Hey friends! In today’s episode of Insights from the Couch, we’re exploring one of our favorite (and most handed-out!) psychological models—the Drama Triangle. If you've ever felt stuck in dysfunctional relationship dynamics, unsure why you're constantly the “rescuer,” “victim,” or “persecutor,” this one's for you. We break down how these roles silently fuel relational chaos and emotional suppression—and most importantly, how to get out.

We also introduce the Empowerment Triangle, the powerful antidote that helps you reclaim your agency and transform your relationships. We’re not here for surface-level chatter—we’re all about taking personal responsibility, getting real about what’s not working, and building healthier, more honest connections. So grab your coffee and settle in—we’re getting real about emotional growth, boundary-setting, and stepping into your truth.

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] - Welcome to Insights from the Couch and intro to "The Chat" community
[1:47] - Why we love teaching the Drama Triangle model
[3:24] - Defining the three core roles: victim, rescuer, and persecutor
[5:34] - The puppet-master energy of the victim role
[7:50] - The shift from victimhood to Creator mindset
[10:57] - Personal stories on family dynamics and feeling disempowered
[13:19] - How rescuers unknowingly uphold dysfunctional systems
[16:33] - Gender, parenting, and the over-functioning rescuer
[18:26] - Emotional discomfort and the fear that fuels rescuing
[22:46] - The persecutor: the role no one wants but everyone needs
[25:07] - Why breaking the triangle means risking being “the bad guy”
[27:56] - How emotional suppression drives the Drama Triangle
[32:54] - Shifting to the Empowerment Triangle: Creator, Coach, and Challenger
[35:51] - Taking personal accountability and validating our feelings
[38:24] - The difference between rescuing and coaching with compassion
[41:05] - How to offer support without enabling
[42:06] - Embracing the Challenger role to live in truth
[44:33] - Join our new community space “The Chat” at insightsfromthecouch.org

Links & Resources:

· Join the conversation and community at: https://www.insightsfromthecouch.org/the-chat

· Learn more about the Drama Triangle and Empowerment Triangle: The Power of TED* by David Emerald

· Recommended reading: The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!

Midlife weight gain feels like it sneaks up on us—and suddenly what used to work, doesn’t. In this episode, we sit down with our brilliant friend and fitness expert, Dena Pistor, for a no-BS conversation about what it actually takes to manage weight and feel better in perimenopause and beyond. Whether you're frustrated by belly fat that seems to appear overnight, curious about the truth behind diet shots, or just feeling stuck with your health goals, this is the conversation you need.

We talk openly (and laugh a lot) about shifting hormones, genetic set points, unrealistic fitness expectations, and why those "quick fix" diets rarely work long term. Dena brings not only her expertise, but her realness—and reminds us what sustainable, holistic health looks like at this stage of life. Spoiler alert: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about finding what’s possible for you.

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] - Welcoming Dena Pistor and kicking off our midlife weight loss deep dive
[1:51] - The “middle” shows up—belly fat, shifting hormones, and midlife body changes
[4:35] - Dena explains the science of menopause weight gain and the high-estrogen effect
[5:28] - Why slow weight loss might be more sustainable—and when it isn’t
[9:34] - The critical role of sleep, stress, and daily activity in weight management
[13:27] - “Fit and healthy is a third job”—real talk about time, priorities, and working out
[17:33] - Hydration hacks and why water matters more than you think
[18:28] - Letting go of the scale obsession and learning to trust your clothes
[23:39] - Skipping meals and skimping on protein? Why that’s sabotaging your success
[27:09] - “Stop eating selfishly”—rethinking food as fuel, not just pleasure
[30:26] - Mediterranean diet love and the power of eating real, satisfying food
[33:33] - European food habits vs. U.S. food culture—what we’re up against
[36:56] - Gut health, sugar cravings, and stress eating cycles
[37:59] - Diet shots like Zepbound—Dena’s evolving perspective and what to watch for
[43:40] - Holistic health is the real goal—not shortcuts, but a sustainable lifestyle
[44:50] - Final reflections on grace, effort, and why this journey is worth it

If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!

What happens when the reflection staring back at you no longer matches the youthful image in your mind? In this episode, we peel back the layers of the “midlife mirror” to explore how aging intersects with body image, vanity, and the deep-seated need for validation. We get raw and real about the emotional shifts that come when our appearance begins to change—and how those shifts impact everything from self-esteem to social dynamics.

Join us as we unpack the roots of toxic vanity, explain what dysmorphia really looks like (clinically and subclinically), and reflect on our own personal journeys through beauty, invisibility, and evolving self-worth. If you've ever stood in front of the mirror and thought, “Wait, when did I become her?”—this conversation is for you. Let’s talk about what it means to feel alive, radiant, and beautiful from the inside out.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Kicking off with real talk: what “midlife mirror” means and why it hits hard.
[2:06] - Defining dysmorphia and the subtle ways it shows up in everyday life.
[4:28] - Feeling invisible: grappling with the shift in public attention as we age.
[7:39] - The paradox of pretty: how beauty can become both power and prison.
[9:56] - Midlife body changes and the identity crisis that follows.
[12:15] - Our personal glow-up stories—and what we learned from them.
[16:15] - From Botox to body neutrality: what beauty means to us now.
[18:04] - Drawing the line between healthy vanity and toxic preoccupation.
[22:32] - The ultimate glow-up? Owning your life force and inner radiance.
[24:17] - How early messages about looks shape our adult self-worth.
[27:09] - Social media’s role in distorting beauty standards—at every age.
[28:49] - Tips for cultivating body neutrality, mindfulness, and self-connection.
[30:56] - A final reflection: life force > wrinkle-free face, every time.

Resources:

Join the Chat: https://www.insightsfromthecouch.org/the-chat – our free online community where the conversation continues.

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.