The Baggage Reclaim Sessions

Natalie, an insightful relationship expert, dives deep into the concept of blind spots in relationships, challenging conventional assumptions about what makes someone relationship-worthy. She critiques the overvaluation of charm and superficial traits, emphasizing the importance of genuine self-awareness. The conversation highlights how therapy doesn't automatically equate to emotional intelligence and the need to move beyond performative engagement. Through personal stories, she underscores the significance of self-reflection and questioning our own biases for stronger, healthier connections.

Ever felt as if you did wrong by asserting a boundary because the other party didn't respond positively or you didn't get what you wanted? Well, having healthy boundaries isn't the problem, and in this episode, Natalie explains what's really going on in this situation.  Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership

It's been two years since Natalie's father passed away. In this week's episode, she talks about how grief, something that we go through when we experience any form of loss, not just bereavement, grows you... whether you want it to or not.  Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership

So many people who have a frustrating pattern are unaware that they’re driven by negative and contradictory associations with love, relationships, success and being more of who they really are. In this episode, Natalie talks about why fear of sacrifice, loss and being trapped are so prevalent in our experiences.  Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership

Did you know that three days before Natalie met Em, she broke it off with a guy that she’d been dating for three weeks? She would have finished it sooner had she not doubted herself and listened to well-meaning friends who told her that she was being “hasty” and “picky”. In this episode, Natalie talks about why loved ones give bad advice and why we don’t have to go along with it to spare their feelings.  Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership

A challenge that often presents itself while dating is the struggle to stay hopeful and grounded while pursuing our need or desire for a relationship. Natalie talks about the key sources of anxiety and why, ultimately, 'efforting' isn't going to control (or change) the time frame or what prospective partners do so we might as well get on with the business of being us and living. Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership

Does someone really need to do the equivalent of giving us a one-star review by going out of their way to make us aware of their dislike of us? Do we need to let our ex know that we’re “over” them? Why did they put themselves on Tinder right after they made plans to move or be away for some time? What’s the craic with people doing us wrong and then saying “It hurts me more than (or as much as) it hurts you”? And why are we saying that it’s wrong that the relationship with the person who didn’t treat us very well has ended? These are just some of the things that make Natalie (and others) go hmmm.  Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership

Are you feeling typecast by your experiences and pattern? A role is a job or function that we take on within our interpersonal relationships in order to ‘be good’ and ‘help out’… even if what we’re doing is harmful instead of helpful. In this episode, Natalie breaks down why we play particular roles including sharing 60+ examples and why roles, ultimately, sabotage intimacy as well as our potential and purpose.  Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership

When you go on dates or are in a relationship, who is it that shows up? Is it you, the whole you and nothing but you? Or, is it your representative, the persona you send out that’s a glossier or more watered-down version of you that you think does the best job of selling you as future partner or spouse material? Natalie talks about the perils of letting your 'dating and relationship self' overshadow the real you.  Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership

What do you do when you feel as if you’ve failed at something? Shame you? Shrink into yourself and isolate? Pick you apart in an attempt to figure out what’s wrong with you? Turn your failure into a secret that you need to cart around in your emotional baggage? Natalie shares why she won't be doing any of these things and uses a recent experience and its parallels with dating and relationships to reframe disappointment, rejection and loss.  Instagram | Events | Blog | Membership