Stronger in the Difficult Places
Episodes
You Can't Change This (And Neither Can They): The Truth About Temperament in Relationships
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if the thing you keep trying to change about yourself… isn't actually changeable? And what if the same is true for your partner? In this power...
What Do I Do When Overwhelming Shame Is Keeping Me From Seeking The Help I Truly Need?
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You are my people. Everything I create- this podcast, my writing, these emails- is for one reason: to help you have a better relationship with yoursel...
When You Feel Trapped In A Relationship You Chose
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when the relationship you once chose begins to feel heavy and you quietly tell yourself you're stuck? In this episode, Dr. Zoe speaks di...
Love Won't Heal Your Self-Abandonment
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Many women believe that if they are loved well enough, they will finally feel secure, whole, and at peace. But here's the hard truth: love doesn't he...
How Releasing the Need to Be Right Can Heal Co-Dependency and Shame
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever feel like you have to be "right" in order to feel safe? Or that if you could just figure out the answer, the relationship, or the next ste...
When Someone You Love Won't Change
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been there—wishing someone we love would finally be different. Maybe it's a spouse who won't listen, a parent who won't soften, or a frien...
3 Things My Divorce Taught Me About Co-Dependency
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you even call a divorce anniversary? Two years after the end of my marriage, I find myself reflecting—not on celebration, but on growth, hea...
The "Saving Him" Illusion: Love, Loss, and Finding Freedom
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So many women in difficult relationships hold onto a dangerous belief: if I just love him enough, I can save him. Psychotherapist and author Shavaun S...
Listen Like You Mean It - The Relationship Shift That Starts With Listening
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a world where we're taught to speak up, make our point, and persuade, the skill of listening often gets overlooked—and undervalued. Yet listening...
Staying Married Is the Hardest Part: Infidelity, Empathy, and the Glue That Holds Us Together
02 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really take to make a long-term marriage work and why do so many couples struggle to stay connected over time? In this episode, I sit dow...
Dear Brave Soul: When Life Doesn't Go As Planned- Shame, Blame And Other Things We Aren't Meant To Carry
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when life takes a turn you never asked for? When the diagnosis, the betrayal, the loss, or the slow unraveling of your plans leaves you...
How Men Are Conditioned to Emotionally Abandon us
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do so many women find themselves in relationships where they're doing all the emotional labor? And what role does childhood—and especially the w...
Anxiety Is Just Energy: Tools to Calm Your Relationship Anxiety
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if anxiety wasn't the enemy, but a signal? In this powerful episode, Dr. Zoe talks with psychotherapist and transformational coach Bonnie Brindle...
Enmeshment, Co-dependence, and What Healthy Connection Actually Looks Like
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Stronger in the Difficult Places. I'm your host, Dr. Zoe, and today we're digging deep into a topic that hits close to home for so man...
Overcoming Guilt, Shame, and Blame in the Face of Our Children's Struggles
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode, Dr. Zoe sits down with author and biblical life coach Dawn Ward to talk about the often-invisible toll that guilt, shame, a...
What To Do When You Don't Trust Your Partner
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trust is the foundation of every healthy relationship—and when it breaks, it can feel like your world is unraveling. In this deeply honest and empow...
Why We Need Radical Relaxation
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you're feeling tired—but not just in your body, in your soul—this episode is for you. Dr. Zoe sits down with Tracie Braylock, holistic nurse,...
How Shame Shows Up in Your Parenting—Even When Your Kids Are Grown
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Parenting doesn't end when your kids become adults—and neither does the complicated relationship we have with shame as parents. In this powerful co...
How Couples Can Resist Priority Drift In Your Relationship
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stronger in the Difficult Places, I'm joined by transformational relationship guide Nick Brancato for a powerful conversation on a ...
Is it Emotional Abuse—Or Something Else?
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever found yourself wondering, "Is this emotional abuse… or just a hard relationship moment?" You're not alone. In today's episode, Dr. Zoe...
The Link Between Insecure Attachment, Self Abandonment And Chronic Stress
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive deep into the body's role in healing with Kate, a physical therapist, author, and embodied freedom and transformation coach. ...
What if You're The Red Flag? And What Do You Do About It?
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been taught how to spot red flags in others—but what if we're the red flag? In this powerful episode, Dr. Zoe unpacks the uncomfortable bu...
How The 12 Steps Can Transform Your Life And Relationships
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode, Ian and I explore how these time-tested principles can radically shift your relationship with yourself and others. We talk a...
Overcoming The Shame Of Your Everyday Addictions
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Addiction isn't just about substances—it can show up in our everyday lives in ways we don't always recognize. Whether it's scrolling endlessly on so...
Navigating Everyday Grief
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grief isn't just about losing a loved one or experiencing life's biggest losses. In this episode, I sit down with Natasha Smith to explore the often-...
How To Advocate For Yourself In Difficult Relationships
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it so easy to stand up for others but so hard to advocate for ourselves? If you've ever felt stuck between not wanting to seem "too much" and n...
How To Make Good Decisions When You Feel Guilty
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I hear this all the time: How do I make a good decision when I feel guilty for making it? In today's episode I address how to make a decision, even w...
Say it Right: How To Talk So Your Partner Will Listen and You Will Feel Heard - In Six Steps
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It doesn't matter what you say, the only thing that matters is what is heard. This isn't my original quote, but I've lost who said it along the way. U...
Why You Shouldn't Believe Everything You Think - And If You Do, It's Holding You Back
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your thoughts are powerful and most of us believe them- much to the detriment of ourselves and our relationships. On today's episode, I have a discuss...
Why Women Stay In Unhealthy Relationships
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie Quayle, Nashville Recording Artist and author talks about her own toxic relationship, why she stayed and insight she hope will help other wo...
Six Questions To Ask Yourself About Your Relationship
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today is a solo episode, where I ask you 6 questions to determine if you're in love with your partner or just their potential. If you are brave, you ...
How Purity Culture May Be Affecting You And Your Relationships
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maybe you grew up in it. Maybe you've never heard about it. Dr. Camden Morgante and I had an eye opening conversation about how the purity culture in ...
Let's Say Their Name: Holding Space for Parents of Loss
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you have lost a pregnancy, an infant or an older child, or you know of someone who has, this episode is for you. Today, we honor Infant Los...
How Our Early Experiences Determine The Quality of Our Relationships
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes we can be anxious. Sometimes we can be avoidant. Sometimes we can be both. In this episode, I am joined by author, Charisse Cooke. We talk a...
My Lessons on Letting Go
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I share five valuable lessons I've learned this past year as a result of letting go of things I previously held dear. My hope is that ...
How To Rebuild Your Life When You Didn't Sign Up For This
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You had a plan for how your life would turn out. You were working your plan and then life happened. How do you cope and how do you rebuild a worthy li...
How Your Masculine Energy Is Affecting Your Relationship
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This masculine/feminine energy debate may feel over discussed, but the more I work with women who are experiencing difficulty in their relationships, ...
How's Your Relationship With Food?
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about all your other relationships on this podcast, but we've never addressed your relationship with food. It's time. Many, if not most Amer...
Why Women Lie
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all lie. Whether it's the little "white" seemingly insignificant ones or the really big, shameful deceits, we are all guilty of not being completel...
How Even a Wobbly Faith Can Change Everything
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you feel like you don't believe enough in yourself, your relationships, your God or that things will even work out for you? Listen in as I talk abo...
Is Your Relationship Right For You?
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There a number of qualities a relationship must have to make it a viable, healthy one. In this episode, Dr. Zoe and Dr. Meaghan Rice discuss the quali...
How Do You Know When it's Safe to be Vulnerable?
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vulnerability. How do you know when it's safe to be vulnerable in a relationship? Join me as I discuss this crucial topic with my guest, Jason VanRule...
Understanding the Cravings of Your Soul
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are five reasons that people want to get married, and those are the same five reasons that people ultimately choose divorce. How powerful is tha...
How to Have the Hard Conversations
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the things that we don't say that get us in the most trouble. Often we are afraid of saying the wrong thing, for fear that our loved ones can't h...
Feeling Lonely on Valentine's Day - Even When You're in a Relationship
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You know what's worse than being by yourself on Valentine's Day? Being in a relationship and still feeling lonely on Valentine's Day. In this episode...
How to Respond to Repeat Boundary Violations in Your Marriage
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss setting boundaries between you and those you love. Often I work with clients who work to set and keep boundaries, but are c...
Healing From Relationship Breakdown Trauma Through Poetry
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I interview poet Emily Bridget Taylor about her journey of healing from divorce and marriage breakdown trauma. She gives encouragemen...
Managing a Difficult Relationship With Your Boss
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So many of us spend the majority of our life at work. I'm always talking about relationships in your life, often intimate ones. But if you're spending...
Setting Your Relationship Up for Success in the New Year
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We often focus on individual goals for the New year, as we should, but it's crucial to the long term health of your relationship, that you regularly a...
I Didn't Sign Up For This: What To Do When Your Relationship Doesn't Look Like The One You Said Yes To with Tracy Dalgleish
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Tracy Dalgleish is a clinical psychologist and relationship expert who is on a mission to help couples break old relationship cycles and find joy ...
#2 Navigating Your Difficult Relationship Over The Holidays - How To Honor Your Spouse And Still Care For Yourself
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For people pleasers and relationship supporters, the holidays can easily feel overwhelming when your needs aren't getting met and you are trying to ma...
Navigating Your Difficult Relationship Over The Holidays - Why You Matter
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For people pleasers and relationship supporters, the holidays can easily feel overwhelming when your needs aren't getting met and you are trying to ma...
When Healing Yourself Doesn't Heal Your Relationship- My Divorce Story
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm excited to return after a much needed break, during which I wrote a book and navigated a divorce. In this episode, I am interviewed by my coach, R...
Forgiving In A Way That Honors You with Deb Curtis
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Deb Curtis's personal journey, marred by hardship and strife, has molded her into a resilient advocate In her early years, Deb encountered numerous tr...
How The Strongest Relationships Are Led By Those Bold Enough To Be Selfish with Naketa Rin Thigpen
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Zoe and Naketa talk about the boldness and necessity of learning to be "selfish". Naketa's the #1 Balance (and) Relationship Advisor in the World ...
Using the Shame of Your Past To Find Your Purpose with Jami Nato
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Zoe and Jami Nato talk all things shame, purpose, faith and parenting and how you can use the breadcrumbs of the past to find your purpose. Jami i...
Create Anyway: How To Stewart Your Creative Gifts Even When You Feel with Ashlee Gadd
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Dr. Zoe and Ashlee Gadd speak to women who have creative passions, but feel guilt or shame when they follow them. Listen in for tips, ...
Finding Health in Long Term Estrangement
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you or someone you know cut off from a family member by choice or circumstance? The pain of feeling disconnected from our loved ones can be overwh...
Finding The Courage You Need with Sandy Stream
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sandy Stream is an author and activist whose work is built on the belief that everyone deserves and is capable of finding peace and warrior-like stren...
What You Need To Know About Female Infidelity with Susan Shapiro Barash
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The rates of Infidelity are rising in women. I chose to have Susan Shapiro Barash on to discuss this topic because she has studied women and infidelit...
How to Rebuild Your Self Confidence After Divorce with Leah Marie Mazur
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you had a breakup or divorce? Have you noticed that your self-confidence has taken a hit? You are not alone. It's common for self-confidence to t...
How to Grow Deeper, Instead of Bitter, Through Hard Times with Jodi Rosser
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jodie Rosser is an author, podcaster, and speaker who serves women through her podcast, Depth, and her blog, Heartbreak to Strength. She is author of ...
How to Use Your Difficult Relationship for Growth with Elana Israel
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Elana Israel, relationship expert and host of the podcast, Partnership Aligned, joins me today to discuss how you can attain personal growth through t...
Healing Abusive Brain Chatter with Jacquie Elliott
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all have occasional negative self-talk, but how do you know when it morphs into self-abuse? Today, I speak with Jacquie Elliott, Certified L...
How Conflict Avoiders Can Speak Up in Relationships
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A conflict avoider is someone who avoids conflicts, sometimes at all costs - usually at a steep cost to themselves and their relationships. Con...
It's Not Normal, It's Toxic - Recognizing A Toxic Relationship And What To Do About It with Dr. Heidi Brocke
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is the last of the Loving A Narcissist Series. Dr. Heidi is A Toxic Relationship Healing & Awareness Specialist. She is the host of the podcast,...
Get Off the Dating Roller Coaster and Attract Real Love with Dr. Morgan Anderson
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Morgan Anderson, Clinical Psychologist, Attachment Theory Expert, Author and host of the top-rated podcast: Let's Get Vulnerable- is a powerful vo...
How Your Attachment Style And Personality Types Influence Romantic Relationships? with Tami Kiekhaefer
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, licensed social worker, Tami Kiekhaefer and Dr. Zoe explain the types of attachment, how they develop and how they influence how you ...
How Your Psychological Love Life Affects Your Relationships with Thomas Jordan
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"Your Love life is not only what is visible in terms of the people you have loved and love. Your love life is also what is inside of you that shapes a...
How to Stay Healthy in a Relationship with a Narcissist - Loving a Narcissist Series #3
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you are in a relationship with a narcissist, all of the conventional advice you are likely to get is to figure out how to get OUT of the relationsh...
Releasing Resentments in Your Relationships (Past or Present) with Brenda Reiss
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brenda Reiss, The world's leading forgiveness coach, and I have a powerful conversation about letting go of resentments in your relationships. In t...
Loving A Narcissist Series #2 - The Five Types Of Narcissism And How They Show Up In Relationships
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Often, when we think of narcissism, we think of a guy who is arrogant, seeks admiration, talks and thinks of only himself and lacks empathy or care. ...
How Past Trauma Affects Your Current Boundaries with Dr. Tiffany Ross
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you are in a relationship with a narcissist, all of the conventional advice you are likely to get is to figure out how to get OUT of the relationsh...
Loving a Narcissist Series Intro
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first in a series of loving a narcissist. In this episode, Dr. Zoe normalizes feelings that partners of narcissists often experience. She ...
Planning For The New Year When Last Year Didn't Go As Planned
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In every way shape and form, 2022 did not go as planned for me and maybe that's the same case for you. Today, I want to help you focus on yourself as...
Tips For Coping With Loneliness During the Holidays with Michele Dekeyser
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy and gathering with family and friends. But for many, Holiday loneliness creeps in, whether you are ...
What Narcissism Is Not
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Narcissism is growing in our society. We simply have more narcissists than we did 50 years ago and as a result it is very likely that you have come in...
Creating Gratitude in Your Relationship
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this season of Thanksgiving, this episode is a gentle reminder to come back to a place of gratitude in your relationship. Connect with me: Dr. Z...
Are You The Parent Or Child In Your Relationship?
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you every heard someone who may have two children, say that she has three children- referring to her spouse as the other child? This may sound li...
Are You Quiet Quitting Your Relationship
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I'm guessing you've heard this term before. In case you haven't, it's a term usually associated with the workplace. Quiet quitting describes wha...
Taking The Space to Breathe with Shonda Moralis
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the Holidays are quickly approaching and all the stress that can ensue, listen to today's episode for some very doable options to incorporate mindf...
Learning to Trust Yourself with Tabatha Perry
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How many times have you had a gut instinct and you second guessed it, rationalized it, didn't move on it? How many times have you allowed your mistrus...
Doing The Most With The Least - Not Allowing Your Impairments Or Disabilities To Hold You Back From Your Life with Tracee Garner
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We have zero control over many of the things that happen to us in our lives, but we have complete control over how we respond to it. Today, I i...
What To Do When You Feel Overwhelmed By Life
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you're sitting in a situation that feels like too much, If you feel overwhelmed by your life circumstances, grief or an unfair situation, listen...
Becoming Toxic Person Proof with Sarah K Ramsey
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Toxic people talk you out of listening to your intuition. They talk you out of seeing the red flags and make you feel like you are overreacting when y...
When You've Lost a Part of Yourself in Your Relationship
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, I answer a question from a listener about how to find herself again when she's feeling lonely in her relationship and she's lost a...
How Your Early Childhood Trauma is Affecting Your Relationships with Joelle Maletis
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Joelle is a well-known psychotherapist, military psychology, and PTSD expert. Her passion is helping those in need find empowerment by discovering how...
Doing Deep Work: How To Keep Shallow Distractions From Stealing Your Life
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Much of your daily life is spent doing shallow work- the everyday maintenance of life. This is necessary and good work, but it is not your most import...
7 Things You Should Stop Apologizing For In Your Relationship
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
No one wants a relationship full of strife. You want to get along with your partner. You want to be happy. Often as a result of trying to avoid anger ...
How Well Do You Know Yourself?
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Take the quiz: HERE You may spend significant time investing in knowing the people you are in relationship with. You may know your people well, but ...
When Your Adult Child Rejects Your Faith with Pamela Henkleman
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you maintain a healthy relationship with your adult child who has rejected the faith in which you raised them? Pamela Henkleman, mom of five ad...
Do You Apologize for Your Feelings?
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Think about the last time you cried in front of someone. Did you apologize for your tears? Why? In this short episode, I discuss the reasons why wom...
Stop Holding A Grudge Against Yourself for Something You Didn't Do
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all have shame for various things we did OR didn't do in our lives. In this episode, Dr. Zoe (licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach) desc...
Do You Have Post Betrayal Syndrome? Learn to Trust Again with Dr. Debi Silber
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you been taught that time heals all wounds? Then why has it been years and you still feel so hurt? Could you have Post Betrayal Syndrome? Do yo...
How To Have Difficult Conversations And Come Out Better with Kimberly Beams Holmes
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you dread having certain conversations with your spouse? Do they always turn out the same way? What type of communicator are you? A pursuer or an...
How To Fall In Love With Your Boundaries
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Often when I talk about boundaries, I get a response like, "I know (eye roll). I have to have boundaries." Boundaries are seen as this awful thing tha...
Finding Your Bliss When Your Relationship Isn't Perfect
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes the answer to an unhealthy or less than perfect relationship is to leave. Sometimes that can be the most caring thing you can do for yoursel...
More Than Sorry- When You've Committed Infidelity with Deborah Miller
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you cheated? Have you violated your partner's trust through an in-person affair, secret online relationship, or pornography? Have you repeatedly ...
Finding Peace and Purpose in a World You Can't Control
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was inspired by an episode I did with this Grit and Grace Life podcast. When the world feels like it's going haywire, we can get so caug...
You Saw the Red Flags Though, Right?
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is for all the women who are in relationships that you knew better than to get into or are getting out of a relationship that probably wa...