AI is officially in the room. In this roundtable, I sit down with our Relationship Experts team to unpack how tools like ChatGPT are showing up inside real relationships. We explore Dr. Shirley Glass's "walls and windows" model and ask a crucial question: Is AI helping you open the window between you and your partner, or is it becoming a new window that pulls you farther apart? You will hear clinical stories, practical guidelines, and a simple litmus test to make sure AI supports connection instead of replacing it.

• Why AI feels so validating and why that can be risky for couples

• "Walls and windows" explained for the AI era

• Two roles AI often plays in relationships

  • Replacement companion that siphons emotional energy away from your partner

  • "Judge of facts" that fuels suspicion and confirmation bias

• A healthy use case that actually deepens connection

• Four therapist-approved guidelines to use AI wisely without eroding trust

• 00:00 Welcome, and why we are talking about AI now

• 02:18 Program note and invitation for a free 45-minute consultation

• 03:55 Walls and windows model applied to AI

• 06:55 When AI becomes a "perfect listener" and the partner gets sidelined

• 17:20 AI as the "decider of truth" and how that inflames anxiety

• 19:52 A pro-connection use case: AI helps find your own words of appreciation

• 22:35 Key distinction: AI as a tool to foster connection, not replace it

• 24:32 The "easy dopamine" problem and the investment mindset

• 31:34 Why AI cannot deliver the art of therapy or real human presence

• 44:40 It is not about quick answers, it is about the therapeutic process

• 51:55 Is turning to AI a form of micro-betrayal

• 56:18 Quick self-check questions to keep the window between you open

• 58:04 Final guidelines and takeaways

• Sharing equals connecting. When sharing shifts from your partner to AI, disconnection grows over time.

• AI can validate feelings quickly, but overuse can replace the effort that builds intimacy.

• Be cautious when you ask AI to "decide facts" about your partner. Limited inputs plus anxious questions often return fear-confirming answers.

• A healthy use of AI is as a tool that helps you find your own words so you can show up better with your partner.

• Think like an investor. Put time and vulnerability into the relationship that gives real returns.

• Not "Just Friends" by Dr. Shirley P. Glass — the "walls and windows" model that helps couples protect the boundary around their relationship.

• Concepts discussed: confirmation bias, emotional investment, human presence in therapy.

This episode is sponsored by It's Okay to Stay, our 8-week infidelity recovery coaching program that combines a step-by-step online roadmap with personal one-on-one work with an Affair Recovery Specialist. If you want to stay together and heal, schedule a free 45-minute consultation: iditsharoni.com/45. We will understand your situation and see if the program is right for you.

This podcast is educational and is not therapy. It does not substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Forgiveness after infidelity is one of the most complicated—and misunderstood—parts of healing. Many couples ask: "Can I ever truly forgive this betrayal?"

In this episode of Relationships Uncomplicated, I sit down with Ana De La Cruz, LMFT—one of our expert therapists at Relationship Experts and a researcher currently writing her PhD dissertation on forgiveness. Together, we take a deep dive into what forgiveness actually means in the aftermath of an affair, how it differs from reconciliation, and why it matters so much for couples who want to rebuild.

You'll hear us talk about:

• What forgiveness really is (and isn't) when it comes to infidelity.

• The crucial difference between forgiveness and reconciliation.

• Why "cheap forgiveness" often fails and how to avoid it.

• The role of consistency, transparency, and accountability in making forgiveness possible.

• How forgiveness can be learned and practiced, even if it feels impossible right now.

• Why forgiveness is not a prerequisite for healing but often an outcome of true reconciliation.

If you've ever wondered whether forgiveness is possible—or worried that you have to forgive in order to heal—this conversation will give you clarity, compassion, and hope.

✨ Take the Next Step:
At Relationship Experts, we guide couples through our structured It's Okay to Stay infidelity recovery program. If you're in the painful aftermath of an affair and don't know where to turn, we invite you to schedule a free 45-minute consultation with one of our program specialists.

👉 Learn more and schedule your free consultation here

Finding the right help after infidelity can feel overwhelming. When you're in the middle of heartbreak, trust issues, and emotional exhaustion, the last thing you need is more confusion about who to turn to for support.

In this episode of Relationships Uncomplicated, I'm sharing exactly how to recognize trustworthy, effective help after betrayal — and how to avoid the wrong kind of "experts" or programs that can set your healing back.

You'll learn:

• What the right kind of help after infidelity looks like
• Why choosing wisely early on makes all the difference
• A step-by-step approach to searching for support
• Red flags to watch for when reviewing websites or programs
• How to prepare for a consultation so you leave with clarity, not more confusion

This is one of those episodes you may want to listen to twice and even take notes on. And to make it easier, I created a free guide called Vetting Your Path Forward: How to Find the Right Help After Infidelity (and Avoid the Wrong One). No email required — just download it here: iditsharoni.com/vetting

💛 If you're ready to take the next step, you can also schedule a free 45-minute consultation with our program specialist to see if our Infidelity Recovery Program is the right fit for you: iditsharoni.com/45

You deserve real, qualified help — and a path forward you can trust.