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Relationships Made Easy

Relationships Made Easy

By: Dr. Abby Medcalf
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About this listen

The research says the key to a happy life is happy relationships. But how exactly do you make your relationships better? That’s what this show is all about.

I’m Dr. Abby Medcalf, psychologist, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and (according to my kids) the bossy Jewish mom you didn’t know you needed. With decades of experience and millions of listeners in over 180 countries, I give you the no-fluff, research-backed strategies to make all your relationships better: with your partner, your family, your friends, and (most importantly) yourself.

Every week on the Relationships Made Easy podcast, I mix straight talk, humor, and science to help you communicate effectively, set healthy boundaries, and stop second-guessing yourself. Because great relationships aren’t built in a day. Great relationships are built daily.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

© 2025 Abby Medcalf. All Rights Reserved.455209
Personal Development Personal Success Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 358. Holiday Peace On Demand: What to Do When Family Drama Boils Over
    Nov 11 2025

    The holidays can bring out the best in us and the absolute worst. One minute you’re sipping cocoa, the next you’re fantasizing about running away from the dinner table and hiding in your car. You love your family, but let’s be honest: they can drive you crazy. That’s why in this episode I’m giving you tools you can actually use in real time. You’ll learn a simple 90-second reset that calms your body, a handful of one-line phrases that stop conflict without escalating it, and a repair strategy you can use afterward so resentment doesn’t follow you into the new year.

    ____________________________

    Full blog and show notes: https://abbymedcalf.com/holiday-conflict-cheat-sheet

    Get Your Holiday Conflict Cheat Sheet: https://abbymedcalf.com/holiday-conflict-sheet

    Join my online community, One Love Collective, on Substack: https://abbymedcalf.com/substack.

    You'll get...

    ✨ Early drops + ad-free podcast episodes

    ✨ Worksheets, journal prompts, downloads, and guided visualizations

    ✨ Community chats and live Q&A calls with Abby

    _________

    Subscribe to the Love Letter and get my little messages each week!

    https://abbymedcalf.com/loveletter-opt-in/

    👉 Pick up a copy of my new book, Boundaries Made Easy: Your Roadmap to Connection, Easy and Joy: https://abbymedcalf.com/boundaries

    👉 Pick up The Workbook: Boundaries Made Easier to use as a companion to the book or as a standalone masterclass: https://abbymedcalf.com/boundaries-workbook

    👉 Buy my #1 bestselling book on Amazon, Be Happily Married: Even If Your Partner Won’t Do a Thing: https://abbymedcalf.com/book

    ____________________________

    Looking for past episodes of the Relationships Made Easy Podcast? Head over to https://abbymedcalf.com/podcast-the-archives where you’ll find past episodes.

    Ready to dig deeper? Take one of my online courses (some are FREE!) or grab a workbook: https://abbymedcalf.com/shop

    Say hello on social:

    Substack: https://substack.com/@abbymedcalfphd

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbymedcalfthriving

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/abbymedcalfthriving

    YouTube: https://abbymedcalf.com/youtube

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • 357. Talk So They Lean In: The 5 Moves for Difficult Conversations
    Nov 3 2025

    Hard conversations don’t usually blow up because of the issue itself. They blow up because of the moves we make in the moment. You’ve been there: you bring up money, or intimacy, or family dynamics, and suddenly you’re in the middle of a fight you didn’t want, wondering how it went sideways so fast. The good news? You don’t need more guts or more clever comebacks. You need a better playbook. Today I’ll teach you the five moves that keep defensiveness low and collaboration high. You’ll learn the exact questions to ask, what to do when your partner shuts down, and how to leave the conversation feeling connected instead of defeated.

    ____________________________

    Full blog and show notes: https://abbymedcalf.com/how-to-have-hard-conversations-without-defensiveness

    Download My Conversation Pocket Guide: https://abbymedcalf.com/convo-guide

    Join my online community, One Love Collective, on Substack: https://abbymedcalf.com/substack.

    You'll get...

    ✨ Early drops + ad-free podcast episodes

    ✨ Worksheets, journal prompts, downloads, and guided visualizations

    ✨ Community chats and live Q&A calls with Abby

    _________

    Subscribe to the Love Letter and get my little messages each week!

    https://abbymedcalf.com/loveletter-opt-in/

    👉 Pick up a copy of my new book, Boundaries Made Easy: Your Roadmap to Connection, Easy and Joy: https://abbymedcalf.com/boundaries

    👉 Pick up The Workbook: Boundaries Made Easier to use as a companion to the book or as a standalone masterclass: https://abbymedcalf.com/boundaries-workbook

    👉 Buy my #1 bestselling book on Amazon, Be Happily Married: Even If Your Partner Won’t Do a Thing: https://abbymedcalf.com/book

    ____________________________

    Looking for past episodes of the Relationships Made Easy Podcast? Head over to https://abbymedcalf.com/podcast-the-archives where you’ll find past episodes.


    Ready to dig deeper? Take one of my online courses (some are FREE!) or grab a workbook: https://abbymedcalf.com/shop


    Say hello on social:

    Substack: https://substack.com/@abbymedcalfphd

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbymedcalfthriving

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/abbymedcalfthriving

    YouTube: https://abbymedcalf.com/youtube

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • 356. When Kindness Has Claws: Dealing With Relational Aggression
    Oct 27 2025

    Ever had someone freeze you out of a group text? Spread just enough gossip to make you doubt yourself? Smile to your face while subtly undermining you behind your back? That’s not just “drama,” it’s a form of bullying called relational aggression, and it can wreck friendships, families, and entire communities if it’s left unchecked. It’s not just drama. It’s emotional sabotage. Today, I’m breaking down what relational aggression really is, why it’s so destructive, and the research-backed strategies to protect yourself and stop the cycle, whether you’re dealing with family gatherings, sorority politics, or your neighborhood book club.

    _________

    Full blog and show notes: https://abbymedcalf.com/relational-aggression-how-to-recognize-it-and-stop-it


    Get the Relational Aggression Response Scripts: https://abbymedcalf.com/aggression-scripts

    Join my online community, One Love Collective, on Substack: https://abbymedcalf.com/substack.

    You'll get...

    ✨ Early drops + ad-free podcast episodes

    ✨ Worksheets, journal prompts, downloads, and guided visualizations

    ✨ Community chats and live Q&A calls with Abby

    _________

    Subscribe to the Love Letter and get my little messages each week!

    https://abbymedcalf.com/loveletter-opt-in/

    👉 Pick up a copy of my new book, Boundaries Made Easy: Your Roadmap to Connection, Easy and Joy: https://abbymedcalf.com/boundaries

    👉 Pick up The Workbook: Boundaries Made Easier to use as a companion to the book or as a standalone masterclass: https://abbymedcalf.com/boundaries-workbook

    👉 Buy my #1 bestselling book on Amazon, Be Happily Married: Even If Your Partner Won’t Do a Thing: https://abbymedcalf.com/book

    ____________________________

    Looking for past episodes of the Relationships Made Easy Podcast? Head over to https://abbymedcalf.com/podcast-the-archives where you’ll find past episodes.


    Ready to dig deeper? Take one of my online courses (some are FREE!) or grab a workbook: https://abbymedcalf.com/shop


    Say hello on social:

    Substack: https://substack.com/@abbymedcalfphd

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbymedcalfthriving

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/abbymedcalfthriving

    YouTube: https://abbymedcalf.com/youtube

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
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