Shadow work around performing for connection explores how the roles we learned to play as children — to stay safe, liked, or needed — become the performances we carry into adult relationships.

In this episode of Wholehearted Loving, Georgianna and Steph talk about Conscious Relationship Training, and how it helped them unpack their own performing for connection. Steph shares how comfort in discomfort became her norm, and how she learned to stop creating pain as a form of control. Georgianna opens up about how “being nice” was really about avoiding her own discomfort when others felt bad — and how shadow work helped her find real freedom.

Together, they explore what authenticity actually feels like in the body, how to track “just-right” sensations before things tip into overwhelm, and why performing kindness is never the same as living it.

Discover how:

• Performances for love and safety begin as clever coping and can end as chronic disconnection

• Awareness of your body’s subtle cues can prevent emotional over-stretching

• Real compassion includes yourself — not just everyone else

"Like finding gold." – Alma W.

"The best therapy I've ever done for myself." – Sanjeev B.

LIVE training & practice programs:
wholeheartedloving.com

Get our self-compassionate body-based toolkit

Every episode begins and ends with a body-based self-connection practice, so you can grow your capacity to be with all that life brings. We also include self-reflection and journaling prompts each week, posted on our Instagram @wholeheartedloving. New episodes every Sunday at 10 am PT.

With love,

Georgianna & Steph