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In this episode Jackie introduces a twelve-part series focused on working The Twelve Principles as introduced by Dr. Patrick Carnes.  The principles are connected to the steps and prompt a question for us to consider.  Of course, these questions cannot be answered by asking a wise old sage, or an oracle or even a sponsor.  These answers are revealed to us as we live each day, work the steps and li...

In this first episode of 2021, Jackie talks about the liminal space of ending and beginning.  She reads writings from the poet and author David Whyte about nostalgia and being close.  Are we in a better space when we have accomplished our goals or when we are close to what we set out to accomplish?  Close to tears, close to success, close to leaving or close to happiness?  And what is the role tha...

In this episode Jackie takes a minute to reflect on lessons learned from one of the most collectively dark years in our recent history.  2020 was dark and hard in many personal ways as well as being difficult collectively as we all struggled with the challenges brought by COVID-19.  Many families are celebrating the holidays with an empty seat at the table and dealing with other losses brought by...

In this episode Jackie talks about reclaiming what we have lost from life and from hurt. Can we remember the parts of ourselves that are untarnished?  Who we were before you were being asked to be anything other than you? 

The holidays can be a very difficult time for people. We can try to put on a smile and try to pretend like everything is ok, when really we are only pretending.  For those, going through a difficult time or a "dark night of the soul", this time of year can be especially heavy.  This episode is for those who are facing a challenge, asking tough questions, facing difficult truths and making hard cha...

In this episode Jackie talks about healing what haunts us.  Our country is facing a dark and difficult time with so many of us opposed and protesting the other.  Jackie offers a different perspective coming from a mental health professional's prospective and one who sees patterns and processes.    

In this episode, Jackie interviews Michelle Mays about healing from betrayal trauma.  Michelle founded the Center for Relational Recovery, a counseling and training center focused on providing leading-edge treatment to sex addicts, partners of sex addicts, trauma survivors, and those struggling with relationship issues.  Michelle's work is grounded in the work that all change happens in relationsh...

In this episode Jackie responds to a listener's questions related to trauma responses.  Knowing and understanding what yours are is an important step in managing them when they get triggered. 

In this episode Jackie talks about the line from Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karinnana "Happy Families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."  What does this mean?  And how can we learn to be happy, be relational and have connection and vulnerability in our relationships?  

We all have experiences where a situation triggers a trauma response in us.  Something from the past feels as though it is happening again in our present.  Our body responds, our thoughts and feelings follow and we are in a trauma response.  What can we do to shorten the time spent in trauma response?  How can we work our way out of our trauma response and back into our current time where we have...

In this episode Jackie talks about the pain of betrayal trauma.  Betrayal trauma has a significant impact on both the brain and the nervous system of the betrayed partner and makes it difficult for them to return to a state of calm and safety.  Included are steps for healing betrayal trauma.

In this episode, Jackie talks about the practice of Sabbath. Of consecrating a time each week for rest, renewal, and delight.   Sabbath is more than the absence of work; it is not just a day off when we catch up on television or errands. It is the presence of something that arises when we consecrate a period of time to listen to what is most deeply beautiful, nourishing, or true. It is time consec...

In this episode Jackie talks about Maslow's hierarchy of human needs that dictate a person's behavior.  Jackie talks about the belief window that figuratively sits in front of our face and also dictates the beliefs we have about ourselves and the world we live in.  If we are looking to change behavior, it starts with changing the beliefs that sit on this belief window.   

In this episode, Jackie talks about moving beyond sobriety into optimal recovery.  Often this is a lifelong process.  A corrective emotional experience is required for previous traumatic or dysfunctional critical events that were maladaptively processed and resulted in addiction or other coping mechanisms. 

In this episode Jackie talks about the continuum of strategies for getting what I want and need and balancing the health of the relationship.  This dynamic comes up in our romantic relationships as well as with our kids, our friends and extended family relationships.  There are strategies we can employ to get what we want or need that are relationship constructive and there are strategies that are...

In this episode Jackie talks about balancing novelty and security in our relationships.  Security fosters a sense of love and belonging while novelty fuels passion, satisfaction and happiness.  Too much of one and not enough of the other can lead to relationship dissatisfaction.  

In this episode Jackie talks about childhood experiences that shape and inform our sexual relationships as we get older.  Many times, these issues are origin stores behind problematic sexual behavior.  In healing sexuality, it is important to explore deeper issues and not just stay on the surface focused on the yes and no's of sexual choice.    

In this episode Jackie talks about the EFT as a therapy modality when working with couples.  EFT is all about healing attachment wounds and experiencing relationships in a positive, inviting and safe way.  What happens when couples get stuck in conflict?  What happens when communication doesn't lead to connection? Often it is old patterns of interacting and the negative messages that come with tho...

In this episode, Jackie talks about power dynamics that affect us in our daily lives and pit us against each other instead of with each other.  Recent events from last week brought the patriarchal structure of the United States and our representatives front and center.  It's not uncommon for change to inspire change.  As we have felt the uncertainty of a global epidemic, the issue of racism made i...

In this episode Jackie talks about the social issue that is rising up currently in the US and asking for us to do something.  If we can't begin conversations then we certainly can't fix the racial discrimination that has plagued our country since it's inception.    

This episode continues our look at politics. Jackie talks with author Bill Eddy about his book Why We Elect Narcissists and Sociopaths and How We Can Stop! Bill talks about the patterns across the world and throughout history where HCP’s have risen to the top and caused chaos and destruction. We cover the role media plays. We talk about what we, the average person, can do in recognizing these pers...

In this episode Jackie has a guest on to talk about Politics. Not partisan politics that put so many people on opposing sides from those they love, work with and know. Politics as it is designed to work and what we as citizens can do to get politics working for us instead of against us.      

In this episode Jackie talks about the importance of living with intent.  We can lay a foundation for ourselves to do this.  She also offers practical steps to practice in moving forward with intent.  During these times of unrest and uncertainty on our planet and in our country, living with intent can lead to the changes we so need.

In this episode, Jackie talks about a common communication process that will derail conversations and leave participants frustrated.  This process is referred to as the drama triangle.  Jackie explains this process as well as how to exit the drama triangle and communicate in more productive ways.  

In this episode Jackie talks about the science of crying.  We actually don't know a lot about why we cry and even less about why some people don't cry.  There have been a lot of misconceptions throughout history about crying.  Sadness and sorrow are inevitable experiences in life.  Yet, we often avoid them or apologize for feeling that way.  How can we gain clarity from our sorrow and bring meanin...