The Psychology of Relationships

Being single can feel like living in the waiting room of your own life, especially when you’re constantly told to enjoy the present while searching for your future partner. Julie & Yue are joined by Dr. Jenny Taitz, clinical psychologist and author, to explore how to find happiness while single without giving up on the desire for love. She shares science-based strategies for challenging unhelpful thought patterns, enjoying your own company, and building a fulfilling life that doesn’t depend on relationship status. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How to stop treating being single as a waiting period - Why being in a relationship doesn’t automatically make you happier - How to challenge the thoughts that make being single harder - Practical ways to enjoy your own company and build a fulfilling life - How the skills you develop while single can strengthen future relationships To learn more about Dr. Jenny Taitz, follow her @drjennytaitz and visit www.jennytaitz.com. Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW Our Sponsors: * Quince: Download the Quince App for app-exclusive offers and get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com and tell them you heard about them through The Psychology of Relationships or POR to support the show! * Talkiatry: Complete the short assessment and get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes at talkiatry.com/por * Uncommon Goods: Get 15% off your holiday gifts at uncommongoods.com/POR Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if the healthiest relationship isn’t the one that follows the traditional blueprint—but the one that actually fits the people in it? Julie & Yue are joined by relationship coach and educator Ellecia Paine to explore how inherited expectations can shape the way we think relationships are “supposed” to look. Together, they unpack how to question those assumptions, communicate what you genuinely want, and intentionally create a partnership that allows both people to feel fulfilled rather than simply successful on paper. In this episode, you’ll learn: -How inherited expectations shape our relationships -Why wanting something different doesn’t mean you’re asking too much -How to identify the relationship “shoulds” you’ve internalized -Why there’s no single blueprint for a healthy partnership -How to intentionally create a relationship where both people can thrive To learn more about Ellecia Paine, follow her @elleciapaine and visit www.elleciapaine.com Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW Our Sponsors: * Quince: Download the Quince App for app-exclusive offers and get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com and tell them you heard about them through The Psychology of Relationships or POR to support the show! * Talkiatry: Complete the short assessment and get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes at talkiatry.com/por * Uncommon Goods: Get 15% off your holiday gifts at uncommongoods.com/POR Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Being single can easily feel like something we’re supposed to endure until we find someone—but what if it’s actually an opportunity to build a life you genuinely love? Julie & Yue are joined by John Kim, licensed therapist and author of Single On Purpose, to explore what happens when we stop treating partnership as the finish line. From rebuilding your relationship with yourself to “masturdating,” John offers a different way to think about singlehood, self-growth, and ultimately partnership. In this episode, you’ll learn: -Why being single doesn’t have to mean being lonely -How to build a fulfilling life outside of partnership -Why we sometimes stop growing once we enter relationships -What “masturdating” can teach you about yourself -How a stronger relationship with yourself changes your relationships with others To learn more about John Kim, follow him @theangrytherapist and visit www.theangrytherapist.com. Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW Our Sponsors: * Quince: Download the Quince App for app-exclusive offers and get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com and tell them you heard about them through The Psychology of Relationships or POR to support the show! * Talkiatry: Complete the short assessment and get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes at talkiatry.com/por * Uncommon Goods: Get 15% off your holiday gifts at uncommongoods.com/POR Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A fulfilling sex life isn’t just about chemistry or technique—it’s about feeling comfortable enough to communicate, explore, and be vulnerable with each other. Julie & Yue are joined by licensed psychotherapist and sex therapist Ian Kerner, author of She Comes First, to explore how couples can use sex as an opportunity for deeper connection. From becoming more “cliterate” to expanding our understanding of pleasure beyond intercourse, Ian offers a practical look at creating more satisfying and connected intimacy. In this episode, you’ll learn: -Why communication is essential to a satisfying sex life -What it means to become more “cliterate” -Why pleasure goes far beyond intercourse -How couples can explore intimacy without pressure -How sexual connection can strengthen emotional intimacy To learn more about Ian Kerner, visit www.iankerner.com Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW Our Sponsors: * Quince: Download the Quince App for app-exclusive offers and get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com and tell them you heard about them through The Psychology of Relationships or POR to support the show! * Talkiatry: Complete the short assessment and get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes at talkiatry.com/por * Uncommon Goods: Get 15% off your holiday gifts at uncommongoods.com/POR Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When does wanting love become needing it? For some people, relationships can become a source of obsession, validation, and emotional dependence—making it difficult to feel secure without another person. Julie & Yue are joined by Sherry Gaba, LCSW, psychotherapist and relationship addiction expert, to unpack the psychology behind love addiction and the patterns that can keep people chasing connection at the expense of themselves. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How to recognize the difference between love and love addiction -Why some people become dependent on romantic validation -How low self-worth can fuel unhealthy relationship patterns -Why being alone can feel so uncomfortable -How to rebuild self-trust and a sense of wholeness To learn more about Sherry Gaba, follow her @codependencycurious and visit www.sherrygaba.com Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW Our Sponsors: * Quince: Download the Quince App for app-exclusive offers and get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com and tell them you heard about them through The Psychology of Relationships or POR to support the show! * Talkiatry: Complete the short assessment and get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes at talkiatry.com/por * Uncommon Goods: Get 15% off your holiday gifts at uncommongoods.com/POR Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy