emotional flooding. That is when we get so overwhelmed with emotion, that the emotions take over, so we completely lose access to the logica...

Few parents are prepared to deal with the aftermath of the loss of a partner, whether from divorce, separation death or regardless of the cause. Single parenting has insurmountable challenges that can cause great stress and at times hardship. However, the flip side, single parenting also has its huge joys and rewards. In this episode, I have a conversation with Cathy Courtenay in which she shares...

In this solocast I talk about the importance of mental rehearsal as a skill to change your behaviors and emotional responses. When you mentally rehearse something before it happens, you're more likely to achieve that desired outcome. By mentally rehearsing an anticipated experience before it happens, you're actually getting better at the skillset. "The practice of mental rehearsal builds muscle me...

In this episode I have a conversation with Frederic Terral. He began his career with The Walt Disney Company, working on film, video & digital media projects. He is seasoned creative director who has led numerous branding initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, startups and government agencies. He launched pockitudes.com in 2016 to share the practice he developed to support his mental...

In this episode I have a conversation with Jackie Dobrinska. Jackie is a teacher, coach, and spiritual director who has married two decades of mystical practices with 15 years of expertise in physical health, including diet, herbalism, and Ayurveda. She works with people to live from their truest essence. In addition to coaching individuals and leading group workshops, she is currently the Directo...

Corey Costanzo is the Co-Owner of Asheville's Still Point Wellness Spa, a licensed addiction counselor, trauma specialist, licensed massage therapist, master didgeridoo player, colleague, and good friend. In this episode, Corey and I have a conversation about bonding through trauma and another aspect of which is called "trauma bonding". A trauma bond is an attachment formed between two people who...

In this episode I have a conversation with Laura Callahan, BA., CHt. Laura is a clinical hypnotherapist specializing in assisting clients with sexual dysfunction, trauma resolution, anxiety and fertility issues. She is also a Certified HypnoBirthing® Educator. She works with clients via Zoom throughout the US, Canada and elsewhere around the world! We have a conversation about Sexual Freedom throu...

In this episode I have a conversation with my wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky. She is the founder of Artsy Goddess Studio, where she actively carries out her role in helping others and the planet heal. Rainbow is passionate about art, as seen in the upcycled clothing she creates from second-hand materials, as well as the visual arts she creates, such as murals, paintings, and tapestries. She also h...

In this solocast I talk about the importance of knowing that balancing important parts of our life (work, relationship and self) is not about equality. Your work-life balance will vary over time. The best work-life balance is different for each of us because we all have different priorities and different lives. Balance also requires that we honor our energy. It is important to identify habits, act...

Marriage is usually the union of two people in love, and it is a legal commitment that has familial, social, and economic implications. People marry for so many reasons. Some marry to raise a family together, to commit to their relationship on a deeper level, cultural or religious reasons or the desire to experience varies legal advantages. People also marry for unhealthy reasons like to escape a...

In this solocast I talk about the importance how to recognize negativity, especially negative sentiment override in your relationships. Especially when you are anticipating negativity from your partner and there is a cloud of that negative bias also then towards them. We therefore distort our view of our partners as well as the situation at times. I also talk about turning that negativity around w...

Corey Costanzo is the Co-Owner of Asheville's Still Point Wellness Spa, a licensed addiction counselor, trauma specialist, licensed massage therapist, master didgeridoo player, colleague, and good friend. In this episode, Corey and I have a conversation about perfectionism and how those traits and tendencies affects relationships. Perfectionism can show up as being controlling, overanalyzing thing...

Polyamory specifically refers to people who have multiple romantic relationships at the same time. It does not mean any type of open relationship that may include more casual sexual partners. In many polyamorous relationships, each partner is aware of the other ones and transparency and honest communication is a vital part of healthy polyamorous relationships. In this podcast we discuss how polyam...

Anyone can be affected by depression. It can impact every aspect of one's life including our relationships. Those living with depression or anxiety often experience feelings of loneliness, even when they have a supporting and loving spouse. When depressed, one's interpretation of things tends to be harsher than reality. There are ways to help ease these episodes and times of struggle for one's sel...

The idea of "repair attempts" in a conflict has been especially important in understanding what matters about the way that couples manage conflict. John Gottman, (relationship expert and researcher) describes repair attempts as "any statement or action — silly or otherwise — that prevents negativity from escalating out of control." An argument can be avoided and hurt feelings diffused by using rep...

It's natural to get defensive when you feel threatened, or criticized...but your defensiveness may not serve you, your partner, or your relationship. The sad thing is many of us react defensively without even thinking about it. It creates an atmosphere of contention, tension and most of the time blame that eventually leads to a loss of trust, alienation, and separation. Owning our defensiveness is...

Most couples struggle at times of how to build and feed the "US" or "WE" in their relationship vs. their individual needs and desires. Thinking of your partnership as a team shifts your focus. Suddenly it's not "me versus you", it's "us". The next step however, is shifting the thinking of this focus and putting it into action. In this episode, I have a conversation with Cathy Courtenay. Cathy is a...

Trust goes hand in hand with essential components of a relationship, such as honesty, open communication, vulnerability, and respect, making it of utmost importance. Science proves that trust in a relationship is more essential than love. Building trust in relationships takes time, but being vulnerable with your partner will help the walls come down little by little. In this solocast, I talk about...

Benjamin Haynes is a wonderful example of today's young generation. He is a meditator, yogi, and evangelizer of "authentic relating." I was impressed by his presence, groundedness, and the intentional manner in which he spoke when we met about 3 years ago. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill and teaching in Malaysia under a Fulbright grant, Benjamin recently joined Authentic Relating Training, a...