We Need To Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling
Dr. Darcy Sterling, a New York City-based licensed therapist and host of E! Network's Famously Single, offers no-nonsense relationship advice on this dating and relationship podcast. Drawing on over 25 years of experience, she provides tools and skills to help listeners love better and live better. The podcast aims to inspire and empower people to conquer their toughest relationship challenges.
Episodes
Forgive, Don’t Forget: Why Trust Has to Be Rebuilt
Forgiveness can become one of the most confusing parts of relationships after betrayal. You want relief from carrying the hurt—but you may fear that letting go means letting the person back in.You may be tired of replaying what happened.Tired of feeling your body react to their name.Tired of wondering whether your anger is protecting you—or keeping the injury alive.In this episode:When forgiveness
Why Blaming Your Partner Keeps You Stuck
In relationships, you may be right about what they did — and still be stuck in a pattern that keeps repeating.They lied.They shut down.They disappeared.They betrayed you.And it still may not be the whole story.In this episode of We Need To Talk, Dr. Darcy Sterling is joined by New York Times bestselling author Gary John Bishop for a conversation about blame, personal responsibility, repeated relat
Why You Can’t Relax in a Healthy Relationship — And How to Start Trusting It
Healthy relationships can feel strangely unsettling when your body is used to love coming with tension.You said you wanted calm.Consistency.Kindness.Someone who doesn’t make you chase, prove, repair, or fight your way back to okay.So why does it feel like something is missing?In this episode of We Need To Talk, Dr. Darcy Sterling breaks down what can happen when healthier love starts to feel borin
How to Read People at Every Stage of a Relationship — From an FBI Hostage Negotiator
If your relationships keep getting shaped by charm, mixed signals, or conversations that leave you second-guessing yourself, this episode is for you.You like them.You feel the chemistry.And you still do not knowif you can trust them.We’re bringing this conversation back for the holiday week because it is one of the clearest episodes we’ve done on trust, communication, and what people show you befo
Why You Keep Self-Sabotaging — Even When You Know Better
If issues in your relationships keep pulling you away from the choices you know are better for you, this episode is for you.You know what it costs.You know you will regret it.And somehow, you still do it again.In this episode, Dr. Darcy Sterling is joined by Dr. Rachel Goldman for a conversation about self-sabotage, behavior change, self-trust, people-pleasing, boundaries, avoidance, and why insig
Why You Can’t Move On From Your Ex — And The Fix
If your relationships have ever left you replaying a breakup, searching for one more answer, this episode is for you.The person is gone.But your mind is still building the case.Still replaying the evidence.Still trying to understand what happened.In this episode, Dr. Darcy Sterling breaks down why some breakups are so hard to move on from, why closure can become a trap, and why heartbreak is often
Why You Can’t Stop Overthinking About Your Relationship — and How to Finally Stop
If overthinking in your relationships keeps turning small moments into big alarms, this episode is for you.A delayed text.A short answer.A shift in energy.And suddenly, your mind is off and running.If this is you:• You read into tone, pauses, and changes in energy fast• A delayed text can change your whole mood• You keep trying to get clarity, but end up feeling worse• What starts as doubt can tur
What You Risk When You Admit Your Fantasy to Your Partner
If telling your partner the truth about a fantasy could change how they see you, this episode is for you.A fantasy. A pause. A look on their face.And suddenly, the moment is bigger than what you said.If this is you:• You start softening, editing, or managing the truth before you even say it• Your partner’s silence feels almost impossible to sit in• You worry sexual honesty could expose more than d
Why Being Emotionally Mature Isn’t Fixing Your Relationship
If you’re the one who stays calm, reflects, communicates carefully, and keeps trying to get it right — but still feels lonely, resentful, or exhausted in the relationship — this episode will probably feel uncomfortably familiar.Because sometimes the problem is not that you are handling the relationship poorly. It is that you have gotten so good at handling it that nothing is forcing the relationsh
Why You Keep Wanting People Who Are Emotionally Unavailable
If people who feel distant, hard to read, or just out of reach keep pulling you in, this episode is for you.Not someone who is obviously unavailable.Someone compelling.Mysterious.Just available enough to keep you leaning in.If this is you:• You mistake mixed signals for chemistry• You keep explaining your needs better and hoping something will finally click• You do not see the cost clearly until y
Why Your Partner Saying No to Sex Feels So Personal
If your partner saying no to sex lands as hurt, doubt, or feeling unwanted, this episode is for you.Because sometimes the hardest part is not the no itself. It is how fast that moment starts meaning more. More about you. More about the relationship.If this is you:• Your partner saying no to sex hits harder than you think it should• Affection has started feeling confusing instead of comforting• You
Why You Panic When Someone Pulls Away
If a subtle shift in your partner can hijack your body before your mind can make sense of what’s happening, this episode is for you.A shift in tone.A text that feels off.A little more distance.And suddenly, something in you is no longer steady.Today, I’m talking about the kind of moment that does not just feel bad. It can change everything in you in a second.Because by the time you are trying to u
Stop Taking the Bait: Why Negativity Is So Hard to Ignore
If a smug comment, a passive-aggressive text, or a condescending tone can stay in your head for hours, this episode is for you.Because sometimes the hardest part is not the comment.It is what happens after.After they say it.After you should be over it.This might sound familiar if:A rude comment stays with you longer than you want it toYou know responding will make it worse, but silence still feels
Why Do You Keep Doubting Your Partner — Even When Nothing Is Wrong?
Your partner answers you.Explains themselves.Reassures you.And somehow, you still cannot settle.Because sometimes the doubt does not end when the conversation ends.It comes back after.After the answer.After you should feel better.This might sound familiar if:• Your partner reassures you, but the anxiety comes back anyway• A shift in tone, timing, or energy stays with you for hours• You keep going
Why You Keep Having the Same Fight Even When You Know Better
If your relationships keep looping the same fight…and you can see it happening in real time—this episode is for you.If you’ve ever been mid-argument thinking,I know exactly what this is…and still couldn’t stop it.You see the pattern.You can name it.You can feel it building.And still…you end up right back in it.In this episode, we get into: • the moment awareness shows up—and nothing shifts • what
Why Do I Keep Choosing People Who Don’t Choose Me?
If your relationships start with chemistry…and then leave you feeling anxious, preoccupied, or unsure—this episode is for you.If you’re the one who gets pulled in fast…and then starts watching the connection instead of enjoying it.It feels exciting at first. Strong. Magnetic.And then something shifts.A delay. A change in tone. Warmth… then distance.And instead of stepping back, you lean in harder.
"Is My Partner Toxic — Or Am I Overreacting?" with Sara Kuburic
Listener Subscriptionhttps://weneedtotalkwithdrdarcysterling.supercast.com/If you’ve started questioning your own perception in relationships…and wondering if you’re overreacting in moments that feel off—this episode is for you.If you’re the one who pauses, reflects, and adjusts…while something underneath never fully settles.You notice something shift. A tone. A response that feels just slightly o
Why Being Emotionally Mature Isn’t Fixing Your Relationship
Listener Subscriptionhttps://weneedtotalkwithdrdarcysterling.supercast.com/If you’re the one who stays calm, reflects, communicates carefully, and keeps trying to get it right — but still feels lonely, resentful, or exhausted in the relationship — this episode will probably feel uncomfortably familiar.Because sometimes the problem isn’t that you’re handling the relationship poorly. It’s that you’v
Can You Feel Desire if You Never Risk Rejection? — with Christine Emba
Listener Subscriptionhttps://weneedtotalkwithdrdarcysterling.supercast.com/If you’ve ever had sex that was consensual and respectful but still left you feeling undesired, this is for you.What happens in relationships when sex becomes so carefully negotiated that desire starts to disappear?Because someone can do everything right — and still not make you feel wanted.Christine Emba, author of Rethink
Why I Avoid Hard Conversations — And Why I’m Starting to Resent My Partner
Listener Subscriptionhttps://weneedtotalkwithdrdarcysterling.supercast.com/DESCRIPTIONWhy do I avoid hard conversations in my relationship — even when I know they matter? If you keep staying quiet to avoid conflict and resentment is starting to build, this episode explains why.There’s a moment before you say the thing you’ve been holding in.You can feel it building. You know it might start a fight
Why Don’t I Feel Connected in My Relationship — Even Though We Talk All the Time?
Listener Subscriptionhttps://weneedtotalkwithdrdarcysterling.supercast.com/Why don’t I feel connected in my relationship — even though we talk all the time? If you communicate constantly but still feel lonely, this episode explains why.You can talk about your attachment style.You can process every trigger.You can communicate beautifully.And still not feel close.Why don’t I feel connected in my rel
Why People Pay to Be Punished — And Leave Feeling Better
Listener Subscriptionhttps://weneedtotalkwithdrdarcysterling.supercast.com/DESCRIPTIONThis episode examines why high-functioning adults sometimes seek out rigid, punishing structures—not for pain, but for the relief of temporarily surrendering responsibility in a world where nothing else feels cleanly resolved.In this conversation, I look at what draws people who carry constant pressure, authority
When “Protecting Your Peace” Quietly Becomes Avoidance
Listener Subscriptionhttps://weneedtotalkwithdrdarcysterling.supercast.com/You didn’t outgrow the drama. You outgrew the discomfort — and now your life reflects it.If protecting yourself keeps costing you people, that’s not self-respect.In this episode, I examine how self-protection can quietly turn into relational withdrawal — not through dramatic exits, but through small, repeated acts of diseng
The Hidden Cost of Estrangement That No One Warns You About
Listener Subscriptionhttps://weneedtotalkwithdrdarcysterling.supercast.com/Estrangement can bring peace and still leave a mark — this episode names what doesn’t disappear after no contact, even when the decision was necessary and right.In this episode we examine the psychological impact of family estrangement and the hidden emotional cost of going no contact. While estrangement often brings immedi
I’m With Someone — So Why Do I Feel So Alone?
Listener SubscriptionThis episode is about the small moments when you decide not to say what you actually feel. The sentence you soften, the need you interrupt, the truth you edit to keep things smooth. And how, over time, those reasonable choices create distance inside a relationship that still technically works.Being partnered is often used as evidence that loneliness shouldn’t exist. In this ep
You Understand Yourself. So Why Aren’t You Changing?
Listener SubscriptionThis episode is about why insight creates clarity but not change — and what actually has to happen for your brain to stop knowing better and start doing better.Most people can explain their patterns. They know their attachment style, their triggers, their history, and why they react the way they do. In this episode, I look at why all of that insight so often fails to produce r
What Happens To Us When Mental Health Goes Viral?
Listener SubscriptionWhen mental-health language becomes content, it can start teaching us how to leave discomfort elegantly instead of how to stay long enough to actually change.Most of us assume that consuming mental health content is making us more emotionally intelligent. In this episode, I look at a different possibility: that the way platforms reward and distribute this content may be teachi
Weaponized Healing: How Emotional Language Became the New Avoidance
Listener SubscriptionBefore sadness, guilt, or hurt can register, accountability lands—and therapy language rushes in to protect how we see ourselves instead of staying in the relationship.We like to think emotional language makes relationships safer. In this episode, I examine how words like boundaries, triggered, and protecting my peace are often used to avoid accountability without looking lik
The Part of You That Breaks the Relationship — And The Part That Can Fix It
Listener SubscriptionIn the season opener of We Need To Talk, I sit down with bestselling therapist and founder of Relational Life Therapy, Terry Real, to expose the part of you that’s actually running your relationships. We talk about the “younger part” that learned to survive in your family, how it hijacks your adult brain in conflict, and what it takes to get your wise adult back online when al
Season 3 Trailer
Season 3
Breaking Boundaries: Stewart Winter Redefines Modern Love in Part 2 Questioning Monogamy
Before we get into this, I want to name why this episode exists.A while back, I interviewedMolly Roden Winter about her book More. It became one of the most listened-to episodes of this show. Not because it was shocking—but because it challenged something people quietly assume they’re not allowed to question.While I was reading the book, I kept thinking about one thing: I want to hear this from th
Rethinking Monogamy: Why One Relationship Model Doesn’t Work for Everyone
Before we get into today’s episode, I want to take a moment to reintroduce one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had on this show.This episode — Rethinking Monogamy — is the most downloaded episode of We Need to Talk.I recorded this early in the life of the podcast, and it still holds up because it doesn’t argue for or against monogamy. It looks closely at why so many people struggle i
Your Truth Isn’t Truth: How Certainty Sabotages Your Relationships
In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the most misunderstood dynamics in modern relationships: Certainty.Most people think relationship breakdown happens because emotions run too hot or arguments get too big. But what actually corrodes connection over time is something quieter and far more dangerous — the belief that your perspective is the objective truth.When we treat our interpretation as fact,
Why You Keep Choosing the Same Relationship in Different Packaging
Have you ever looked at your relationship history and thought, “How am I here again?”Different person, different story, yet somehow the emotional blueprint feels eerily familiar.In this episode, I walk you through what’s actually driving those repetitive relationship dynamics — not the behaviors you consciously notice, but the unconscious patterns that get activated long before you realize what’s
Feelings Aren’t Facts: How Therapy Culture Lost the Plot
Today we’re pulling back the curtain on a cultural shift that’s been quietly reshaping how we function in relationships, work, and daily life. Somewhere along the way, the language of therapy stopped being a tool for healing — and became a script for avoidance.Suddenly everything is “toxic.” Every tough conversation is a “boundary violation.” And any feeling — no matter how fleeting — is treated a
How to Have That Conversation You’re Avoiding
This week, a lot of us are heading into family time, which can be beautiful, but it can also bring up old patterns, old roles, old emotions. And while the holidays are not the time to sit someone down for a difficult conversation, they are the time when those conversations start to weigh on us.So before we dive in, I want you to think of today's episode as grounding, as clarity, not as a call
Why Feeling Loved Isn't the Same as Being Loved
In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the most disorienting experiences in relationships: The disconnect between being loved and feeling loved. It’s a gap that can quietly erode security and connection — not because something is “wrong” with you, but because your internal wiring, attachment history, and relational expectations shape how love lands in your system.I’m breaking down why some relation
Why Emotional Flexibility Could Be The Most Important Skill You Learn
Emotional flexibility is one of the most underrated skills we have — and one of the most powerful indicators of resilience. In this episode, I’m breaking down what it actually means to be emotionally flexible, how it shows up in your day-to-day life, and why it becomes the make-or-break factor when life blindsides you.Whether you’re navigating a breakup, a professional detour, or a season of uncer
Why Deleting Your Dating Apps Might Be Your Best Move Yet - from the former Global Ambassador of Tinder
I never thought I’d say this — especially as someone who spent years shaping the online dating landscape — but here we are. Today, we’re asking a radical question that’s starting to feel less radical and more necessary: Are dating apps actually getting in the way of connection?If you’ve ever felt exhausted by endless swipes, ghost-town DMs, or conversations that die faster than they start, you are
Biohacking Alcohol: How Tech is Transforming Our Drinking Habits
We all know that changing a habit is hard — especially one that’s been socially accepted for generations. Alcohol is woven into how we celebrate, relax, and connect. But what if technology could help us drink more consciously, instead of forcing us into an all-or-nothing mindset?In this episode, I sit down with Nick Allen, CEO and co-founder of Sunnyside, an app that helps people make more mindful
5 Green Flags That Predict Lasting Love
We’ve all gotten pretty good at spotting red flags — emotional unavailability, inconsistent texting, the subtle (or not-so-subtle) signs that someone’s not ready for real intimacy. But what about the other side of the spectrum? The green flags — the behaviors that quietly signal emotional maturity and long-term potential.In this episode, I’m flipping the script. I’ll walk you through the 5 green f
How to Talk With Anyone About Anything — with Harville Hendrix (Most-Replayed Moment)
Full episode here → Apple/ Spotify/ You TubeIn today’s world, sharing an opinion can feel like stepping onto a battlefield. We fear being judged, misunderstood, or canceled—so we stay silent. Or worse, we speak at each other instead of with each other. But real connection isn’t about having the perfect words. It’s about showing up with curiosity, intention, and presence—even when it’s uncomfortabl
Swipe Right! The Ultimate Online Dating Hacks No One Tells You
Online dating shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. But for most people, it does — endless swiping, ghosting, and wondering why no one seems to click. The truth? You’re not doing it wrong. You’ve just never been told how the system actually works.In this episode, I’m breaking down the unwritten rules of dating apps — from the psychology behind a high-performing profile to the hidden algorithms that
Harm Reduction: The Breakthrough That’s Saving Lives in Addiction Recovery
When it comes to addiction, most of us have been taught that success means total abstinence and failure means relapse. But that rigid framework leaves a lot of people behind. Harm reduction offers a different approach—one rooted in compassion, science, and meeting people where they are.In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sheila Vakharia, Deputy Director of Research and Academic Engagement at the
How to Read People at Every Stage of a Relationship—From an FBI Hostage Negotiator
Most of us step into dating and relationships hoping for the best, but hope isn’t a strategy. Reading people—really reading them—is a skill. It’s about spotting truth in the details, hearing what’s not being said, and learning how to navigate tension without blowing things up.In this episode, I sit down with Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and author of Never Split the Difference. Chris
AMA Men’s Edition: Your Burning Questions on Love, Women & Dating — Answered!
Every so often, I get requests from my male listeners to dedicate an episode to their questions—and today is that day. I’m joined by my friend, Robert Mack, for a very special Ask Me Anything: Men’s Edition.This is your front-row seat to an unfiltered, honest conversation about what men really want to know when it comes to love, dating, women, and relationships. Nothing was off the table. From dec
Stuck in Therapy? DBT Could Be the Breakthrough You Need
If you’ve ever felt like therapy isn’t moving the needle—like you’re talking, reflecting, and gaining insight, but your life still looks the same—this episode is for you. Traditional talk therapy can be powerful, but sometimes insight alone isn’t enough to shift patterns that have been running your life for years.That’s where DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) comes in. Unlike traditional therapy,
How Attachment Styles Shape Every Relationship You Have
One of the hottest topics in mental health is attachment theory, which is a psychological framework that posits that the way we bond to our primary caregivers creates a template for how we’ll move through relationships as adults. It goes like this: We learn how to love and how to get our needs met through the care we received from our primary caregivers. The extent to which they fulfilled our nee
Are Your Dating Standards Keeping You Safe—or Keeping You Single?
Dating with standards is essential—it’s how we protect ourselves from repeating old mistakes and from settling for less than we deserve. But what happens when those standards start to feel less like safety rails and more like walls keeping people out?In this episode, I sit down with Ashtyn to explore the fine line between boundaries that serve you and expectations that may be unintentionally worki
Where to Turn When Your Mental Health Is Unraveling
Most of us think inpatient psychiatric care is only for emergencies—when someone’s in immediate danger to themselves or others. But there’s a whole other side to it that rarely gets airtime: Choosing inpatient treatment before things hit rock bottom.In this episode, I talk with Dr. Andrew Gerber, President and Medical Director of Silver Hill Hospital, about what elective, voluntary inpatient care
Dating as an Introvert: A Survival Guide for the Socially Drained
Dating shouldn’t feel like an energy drain—and yet, for many introverts, it does.Introverts often thrive in deep, one-on-one conversations, yet dating apps, noisy bars, and rapid-fire banter can leave them completely drained. And if you’re not aware of what’s happening, that exhaustion can be mistaken for disinterest—or worse, rejection.In this episode of We Need to Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling, I
Dating Fatigue Is Real: How to Keep Showing Up When You're Over It
Let’s be honest: Dating today can feel like a full-time job—with no benefits and no PTO.If you’ve found yourself endlessly swiping, mentally checked out on first dates, or dreading another round of small talk with someone who’ll probably ghost you by next week, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong.You’re just burnt out.In this episode of We Need to Talk, I’m talking about what so many pe
What If One Question a Day Could Save Your Relationship?
When couples tell me they’ve “lost the spark,” it’s rarely because of one major event. It’s the slow fade—the missed opportunities for connection, the routine that replaces curiosity, the conversations that revolve more around logistics than intimacy.But here’s the good news: Rekindling connection doesn’t require a massive overhaul. Sometimes, the smallest shift can open the biggest door.In this e
Why You Feel Addicted to Social Media—and How to Break Free
You know that moment when you tell yourself you’ll scroll for just five more minutes… and somehow, an hour disappears?In this solo episode, I’m digging into the psychology behind why we feel addicted to social media—and what we can do about it. Because this goes way beyond distraction. For many of us, the endless scrolling becomes compulsive. Especially after a breakup or during times of heightene
The Real Reason Your Fights Never Get Resolved
You know those relationship fights that keep coming up again and again? The ones that go in circles—never really getting resolved, just getting recycled?My guest this week is Julie Mennano—licensed therapist, author of Secure Love, and host of The Secure Relationship Podcast. Julie has a rare gift for helping couples identify the deeper emotional patterns driving their relationship conflict. She d
Signs You Were Raised by Emotionally Immature Parents—and How to Heal
If you've ever found yourself walking on eggshells in relationships, struggling to set boundaries, or feeling like your emotional needs are too much, this episode is for you.I sat down with clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Lindsay Gibson—whose groundbreaking work has helped millions of adult children of emotionally immature parents understand the long-term effects of childhood
You Cut Off a Family Member—Now What?
Holiday weeks always make me feel nostalgic, and that feeling tends to make me reflect on people who used to be in my life but no longer are… That’s why, this week, we’re re-releasing our most popular episode of all time—on family estrangement.Clearly, this topic resonates. So many of us live in the tension between missing someone we’ve cut off, and fearing that reconciliation would just reopen th
You’re Not the Problem—But You Might Be Dating One
I’ve worked with so many smart, successful people who keep finding themselves in relationships that just don’t work. They’re self-aware, they’ve done the therapy, and on paper, they’re a catch. So why do they keep picking partners who can’t meet them where they are?In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist and “Love & Life” podcast host Dr. Karin Anderson Abrell to talk about why high-functi
Is Weed the New Wellness Tool—or Just the New Bottle of Wine?
Cannabis is having a wellness moment. But is it a legitimate mental health tool—or just a new way to avoid our feelings?Today’s users aren’t who they used to be. They’re CEOs. Athletes using it for sleep and recovery. People with anxiety trying to get off benzos. Moms who’d rather have an edible than drink three glasses of wine.I’m joined today by Peter Barsoom, founder of 1906—a company making ca
How One Judge Became the Therapist 150 Survivors Never Had
In 2018, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina made headlines around the world by doing something radical in a courtroom: She listened. During the sentencing hearing for Larry Nassar—a doctor who sexually abused over 150 women and girls under the guise of medical treatment—she operated her courtroom with a level of sensitivity and sophistication that we rarely see outside of a therapist’s office, giving each s
What No One Tells You About Having Sex After A Betrayal
We talk a lot about rebuilding emotional trust after infidelity. But what happens when it’s time to rebuild sexual trust—the kind that requires you to feel safe enough to be vulnerable again in your body?In this episode of We Need To Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling, Dr. Darcy sits down with renowned sex therapist Dr. Emily Jamea to explore what couples often don’t anticipate: how hard it can be to re
Everything You’ve Been Taught About Intimacy Is Wrong
Everything You’ve Been Taught About Intimacy Is WrongToday’s episode is one I couldn’t wait to bring back. It’s a listener favorite that’s just as powerful now as when it first aired. If you missed it the first time, you’re in for something special — and if you didn’t, you’ll get even more out of it this time:Everything you thought you knew about intimacy? Michaela Boehm is here to challenge it.Mi
I’m a Catch. So Why Am I Still Single?
I’m a Catch. So Why Am I Still Single?These days, “being a catch” has become its own kind of identity. Career? On point. Emotional intelligence? Check. Working with a therapist? Obviously.But if you’re still single—and tired of pretending not to care—this episode is for you.Ashtyn and I unpack the disconnect between being successful in life and why that doesn’t always translate to success in love.
This Is the Reason You’re Drawn to People Who Can’t Meet Your Needs
We all have a “type”—but what if your type is actually the problem?In this solo episode, I break down how the people we’re most drawn to often reflect the dynamics we grew up with—even when those dynamics were painful or unhealthy. From the brooding artist to the charming extrovert who leaves you craving more, our attraction isn’t always about compatibility—it’s about familiarity.You’ll learn:Why
What We Get Wrong About Supporting a Struggling Friend
Most of us think we’d know how to help if someone we loved was struggling with their mental health.But here’s the truth: Mental health crises rarely look the way we expect. They don’t come with warning sirens or dramatic breakdowns. They come with canceled plans. Short texts. “I’m just tired.” A fake smile and a quick change of subject.In this episode of We Need to Talk, I sat down with Dr. Joseph
The Right Way to Show Up for Someone Who’s Grieving
Most people are going to want to skip this episode.I get it—grief is uncomfortable. It’s messy. It brings up stuff we’d rather avoid.But if you want to develop strong relationship skills—if you want to be the kind of person who shows up when it matters—this is mandatory listening.We don’t talk about grief until we have to. And even then, most of us don’t know what to do. Do we check in? Give space
Bad Therapy Is a Real Thing—And It’s More Common Than You Think
Trying to find the right therapist can feel like a job—especially when every Psychology Today bio starts sounding the same. And in a world where therapists market themselves on Instagram, it’s harder than ever to tell who’s actually good… and who just has a good aesthetic.In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Coe-Odess—a licensed clinical psychologist and therapist-matching expert—to break do
How to Talk With Anyone About Anything—with Harville Hendrix & Helen LaKelly Hunt
In today’s world, sharing an opinion can feel like stepping onto a battlefield. We fear being judged, misunderstood, or canceled—so we stay silent. Or worse, we speak at each other instead of with each other. But real connection isn’t about having the perfect words. It’s about showing up with curiosity, intention, and presence—even when it’s uncomfortable.In this powerful conversation, I’m joined
How to Know If You’re the Problem in Your Relationships
Do you keep ending up with the same type of partner—different face, same red flags?Are your relationships lopsided—with one of you craving emotional intimacy, and the other can’t (or won’t) go there?Do you find yourself thinking, “Why does this keep happening to me?”If so, this episode is for you.At some point, we all have to stop pointing fingers and ask the harder question: What’s my role in thi
Instagram’s Leading Anxiety Influencer on What Actually Heals Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common mental health issue in the U.S., affecting over 40 million adults each year. And yet, despite how familiar it is, we still get so much wrong about it.We’re taught to treat anxiety like something to conquer, suppress, or “fix.” But what if that mindset is actually making things worse?If you've ever spiraled over a future that hasn’t happened—or replayed a conversation
Boost Focus, Creativity, and Productivity with Dr. Jeff Karp
What if you could train your brain to work with you—not against you?In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jeff Karp, one of the world’s leading biotech researchers and a professor at both Harvard Medical School and MIT. His lab runs more like a think tank, focused on unlocking human potential through creativity, innovation, and intentional living.As someone with severe (but well-managed) ADHD, I’ve s
How to Have That Conversation You’re Avoiding
Ever find yourself replaying a conversation in your head—over and over—only to avoid it altogether? Maybe you want to tell a friend they hurt your feelings. Or ask for a raise. Or bring up that thing your partner said that’s still bothering you.We all do it. But why? Why do we avoid conversations that could actually improve our relationships—and our lives?Most of us dodge these talks because we fe
United by Love, Divided by Beliefs: Why Relationships Have to Come First—with Chris Cuomo
If you’re feeling more anxious than ever about politics, you’re not alone. Nearly 70% of Americans believe the country is more divided now than at any point in recent history. And with 24/7 news cycles, social media outrage, and family group chats that feel like landmines, staying sane in this political climate can feel impossible.But how much of our political stress is actually within our control
The Phobia Cure That Works in Hours, Not Years
Imagine missing out on dream vacations because you fear flying, or passing on career opportunities due to public speaking anxiety. Phobias don’t just protect us—they can hold our lives hostage.Traditional treatments like exposure therapy can take months or years, with no guarantee of success. But what if you could overcome your fear in just one session?Today’s guest, Merel Kindt, neuroscientist, p
How To Support The Newly Sober
If you’ve ever had someone in your life step into recovery, you know how profound—and fragile—that journey can be. It’s a moment of hope, courage, and transformation, but also one where friends, family, and coworkers can feel unsure of how to show up. How do you avoid unintentionally triggering them? And how can you be there without making things…awkward?Today we’re digging into the hidden challen
Intimacy Hacks You’ve Never Heard
Everything you thought you knew about intimacy? Michaela Boehm is here to challenge it.Michaela Boehm is a renowned intimacy expert and celebrity relationship coach whose unconventional approach flips traditional relationship advice on its head.In this episode, we reveal:Why date nights can backfire on your romantic connection.How casual touch may be dulling your sexual chemistry over time.Why fad
The Other Love Story: Honoring Friendship This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is typically all about romantic relationships, but today, we’re celebrating a love that’s just as powerful—lifelong friendship.My niece Ashtyn, who you know from We Need To Talk, has been inseparable from her two best friends, Claire and Danielle, since middle school. Now in their late 20s, their bond has not only survived but thrived, weathering life’s ups and downs. True, lasting
Gaslighting: Can You Spot The Signs In Everyday Life?
Gaslighting is often framed as a one-way act or behavior—someone manipulates, and the other is manipulated. But in reality, gaslighting is a relational dynamic. Its "success" hinges not only on the manipulator’s actions but also on the recipient's openness to self-doubt and questioning their own perceptions.Certain traits make people more vulnerable to gaslighting. These qualities often lead the p
New Year, Old Triggers: Why Resolutions Fail Without Emotional Healing
It’s January, and everyone’s still buzzing about their New Year’s resolutions—promises to hit the gym, eat healthier, or finally start dating with intention. But the reality is, by mid-February, nearly 80% of those resolutions are abandoned. Why?Because willpower alone can’t outmuscle unresolved emotional wounds. The patterns you can’t seem to break—the procrastination, the self-sabotage, the over
Getting Personal with Dr. Darcy (and Steph!)
Normally, I ask the questions, but this time, it’s your turn. To be honest, I’ve avoided doing an Ask Me Anything episode because I feel like I talk about myself too much. But my team voted and I was outnumbered.So, here we are—your questions, unfiltered, and my honest answers. From relationship advice to podcast behind-the-scenes, no topic was off-limits.And I’ve recruited someone very special to
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