The Terri Cole Show

Have you heard the term erotic intelligence before?  If you haven't, does it sound like it's all about sex? Before attending a transformative retreat with Esther Perel and Paul Browde, that's kind of what I thought.  Talk about confronting! I had agreed to attend with a friend after her husband dropped out, without knowing the details, because it was in Costa Rica and who would say no to that? I w...

Becoming a mother at 18 turned Heather from a self-described under-achiever into a high-functioning codependent. Receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis at 28 was the wake-up call that reminded her to live for herself. Heather shares her story, tells how she learned the role of internal resistance in positive change, and gives you tips that will help you take back control when you feel like you just...

How are you actually doing in this turbulent world we're living in right now? If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or ungrounded, you're not alone. The constant barrage of negative news, social media alerts, and global uncertainty can take a serious toll on our mental and emotional well-being. The good news? You are more resilient than you think. But being proactive about protecting your peace...

Today I'm sharing a chat with Karena Dawn, a second-time guest on the show! Since we spoke last, she's been hard at work writing as well as continuing to develop a platform around wellness and mental health awareness. We chat about her new memoir The Big Silence, in which she shares the story of how she and her family coped with her mother's schizophrenia during a time when people struggled to dis...

Are you in a relationship with a high-functioning codependent (HFC)? Are both you and your partner HFCs? In my experience, HFCs tend to flock together. Many of my friends identify as HFCs, and my husband is also an HFC.  Some of you have asked how to navigate relationships with fellow HFCs, especially as you get into recovery and become more aware of (and perhaps annoyed by) their behavior.  If yo...

Today's guest has brought optimism and mindfulness to the interior design and DIY space like nobody else I know! I chat with Meaghan about how she got into decorating, writing, and editing– and how she maintains the pragmatic, positive mindset that helps her navigate her success. Plus: How parenting can offer special challenges and lessons for high-functioning codependents like Meaghan and I. Read...

Is flaking - canceling at the last second - the new self-care? It seems to be on the rise and according to an article in The Guardian , the answer for some people is yes. I disagree. Flaking is avoidable with healthy boundaries and self-knowledge, and there are many self-care practices we can do that don't involve regularly canceling on others. In this episode, I share my thoughts on flaking, expl...

Jen Kem has spent her career marketing for some of the biggest corporate and personal brands–and today, she's sharing some tips to help you launch your next big idea! We chat about how Jen's leadership types model can help you construct the team that will help you reach your goals, how structure can help you let go of team members when they no longer serve you in a new season of your career, and J...

Are you considered "successful" by societal standards, but can't enjoy your success because you're busy moving on to whatever's next? Or do you constantly feel behind, like you could be doing more? Have you checked all the 'big' boxes in life (degree, career, love, stuff), but still feel unfulfilled or uninspired by what you've achieved? If you answered yes, this episode is for you because I am ta...

I first found Dr. Bryant on Instagram, where her approachable wisdom about partnerships reeled me in. Today, I'm sharing it with all of you! This conversation is a real talk about why we sometimes seek relationships where people need us instead of want us and overcoming the urge to control everything instead of co-creating with a partner. Plus, we chat about when to cut someone out and when contin...

How do you feel about Valentine's Day? Do you often find yourself disappointed? Does it make you feel alone and down?  Does your partner forget about it, even though you ask to make plans? Do they give you gifts that feel hollow?  Whether you're single or partnered, I invite you to put a self-consideration spin on Valentine's Day with my favorite three-step self-love ritual. All the steps are belo...

Some say you should never talk about politics, religion, or money in polite company – But today's guest doesn't agree! On today's episode, Marianne Williamson contextualizes Christianity and Christ to offer insight into modern challenges: Personal hardships, disconnection from others, and even the growing polarization of the political climate. She offers a perspective that harmonizes Christianity...

Is setting boundaries intimidating because you worry that people will get mad or abandon you if you do? Do you avoid telling the truth or setting limits out of fear? Or do you people-please to keep the peace and avoid rejection? If you're nodding your head, this episode is for you because I'm talking about how fear of rejection is the common root of many of our self-abandoning behaviors, what this...

Today I have the pleasure of sharing a chat with my long-time friend and repeat guest Christine Hassler. She shares the incredible story of how she pursued a healthy, mature partnership– And how you can also call that love into your life if you want to be partnered and you're not. We also chat about ways to self-regulate and soothe your immune system and how to seek love from a mindset of growth r...

Do you reluctantly agree to things you'd rather not do because you don't know how to say no? When you're annoyed about something, do you say everything is FINE rather than saying what's bothering you? Do you also tend to judge someone if they don't pick up on how you really feel? In these situations, there's an expectation that people will intuit our true emotions from the clues we drop.  However,...

Today I'm chatting with Jillian Turecki about her new book, It Begins with You: The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life. She shares how acceptance and shared vision for the future can help you create a lasting love, how to tell if your partner isn't right for you, and some hard truths that will help you get unstuck in love and life. Plus, she answers a question that could change ho...

Are you overly invested in the feeling states, situations, careers, circumstances, and relationships of the people in your life, to the detriment of your own internal peace? So invested, that setting and maintaining boundaries feels selfish or impossible? If so, you're not alone, and this episode is for you. I'm looking at the Boundary Boss Bill of Rights from my first book , but through the lens...

Today John and I are doing something new for the show– We're both interviewing each other for our own podcasts, at the same time! We jam on how breakups create the perfect conditions for reflection, how high-functioning codependency interferes with healthy relationships, and the ultimate purpose of love. Plus, I share some details about how I turned to the web to help more people over a decade ago...

Are you tired of being the one doing all the things for all the people? Are you the point person for everything in your family life? Does it feel like you're the only one who can reliably get things done? Then this episode is for you because I am talking about a common relational dynamic I see in high-functioning codependents (HFCs): how one person over-functioning causes the other to under-functi...

Today, I'm sharing a chat with Katie Bramlett about her perfectionism, self-acceptance, and rejecting messages from society that harm our mental wellness. She tells us how questioning the toxic nature of the fitness industry led her to co-found WeShape, a fitness app focused on emotional safety and self-acceptance. Plus, how listening to and reconnecting with your body can help your mental health!...

How do you relate to time?  Are you someone who's always late or meticulously early? Do you schedule yourself within an inch of your life? Do discrepancies in your relationship with time ever create conflict with others? If you're nodding your head, then this episode is for you, my friend. I'm breaking down time boundaries and how they can become disordered. You'll also learn how to better negotia...

On today's episode, I'm chatting with Andrea Owen to explore the journey of self-discovery, the nuances of personal growth, and the vital role of vulnerability in relationships. Andrea shares how the re-release of her book, 52 Ways to Life a Kick-Ass Life, addresses personal growth, toxic positivity, and the role of shame in our unwanted behavior patterns. Plus, she tells us how we can use genuine...

Physical and verbal abuse are not the only kinds of childhood trauma that can impact us in our adult lives. Though often overlooked, childhood emotional neglect from parents who were overbearing, overly lax, absent, or dismissive can lead to adult difficulties with self-esteem, emotional literacy, and boundaries. Today I am helping you determine whether you might have experienced childhood neglect...

On today's episode, I'm so stoked to talk to Dr. Sara Gottfried, a medical doctor and hormone expert whose work I really connect with. We talk about one of my favorite subjects: The gender gap in healthcare and how we can help women navigate big hormonal changes like menopause. She also shares a more holistic and effective perspective on treatment for autoimmune disease, and tells us about her own...

Is the way you care for people in your life more like codependency than real, authentic love? It's scary to think about, I know. But if you are codependent, recognizing that fact is the first step toward expressing the healthy, reciprocated care you really want to share with the people in your life. In this episode I will guide you through the signs and symptoms that might indicate codependency in...