We’re taught that forgiveness is a mutual thing. That it’s about making amends, talking it through, hugging it out. But the truth, the freeing and maybe painful truth, is that forgiveness isn’t a two-person process. It never has been. Today you’ll learn all about reclaiming forgiveness as something you do for you . You’ll learn the big mistake you’re making when you’re trying to forgive (it’s why it’s been so hard to do before) and my five steps to practice forgiveness as a one-person process. _...
Aug 11, 2025•34 min•Season 8Ep. 345
In this teaser for Season 8, Abby shares a quick update on what’s changing and what’s staying the same on the Relationships Made Easy podcast. You’ll hear about the exciting launch of her second podcast ( Workplace Therapy ) and how you can help shape Season 8 by sending in your questions and topic suggestions. Want to dive deeper? Join Abby’s private online community, The One Love Collective, now on Substack at https://abbymedcalf.com/substack ____________________________ Full blog and show not...
Jul 28, 2025•14 min•Season 7Ep. 344
If you’ve been wondering whether dating is harder than it used to be, I’m here to tell you: yes. You’re not imagining things. It’s not just that you’re older, pickier, or doomed to attract commitment-phobes. The truth is, dating today has a unique set of challenges, most of which are designed to keep you swiping, second-guessing, and emotionally confused. But don’t panic. Today we’re going to break down why dating feels so hard right now (it’s not just you), what emotional availability really me...
Jul 21, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 344
You know those moments that make you pause and think, “Wait, am I being ridiculous right now?” You feel off, but you can’t quite explain why. The conversation wasn’t overtly mean. You weren’t screamed at. But still… something felt wrong. Well, you might be experiencing micro-gaslighting. We already know that gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation meant to distort your sense of reality. But micro-gaslighting is sneakier. It hides behind sarcasm, “jokes,” and well-meaning comments that, o...
Jul 14, 2025•32 min•Season 7Ep. 343
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing enough?” at work, in your relationships, as a parent, or just as a person, you’re not alone. So many of my clients feel like they have to prove their value through performance, productivity, or being “good enough” for someone to love or respect them. Today we’ll explore the difference between self-worth and self-esteem, the signs that your sense of worth has become transactional, and five practical ways to break this pattern and start living from a place of g...
Jul 07, 2025•40 min•Season 7Ep. 342
Nothing makes your stomach drop quite like that moment when you realize your partner isn’t telling you the truth. Whether it's an outright lie, a carefully omitted detail, or that uneasy feeling that they're sidestepping around something important, suspecting deception in your relationship is gut-wrenching. And when gaslighting enters the picture? That's when you start questioning not just them, but your own reality. But here's the good news: you're not powerless, you're not crazy, and there are...
Jun 30, 2025•50 min•Season 7Ep. 341
While judgment can be a natural human response, being judgmental can erode your relationships and seriously hinder your personal growth. Yes, judgment feels good at first. It gives you a hit of certainty, a sense of superiority, and the illusion of control. But over time, it poisons your perspective and isolates you from the very connection you crave. Today we’ll talk about why you judge, the problems it causes, and my 8 steps to help you become less judgmental. ____________________________ Full...
Jun 23, 2025•54 min•Season 7Ep. 340
You break up with someone and suddenly, every memory is framed as proof that they never really cared. You get into an argument with your mom, and you leave convinced, once again, that she just doesn’t get you. You walk into a work meeting with the story that your boss doesn’t respect you, and now every glance or tone of voice becomes more “evidence.” Sound familiar? That’s confirmation bias, and it’s working hand-in-hand with a set of mental strategies called defense mechanisms. Together, they k...
Jun 16, 2025•47 min•Season 7Ep. 339
It’s not hard to stay calm and open when someone is complimenting your outfit or thanking you for dinner. But when they’re disappointed in you? Hurt by something you said? Frustrated by a mistake you made? That’s when your brain shifts into protect mode. And suddenly, instead of listening, you’re defending, explaining, or withdrawing. Defensiveness is one of the biggest barriers to connection, whether it’s with your partner, your boss, your best friend, or your teenager. But if you can learn to ...
Jun 09, 2025•45 min•Season 7Ep. 338
We talk a lot about loneliness these days, but we don’t talk enough about why being alone triggers such deep fear for so many of us. Is it just about relationships? Or is there something deeper, hard-wired into our biology and psychology? Spoiler: it's both. And understanding the roots of this fear is the first step to changing it. If you’ve ever felt that pit in your stomach at the thought of an empty weekend, or stayed in a relationship far too long just to avoid solitude, you know exactly wha...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 337
Let’s start with a hard truth wrapped in a soft blanket: Yes, food addiction is real, and if you’re struggling with it, you’re not broken, lazy, or weak. You’re human. You’re living in a world where the food industry spends billions engineering snacks to hijack your brain, and your biology is just doing its thing, trying to survive. Today we’ll cover all the research and the “why” of food addiction, and then I’ll give you my five actionable steps to start healing your food addiction. ___________...
May 26, 2025•44 min•Season 7Ep. 336
“I’m just putting myself first, is that narcissistic?” “Am I being selfish or setting a boundary?” “I think I might be a narcissist.” Sound familiar? If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, take a deep breath. You’re probably not a narcissist. But the fact that you're even wondering is worth unpacking, because somewhere between healthy self-love and full-blown Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), things get murky. So let’s clear it up. Today we’re digging into the difference between...
May 19, 2025•38 min•Season 7Ep. 335
In today's fast-paced digital world, the concept of "dopamine detoxing" has gained traction as a method to reset our brains from constant stimulation. But what exactly is dopamine detoxing, and does it hold any scientific merit? Today, we'll delve into the science behind dopamine, debunk the myths surrounding dopamine detoxing, explore how modern motivations hijack your brain's reward system, and then I’ll give you actionable strategies to recalibrate your relationship with dopamine and your wor...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 7Ep. 334
If you’ve ever felt like your partner shuts down when you ask, “How are you feeling?” or you find yourself saying, “I don’t know what I’m feeling; I just feel off,” you might be dealing with something deeper than emotional avoidance. You might be dealing with alexithymia. No, it’s not a disease. Nobody’s broken. But it’s real, and it affects your relationships, your mental health, and your ability to connect with yourself. Because if you don’t know how to identify or express your emotions, it’s ...
May 05, 2025•51 min•Season 7Ep. 333
Ever found yourself knee-deep in a pint of ice cream after a stressful day, convincing yourself that this is "self-care"? (Or is that just me?). Emotional eating is a common (yet sneaky) coping mechanism that many people struggle with. Why do we turn to food when we’re stressed, sad, or even bored? More importantly, how can we break free from the cycle? Today we’re diving into the psychology behind emotional eating, why it’s so hard to stop, and my top six research-backed ways to regain control ...
Apr 28, 2025•54 min•Season 7Ep. 332
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, that advice often leaves you feeling more frustrated, disconnected, or misunderstood. Here’s why: you’re not just speaking different love languages; you’re coming from different neurological cultures . This isn’t about br...
Apr 21, 2025•38 min•Season 7Ep. 331
Dating should be exciting, filled with curiosity, fun, and a growing sense of connection. But if you’ve struggled with boundaries in the past or found yourself repeatedly in relationships that drain you, you might unknowingly be attracting (or being attracted to) codependent dynamics. Today we’ll break down what codependency looks like in dating, how to spot red flags early (before you’re in too deep), and the subtle ways someone might be trampling your boundaries that you shouldn't ignore . You...
Apr 14, 2025•57 min•Season 7Ep. 330
Friendship is one of the most essential yet often overlooked aspects of our well-being. Not only does the research show that friendships keep us mentally healthy, but studies also show they keep us physically healthy. As adults, making and maintaining friendships can feel more complicated than it once did, leaving you feeling disconnected or unsure of how to build meaningful connections. Today, we’ll explore what it truly means to be a good friend, how to create new friendships as an adult, and ...
Apr 07, 2025•54 min•Season 7Ep. 329
Families can be wonderful and supportive , but they can also be experts at overstepping, guilt-tripping, and ignoring personal space, like a TSA agent who really loves their job. If you've ever struggled to say "no" to a family request (that felt more like a demand ), you're not alone. The good news? You can establish limits and boundaries without turning into a villain or cutting ties completely. Today you’ll learn actionable strategies and my four steps to set healthy, effective boundaries wit...
Mar 31, 2025•56 min•Season 7Ep. 328
Fear of rejection and fear of abandonment are certainly similar, but they hold some important differences. In fact, what you do to heal your fear of rejection, is not necessarily what you do to heal your fear of abandonment. Although they’re closely related, they’re still distinct emotional experiences and they show up differently in your relationships, your self-perception, and in your coping mechanisms. Today you’ll learn all about the differences and how to apply specific tools for each so yo...
Mar 24, 2025•51 min•Season 7Ep. 327
When narcissistic, controlling people feel backed into a corner, meaning they’re exposed, challenged, or losing control, they tend to react with a range of defensive, aggressive, or manipulative behaviors. Their reactions stem from a fragile ego, a deep-seated fear of losing power, and an inability to process shame or vulnerability in a healthy way. Some of the most high-profile examples of this play out with celebrities who have controlling or narcissistic tendencies and can’t handle being held...
Mar 17, 2025•37 min•Season 7Ep. 326
It’s something you do about 20,000 times a day: breathing. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity. Breathing isn’t just about keeping you alive; it’s a powerful tool that influences your emotions, thoughts, and overall well-being. Whether you’re feeling scared, excited, worried, happy, or calm, your breath reflects it all. And here’s the best part: by learning to control your breath, you can actually take charge of your emotional state and calm your mind. Today you’ll learn about the science of b...
Mar 10, 2025•47 min•Season 7Ep. 325
Ever found yourself snapping at your partner because they left the toilet seat up (again), only to realize later that your reaction was a tad... over the top? Or maybe you’ve just quit your job because you were so mad that Bob from accounting didn’t get you that spreadsheet on time? Congratulations, you've met your emotional triggers. These are the knee-jerk reactions that can turn minor annoyances into full-blown soap operas. But fear not! By understanding what's going on in your brain, you can...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 324
If you've ever felt like something was missing in your emotional development, struggled with self-worth, or found yourself repeating unhealthy patterns in relationships, you might need reparenting. In this episode, we’re diving deep into what reparenting is, my top six signs that you need to work on this, and my two-step guide to making it happen. Today, you’ll walk away with a ton of actionable strategies to start reparenting yourself, because it’s never too late to give yourself the care and v...
Feb 25, 2025•50 min•Season 7Ep. 323
Growing up in a dysfunctional or traumatic home can shape every part of your life: your sense of self, your relationships, your ability to trust, and even how you handle stress. If you’ve ever wondered why you struggle with setting boundaries, attract emotionally unavailable partners, or feel like you have to earn love, the roots lie in your upbringing. But here’s the thing: your past doesn’t have to equal your future. It equals your present. What you do now is what predicts your future. Underst...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 7Ep. 322
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin made conscious uncoupling famous in 2014. But where does it stand a decade later? When couples decide to part ways, the process can feel overwhelming and painful. But conscious uncoupling offers an alternative: a mindful way to separate that prioritizes respect, communication, and the well-being of everyone involved, including kids if you have them. Conscious uncoupling encourages a shift in focus, away from blame and resentment, toward healing, growth, and a pea...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 7Ep. 321
Let’s be real: life can feel like a never-ending hamster wheel. Between work, family, relationships, and that ever-growing to-do list, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in a sea of responsibilities. Stress and overwhelm don’t just impact your mood - they can wreck your relationships, health, and overall quality of life. But here’s the good news: you can take back control. Today we’ll talk about the three main reasons you get stressed and overwhelmed and my top eight, research-backed strateg...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 320
Join Abby's Patreon and get ad-free and early drop episodes of the podcast! Long-distance relationships (LDRs) are more prevalent than ever. With the rise of remote work, study abroad programs, and meeting people online, couples often find themselves navigating love across the miles. Most people think long-distance relationships “never work,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth. But, you’ve got to know what to do and not do, so today you’re going to learn my top seven dos and don’ts for ...
Jan 28, 2025•48 min•Season 7Ep. 319
If you’ve ever caught yourself poking at your belly or scrutinizing your thighs in the mirror, you’re not alone. Body image is something most of us grapple with, especially in a world obsessed with airbrushed perfection. But here’s the deal: you’re more than your body and learning to love the skin you’re in isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about living fully ! Today we’ll discuss why body image can feel so complicated, what contributes to the way you see yourself, and, most importantly, five ...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 318
If you want to heal emotionally, you have to focus on what you’re doing now, not what happened in the past. It’s, of course, important to speak about your past and get clear on some of your why, but the big mistake I find clients making is that they just want to keep talking about their childhood or a bad breakup and not focus on what they can do now. Talking about your past won’t heal you. Taking action will. But you need to take the right action. You heal yourself emotionally by getting good a...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 7Ep. 317
