Codependence, Avoidance & Heartbreak | #096

Aug 25, 2025

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Louie reflects on radical acceptance, family wounds, and whether he truly desires a connection with his father.

This week, Louie and Michael unpack the idea of fatherhood — from the hypothetical qualities they wish they’d had in a dad, to what it means to grow up without a father figure. Louie challenges Michael’s story of not having one, and shares his perspective on who carries the responsibility for repairing parent–child relationships.

Michael opens up about how codependency and avoidance have shaped his romantic life, especially in a long-distance relationship. He shares the painful reality of emotional whiplash — the push–pull, yo-yo effect — and how it impacts intimacy, trust, and connection.

It’s a vulnerable and raw conversation about fathers, family dynamics, codependency, and the difficult process of learning to accept people as they are while still protecting your own emotional health.

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Topics: therapy podcast, mental health podcast, radical acceptance, father wounds, fatherhood, absent father, family dynamics, repairing parent–child relationships, codependency recovery, long distance relationships, emotional whiplash, yo-yo relationships, self-growth, unlicensed therapy, breakups, heartbreak

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