Reimagining Love with Dr. Alexandra Solomon

In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra will be taking you through how to take care of yourself and your relationship when your partner is struggling. Perhaps your partner is struggling with a job loss, a health diagnosis, a mental health challenge, the loss of a loved one, family drama, co-parenting with an ex, or something else entirely. Whatever it is, the theme is that there is some scenario that is taking up more of your partner’s bandwidth than usual, leaving less bandwidth for you and your relationship.In this second part, Dr. Alexandra is going to take you through five internal strategies to cope with the situation at hand – strategies designed to help you tend to and take care of yourself. Then she will take you through nine relational strategies that will help you and your partner maintain or restore your relationship even as your partner struggles. You’ll come away with this conversation with:A toolkit of five internal strategies to support your own emotional health while caring for your partner.Nine actionable relational strategies to enhance communication and understanding in your relationship.Insights on the significance of self-care for the non-struggling partner and how it contributes to relationship health.Food-for-thought on resentment, grieving, high-functioning co-dependency, celebrating small victories, and rebuilding after a dark period (and so much more!)Resources worth mentioning from the episode:Terri Cole’s Too Much: https://bookshop.org/p/books/too-much-a-guide-to-breaking-the-cycle-of-high-functioning-codependency-terri-cole-msw-lcsw/077213db5957f23e?ean=9781649631862&next=t&Reimagining Love episode, High-Functioning Codependency: From Managing to Loving with Terri Cole https://dralexandrasolomon.com/podcasts/high-functioning-codependency-from-managing-to-loving-with-terri-cole/Managing Back to School Stress on MasterClass:  http://masterclass.com/backtoschoolContinue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Explore the challenges of loving someone in distress, from job loss to grief. Dr. Alexandra delves into how such struggles impact relationship dynamics, framing the scenario with vital insights. Understanding the Recursive Relational Framework reveals how one partner's issues resonate throughout the relationship. The episode highlights the emotional labor of the non-affected partner and the significance of mutual support. Validating that it's okay for love to be hard, listeners gain coping strategies to enhance intimacy even in tough times.

What if the key to deeper intimacy lies in understanding the echoes of our past? Dr. Alexandra Solomon sits with Christine Hassler, a Master coach, podcast host, and author, to discuss how our family of origin roles shape our present connections, emphasizing the importance of inner child work and relational self-awareness. Christine shares her journey through the unhealthy patterns that surfaced in her own relationship with her partner, Stef, offering a raw look at the necessity of self-reflection in cultivating healthier dynamics.You'll come away from this episode with:A deeper understanding of how family of origin influences shape your current relationships.Practical strategies for engaging in inner child work to enhance self-awareness and relational dynamics.Insights into the importance of self-advocacy (especially as women!) and authentic communication in intimate partnerships.Perspective on how our professional roles and work offer yet another arena for us to notice and tend to old pain and create new ways of relating to ourselves and the world around us.Resources worth mentioning from the episode:Podcast - Life Coaching with Christine Hassler: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-coaching-with-christine-hassler/id1050321415Christine Hassler's The Women's Retreat in San Diego, Oct 17-19, 2025: https://christinehassler.com/womensretreat/“Managing Back to School Stress on MasterClass:  http://masterclass.com/backtoschoolCouple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: http://pesi.com/dralexandraContinue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anxiety is one of the most common emotional struggles today. Whether you have a formal diagnosis or are simply experiencing the symptoms, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra is joined by anxiety expert, therapist, and author Noelle McWard Aquino to talk about the three distinct root causes Noelle has identified and written about in her book Anxiety Unpacked. Together, they discuss which characteristics each type has and what core needs drive them. And most importantly, they discuss practical tools and strategies to help you find relief and peace, regardless of your anxiety type.You’ll come away with this conversation with:A thorough overview of anxiety, with answers to questions that often come up such as: -What’s the difference between anxiety and intuition?-Is it okay if I just avoid the things that make me anxious?-How am I possibly going to change my behaviour when I feel as anxious as I do?-Why do we have to deal with anxiety in the first place?The three root causes of anxiety, characteristics to identify each type, and strategies to manage each typeTips on what to do if you’re struggling with anxiety in your intimate partnership, and what to do if your partner is struggling with anxietyValidation on the experience of anxiety and a mindset shift to provide hope that you can find peace and calm Resources worth mentioning from the episode:Learn more about Noelle McWard Aquino:https://noellemcwardaquino.com/Anxiety Unpacked by Noelle McWard Aquino:https://bookshop.org/p/books/anxiety-unpacked-noelle-mcward-aquino/a60a608d74e71afb?ean=9781960876904&next=t&“Your Anxiety Toolkit” on MasterClass:www.masterclass.com/youranxietytoolkitCouple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: http://pesi.com/dralexandraContinue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever felt like your resilience is being pushed to its limits, especially in the chaotic and complex world we live in today? Dr. Alexandra sits down with organizational psychologist, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Tasha Eurich to delve into the insights from her new book, Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (and Why Resilience Alone Isn’t Enough). In this conversation, they discuss the myths of resilience, as well as what a “resilience ceiling” is and how to identify when we’ve hit it. Most importantly, they talk about how to understand the limits of resilience so that we don’t, as Dr. Tasha would call it, “grit gaslight” ourselves when our usual coping strategies don’t work the way they used to.You'll come away from this episode with:A clearer understanding of the limitations of resilience and how to identify when you’ve reached your 'resilience ceiling’.A renewed perspective on the importance of acknowledging struggles as part of personal growth and healing (stoicism isn't the answer here!).Practical strategies and tools to enhance your self-awareness and well-being, such as Dr. Tasha’s self-assessment for determining how much of our self-definition is about our work and ambition, and her 2-2-2 tool for managing overwhelm.Insights into the essential emotional needs that foster deeper connections in your relationships.Resources worth mentioning from the episode:The Resilience Ceiling Quizhttps://resilience-quiz.com/Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And Why Resilience Alone Isn't Enough) by Tasha Eurichhttps://bookshop.org/p/books/shatterproof-how-to-thrive-in-a-world-of-constant-chaos-and-why-resilience-alone-isn-t-enough-tasha-eurich/9f0e6a8876113ed0Managing Back to School Stress on MasterClass:  http://masterclass.com/backtoschoolCouple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: http://pesi.com/dralexandraContinue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are a few things we likely can all agree on: (1) we are living in a very polarizing time, (2) it’s hurting us, and (3) the way that we talk about politics is broken, given that we are all living in different information orbits. In this episode, Dr. Alexandra sits down with Mónica Guzmán who offers us some hope for the relationships in our lives that have suffered as a result of this polarization. She also offers us the perspective we need to help us stay grounded, even as the structures all around us fiercely demand our attention and invite our reactivity. The goal is not necessarily to seek to change each other’s view on the issues but to change our view on each other. And to see that “engagement is not endorsement”, as we work to enter into curious dialogue with the people in our lives and to perhaps notice the ways that we are not as divided as we believe we are.You’ll come away with:Strategies on how to approach the conversations with the people in your life that have historically gone sideways due to ideological misalignmentsInsights on maintaining curiosity and connection in the face of divisionTips for navigating the online dating landscape without compromising your values or limiting yourselfResources worth mentioning from the episode:Mónica Guzmán’s Reclaim Curiosity Newsletter: https://www.moniguzman.com/subscribeI Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán: https://bookshop.org/p/books/i-never-thought-of-it-that-way-monica-guzman/22293096?ean=9781637740323&next=t&next=t&affiliate=4380Managing Back to School Stress on MasterClass:  http://masterclass.com/backtoschoolCouple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: http://pesi.com/dralexandraContinue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re living in a time of information abundance (sometimes information overload!) and lots of that information is about mental health, wellness, and relational health! But there’s a difference between consuming content and integrating it. When we consume, the information might just pass through us. Whereas when we integrate, the information weaves its way into our unique story or situation. This creates insight and the potential for a shift in mindset, in emotion, in belief, and in behavior.Reflect and journal with Dr. Alexandra to integrate core lessons from the podcast, continuing with today’s conversation from the archive. Originally released in September 2022, Dr. Alexandra and Dr. Thema Bryant discuss the importance of resting and of tapping into the things that make you feel truly alive. They also recognize that the ways the system impacts our sense of identity may hinder us from experiencing ease in rest or leisure. They invite us to incorporate these essential self-care acts into our lives little by little.Get out your favorite pen and journal to reflect on these perspectives:Many of your struggles are influenced by systemic issues and are not as personal as you might think. Acknowledging this makes a lot of the negative voices in our heads related to our worth less of a mystery - often, they did not come from us.Rest is a radical act of self-compassion and connection (and not selfish or lazy!), although many people find it very difficult to slow down for a variety of reasons, particularly those from historically excluded identities.While slowing down can feel overwhelming because it brings up avoided emotions, integrating this practice gradually, and slowly noticing the information our emotions provide us can allow us to tap into our truth.Journaling Prompts:How ​do ​the ​macro ​issues ​of ​the ​world ​shape ​your ​sense ​of ​yourself ​in ​this ​moment ​today? ​What ​do ​the ​voices ​in ​your ​head ​tell ​you ​about ​your ​worth? Did ​that ​voice ​come ​from ​you? ​How ​might ​you ​show ​up ​differently ​if ​you ​rejected ​what ​the ​voices ​told ​you ​when ​they ​told ​you ​negative ​things ​about ​your ​worth? ​What's ​your ​relationship ​with ​rest and ​stillness?  Is ​there ​some ​discomfort ​there? What, ​perhaps, ​keeps ​you ​from ​feeling ​at ​ease ​while ​resting? What ​does ​it ​feel ​like ​in ​your ​body ​to ​be ​still, to ​do ​nothing, ​to ​not ​be ​productive? What ​does ​doing ​something ​just ​for ​the ​sake ​of ​doing ​it, ​not ​as ​a ​means ​to ​an ​end, but ​just ​to ​be ​in ​the ​moment - what ​does ​that ​feel ​like? ​What's ​coming ​up ​for ​you ​as ​we ​sit ​here ​together ​right ​now? ​What ​comes ​to ​mind ​when ​you ​are ​being ​invited ​to ​reconnect with ​​some ​neglected ​parts ​of ​yourself? ​What ​are ​you ​doing when ​you ​feel ​the ​most ​alive? What's ​the ​setting? ​What's ​the ​context? ​What ​time ​of ​day ​is ​it? What ​are ​you ​up ​to? What ​are ​the ​constraints ​to ​entering ​that ​space ​that ​makes ​you ​feel ​most ​alive? ​   What, ​perhaps, keeps ​you ​from ​feeling ​entitled ​to ​make ​space for ​that which ​makes ​you ​come ​alive? ​What ​is ​a ​pledge ​that you ​can ​make ​to ​yourself ​this ​week ​to ​carve ​out ​even ​the ​tiniest ​bit ​more ​space ​for ​rest, for ​stillness, for ​doing ​that ​which ​makes ​you ​feel ​alive? And ​if ​and ​when ​you ​carve ​out ​a ​little ​tiny ​bit ​more ​space, ​can ​you ​just ​notice ​and ​land ​and ​savor how you ​feel when ​you ​enter that ​space ​of ​rest and ​stillness?Resources worth mentioning from the episode:Reimagining Love episode, Coming Home to Ourselves: The Path to Thriving with Dr. Thema Bryanthttps://dralexandrasolomon.com/podcasts/coming-home-to-ourselves-learning-to-thrive-with-dr-thema-bryant/Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole, Authentic Self by Dr. Thema Bryant:https://bookshop.org/p/books/homecoming-healing-trauma-to-reclaim-your-authentic-self-thema-bryant/20204100?ean=9780593418321&next=tThe Homecoming Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-homecoming-podcast-with-dr-thema/id1471604689Dr. Thema’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dr.thema/Tricia Hershey’s The Nap Ministry (Healing via the REST IS RESISTANCE framework):https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/about/Managing Back to School Stress on MasterClass:  http://masterclass.com/backtoschoolCouple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: http://pesi.com/dralexandraContinue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listeners dive into the emotional turmoil of infidelity, exploring the shame and trauma that often follows betrayal. A question about jealousy post-affair reveals the complexities of trust rebuilding. The challenges faced by an affair partner highlight the struggle for honesty in secretive relationships. With insights into cognitive dissonance, the discussion encourages self-awareness and personal accountability. The emphasis on healing together prepares listeners for a journey toward restoration and growth in their relationships.

Dr. Alexandra sits down with Case Kenny – creator, mindfulness expert, host of the podcast New Mindset, Who Dis? and author of That’s Bold of You and The Opposite of Settling: How to Get Everything You Want Out of Love and Life Without Losing Your Spark – to discuss how societal “shoulds” around dating and relationships can create rigid expectations and fear-based decisions. Instead, they invite us to lean into curiosity, optimism, and self-awareness to get what we want out of love and dating.Together, they dive into:Why the concept of “settling down” needs an upgrade—and what it means to “settle up” instead How understanding your “why” of dating shifts your whole approach Using the peak-end rule to reframe past dating experiences How showing up enthusiastically and with trust as the default right from the start can amplify your dating and relationship experiences            And so much more!“Your Midyear Refresh” on MasterClass: masterclass.com/yourmidyearrefreshCouple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: pesi.com/dralexandraThe Opposite of Settling: How to Get Everything You Want Out of Love and Life Without Losing Your Spark by Case KennyInstagram @case.kennyLearn more about Case Kenny: https://www.casekenny.com/Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every DaySubmit a Listener Question Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sahaj Kaur Kohli, founder of Brown Girl Therapy and author of "But What Will People Say," explores the complex identity struggles of first-generation immigrants. She discusses balancing personal boundaries with cultural expectations and emphasizes the importance of empathy in navigating family dynamics. Listeners gain insights into healing generational wounds, the significance of culturally sensitive mental health care, and strategies for healthier relationships across cultural divides. A heartfelt conversation about love, identity, and emotional connection awaits!