As this year comes to a close, there’s pressure to reflect, resolve, and reset.  But not everything we live through gets neatly wrapped up.  In this episode, I talk about what it means to move forward without closure, why waiting for it can keep us stuck, and how grief, loss, and complicated family dynamics shape what we carry and what we lay down. This isn’t an episode about resolutions. It’s about honesty.  About integration.  About letting a year end without forcing meaning too soon.

When one partner grows faster, it doesn’t mean the relationship is failing.   Uneven healing is one of the most painful dynamics couples face.One partner finds language, boundaries, and insight.The other is still trying to feel safe. This episode isn’t about who’s “ahead.”It’s about how healing actually unfolds, and how couples stay connected when growth isn’t synchronized. Because growth isn’t a competition, and pressure isn’t intimacy. If this feels familiar, this episode is for you.Listen, reflect, and notice what lands.  

In this episode, we go into the identity shifts that happen in relational recovery, for betrayed partners, for CPTSD survivors, and for the partners who are healing from addiction or avoidance.   When recovery is real, identity shifts happen beneath the surface. And they can feel terrifying, confusing, and unfamiliar, even when they’re healthy     If you’ve ever felt your body tense even when your partner is doing everything right… This episode explains why.     If you’ve ever felt scared by something that was actually good… this is for you. Save & share. Full episode in bio.  

   Have you ever made a decision or taken a step in your healing that terrified you, only to realize later it was the best thing you've ever done? Today we’re talking about why healing so often feels uncomfortable, why your brain resists the exact things that help you grow, and how to tell the difference between the discomfort that sets you free and the discomfort that keeps you stuck.       In this episode, Jackie unpacks The Discomfort Paradox—the surprising truth that the hardest, scariest parts of healing are often the ones that finally move us forward.    If this episode stirred something in you—an old story, a new awareness, or a pattern you’re finally ready to shift—take a moment to ask yourself:   Is this discomfort healing or harmful?That single question can change your trajectory. If this episode resonated with you, share the episode with someone who might need it today.

Family roles aren't personality traits.  They are survival strategies.  In this episode, Jackie talks about how these roles form within the Child Self, the Adaptive Child Self, and the Functional Adult Self framework. And how healthy families do it differently.   If you grew up in a role you’re trying to outgrow, if you lose your Adult Self around family, and if you’re trying to break generational patterns, this episode is for you.  This episode will help you understand why you became who you had to be,  and how to become who you want to be now.  

In this week’s episode, I explore how identity is built: the parts we inherit, the roles we perform to survive, the stories we are never allowed to tell, and the parts of us that only come alive when we finally feel safe.     If you’ve ever wondered why you feel the way you do… or why it’s so hard to change old patterns…this episode will help you understand your story with more compassion and clarity.  Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts. Reflect on the stories that shaped you. And ask yourself with curiosity — not shame — “Who am I becoming?”  

Emotional pain isn’t random. It’s inherited, absorbed, reenacted, and carried on.  n this episode, we trace heartbreak, betrayal, childhood trauma, and addiction back to their emotional roots… and explore what it actually takes to heal the younger self still holding the pain.   Emotional pain is never “just emotional.” Your brain responds to heartbreak, betrayal, childhood wounds, and even addiction with the same neural alarm system it uses for physical injury.   This episode is an invitation to understand your pain instead of judging it — and to reclaim the younger parts of you that still need your voice, protection, and compassion. 

Not as a headline or scandal, but as a blueprint of how power preys on vulnerability… and how society lets it happen. This episode is not about conspiracy theories or sensational stories. It’s about trauma. It’s about power. Epstein wasn’t a scandal. He was a warning. This episode explores why society protects powerful men, why victims don’t “run,” and why girls were the currency of elite dominance — not partners. This isn’t about sex. It’s about power, trauma, and cultural blindness. 

Accountability is one of the strongest predictors of emotional safety. In this episode, I reveal 8 evidence-based green flags that show someone is capable of healthy love — not just interested in it. These are the relational patterns that build safety → security → trust → love → shared meaning. You’ll also learn why saying “I love you” every night isn’t a sign of security—but respecting your pace and boundaries is. 🎧 Listen now and recalibrate your relationship radar. Whether you’re dating, healing, or 20 years into marriage, this episode will give you the roadmap to building love that’s safe, stable, and transformative.

 We love to say “We have good sex.” But what if what we’re calling good is actually trauma, anxiety, emotional distance, or porn conditioning disguised as intimacy? In this episode, I’m asking the uncomfortable question most couples avoid: “Is it really good sex—or just intense sex?”    Great orgasms don’t equal great intimacy. The real question isn’t “how often are you having sex?” but “do you feel safe, seen, and connected afterward?”   If sex is the only time you feel close in your relationship—this episode is for you.      Hit play now and reclaim your sexual truth. Follow, review, or message me your takeaways—this conversation is just getting started.  

We’re more “connected” than ever—yet lonelier than we’ve ever been.  Loneliness has become an epidemic.We’ve traded real community for scrolling, and honest connection for performative belonging.And it’s hitting young men the hardest.  In this week’s episode, Jackie unpacks the roots of loneliness, what it’s doing to our bodies and minds, and why vulnerability—not toughness—is the way out.  Listen now on your favorite podcast app and start your own conversation about connection.  Share this episode with someone who might need the reminder: you don’t have to do life alone.

In this episode of Thanks for Sharing, I explore what trauma bonding really is, how it forms, and why it’s so difficult to break free. We’ll discuss the psychology behind it, the subtle ways it can manifest (not just in extreme cases), and what healing can entail. If you’ve ever wondered why you—or someone you care about—feel stuck in a painful relationship cycle, this episode will give you clarity, compassion, and a path forward.   Listen now on your favorite podcast app. Link in bio 

 Why are so many young men feeling more alone than ever—despite living in the most connected age in history? In this episode, we tackle the loneliness epidemic head-on and explore what fathers, sons, and communities can do to build real connection and courage."  In this episode, Jackie sits down with Carver Brown to talk about the unique challenges young men face in today’s world. Together, they unpack the distinction between healthy solitude and painful isolation, and why community is crucial.       Don’t miss this episode—it’s a conversation that matters for all of us. Listen now, and then share it with someone who needs a reminder that they’re not alone. And if this message resonates with you, hit subscribe so you never miss future episodes that dive deep into recovery, connection, and living with purpose.   https://youtu.be/c8BOdf5drsA?si=iDaV-C8tnFHo1Xfj

What happens when anger and sexuality collide? In this episode, Jackie unpacks eroticized rage—a painful fusion of anger and arousal rooted in childhood trauma. She explores how disrupted attachment and unhealed wounds manifest in adult relationships, and why understanding the distinction between anger and rage is crucial for healing.   Listen now to learn how to break the cycle and move toward safer, healthier intimacy.  

 In this episode, we dive into how to approach tough talks with compassion, clarity, and courage, so you can protect safety and grow trust in your most important relationships. 

 What do a psychologist, a smartphone, and a fractured family all have in common? They’re at the center of the struggles today’s teens are facing—and Netflix’s Adolescents pulls no punches in showing us why.  In Part Two of our conversation on Adolescents, Jackie Pack and Rachel Allen dig deeper into the psychological and societal layers of the series. From the delicate role of psychologists in building trust, to how technology fuels youth behavior, to the ripple effects of crime inside families—we break it all down. We also explore how parents and teens can open up conversations about masculinity, identity, and the modern pressures shaping adolescence.  Don’t just watch the series—understand it. Tune into Part Two now and join us as we unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface of growing up today.  

 What happens when a raw coming-of-age story collides with the hard truths of bullying, violence, and fractured families? Netflix’s Adolescents isn’t just a show—it’s a mirror to the struggles our youth face today.  In this episode, we dive into the first three episodes of the Netflix series Adolescents. From its striking filming style to the layered psychology of its characters, we unpack how the show shines a light on youth violence, the weight of parental roles, and the hidden realities of adolescence. This isn’t just entertainment—it’s a conversation starter about the challenges shaping the next generation.  Tune in now and join the conversation—because understanding the world of our teens means rethinking the world we’re building for them. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.

 This episode explores how childhood dynamics can lead to self-abandonment and self-betrayal—and how to start healing and reclaiming authenticity. https://healingpathsrecovery.com/couples-workshop-beyond-words/

In this powerful conversation, therapist Adam Nisenson, LMFT, CSAT, opens up about the often-ignored reality of men navigating betrayal. He shares both his personal journey and professional insights into:  The unique challenges men face when society tells them to “be strong” instead of vulnerable The stages of healing after betrayal How support systems and safe connections help men reclaim their self-worth Why embracing vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s transformative power This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand men’s healing journeys and the courage it takes to face betrayal with honesty and heart.  Tune in now and explore the path from pain to resilience.

 Content In this episode of Thanks for Sharing, Jackie Pack breaks down the myths around relapse in recovery. Rather than seeing relapse as failure, Jackie explains how it reveals when the addictive system is pulling you back—and how the renewal cycle offers a way forward. You’ll hear why relapse can become a powerful teacher, how resilience and empowered thinking can shift the narrative, and why leaning into community support is essential for lasting change. This episode invites you to reframe relapse as not the end of recovery, but as a chance to grow, reset, and deepen your commitment to healing.  If you’ve ever felt discouraged by relapse—or worried about it—this conversation is for you. Tune in now, and let’s explore how recovery can become stronger than the setback.    Listen to the full episode of Recovery v. Relapse wherever you get your podcasts.