In this episode of Love in Practice, we dive into the hidden emotional patterns that quietly shape our relationships, often without us realizing it. From the subtle ways shame shows up, to the moments we flip into grandiosity, to the instinct to protect our inner child at all costs, we explore how these unconscious dynamics create the same painful cycles with the people we love most.

We’re unpacking how conflict becomes a doorway into deeper intimacy when both partners can stay in their “adult self” long enough to witness what’s really happening beneath the surface. We break down the difference between walls and boundaries, how containment actually works in real time, and why couples can have wildly different experiences inside the same moment.

You’ll hear:

• Why we project our pain and make our partner “the bad one”
• How shame and defensiveness keep conflict looping
• The avoidant/anxious dance and how to interrupt it
• What it means to love and protect your inner child without abandoning your partner
• The exact moment where real repair becomes possible

This is one of our most honest, grounded conversations about the unseen mechanics of relationship dynamics, and how two people can choose each other again and again while breaking old patterns that no longer serve them.

Whether you’re in a long-term partnership or navigating your own inner world, this episode will help you understand yourself AND your relationship on a much deeper level.

Connect with Us

Work with Emily and Kelly for Couples Coaching

Connect with Emily on IG @emilygoughcoach

Connect with Kelly on IG @iamkellygardner

Leave a Review

If this conversation resonated, please share it with someone you love and leave a review wherever you listen. It helps this podcast reach more people who are ready to practice love...and that's what the world needs most right now.