This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen dive into relationship anxiety and the question so many people find themselves asking: Do I actually like this person, or am I just anxious? They explore how to tell the difference between genuine red flags and anxiety-driven fears, how anxious attachment can influence who we're attracted to, and why we sometimes mistake the relief of getting someone's attention for actual connection. They also unpack relationship OCD, reassurance seeking, and why our past experiences can shape what feels familiar in relationships.

They answer listener questions about chasing emotionally unavailable people, confusing butterflies with anxiety, losing interest when someone is actually nice to you, and needing validation or reassurance from a partner. They also get into how to communicate without blaming, why we fantasize about exes when we're unhappy or stressed, and how to recognize when you're trying to make a relationship work because of the time you've already invested rather than what it's actually giving you.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 6 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

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This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen dive into mental load, parental burnout, and what it means to be the default parent. They explore the invisible work of running a family, from anticipating everyone’s needs to remembering, planning, and making sure things actually get done. They also unpack why saying “just give me a list” doesn’t always solve the problem, how overfunctioning can lead to underfunctioning, and why dividing responsibilities equitably means more than simply splitting tasks.

They answer listener questions about coparenting when one person carries most of the mental load, splitting responsibilities when one partner stays home or works remotely, and getting your partner to take ownership without being reminded. They also discuss maternal gatekeeping, navigating in-laws who don’t see the imbalance, and how personal growth can bring up complicated feelings about your own family and friendships in this week’s Dear Em & Jen.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 5 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Skims: Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows

Zenni: Give the gift of Zenni this holiday season: glasses, sunglasses, whatever they need. Go to Zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for 15% off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over $65

Freestyle: Get 30% off your first 3 months of a Freestyle diaper subscription at freestyle.world/shrinkchicks with code shrinkchicks

Tumble: Machine Washable Rugs, Made Better. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/SHRINKCHICKS

Quince: Give the gift of quality this holiday season. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen are bringing you a full episode of Dear Em & Jen listener questions, diving into topics from career setbacks and complicated relationships to divorce, family tension, and trying to conceive after sexual trauma. They share what they’ve learned from building their own therapy practice, why failure is part of growth, and how comparison can get in the way not only of joy, but of growth too.

They discuss falling for someone who may not be compatible with your long-term goals, grieving a marriage while feeling hopeful about the future, and navigating family relationships that feel more performative than genuine. Along the way, they explore how to hold two seemingly conflicting feelings at once, stay grounded in your values, and build relationships that leave room for honesty, vulnerability, and change.

Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 8 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content.

⁠Get Matched With One of Our Therapists⁠ at The Therapy Group!

⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠

Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠!!

Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing here! ⁠https://youtube.com/channel/UCrxuhDqoL4ML3UE8b2J2BBg⁠

A special thank you to this week's sponsors for supporting ShrinkChicks! We have these exclusive offers for our listeners:

Skims: Shop SKIMS Cotton, and all of our favorite pieces, at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows

Zenni: Go to Zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for 15% off your first order, plus free shipping on all US orders over $65

Freestyle: Get 30% off your first 3 months of a Freestyle diaper subscription at freestyle.world/shrinkchicks with code shrinkchicks

Tumble: For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/SHRINKCHICKS

Quince: Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/shrinkchicks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.