In this episode, Eryn and L' Shawn interview Aaron King, a Jungian depth coach specializing in relationships. Aaron discusses his coaching approach and personal journey. The conversation covers Aaron's background transitioning from a 35-year career as an Emmy-winning creative director in entertainment to becoming a coach after hitting rock bottom with addiction and recovery. Aaron explains how he helps clients uncover unconscious patterns and triggers by identifying what they're protecting themselves from, using Jungian archetypes like the warrior and the sage to understand behavior, and helping clients develop agency through conscious choice rather than defaulting to people-pleasing or addictive behaviors. The discussion includes practical examples of his coaching process, including a case study of a client who needed to process childhood trauma to restart her career, and explores how facing fears and asking "what am I keeping myself safe from" can reduce the power that difficult emotions hold over individuals. Learn more at www.relationship.coach

Eryn and L' Shawn discuss the question "Why is it so hard to ask for what you need?" They explore how unclear needs, shifting wants, and the myth of mind reading in relationships make it difficult to ask. Eryn shares an example from an art fair where she didn’t take a needed break due to ego and delegation concerns. L' Shawn reflects on trust issues, delegation challenges, and insights from a Family Constellations exercise that revealed a colleague's perceptions of her as micromanaging and distrustful. They both link the struggle to upbringing and cultural norms that discouraged children from voicing needs, leading to a lack of agency and language as adults. They suggest that coaching, mindfulness, and observing models of clear communication could help develop the skill to ask for needs.

This episode continues the conversation about flourishing, with L' Shawn and Eryn discussing what it means to flourish and how it shows up in their lives. L' Shawn shares how she experiences flourishing through learning and leadership development with Coloradans for the Common Good, particularly in preparing for an upcoming trip to New Orleans and engaging with diverse organizers. Eryn reflects on how flourishing involves being present and noticing unnoticed growth, sharing personal examples including managing minor health concerns without immediately worrying and working through business development decisions with a friend. They explore the distinction between pain and suffering, with L' Shawn noting that pain is inevitable but suffering arises when people cut themselves off from well-being and fixate on pain.