The Psychology of Relationships

Strong, lasting relationships aren’t just about chemistry or shared interests—they’re about how we relate to each other every day. Julie & Yue sit down with Dr. Adam Bandelli, psychologist and relational intelligence expert, to dive into why relational intelligence is essential for deep, meaningful connections. He shows how tuning into your partner’s emotions, responding with empathy, and communicating with intention can deepen trust, create emotional safety, and help your relationship grow stronger over time. Dr. Bandelli also breaks down the five core skills of relational intelligence, showing why empathy, attunement, and rapport impact the relationship from its early stages to months and decades in. 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 • What Relational Intelligence is and why it matters
• The five essential skills for building trust and connection
 • Why empathy and attunement matter more than chemistry
 • How relational intelligence strengthens intimacy
 • Ways to make your relationship more resilient
To learn more about Dr. Adam Bandelli, follow him @adambandelli and visit https://bandelliandassociates.com

Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW

Our Sponsors:
* Get Behind Closed Doors wherever books are sold or at Kensington Publishing https://www.kensingtonbooks.com
* Quince: Get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com/POR

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

For decades, the 5 Love Languages have shaped how we understand connection—but relationships, culture, and expectations have evolved, and our framework for love might need an update. In this episode, Molly Owens, CEO and founder of Truity, introduces the 7 Love Styles, a modern evolution of how we give and receive love. She explains why love languages still resonate, where they fall short today, and how these updated styles reflect changes in identity, communication, and partnership dynamics. Molly explains what your love style reveals about your relational strengths and areas for growth—and how that awareness can transform the way you show up in relationships, both new and long-term.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 • Why love languages still matter – and what they miss today
• How the 7 Love Styles reflect modern relationship dynamics
 • The connection between love styles and attachment, personality, and emotional patterns
 • How misreading love styles creates friction and disconnection
 • How awareness of your style (and your partners) can deepen communication and intimacy
To learn more about Truity, follow @truitylabs and take the assessment at https://www.truity.com/test/love-styles-test

Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW

Our Sponsors:
* Get Behind Closed Doors wherever books are sold or at Kensington Publishing https://www.kensingtonbooks.com
* Quince: Get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com/POR

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With marriage rates on the decline, do people still want to get married—and why does it still carry so much emotional and cultural weight? In this episode, Julie & Yue sit down with Allison Raskin, mental health advocate, relationship coach, and author of I Do. I Think?: Conversations About Modern Marriage, to unpack what marriage looks like today, how societal pressures shape our choices, and why committing can feel both deeply personal and overwhelming. She shares her own journey from a broken engagement to marrying her now-husband along with practical guidance on navigating differing timelines, managing fear, and clarifying what you truly want versus what you’ve been told to want.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 • Why marriage continues to hold emotional and cultural significance today
• How societal expectations influence your decisions about commitment
 • Strategies for navigating differing timelines or desires around marriage
 • How to separate what you truly want from external pressures
 • Ways to approach commitment with clarity, confidence, and intention

To learn more about Allison Raskin, follow her @allisonraskin and visit https://www.allisonraskin.com/

Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW

Our Sponsors:
* Get Behind Closed Doors wherever books are sold or at Kensington Publishing https://www.kensingtonbooks.com
* Quince: Get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com/POR

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why are so many men struggling to connect today? And what does that mean if you’re trying to date and have relationships with men? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Greg Matos, psychologist and author of the viral article “What’s Behind The Rise of Lonely, Single Men,” to explore the shifting relationship standards, changing gender roles, and the widespread lack of skills—like emotional literacy and communication—that are essential for building and sustaining meaningful connections. We dive into the underlying patterns driving loneliness, practical insights on taking responsibility, and strategies to improve connection, communication, and relational competence—no matter your relationship status, gender or sexuality.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why loneliness is on the rise and how it intersects with gender and social norms
• How outdated relationship expectations create unfulfilled connections
• The skills deficit in communication, emotional literacy, and relational competance
• How to take responsibility and foster personal growth in relationships
• Strategist for building healthier, more connected partnerships
To learn more about Dr. Greg Matos, follow him at @drgregmatos or visit https://www.matospsychologicalconsulting.com/

Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW

Our Sponsors:
* Get Behind Closed Doors wherever books are sold or at Kensington Publishing https://www.kensingtonbooks.com
* Quince: Get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com/POR

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Love can feel intoxicating at the beginning—constant attention, big gestures, nonstop affection. And when it feels that good, the last thing anyone wants to question is whether it’s actually healthy. So how do you tell the difference between genuine romantic enthusiasm and manipulation disguised as devotion? In this episode, Julie & Yue are joined by Dr. Diane Strachowski, licensed psychologist and relationship expert, to unpack the psychology behind love bombing and why it can be so difficult to recognize in the moment. This episode explains how early intensity can sometimes mask control, why certain attachment styles are especially vulnerable to these patterns, and how to stay open to love without ignoring red flags.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What love bombing actually is—and why it’s often misunderstood
• The subtle early signs that attention and affection may be crossing into manipulation
• How attachment styles can make love bombing feel especially magnetic
• Why real intimacy is built on consistency rather than intensity
• How to pace connection while still allowing chemistry to develop
To learn more about Dr. Diane Strachowski, follow her @backtolovedoc and visit https://doctor-diane.com/ 

Want to feel more connected to your partner? Download Brick and get 10% off at https://www.getbrick.app/PORSHOW

Our Sponsors:
* Get Behind Closed Doors wherever books are sold or at Kensington Publishing https://www.kensingtonbooks.com
* Quince: Get free shipping and 365 day returns at https://quince.com/POR

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy