Love, Happiness and Success with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Have you ever stared at your phone, rereading a text that ended with a period and spiraled into, “Oh no… are they mad at me?” Or maybe someone didn’t heart your Instagram story, and suddenly your nervous system is in full red alert mode. If so, you’re not alone. And you’re definitely not broken. I’m joined by psychotherapist and author Meg Josephson to talk about the fawn response, a lesser-known trauma response that shows up as people-pleasing, overthinking, and needing to manage how others feel about you. We’re digging into where this comes from, why it’s so common (especially if you grew up walking on eggshells), and how to start untangling yourself from it. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 What Is Relational Hypervigilance? 02:22 Meg Josephson’s Journey With People-Pleasing 10:37 Understanding Complex Trauma and Emotional Safety 17:05 What Is the Fawn Response? 23:23 How Hypervigilance Disconnects You From Yourself 31:15 How People-Pleasing Impacts Boundaries 36:27 Why “Negative” Emotions Like Resentment Matter 41:11 Reassurance vs. Emotional Validation 46:07 Letting Go of Control and Reclaiming Your Energy 49:37 Healing Through Self-Awareness and Discomfort 51:13 Where to Find Meg Josephson’s Work If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I always feel like I’m in trouble?” or “Why is it so hard to set boundaries without guilt?” – this episode will help you understand what’s really going on beneath those feelings and what healing can actually look like. Ready to stop twisting yourself into knots trying to keep everyone else happy? My Clarity & Confidence Coaching Program can help you reconnect with you – your voice, your boundaries, your sense of calm. If you’re done second-guessing and ready to start showing up authentically, this is your next step. 🌱  Let’s stay connected! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for free resources and updates on new episodes of Love, Happiness & Success. Together, we’re building healthier, happier relationships – one conversation at a time. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self P.S. Meg’s book “Are You Mad at Me?” comes out August 5th – and it is SO GOOD! You can also follow her on Instagram and TikTok. Check out her Substack, Peace of Mind. Highly recommend.  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Trust: It's the glue of secure attachment that holds a relationship together. If it's broken, everything changes. How do you repair trust once it's been damaged? The fantasy is that we can say "sorry" and the trust switch will flip back on... But it's not that easy. In fact, for trust to be restored, it requires a very specific process that both partners need to engage in. This is such a common and important part of the work for many couples seeking to repair their bond, so I'm putting this re-issued episode back in front of you. You'll learn why "Sorry" isn't good enough, and you'll also learn the worst mistake you can make if you're trying to repair the trust in your marriage. I'll also teach you the five action-steps you must take to mend trust for real, and how to use them to restore the security to your marriage. I sincerely hope these ideas help you heal the trust in your relationship.  xo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby GrowingSelf.com PS: Changes are on the way here at Love, Happiness, and Success. For starters, you'll get more episodes... but you'll also start hearing promos on the show from time to time. Let's stay connected through this transition. Compliments? Complaints? Questions? Let's Talk.

“Why doesn’t my partner want me?” — If that question has ever kept you up at night, this one’s for you.  Lately, I’ve been hearing from so many of you that this topic — what to do when your partner rejects you sexually — is really on your hearts and minds. And I get it. It’s such a vulnerable, tender pain point that touches on self-worth, connection, and love.  Whether it’s happened once or it’s become a painful pattern, feeling sexually rejected can stir up everything from shame and anxiety to resentment and loneliness. That’s why I wanted to bring back this powerful episode — because the guidance here is so helpful, and it’s something I want you to have access to when you need it most.  In this episode of the Love, Happiness & Success Podcast, I’m joined by my brilliant colleague and sex therapist Dori to talk openly (and compassionately!) about what’s really going on behind those “not tonight” moments — and what you can do to heal the hurt, reconnect with your partner, and bring intimacy back into your relationship in a way that feels good for both of you. We’ll walk you through the emotional impact of rejection, common myths about sex and desire, how to communicate with love and honesty, and actionable strategies to reconnect both emotionally and physically. You’ll leave this episode with insight and tools  to navigate sexual rejection with grace, strength, and clarity. Timestamps: 01:13 – Why Rejection Feels So Personal 02:29 – Understanding the Emotional Fallout 05:57 – Gender, Expectations, and Sexual Scripts 13:16 – The Body Image Trap 18:09 – When It’s Not Really Rejection 21:33 – Why Planning for Intimacy Matters 24:21 – Nonsexual Touch: A Game-Changer 24:53 – Talking About Sex Without Shame 25:18 – What “Responsive Desire” Means 25:45 – Designing a Sex-Positive Life Together 30:12 – Hug Me, Don’t Just Want Me 32:24 – Loving Boundaries & Body Autonomy 35:40 – The Avoidance Spiral 38:25 – Intimacy Beyond Intercourse 44:54 – When It’s Time to Get Help If you're feeling disconnected, uncertain, or hurt in your relationship — especially around intimacy, I totally get it. It’s hard to talk about these things, and even harder to know what’s really going on beneath the surface.  I created a free research-backed tool to help you get some clarity: How Healthy Is Your Relationship? Quiz. It’s a thoughtful, science-backed assessment designed to give you clarity on your strengths, your growth areas, and what to focus on for a more connected, satisfying partnership. I hope you check it out! Let’s stay connected! You can find me here on Instagram and YouTube for more free resources and updates on new episodes of Love, Happiness & Success. Together, we’re creating healthier, happier relationships — one conversation at a time. Xoxo Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby www.growingself.com  

In a heartfelt update, the host shares a deep love for connecting with the audience through the podcast. They reveal an exciting partnership aimed at enhancing the show's quality while keeping it free for listeners. Expect no cheesy ads, just genuine recommendations aligned with shared values. This transition promises richer content and new voices, all while inviting listener feedback to foster community and growth. It's a refreshing look at what it means to evolve while staying true to one's purpose.

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you're prepping for an important work meeting, juggling a million to-dos and chores, and trying to get the kids out the door with lunches packed and shoes on the right feet? Yeah… same. We often associate burnout with our jobs, but the reality is that we can get burned out on LIFE. Hey. It's a lot. Just being a reasonably functional adult can feel like one big game of Whac-a-Mole leaving us further drained each day, with no end in sight. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Sarah Armstrong — author of The Art of the Juggling Act — to talk about what’s really going on with life related burnout, and how you can create realistic, sustainable strategies to manage it all without losing your mind, your health, or your joy. We’re diving deep into personal stories, hard-won wisdom, and super-practical ideas to help you break the cycle of exhaustion and start thriving — not just surviving. So grab that cup of lukewarm coffee you forgot you made, and let’s dig in. Timestamps: 00:00 – Understanding Life Burnout 01:13 – Introducing Sarah Armstrong and Her Mission 02:01 – Personal Struggles and Validation 02:54 – The Juggling Act of Parenting and Career 11:21 – Setting Boundaries and Protecting Time 22:43 – The Importance of Self-Care and Recharging 27:29 – Exploring the Meta Message 27:52 – Balancing Ambition and Ability 28:35 – Personal Choices and Career Decisions 31:57 – Volunteering and School Involvement 37:32 – Defining Real Mom If you’re nodding your head, wiping a tear, or mentally reviewing your massive to-do list right now—here’s what I want you to know: You don’t have to figure this all out on your own. My Clarity and Confidence Coaching is designed to help amazing humans like you create sustainable change. If you’re feeling burned out, exhausted, and stretched to your limit, this is your sign to get support. Our next cohort is starting very soon and space is limited. You’ll work with a therapist trained in evidence-based coaching psychology who gets the struggle of where you are and who can help you make real changes that stick. 👉 Reserve your spot now at GrowingSelf.com/clarity. We’d love to help you get to thriving again. And if this episode spoke to your heart, let’s keep the conversation going. Come hang out with me on Instagram or YouTube. I share a ton of resources, in-depth interviews with experts, and evidence-based strategies to help you create a life you love—even in the chaos. Xoxo Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby www.growingself.com P.S. Know someone who’s stuck in the burnout blender? Send them this article. Share the wisdom. Be the friend who says, “Hey, you need to read this.” They’ll thank you later.  

Have you ever been in the middle of a therapy session and found yourself silently (or loudly 😂) begging for advice from your therapist? You lay it all out — the overthinking, the relationship questions, the confusion… and they smile gently and say, “Hmm... what do you think you should do?” 😵‍💫 This is an all too common occurrence that can result in confusing, frustrating, and disappointing experiences with therapy. So on this episode of the Love, Happiness & Success podcast, we’re going to talk about why your therapist won’t give you advice, what therapists can help you with, and what kind of support will give you the guidance you’re looking for. Traditional therapy isn’t designed to tell you what to do or how to do it, and if you’re someone who wants clarity, structure, and movement forward… it might be time for a different kind of support. If you’re in therapy and wondering why you still feel stuck, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.  Timestamps 00:00 – Why therapists don’t give advice (and why that’s intentional) 05:21 – Understanding different types of therapy 15:19 – What coaches do differently (and why it works) 21:52 – How to know what kind of support you need 24:05 – When therapy helps… and when it doesn’t 25:49 – Coaching vs. therapy: what’s right for your goals? 29:44 – Watch out: unqualified “coaches” are everywhere 33:34 – The honest truth about what will actually help you 34:21 – Finding clarity, confidence, and direction 36:38 – Questions to ask before hiring a therapist or coach 45:02 – Feeling stuck in therapy? Say this to your therapist 48:05 – It’s not you, you just need the right support If you’ve been nodding along while listening to this and thinking, "YES. I need a plan. I need movement. I need someone who gets it", I created Clarity and Confidence Coaching just for you. To meet you where you are right now, help you find clarity for your path forward, and to guide you step-by-step through transformation.  Right now, you can work with a brilliant therapist trained in coaching psychology for a fraction of what coaching usually costs. You’ll get expert support and a solid framework to actually create meaningful change in your life. And these spots go fast. 👉 Come visit growingself.com/clarity and snag your spot before the cohort fills up. And hey, if this conversation resonated with you? Come hang out with me on Instagram or YouTube. I share interviews with experts, evidence-based tools that actually work, and lots of free resources to help you create love, happiness and success in your life. Xoxo Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby P.S. Know someone who’s been stuck in therapy wondering where the heck to go from here? Share this episode with them and support them on their journey.

You might look like you’ve got it all together. You show up. You work hard. You smile, you joke, you say you’re “fine.” But inside? You might be carrying more than anyone knows.  This is especially true for men. You’d never guess it by looking at them, but so many—maybe even someone you love—are silently carrying a weight that feels too heavy to bear. They’re suffering in silence, quietly fighting battles they don’t feel safe talking about. Not because they’re weak—but because the world taught them that real strength means not showing emotion, not needing help, not breaking down.  In this episode of Love, Happiness and Success, I’m joined by Steve Kramer—host of the Certified Mama’s Boy Podcast and the Kramer & Jess Morning Show—for a very important  conversation about the epidemic of men suffering in silence. Steve opens up about the private pain he hid behind a public smile, how disconnection and emotional isolation nearly overwhelmed him, and what helped him begin to heal. We’re shedding light on the emotional experiences so many men keep hidden—because they’ve never been taught how to talk about them, or even how to recognize what they’re feeling. We’ll talk about the real risks of going it alone, the quiet ways people often show they’re not okay even when they say they are, and how men can get the support they need. If you or someone you care about has ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’re barely holding it together behind the scenes, this conversation is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 – When Life Feels Too Heavy: Steve’s Breaking Point 01:46 – Why Are So Many Men Suffering in Silence? 03:34 – Public Smiles, Private Struggles: The Pressure to Perform 04:21 – When It’s All Too Much 08:17 – The Call That Changed Everything 15:39 – Check On Your “Happy” Friends 23:35 – How to Tell When It’s More Serious Than They’re Saying 35:39 – Loneliness vs. Depression: Understanding the Difference 37:23 – Making Friends as an Adult Is Hard—But Necessary 38:53 – Why Men Struggle With Emotional Intimacy 48:06 – What Emotional Intelligence Really Means (and How to Build It) 55:58 – The Personal Work That Keeps Steve Grounded Today 01:00:35 – How to Support a Loved One Who’s Struggling 01:05:50 – Steve’s New Definition of Happiness If this hit close to home, it’s time to take a breath and check in—with yourself, or maybe with a man you care about. Struggles that stay hidden don't just go away—they weigh you down over time, and it can start to take a toll on your health, your relationships, your life. You don’t have to figure it out all on your own. There is space for you to be honest. To get support. To be human. There is help that meets you where you are. If you’re ready to find your way again, come check out my Clarity and Confidence Coaching. You’ll learn how to reconnect with yourself, get unstuck, and create real momentum in your life. Plus, you’ll pay just a fraction of the cost of other coaches. It’s truly such an amazing value.  👉 Get on the list to join. Together, we’ll help you build a life that feels more connected, meaningful, and joyful. I hope you check it out! Also, I’d love to stay connected! Follow me on Instagram and YouTube for more insight, encouragement, and authentic conversations that support your growth. I’d love to connect with you there. 💛 Xoxo Dr. Lisa Marie Bobbywww.growingself.com P.S. If you know a man in your life that could use some support, send this podcast over to them. It could be exactly what they need to take the first step to get support.  

What if the “therapist” you’re pouring your heart out to… isn’t a therapist at all? In this jaw-dropping episode of the Love, Happiness and Success Podcast, I’m joined by investigative journalists Rebecca Ruiz and Lauren Krause to expose the shocking truth behind Seven Cups Therapy and the dark world of therapy fraud—including unlicensed “helpers,” fake reviews, and predatory chatrooms masquerading as support. This isn’t just about bad advice or unqualified "virtual counselors." It’s about real people being misled, emotionally exploited, and sometimes even preyed upon while they’re at their most vulnerable. We dive into how this happens, how to protect yourself (or someone you care about), and how to tell the difference between a real therapist and a clever imposter. If you've ever Googled "online therapy" late at night and clicked on what looked like a trustworthy, affordable platform, you NEED to hear this. Timestamps: 01:43 - What’s Really Going On with Online Therapy Platforms 03:44 - Seven Cups Therapy: Behind the Curtain 05:21 - Why You Shouldn't Trust Those Awards and Reviews 07:52 - "Virtual Counselors" vs. Actual Therapists 10:45 - How to Spot Therapy Fraud in the Wild 12:50 - Ethical Gray Zones in the Coaching Industry 14:56 - Red Flags of Fake Support Services 18:48 - The Danger of Marketing Funnels Masquerading as Help 21:22 - How Fake Therapy Can Harm Real People 23:02 - The Truth About Licensing, Credentials & Oversight 25:48 - Behind the Scenes at Seven Cups: A Reporter’s Story 28:32 - Inappropriate Chatroom Behavior and No Accountability 37:16 - Free Resources to Help You Make Empowered Choices If you're looking for actual therapy or coaching from trained, licensed professionals—not a chatbot or a mystery stranger in Timbuktu—you can always find help here at Growing Self. We offer real free consultations so you can find a great fit and know exactly what you're signing up for. No pressure, no weird bait-and-switch. Just ethical, expert support that actually works.  👉 Click here to schedule! We’d love to hear from you! And if this episode struck a nerve, or opened your eyes, or made you yell “WAIT, WHAT?!”—come join me on Instagram or YouTube. I break down big topics like this every week. You’ll get expert insights, practical tools, and compassionate advice to help you create love, happiness and success in your life.  Xoxo Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby www.growingself.com P.S. If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them today. Let’s look out for one another. 💛  

Ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re still not good enough? Like you're outrunning a wolf that lives inside you, always whispering, “You’ve got more to prove”. But what if fear isn’t your enemy? What if it's actually pointing you toward your purpose? In this deeply transformative conversation with bestselling author Mary Marantz, we explore how the experiences that once made us feel underestimated—and the relentless drive to overachieve—can keep us stuck in cycles of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and fear-fueled productivity.  Mary and I unpack the myths of not-enoughness, talk about the parts of ourselves that try to protect us from failure, and offer a new path forward: one where your gifts and your story become your superpowers. Get ready to look at fear differently, reclaim your confidence, and learn to move forward—not from a place of proving, but from a place of purpose. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why You're Still Not Enough (Even After All the Achievements) 02:01 – Mary’s Story: From Single-Wide Trailer to Yale Law 03:55 – Why Fear Isn’t the Villain You Think It Is 06:14 – The Power of Owning Your Hard Story 14:15 – When Fear Shows Up, You're Closer Than You Think 18:06 – Creativity, Fear, and the Impostor Trap 24:27 – What To Do With Fear When It Gets Loud 29:23 – Catching Fear in the Act 30:35 – A Totally Different Kind of Coaching 36:01 – Your Inner Critic Isn’t Evil—It's Trying to Protect You 39:24 – Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Productivity Traps 45:55 – Underestimated: When They Miss Your Magic (and You Do, Too) 55:58 – Make Art Anyway: Excellence Without Validation 57:02 – Finding Clarity and Confidence If you feel like you’re hustling for your worth—trying to prove something to someone, maybe even to yourself—it might be time for a new approach. I created Clarity and Confidence Coaching for exactly this purpose—to support brilliant, driven people just like you in shedding their limiting beliefs, getting clear on their direction, and moving forward into their dream life with confidence.  Clarity and Confidence Coaching is an incredible 8-week journey led by my team of trained therapist-coaches. It’s evidence-based, transformational, and wildly affordable — just $49/session right now as part of our practicum program. You’ll be guided with depth and care and use life changing coaching strategies to rewrite your inner script and start taking action — from your strengths, not your fear. 👉 Book a free consultation to learn more and reserve your spot: Schedule Here And hey — let’s stay connected. Follow me on Instagram or subscribe on YouTube for more empowering content to help you grow. Xoxo Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby www.growingself.com P.S. Know someone who feels like they’re not enough, even though they’re secretly incredible? Share this with them. You might be the reason they finally see what’s been true all along. 💛  

Join Karen Salmansohn, an author and mindset coach known for her insights on happiness and resilience, as she explores the transformative memento mori philosophy. She argues that contemplating mortality can ignite a clearer sense of purpose and joy. The discussion includes the power of identity-based habits and how writing your own eulogy can reshape your priorities. Learn about Aristotle's happiness formula and innovative ways to align daily actions with core values, ensuring your life reflects what truly matters.