Today, John dives into the complexities of parental influence on adult relationships, particularly focusing on 'mommy issues' in men. He reflects on his own experiences with his parents, discussing how the emotional dynamics with his mother and father shaped his understanding of love, connection, attachment, and more.
Order John's new book, Break Up. On Pu ... Show More
Yesterday
Dating Smarter, Not Harder with Amy Chan
In this episode, John Kim sits down with relationship expert and author Amy Chan to talk about dating patterns, childhood wounds, grief, commitment, and what it really takes to build healthy love. Amy shares how the sudden loss of a close friend changed the way she thinks about r ... Show More
48m 32s
Apr 15
Is your relationship medicine or addiction?
Love can feel intoxicating. The chemistry, the obsession, the constant thinking about someone, the emotional highs and lows. But just because love feels intense does not mean it is healthy. In this episode, John Kim explores one of the most important relationship questions you ca ... Show More
18m 16s
Apr 13
Presence, Healing, and a Slower Life with Brooks Wilson
What happens when a city-built life gets interrupted, and something quieter begins to call you in? In this episode, John Kim sits down with Brooks Wilson for a conversation about nature, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, healing, and what it means to move through life with ... Show More
49m 36s
Dec 2024
The Unhealthy Relationship: How to Let Go of The Wrong Person and Choose Yourself
Jillian dives deep into the emotionally charged topic of letting go, especially when it comes to relationships that are very unhealthy, misaligned, or emotionally unsafe. Sharing personal anecdotes, hard truths, and actionable steps, she explores why we cling to relationships tha ... Show More
54m 25s
Sep 2025
Steps to Heal From a Narcissistic Parent
This is my most vulnerable episode yet. For the first time, I open up about my relationship with my father and the deep impact it had on how I saw myself, my relationships, and my life. I share what it was like growing up with a difficult parent, the ways it shaped my identity, a ... Show More
40m 2s
May 2023
Nedra Glover Tawwab wants mothers to set healthy boundaries
In this episode, Liz talks with relationship therapist and author Nedra Glover Tawwab about her newest book, Drama Free, which focuses on navigating family relationships. In this conversation, Nedra talks about her background, what led her to become a therapist, and the importanc ... Show More
34m 47s
Mar 2024
2099: [Part 2] A Brief History of Romantic Love and Why It Kind of Sucks by Mark Manson on Toxic Relationships & Personal Freedom
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2099: Mark Manson's exploration in "A Brief History of Romantic Love and Why It Kind of Sucks" part 2, delves into the evol ... Show More
12m 5s
Nov 2024
Sex Work, Life Purpose, and Lack of Sleep
<p>Today, Shaun and John talk about riding motorcycles, happy endings, al-anon meetings, and supporting sex workers. They also share positive feedback from their listeners, and answer a listener’s question: how do I begin self-reflecting on my tendencies to cheat? </p>
<p><br />< ... Show More
59m 49s
Sep 2025
Who is the modern American dad?
Young men are more interested in becoming parents than young women are, and there's a growing number of single dads by choice. A look at modern fatherhood. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene ... Show More
29m 27s