The Inner Compass Podcast with Vanessa Bennett

Assumptions in Relationships: The Codependency Loop That Keeps You Stuck

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Assumptions are one of the most common ways we manage anxiety in relationships, but they also keep us stuck in the very patterns we’re trying to hea...

The Friendships That Hold Us When Life Falls Apart: What Support Looks Like

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Friendship gets tested in crisis, and sometimes the hardest grief isn’t just what happened, it’s what gets revealed about who can actually stay wi...

Not Surprised Anymore: Collective Trauma, Recognition, and the Body

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We’re carrying a lot of emotion right now, but not much surprise, and that matters because surprise is what you feel when your system expects safety...

The Infantilized Adult: Why We Keep Handing Our Power to Partners, Groups, and Gurus

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We’re in a radical shift in how we understand relationships, and it’s bigger than romance: the same reflex lives everywhere we attach, the hope th...

Codependency in Chaotic Times: How to Hold Yourself in the Storm

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When the world feels like it’s on fire, codependency can look like “staying informed,” “staying useful,” and carrying everyone else’s feel...

Shame and the Performance of Love: When Belonging Becomes Conditional

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a version of love many of us were trained into: the kind you earn. Be agreeable, be impressive, don’t need too much, don’t make waves. W...

The Invisible Contract: When Working on Yourself Becomes Self-Abandonment

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us were raised inside an invisible contract: if you try hard enough, improve yourself enough, and play your role well enough, you’ll be love...

Welcome to the Inner Compass Podcast

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Inner Compass is a depth psychology and relationships podcast with Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, for people who are tired of self-improvement that leaves the...

Ep. 248 ENOUGH WITH THE ‘HAVE TO’S’

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the podcast, Vanessa and Dené talk about the ways in which we are all being challenged to stay with ourselves through the discomfo...

Ep 247 AMERICA’S COLLECTIVE EGO DEATH

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, Vanessa and Dené talk about the energy that is being felt by so many of us as we move through what many astrologers are cal...

Ep 246 THE EGO DEATHS ARE INEVITABLE

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

..the growth that comes from them is optional. In this week’s episode, Vanessa and Dené  talk about the extent to which 2025 has felt like - t...

Ep 245: The Lie We Were Sold: Motherhood, Partnership, and the Cost of Performing

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the first installment of one of our new solo series, Vanessa kicks off with a core theme from her new book The Motherhood Myth: The Lie W...

Ep 244 Are People Partying Less?

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, Vanessa gives Dené a recap of her time spent at a bachelorette party over the weekend. We explore some of the trends - and ...

Ep 243 How Can I Be love?

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We sat down to explore some of the challenges that come up living in a culture where we are exposed and reacting to so many people lives, perspectives...

Ep 242: AI and the Invitation Inward

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back and so excited to share with you all some of the conversations we’ve been having offline. This week, we explore some of the current con...

Ep 241: The Deeper Layers with Dads | Cheaper Than Therapy Podcast with Vanessa Bennett and Dene Logan

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cheaper than Therapy is back for season 4!! And we couldn’t be more excited to kick things off with a live recording (and celebration of the launch ...

Ep 240: BEST-OF: Q&A: Reciprocal vs Transactional Relationships

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our 4th and final “best of” is an episode where we answered a listener question. Ep: 181 Q&A: Reciprocal vs Transactional RelationshipsThis ep...

Ep 239: BEST-OF: Men’s “Clarity” After Sex

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our next ‘best of’ episode was episode 192: Men’s “Clarity” After Sex. This conversation cracked open a raw, honest, and often unspoken expl...

Ep 238: BEST-OF: What Does My Inner Child Need?

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ep 188: BEST-OF: What Does My Inner Child Need?Our 2nd “best of” is one of our live coaching episodes. We dive into: what codependency and anxiou...

Ep 237 BEST-OF: How to Trust in Self-Love with Danny Morel

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Over the next 4 weeks, we’re re-airing some of our favorite episodes to gear you all up for what’s to come. This conversation with Danny Morel was...

Ep 236: Farewell for Now

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this heartfelt final episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we reflect on the last four years, all of our challenges and personal growth, and...

Ep 235: The Rise of The Feminine with Reverend Michael Beckwith

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our second to last episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Reverend Michael Beckwith, founder of the Agape Spiritual Center, ...

Ep 234: Friendships & Goodbyes

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ep 234: Friendships & GoodbyesIn this emotional and reflective episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we discuss the cycles of relationships...

Ep 233: Dating Realism and Emotional Growth with Sabrina Zohar

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Sabrina Zohar, a prominent voice in dating and relationship psychology and host ...

Ep 232: Live Coaching Session: Navigating Mental Health and Family Dynamics

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Michelle, who is struggling with her husband’s mental health issues and their ...

Ep 231: Approaching Mental Health with Nuance with Gabriella Ulloa & Meadowlark Monaghan

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Gabriella Ulloa and Meadowlark Monaghan, co-hosts of the “Thoughts May Vary”...

Ep 230: Live Coaching Session: A Path to Self-Compassion

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Sarah, who is grappling with the aftermath of overhearing a negative conversatio...

Ep 229: Brave Expression with Africa Brooke

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Africa Brooke, internationally acclaimed consultant, credentialed coach, speaker...

Ep 228: Live Coaching Session: Managing Overwhelming Emotions

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Erica to talk about her struggles with managing strong emotions and staying grou...

Ep 227: Therapy for Black Girls with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, licensed psychologist, author, speaker, and founder and...

Ep 226: Rebuilding After an Abusive Marriage

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Jill, a single mother and entrepreneur who is navigating the challenges of rebui...

Ep 225: The Vital Spark with Lisa Marchiano, LCSW, NCPsyA

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Lisa Marchiano, LCSW, NCPsyA, a Jungian analyst, author, and podcaster. Her writ...

Ep 224: Boundaries, Abandonment, and Personal Growth

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we address listener questions around boundaries and dealing with significant changes in your rela...

Ep 223: Live Coaching Session: Redefining Yourself Post-Breakup

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Joy, who is navigating the complex and practical life challenges following the e...

Ep 222: Transforming Trauma with Empathy with Dr. Jody Carrington

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jody Carrington, psychologist, speaker, and three time author known for her ...

Ep 221: Finding the Right Therapist

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we delve into the complexities of the therapeutic process and how to trust your inner voice as yo...

Ep 220: Live Coaching Session: Navigating Calm Amidst Chaos

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Veronica, joining us for a second live coaching session, to discuss her experien...

Ep 219: Humans Loving Humans with Todd Baratz, LMHC

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down with Todd Baratz, LMHC, a certified sex therapist, licensed individual and couples ps...

Ep 218: Is a Societal Shift toward Celibacy the Answer?

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we talk about a conversation we’ve been hearing around celibacy as a form of activism and a way...

Ep 217: Q&A: Finding the Middle Ground

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, someone wrote in to ask: as I’m starting to do recovery work around codependency, I find that I sometimes swing into hyper-...

Ep 216: Parenting and You with Dr. Shefali

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’ll be back with all new episodes of Cheaper than Therapy starting next week! But we’re so excited about the launch of Dr. Shefali’s new podca...

Ep 215: Embracing the Liminal Journey

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy, we sit down to discuss transitions and the concept of liminal spaces, and how these transitional moments chal...

Ep 214: Episode Rewind - How Therapy Can Mirror Our Innate Goodness with Ashley Torrent

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we go into our archives and bring back one of our first episodes EVER with our good friend, Ashley Torrent. Ashley is a psycho-spritu...

Ep 213: Liberated Love with Mark Groves

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast is from an Instagram live with Vaness and Mark Groves, Human Connection Specialist and founder of Cre...

Ep 212: Complex Connections: Navigating Feedback with Authenticity

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ep 212: Complex Connections: Navigating Feedback with AuthenticityThis episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast is part of a series where we answer...

Ep 211: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness with Dr Peter Levine

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this Cheaper than Therapy episode, we sit down with Dr. Peter Levine for a deep dive into the complexity of trauma, and the transformative possibil...

Ep 210: Impermanence and the Transformative Power of Love with Rainier Wylde

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special Cheaper than Therapy episode, we sit down with our friend Rainier Wylde in person to talk about the often painful truth of love’s im...

Ep 209: Balancing Love and Boundaries: Supporting Loved Ones Through Abusive Relationships

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast is part of a series where we answer questions submitted by listeners. Today’s listener writes in co...

Ep 208: Embracing Change: Navigating a New Perspective on Relationships

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast is part of a series where we answer questions submitted by listeners. Today, we’re addressing the d...

Ep 207: Beyond Control: Embracing Personal Growth in Relationships

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast is part of a series where we answer questions submitted by listeners. A listener writes in expressing...

Ep 206: Boundaries 101 with Nedra Glover Tawwab

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sat down with Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW - author of three bestselling books, licensed the...

Ep 205: Unlocking Inner Safety: Overcoming the Need for Reassurance

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sit down to address two questions submit by listeners with similar “energies.” One listene...

Ep 204: Live Coaching Session: Grief and Self-Discovery

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this live coaching session episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sat down with Jess, who is approaching dating for the first real time in...

Ep 203: Relationship Anarchy Pt. 2 with Annie Undone

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sat back down with Annie Undone, a visionary artist and writer working to normalize diverse re...

Ep 202: Relationship Anarchy Pt. 1 with Annie Undone

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sat down with Annie Undone, a visionary artist and writer working to normalize diverse relatio...

Ep 201: Daring to Feel with Alexandra Roxo

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sat down with Alexandra Roxo (@alexandraroxo), a bestselling author, artist, spiritual seeker,...

Ep 200: On Thriving with Brandi Sellerz-Jackson

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sat down with Brandi Sellerz-Jackson, a renowned birth and postpartum doula and what she calls...

Ep 199: Q&A Session Why do Women Tear Down Other Women?

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy, the Podcast, we talk about the history, the why, and the way forward surrounding the societal norm for women ...

Ep 198: Cultivating Authentic Connection with Alexandra Ballensweig

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sat down with Alexandra Ballensweig to discuss modern dating, the importance of approaching da...

Ep 197: Live Coaching Session: Re-Parenting while Co-Parenting

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast is part of a series where we coach one of our listeners through a topic or question. In this coaching...

Ep 196: Finding Safety in Spirituality After Religious Trauma with Dr. Laura Anderson, PhD.

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Laura Anderson, PhD. is a psychotherapist, trauma resolution coach and consultant, writer and educator specializing in complex and developmental t...

Ep 195: IG LIVE - Reclaiming the Untamed, Messy Parts of Ourselves

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we sat down for an IG LIVE to talk about reclaiming the feminine aspects within ourselves, as wel...

Ep 194: Live Coaching Session - How Much Sharing is Too Much?

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy, we sit down with “Veronica” to discuss how much sharing is too much in friendships and romantic relations...

Ep 193: Live Coaching Session - Conquering Codependency

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This Cheaper than Therapy episode is part of a series where we coach one of our listeners through a topic or question. In this coaching session, we sa...

Ep 192: Men’s “Clarity” After Sex

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are cis/hetero men biologically programmed to experience a type of “post-sex clarity,” or have both men and women fallen victim to the societal no...

Ep 191: Q&A: How Do I Make Sure I’m “Doing it Right” in Dating?

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode of “Cheaper than Therapy,” a listener finds themself ready to begin dating after a long post-divorce hiatus, but finds the...

Ep 190: Q&A: Longing for Partnership Outside the Box of Societal Norms

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do you do when you find yourself craving a secure and trusting monogamous relationship but don’t want to contribute to the societal expectation...

Ep 189: The Life Brief with Bonnie Wan

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“When you have the clarity of your essence - who you are, what you stand for, what you believe in, and then also your ambition distilled in a way th...

Ep: 188 Live Coaching Session - What Does My Inner Child Need?

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when we find ourselves so engrossed in society’s standards that we lose touch with our Self and inner knowing? In this live coaching se...

Ep: 187 Our Soul’s Evolution with Amanda Walsh

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our Soul’s Evolution with Amanda WalshAmanda Pua Walsh, M.S., is the CEO & Founder of Astrology Hub, an online platform for astrological guidanc...

Ep: 186 Live Coaching Session: Is Society's Path the Right Path?

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you don't follow society's expected relationship timeline? In this live coaching session episode, we talk about what it looks like t...

Ep: 185 Feeling in Process vs Feeling Lost with Dr. Scott Lyons

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling in Process vs Feeling Lost with Dr. Scott LyonsWe were thrilled to have Dr. Scott Lyons on Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast! Dr. Lyons has an ...

Ep: 184 Q&A: How to Know if a Big Life Change is the Right Decision?

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you In this Q&A session, we answer a question about the differentiation between burn-out and the feeling that you might be running from so...

Ep 183: Live Coaching Session: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's coaching session with Rachel, we unpack how to navigate the waters of whether or not it’s time for a relationship to end. We dive into: ...

Ep: 182 Q&A: How to transition from a romantic to platonic relationship in a loving way?

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we explore a question about transitioning from a romantic to a platonic relationship.We talk about  How rarely we acknowledge how...

Ep: 181 Q&A: Reciprocal vs Transactional Relationships

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we explore the idea of what authentic reciprocity looks like in relationships and how we move away from relationships that are bas...

Ep 180 The Yoga of Parenting with Sarah Ezrin

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Ezrin is an author, world-renowned yoga educator, content creator, and mama based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sarah loves guiding people alon...

Ep: 179 Q&A: Tough Conversations Around Sex & Porn Addiction

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, a listener wrote in asking for advice about a struggle she’s having with the frequency of her partner's desire for sex. We...

Ep: 178 Spirituality, Politics, and the Role of The Feminine Today with Marianne Williamson

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this highly anticipated episode of “Cheaper Than Therapy,” we got deep about collective generational healing with the formidable Marianne Willi...

Ep 177 What Are Your Thoughts On Soulmates?

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, we’re responding to a listener that asked to hear our thoughts on soulmates. They wrote, “I’d love to hear your thought...

Ep: 176 Coaching Session: From Self-Abandonment to Self-Acceptance

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Cheaper than Therapy coaching session, we sat down with Claire as she unravels the intricacies that come along with the end of a marriage. Cla...

Ep 175 The Importance of Finding Your People with Eli Weinstein

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eli Weinstein, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Therapist (LCSW) based in New York and Nevada, and the founder/host of The Dude Therapist Podca...

Ep 174: Cheaper Than Therapy Rewind - Compassion is Half Sadness and Half Joy with Buddy Wakefield

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we go into the archives and bring back one of our incredibly wise guests, Buddy Wakefield, from one of our first episodes ever on Jul...

Ep 173: The Extinction Burst

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we share a bit of a conversation we were having driving home together after our weekend intensive in Idyllwild, CA. I’m our conv...

Ep 172: Personal Responsibility: A Live Workshop

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we’re sharing a portion of one of our conversations from our week-long Intensive in Costa Rica. We’re talking about:What it m...

Ep 171 Q&A: What to do When There’s No More Attraction

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, a listener wrote in asking what to do with the knowledge that their partner is no longer physically attracted to them. When a...

Ep. 170: Q&A: How do I Establish Boundaries and Gain Respect in My Relationship?

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cheaper than Therapy the Podcast, we’re answering a question submitted by one of our listeners that doesn’t feel respected in t...

Ep 169 In Each Other's Care w Dr Stan Tatkin

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT is a teacher, clinician, researcher, and developer of the Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy® (PACT). He speaks and ...

Ep 168 Q&A Session: How to stay Connected with Someone I Disagree With?

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, a listener writes, “My friend uses pronouns that I don’t agree with and I’m not sure what to do. Is it necessary to kee...

Ep 167 IG Live: What Does it Mean to Live an Untamed Life?

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, we’re addressing some of the responses we received on social media around what it means to live an untamed life.We’re discus...

Ep 166 Q&A Session: My Partner Keeps Bringing Up My Weight, What Should I do?

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, a listener tells us they’re struggling with their recent rapid weight gain, and the negative reinforcement from their partn...

Ep. 165 Questioning Culture with Richie Reseda

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Richie Reseda is a feminist ally, community organizer, recording artist, and founder of the social-impact record label, Question Culture. Success Stor...

Ep 164 Living with ADHD in a Neurotypical World with Martha Barnard-Rae

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Martha Barnard-Rae helps outside-the-box brands build seriously good client relationships with clear, clever copywriting and content. By day she's the...

Ep 163 Q&A: Can Men and Women be Just Friends?

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s solo episode, a reader wrote in because she believes people can remain friends after a romantic relationship, but her partner does not sh...

Ep 162 What We Should’ve Been Taught with Rachelle Indra

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rachelle Indra is a life coach and speaker specializing in the intersection of self-actualization and humor. She has made it her life's mission to tea...

Ep 161 Q&A Session: Step Out of Other’s Shadow and into Your Own

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, we’re answering a listener’s question about why they seem to attract “energy vampires” and feel like they’re constantl...

Ep 160 Doing the Hard Thing

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, we’re examining a situation we receive questions about frequently relating to moving on after the end of a 15+ year partnershi...

Ep 159 Speaking Up When You’re Afraid of the Response

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do I speak up when I’m afraid of the response? How do I show up as my most authentic self and what does that even mean? These are just some of t...

Ep 158: How to Trust in Self-Love with Danny Morel

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when a world-renowned business powerhouse awakens to his life’s highest timeline, causing him to shift gears and dive into the spiritua...

Ep 157 Is Co-Regulation in a Relationship Codependency

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, we’re discussing a common theme we see around whether or not healing and co-regulating ourselves within relationships is the s...