"When we are hurt, can we be honest?" ...I wasn't sure if I would publish this episode, because of a devastating week. But in this day, where so much of the news seems to say cruelty is the point - where the answer to that question is no - maybe this episode can add something to the conversation about how we can meet each other with empathy, how relationships and communities can build trust, and how the power of our love is built on the ability to answer yes to the emotional intimacy question: "When we are hurt, can we be honest?"

... And now for the "official episode description":

In this episode, Zoë Malcolm delves into the concepts of emotional attraction and emotional intimacy. She emphasizes the importance of acceptance and non-judgment in fostering intimacy, while also exploring the healing power of emotional honesty. The discussion highlights the thin line between emotional attraction and intimacy, and the necessity of vulnerability in relationships. Zoe also introduces the concept of 'repair' as a crucial element in maintaining healthy emotional connections, and provides journal prompts to encourage self-reflection on emotional experiences.
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Non-Judgment, Acceptance and Intimacy

03:04 Introducing Emotional Attraction & Intimacy

05:11 Defining Emotional Attraction

08:12 Defining Emotional Intimacy - Honesty

11:42 Why we are sometimes not emotionally honest?

13:08 Valuing Emotional Honesty

13:46 Unhealthy Emotional Intimacy as Manipulation

14:44 Apologize

16:28 The Importance of Repair in Relationships

17:35 Review: Emotional Attraction & Intimacy and Repair

18:20 Vulnerability in Intimacy

18:53 Journal Prompts

21:39 Last words

Journal Prompts:
1. How does the concept of emotional honesty land with you? Does it feel dangerous? Or does it feel freeing?

2. What emotions feel dangerous to you? Which emotions feel safe? Where do you feel them in your body?

3. Is there an emotion you never feel? Or don’t let yourself feel? Or don’t even understand? Can you explain why not?

4. Have you ever felt, or always felt, able to express a “dangerous” emotion? What does that feel like?!

5. When was the first time you realized you could say a “dangerous” emotion and you would be okay?

6. Who is a person you remember telling that you were hurt by them? How did they react? How did you react – do, think, feel - to their reaction?

7. Has anyone told you they were hurt by you? How did you react?

For more...

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A review goes a long way. Thank you for listening! Be curious, honest and playful!

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