logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
26m 45s

#184: Understanding the Power Struggle S...

Stephanie Rigg
About this episode

Most relationships move through a phase where things start to feel harder than they used to. The spark has dimmed, tension is bubbling beneath the surface, and it feels like you’re constantly clashing or misfiring. This is what’s often called the power struggle stage — and while it can be incredibly challenging, it’s also a powerful opportunity for growth and deeper intimacy.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about:

  • What the power struggle stage is and why it happens
  • How insecure attachment patterns can intensify this dynamic
  • The common traps couples fall into during this phase
  • What to do (and not do) if you want to move through it
  • When the power struggle becomes a sign of misalignment rather than a phase

If you’ve found yourself wondering whether you’re growing apart or just navigating something difficult and necessary — this episode is for you.

Highlighted Links

Additional Resources

Up next
Oct 7
#209: 5 Green Flags in Early Dating
When you’re anxiously attached, it’s easy to fixate on red flags and warning signs — scanning for danger in the early stages of dating. But if you’re always looking for what’s wrong, you might miss the important signs that you’re with someone who’s actually safe, caring, and alig ... Show More
16m 2s
Sep 30
#208: Anxious Attachment & the Fear of Infidelity
Fear of infidelity can be one of the most overwhelming and destabilising experiences for someone with anxious attachment. Even when there’s no evidence a partner is being unfaithful, the possibility alone can trigger deep anxiety, hypervigilance, and constant worry.In this episod ... Show More
20m 50s
Sep 23
#207: Why You Feel Secure When You’re Single (But Anxious When You Start Dating)
If you’ve ever felt calm and confident when you’re single, only to find yourself spiralling into anxiety the moment you start dating, there’s a good reason for it.In this episode, I share why this shift happens — and why it’s completely normal if you have an anxious attachment st ... Show More
13m 3s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 6
Dealing with Breakups - Why anxious attachment makes letting go so hard!
Breakups are never easy but if you struggle with anxious attachment, letting go can feel impossible. The end of a relationship doesn’t just bring sadness - it can trigger panic, obsessive thoughts, deep fear of abandonment, and an overwhelming sense of loss.In this episode, I exp ... Show More
42m 41s
Jan 2025
Overcoming relationship anxiety: navigating intimacy through shadow work
Do you ever feel anxious or inadequate in your relationship, especially when intimacy isn’t present? In this episode, I guide a member from our Codependency Alchemy membership through the shadow work and inner child healing to uncover the core wounds that are fueling her fear of ... Show More
48m 8s
Jan 2025
316. How to Heal Yourself Emotionally: Mastering Self-Regulation for a Happier Life
You’ve talked about your past and likely know a lot of the reasons why you’ve got issues (I say with love). The problem is that even though you might know the why (or think you do), you don’t feel better. You continue to repeat unhealthy relationship cycles and you’re still not m ... Show More
59m 42s
Sep 5
How To Stop Ruminating About Old Relationships & Attachments and Let Go With A Therapy Technique
Tired of trying to think your way out of overthinking?Let me show you what actually works—in less than 30 minutes.Get immediate access to a free class now.Why do old loves still haunt us...sometimes decades later?That late-night dorm call, the heartbreak, the chaos… your brain re ... Show More
8m 55s
Jun 2025
#274 Healing Heartbreak with Intuition and Action with Laura Day
In today’s expert episode, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author Laura Day to dive into her newest book, The Prism, through the lens of heartbreak and healing. Laura and I talk about why breakups are so uniquely painful, what happens in our brains and bodies when we los ... Show More
50m 54s
Sep 23
#288 Healing Through Letters: A Breakup Recovery Tool
In today’s solo episode, I’m diving into one of my all-time favorite tools for breakup healing—letter writing. I share why this practice has been so powerful for me, how I integrate it into my coaching sessions, and exactly why it helps with those obsessive post-breakup thoughts ... Show More
18m 43s
Apr 2025
331. A New Mindset for Navigating Neurodiverse Relationships
If you’re in a relationship where one or both partners are on the autism spectrum, you’ve probably noticed that the usual relationship advice doesn’t quite work for you. You might have read articles, watched videos, or even talked to a therapist, but instead of feeling helpful, t ... Show More
37m 35s
Aug 2024
#86 - The Realities of Healing Relationship Anxiety
Have you ever felt like you were not going “fast enough” in your journey to heal relationship anxiety or ROCD? Maybe you’ve seen other people share their wins and felt like you’re just not getting it. It’s easy to beat ourselves up when we compare to other people’s highlight reel ... Show More
21m 14s
Aug 12
#282 The Power of Doing What You Don’t Feel Like After a Breakup
In today’s solo episode, I’m diving deep into one of my favorite—and most powerful—tools for breakup recovery: contrary action. I talk about how, in the midst of heartbreak, your thoughts and feelings can often steer you in the wrong direction, and why doing the opposite of what ... Show More
18m 38s