In this session, Dr. Tracy and Matthew Frey discuss a crucial issue that affects many relationships: defensiveness. They explore how defensiveness not only creates barriers but also diminishes and invalidates your partner's feelings. Matthew shares a personal revelation from his own life, noting how his failure to validate his wife's experiences contributed significantly to the deterioration of their marriage. He highlights that understanding doesn't require agreement but rather a mindful...

In this incredibly important episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Dr. Frank Anderson, a renowned trauma expert and author to discuss the profound impact of trauma on personal development and well-being, as well as insights from his latest book, "To Be Loved: A Memoir of Truth, Trauma and Transformation," exploring the journey towards healing and forgiveness. The two kick things off by highlighting the importance of therapists sharing their vulnerabilities and human-ness to bridge the gap between them...

This week, Dr. Tracy and her favourite co-host/hubby, Greg, are back and here to tackle one of the most common issues couples face in relationships: why bringing up one problem with a partner often leads to a flood of additional grievances. They discuss why this might happen, identify defense mechanisms and avoidance strategies, and emphasize the importance of understanding and communication in relationships. They introduce the metaphor of a "bridge" between partners and the importance of...

In this deeply relatable episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with Julie Chavez, an elementary school librarian from Northern California and the author of the USA Today bestselling memoir "Everybody but Myself." Julie opens up about her journey from prioritizing everyone else's needs to understanding the crucial importance of self-care, a lesson learned through her own struggles with anxiety and depression. Together, Julie and Dr. Tracy dive into the transformative power of therapy, the discipline...

Coming to you from Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Tracy reunites in person with her dear friend Dr. Tanya Cotler, a clinical psychologist specializing in maternal mental health and child-parent attachment. Dr. Tracy kicks off the episode by sharing a recent personal experience of a body memory—a sudden, unexplained emotional outburst she later linked to her childhood. This episode dives deep into the concept of body memories—emotions stored physically that our brains may not recall cognitively—and...

Is love really all you need when it comes to relationships? In this insightful conversation, Dr. Tracy and Matthew Hussey, renowned love and relationship expert, explore the very real challenges of finding the right person in today’s society. Before diving into the advice and strategies, the two share a candid connection about the ironic struggle they face as "experts" in their field, when really, they are just humans navigating the same love-life struggles as everyone else. Matthew then...

Have you ever considered the subtle ways grief touches our daily lives? In today's episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with grief therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis to unpack the nuanced experiences of grief and loss beyond what we often associate with obvious tragedies, like the death of a loved one. They discuss how grief can sneak into our everyday lives, often unrecognized, and explore the importance of tuning into our bodies and managing our nervous system's response to grief. Meghan, drawing on...

This week, Dr. Tracy and her favourite co-host and hubby, Greg, dive deep into the heart of what it means to parent as a team, especially when faced with the unique challenges of raising a highly sensitive child (HSC). Through their personal stories and recent parenting experiences, they offer a candid look at the complexities and joys of navigating life with an HSC. They discuss the critical role of teamwork in understanding and supporting their child's intense emotions, while also...

It's time to get uncomfortable. This week, Dr. Tracy sits down with Heather Chauvin, a renowned leadership coach, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and author of "Dying to be a Good Mother." Together, they tackle the universal challenge of embracing discomfort and leaning into fear. Heather brings a wealth of experience from her own life, sharing how her battle with stage 4 cancer and the trials of motherhood propelled her towards a life of authenticity and courage. She emphasizes the significance...

Did you know that 1 in 4 couples sleeps in separate beds? In honour of Sleep Awareness Week, we're revisiting the intriguing concept of "sleep divorce," a choice often misunderstood and stigmatized in society. Dr. Renee Reina, a Ph.D. in psychology and host of "The Mom Room," joins Dr. Tracy to debunk myths surrounding this phenomenon. Together, they explore how prioritizing sleep by choosing to sleep apart can actually nurture and strengthen relationships, contrary to the belief that it...

Do you feel you put others before yourself in order to keep the peace? In this week’s episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with Anna Aslanian to dive into the complex world of codependency, self-sacrifice, and interdependence in relationships. Anna, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a rich background in psychological care, sheds light on the roots of codependent behaviour, often tracing back to early relationships and trauma. Together, they explore the nuances of trauma and debunk the...

Zibby Owens is the creative force behind the award-winning podcast "Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books," an accomplished author and CEO of Zibby Media. In this episode, she joins Dr. Tracy to explore her latest fiction work, "Blank: A Novel," reflecting on her multifaceted journey from writing her first article at 14, through her divorce, and into the literary world, emphasizing the therapeutic power of storytelling. Zibby shares insights into overcoming internal barriers and the importance...

This week, Elise Loehnen is sitting down with Dr. Tracy and sharing her journey from a behind-the-scenes ghostwriter to a New York Times bestselling author, tackling the unrealistic expectations placed on women to always be the "good girl." Through her own personal story and insights from her book "On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good," Elise invites us to question why women are hard on themselves and each other. She explores the nuances of envy and...

This week, Dr. Tracy, her favourite co-host, and husband Greg dive into the power of "relationship check-ins," sharing their personal experience as partners, parents, and business co-owners. They unpack the value and long-term benefits of these intentional discussions, with Greg shedding light on breaking down the barriers and debunking the stigma from a man’s perspective. Together, they guide us through setting up effective check-ins that don't include personalization and blame and how to...

In this insightful episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Dr. Jamie Zuckerman, a renowned expert on narcissistic abuse, to explore the complexities of navigating relationships with narcissists. Dr. Zuckerman discusses the subtle yet damaging ways narcissistic relationships can erode one's sense of self and the challenges of recognizing and escaping these toxic dynamics. She highlights the common warning signs that you might be dealing with a narcissist, the textbook behaviour to be aware of, and the...

Mary Van Geffen is an international parenting coach specializing in "spicy" children. This week, she is sitting down with Dr. Tracy and bringing her coaching and teaching skills directly to us! Mary shares her transformation from an overwhelmed mother to an empowering guide, discussing her journey of self-discovery and healing while raising a "spicy" one herself after coming from a long line of "spicy" children. She touches on the importance of understanding and connection over discipline and...

In this episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Shelly Robinson, a certified family wellness coach and conscious parenting educator. Together, they explore the intricacies of parenting, relationships, and self-connection. Shelly dives into the concept of re-parenting, addressing the feelings of anger that show up for many parents, the importance of attunement, and practical ways to foster meaningful connections with oneself, children, and partner. The conversation dives into Shelly's insights on...

In this vulnerable episode, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Nina Caviggiola, an influential online creator, a mom in her mid-thirties, and the powerhouse host behind the "Mama Knows” podcast. Nina shares her journey, from postpartum anxiety to an ADHD diagnosis, and the ways motherhood has shaped the woman she is today for the better. Together, Dr. Tracy and Nina discuss the impact of online comparisons and the power of the “mute” feature on Instagram. Nina opens up about the struggles she’s...

Ready to leave people pleasing behind this year? This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Maria Victoria Albina, a seasoned somatic life coach and family nurse practitioner. Together, they unravel the intricacies of our nervous system's impact on daily life, exploring topics like codependency, perfectionism, and self-sacrifice. Using the polyvagal theory, they dive into the connection between our nervous system and how we experience the world. The conversation touches on self-abandonment,...

New year, new season! Dr. Tracy is kicking off Season 5 with fellow clinical psychologist, colleague, and friend, Dr. Meagan Gallagher, to dive into the complexities that come with the new year. They address the societal pressures, especially the overused and abused "new year, new you" mantra, that often lead to comparison and anxiety. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, rest, and acknowledging one's "enoughness." Dr. Tracy and Dr. Meagan challenge the damaging fitness...

For today’s episode, Dr. Tracy is resharing one of her favourite and most beloved conversations from this year with fellow psychologist Dr. Shefali to discuss what it means to build a healthy parent-child relationship.  Dr. Shefali is an acclaimed author, international speaker, and clinical psychologist.   If you haven't already, be sure to check out season 3 episode 4 where Dr. Shefali and Dr. Tracy discuss the parent-child relationship.  EPISODE LINKS  Order Dr. Shefali's book The...

In her final solo episode of the year, Dr. Tracy reflects on this incredible year of podcasting before diving into something she's personally struggled with and found the power of confronting: self-abandonment. Drawing from both personal experience and listener questions, she explores the signs, reasons, and consequences of self-abandonment in our relationships. The episode offers practical insights into setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and building a supportive community. Dr....

In the heart of the holiday season, Dr. Tracy and her husband Greg embark on the first official "Dear Dr. Tracy" episode, tackling a fitting and timely listener question about navigating family dynamics. With a primary focus on mother-in-law relationships, they delve into topics like addressing defensive reactions, handling guilt trips, and initiating difficult conversations. Throughout the conversation, this dynamic duo highlights the importance of setting boundaries, practicing effective...

As we embrace the holiday spirit, it's essential to recognize the challenges it brings and the importance of setting boundaries. In today’s episode, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Terri Cole, a licensed psychotherapist and renowned relationship expert, to unravel the intricacies of setting and maintaining boundaries. Terri, the author of "Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free," shares her personal journey from being a "boundary disaster" to a...

This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Robyn Silverman, also known as The Conversation Doc! Dr. Robyn, a child and teen development specialist and host of the "How to Talk to Kids About Anything" podcast, just released a new book with the same title and is here to share all of her wisdom. Reflecting on her personal experiences, Dr. Robyn emphasizes the crucial role parents play in initiating important conversations with their children, covering topics like bullying and self-esteem. The...