We Need To Talk… with Dr. Darcy Sterling

Ever find yourself replaying a conversation in your head—over and over—only to avoid it altogether? Maybe you want to tell a friend they hurt your feelings. Or ask for a raise. Or bring up that thing your partner said that’s still bothering you.We all do it. But why? Why do we avoid conversations that could actually improve our relationships—and our lives?Most of us dodge these talks because we fear conflict or don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. But avoiding the conversation doesn’t make the discomfort go away. It causes it to fester.Today, I’m joined by someone who knows this terrain professionally and personally—my wife, Steph Sterling, LCSW. She also happens to be the most talented couples therapist I know.In this episode, we unpack:How to tell if you’re avoiding a conversation out of fear or just waiting for the right time.The biggest mistakes people make when they finally speak up.How to navigate tough talks in a way that brings you closer together instead of pulling you apart (step-by-step).Plus… Steph shares some stories about our own struggles that just might surprise you.Xxoo DarcyREFERENCESMindful CareGetting The Love You Want Forbes Article: Are Your Employees Avoiding Difficult Conversations?https://www.instagram.com/steph_sterling_lcsw/https://alternativescounseling.com/meet-the-owners/steph/CREDITS“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani.  DISCLAIMER#Dating #DatingTips #RelationshipGoals #DatingAdvice #Relationships #RelationshipPodcast #RelationshipPodcasts #RelationshipAdvice #RelationshipExperts #RealTalkRelationships #LoveLanguage #RelationshipIssues #RelationshipHelp #PodcastLove #WeNeedToTalkWithDrDarcy #Therapy #CouplesCounseling #CouplesTherapy #DrDarcySterling #DoctorDarcySterling #DrDarcy #ModernRomance #ModernLove #MillennialLifeInstagram:@drdarcysterlingFacebook:Dr.Darcy SterlingTik Tok:@doctordarcysterling  X:@DrDarcySterling   YouTube:@DarcySterling   Threads:@drdarcysterlingWatch this episode here on YouTube. 

If you’re feeling more anxious than ever about politics, you’re not alone. Nearly 70% of Americans believe the country is more divided now than at any point in recent history. And with 24/7 news cycles, social media outrage, and family group chats that feel like landmines, staying sane in this political climate can feel impossible.But how much of our political stress is actually within our control? How do we stay informed without feeling consumed? And how can we navigate relationships when political differences threaten to tear us apart?To help me unpack these questions, I’m joined by Chris Cuomo—anchor at News Nation and The Chris Cuomo Project. Chris has spent decades reporting on the most divisive issues of our time, and he’s here to share his strategies for staying grounded when the political world feels like it’s spinning out of control.In this episode we dive into:How to maintain personal relationships with people who hold opposing political views—without compromising your values.How to stay informed without drowning in political overwhelm.How Chris navigates political disagreements with the people closest to him.This was one of the most thought-provoking (and wildly entertaining) conversations I’ve had on We Need To Talk. Don’t just listen—watch the full episode on YouTube.Xxoo DarcyREFERENCESMindful CareCREDITS“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani.  DISCLAIMER#PoliticsAndMentalHealth #PoliticalAnxiety #NewsOverload #StaySaneInPolitics #NavigatingDisagreements #PoliticalDivide #PoliticalConversations #TheChrisCuomoProject #ChrisCuomo #NewsNation #RelationshipGoals #Relationships #RelationshipPodcast #RelationshipPodcasts #RelationshipAdvice #RelationshipExperts #RelationshipIssues #RelationshipHelp  #PodcastLove #WeNeedToTalkWithDrDarcy #Therapy#DrDarcySterling#DoctorDarcySterling #DrDarcy #MillennialLifeInstagram:@drdarcysterling Facebook:Dr.Darcy SterlingTik Tok:@doctordarcysterling  X:@DrDarcySterling   YouTube:@DarcySterling   Threads:@drdarcysterlingWatch this episode here on YouTube.

Imagine missing out on dream vacations because you fear flying, or passing on career opportunities due to public speaking anxiety. Phobias don’t just protect us—they can hold our lives hostage.Traditional treatments like exposure therapy can take months or years, with no guarantee of success. But what if you could overcome your fear in just one session?Today’s guest, Merel Kindt, neuroscientist, professor of clinical psychology at the University of Amsterdam, and founder of Kindt Clinics, has developed the Memrec Method—a groundbreaking phobia treatment with an 85% success rate after just one session.If fear has been running your life, this conversation could change everything.In this episode, you’ll learn:How she treats phobias in just 1 session. Why her treatment works so quickly.How Merel Kindt’s discovery could change how we think about fear for good.What would your life look like if fear no longer called the shots? Let’s find out.REFERENCESMindful Carehttps://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/crossnational-epidemiology-of-specific-phobia-in-the-world-mental-health-surveys/A0EDD4B22E19CDB63269D7A34F2C21AA https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25980916/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25549103/CREDITS“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Preston Smith.  DISCLAIMER#Dating #DatingTips #RelationshipGoals #DatingAdvice #Relationships #RelationshipPodcast #RelationshipPodcasts #RelationshipAdvice #RelationshipExperts #RealTalkRelationships #LoveLanguage #RelationshipIssues #RelationshipHelp #PodcastLove #WeNeedToTalkWithDrDarcy#Therapy #CouplesCounseling #CouplesTherapy #DrDarcySterling #DoctorDarcySterling #DrDarcy #ModernRomance #ModernLove #MillennialLife#PhobiaCure #OvercomeFear #FearlessLiving #AnxietyRelief #MindHack #RapidHealing #NeuroscienceBreakthrough #MentalHealthMattersInstagram:@drdarcysterling Facebook:Dr.Darcy SterlingTik Tok:@doctordarcysterling  Twitter:@DrDarcySterling   YouTube:@DarcySterling   Threads:@drdarcysterlingWatch this episode here on YouTube. 

If you’ve ever had someone in your life step into recovery, you know how profound—and fragile—that journey can be. It’s a moment of hope, courage, and transformation, but also one where friends, family, and coworkers can feel unsure of how to show up. How do you avoid unintentionally triggering them? And how can you be there without making things…awkward?Today we’re digging into the hidden challenges of supporting someone in recovery. Whether it’s your partner, sibling, best friend, or coworker, this conversation will help you show up in ways that are compassionate, thoughtful, and, most importantly, truly helpful. Joining me today is addiction psychiatrist and CEO of Mindful Care, Dr. Tamir Aldad. In this episode, you’ll learn:How treatment centers can (and SHOULD) involve loved ones in the recovery process.The essential structures and routines that support early sobriety.Strategies for managing your own emotional well-being while being there for someone in recovery.And I’ll share a story about how I recently mismanaged a situation with a loved one—so you don’t make the same mistake.Xxoo DarcyREFERENCESMindful CareCREDITS“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Preston Smith.  DISCLAIMER#Dating #DatingTips #RelationshipGoals #DatingAdvice #Relationships #RelationshipPodcast #RelationshipPodcasts #RelationshipAdvice#RelationshipExperts #RealTalkRelationships #SobrietySupport #SupportingRecovery #NewlySober #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney#SoberLiving #WeNeedToTalkWithDrDarcy #Therapy #DrDarcySterling #DoctorDarcySterling #DrDarcy #MillennialLifeInstagram:@drdarcysterling Facebook:Dr.Darcy SterlingTik Tok:@doctordarcysterling  X:@DrDarcySterling   YouTube:@DarcySterling   Threads:@drdarcysterlingWatch this episode here on YouTube. 

Everything you thought you knew about intimacy? Michaela Boehm is here to challenge it.Michaela Boehm is a renowned intimacy expert and celebrity relationship coach whose unconventional approach flips traditional relationship advice on its head.In this episode, we reveal:Why date nights can backfire on your romantic connection.How casual touch may be dulling your sexual chemistry over time.Why fading attraction can actually be a sign of relationship growth.If you’re looking for practical intimacy tips and a fresh perspective on love, sex, and relationships, this is a must-listen.Xxoo DarcyREFERENCESMindful CareThe Wild Woman's Way: Reconnect to Your Body's Wisdom (A Woman's Guide to Spiritual Growth)*We could not locate the study on oysters mentioned in the episode. CREDITS“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Preston Smith.  DISCLAIMER#Dating #DatingTips #RelationshipGoals #DatingAdvice #Relationships #RelationshipPodcast #RelationshipPodcasts #RelationshipAdvice#RelationshipExperts #RealTalkRelationships #RelationshipIssues #RelationshipHelp #PodcastLove #WeNeedToTalkWithDrDarcy #Therapy#CouplesCounseling #CouplesTherapy #DrDarcySterling #DoctorDarcySterling #DrDarcy #ModernRomance #ModernLove #MillennialLife#IntimacyRedefined #RelationshipGoals #LoveBetterLiveBetter #MichaelaBoehm #WeNeedToTalkPodcastInstagram:@drdarcysterling Facebook:Dr.Darcy SterlingTik Tok:@doctordarcysterling  X:@DrDarcySterling   YouTube:@DarcySterling   Threads:@drdarcysterlingWatch this episode here on YouTube. 

Gaslighting is often framed as a one-way act or behavior—someone manipulates, and the other is manipulated. But in reality, gaslighting is a relational dynamic. Its "success" hinges not only on the manipulator’s actions but also on the recipient's openness to self-doubt and questioning their own perceptions.Certain traits make people more vulnerable to gaslighting. These qualities often lead the person to trust the gaslighter's version of reality over their own. Gaslighters often choose partners who value harmony and trust over conflict, knowing their partner might be more willing to question themselves rather than the person they love.The term gaslighting has been around for decades. But it’s only been used in the psychological sense since 2007, and it was coined by today’s guest. Dr. Robin Stern, the author of The Gaslight Effect and co-founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, has spent years studying this insidious phenomenon. She explores how it manifests in relationships and, more importantly, how we can break free from its grip.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why gaslighting is one of the most powerful tools of control.The surprising positive traits that make people more susceptible to gaslighting.How to spot the early, subtle signs of gaslighting.AND… the most common ways people misuse the term—and why it matters.Xxoo DarcyREFERENCESMindful CareThe Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your LifeCREDITS“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Preston Smith. DISCLAIMER#Dating #DatingTips #RelationshipGoals #DatingAdvice #Relationships #RelationshipPodcasts #RelationshipAdvice #RelationshipExperts#RealTalkRelationships #RelationshipIssues #RelationshipHelp #PodcastLove #WeNeedToTalkWithDrDarcy #Therapy #CouplesCounseling#CouplesTherapy #DrDarcySterling #DoctorDarcySterling #DrDarcy #DrRobinStern #Gaslighting #TheGaslightEffect #EmotionalIntelligence#ToxicRelationships #MentalHealthMattersInstagram:@drdarcysterling Facebook:Dr.Darcy SterlingTik Tok:@doctordarcysterling  X:@DrDarcySterling   YouTube:@DarcySterling   Threads:@drdarcysterlingWatch this episode here on YouTube. 

It’s January, and everyone’s still buzzing about their New Year’s resolutions—promises to hit the gym, eat healthier, or finally start dating with intention. But the reality is, by mid-February, nearly 80% of those resolutions are abandoned. Why?Because willpower alone can’t outmuscle unresolved emotional wounds. The patterns you can’t seem to break—the procrastination, the self-sabotage, the over-committing—they’re often rooted in emotional triggers tied to unhealed pain. And until you address those triggers, goal-setting can feel like pushing a boulder uphill.Today, we’re diving into the emotional baggage that holds us back from creating meaningful change. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of failed resolutions or wondered why you can’t seem to follow through on your goals, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why willpower and motivation don’t work when it comes to reaching a goal.How struggles like procrastination or self-sabotage reveal three types of unresolved emotional wounds.What to do if your tribe isn’t giving you the kind of support you need to achieve your goals.Xxoo DarcyCREDITS“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Preston Smith.  DISCLAIMER#Dating #DatingTips #RelationshipGoals #DatingAdvice #Relationships #RelationshipPodcast #RelationshipPodcasts #RelationshipAdvice#RelationshipExperts #RealTalkRelationships #LoveLanguage #RelationshipIssues #RelationshipHelp #PodcastLove #WeNeedToTalkWithDrDarcy#Therapy #CouplesCounseling #CouplesTherapy #DrDarcySterling #DoctorDarcySterling #DrDarcy #ModernRomance #ModernLove #MillennialLife#EmotionalHealing #NewYearsResolutions #PersonalGrowth #MindsetShift #GoalSetting #UnresolvedTrauma #EmotionalWellness #HealingJourney#SelfSabotage #InnerWorkInstagram:@drdarcysterling Facebook:Dr.Darcy SterlingTik Tok:@doctordarcysterling  X:@DrDarcySterling   YouTube:@DarcySterling   Threads:@drdarcysterlingWatch this episode here on YouTube.

Normally, I ask the questions, but this time, it’s your turn. To be honest, I’ve avoided doing an Ask Me Anything episode because I feel like I talk about myself too much. But my team voted and I was outnumbered.So, here we are—your questions, unfiltered, and my honest answers. From relationship advice to podcast behind-the-scenes, no topic was off-limits.And I’ve recruited someone very special to join me for this episode—my wife, couples therapist, Steph Sterling. In this episode, you’ll learn:The podcast guest who had the biggest impact on me (and why).What I do to keep my mental health in check. The relationship trend I hope to see more of in 2025.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a therapist who's married to a therapist, tune in — you get 2 for the price of 1 today!Xxoo DarcyCREDITS“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Preston Smith. DISCLAIMER#Dating #DatingTips #RelationshipGoals #DatingAdvice #Relationships #RelationshipPodcast #RelationshipPodcasts #RelationshipAdvice #RelationshipExperts #RealTalkRelationships #LoveLanguage #RelationshipIssues #RelationshipHelp #PodcastLove #WeNeedToTalkWithDrDarcy#Therapy #CouplesCounseling #CouplesTherapy #DrDarcySterling #DoctorDarcySterling #DrDarcy #ModernRomance #ModernLove #AskMeAnything #MentalHealthMatters #PodcastLife #LoveAndRelationshipsInstagram:@drdarcysterling Facebook:Dr.Darcy SterlingTik Tok:@doctordarcysterling  X:@DrDarcySterling   YouTube:@DarcySterling   Threads:@drdarcysterlingWatch this episode here on YouTube.