Language of Love with Dr. Laura Berman

Even though 1 in 4 people have Herpes, 80% of those who have it don’t even know it! Yet despite how common it is, I still find that a diagnosis with Herpes sends people reeling, all too often fills them with shame, and even keeps them stuck in unhealthy relationships they would otherwise leave if they didn’t feel like “damaged goods.”In this Language of Love Bite I’m getting into it with you; the precautions to take to prevent transmission , ways to bring it up in a new relationship and methods to manage it. Most of all we get into the fact that this is simply a skin condition and not a death sentence for your love or sex life!   Are you ready to learn how to protect yourself and the ones you love, release the shame and step into your sexual power? Well this episode is for you! Visit Dr. my website and check out my books on love, sex and relationships. Be sure to tune in regularly to The Language of Love for great discussions and thought-provoking conversations with accomplished individuals and experts offering invaluable advice on how to love and be loved better.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you are a parent or not, this episode is going to open your eyes! This week on Language of Love, I sit down with one of my faves, Dr. Shefali. She is a renowned author, psychologist, and parenting expert. Her book The Conscious Parent really changed my life. Now we sit down to talk about her newest endeavor, The Parenting Map.In this episode we get into it all, including: All the unconscious ways our own wounds play out in our parenting style  The specific ways our triggers in adulthood actually developed in childhood and how we can stop the cycle with our own kids How our attempts to raise “successful” and “happy” kids is actually misguided  The secret guilt I’ve been carrying about a mistake I made with my son Sammy Do you want to know how you can be there for your kids in a more fulfilling, meaningful, and loving way that will serve them and aid in their development? This episode is for you!Make sure to check out Dr Shefali’s website and grab a copy of her new book The Parenting Map: Step-by-Step Solutions to Consciously Create the Ultimate Parent-Child Relationship. Visit my website and check out my books on love, sex and relationships. Be sure to tune in regularly to The Language of Love for great discussions and thought-provoking conversations with accomplished individuals and experts offering invaluable advice on how to love and be loved better.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is a special one as my guest today is someone with whom I share both a professional and personal connection. Gabby Bernstein is a New York times bestselling author with 8 books. She is also a motivational speaker and host of the “Dear Gabby” podcast. Her latest book, Happy Days, is her most personal work to date. Gabby shares her healing journey after recovering traumatic memories of sexual abuseIn this week’s Language of Love Conversation, Gabby takes us along on her deep and personal journey of healing, sharing with us the resources she discovers that have helped her heal, and the tough lessons she learned along the way. We even get into an event we co-facilitated and I (lovingly) confront Gabby about a hurt I suffered at her hands close to a decade ago! If you are someone or love someone who’s suffered any kind of trauma, this is not an episode to miss!In this LOL Conversation we talk about: The difference between “Big T” Trauma and “little t” trauma The surprising secret Gabby shares about the difference between the Gabby on-stage and Gabby in her personal life The 2 major events that were the catalysts that launched Gabby into a major AFGE (Another Frickin’ Growth Experience) How to feel safe enough in your own body to go deeper into therapy Strategies for facing trauma head on while being supported in your healing Visit Gabby Bernstein’s website and check out her latest New York times best seller book, Happy Days: The Guided Path from Trauma to Profound Freedom and Inner Peace. You can also watch her on her podcast Dear Gabby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with another Language of Love session! In this episode, I chat with a 40-something-year-old listener who wants to find love but feels an aversion to dating. She’s never dated and never been physically intimate with someone. As we explore some of her childhood and current attitude toward men, we unpack the things that might have landed her where she is today. I also break down some tools to begin practicing to open her heart to love vulnerability, like fostering your friendships first! In this session, we discuss: How our parents’ marriage can deeply affect our perception of love and care  What we are really craving in the search for emotional and physical intimacy  Why friendship can be a wonderful stepping stone to romance How vulnerability and open heartedness with our pets can heal some of the wounds blocking us from love  The power of somatic experiencing in healing our blocks to love If you’re curious about somatic experiences, check out the Hakomi Institute or Somatic Experiencing International for more information.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever been in a relationship where your partner has threatened to hurt themselves if you leave? Unfortunately, this is a surprisingly common situation that I hear from a lot of you. In today’s Language of Love Bite, I want to equip you with a few tools to navigate a situation with someone who is either genuinely at risk or might be using suicidal thoughts as emotional blackmail. The tips I outline will hopefully give you some comfort and peace when navigating a stressful situation such as this. In this Bite, I explore: What emotional manipulation looks like  The important difference between Suicidal thoughts/ideation vs. a suicidal plan How to spot some of the red flags in someone at risk Steps to take to leave the relationship in a way that leaves your partner protected.  If you’re afraid that your partner is going to hurt themselves and don’t know what to do, call a clinician, 1-800-273-8255, or dial the suicide hot line 988. Erring on the side of caution will give you the peace of mind that you need. No matter what happens, remember that no one is entitled to hold you emotional (or any kind of) hostage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is healthy love, and what can stand in the way of achieving it? Transformational relationship coach Stefanos Sifandos is joining me for this week’s Language of Love Conversation to discuss the characteristics of healthy love and the five barriers that can stand in the way. He also shares his own journey from childhood trauma to struggling in relationships and the turning points in his life that led to healing. In this episode, we dive into: The turning point in Stef’s life that led to healing The 5 Blocks to Love  When to throw in the towel in love  Divine femininity vs divine masculinity The qualities of a healthy relationship Stefanos Sifandos and his wife run a Breathwork for the Feminine event every month, but he also has a variety of coaching options for those looking to take that first step toward opening their heart to love. You can also follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay up-to-date on his work!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes references to sexual assault and abuse. This week’s Language of Love Session is with a listener facing a devastating situation in her marriage. After recently sustaining sexual abuse by her husband, this listener and I sit in this heartbreaking situation together as she considers her next move in this marriage. We also discuss trauma she has not yet healed from and how she carries it with her every day. If you’ve experienced assault or abuse, please know that those experiences are not your fault. You are deserving of safety, respect, and solid boundaries. In this Session, we break down: What assault is at its core  The ways narcissistic partners hurt us  How trauma in childhood informs our romantic choices  How to begin moving forward with somatic therapy  If you’re interested in finding a somatic therapist in your area, visit Somatic Experiencing International or The Hakomi Institute. For information and resources regarding sexual assault, visit RAINN.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s Language of Love Bite is all about female ejaculation. Some people believe it’s a myth, so I’m breaking down that misconception in today’s episode! A common belief is that your body releases urine when you orgasm, but that is not the case. There is a specific compound found in male and female ejaculation, and today, I want to talk about what’s actually happening in our bodies when we experience this. In this Bite, I break down: The difference between male and female ejaculation The process of retrograde ejaculation A few tips to ejaculate when you orgasm You can always reach me at languageoflovepod@gmail.com or leave me a voicemail if you have any questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we manage negativity and misery while still finding things to be grateful for? How do we pass these skills on to our children?Kristina Kuzmic, writer, creator, and mother, is joining me today during today’s Language of Love Conversation to discuss personalized parenting for our children, how we can support them through their mental health struggles, and how to combat insecurity and uncertainty with grace. She is a big believer, as am I, in the power of authenticity and vulnerability in developing close relationships and unity. She also unpacks her journey through her current profession, her early projects, the impact of her Wednesday Night Dinners, how she fosters gratitude through her “Yeah, but…” game, and her son’s dark season of depression. In today’s episode, we discuss: Why there is no “one size fits all” model for parenting The subtle ways we label our children Reframing traits that are categorized as “negative” The power of authenticity The impact of focusing on the things you CAN do The “Yeah, but…” Game Why shame is the shittiest motivator  Encouraging our children to prioritize their mental health Parenting children who are struggling  Visit Kristina Kuzmic’s website, check out her book, Hold On, But Don’t Hold Still, and watch her YouTube video with her son to learn more about how they moved through that challenging and scary season.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to shift a relationship that’s just not working? How do we reestablish independence and access our gifts while carrying childhood trauma? This listener and I are breaking down these questions and assessing the state of her marriage in today’s Language of Love Session. It’s not uncommon for some people in long-term relationships to feel like their independence is tied to the presence of a partner – we almost revert to a child-like sense of ourselves. But we must teach our inner child to speak up for their wants and needs, so tune in to discover the valuable tips I offer this listener! In today’s Session, we explore: The state of her marriage  The trauma we carry into our relationships Reestablishing independence as adults How to integrate the wants and needs of our inner child into our lives Why a somatic therapist can help  Releasing generational trauma  How our souls choose our family of origin Tips to cultivate connection and access our gifts We have to work through our fear and resistance to move toward love and intimacy. Check out my website for more information on how you can begin this journey!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices