Manage episode 516810118 series 3513969
I would love to hear from you. What did you think about this episode? Do you have any questions?
What if the person you love has you living on eggshells while telling you it’s all a joke? We open the door on emotional bullying—how it hides behind sarcasm, withdrawal, and scorekeeping—and why so many caring partners end up doubting their reality. With a clear, compassionate lens, we map the five sovereign relationship needs—love and belonging, freedom, fun, safety and survival, and empowerment—and show how each one is honored in healthy bonds and twisted in controlling dynamics.
From there, we get practical. You’ll learn how the nervous system wires to survive hot–cold cycles, mistaking relief for love, and what it takes to gently rewire toward safety and steadiness. We share six grounded steps to stand up for yourself without shouting or shame: name the behavior, pause to regulate, speak with calm strength, reconnect to your core needs, build a circle of safety, and remember that compassion is not compliance. You’ll hear boundary scripts you can use today and body-based practices that help you stay centered when tension rises.
As coaches and healers, we’ve seen that when you shift your energy, language, and nervous system responses, power imbalances often soften—and most importantly, you stop feeling powerless. If you’ve been told you’re too sensitive or made to earn love by pleasing, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and tools to reclaim your voice and peace. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find support. Ready for a first step? Take the sovereign relationship needs quiz and book a free discovery call to begin your path back to safety and self-worth.
Your relationship shifts the moment you feel supported.
- Understand what you need → https://needs.drdarhawks.com
- Get tools to feel seen & heard → https://toolkit.drdarhawks.com
- Explore sessions with Dr. Dar → https://drdarhawks.com/work-with-me
New episodes roughly every other week — you’re not alone on this journey.
Also, leave a comment, ask me a question, and let me know if you resonated with an episode or not in the fan mail area.
Chapters
1. Ep67 When Safety Feels Like Love: Rewiring The Hot–Cold Bond (00:00:00)
2. Are You Married To A Bully (00:02:02)
3. Signs Of Emotional Bullying (00:04:11)
4. Words That Chip Away Worth (00:06:05)
5. The Five Sovereign Needs (00:08:08)
6. Nervous System Survival Modes (00:10:24)
7. When Pain Feels Like Love (00:12:04)
8. Six Steps To Stand Up (00:13:46)
9. Tools To Reclaim Power (00:17:13)
69 episodes