The Learning Love Podcast

You should have known.” It is one of the most painful things we say in a relationship—and usually it does not mean, “You failed a test.” It means, “I wanted to feel noticed. I wanted to matter enough for you to see what I was carrying without me having to ask.” In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores why expecting your spouse, partner, family member, or friend to “...

How do you bring up something that is bothering you without turning it into a fight? In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks talks about how to have hard conversations in relationships without shutting down, blowing up, becoming sarcastic, or pretending everything is fine when it is not. Most relationship conflicts do not begin because someone raises a concern. They begin b...

Why do we keep repeating the same relationship patterns, even when they leave us hurt, exhausted, or wondering why love keeps ending the same way? In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores why people are often drawn to familiar relationship dynamics—even when those dynamics are unhealthy. From emotionally unavailable partners and constant conflict to people-pleasing...

In this heartfelt episode of the Learning Love Podcast , we explore what love teaches us after disappointment, heartbreak, rejection, and unmet expectations. When love does not go the way we hoped, it can leave us questioning our worth, our choices, and whether it is safe to open our hearts again. But disappointment does not have to be the end of your love story. Sometimes, it becomes the lesson t...

What happens when you have a good marriage, supportive friends, a loving family… and still feel lonely, empty, restless, or emotionally unfulfilled? In this deeply honest episode of The Learning Love Podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores one of the most misunderstood struggles in modern life: the painful realization that even healthy relationships cannot fully give us the sense of worth, identity, p...

What happens when conflict is never actually addressed — only ignored until enough time passes that someone hopes it will simply disappear? In this powerful episode of The Learning Love Podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores one of the most common patterns in emotionally unhealthy and dysfunctional relationships: avoiding responsibility while expecting time alone to heal the damage. Rather than takin...

Why do so many relationships slowly drift into frustration, criticism, defensiveness, and emotional distance? Often, it’s not because people stop loving each other. It’s because they stop trying to understand each other. In this deeply personal episode of The Learning Love Podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores one of the greatest gifts we can give the people we love: the sincere effort to understand...

What role does self-esteem really play in love, connection, and emotional health? More than most people realize. In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores why healthy relationships are deeply connected to the way we see ourselves. Low self-esteem doesn’t just affect confidence — it can quietly shape communication, boundaries, trust, conflict, emotional dependence, j...

In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast, we explore one of the most common relationship habits that quietly destroys trust: putting down your spouse in front of friends, coworkers, or family members. It may seem harmless. A joke. A complaint. A way to vent or get a laugh. But over time, repeatedly mocking, criticizing, or belittling your partner in social settings can slowly create contempt —...

In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast , we explore a truth that quietly shapes every relationship you have: your family of origin taught you patterns—some helpful, some limiting—and all of them feel normal… until they don’t. Even if you grew up in a healthy home, those habits don’t automatically translate into strong marriages, deep friendships, or healthy work relationships. Why? Because e...

Most people think trust is built in big moments—big promises, big tests, big turning points. But in real relationships, trust is built much more quietly than that. It’s built in the small, everyday interactions that often go unnoticed… until they’re missing. In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast , we break down five simple but powerful habits that strengthen trust over time—without grand ge...

Sometimes we look for our relationships to make us happy, but love and relationships work better when we work on ourselves first. In this episode, Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores the three factor that can help you be happier in life and happy people tend to have happier relationships. If you want more happiness in your marriage or family, put more happiness in your life-- and here is how to do it. The...

Takeaways Personal growth often feels painful because healing requires letting go of old identities, familiar patterns, and unhealthy relationship dynamics. Setting boundaries and growing in confidence may change relationships, especially with people who benefited from your self-doubt or people-pleasing. Grief is a normal part of emotional healing, and moving through that grief can help you build...

Takeaways Healthy relationships require both grace and truth, not constant confrontation or total silence. One-time mistakes and harmless personality differences are often better handled with patience and compassion. Repeated disrespect, broken trust, emotional withdrawal, and values violations should be addressed directly. In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores...

Takeaways Calm and panic both spread quickly through families, workplaces, and relationships. The calmest person in the room often becomes the emotional anchor and helps others regulate. Healthy relationships are strengthened when problems are approached with calm, clarity, and solutions. In this solo episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores the powerful truth that calm is...

Takeaways Drama can become addictive when chaos, conflict, and outrage start to feel normal. Social media often fuels drama addiction by rewarding outrage, doom scrolling, and emotional reactivity. Peace begins with intentional habits like quiet, deep breathing, healthy boundaries, and refusing to feed unnecessary conflict. In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores...

Takeaways Being heard can feel just like being loved, especially in a world marked by loneliness and disconnection. Listening with compassion can reduce conflict, build trust, and strengthen relationships at home and at work. You do not have to agree with someone to hear them well; understanding is a powerful act of love. In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark A. Hicks reflects on...

In this episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores how trauma affects the brain—and why love is a powerful part of healing. He explains that trauma doesn’t need to be compared or ranked to be valid: if it deeply affected you, it matters. Trauma can leave lasting emotional scars and even impact brain function, contributing to anxiety, depression, memory challenges, and emotio...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the concept of love as the fundamental answer to relationship challenges, emphasizing the importance of applying love in practical ways. He delves into the critical aspect of building trust in relationships, discussing how trust can be established and nurtured through various practices. The conversation highlights the significance of emotional availability...

Takeaways Rebuilding starts with self-awareness: reflection and evaluation help you understand what brought you here and what needs to change. Belief fuels movement: confidence isn’t optional when you’re starting over—it’s the engine that helps you keep going. Audacity is already in you: you don’t need permission to take a small courageous step—practice builds momentum. In this episode of The Lear...

Takeaways If you feel unheard, move from casual comments to clear, calm, eye-to-eye communication . Use a simple tool to confirm understanding: ask your partner to repeat back what they heard . Avoid the escalation trap— yelling or manipulation may ‘work,’ but it costs connection . Discern the issue: negotiable irritation vs. moral/ethical boundary vs. safety concern . Sometimes love means: “I don...

Takeaways Trauma is not only psychological—it’s stored in the body. Traditional therapy doesn’t always reach the root of trauma. Healing begins by finding safety in your body and nervous system. In this eye-opening episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark Hicks speaks with Bee Doyle, a former combat medic and now spiritual guide, about her journey through PTSD, addiction, and deep healing....

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the essential role of love in building meaningful relationships. He discusses common myths surrounding romantic partnerships, particularly the unrealistic expectation that partners should be mind readers. Hicks emphasizes the importance of communication, appreciation, and gratitude in navigating the complexities of relationships as life evolves. He encoura...

Pre-order Liz's book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-bloom-anyway-a-memoir-liz-fiedler-mergen/1148638651?ean=9781636989273 In this deeply moving episode of The Learning Love Podcast , host Dr. Mark A. Hicks sits down with Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen—nurse practitioner, flower farmer, podcast host, and author—for an unforgettable conversation on love, loss, grief, and resilience. Just four mon...

In this episode, Mark Hicks delves into the profound concept that 'love is the answer' and emphasizes the importance of creating a peaceful environment for love to flourish. He discusses how stress and tension can hinder emotional connections in relationships, whether with partners, family, or friends. Mark highlights the necessity of learning to relax, as many individuals struggle to unwind even...