In this heartfelt episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins, licensed professional counselor, sits down with Norwegian therapist Therese Tonning to explore the complex emotional terrain of blended or “mosaic” families.

Together, they unpack what really happens when past wounds meet present relationships: the challenges of communication, unhealed trauma, and the hidden dynamics that shape second or third marriages. With honesty, compassion, and professional wisdom, they reveal how self-awareness, boundaries, and community support become the foundation for healing and healthy connection after divorce.

You’ll discover:

• How attachment styles influence relationships in blended families
• The emotional impact of divorce and remarriage on adults and children
• The real reasons behind communication breakdowns in second marriages
• Why self-awareness and therapy are essential before starting over
• How to create healing environments for yourself and your loved ones

Whether you’re navigating a second marriage, co-parenting, or simply learning to heal from the past, this episode will help you see your family and yourself with new clarity.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to build balance, emotional safety, and lasting love - one honest conversation at a time.

Key Moments:

04:07 Women's Health and Divorce Trends

09:44 Therapists' Approach to Trauma Treatment

12:21 Faith, Divorce, and Attachment Struggles

13:53 "Narcissistic Spouse's Social Media Tactics"

17:38 Attachment Styles and Muscle Memory

20:05 "Healing Before New Connections"

About the guest :

Therese Tonning embarked on her journey into therapy by joining the inaugural group of students at the EQ Institute in 2010. Founded by Haredes Palstadter and her daughter, Dura, in 2006, the EQ Therapy and subsequently the EQ Institute quickly garnered attention for their innovative approach. Therese completed her education at the institute in 2012, marking the beginning of her professional career in a rapidly growing field. Since its inception, the EQ Institute has expanded to three cities and now graduates about 300 students each year, underscoring its significant impact on modern therapy practices.

Website : https://eqi.no/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this deeply moving episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with therapist Therese Tonning to unpack how unresolved childhood trauma continues to shape our marriages, families, and the way we love.

From communication struggles and emotional shutdowns to patterns that repeat across generations, this conversation reveals how unhealed wounds from the past silently influence the present, especially within blended or “mosaic” families navigating divorce, co-parenting, and new beginnings.

Together, Steve and Therese explore:

• How childhood trauma affects attachment and adult relationships
• Why men struggle with vulnerability and emotional openness
• Common communication breakdowns in blended families
• Why therapy and self-awareness are essential before major life transitions
• How to move from pain to purpose through healing and ownership

This episode bridges American and European therapeutic insights to show that while cultures differ, human healing is universal. Whether you’re navigating a blended family, healing after divorce, or breaking free from old emotional patterns, this conversation will help you see that your past doesn’t define you - it’s where your healing begins.

🎧 Listen now to learn how awareness, compassion, and emotional honesty can reshape your relationships - and your story.

Key Moments:

03:29 "Men's Reluctance to Open Up"

07:31 "Removing Emotional Splinters"

12:44 "Mosaic Families: Piecing Together"

15:34 "Relationship Recovery Through Sabbatical"

18:28 Trauma, Growth, and Self-Discovery

About the guest :

Therese Tonning embarked on her journey into therapy by joining the inaugural group of students at the EQ Institute in 2010. Founded by Haredes Palstadter and her daughter, Dura, in 2006, the EQ Therapy and subsequently the EQ Institute quickly garnered attention for their innovative approach. Therese completed her education at the institute in 2012, marking the beginning of her professional career in a rapidly growing field. Since its inception, the EQ Institute has expanded to three cities and now graduates about 300 students each year, underscoring its significant impact on modern therapy practices.

Website : https://eqi.no/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this heartfelt episode of Coached Soul, host Dr. Steve Hudgins, a licensed professional counselor and author, redefines what it means to build a marriage that truly lasts. Marriage, he explains, isn’t a contract you sign - it’s a covenant you live, built on grace, forgiveness, and intentional love.

Drawing from both personal experience and professional insight, Dr. Hudgins introduces the Six Anchors every couple needs to weather life’s storms - trust, communication, boundaries, vulnerability, shared purpose, and spiritual connection. This episode becomes a moving conversation about how even the broken pieces of our relationships can form a beautiful mosaic of hope.

You’ll discover:

• The difference between contracts and covenants in marriage
• Six practical anchors to strengthen your relationship
• How to rebuild trust and emotional safety after hurt
• How boundaries and forgiveness work together for healing
• Why brokenness can become beauty when couples grow through it

If you’ve ever struggled to reconnect, repair trust, or reignite love, this conversation will help you see that healing is possible, and that true covenant love is built one intentional choice at a time.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to build a marriage that not only survives, but thrives.

Key Moments:

04:11 "Marriage as a Mosaic"

09:28 Marital Gratitude and Resilience

11:56 Marriage: Boundaries and Healing

16:52 "Choosing Healing Over Harm"

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/