Stronger in the Difficult Places

Overcoming Your Shame Story with Latoya Mathew's

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever held onto guilt so long that it turned into shame? Are you still holding onto something that is affecting your relationships and the eas...

Laughter and the Strong Woman- Using Laughter as a Form of Self Care

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Philosopher and psychologist William James said "We don't laugh because we're happy, we are happy because we laugh." He knew this more than a century ...

When Mother's Day Isn't So Happy- Navigating a Difficult Relationship With Your Mother with Darlene Brock

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Mother's Day, they say. But what if you dread the day, spending hours in the card aisle trying to find a card because none of them fit? What if ...

Are You Doing Boundaries Wrong?

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many people who recognize the importance of boundaries and sincerely want to erect healthy ones seem to be missing the mark when it comes to implement...

Releasing Miss Independent with Tamika McTier

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Can a woman be too independent? Tamika McTier, podcast host, author and transformational coach, discusses healthy independence and dysfunctional indep...

Tips for Having Hard Conversations

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever put off a conversation that you know you need to have? Are you doing it now? A conversation with a parent, friend, spouse or your child?...

Overcoming People Pleasing- Tolerate a Little Less with Trina Stutzman

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

People-pleasers are known for doing whatever it takes to make other people happy. While being kind and helpful is generally a good thing, going too fa...

Breaking the Cycle of Relationship Addiction with Sherry Gaba

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sherry GABA (licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach author and founder of Wake-up Recovery formerly feature on VH1's Celebrity rehab) joins m...

Consider This Before You Promise To Change For Your Partner

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here's the scenario. Something happened. You messed up again. Your partner gave you an ultimatum or you hit rock bottom on some level. Maybe the scale...

4 Steps to Changing Negative Patterns with Adele Spraggon

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I speak with Adele Spraggon, author, speaker and creator of SHIFT: 4 steps to personal empowerment. We speak about how our brains are...

The Four Types of Unspoken Truths in Your Relationship and Why You Need To Speak Them

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The weight of the things we don't say is heavy. Although you may realize the weight of it, you may also falsely believe that the weight of speaking up...

How to Live with Unresolved Conflict with Shivonne Davis

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, despite trying all the things, you may have a relationship in your life that has unresolved conflict. Although there is plenty of headway y...

How Perfectionism Affects You and Your New Year

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At the beginning and end of this episode, I share my words and YOUR words (in your voices) for 2022. Many of us have goals, words, aspirations and de...

Your Relationship With Yourself in 2022

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is all about Your beautiful relationship with yourself moving into 2022. One of the things I love about entering the new year is that we...

Making Joint Decisions in Your Relationship When You'd Rather Not

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Decisions are tough to make when you're single. They're doubly tough when you're a couple. Toss in a little conflict and they can feel downright impos...

Why Self Love Matters For the Woman of Faith

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I explore the foundational beliefs about why self-love seems like a selfish quality to attain, especially for women of faith, how I t...

How to Fix Your Relationship When He's Checked Out with Laura Doyle

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Doyle, New York Times Best Selling Author of The Empowered Wife was the perfect wife until she got married. We have a wonderful conversation abo...

Why You're Likely to Marry Your Parent (and what you can do about it)

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I'm sure you've thought yourself or heard someone say, "I married my mother" or "I married my father." Well, there's a lot of truth to this. Despite o...

Coparenting During the Holidays with Tammy Daughtry

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The holidays have snuck up on us and for many this time is filled with warm thoughts of time with family and friends. But for an increasing number of ...

What to Do While You're Single and Waiting for Love

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You have probably been doing all the things, focusing on yourself, self care, upleveling. You feel like you've got a good handle on that. But there is...

When A Friendship Needs to End

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As hard as it may be, sometimes we need to let friendships go. And it's hard and it can hurt. A lot. Often we stay too long and hurt longer than we ha...

Are You Crazy or Are You Being Gaslighted?

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gaslighting is an effective technique that makes you question your entire perception of reality- or a slice of it from a certain angle. When someone i...

How to Like Your Husband

09 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Admitting to yourself that you don't like your husband is scary. But it's not the end and it doesn't mean you are destined towards divorce or a lifeti...

How to Know if You Have Unrealistic Expectations of Your Husband?

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In general, having expectations for an outcome, an event or a relationship is good. It means that you are forward thinking, you value yourself and you...

Staying Together for the Kids: Should you? Shouldn't you? And How to do it well.

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For women out there who are struggling with making the decision or who have decided to stay because of the kids, Melissa Dumaz, LMFT and I talk about ...

Are You Becoming Your Husband's Mother?

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is your daily mantra a constant telling him to do the things- back seat driving, taking over his tasks because you're "better at it", asking him to pi...

Making the Transition to Parenting Your Adult Child

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As parents all over the world are sending their babies off to college, again or for the first time, many are feeling some angst about navigating their...

How Praying for Your Husband Daily Changes You

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Julie Graham (now Julie Bender) is invited back to share how her practice of praying for her husband daily (now a weekly series) transformed her inter...

How to Restore an Estranged Family Relationship

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You may have a relationship that feels like it's slowly slipping from your grasp. Or you may feel that little hope for salvaging it. Maybe it's alread...

Your Two Competing Drives That Sabotage Your Relationship

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You have two competing internal parts that influence your interactions. It's often why things are so complicated in relationships. And to further comp...

When You Compare Your Relationship and Yours Comes Up Short

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We've all been there. You take a glance at the woman in the other lane and her relationship looks like all you dreamed yours would be. You feel all th...

Five Relationship Myths That Keep You Unhappy

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our world, there are a lot of relationship myths. Relationship myths can be highly damaging because they are ideas that don't match up with real pe...

When your relationship is changing what do you do?

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our good relationships stayed the same? It's hard to deal with change in a relationship (marriage, mother/child or friends...

Why All The Relationship Advice Isn't Working For You

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You may have tried all the common relationship advice and found yourself frustrated, hopeless and feeling like there is something wrong with you becau...

How to Make Peace With Uncertainty in Your Relationship

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you are feeling a little uncertain about the health or the longevity of your relationship, if you are longing for clarity on how to be healthy when...

A Little About Me and What's This Re-Brand Shift?

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the first episode of the re-branded Stronger in the Difficult places podcast. This podcast is for the woman who finds herself in a difficu...

Trailer Episode

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zoe, a licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach walks with you on your journey through fixing your difficult relationships, including that ...

How To Own Your Extra When You Feel Like Too Much

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To all the women who've been told they are too much- you feel too much, you talk too much, you ask for too much, you are too intimidating, this episod...

Thriving After an Unwanted Divorce with Dr. Imara Moses

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is possible to go through an unwanted divorce and come out on the other side healthy and okay. It is possible to be in an abusive relationship and ...

Emotional Spring Cleaning - How to Emotionally Declutter Your Brain

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An uncluttered house is great, but you may not realize the stressful effects of emotional clutter or even what it is. What better season than now to t...

Your Anxiety And Depression Has Nothing To Do With Your Faith

20 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever been in a state of panic, fear, sadness or hopelessness and when you sought help were told or it was insulated that your emotional or me...

The Curse of Capability- How To Keep Your Talents From Ruining You

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We can get tripped up by capability because it allows us to stay in a zone of competence- sometimes for decades. We can perform well in that zone, but...

Why Being a Strong Woman Is Not Enough

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Strong woman. This term is thrown about so much that I'm even a little sick of hearing it. This may sound ironic coming from a woman who touts streng...

Finding Brilliant Balance in 2021

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Zoe and Cherylanne Skolnicki highlight ways that women can find a brilliant work/life balance and maintain some sanity in 2021. Addressed in this...

Making Space for Your Sadness When Everyone Wants You Strong

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's a new year. It seems we should be celebrating newness, but many are telling me that they felt there was nothing to celebrate on New Year's Eve. S...

Crushing 2021 Goals Without a Resolution!

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How can you accomplish more this year without a resolution by focusing on just one word? Dr. Zoe shares her secret to being more productive and smashi...

Making a Truce With Your Body with Anne Poirier

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you were growing up, how often did you hear women in your life talk about how much they loved their body? Dr. Zoe and Anne Poirier, an Intuitive ...

How Strong Women Keep Promises To Themselves

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do you make a promise to yourself and break it over and over again? Listen up as I talk about how to become self-trustworthy and keep your promises. ...

Removing Chaos From Your Life When You're a People Pleaser

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are you feeling overcommitted? Irritable? Do you find yourself taking on too much or saying yes and then feeling overwhelmed- like there is no space f...

Strategies For Conquering Self Doubt with Suzy Carroll

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Suzy Carroll, a leadership and business mentor, openly shares her journey of self-discovery and self-awareness and how — as a Coach and Course Facil...

What's Your Box Story? My Personal Story of Reframing and Resilience

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I share a very personal story with you that I hope you recognize as universal. It is a speech I shared last week at Carol Cox's Speak...

Can Work/Life Balance Exist Anymore? with Nikole Stanfield

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel like your work and life are all the same thing? Like one bleeds into the other? Do you wonder if you're struggling with burnout and what ...

What Strong Women Do With Regret

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Regret. It's a six letter word that holds enormous weight. Listen in as Dr. Zoe (licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach) shares with you how ...

Eight Practices To Be Your Own Hero Through Your Story with Amanda JP Brown

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

My guest today is Amanda JP Brown, an Author, Speaker and Coach, guiding women who want to walk through their darkness and shame and step into their p...

How To Stay Strong And Trust Again When You've Been Hurt Before

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is inspired by a question I received from a listener.: She asked how can I open myself up again without fear of failure, rejection and he...

Getting Over I Got It Syndrome with Elayne Fluker

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week I am joined by Elayne Fluker, host podcast Support Is Sexy. We are going to talk about her new book and also Getting Over I Got It Syndrome....

How Strong Women Do Boundaries

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A boundary is not a rule that you impose on someone else to follow. It is a line that you draw for yourself. Listen in as Dr. Zoe (licensed psychother...

Is Authenticity Fake Strength?

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is authenticity another way to overshare and accept something in ourselves that doesn't further our greatest potential? Or is it a means to connect wi...

You're Not Broken, Just Bent

18 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

That feeling of brokenness can stop you dead in your tracks. Just like a conked out car, you might feel like you have lost the motivation to go one mo...

What To Do When Your Partner Triggers You

30 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever gotten severely angry or sad over a very small issue in your relationship? You're probably getting triggered. Listen in as Dr. Zoe (Lice...

What To Do When You and Your Partner Disagree on a Big Issue

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe he's a republican, you're a democrat. Maybe he thinks COVID is a scam and you are fearful of your health, maybe he doesn't care about the moveme...

Strong Woman, It's Time For Some Reckoning

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As many of us are still experiencing varying levels of discomfort, depending on how 2020 has affected you- I invite you to reckon with yourself? What ...

It's Okay If Talking About Race Makes You Uncomfortable

06 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I hate talking about racism- let's just get that straight.  This is a super raw episode where I talk about my own uncomfortable feelings when I have ...

The 4 Communication Styles That Predict Divorce

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You may already heard of Dr. John Gottman as "the guy that can predict divorce with over 94% accuracy."  After watching thousands of couples argue in...

Why Strong Women Stay in Bad Relationships

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why do strong women who seem to have it all and don't settle for less in other areas of their life, stay in low-quality relationships? Listen in as Dr...

Stop Trying To Control It All

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How many times have you said or thought these words, "Just let me do it." One of the most challenging things for a strong woman who strives to have th...

The Hope Doctor - with Dale Smith Thomas

12 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

My guest, Dale Smith Thomas "The Hope Doctor" joins us today for a discussion about hope and how you can foster and grow it in your life. If you are i...

Why Strong Women Have More Anxiety

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Strong women (and those striving to be) sometimes have an extra dose of anxiety for a couple of reasons. In this episode, Dr. Zoe Shaw (licensed psych...

Every Season Matters

28 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There's no wasted time in life. When you feel like you're in a holding pattern, you aren't. Listen in as Dr Zoe (licensed psychotherapist and relation...

Unpacking your baggage with Chrisnatha Derosier

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chrisnatha Derosier is coach, author and motivational speaker. In this episode, Dr. Zoe and Chrisnatha talk about how you can unpack your baggage by u...

How to deal with your husband's porn addiction

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Joshua Shea wrote his first book because there was no resource for porn addicts out there. Now he wrote his second book, for the questions wives and g...

Finding Strength In Uncertain Times

21 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us have someone that looks up to us, but sometimes, especially in times like this (Corona Virus pandemic), being a strong woman can seem like ...

Are You Romanticizing Your Relationship?

14 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of issues we have in relationships is that people will tell us who they are, but we don't want to believe them. We want them to be how we want t...

Strong Woman Myths

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr. Zoe will talk about the pillars of potential strength, where we need to check our myths that might exist. Strong women can do wha...

God Delights In Your Messy Self

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you are feeling frustrated and ashamed of your shortcomings, remember that He made you human, not perfect. He loves our humanity and our humanity...

Why You're The Problem In Your Difficult Relationship

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you are in a difficult relationship or you are having difficulty in your otherwise great relationship- you're part of the problem. So, today, I'm t...

The Things We Don't Say

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it that the things we don't say in relationships, are the things that get us in the most trouble? Listen in as Dr. Zoe, licensed psychotherapis...

How Your Girlfriends Can Save Your Marriage | Deborah Olsen

04 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Outside relationships are important for your romantic relationship. They can be very helpful when you're in a difficult relationship or marriage. In t...

When You Feel Insecure In Your Relationship

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You would think that after you have been married for a while that your insecurity about your relationship should dissipate- that the longer you stay t...

Can You Change An Unhealthy Relationship To A Healthy One?

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Can you change an unhealthy relationship into a healthy one? That is the question of the century. We all know you can't change anyone ever, but there...

To The Woman In A Difficult Relationship

14 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

No one consciously chooses a difficult relationship. You find yourself in one. And when you are there in the midst of the pain, what's a woman to do? ...

Setting An Intention For Your Relationship This Year

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Most people set goals or resolutions every year, some people don't. Those goals or resolutions are usually personal. Not as many people set an intenti...

How To Forgive Yourself For The Dumb Things You Did This Past Decade

21 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As we close this decade, I reflect on cherished memories of all the wonderful decisions, opportunities and experiences this decade held for me. I enco...

How To Not Feel Bitter | Dr. Zoe Shaw

10 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bitterness is a big topic for women. We can develop bitterness because we choose to hold things in and we don't express ourselves. And you can choose ...

106: Healing from Trauma and How EMDR Might Help | Wynn Helms

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

**Warning** Sensitive, triggering subjects such as sexual abuse are discussed in this episode. Wynn Helms is a Certified EMDR Psychotherapist and toda...

105: Remember Who You Are | Dr. Zoe Shaw

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had an instant realization that you have allowed life to turn you into someone you don't want to be? Sometimes you can have a fleeting m...

104: Why You Feel Lonely in Your Relationship | Dr. Zoe Shaw

12 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

All of us have probably felt lonely in a relationship at some point in our lives. But, if it's habitual, it's time to take a deeper look. In this epis...

103: Accepting Your Dark Side | Dr. Zoe Shaw

05 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A strong woman must be willing to examine all sides of herself. That's why we're talking about the topic of getting to know your shadow self. In this ...

102: One Woman's Journey of Strength Through Loss | Julie Graham

29 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I wanted to bring this guest on as a snapshot of a woman of strength while also highlighting that we don't always recognize the qualities in us that c...

101: Quit Trying to Save Everyone | Dr. Zoe Shaw

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is for the woman who feels responsible for everyone else. Or maybe it's just a certain person or just your family that you feel responsible for. ...

100: The Freedom of Opting Out | Dr. Zoe Shaw

08 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever want to kick yourself as soon as you say yes? Maybe you want to kick yourself 3 weeks later when it's time to do the thing you committed t...

99: When God Won't Fix It | Dr. Zoe Shaw

01 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes you have something so big and so difficult in your life that only God can fix. But sometimes, God just doesn't fix it and that can mess us u...

98: When Life Changes | Dr. Zoe Shaw

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Life changes can resemble the slow rise of an ocean wave, but sometimes they feel more like hitting a brick wall. Sometimes we embrace it. Often, we d...

97: The Line Between Selfish and Selfless | Dr. Zoe Shaw

10 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever struggle with feeling like your self-care is really an excuse to be selfish? Do you have mom, wife or friend guilt when you aren't being c...

96: How A Strong Woman Deals With Past Hurt | Dr. Zoe Shaw

03 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was fueled by two questions I received recently from podcast listeners that were very similar. I realized that if two different women wer...

95: Strong Women and Co-Dependency | Dr. Zoe Shaw

27 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that "taking-care-of-it-all-ism" is a sign of co-dependence? You're probably telling yourself you do it all because you do it best, but i...

94: The Courage to Try | Dr. Zoe Shaw

20 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is dedicated to Bethany Rutledge. Bethany connected with me months ago and I was originally going to have her on the show to discuss toda...

93: Are You Acting like the Leader That You Are? | Dr. Zoe Shaw

13 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I recently realized I think of myself as a boss, an entrepreneur, and a mom, but I never think of myself as a leader and I'm guessing you don't either...

92: Write to Influence | Carla D. Bass

06 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that you every bit of writing you do- email, text, twitter, etc., is a reflection of you? Carla D. Bass, author of Write to Influence, gi...

91: How a Strong Woman Supports Her Man | Dr. Zoe Shaw

30 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I really like the title of this episode, but I know not everyone else will. I know this because I've received some criticism in the past saying that m...