The Learning Love Podcast

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the multifaceted nature of love, emphasizing the importance of emotions, particularly sadness, in fostering healthy relationships. He argues that society has largely replaced sadness with anger, leading to a culture that values toughness over vulnerability. Hicks advocates for the reintroduction of sadness as a necessary emotion for healing and compassi...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the concept of starting over in life, emphasizing that love is the answer to many of life's challenges. He discusses the importance of recognizing when it's time to make a change, the fantasy of erasing the past, and the necessity of going through a grief process to heal. Hicks highlights the significance of mutual agreement in relationships, the unpredict...

In this episode of the Learning Love Podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks, the host, discusses his new book 'Learning Love,' set to be released on June 10, 2025, by Morgan James Publishing. Dr. Hicks shares his journey of writing and the life lessons about relationships he learned through the experience. He recounts the various stages of his writing process, his move to Prague, fortuitous meetings with frie...

In this replay episode of The Learning Love Podcast , Dr. Mark Hicks revisits a powerful conversation from his guest appearance on The Love Story Podcast , hosted by Ashley Green. Together, they explore the realities of relationships, particularly during young adulthood, and unpack the pressures created by societal expectations around love, career, and life milestones. Dr. Hicks challenges the ide...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the profound impact of love and the necessity of silence in our lives. He emphasizes that while love is the answer to many of life's questions, applying it can be challenging. Hicks introduces the concept of embracing silence as a difficult yet transformative practice that can enhance mental clarity, emotional processing, and relationships. He discusses th...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the profound impact of love, wisdom, and cooperation in various aspects of life, including families, organizations, and society. He emphasizes that the greatest moment in human history is when we collectively decide that these values are more important than dominance, fear, and division. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Hicks discusses the evolu...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the concept that love is the ultimate answer to life's problems, emphasizing the importance of applying love in our relationships. He discusses how our brains often deceive us, leading to misunderstandings and unhealthy dynamics in relationships. By recognizing these mental biases and choosing to respond with compassion and awareness, we can build healthie...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the profound concept that love is the answer to many of life's questions. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing our inherent worth, independent of our accomplishments. Hicks discusses the societal pressures that tie self-worth to achievements and how this mindset can lead to stress and exhaustion. He advocates for a shift in perspective, encouraging...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the transformative power of love and the importance of choosing to be in a good mood for no reason. He emphasizes that happiness can be a default setting through practice and neuroplasticity, encouraging listeners to develop this skill for a more fulfilling life and healthier relationships. Takeaways Love is the answer to many questions in life. Choosing t...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the idea that love is the answer to life's challenges, particularly in the context of American politics. He discusses how love can be applied to navigate through difficult problems, emphasizing the importance of compassion and helping others amidst political divisions. Hicks identifies four groups in the political landscape and highlights the role of 'help...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the profound nature of love and relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication in sustaining long-term connections. He discusses how genuine conversations can foster deeper understanding and connection, and shares practical tips for improving communication skills. The conversation highlights the significance of curiosity, empathy, and emotio...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the profound nature of love and connection, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in building meaningful relationships. He discusses the common struggle of individuals to present a polished version of themselves, often leading to a lack of genuine connections. Hicks encourages listeners to embrace their true selves, practice vulnerability, and lear...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the complexities of love, emphasizing that while love is a powerful force, it does not eliminate fear, anger, or darkness from our lives. Instead, love should be viewed as a balancing act that coexists with life's challenges. Hicks encourages listeners to practice love actively, giving it equal time alongside the struggles we face, and to transform pain...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks discusses the importance of love in relationships and how it can be applied to various aspects of life, including family, community, and workplace cultures. He emphasizes the need for dignity, truthfulness, compassion, accountability, autonomy, and interdependence in building healthy cultures. The discussion also touches on the state of internet connectivity in the...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the profound impact of love on our lives and relationships, emphasizing the importance of applying love to the struggles we face, particularly anxiety. He discusses how anxiety can affect relationships, the distinction between general anxiety and anxiety disorders, and practical strategies for managing anxiety, including naming triggers, cultivating curios...

In this episode of the Learning Love Podcast, Mark Hicks explores the principles of love and relationships, particularly in the context of intense disagreements. He emphasizes the importance of moving beyond a zero-sum mentality, actively listening to others, finding common ground, and practicing grace and compassion in our interactions. By applying these principles, individuals can foster healthi...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the complexities of love and relationships, particularly focusing on the challenges faced in long-term partnerships. He introduces the concept of the 'young adult checklist' that many individuals follow, which can lead to a sense of emptiness once all items are checked off. Hicks emphasizes the importance of recognizing danger zones in relationships and...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the complexities of love and emotions, emphasizing the importance of understanding happiness, sadness, and fear in building healthy relationships. He discusses how emotions are interconnected and how they influence our connections with others. The conversation highlights the necessity of nurturing relationships to foster joy and the detrimental effects...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the concept of love, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's own image of love and the responsibility of self-love. He discusses how our expectations of love from others can lead to disappointment and resentment, and how loving ourselves according to our own standards can transform our relationships. The conversation highlights the significanc...

In this episode of the Learning Love podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores the concept of 'oops moments' in communication and relationships. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the ability to recognize when we have made a mistake in our interactions with others. Dr. Hicks introduces the idea of a 'magic window of repair' that exists shortly after a mistake is made, allowing for quick...

In this episode of the Learning Love podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores the transformative power of love and effective communication. He emphasizes the importance of language in conversations, particularly the impact of substituting 'but' with 'and' to foster collaboration and understanding. Dr. Hicks discusses how emotional reactions can hinder productive discussions and offers strategies for na...

In this episode of the Learning Love podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks explores the concept of love as a practical skill set that can be learned and applied to improve relationships, communities, and personal well-being. He emphasizes that love is not just an idealistic notion but a tangible approach to solving real-life problems. The conversation covers the importance of inclusivity, resilience, and tra...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the concept of love as a transformative force in our lives. He emphasizes the importance of questioning societal norms and personal beliefs, particularly through the lens of the question, 'Who made that rule?' Hicks explores various aspects of life, including productivity, self-worth, and the pressure to conform to societal timelines. He encourages list...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the profound concept of love, emphasizing its importance in our lives and the necessity of applying it practically. He explores the idea of self-love, discussing its significance and the transformative effects it can have on our lives. Hicks uses analogies to illustrate the inherent value of individuals, regardless of their flaws or past experiences. He...

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the profound impact of love on personal and societal transformation. He emphasizes that love is the answer to many of life's questions and that understanding our inherent worth is crucial for fostering connections and making positive changes in our communities. Hicks argues that by applying the principles of love, individuals can create a ripple effect tha...