logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
28m 37s

403: Real Love vs Trauma Bonding: How To...

Transformational Teacher and National Best-Selling Author
About this episode

"Just because it feels intense does not mean it's love. Sometimes it's simply your wounds shaking hands." 

What if the intense connection you keep chasing… isn't actually love?

In this powerful episode of SoulTalk, I dive deep into the difference between true, soul-aligned love — and trauma bonding disguised as passion. So many of us have been conditioned to equate emotional chaos with chemistry. But real love? It doesn't spike your anxiety. It soothes it.

I break down how early wounds shape our patterns in relationships, why we confuse familiarity with fate, and how the nervous system plays a hidden role in who we're drawn to. I'll also share personal stories, raw truth, and grounded spiritual insights to help you recognize when you're stuck in a trauma loop — and how to finally break free.

If you've ever asked:
"Why do I keep attracting the same kind of relationship?"
"Why does love feel so exhausting?"
…this episode will give you clarity — and a path to healing.

You'll learn how to rewire your nervous system, reconnect with your inner child, and feel the difference between drama and devotion. This isn't about blame. It's about liberation.

Tune in now and discover what real, healthy, soul-nourishing love actually feels like — and how to stop calling chaos your soulmate.

Timestamps: 

  • (00:03:36) - Why Intensity Isn't Always Love.
  • (00:06:32) - Nervous System Conditioning: Why We Choose Familiar Pain.
  • (00:09:01) - What a Trauma Bond Really Feels Like.
  • (00:12:07) - The Truth: Trauma Bond ≠ Love.
  • (00:14:10) - Real-Life Story: Kute's Experience Meeting His Wife.
  • (00:16:44) - How to Recognize Real Love. And What it's not.
  • (00:20:11) - Reparenting: Healing the Inner Child.
  • (00:21:18) - Breaking the Cortisol Loop and Restoring Safety.
  • (00:25:39) - When Ordinary Moments Feel Sacred.

Some questions I ask: 

  • Is the love you feel calming or chaotic?
  • Are you truly in love or addicted to feeling wanted?
  • How can you tell if you're stuck in a trauma loop disguised as passion?
  • Why does love have to be hard?
  • Is your "type" truly your preference or just your nervous system's conditioning?

In this episode, you will learn about: 

  • How to recognize the difference between real love and trauma bonding to stop confusing emotional chaos for a soul connection.
  • Why intense chemistry isn't always true love and how your nervous system may be drawn to familiar pain.
  • The key signs that you're trapped in a trauma loop and how to break free from toxic relationship patterns.
  • What secure, grounded love feels like, so you can attract healthy, lasting relationships.
  • How to reparent your inner child to heal emotional wounds and stop choosing emotionally unavailable partners.
  • Powerful tools to calm your nervous system and create the safety needed to experience real intimacy.

Get in Touch:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up next
Nov 18
424: Barnet Bain on How To Be A Friend ( In An Unfriendly World )
<p><span style= "font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: ... Show More
58m 47s
Nov 12
423: How To Heal Your Ancestral Trauma And Transform Your Generations
"You are the one your ancestors have been praying would come, to shift things for future generations." Have you ever wondered why certain patterns seem to repeat in your life, no matter how hard you try to change? Maybe you keep attracting the same relationships, struggling with ... Show More
27m 28s
Nov 5
422: Annie Lalla on The Secrets To Love That No One Tells You About
"The opposite of dead is not happy, it's alive. Love is about maximizing aliveness, not happiness." What if love wasn't meant to make you happy, but to make you whole? In this episode of Soul Talk, I sit down with Annie Lalla, world-renowned love coach and self-proclaimed Cartogr ... Show More
59m 54s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
"Why You're SABOTAGING Your Love Life" - The Neuroscience of Attraction Revealed
<p>In this powerful episode of The School of Greatness, I dive deep into the fascinating world of love, relationships, and the human brain with three incredible experts. We kick things off with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart, who breaks down the science behind attraction, bonding, ... Show More
1h 10m
Jan 2025
9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Relationships Forever | Jillian Turecki
<p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/tour" target="_blank">I'm going on tour! Come see The School of Greatness LIVE in person!</a></p><p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/money" target="_blank">Get my new book Make Money Easy here!</a></p><p>Renowned relationship coach and author Jil ... Show More
58m 45s
Feb 2025
LOVE EXPERT Stephan Speaks: 7 Ways You are Blocking Yourself From Meeting Your Soulmate (Change Your Patterns to Find the ONE)
Do you think your “type” limits you? What’s one unrealistic dating expectation you’ve had? Today, Jay welcomes back one of the most insightful voices in modern dating and relationships, Stephan Speaks. If you’ve been searching for clarity in love, struggling with self-worth in da ... Show More
1h 28m
Sep 2024
3 Reasons Why 99% of Relationships FAIL
<p>SUMMIT OF GREATNESS IS 2 DAYS AWAY! Have you saved your tickets yet? Get them before they sell out at <a href="https://lewishowes.com/tickets" target="_blank">lewishowes.com/tickets</a>.</p><p>Welcome back to another powerful episode of The School of Greatness! Today, we're di ... Show More
1h 8m
Nov 2023
E74 - Stephan Speaks, LOVE Expert: When A Man REALLY Loves You, He Will SHOW UP Like This!
<p>For anyone looking to start and grow a THRIVING podcast - Click https://www.podcastpurpose.com/</p> <p>Relationship expert Stephan Speaks shares his wisdom and expertise on how to cultivate a thriving and healthy relationship. He delves into the nuances between love and infatu ... Show More
1h 28m
Mar 2025
How To Believe You Are Worthy Of The Love You Desire | Jillian Turecki
<p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/tour" target="_blank">I'm going on tour! Come see The School of Greatness LIVE in person!</a></p><p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/money" target="_blank">Get my new book Make Money Easy here!</a></p><p>Relationship expert Jillian Turecki delive ... Show More
1h 25m
Feb 2025
The #1 Cause of Breakups & The Spiritual Secret To Attracting Healthy Love | David Ghiyam
<p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/tour" target="_blank">I'm going on tour! Come see The School of Greatness LIVE in person!</a></p><p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/money" target="_blank">Get my new book Make Money Easy here!</a></p><p>In a paradigm-shifting conversation about ... Show More
1h 8m
Sep 2024
The Secret to ANY Healthy Relationship
Are you struggling to maintain a healthy, fulfilling relationship in the midst of life’s challenges? Brendon Burchard, the world’s top high performance coach, reveals the key to creating and sustaining a thriving relationship. Discover the essential principles that lead to deeper ... Show More
23m 41s
Mar 2025
3 Steps To Building A Healthy Relationship
<p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/money" target="_blank">Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!</a></p><p>Navigating the battlefield of modern love requires mastering both vulnerability and boundaries, as revealed in this powerful relationship wisdom episode fe ... Show More
1h 11m
Aug 2024
Esther Perel Sets The Record Straight on Relationship Myths. Do THIS if You Want Your Relationship To Last Forever!
<p>Esther's event, "An Evening With Esther Perel" has LIMITED seats available! Get yours right here before they sell out: <a href="https://lewishowes.com/esther" target="_blank">lewishowes.com/esther</a></p><p>SUMMIT OF GREATNESS IS 2 WEEKS AWAY! Have you gotten your tickets yet? ... Show More
1h 1m