Welcome back to The Relationship Recovery Podcast. In this episode, Tiffany and Kierstyn are interviewed by Frankie and Jess for a deep conversation about why we stay in toxic and unhealthy relationships, even when we know something needs to change.
Why do we choose the familiar hell we know over the unfamiliar heaven we desire? From trauma bonds, gaslighting, codependency, people-pleasing, and perfectionism to childhood wounds, self-worth, and the relationship patterns we learned growing up, there are often deeper reasons behind why we stay stuck in unhealthy relationships.
Tiffany and Kierstyn explore what happens when one person in a relationship is willing to grow and the other isn't, how our past experiences show up in current relationships, and why healing ultimately requires us to turn inward and understand our own patterns—not just focus on what someone else did to us.
In this episode:
- Why We Stay in Toxic and Unhealthy Relationships
- The Familiar Hell vs. the Unfamiliar Heaven
- Understanding Trauma Bonds and Why They Make Leaving So Difficult
- Gaslighting, Codependency, and Losing Trust in Yourself
- Why We Confuse Familiarity With Love
- The Role of Childhood Trauma and Learned Relationship Patterns
- How Our “Protective Parts” Show Up in Relationships
- Understanding Parts Work and Inner Child Healing
- How EMDR and Somatic IFS Can Help With Relationship Trauma
- Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and the Need to Earn Love
- Why Hyper-Independence Can Create Problems in Relationships
- The Connection Between Self-Worth and Unhealthy Relationships
- What Happens When Your Partner Isn't Willing to Change
- Why You Can't Heal a Relationship Without Self-Awareness
- Breaking Generational Trauma and Changing Family Patterns
- Understanding Adult Children, Parents, and Family Estrangement
- Giving Your Parents Grace Without Excusing Harmful Behavior
- How Curiosity Can Replace Judgment in Relationships
- The Importance of Boundaries, Self-Responsibility, and Personal Growth
- Why Everyone Has a Story Behind Their Relationship Patterns
- Healing Your Relationship With Yourself
Connect With The Relationship Recovery:
Website: https://www.therelationshiprecovery.com
Email: hello@therelationshiprecovery.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therelationshiprecovery
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therelationshiprecovery
Ready to build a stronger, more connected relationship? The Relationship Recovery offers coaching for individuals and couples. Book your discovery call today. Use code PODCAST for 50% off. Visit https://therelationshiprecovery.as.me/toxicfamily
Ready to break free from toxic relationship patterns and finally reclaim your life? The Relationship Recovery can help. As trauma-informed coaches, we are dedicated to guiding you from surviving to thriving. Book your discovery call today and let's create a plan for your healing and personal growth. Use code PODCAST for 50% off your call. Visit https://therelationshiprecovery.as.me/toxicfamily to learn more.
Listen to Frankie & Jess
After nearly two decades together on Salt Lake City morning radio, Frankie and Jess finally have time to go deeper. With real, unfiltered conversations about life, relationships, family, mental health, pop culture, and everything in between, Frankie & Jess brings the conversations you wish you could have with your best friends.
Listen at ListenToFrankieAndJess.com and follow them on Instagram at @frankieandjess.
