Language of Love with Dr. Laura Berman

On today’s episode of “The Language of Love,” Dr. Laura Berman sits down with one of her dear friends Sheri Salata. Salata was an executive producer for “The Oprah Show” as well as the president of the Oprah Winfrey Network and Harpo Productions. Since leaving Oprah, Salata began to focus more intentionally on her own personal growth and leaned into the power of ‘the beautiful no.’What is the beautiful no? Salata says that her people-pleasing nature and her desire to excel in her career and her personal relationships led her to struggle with setting boundaries and saying no, whether it was to opportunities or favors or constantly giving to those around her. Like many people, especially women, Salata says she struggled with codependence and was unable to prioritize her own needs and emotional health. This left her always feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from her own self-worth.On this episode, Salata and Dr. Berman talk about Salata’s book “The Beautiful No,” and what led her to finally grow into the power of no and learn to not only be comfortable setting boundaries, but for it to come naturally and easily, without feelings of guilt or regret. This is an episode that is a must-listen for anyone who ever struggles with setting boundaries or putting themselves first! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of “The Language of Love,” Dr. Berman talks live with callers on Clubhouse and gives real-time advice on sex, love, and relationships.First, she helps a woman in a long-term relationship who says things have slowed down in the bedroom. Dr. Berman explains why ‘scheduled sex’ can actually be very beneficial in both re-igniting passion as well as increasing libidos that may have stalled once the honeymoon phase ended.Next, Dr. Berman has an impromptu’s couples’ session with a young entrepreneur and his girlfriend who says their hectic schedules keep them from finding time to connect and enjoy their relationship. Dr. Berman explains how they can find ‘bite-sized’ intimacy throughout the day and ensure that they are prioritizing each other even as they pursue their career goals. Later, Dr. Berman helps a man who spent years stuck in a sexless marriage. Since he wasn’t getting his needs met, he focused all of his energy into his work and let his sexual side disappear. After getting divorced, he wound up finding another partner who was also not able to meet his sexual needs due to her obsession with her phone.Using her intuition and clinical training, Dr. Berman is able to peel back the layers on this caller’s pain and trace his trauma back to rejection from his mother in his childhood. “I think a big part of the answer is in you doing that healing work so that you stop attracting in and being attracted to women who withhold love, connection, acceptance, approval, intimacy from you. And in one way or another, you keep calling that into your life,” she explains.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of “The Language of Love,” Dr. Laura Berman sits down with one of her favorite writers and thinkers, Dr. Shefali Tsabary. They discuss Dr. Shefali’s latest book “A Radical Awakening,” and what she wants women to know about stepping into their power as well as owning the fact that they are often unconscious co-creators of their own suffering.Together Dr. Berman and Dr. Shefali break down the differences between men and women and how institutions like marriage can contribute to these power imbalances. Dr. Shefali offers actionable tips on how women can begin to lean into their feminine gifts and awaken to their true power.They tackle the idea of how rigid social expectations and an obsession of success and wealth has led to generations of suffering and disconnect. How can we get back to our true source and find lasting peace and worth, while still achieving our goals, and while still loving and parenting and living in a way that aligns with our core values?Listen in to hear this powerhouse of a speaker and author share her deep wisdom with Dr.Berman on this must-listen episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of the “Language of Love,” Dr. Berman is talking sex, love, and relationships with callers on Clubhouse.First, Dr. Berman helps a woman in a 16-year relationship who is feeling like the stress of the pandemic is finally taking its toll on her marriage. She says that while she is a very intuitive and sensitive person, her partner is much more stoic and pragmatic. He often talks to her in a cold tone or in a way she finds hurtful, but when she points this out to him, he doesn’t really understand what she is talking about. How can a sensitive partner help their spouse understand that their tone and body language can come across as rude or aggressive even if that is not their intention?Next, Dr. Berman helps a woman who wants to know if it is ever okay to be friends with an ex. What do you do if you want to stay friends with an ex-partner, but your current partner thinks it is inappropriate?Then, Dr. Berman helps a man who was suffering in an abusive relationship for years before he reached out for help. Although we may not realize that men can be victims of abuse and harassment, this caller’s story proves that women aren’t the only ones who can be abused by their intimate partners. Although the abusive relationship has now ended, the ex is still stalking him and trying to harm him. What can he do to protect himself, and how can we better support male victims of violence?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the "Language of Love," Dr. Berman sits down with the acclaimed author, coach, and speaker Martha Beck. Known as "Oprah's life coach," Beck's thought-provoking wisdom has helped thousands of people learn how to lean into their self-worth and carve out a life that is meaningful and joy-inducing. Martha Beck (who authored "The Way of Integrity" and "Finding Your Own North Star") is one of Dr. Berman's personal favorites. On this episode, Beck talks to Dr. Berman about how to "get into integrity," and what integrity means when it comes to love, sex, and relationships. Beck also talks with Dr. Berman about the Dark Wood of Error, which is a place many of us might be right now, without even realizing it. How can you tell when you are in the Dark Wood of Error, and how can you get out of it? Listen in to find out what Martha Beck has to say and how her wisdom can help you to fulfill your life's purpose and find the love you deserve.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the “Language of Love,” Dr. Berman talks to a woman in a 35-year relationship. Now that their kids are grown and out of the house, she and her husband are struggling to connect and figure out their new relationship as partners outside of their roles as parents. How can empty-nesters lean into their new freedom and figure out their identities as lovers outside of being parents and teammates in raising a family?Next, Dr. Berman talks to a woman who wants to know how to figure out if a new partner is sexually compatible before you even enter the bedroom. If your kink is BDSM, how do you find a partner who shares the same desires? What is the right way to broach your kink to new partners, and how soon is too soon? Dr. Berman weighs in.Then, Dr. Berman tackles the subject of “friends with benefits.” How can you get your friend to view you in a more romantic light, and is there really such a thing as the ‘friendzone’?Dr. Berman also gives advice on how to ‘shoot your shot’ to a divorcee who is dating for the first time since her marriage ended, and is struggling to figure out how to put herself out there and meet guys without seeming desperate or being too forward. Should you wait for a guy to approach you, or do men like it when women are assertive and ask them out? Dr. Berman reveals what she thinks and gives advice to daters who are scared to put themselves out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this very powerful episode of “The Language of Love,” Dr. Berman talks to Anita Moorjani about the loss of her son Sammy and how her grief makes people uncomfortable. If you have ever lost someone you love or you are struggling to cope with grief, this is a must-hear episode that will bring comfort and clarity to your grief journey.Moorjani has a unique perspective on death and dying, as she had a near-death experience in which she almost died from terminal cancer, only to be brought back to life and make a miraculous full recovery. (You can read about this amazing journey in Moorjani’s book, “Dying to Be Me,” which is one of Dr. Berman’s favorite books).Having been to the ‘other side,’ Moorjani offers her wisdom and perspective about what happens we die and what we can do here in the present to cope with loss. And is it possible to find connection with people who have passed on, to communicate with those who are no longer with us in physical form? Moorjani thinks we can, but we have to be sure that we are vibrating at a high frequency and in a space of lightness and openness in order to be able to receive these messages from our loved ones.Dr. Berman also delves into how difficult these past weeks have been. “Grief isn’t a straight line,” she says, explaining that while she had been previously feeling peace and comfort, she has lately been struggling with great despair. With Moorjani’s help, Dr. Berman explores these new depths of loss and offers guidance and light to anyone listening who may be dealing with the same pain and trauma.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s unique episode of “The Language of Love,” Dr. Berman talks about what to do when sex gets in the way of love. Yes, while normally Dr. Berman addresses issues like lack of libido or lack of sexual pleasure, today she is talking about what happens when TOO much sexual pleasure gets in the way of the love you want.First, Dr. Berman helps a woman who says that she is tired of men who seem to only view her as a sexual object. While she dates a lot and has no problem meeting men, she says that she is constantly dealing with guys who are too overtly sexual at first and don’t seem interested in her beyond sexual gratification. How can she attract a man who is actually interested in a relationship and not just hooking up? How can you create a dating profile that is flirty and fun, while still making it clear that you are only looking for monogamy and serious relationships, not casual sex?Next, Dr. Berman helps a man who is dating a woman 20 years his junior. While their sex life is fantastic and he is having a great time, he is tired of his friends and family assuming that he is just her sugar daddy and that this isn’t a real relationship. How can he get people to take their relationship seriously, and what should he do about the fact that she is currently in financial distress and could use his monetary support? Is it ever possible for May-December relationships to last, especially when there is a power imbalance and one person has all the money, while the other has the youth and beauty? And what do you if your friends aren’t respectful of your romantic choices or don’t take your younger partner seriously?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever been told you are too sensitive? On today's episode of "The Language of Love," Dr. Laura Berman talks with the incomparable Anita Moorjani, author of "Sensitive is the New Strong” about what it means to be highly sensitive. What careers are best suited for highly sensitive? How can you tell if you are highly sensitive or if your child is? Dr. Berman and Anita Moorjani also discuss the difference between being an empath and being highly sensitive. Turns out they are not the same thing, and it is very important for people to realize the difference between the two, especially if they suspect that they might have empath qualities. Although being an empath can be very powerful and very meaningful, it also comes with risks, especially if you aren’t aware of how to harness your empath abilities. Empaths take on the emotions and energy of other people around them, literally experiencing their sorrow and anger and fear as if it is happening to them. So empaths can very easily become ungrounded and lose their connection to their own energetic state and therefore become unable to access their own personal power. And many times empaths struggle with codependency and a need to ‘fix’ other people, believing as Dr. Berman says, “If you need me, you won’t leave me.” Learn how empaths can tap into their unique strengths without falling prey to these common pitfalls on this special episode of “The Language of Love” with Anita Moorjani…and stay tuned for part two of Dr. Berman’s interview with Moorjani coming soon!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of "The Language of Love," Dr. Berman helps people who are facing physical roadblocks on their journey to sexual pleasure, in particular women who are suffering the loss of desire and arousal due to menopause.  Dr. Berman first helps a woman going through menopause who is dealing with unpleasant symptoms like rashes after intimacy and difficulty reaching orgasm. She says she feels as though her clitoris is difficult to find and that things are dry and uncomfortable down there. Is diminishing estrogen causing her rashes and dryness? How can older women protect their sexual health when faced with these unique challenges? And how can you talk to your doctor about these sexual symptoms in a proactive way without feeling embarrassed?  Next, Dr. Berman helps a woman with lichen sclerosis who has extreme pain and discomfort during sex. Around 1 in 80 women suffer from lichen sclerosis, but it is most common among middle-aged and elderly women. This inflammatory condition can be very painful and it often takes a toll on a woman’s sex life. Is there any way to preserve sexual pleasure when pain makes you afraid to be touched? And how can she help her partner feel loved and desired even when sexual intimacy sometimes has to take a back seat due to her condition?  Even when sexual challenges can complicate your ability to reach orgasm or achieve pleasure, on this episode, Dr. Berman shows that is still possible to find treatments and options that can help to support your journey back to sexual wellness. Often this will require treatment, sex therapy, or talking to your doctor, but as Dr. Berman reveals, with small mindful changes, you can continue having passionate sex even as you age or face medical conditions. Most importantly, however, you have to continue communicating with your partner, and seek ways to keep that physical connection and romance alive, even when sexual intimacy isn’t always possible. There is no such thing as a ‘sexpiration’ date, as long as couples are willing to keep prioritizing sexual pleasure and working together to create great sex.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices