Couple’s Therapist Reveals Secret to Healthy Conflict | Sleeping Around with Michelle Becker
Why do even the best relationships get stuck in cycles of conflict? FOR THE EXTENDED EPISODE join the Patreon community here ✨: https://www.patreon.com/AlaynaJoy
In this episode, Alayna is joined by compassion-focused therapist and educator Michelle Becker to explore what really happens when we're triggered in relationships—and how we can bring more mindfulness, kindness, and connection into the moments that test us most.
From the science of the threat-defense system (a.k.a. fight, flight, freeze) to the emotional skills we wish we learned in school, Michelle shares clear, compassionate tools to help you move from reaction to repair. Whether you're struggling to set boundaries, communicate clearly, or just want to argue better, this conversation is for you. And don’t miss Michelle’s unexpected answer to how much conflict is too much—it might just change how you think about your relationship.
Check out her book Compassion for Couples: Building the Skills of Loving Connection
Well Connected Relationships podcast https://wisecompassion.com/
Don’t forget to follow the podcast on social media: https://www.instagram.com/sleepingaroundpod and subscribe for more episodes. If you found this episode helpful, please leave a comment and share it with someone who might benefit from our discussion!
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48:55
Dating with Insecure Attachment: From Anxious to Avoidant with Heidi Priebe
Ever wonder why you get super anxious—or totally shut down—in relationships? FOR THE EXTENDED EPISODE join the Patreon community here ✨: https://www.patreon.com/AlaynaJoy
In this episode, Alayna is joined by writer, speaker, and attachment theory expert Heidi Priebe for a deep dive into the world of attachment styles: what they are, where they come from, and how they quietly (or not so quietly) shape the way we show up in relationship.
Together, they break down the basics of attachment theory in a way that’s actually relatable, and explore how to use this knowledge to build more secure, flexible, and connected relationships.
Connect with Heidi here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeidiPriebe1
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1:06:37
Therapy in the Age of TikTok with Gabriel Ray-Contreras
FOR THE EXTENDED EPISODE join the Patreon community here ✨: https://www.patreon.com/AlaynaJoy
In this episode, we’re unpacking how therapy has changed in the age of TikTok, and what all the online advice is really doing to our understanding of mental health. Alayna is joined by Gabriel Ray-Contreras, who is a former medical doctor turned counsellor, educator, and podcaster. Together they explore how trauma is talked about, the rise of “Insta-therapy,” and how to know when it’s time to question the advice you’re seeing on your feed.
Some questions covered:
Is TikTok helping or hurting our understanding of mental health?
What’s the difference between a trauma response and a trauma disorder?
How do we know if a therapist is the right fit, or potentially doing harm?
What does it mean to be a trauma informed counsellor?
Listen to Therapy After Hours here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4wEjGRb96j4PIfOXBmAcms?si=ecc371cbbf32481c&nd=1&dlsi=d01b73ef81714b01
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49:07
The Masc Shortage Is a Myth—and Other Queer Sexuality Lies with Eva Bloom
This week on Sleeping Around Alayna is joined by Eva Bloom, an award-winning non-binary sex educator and queer joy enthusiast. Whether you're just coming into your queerness or exploring intimacy for the first time, this episode is for everyone who’s ever wondered: Where do I even begin?
Some Questions Covered:
What does it mean to be a “late bloomer”?
What often gets missed about pleasure anatomy?
How do I build confidence to have real conversations about desire and pleasure?
What’s missing from traditional sex education and how do we do it better for queer and trans folks?
Why do dating apps fail queer users, and how can we actually find queer community offline?
👀 Extended cut available now on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/MissFenderr
Eva Bloom (they/them) is an award-winning non-binary, queer sexuality educator and community facilitator. They help late bloomers foster confidence, queer joy, and have amazing sex. They facilitate a virtual club for Late Bloomers called the F*ck Comphet Support Club, which meets monthly to connect on all things sapphic and late bloomer experiences, and a Discord. You can find them at @whatmsybodydoing on Instagram and Tik Tok.
Links for folks!
https://www.patreon.com/FckComphetSupportClub
https://www.instagram.com/whatsmybodydoing/
evabloom.ca
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43:49
Why Sex Hurts (and What to Do About It) with Sara Reardon
In this episode of Sleeping Around, Alayna is joined by pelvic floor therapist Sara Reardon to talk all things pelvic health—and it’s way more than just kegels. They unpack common (but often unspoken) issues like pain during sex, painful periods, and how to know if your pelvic floor is actually functioning normally. Whether you're experiencing any of these concerns, pregnant, postpartum, or just curious about how your body works, this episode is packed with everyday tips and empowering advice to help you take charge of your pelvic health and advocate for yourself along the way.
Since 2007, Dr. Sara Reardon has been caring for people’s pelvic floors as a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist. She is the Founder of The V-Hive, an online pelvic floor workout platform for pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, painful sex, and pelvic floor strengthening. As The Vagina Whisperer on Instagram and TikTok, she has hundreds of thousands of followers. Sara lives in New Orleans, La. with her husband and two sons. FLOORED: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage, available for pre-order and releasing June 10 2025, is her first book.
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Therapy is expensive - try Sleeping Around! Sleeping Around offers a peek behind the curtain of modern sex therapy, couple's therapy, and sex and relationship research. Each week, Master of Counselling Psychology student and content creator Alayna Joy brings you conversation with experts and professionals in the field of sex and relationship psychology. Each interview offers listeners insights and information otherwise reserved for the therapy couch, bringing a unique and inclusive perspective on intimacy, attachment, and what it means to be in a relationship today.
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