Welcome to The Relationship Maze podcast. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of experiential avoidance, a common psychological phenomenon where individuals steer clear of situations that evoke negative emotions.  Hosts Tom and Angela explore the underlying fears that drive this behaviour, such as the worry that addressing certain topics might negatively impact their relationships. They discuss how these fears are often rooted in past experiences and societal conditioning which...

In today's episode of The Relationship Maze, we explore the concept of projection and its impact on relationships. Join Tom and Angela as they delve into the fascinating topic of projection, shedding light on how our past experiences shape our perceptions of others.  They discuss how projection can influence our attraction to certain people and how it impacts our behavior in relationships. Through insightful examples and discussions, they highlight the importance of self-awareness and how...

Welcome to a new episode of "The Relationship Maze" where we dive into the complexities of your critical, inner voice and the impact it has on our relationships. In this episode, Tom and Angela explore the role of the inner critic, discussing why it might have developed, its effects on your life and ways to manage it for a more positive experience in your relationships. They delve into the impact of early experiences, schooling, and social media on developing and reinforcing the inner critic,...

In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," Tom and Angela dive into the different developmental stages of relationships, exploring the model developed by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson from the Couples Institute.  Drawing parallels with early childhood development, they discuss the stages of adult relationships:  symbiosis, differentiation, practicing, rapprochement, and mutual interdependence. Each of these stages serves a specific function in the development of the relationship and each of...

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Relationship Maze. In today's episode  Tom and Angela dive into the challenges of online dating, particularly the phenomenon of ghosting.  They discuss the impact of being ghosted, potential reasons for ghosting, and offer valuable insights into maintaining a positive attitude and healthy mindset when navigating the complexities of modern dating. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to approach early stages of dating and learn strategies...

In today's episode of The Relationship Maze, Tom and Angela delve into the world of warning signs in relationships, focusing on both early and later indicators of potential problems.  They discuss the yellow flags that may indicate areas of concern in a relationship, such as inconsistent attention, dismissive behaviour, lack of communication, issues with ex-partners, differing life stages, mental health challenges, and deceptive dating profiles. Join them as they navigate through the...

Welcome to today's episode of "The Relationship Maze." In this episode hosts Tom and Angela delve into the early warning indicators of potentially problematic relationships. They discuss warning signs such as physical and emotional abuse, gaslighting, love bombing, excessive jealousy, boundary violations, and substance abuse.  With insights into each warning sign, they provide valuable advice on what to look out for in relationships and how to navigate these challenges. Tune in to gain a...

In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," hosts Tom and Angela dive into the complex question of how to know if you truly love someone. They explore the different stages and dynamics of love in relationships, including the early passionate phase, the role of attraction, the challenges of unconditional love, and the importance of differentiation in couple relationships . They emphasize the need for continuous reflection and communication in relationships to prevent crises and maintain a...

In this episode of "The Relationship Maze" podcast, Tom and Angela delve into the complex topic of arguments and conflict in relationships. They discuss the inevitability of disagreements between partners and emphasize the importance of understanding and effectively managing arguments. The hosts provide valuable insights into the different types of arguments and the underlying issues that may lead to conflicts in relationships. They address the significance of recognizing one's conflict style...

Welcome to The Relationship Maze podcast! Today, we're diving into the 10 most annoying habits that partners have, and exploring what it means for your relationship. Tom and Angela discuss common grievances that can become major frustrations and provide insights on how to address these annoyances and create a more harmonious relationship.  Stay tuned to learn how to navigate through these common relationship pitfalls and improve your connection with your partner. 00:00 Dealing with annoying...

Welcome to The Relationship Maze podcast where we delve into the complexities of human relationships. In today's episode hosts Tom and Angela explore the intriguing characters and family dynamics in the popular series "Succession." They delve into the complexities of the relationships depicted in the show and draw parallels to real-life experiences. From the desperate need for parental love to the impact of childhood attachment styles on adult behavior, the hosts dissect how the characters'...

In this episode of The Relationship Maze, Tom and Angela delve into the topic of healing from emotional wounds. They draw parallels between the physiological process of healing a wound and the emotional healing process. They emphasize the importance of awareness and understanding the cause of emotional wounds as the first step in the healing journey. They also discuss different therapeutic perspectives and methods for processing and healing emotional wounds. Throughout the conversation,...

In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," hosts Tom and Angela delve into the topic of setbacks. They explore the different types of setbacks, how they affect us emotionally, and the importance of learning from them.  By sharing personal experiences and examples, they discuss the impact of setbacks on various aspects of life, including relationships and career pursuits. They also offer valuable insights on handling setbacks, reframing them as opportunities for self-reflection and...

In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," Tom and Angela delve into the complexities of Christmas celebrations and the strains it can place on our relationships.  From managing family dynamics to handling the chaos of parenting during the festive season, they discuss the various stressors that can lead to arguments and disagreements. The hosts share insightful tips on how to navigate these challenges, including setting boundaries, communicating effectively, and finding time for self-care....

Welcome to The Relationship Maze, where we navigate the complexities of human connection. In today's episode, titled "Being honest in relationship," hosts Tom and Angela delve into the vital role of honesty and open communication in fostering healthy and authentic relationships.  They discuss the implications of setting clear boundaries, the potential consequences of withholding information, and the importance of expressing true feelings and experiences to a partner. Tune in as they provide...

Welcome to The Relationship Maze, the podcast that helps you navigate the twists and turns of love and connection.  In today's episode, "Expressing Emotions," hosts Tom and Angela delve into the intricacies of communicating feelings in relationships. Do you frequently express anger but struggle with letting your partner know that you love them? Or do you struggle to let your partner know that you are frustrated for fear of losing them? We discuss the challenges of managing emotions in the...

Welcome to today's episode of The Relationship Maze, where we delve into the intriguing concept of the shadow. Join Tom and Angela as they explore how our hidden, repressed aspects known as the shadow can impact our relationships. Drawing from the teachings of Carl Jung, they discuss how the persona we present to the world hides our shadow, which holds guilt, feelings of inferiority, and even dark desires.  Discover how the shadow can manifest in your own relationship dynamics and learn...

What is your argument style? Find out in our short quiz. You can find a link on our website: https://therelationshipmaze.com. Welcome to another episode of The Relationship Maze!  In today's episode Tom and Angela discuss the ever-popular world of dating apps and how attitudes towards them have evolved over the years. They delve into the reasons why dating apps can be both a blessing and a source of stress, as well as explore alternative ways to find fulfilling relationships.  Whether you...

What is your argument style? Find out in our short quiz. You can find a link on our website: https://therelationshipmaze.com. Welcome to The Relationship Maze podcast. In this episode, Tom and Angela explore the importance of acknowledging different perspectives in relationships. We discuss the challenges of taking on someone else's viewpoint and the significance of being able to listen and understand your partner even if there view of the world might be entirely different to yours.  In...

Welcome to another episode of The Relationship Maze! In today's exploration, we delve into the  concept of interoception and its impact on our lives. Hosted by Tom and Angela, this episode explores our experiences of the world through our internal (biological) sensations and how these can affect us profoundly psychologically, often without conscious awareness.  We perceive signals from our bodies that tell us something about our feeling states, our moods, our dispositions or our levels of...

What is your argument style? Find out in our short quiz. You can find a link on our website: https://therelationshipmaze.com. Welcome to a new episode of The Relationship Maze, where we delve into the complexities of human relationships. In this episode, we tackle the intriguing concept of limerence. We explore the intense and obsessive feelings of extreme infatuation that can arise for some people when feelings are not reciprocated by the other person. Limerence is the feeling of having a...

Welcome to The Relationship Maze, the podcast where we navigate the complexities of relationships. In today's episode, titled "Anxiety and Communication," our hosts, Tom and Angela, delve into the impact of anxiety on effective communication and the potential barriers it can create in building meaningful connections.  We discuss the fears and insecurities that often prevent us from expressing our actual thoughts and emotions, exploring how the need for acceptance and the fear of rejection...

Welcome to The Relationship Maze, the podcast that explores the intricacies of navigating relationships. In today's episode your hosts Tom and Angela discuss the appeal of the popular TV show Couples Therapy which is currently in its third season and available for viewing on BBC iPlayer in the UK.  In the show highly experienced psychotherapist Dr Orna Guralnik is seen working 'live' with couples, demonstrating what couples therapy looks like. We discuss some of the possible reasons why this...

In this episode of The Relationship Maze, hosts Tom and Angela delve into the topic of parenting styles. They discuss the consequences and effects of overly permissive or rigid parenting, drawing from their own experiences and the challenges faced by couples in therapy. Tom and Angela explore the importance of finding a balance and how our own childhood experiences shape our parenting approaches. They touch on the different parenting styles identified by developmental psychologist Diana...