Wild Souls
Welcome to the Wild Souls podcast. I’m your host, Cat Mansfield. Together, we will return to our wild instincts; reconnect to our body, to our connection to something greater, to the Truth of our divinity + infinite potential. We are here to have the raw conversations about all aspects of this human experience- the incredibly painful and the unbelievably pleasurable - the dark and the light, the death and the rebirth. This podcast is about holding space for the whole spectrum of human experience as we navigate each of our unique + divine healing journeys and step deeper into our soul’s calling. These conversations are meant to be a resource for deep self inquiry, a guidepost in cultivating a deep, unwavering self love, and ultimately, empower you to create a life so on purpose, so aligned with your authenticity, you can’t help but embody your wildest soul. Lets dive in.
Wild Souls
96. Redefining Love Beyond "The One" w/ Merideth Thompson
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What if your body already knows the truth about your relationship - and your mind is just catching up?
In this conversation, Cat sits down with Merideth Thompson, PhD, founder of Partner Lab, to reorient love away from the fairytale of “the one” and toward relationships as portals for growth, clarity, and self-trust. Merideth is a psychological researcher and executive coach who helps people use data-driven insights alongside somatic wisdom to make empowered choices - whether that means strengthening a relationship or ending it with care.
Together, they explore the difference between intuition vs. fear (and how doubt can masquerade as inner knowing), why conflict patterns matter more than “good communication,” how emotional abuse can impact us even without visible marks, and why love alone isn’t always enough for longevity. They also talk about choosing yourself inside partnership — building independence, interdependence, and devotion without losing your identity.
This episode is for anyone navigating a relationship crossroads, healing from the myth of “happily ever after,” or learning how to choose with clarity instead of urgency.
In this episode:
- Data as “regret insurance”
- Intuition vs fear vs doubt
- Relationships as portals, not destinations
- Independence evenings + healthy interdependence
- Why resentment is so corrosive
- Self-love as the foundation that lasts
Connect with Merideth + Partner Lab:
Website: www.mypartnerlab.co
Follow my journey on Instagram
Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Send me a DM :)