Are you struggling in the dating world? Do you feel like finding love is the equivalent to working a full time job? In this episode, I talk to Amy Young all about dating in the modern world and her unpopular opinion that dating is actually fun and how it should never feel like an obligation. Amy is a life coach extraordinaire who previously worked as an actor and comedienne, bringing her silly and irreverent approach to empowering single women to understand themselves and set themselves up for relationship success. She is self-proclaimed “Captain Raise the Bar” and she and I jammed on all the goodness there is in today’s modern dating world when you look for it.In this episode, you’ll learn: The importance of raising your standards (8:08) Can people have casual sex without getting hurt? (15:00) Is it OK for a woman to need a man? (36:30) And so much more!  References and Recommendations:Viral Wedding Photo of pretend blowjob Dr. Glover / "No More Mr. Nice Guy"Katie Byron / "The Work"Article: Why You Might Not Be Ready For The Evolved Man You Say You Want  Where can you find more of Amy Young?AmyYoungCoaching.comhttps://www.youtube.com/user/AMYoungsterEmail: amy@amyyoungcoaching.comInstagram: @AmyYoungCoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the difference between wanting to make your partner happy and being accommodating to the point of losing yourself? What is the recipe for self-love that allows you to deepen your connection in relationships? In this episode, I speak with Ivy Kwong, a licensed marriage & family therapist, speaker, and writer who specializes in self-love and connection to heal codependency.Ivy also lets us in on an emotional intimacy exercise you can start putting into practice right away (55:05). Make a new nightly routine of checking in with yourself and sharing with your partner about the following areas: anger, pain, sadness, fear, shame, guilt, joy, and loneliness. Tune in to hear exactly how this exercise works and more tips and tricks you can use to help yourself (and your partner) grow. In this episode, you’ll also learn: The definition and different degrees of codependency (19:17) The value of self-esteem and self-love (27:45) What you need in order to sustain a relationship (48:05) And so much more!  Where can you find more about Ivy Kwong?Website: BareIvy.comInstagram: @BareIvyEmail: bareivy@gmail.comAdditional Website: https://www.shellbreaker.com/ Recommendations and references:Article: “F*ck Yes or No” by Mark Manson Book: “Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself” by Melody Beattie See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes long-term relationships go the distance? I’m speaking with author and licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Alexandra Solomon, who you might know as the “Relationship Architect” and author of the transformational book, “Loving Bravely.” We talk about what’s really needed to make a relationship work – spoiler alert — it goes way beyond good sexual chemistry (although that’s needed, too). Today, we bring you the tools that will get you started both as an individual and as a couple.Alexandra is a clinical assistant professor at Northwestern University teaching and training marriage and family therapy graduate students. In addition, she teaches the internationally renowned undergraduate course, “Building Loving and Lasting Relationships: Marriage 101.” If all of that wasn’t enough, Dr. Solomon is also a highly sought-after speaker and media commentator on relationship topics.In this episode, you’ll learn: How messages we received as children shape how we show up in relationships today (5:50) What makes relationships able to go the distance? (17:32) Primary sexual desire vs. responsive desire – is sexual chemistry different for men and women? (21:35) What does “sexy” mean for women? (29:30) When there is sexual disconnection in a relationship, what can the couple do? (44:45) And so much more! Dr. Alexandra SolomonWebsite - www.dralexandrasolomon.com/Instagram - @dr.alexandra.solomonBook - Loving Bravely: Twenty Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You WantSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I discuss my journey and why I the subject of relationships is so important. I talk about the misconceptions about love, my (our) struggles, healing wounds, and how we can best begin to learn to create connection and deepen our relationships with ourselves and others.Sponsors:Organifi | Visit organifi.com/createthelove to receive 20% off all products with code CREATETHELOVE!Create more love by visiting: createthelove.com @createthelove @createthelovecards See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices