The Terri Cole Show

If you've ever felt like your relationship was falling apart and didn't know why, this is for you. Therapist Thais Gibson opens up about her own journey and shares the six relationship stages that changed everything. You'll finally understand why the honeymoon phase ends, what the "Power Struggle" really means, and how vulnerability can heal what feels broken. You're not failing—you're just in a stage that requires different tools. This conversation will give you hope and a clear path forward for the love you deserve. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/787

Was love or support inconsistent in your family of origin? Do you ever feel yourself respond emotionally and impulsively to things that make you feel frightened? Today, I'm introducing you to your inner child, a part of yourself that holds old wounds and might take over when you feel scared. I'm giving you tips and a visualization exercise that can help you stay in communication with your inner child and offer them love and validation so that they don't need to act out to get your attention. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/786

Are you trapped in a relationship that swings between love and pain? Dr. Nadine Macaluso, survivor of the real Wolf of Wall Street marriage, reveals the hidden signs of trauma bonds and why leaving feels impossible. This isn't weakness—it's neuroscience. Learn the strategic escape plan that helped her client of 35 years break free safely. Discover the two-part healing framework that transformed Dr. Nay from victim to healer. You deserve peace, and this roadmap shows you how to reclaim yourself. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/785

As seasons change, our energy shifts too. Even if you live in a place without big weather changes, there is a rhythm to life that invites pausing, assessing, and resetting. Think of this as a psychological closet clean-out. Just as you pack away your summer clothes and pull out cozy sweaters, you can review your mental habits, emotional clutter, and daily commitments to decide what stays and what goes. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/784

Struggling with boundaries? Attachment expert Daphna Lender reveals why "gentle parenting" trends miss the mark. Learn the neuroscience-backed technique of parental self-regulation that transforms difficult moments with your kids. Discover why your own nervous system holds the key to effective boundaries. With 30 years of clinical experience, Daphna shares evidence-based strategies for managing challenging behaviors in children and teens. Learn how to "clear your screen" before setting boundaries, why listening with curiosity changes everything with teenagers, and the surprising power of disengagement. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/783

Be honest. Have you ever felt your walls go up when someone gives you feedback? Maybe your partner says, "You're always on your phone," or your boss points out a mistake, and before you even realize it, you're explaining, justifying, or firing back. You are not alone. Defensiveness is a profoundly human response. It is our nervous system's way of saying, "I feel threatened." But while it may feel like protection, defensiveness actually builds a wall between you and the people you care about most. Let's talk about why it happens, how to shift it, and how to give feedback in a way that strengthens the connection rather than breaking it down. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/782

Your mother-in-law isn't the problem. The lack of clear boundaries is. Dr. Tracy Dalgleish reveals why 85% of women fight with their partners about their mothers-in-law and what to do about it. The biggest mistake: when your husband blames you for the boundaries ("She doesn't want to come for Christmas"). Learn how to communicate as a team, establish your own traditions, and stop being the "people-pleasing victim" or the "villain." Concrete strategies for newlyweds and new moms. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/781

Do you ever shrink, freeze, or overreact with authority figures?  It could happen with a boss, a professor, or even a doctor.  Your heart races, your thoughts scramble, and afterward you think, Why did I react like that? You are not alone.  For many women, interactions with authority can trigger strong emotional responses that may not make sense in the moment.  Today, we are breaking down why this happens, how it shows up, and the practical steps you can take to change the pattern. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/780

You keep attracting the same relationship patterns and don't know why. Psychotherapist Jessica Baum explains it's not your fault—your body remembers childhood dynamics through implicit memory and unconsciously recreates them in adulthood. Insecure attachment lives in your nervous system, not just your mind. Discover why healing happens through safe relationships (not isolation), how to develop "earned security" even if your childhood was chaotic, and why depending on healthy people is the counterintuitive path to inner safety. True healing is somatic, body-based, and possible at any age. Connect with Jessica Baum on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Also, here is the freebie link that Jessica mentioned in the episode. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/779

Tired of mixed signals and emotional rollercoasters? In this episode, Terri Cole breaks down what real relationship green flags and red flags look like—so you can stop guessing and start choosing better. Learn how to spot inconsistency, emotional immaturity, and genuine care before getting too deep. Healthy love isn't about drama—it's about steady effort, respect, and shared growth. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/778

You think love is about luck and chemistry. It's not. In this episode, award-winning psychologist Dr. Sarah Nazadeh breaks down her Emergent Love Model—6 evidence-based ingredients that build thriving relationships through intentional design, not chance. From the difference between attraction (renewable) and desire (temporary) to rebuilding trust after betrayal. Learn the A.A.R.M. method for repairing ruptures, why sexual chemistry must evolve into sexual harmony, and how your shared vision is proven by actions, not words. Love takes pleasant work—here's the framework. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/777

You feel disconnected from your own pleasure. Sex becomes a duty instead of desire. In this episode, licensed sex therapist Shadeen Francis breaks down why women especially struggle to connect with embodied wanting and how shame keeps you trapped between "should" and "want." Learn why your partner actually wants you to feel desire, the psychology behind self-abandonment in relationships, and practical steps to reclaim your pleasure and your voice. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/776

Your heart races, thoughts spiral—anxiety has hijacked your nervous system and it feeds on itself. In this episode I break down why spirals happen, early warning signs, and the exact toolkit to stop panic before it takes over. Learn the breathing technique that calms your system, why logic doesn't work, and how to build prevention practices that stick. You've survived 100% of your anxious moments—now make them less frequent. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/775

He's spent his career interviewing the world's leading mental health experts, but Kyle Kitson still struggles with depression, codependency, and self-sabotage. The difference? Now he has the framework to actually work through it. From marine animal training to mental health education, his journey proves that knowledge without application is just entertainment. This conversation covers the tiny habit formula that actually sticks, the animal training rule that stops you from setting yourself up to fail, and why approaching your mind with curiosity instead of judgment changes everything. Real talk about doing the work. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/774

If you're a high achiever who constantly feels like you're either "too much" or "not enough," this conversation will resonate deeply. Amina Alai, author of "The Ambition Trap," shares her journey from severe burnout and autoimmune disease to building a sustainable model of success that doesn't require sacrificing your health. Discover what's behind painful ambition, why doing it alone is killing your growth, and how to embrace the seasonal nature of achievement.  Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/773

Have you ever been ghosted, breadcrumbed, or found yourself stuck in yet another situationship, wondering, How did I end up here again? If so, you are not alone, and nothing is wrong with you. In this episode of The Terri Cole Show, we are unpacking what these painful experiences can teach you about your deeper relational patterns, because it’s rarely just about that one person who vanished or strung you along. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/772

Feeling drained, unmotivated, or emotionally stuck? You might be facing burnout. Not just physical exhaustion, but mental and emotional overload. In this episode with Samantha Skelly, founder of Pause Breathwork, we explore what burnout really is and why suppressing your feelings keeps you trapped in it. Discover how short, daily breathwork sessions can calm your nervous system, release emotional tension, and help you reconnect with your energy. It’s time to stop pushing through burnout and start breathing your way back to yourself. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/771

Discover how childhood trauma and C-PTSD shape our ability to form healthy connections, set boundaries, and rebuild self-trust. In this episode, Anna Runkle, creator of the “Crappy Childhood Fairy,” shares her journey, therapeutic writing tools, and insights from her book Connectability. We explore emotional regulation, nervous system healing, and how to move from isolation to authentic connections. If you’re interested in self-help and personal growth, this conversation offers guidance for creating deeper, lasting connections after trauma. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/770

Have you ever been in a meeting where someone suddenly calls your name and you freeze? Your mind goes completely blank, your body tenses, and even though you know the answer is in there somewhere, you cannot find the words. Or maybe you are in a heated conversation, someone accuses you of something unfair, and instead of speaking up you go silent. You just freeze. If this has happened to you, you are not alone. Freezing in the moment is incredibly common. From CEOs to public speakers, from parents to teenagers, many of us have experienced the silent freeze. For some, it happens only occasionally. For others, it is almost chronic, showing up whenever they feel put on the spot. In this episode of The Terri Cole Show, I am breaking down why we freeze, what it really means, and most importantly, what you can do to work with your body and mind to move through it. The good news is that there are many strategies you can practice to expand, regain your voice, and communicate more effectively. Read the show notes for

Emotions are not the enemy, they are the doorway to being present. In this episode with Josh Pais, we explore how emotions guide us back to being present and how embracing all emotions allows deeper self-growth. Discover simple tools to accept emotions, stop resisting, and practice being present every day. If you’re curious about emotions, mindfulness, and the freedom that comes from being present, this episode is for you. Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/768