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 first part, Dr. Alexandra is going to be contextualizing this scenario and providing lots of validation for the struggle that comes with having a struggling partner. She is also going to discuss factors that shape how your partner’s struggle impacts you. Hard things are just hard, but the ways you’re getting activated in the wake of your partner’s struggle also have a lot to do with your specific wounds, as well as the role you played in your family of origin.

The insights shared in this episode lay the groundwork for a two-part series designed to equip you with effective coping strategies to maintain your well-being while fostering intimacy and connection, even in challenging times.

You’ll come away with this conversation with:

• A deeper understanding of what Dr. Alexandra calls the Recursive Relational Framework (RRF) and its impact on your relationship and the problem affecting the relationship.
• Research examples that demonstrate that your partner’s struggles affect you and that how you respond can influence their outcome.
• Strategies for recognizing and managing your emotional triggers in response to a partner's distress.
• Practical tips for fostering personal growth while supporting a partner through their challenges.

Resources worth mentioning from the episode:

• Get the FREE Family of Origin Roles Workbook: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/rolesworkbook/
• Family of Origin Series Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/58WZg044gbmGsL6iPNxXJy?si=bajzkF-kRxG3WL76yJL-qw
• Take the Family of Origin Role Quiz: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/rolesquiz/
• Managing Back to School Stress on MasterClass: http://masterclass.com/backtoschool

Continue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:

• Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274
• Order 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=9781683736530
• Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s newsletter: https://dralexandrasolomon.com/subscribe/
• Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/

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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/id1050321415
• Christine 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/backtoschool
• Couple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: http://pesi.com/dralexandra

Continue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:

• Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274
• Order 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=9781683736530
• Cultivate 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 type
• Tips on what to do if you’re struggling with anxiety in your intimate partnership, and what to do if your partner is struggling with anxiety
• Validation 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/youranxietytoolkit

• Couple Therapy Certification Course from PESI: http://pesi.com/dralexandra

Continue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:

• Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274
• Order 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=9781683736530
• Cultivate 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.