Dr. Zoe, a licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach walks with you on your journey through fixing your difficult relationships, including that sometimes difficult one with yourself. Here, she offers a space where you can look at yourself and your relationship through a lens of psychology, faith and a dash of her own kind of feminism. Stronger in the broken places podcasts hosts guest from all over the world, from celebrity tv therapists to everyday women, authors and scientists, offering therapeutic tips, encouragement, camaraderie and support, helping women stay strong and transform difficult relationships.
We're not fixing them, we're fixing you and that changes everything!
Ask Dr. Zoe a burning relationship question
https://www.drzoeshaw.com
Or find her on Instagram
@drzoeshaw
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The Truth About Guilt No One Talks About
2026/05/04
Guilt is one of the most misunderstood emotional experiences women carry, and one of the most controlling.
In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Reid, author of Guilt-Free, to unpack why so many women still feel guilt in this day and age… even when they're doing everything "right."
We explore how guilt gets internalized, how it shapes the way you show up in your relationships, and why it can feel so difficult to release- even when you know it's not serving you.
This episode goes deeper than "just let it go." We talk about what guilt actually is, how it's different from shame, and what it looks like to begin releasing it in a way that leads to real emotional freedom.
If you've ever felt responsible for other people's feelings, struggled to make decisions without second-guessing yourself, or carried a lingering sense that you've done something wrong… this conversation will meet you there.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
What guilt actually is—and why so many women carry it chronically Why guilt persists, even in high-achieving, self-aware women The difference between guilt and shame (and why that distinction matters) How guilt quietly drives overgiving, people-pleasing, and self-abandonment Why "just stop feeling guilty" doesn't work Practical ways to begin releasing guilt and reconnecting to your truth
Key Takeaway:
Guilt isn't always a signal that you've done something wrong. Sometimes, it's a learned response that's keeping you disconnected from yourself. Learning to discern the difference is where your freedom begins.
About Jennifer
Dr. Jennifer Reid is a board-certified psychiatrist, award-winning educator, and author of Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations. Trained at Columbia University and UCLA, she has held clinical faculty positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Cooper Hospital. She is the creator and host of A Mind of Her Own podcast and Substack, where she shares clear, compassionate insights on mental health and treatment. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Psychology Today, and her clinical practice focuses on helping individuals release the burden of unreasonable expectations and reclaim what truly matters.
Website: https://www.jenniferreidmd.com/
Substack: https://substack.com/@amindofherown
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenreidmd/
Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763503/guilt-free-by-jennifer-reid-md/
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here
Buy my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
Connect with me:
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook
Subscribe & Review
If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow Stronger in the Difficult Places and leave a review. It helps more women find this work- and begin their own healing.
Why Letting Go Isn't the Same as Giving Up
2026/04/28
Letting go is one of the most misunderstood decisions we face in relationships.
If you've ever stayed longer than you should have…
Tried harder than felt sustainable…
Or questioned whether walking away means you've failed-
This episode is for you.
In this conversation, Dr. Zoe unpacks the powerful difference between giving up and letting go, and why so many high-capacity, deeply loving women struggle to tell the difference.
Through the lens of Complex Shame, you'll begin to understand why letting go can feel like failure- even when it's actually the most self-honoring choice you can make.
Because sometimes what we call "not giving up"…
Is actually self-abandonment.
And sometimes letting go…
Is the very thing that brings you back to yourself.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
The critical difference between giving up and letting go Why women who love deeply often struggle to release unhealthy dynamics How Complex Shame keeps you stuck in over-functioning and self-doubt The subtle ways you may be abandoning yourself in the name of love What it actually looks like to let go without losing your integrity How to recognize when you've moved past clarity—but are still holding on Practical steps to begin releasing what you cannot fix or control Key Takeaway
Letting go is not failure. It's the end of abandoning yourself in the name of love.
A Few Questions to Reflect On:
Where in my life am I holding on out of fear—not truth? Am I trying to fix something that isn't mine to fix? What would it look like to honor my limits here? Where might I be confusing loyalty with self-abandonment? Your Next Step
If this episode stirred something in you, start here:
Notice where you are over-functioning Get honest about what is actually happening—not what you hope could be And gently begin to stop agreeing with the voice of shame Work With Dr. Zoe
If you're ready to untangle Complex Shame and build healthier, more aligned relationships:
Visit drzoeshaw.com to explore resources, coaching, and upcoming programs.
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here
Buy my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
Connect with me:
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook
Subscribe & Review
If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow Stronger in the Difficult Places and leave a review. It helps more women find this work- and begin their own healing.
The Epidemic of Not Enoughness: How It Shapes Your Relationships—and How to Break Free
2026/04/21
That quiet belief- I'm not enough- doesn't just stay in your thoughts. It shows up in how you love, how you communicate, and how you stay in relationships that don't fully meet you.
In this episode, Dr. Zoe is joined by Christina Ketchen, host of The Self Love Shift Podcast, to unpack what we're calling the epidemic of not enoughness—and why so many high-achieving women still feel it, no matter how much they've accomplished.
Together, they explore how this internal belief quietly drives overgiving, overthinking, and self-abandonment in relationships—and what it actually takes to shift it at the root.
If you've ever questioned your worth in love or felt like you had to prove your value to be chosen, this conversation will meet you right where you are—and help you begin to move forward.
In this episode, we discuss:
* How "not enoughness" forms and why it's so persistent
* The subtle ways it shows up in relationships
* Why insight alone isn't enough to create change
* What it looks like to begin shifting your self-worth from the inside out
About Christina:
Christina Ketchen is a mindset and self-love coach and the host of The Self Love Shift Podcast. Her work centers on helping women break free from limiting beliefs, rebuild self-worth, and step into more aligned, confident lives.
Visit her website: https://christinaketchen.com/
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode
When Forgiveness Feels Impossible
2026/04/14
Forgiveness is often talked about like it's simple- something you should do if you want to heal. But what if it doesn't feel freeing… what if it feels impossible?
In this episode, Dr. Zoe unpacks the complicated reality of forgiveness—why it's so hard, what it actually means, and why struggling with it doesn't make you broken.
You'll learn a new definition of forgiveness that removes pressure and shame, and offers a more honest path forward—one rooted in truth, grief, and self-compassion.
What You'll Learn
• Why forgiveness often feels like letting someone "off the hook"
• A redefining of forgiveness: giving up hope of a better past
• The hidden grief beneath forgiveness—and why it matters
• Why fear (not resentment) is often what blocks forgiveness
• The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation
• Why forgiveness isn't the first step in healing
• How to begin when forgiveness feels out of reach
Key Takeaway
Forgiveness isn't about excusing what happened or rushing to move on. It's about releasing the exhausting attempt to change the past- and allowing yourself to grieve what was lost so you can move forward with honesty and wholeness.
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
If this episode resonated, share it with someone who may be quietly struggling with forgiveness—and remind them they're not alone.
You Can't Change This (And Neither Can They): The Truth About Temperament in Relationships
2026/03/31
What if the thing you keep trying to change about yourself… isn't actually changeable?
And what if the same is true for your partner?
In this powerful and perspective-shifting conversation, I sit down with Dr. Denim Slade, author of Unlock Your C.O.R.E. Potential, to talk about temperament, relationships, and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to "fix" what was never meant to be fixed.
Dr. Slade brings decades of experience as a marriage and family therapist and coach, along with his CORE framework—a temperament-based system that helps people understand the parts of themselves that are innate and unchangeable.
Together, we explore the tension so many of us live in:
Trying to grow… while also needing to accept.
Because here's the truth:
Growth doesn't come from changing your core nature.
It comes from understanding it—and learning how to work with it.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
Why temperament is not something you can change—and why that's actually good news The difference between who you are vs. what you've learned How many relationship struggles come from trying to change your partner's wiring What happens when you finally stop seeing yourself (or them) as "the problem" How to work with your temperament instead of against it The surprising freedom that comes with acceptance over self-rejection Where this intersects with Complex Shame—and how shame keeps us trying to "fix" ourselves to be loved A Shift to Consider:
If you've been living with the quiet belief that:
"I'm too much…"
"They should be different…"
"If I could just change this, everything would work…"
This conversation invites you to pause.
What if the work isn't changing your core…
but understanding it?
About Dr. Denim Slade
Dr. Denim Slade is a relationship expert, coach, and author with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and couples improve their lives and relationships. He holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science and is the creator of the CORE temperament framework—a personality system designed to help people understand the innate, unchangeable aspects of who they are and how those impact their relationships.
Learn more about his work: https://becomehealthyandhappy.com/
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode
What Do I Do When Overwhelming Shame Is Keeping Me From Seeking The Help I Truly Need?
2026/03/24
You are my people.
Everything I create- this podcast, my writing, these emails- is for one reason:
to help you have a better relationship with yourself and with the people you love.
And when you ask me questions, I listen. I really listen.
I answered this question today because even though she didn't share many details, I could feel the anguish in her words…
and I remember what it felt like to be in that place.
Here's what she asked:
"Dr. Zoe, what do I do when overwhelming shame is keeping me from seeking the help I truly need? How do I even begin to find the words—or the strength—to reach out when I feel so ashamed of myself?"
If you've ever felt that… you are not alone.
Tune in to hear my answer.
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode
When You Feel Trapped In A Relationship You Chose
2026/01/20
What happens when the relationship you once chose begins to feel heavy and you quietly tell yourself you're stuck?
In this episode, Dr. Zoe speaks directly to the woman who feels trapped not by crisis, but by clarity she's been avoiding. The kind of clarity that comes when love hasn't disappeared, but ease has. When you're still committed, but something inside you is tired.
This is not an episode about whether you should stay or leave.
It's an invitation to reclaim your power.
In this conversation, Dr. Zoe gently challenges one of the most painful beliefs women carry in long-term relationships: "I'm stuck." Instead, she offers a reframing that can shift your nervous system, your thinking, and your sense of agency without forcing a decision you're not ready to make.
In this episode, we explore:
• Why feeling "trapped" often comes from emotional bargaining, not the relationship itself
• The hard but freeing truth: you are still choosing and why that matters
• How owning your reasons for staying restores power instead of shame
• The difference between acceptance and resignation
• What it means to stop trying to change your partner without abandoning yourself
• Why unacknowledged grief turns into resentment and how clarity creates cleaner love
• The question that brings honesty back into long-term relationships
If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with a friend who might need these words today or leaving a review so more women can find this conversation.
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Collective: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode
Love Won't Heal Your Self-Abandonment
2026/01/13
Many women believe that if they are loved well enough, they will finally feel secure, whole, and at peace.
But here's the hard truth: love doesn't heal self-abandonment—it reveals it.
In this episode, Dr. Zoe explores why self-abandonment forms, how it shows up in romantic relationships, and why expecting love to fix it quietly sabotages intimacy. This conversation is compassionate, direct, and deeply hopeful, especially if you've ever felt loved yet still unseen, exhausted, or emotionally alone.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
• Why self-abandonment is a learned survival strategy—not a character flaw
• How love activates self-abandonment rather than curing it
• The hidden ways self-abandonment disguises itself as being "easy," "loyal," or "low maintenance"
• How Complex Shame convinces women their needs are the problem
• Why expecting love to heal you turns relationships into emotional labor
• How your romantic patterns often mirror how you treat yourself
• What it actually means to choose yourself without blowing up your relationship
• Why healing self-abandonment requires grief—not just insight
• How small acts of self-return change the way love feels
• The hope: why self-abandonment can be unlearned—and how love becomes safer when you stop disappearing
A Gentle Reminder
You don't heal self-abandonment so someone will finally choose you.
You heal it so you stop leaving yourself—even when love gets hard.
Reflection Question
Where in your life are you staying quiet, flexible, or agreeable at the expense of your truth—and calling it love?
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Collective: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode.
How Releasing the Need to Be Right Can Heal Co-Dependency and Shame
2025/11/11
Do you ever feel like you have to be "right" in order to feel safe? Or that if you could just figure out the answer, the relationship, or the next step, then the anxiety and shame would finally go away?
If so, you're not alone. Many women stuck in co-dependency and complex shame cling to certainty as a way to feel secure—but often it only leaves us more exhausted, more disconnected, and further from ourselves.
In this episode of Stronger in the Difficult Places, I sit down with Stefani Ruper - Oxford-trained philosopher, former Harvard researcher, and author of the forthcoming book The Certainty Cure. Stefani shares why releasing certainty and embracing curiosity can transform the way we see ourselves, our relationships, and our healing journey.
We talk about:
• Why certainty addiction keeps women stuck in cycles of co-dependency and shame
• How uncertainty fuels personal growth and builds resilience
• What curiosity looks like in daily life (even in arguments or moments of shame)
• How to stay grounded when everything feels uncertain
• Practical ways to release the need to be right and rediscover who you are
If you're ready to stop chasing control and start healing by embracing the unknown, this conversation will give you hope and practical steps forward.
Connect with Stefani Ruper:
• Instagram: @stefani.ruper
• Facebook: facebook.com/stefani.ruper
• X: @stefaniruper
• Substack: stefaniruper.substack.com
Resources & Next Steps:
Join the Stronger Woman Collective waitlist: here
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Buy my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: here
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. Your reviews help more women untangle shame, break free from co-dependency, and discover the strength to live with curiosity.
When Someone You Love Won't Change
2025/09/16
We've all been there—wishing someone we love would finally be different. Maybe it's a spouse who won't listen, a parent who won't soften, or a friend who keeps repeating the same destructive patterns. The temptation is to pour our energy into fixing them—but what if the real path to peace and change begins with you?
In this episode, I unpack why clinging to the hope that someone will change can keep you stuck, frustrated, and resentful. I offer practical, compassionate steps for accepting people as they are, protecting your worth with boundaries, and reclaiming your peace.
Because the truth is, the second you change, the entire relationship changes.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Why trying to "fix" others only deepens disappointment and conflict How radical acceptance creates peace and clarity The trap of wasting energy on why someone won't change How to set boundaries without losing yourself The surprising freedom that comes when you stop needing others to change Encouragement:
You don't need to wait for someone else to transform before you can breathe again. Peace doesn't come when they change—it comes when you stop needing them to.
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode.
3 Things My Divorce Taught Me About Co-Dependency
2025/09/02
What do you even call a divorce anniversary? Two years after the end of my marriage, I find myself reflecting—not on celebration, but on growth, healing, and the lessons heartbreak leaves behind. In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing the three truths divorce taught me about co-dependency and how I'm learning to live and love differently.
Whether you're walking through the rubble of a relationship, navigating the lonely spaces of divorce, or stepping into love again with a hopeful but shaky heart, these lessons are for you.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Why self-regulation must come before co-regulation and the practical ways you can ground yourself before leaning on someone else. The surprising difference between being alone and being lonely, and how solitude can actually become sacred. How boundaries create freedom, why they aren't rejection, but an invitation to authentic love. This Episode Is For You If…
You've struggled with co-dependency or shame in relationships.
You're navigating divorce, separation, or stepping into new love after loss.
You want to stop abandoning yourself in relationships and learn how to show up fully as you.
Resources & Next Steps:
Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement.
Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love.
Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places drzoeshaw.com/book
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
Share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder: you are not too much, and you are not alone.
The "Saving Him" Illusion: Love, Loss, and Finding Freedom
2025/08/21
So many women in difficult relationships hold onto a dangerous belief: if I just love him enough, I can save him.
Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott knows this illusion all too well. In her memoir Nightbird (Pierian Springs Press, May 12), she unflinchingly shares her journey through an emotionally abusive marriage, her husband's tragic suicide, and the painful yet liberating process of rebuilding her life.
In this conversation, Shavaun and I explore:
Why so many women feel responsible for "saving" their partners—and how that belief keeps us trapped. How suicide or the threat of can be a control tactic and how greater awareness leads to compassion. The structural and emotional barriers that keep survivors in cycles of abuse—and what it takes to break free. How trauma, grief, and loss can become unlikely catalysts for healing, self-discovery, and even freedom. The power of authentic connection in reclaiming identity and rebuilding after devastation. Shavaun's story is raw, sobering, and ultimately full of hope. Whether you've faced abuse, grappled with loss, or love someone who has, her voice is a reminder that healing is possible, and freedom is worth fighting for.
Learn more about Shavaun's work and her book Nightbird at shavaunscott.com.
Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
Connect with me:
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook
Dr. Zoe Shaw Website
Listen Like You Mean It - The Relationship Shift That Starts With Listening
2025/08/12
In a world where we're taught to speak up, make our point, and persuade, the skill of listening often gets overlooked—and undervalued. Yet listening, when done well, can transform our relationships far more than talking or lecturing ever could.
In this episode of Stronger in the Difficult Places, Dr. Zoe sits down with Licensed Professional Counselor Gina Yanovitch to explore how truly hearing others can deepen understanding, foster connection, and defuse conflict. Gina, author of Stop Avoiding It, shares how coping skills, neuroscience, and scripture can help us move out of our emotional minds, embrace uncertainty, and navigate hard conversations with grace.
What We Discuss in This Episode:
Why listening is a more powerful relationship tool than talking or persuading How better listening can help you understand your partner on a deeper level The connection between coping skills and flexibility in problem-solving How to move out of your emotional mind and resist the urge to avoid discomfort The role of uncertainty and change in personal growth
About Gina Yanovitch:
Gina Yanovitch is a Licensed Professional Counselor in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, specializing in trauma and relationships. In her new book, Stop Avoiding It, she equips readers with tools to face difficult emotions and conversations head-on—combining practical coping skills, brain science, and spiritual wisdom.
Connect with Gina:
Stop Avoiding It: stopavoidingit.com
Website: mindhelm.org
Instagram: @mind_helm
Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
Connect with me:
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook
Dr. Zoe Shaw Website
Staying Married Is the Hardest Part: Infidelity, Empathy, and the Glue That Holds Us Together
2025/08/02
What does it really take to make a long-term marriage work and why do so many couples struggle to stay connected over time? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Bonnie Comfort to explore the hard truths and hopeful tools behind enduring love.
With over 30 years of experience working with couples, Dr. Comfort offers a candid look into the complexities of modern marriage, the emotional minefield of infidelity, and why empathy, not perfection, is the real glue that holds relationships together. We talk about the cultural conditioning that encourages women to be overly pleasing, the evolving power dynamics in long-term relationships, and how to navigate the inevitable incompatibilities that arise between two people over time.
Dr. Comfort's latest book, Staying Married Is the Hardest Part, is a compassionate, unflinching exploration of what it means to choose each other over and over again, even when it's not easy.
In this conversation, we explore:
- The infidelity trap and what it reveals about a relationship
- The "glue" that helps couples weather storms and stay committed
- The surprising risks inherent in couples' therapy
- How empathy becomes a sustaining force in long-term love
- Why cultural messaging still trains women to please at their own expense
- How to make peace with the inevitable incompatibilities in marriage
- The shifting power dynamics that unfold over decades together
Meet Dr. Bonnie Comfort:
Dr. Bonnie Comfort is a clinical psychologist, author, and expert in marital therapy. She holds an MSW from the University of Manitoba and a PhD from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. Her psychological thriller Denial was published in seven countries and translated into four languages. Her newest book, Staying Married Is the Hardest Part, offers a raw, honest take on the emotional and psychological complexities of committed relationships. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her long-time partner.
Connect with Dr. Bonnie Comfort:
Website: www.bonniecomfort.com
Instagram: @bonniecomfortauthor
Facebook: Bonnie Comfort
LinkedIn: Bonnie Comfort
Buy her book Staying Married Is the Hardest Part: here
Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
Connect with me:
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook
Dr. Zoe Shaw Website
Dear Brave Soul: When Life Doesn't Go As Planned- Shame, Blame And Other Things We Aren't Meant To Carry
2025/07/30
What do you do when life takes a turn you never asked for? When the diagnosis, the betrayal, the loss, or the slow unraveling of your plans leaves you feeling like the wrong person for the job?
In this deeply personal and compassionate episode, Dr. Zoe reads a letter to anyone facing a life they didn't expect. Originally written for an anthology, this letter was adapted for anyone navigating life-changing pain, disorientation, or shame. Whether you're in the midst of grief, struggling with a sudden shift in identity, or simply wondering how to move forward this episode is a lifeline.
You'll hear:
-Why shame, guilt, and blame aren't yours to carry
-How real bravery can look like breaking down, not holding it all together
-The truth about phantom critics and inner comparison
-A gentle invitation to stop fighting for the past and start building from the now
-Why acceptance isn't giving up—it's grieving forward
This is for the woman who is tired of pretending she's fine. For the one who needs someone to say, "You are not broken." For anyone who needs a breath, a moment, and a reminder: You've got this.
Resources & Links:
Sign up for the newsletter: www.drzoeshaw.com
Preorder the book Stronger in the Difficult Places (coming September 30, 2025!): drzoeshaw.com/book
Last call to join the Stronger in the Difficult Places Launch Team ( closing July 31st!): join now
Free Downloads:
Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here
Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here
Connect with me:
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram
Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook
Dr. Zoe Shaw Website
Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it
Rate & Review:
If this episode moved you, helped you, or made you feel a little less alone, would you take a moment to leave a review? It helps more brave souls find this space of healing.
Podcast reviews
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Wonderful Show Host
Dr. Zoe is awesome! I had a wonderful time doing her podcast. She was easy to talk to and we had a very natural conversation. Would love to collaborat...
★★★★★
Emma Flournoy 2025/07/23
Dr.Zoe Is Kind and Insightful
Dr. Zoe Shaw's podcast is a breath of fresh air in a world full of noise. As a licensed psychotherapist and coach, she brings both professional wisdom...
★★★★★
Dr. Cameron W. Jenkins 2025/01/01
Dr. Shaw is REAL!!!
Finally, a Podcast to Encourage, Uplift, and Inspire that is rooted in real conversations, authenticity, and JOY. 🎉
★★★★★
Coachlaurie 2024/10/17
We Don’t Age we season!!
Thanks for sharing letting go!
★★★★★
Musichound007 2023/09/13
Wise, authentic, and engaging.
Dr. Zoe is a truly gifted talk show host and therapist. She gets straight to the heart of the matter while remaining open minded and engaging. I highl...
★★★★★
Dsfffyyyy 2023/06/07
Empowering Beacon of Light in Dr. Zoe 🫶🏻
I’ve found the “Stronger in the Broken Places” podcast to be an empowering beacon of light on today’s complex life journey. Dr. Zoe’s approach, blendi...
★★★★★
lovekrisskin 2023/05/07
Pure perfection
Dr. Zoe is insightful and her knowledge and expertise is unwavering. Her gentle yet direct approach is effective and easy to follow for all listeners....
★★★★★
LMMazur 2023/04/12
Amazing host!
I loved being a guest on the show and had a great conversation with Dr. Zoe.
★★★★★
TE Banfill 2023/03/15
Learned so much~
I have learned so much about myself, toxic relationships and more importantly how to deal with them! I am so very grateful that this Podcast is availa...
★★★★★
ConnectingMamas 2023/02/22
Great job
Let's Talk 1943, hosted by the multi-talented ReGina Smithwick, is a dynamic and transformative podcast that offers listeners practical tips and guida...