Why do people go back to toxic relationships—even after the breakup brings instant relief? In this episode, Jay and Antoine dig into the psychology behind why toxic love feels so hard to walk away from. From trauma bonds and emotional addiction to fear of loneliness and old childhood patterns, They break down the real reasons people get stuck in unhealthy cycles with partners who drain them.

They talk about the back-and-forth, the late-night “I miss you” moments, the confusion between love and attachment, and the belief that someone toxic will finally change. If you’ve ever found yourself returning to someone you know isn’t good for you, or if you’re trying to understand why it’s so hard to leave for good, this episode gives you clarity, language, and real-life insight.

What you’ll learn:

• Why toxic relationships create emotional addiction

• How trauma bonds keep you emotionally hooked

• Why familiarity feels safer than starting over

• How self-worth, validation, and fear play a role

• The difference between chemistry, chaos, and real connection

• How to break the cycle and choose healthier love

Whether you’re healing, reflecting, or supporting someone who keeps going back, this conversation will help you make sense of the patterns that keep people stuck. Honest, relatable, and just messy enough—this is one of those episodes you’ll want to share.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp

Cognac Room listeners get 10% off of your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/cognacroom

People love to say “protect your peace,” but lately that’s just become code for abandoning friends who are going through it. In this episode, Jay and Petra talk about why real friendship means showing up — even when it’s messy — and why disapproval shouldn’t equal disappearance.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp

Cognac Room listeners get 10% off of your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/cognacroom

In this episode, Jay and Petra dive into one of the most important relationship questions of our time: Do people still value marriage? Together, they explore whether marriage is still seen as a lifelong commitment or if modern relationships are redefining what partnership looks like.

If you’ve ever wondered why marriage rates are declining, what marriage really means in today’s world, or if marriage still holds the same weight it once did, this episode will give you new insights.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp

Cognac Room listeners get 10% off of your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/cognacroom