In this episode of the Differentiated Love and Sex Podcast, Catherine Robuck (relationship coach) and Jackie Aston (certified therapist) are joined by Todd Bean, a couples therapist in Utah.

Together, they talk about the real cost of presenting ourselves as who we think our partner wants us to be instead of who we actually are.

In this episode:‍ ‍

• How validation-seeking shows up in relationships, and why sacrificing your own wants to "keep the peace" isn't actually peaceful.

• Why sharing our real beliefs, desires, and interests with a partner can feel riskier than disagreeing about something smaller.

• The two-choice dilemma Todd names directly: risk being honest about what you want, or stay safe and stagnant.

• Todd's own story of growing up in the LDS church, coming out, and choosing when and how he'd let that experience change him.

• A date night that didn't go as planned, where Todd got direct, unflattering feedback from his partner Bo, and what it took to actually hear it instead of defending himself.

• Why getting honest feedback from a partner who has a front-row seat to you is some of the most valuable data available for knowing yourself.

This is the kind of work Catherine does with clients regularly: helping people like you figure out how to be more themselves with the person they're closest to.

If this conversation resonates, Catherine offers a 30-minute consultation.