Zach’s shares his pedicure obsession. Laura has a rousing night with a bunch of Cathys at the senior center.  After Laura attended Zach's Relationship Boot Camp she has questions about the concept of a Core Negative Image (CNI) and how it affects relationships. Zach and Laura unpack how each partner’s perceptions, often rooted in past experiences or insecurities, can lead to exaggerated negative views of one another, especially during periods of stress. They also discuss rituals for client sessions, with Laura emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for actions and acknowledging positive efforts, helping clients shift from criticism to affirmation. Episode Highlights: Exploring Core Negative Images (CNI): They delve into the concept of CNI, discussing how we sometimes assign exaggerated negative traits to our partners, especially when stressed or triggered. Relationship Boot Camp Insights: Laura reflects on attending Zach’s relationship boot camp and highlights practical techniques for managing conflict and improving communication. Rituals in Therapy Sessions: Laura shares her new client session ritual, which includes acknowledging positive efforts and taking responsibility for missteps, promoting empathy and connection. Sponsor: Practice love every day with Paired, the #1 app for couples. Download the app at https://www.paired.com/MTR50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices