Send us a text Welcome to The Relationship Maze, the podcast dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of love and relationships. Today we dive deep into the age-old question: Is it really love? In today's episode, we explore the distinctions between love, lust, and projection, examining how love evolves and matures over time. We discuss the importance of nurturing love as an active, ongoing process, challenging the Hollywood myth of effortless, always-intense romance. We'll sh...

Send us a text Welcome back to The Relationship Maze! In today's episode, "Differentiation," Tom and Angela dive into a crucial phase in relationship development known as differentiation. Have you ever felt that your partner is not the same as they were during the honeymoon period? Or struggled with being yourself in the relationship? You're not alone. Differentiation, a concept originally developed by Margaret Mahler, is all about recognizing and navigating the differences between you ...

Send us a text Welcome to The Relationship Maze, where we explore the intricate dynamics of human connections. In today's episode, Tom and Angela delve into a critical yet often misunderstood aspect of relationships: empathy. Are you finding that your partner doesn't truly hear you, or that they're more inclined to fix your problems than genuinely listen? This episode is for you. Join us as we unpack what real empathy entails, the difference between empathy and sympathy, and pract...

Send us a text Welcome to The Relationship Maze! In today's episode, Angela and Tom delve into the fascinating world of transitional objects—those cherished items or objects, like a childhood teddy bear or a keepsake, that provide comfort during challenging times. The notion of transitional objects was developed by pediatrician and psychotherapist Donald Winnicott; they serve as a bridge between our internal emotions and the external world. But what role do they play in our adult lives,...

Send us a text Welcome to another episode of The Relationship Maze. Today, we're diving into the intriguing concept of liminality. Have you ever felt stuck in a transitional space, like when you're between jobs or navigating a significant change in your relationship? That disorienting, ambiguous phase is what we explore in this episode. Originating from anthropology, liminality describes the period between pre-ritual status and the completion of a rite of passage. We'll discuss how thes...

Send us a text Welcome to another episode of The Relationship Maze! Today, hosts Angela and Tom delve deep into the complex and often challenging emotion of anger, particularly within the context of relationships. They explore what anger is, when it can be healthy to express it, and strategies for managing it effectively. Anger is frequently a secondary emotion in response to a primary one, such as sadness or hopelessness. In this episode your hosts discuss anger from the perspect...

Send us a text Welcome to another episode of The Relationship Maze! In today's episode, "Relationship Mistakes," hosts Tom and Angela dive into some of the most common pitfalls that couples face and provide insights on how to avoid them to create happier, more fulfilling relationships. Drawing from their extensive experience with couples therapy, they explore issues like blaming your partner, the importance of honesty, and the critical role of active listening. Whether you're looking to imp...

Send us a text Welcome to today's episode of The Relationship Maze! In this episode, hosts Angela and Tom dive deep into the complex topic of self-esteem. They explore the origins of self-esteem, including how early relational experiences shape our perception of ourselves. Angela and Tom discuss the impact of low self-esteem on different areas of life, from relationships to work, and delve into the challenges of changing ingrained beliefs about ourselves. Together, they provide insights on ho...

Send us a text Do you sometimes find yourself feeling lonely or know someone who regularly experiences that deep, isolating feeling? Loneliness is a complex and challenging emotion that touches many of us at different points in life. Welcome back to The Relationship Maze, where we're here to untangle the intricate emotions in your relationships and guide you towards connection and understanding. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the profound impact of loneliness. We'll explore why s...

Send us a text Welcome to another engaging episode of "The Relationship Maze" podcast. In today’s discussion, Angela and Tom dive into the intriguing world of Transactional Analysis, particularly focusing on the Parent-Adult-Child model introduced by Eric Berne. This model helps us understand the dynamics of our communications and interactions in relationships—be they personal, professional, or casual. By examining how we often revert to childlike or parental behaviours during conversations,...

Send us a text Welcome to The Relationship Maze podcast. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of experiential avoidance, a common psychological phenomenon where individuals steer clear of situations that evoke negative emotions. Hosts Tom and Angela explore the underlying fears that drive this behaviour, such as the worry that addressing certain topics might negatively impact their relationships. They discuss how these fears are often rooted in past experiences and societal condit...

Send us a text In today's episode of The Relationship Maze, we explore the concept of projection and its impact on relationships. Join Tom and Angela as they delve into the fascinating topic of projection, shedding light on how our past experiences shape our perceptions of others. They discuss how projection can influence our attraction to certain people and how it impacts our behavior in relationships. Through insightful examples and discussions, they highlight the importance of self-awaren...

Send us a text Welcome to a new episode of "The Relationship Maze" where we dive into the complexities of your critical, inner voice and the impact it has on our relationships. In this episode, Tom and Angela explore the role of the inner critic, discussing why it might have developed, its effects on your life and ways to manage it for a more positive experience in your relationships. They delve into the impact of early experiences, schooling, and social media on developing and reinforcing th...

Send us a text In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," Tom and Angela dive into the different developmental stages of relationships, exploring the model developed by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson from the Couples Institute. Drawing parallels with early childhood development, they discuss the stages of adult relationships: symbiosis, differentiation, practicing, rapprochement, and mutual interdependence. Each of these stages serves a specific function in the development of the rela...

Send us a text Welcome to another insightful episode of The Relationship Maze. In today's episode Tom and Angela dive into the challenges of online dating, particularly the phenomenon of ghosting. They discuss the impact of being ghosted, potential reasons for ghosting, and offer valuable insights into maintaining a positive attitude and healthy mindset when navigating the complexities of modern dating. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to approach early stages of dating an...

Send us a text In today's episode of The Relationship Maze, Tom and Angela delve into the world of warning signs in relationships, focusing on both early and later indicators of potential problems. They discuss the yellow flags that may indicate areas of concern in a relationship, such as inconsistent attention, dismissive behaviour, lack of communication, issues with ex-partners, differing life stages, mental health challenges, and deceptive dating profiles. Join them as they navigate ...

Send us a text Welcome to today's episode of "The Relationship Maze." In this episode hosts Tom and Angela delve into the early warning indicators of potentially problematic relationships. They discuss warning signs such as physical and emotional abuse, gaslighting, love bombing, excessive jealousy, boundary violations, and substance abuse. With insights into each warning sign, they provide valuable advice on what to look out for in relationships and how to navigate these challenges. Tune in...

Send us a text In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," hosts Tom and Angela dive into the complex question of how to know if you truly love someone. They explore the different stages and dynamics of love in relationships, including the early passionate phase, the role of attraction, the challenges of unconditional love, and the importance of differentiation in couple relationships . They emphasize the need for continuous reflection and communication in relationships to prevent crises and...

Send us a text In this episode of "The Relationship Maze" podcast, Tom and Angela delve into the complex topic of arguments and conflict in relationships. They discuss the inevitability of disagreements between partners and emphasize the importance of understanding and effectively managing arguments. The hosts provide valuable insights into the different types of arguments and the underlying issues that may lead to conflicts in relationships. They address the significance of recognizing one's...

Send us a text Welcome to The Relationship Maze podcast! Today, we're diving into the 10 most annoying habits that partners have, and exploring what it means for your relationship. Tom and Angela discuss common grievances that can become major frustrations and provide insights on how to address these annoyances and create a more harmonious relationship. Stay tuned to learn how to navigate through these common relationship pitfalls and improve your connection with your partner. 00:00 D...