The Relationship Maze
Relationship advice and exploration. Two experienced and passionate relationship therapists, Angela Dierks and Tom MacKay, talk about all aspects to do with building fulfilling relationships, dating and marriage advice. All successful relationships start with a good look at yourself. Learn more about your relationship style and what makes you tick in relationships - the good, the bad and the ugly. We explore challenges that you might face when dating or in your relationships such as arguments and conflict, miscommunication, stress, anxiety, depression, low self esteem and much more. We consider how you can understand and change your behaviour and build more hope, resilience and strength. And we provide you with plenty of insight and advice on building a long lasting and successful relationship whether you are currently dating, just set out in a relationship or are in an established relationship or marriage.
Episodes
180 episodes
The Love Conundrum: How to Know If It's Truly Love
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 distinction...
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28:38
The Power of Differentiation: Strengthening Bonds While Honouring Individuality
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 w...
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25:36
The Importance of Empathy: A Key to Fulfilling Relationships
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 you...
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24:08
From Teddy Bears to Smartphones; Comfort or Crutch? Our Use of Transitional Objects
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 chal...
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26:06
Embracing the Unknown: A Journey Through Liminal Spaces
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 relat...
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24:56
Taming the Anger Beast: Managing This Troublesome Emotion in Relationships
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...
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Episode 176
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26:59
The Three Most Common Relationship Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
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,...
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Episode 175
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25:18
The Relationship Maze: How to Improve Self Esteem and Enrich Your Relationships
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...
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Episode 174
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24:19
Coping with Loneliness: Strategies for Building Meaningful Relationships
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 R...
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Episode 173
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24:23
The Parent, Adult, Child, Model: Understanding Your Behaviour And Interactions
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 Ber...
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Episode 172
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24:51
Emotional Avoidance - How to Create More Connection With Others
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 A...
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Episode 171
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26:07
The Inner Film: Exploring the Role of Projection in Shaping Relationship Experiences
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 ...
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Episode 170
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24:16
The Inner Critic: Understanding Its Influence and Developing a Kind and Supportive Inner Voice
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 w...
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Episode 169
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24:22
Which Developmental Stage Are You At In Your Relationship?
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 ...
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Episode 167
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27:32
Navigating Dating Challenges: The Issue of Ghosting and Early Rejection in Online Dating
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 ...
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25:18
Navigating Relationship Warning Signs: Identifying Red Flags and Yellow Flags
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 area...
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28:46
Storm Forecasting: 8 Warning Signals in a New or Existing Relationship
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, gasli...
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25:43
The Anatomy of Love: How Do You Know If You Truly Love Someone
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 passionat...
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25:01
Understanding and Overcoming Conflict in Relationships: Strategies for Deeper Connection
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 underst...
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25:59
Annoying Habits in Relationships: 10 Behaviours You Might Be Guilty Of
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 an...
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25:00
Love and Power Dynamics in ‘Succession's’ Dysfunctional Family Relationships
Welcome to The Relationship Maze podcast where we delve into the complexities of human relationships. In today's episode hosts Tom and Angela explore the intriguing characters and family dynamics in the popular series "Succession." They delve i...
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26:27
Embracing Emotional Healing: Understanding Wounds and Rebuilding Relationships
In this episode of The Relationship Maze, Tom and Angela delve into the topic of healing from emotional wounds. They draw parallels between the physiological process of healing a wound and the emotional healing process. They emphasize t...
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26:39
Setbacks and Growth: How to Overcome Adversity and Thrive in the Face of Challenges
In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," hosts Tom and Angela delve into the topic of setbacks. They explore the different types of setbacks, how they affect us emotionally, and the importance of learning from them. By sharing personal e...
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27:36
Christmas Without the Klaus: Navigating Family Dynamics and Managing Stress During the Holidays
In this episode of "The Relationship Maze," Tom and Angela delve into the complexities of Christmas celebrations and the strains it can place on our relationships. From managing family dynamics to handling the chaos of parenting during...
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26:39
Honesty Matters: Navigating Truth in Relationships
Welcome to The Relationship Maze, where we navigate the complexities of human connection. In today's episode, titled "Being honest in relationship," hosts Tom and Angela delve into the vital role of honesty and open communication in fostering h...
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28:43