In this week's episode, Natalie talks about why it's important to accept and respect it when somebody says that they can't be in a relationship with us. No matter how we feel or them behaving in what we perceive to be relationship-y ways, if actions and words don't match, we've got a problem.

Prompted by messages from people claiming that they seem to only feel confident dating or being in relationships with those who are 'below' their level, Natalie explores what this actually means (and what it doesn't!!) and why we do it in the first place.   

It can be bloody infuriating when someone makes a mistake or does us wrong and they refuse to acknowledge or take responsibility. But plenty of us don't even know what the hell taking responsibility means, so Natalie breaks it down in this week's episode.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Natalie talks about how when we give too much--yes, there is such a thing!--we're really not 'giving' at all.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Natalie talks about the comments parents make that suggest that we're not meeting their expectations and that they're disappointed with our life choices.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Natalie talks about why we surprise ourselves and others by losing our temper and behaving uncharacteristically and how we can navigate ourselves away from being tipped over the edge.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

It's been five years since Natalie's father died, and she's got some things to share about grief and anger, including why we don't have to perform our feelings for people or withhold our grief to pussyfoot around others. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop  

Natalie delves into the topic of core 'directional' values and why they matter for compatibility in our relationships and our overall sense of well-being.   

Natalie talks about how when keep going back on ourselves about something that causes us pain and discomfort, a part of us is afraid of what being successful at getting out of that relationship or situation would mean.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Sometimes we blame our intuition and don't feel as if we can trust it or ourselves. Natalie explains why our intuition isn't wrong, including how sometimes we weren't listening to our intuition in the first place. Get 30% of The Intuition Sessions short course with the code 'podcast'. Instagram | Blog | Shop

Natalie talks about why it can be problematic when we question or belittle another person's fear of something and why focusing on how 'good' we think we are or the 'good things' we think we've done stops us from respecting why the person is afraid.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

The Tinder Swindler, Sweet Bobby, Love Fraud, and more. After watching and listening to a host of scam-related shows, Natalie shares what she's observed about the pattern of scammers, including what can make us more receptive to being drawn in. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

It's the 250th episode! Natalie shares what she's learned about change and evolving--intentionally and through the 'imposition' of necessity.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Natalie delves into why accepting just the bare minimum (or less!!) in our relationships is problematic and explains why that person who appeared to make so much effort 'in the beginning' doesn't anymore.   Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

In the first episode of 2022, Natalie shares her ideas about what self-esteem is and why we don't need to overcomplicate things when we decide to 'improve' our relationship with ourselves.    Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

In the final episode of 2021, Natalie shares a little on surprising herself by going to therapy this year and how 2021 pushed her to new, deeper places.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Natalie delves into what's going on when we try to find out whether someone we've just met (or have only just started a relationship with) is emotionally available.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Why might we be able to debate and have disagreements at work or in certain situations but panic and shut down or become defensive with loved ones? Natalie delves into why we feel threatened by disagreement and difference and how to start breaking the habit.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

With the 20:20 vision of hindsight, we often recognise our blessings in disguise. But at the time, whatever we're going through can suck, and Natalie talks about the importance of allowing ourselves to feel instead of bypassing our feelings and forcing ourselves to be 'grateful' or look on the bright side.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Natalie shares how she learned to stop taking responsibility for other people's baggage and how this inspired the show's central question: What's the baggage behind it?   Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Natalie explains why learning to be unconditionally obedient skewed our perception of negative consequences and why it's time to update our thinking so that we stop scaring ourselves out of taking care of us.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop    

Natalie talks about how our resistance and discomfort about asking for help or support reveals our reliance on being The Strong or Supportive One.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

We've texted or hung out with someone several times, why do we think know them already? Natalie shares why intensity causes us to mistakenly extend trust.  Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Natalie talks about the thoughts and feelings we default to when certain people disappoint, annoy or upset us and how these can help us have a more honest relationship, both with ourselves and this person.     Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop

Being able to get things off our chest is crucial to our wellbeing and part of our intimate relationships, but sometimes we chat out our business to the wrong people! Natalie shares some of the reasons people respond unfairly or unkindly when we share our problems with them.    Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Shop