The Human Intimacy Podcast

Reclaiming Self-Worth: A Journey Back to Who You Truly Are --- In this episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis delve into the important topic of self-worth. Distinguishing it from self-esteem, they explore the enduring, inherent value each person holds regardless of external achievements, failures, or relationships. The conversation unpacks how life experienc...

Navigating Triggers in Public Spaces: Building Trust and Connection After Betrayal   In this the 50th episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis delve into the challenges couples face when navigating public spaces after betrayal. They explore how hypervigilance, triggers, and the history of betrayal influence interactions in environments like malls or restaurant...

Self-Work and Overcoming Resistance: Embracing the Change Process   In this episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis discuss the concept of self-work, emphasizing its importance in personal growth and relationship improvement. They explore the challenges of resistance to change, offering practical strategies for self-reflection and breaking down the change pro...

In this powerful and deeply important episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis discuss the far-reaching influence of pornography on individuals, relationships, and society. The episode reveals shocking statistics about the average age of first exposure—11 years old—and explores the lasting psychological, emotional, and relational consequences for both children...

New Year, New Habits: The Science of Change and Lasting Transformation   In this inspiring New Year’s Day episode, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis dive into the challenges and opportunities of creating lasting change. They explore why most New Year’s resolutions fail and share practical strategies for success, including understanding intrinsic motivation, habit stacking, and the power of a...

Becoming a Peacemaker: Finding Peace Within and Sharing It With the World    In this special Christmas episode of ”The Human Intimacy Podcast”, Dr. Kevin Skinner and his colleague, MaryAnn Michaelis, explore what it means to be a true peacemaker. While the holidays are often a time of joy, they can also bring stress, conflict, and hurt. Dr. Skinner and MaryAnn challenge common misconceptions about...

You Can Be Right or You Can Be Married: Rebuilding Communication, Trust, and Love with Brett Williams In this episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner welcomes his long-time friend and fellow therapist, Brett Williams, author of You Can Be Right or You Can Be Married . With over 35 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist, Brett dives into the complexities of couple c...

The Affirming and Healing Balm of Acknowledgement   In this episode of “The Human Intimacy Podcast”, Dr. Kevin Skinner welcomes Kosta Petrogeorge, a long-time colleague and friend, to explore the powerful concept of acknowledgement in relationships. The conversation dives into how deeply seeing and acknowledging loved ones—through intentional words, actions, and moments—can heal emotional wounds,...

Exploring the Silent Struggle: Betrayed Men and Their Healing Journey with Dr. Jesse Piles    In this compelling episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner sits down with Dr. Jesse Piles, a PhD in humanities and a dedicated researcher, to discuss the often-overlooked experiences of betrayed men. Drawing from years of research and hundreds of conversations with betrayed husbands, Dr....

Understanding Anxiety: Tools for Managing Stress and Building Connection In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis dive into one of the most prevalent mental health challenges of our time—anxiety. As the holidays approach, many feel the weight of heightened emotions, family interactions, and personal stress. Dr. Skinner and MaryAnn discuss the biology o...

Making Love and Other Non-Sexual Activities: Creating Connection in Every Relationship In episode 41 of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis redefine the concept of "making love," shifting it from a purely sexual context to an intentional act of creating connection and care in all relationships. Through personal stories, client experiences, and research insights, the...

Preparing for the Holidays: Connection, Self-Care, and Healthy Boundaries In episode 40 of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore how to prepare mentally and emotionally for the holiday season. They discuss the importance of connecting with loved ones, setting healthy boundaries, and taking steps to manage common holiday stressors. The hosts offer practical str...

Bridging the Divide: How Seeing Each Other Can Heal Relationships n this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis dive into the timely topic of conflict, both on the political stage and in personal relationships. As election season stirs emotions and divides deepen, they explore how viewing others with empathy, even in times of disagreement, can open doors to...

Unlearning: Breaking Patterns That Prevent Us from Connection and Intimacy Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis discuss breaking subconscious patterns that prevent true connection. MaryAnn’s story about reconnecting with her neighbors serves as a reminder of the power of intentional actions to foster intimacy and reduce isolation. Through examples and references, they offer tools to identify, u...

Breaking the Silence: Addressing Abuse as a Barrier to Human Intimacy In this powerful episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis tackle one of the most difficult topics in relationships—abuse in its various forms. They explore how abuse, whether emotional, verbal, physical, psychological, or financial, acts as a significant barrier to human intimacy. The conver...

When We Freeze: Understanding and Healing from Traumatic Shutdowns In this episode, MaryAnn Michaelis and Dr. Kevin Skinner discuss the profound impact of freezing as a response to trauma. They explore how life events, particularly those involving emotional or physical trauma, can leave individuals stuck, carrying the weight of unresolved experiences for decades. This discussion highlights how fre...

Breaking Through Barriers: How to Create Lasting Change in Life and In this solo episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner shares insights into the change process, drawn from his experiences as a therapist. He addresses common questions such as, "Why can't I change?" and "Why is this so hard?" and explores why we often feel stuck in life and relationships. Dr. Skinner outlines the f...

Navigating the Early Stages of Sexual Betrayal Trauma: Understanding, Healing, and Support In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and his colleague MaryAnn Michaelis delve into the emotional and psychological impacts that arise immediately after discovering a partner's sexual betrayal. The conversation centers on the shock and disorientation many betrayed partners experie...

In this episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and his colleague MaryAnn Michaelis explore the concept of confession as a means of healing relationships and releasing personal burdens. They discuss how fear, shame, and secrecy can create emotional and physiological stress, often leading to isolation. By sharing deeply held secrets and engaging in radical honesty, individuals can...

The Power of Being Seen: Cultivating Connection and Attunement in Relationships In this episode, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore the importance of being "seen" and "felt" in relationships. They discuss how modern life often hinders deep connection and emphasize the need for self-awareness and attunement to others' emotions. Using stories and insights from experts like Dan Siegel, t...

The Secrets of Successful Couples: Bid Attempts, Communication, and Emotional Connection In this episode of the “Human Intimacy Podcast”, Dr. Kevin Skinner explores the secrets of successful couples, sharing key insights from relationship researchers like Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Sue Johnson. Dr. Skinner delves into the importance of recognizing and responding to "bid attempts"—those small gesture...

Facing the Fear of Intimacy: Understanding and Overcoming the Barriers to Connection In this heartfelt episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and co-host Amy Andrus dive into the common emotions surrounding the fear of intimacy. They explore how past experiences, childhood memories, and critical self-talk can create blind spots that hinder our ability to connect deeply with other...

  The Power of Social Connection: Healing and Thriving Through Support In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis discuss the vital importance of social connections for our physical and mental well-being. They explore the transformative impact of community, support groups, and trusted relationships, emphasizing that humans are inherently wired for connec...

Breaking the Cycle: How to Resolve Relationship Problems and Build Connection In this episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and Amy Andrus explore how couples can break free from destructive relationship patterns that keep them stuck. They introduce the concept of the Zeigarnik effect—the tendency of the mind to cling to unresolved issues—and how it often plays out in relationsh...

Empathy in Action: A Path to Deeper Relationship Bonds with Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis In this podcast episode, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore the concept of empathy, defining it as the ability to connect with others' emotions and hold space for their experiences. They discuss the challenges of practicing empathy in relationships, particularly during conflicts when em...