How do you trust yourself to love again after a toxic relationship—especially when trauma got in the way of the love you had?

In this episode of Ask Angela: Relationship Advice for Love After Trauma, Angela Amias responds to a young mother navigating a painful breakup with her child’s father. The love was real—but so were the trauma patterns that made the relationship untenable. Now, she’s wondering how to heal, when to start dating again, and how to break the cycle for good.

Angela explores:
• Why even loving relationships can turn toxic when trauma is unhealed
• The importance of grieving the relationship you hoped for—not just the one you had
• How to recognize red flags early on and trust yourself to respond
• What it means to raise your standards for love—especially as a parent
• How people-pleasing and self-doubt interfere with choosing safe partners
• Why healing includes building the skills to navigate future relationships with care

If you’ve ever looked back on a painful relationship and thought, “I don’t want to do this again,” this episode offers clarity, guidance, and gentle encouragement as you begin again—with a stronger sense of direction.

✑ Join the conversation or leave a comment at askangela.co

✫ Because love after trauma takes a different kind of wisdom—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Read more Ask Angela: Relationship Advice for Love After Trauma

How do you communicate in a relationship when you and your partner speak very different emotional “languages”?

In this episode of Ask Angela: Relationship Advice for Love After Trauma, Angela Amias responds to a listener who wants to improve communication with her husband—a man who prefers direct, black-and-white answers—while she tends to communicate with nuance and emotional context.

Angela explores:
• Why communication styles differ—and how to bridge the gap between them
• The distinction between high-context and low-context communication
• How people-pleasing and fear of conflict can lead to indirect responses
• Why “just saying yes or no” can feel impossible for trauma survivors
• How to navigate differing preferences without losing your voice
• When a partner’s disappointment is healthy—and when it crosses the line

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to answer your partner directly without abandoning your own emotional truth—or you’ve struggled to speak up because you fear conflict or disapproval—this episode offers insight, support, and strategies for finding your authentic voice in love.

✑ Join the conversation or leave a comment at askangela.co

✫ Because love after trauma takes a different kind of wisdom—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Read more Ask Angela: Relationship Advice for Love After Trauma

How do you become a better listener when emotions are running high—and the urge to interrupt takes over?

In this episode of Ask Angela: Relationship Advice for Love After Trauma, Angela Amias responds to a listener who wants to stop interrupting his spouse during tense conversations—but finds it hard to stay quiet when big feelings are stirred up inside.

Angela explores:
• Why interrupting often stems from caring deeply—not from a lack of interest
• How emotional discomfort drives the urge to respond too quickly
• The role of the “inner translator” in distorting what your partner is actually saying
• Why our inner dialogue can make us feel criticized—even when no criticism is intended
• How reflective listening and intentional breathing help interrupt the urge to interrupt
• Why understanding does not require agreement—and how different perspectives deepen intimacy

If you’ve ever found yourself talking over your partner, jumping to defend yourself, or struggling to truly listen when it matters most, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate roadmap for building emotional capacity and becoming a more attuned, responsive listener.

✑ Join the conversation or leave a comment at askangela.co

✫ Because love after trauma takes a different kind of wisdom—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Read more Ask Angela: Relationship Advice for Love After Trauma