Intimacy is a fundamental human experience that goes far beyond romantic relationships. Join us as we dive into the deep and multifaceted layers of human connection, exploring everything from friendship and family bonds to self-love and vulnerability. Through thought-provoking conversations with experts, personal stories, and practical advice, we’ll uncover the secrets to nurturing meaningful relationships in a fast-paced digital world. From exploring trust and fostering emotional intimacy to navigating conflicts and rediscovering oneself, we’re here to discover the essence of what it means to truly connect with others and ourselves. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, gain insights into human behaviors, or simply crave a meaningful conversation that enriches your understanding of human connection, you won’t want to miss a single episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast.
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Intimacy is a fundamental human experience that goes far beyond romantic relationships. Join us as we dive into the deep and multifaceted layers of human connection, exploring everything from friendship and family bonds to self-love and vulnerability. Through thought-provoking conversations with experts, personal stories, and practical advice, we’ll uncover the secrets to nurturing meaningful relationships in a fast-paced digital world. From exploring trust and fostering emotional intimacy to navigating conflicts and rediscovering oneself, we’re here to discover the essence of what it means to truly connect with others and ourselves. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, gain insights into human behaviors, or simply crave a meaningful conversation that enriches your understanding of human connection, you won’t want to miss a single episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast.
Seeing Our Blind Spots: Why We Make the Choices We Do (Episode #93)
The Human Intimacy Podcast
31 minutes
1 month ago
Seeing Our Blind Spots: Why We Make the Choices We Do (Episode #93)
Seeing Your Blind Spots:
Why We Make the Choices We Do
In this powerful and reflective episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaelis explore why people make choices that go against their values—especially in the aftermath of trauma, betrayal, and emotional flooding. Drawing from clinical experience, Internal Family Systems (IFS) language, trauma reenactment, arousal templates, and the science of human behavior, they unpack the subconscious forces that drive unwanted patterns.
The discussion highlights how “firefighter” parts act impulsively to stop emotional pain, why unresolved trauma often leads to repeated relational patterns, and how blind spots develop from both early experiences and generational learning. Dr. Skinner and MaryAnn explore how shame, fear, secrecy, and lack of boundaries contribute to destructive behaviors—whether as the betrayed or the betrayer.
The heart of this episode centers on building self-awareness, humility, and character development through honest reflection. Listeners are invited to pause, examine the choices they’re making, recognize patterns that no longer serve them, and take courageous steps toward change. Whether you’re working through betrayal trauma, navigating recovery, or wanting to become a better version of yourself, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and a path forward.
Resources Mentioned & Recommended
Human Intimacy Courses
RISE: Hope and Healing After Sexual BetrayalA comprehensive online course to help betrayed partners navigate trauma, rebuild emotional safety, and understand the healing journey.
Reclaim: Healing from Pornography and Rebuilding Your LifeA structured recovery program addressing unwanted pornography use, shame cycles, and rebuilding intimacy.
Books & Frameworks Referenced
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Richard SchwartzUnderstanding “firefighter” parts and internal protective systems.
Trauma Reenactment Concepts – Judith Herman, Bessel van der KolkInsight into repeated relational and behavioral patterns tied to past trauma.
Arousal Template Research – Dr. Kevin SkinnerClinical insights into how early sexual experiences shape adult behavior.
Character Development Approach – Inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s virtuesA model for intentional growth and self-refinement.
Additional Human Intimacy Resources
Human Intimacy Podcast Archive
HumanIntimacy.com – Articles, assessments, and healing tools
Second Annual Human Intimacy Conference – March 13–14, 2026 (registration link in show notes)
The Human Intimacy Podcast
Intimacy is a fundamental human experience that goes far beyond romantic relationships. Join us as we dive into the deep and multifaceted layers of human connection, exploring everything from friendship and family bonds to self-love and vulnerability. Through thought-provoking conversations with experts, personal stories, and practical advice, we’ll uncover the secrets to nurturing meaningful relationships in a fast-paced digital world. From exploring trust and fostering emotional intimacy to navigating conflicts and rediscovering oneself, we’re here to discover the essence of what it means to truly connect with others and ourselves. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, gain insights into human behaviors, or simply crave a meaningful conversation that enriches your understanding of human connection, you won’t want to miss a single episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast.
