Why do so many couples feel like they’re talking but not actually understanding each other?

In this episode, I sit down with therapist, author, and podcast host Eli Weinstein, LCSW (aka The Dude Therapist) to talk about the missing pieces in modern relationships; especially when it comes to emotional communication and understanding.

Eli shares what inspired his new book From I Do to We Do, including his own struggles with writing, ADHD, and the deeper motivation behind wanting to bring a stronger male voice into the relationship space.

Because the truth is that many men were never taught how to express emotions, and many partners are left feeling confused, disconnected, or alone because of it.

Together, we explore how couples can move beyond surface-level communication and start truly understanding each other’s internal worlds.

We also talk about why analogies, stories, and even movies (yes, Inside Out 2 makes an appearance) can sometimes explain emotions better than words ever could.

If you’ve ever felt like:

• “Why don’t they get it?”
• “Why is this so hard to explain?”

This episode will help you make sense of it, and give you a new way forward.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why emotional communication feels so difficult in relationships
• The lack of male representation in emotional and relationship conversations
• How ADHD and overwhelm can impact communication and expression
• Why traditional advice like “just communicate” often falls flat
• The power of storytelling, metaphors, and media in understanding emotions
• The difference between hearing your partner and truly getting them

About the Guest:

Eli Weinstein, LCSW is a therapist, speaker, and podcast host focused on relationships, emotional health, and bringing a relatable, male perspective into the mental health space. He is the author of From I Do to We Do, a practical and engaging guide to building stronger, more connected relationships. To learn more about Eli, visit his website here.

Connect with me:

Want to learn more? Connect with me! You can find me on Instagram @dr.koslowitzpsychology and check out my new book Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be

What happens when the life you imagined for your child suddenly changes?

In this deeply moving episode, I speak with author and advocate Jodi Michele Cutler to explore her journey into post-traumatic parenting after her son was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at just 11 months old.

What began as a dream, moving to Italy with her newborn and starting a new chapter, quickly shifted into a moment that would change everything.

Jodi shares the emotional impact of receiving her son’s diagnosis in a foreign country, navigating language barriers, and processing the shock, grief, and uncertainty that followed.

Together, we explore what it means to parent through the unexpected, and how even the most overwhelming experiences can become pathways to connection, advocacy, and growth.

Topics covered in this episode:

• What it feels like to receive a life-changing diagnosis as a parent
• Parenting in a foreign country during a crisis
• How trauma shows up in parenting experiences
• The process of adapting to a new reality as a family
• Advocacy for deaf and hard-of-hearing children
• How identity shifts for both parent and child after diagnosis

About the Guest:

Jodi Michele Cutler is the author of Sofa Bed Island and Rally Cap, which has been adapted into a feature film. She is also an advocate for parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, drawing from her own lived experience raising a child with profound hearing loss.

Through her work, Jodi shares stories that highlight resilience, family, and the power of navigating life’s unexpected turns. To connect with Jodi, you can visit her website here.

Connect with me:

Want to learn more? Connect with me! You can find me on Instagram @dr.koslowitzpsychology and check out my new book Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be

What if the way your family functions wasn’t something you had to figure out as you go… but something you could actually design?

In this episode, I sit down with Nancy Shapiro Rapport, co-founder of Our Family Culture, to explore what it really means to parent with intention and how to create a family culture that reflects your deepest values. Because the truth is, every family has a culture but most of us are living in one by default, not by design.

For post-traumatic parents, this can feel especially overwhelming. If you didn’t grow up with a clear model of healthy family life, how are you supposed to build one for your own children?

Nancy shares how her decades of experience as a school counselor (and her work with thousands of families) led her to one powerful realization: Children don’t just grow up in a home. They grow up inside a culture.

Together, we break down how to define your values, align with your parenting partner, and translate abstract ideals into everyday behaviors your children can actually live and learn.

Topics covered in this episode:

• What “family culture” actually means (and why every family already has one)
• How your family becomes your child’s “emotional home base”
• The challenge of aligning values with a parenting partner
• Why you can’t prioritize every value at once (and how to choose what matters most)
• How unresolved experiences from your own childhood shape your parenting instincts
• How small, consistent actions shape long-term identity and resilience

About the Guest:

Nancy Shapiro Rapport is a former middle school counselor with over three decades of experience working with children and families. She is the co-founder of Our Family Culture, an app and framework designed to help parents intentionally build family values and translate them into everyday practices. Her work focuses on helping families move from reactive parenting to thoughtful, values-driven connection. To learn more about Nancy and her work, you can visit her website here.

Connect with me:

Want to learn more? Connect with me! You can find me on Instagram @dr.koslowitzpsychology and check out my new book Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be