Welcome to The Mindfulness Within Podcast, hosted by Gilbert Romero-Mewharter, a space for exploring the inner landscape of healing, awareness, and compassionate connection. In this episode, Gilbert sits down with Dr. Dan Sneider, LCSW, Ed.D. and founder of The Intimacy Shift, a framework designed to help couples move from conflict to connection.

Together, they explore what really happens when closeness fades—when conversations feel distant, when tenderness turns to tension, and when our emotional safety begins to erode. Drawing from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dr. Sneider shares how our “hurt spots” often collide with our desire to connect, creating patterns of protection and pain. Healing begins when we can recognize those patterns, speak from an “I” place, and gently re-open the space for intimacy.

Throughout their conversation, Gilbert and Dan discuss practical ways to rebuild trust and regulate together—through grounding, mindful communication, and curiosity toward our protective parts. The episode closes with two guided mindfulness practices to help you reconnect: one for awareness in the moment of distance, and another for repair after conflict.

Remember: closeness isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s a daily practice of returning to yourself and to one another with compassion.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Nk_vZeqWl68

Learn more about Dr. Dan Sneider’s work at https://intimacyshift.com

#MindfulnessWithin #IntimacyShift #EmotionallyFocusedTherapy #InternalFamilySystems #SelfAwareness #RelationshipHealing #MindfulConnection #SelfCompassion

00:00 Introduction to Intimacy Shifts

03:22 Understanding Relationship Dynamics

07:13 Emotionally Focused Therapy Explained

12:41 Communicating with Vulnerability

16:44 Navigating Conflict and Regulation

20:32 The Impact of Relationships on Children

25:04 Co-Parenting Strategies

28:55 Closing Conversations Mindfully

30:23 Mindful Practices for Connection