Do you feel like you keep dating the same person in a different body, repeating painful patterns you swore you were done with ? In this raw conversation, I sit down with dating and attachment expert Drea Renee to talk about how childhood trauma, anxious attachment, and modern dating culture collide to shape your love life today. We break down ghosting, hookup culture, co‑regulation, and why you might be dating from your 7‑year‑old self instead of your adult self, and what it actually takes to build a secure, healthy relationship that lasts.
If you grew up in chaos, had a parent leave, or feel “too much” and dysregulated in relationships, this episode will show you that you are not broken and that there is a clear path to healing, accountability, and better love. You will learn practical tools for framing hard conversations, knowing when to walk away, and how to stop blaming everyone else and finally start doing your own work.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Why dating feels so broken today
00:28 Imagining a safe, secure relationship that lasts
01:26 Drea’s story: Dad leaving, early trauma, and unconscious dating
03:28 Michael’s “aha” moment: Realizing “this is a me problem”
42:20 How to stay in your adult self during conflict
42:48 Framing hard conversations without blaming your partner
44:23 What to do when one partner is unwilling to do the work
44:48 When to double down vs hit the eject button on a relationship
In this episode we cover:
• How childhood trauma and attachment wounds shape your dating choices
• What anxious attachment looks like in real‑life relationships
• Why ghosting, apps, and hookup culture keep you stuck in old patterns
• How to use co‑regulation and framing to create safety in conflict
• When to apologize, repair, and try again vs when it is time to walk away
If you are ready to stop dating your trauma and start creating secure, healthy love, this conversation is for you.
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