01 — They listen without judging or shaming. When you share something hard, they don't make you feel broken for having it. They hold space, not judgment. 02 — They show gratitude that you shared. They recognize that opening up takes courage. Instead of brushing past it, they honor the moment. "Thank you for trusting me." 03 — They protect what you share. Your story doesn't become their gossip. They hold your words with care—not as currency to spend with others. The warning: Not everyone has earned your vulnerability. Being open isn't about sharing everything with everyone. It's about sharing the right things with the right people. Vulnerability is a gift. Give it to people who honor it.

The 2 enemies of authentic connection: 01 — SELF-ABANDONMENT Betraying your own needs, values, or boundaries to keep someone else happy. 02 — SHAME The belief that something is fundamentally wrong with who you are. Here's how they work together: Shame says you're not worthy. So you self-abandon to prove you are. Which confirms the shame. Repeat. The result? You end up in relationships where you're present but not seen. Connected on paper. Lonely in reality. The way out: → Challenge the shame: You're worthy of connection as you are—not as you perform. → Stop self-abandoning: Stay loyal to yourself even when it's uncomfortable. You can't hate yourself into connection. And you can't abandon yourself into belonging. P.S.- There will be a new course in March that will help you slay the two enemies to connection so you can more easily create relationships that serve you. Stay tuned!

Your can either 1. Focus of what’s good and the source of it. 2. Focus on problems and why you hate them. One attracts positive energy and the people you want. The other attracts negative energy and people who like to complain. Which one will you choose today?

01 — Skip "What do you do?" Try: "What's been on your mind lately?" 02 — Share first. Go slightly deeper than expected. They'll often match your level. 03 — Follow the energy, not the topic. When their eyes light up—ask more about THAT. 04 — Use "What" and "How" instead of Yes/No questions. 05 — Name the elephant. "I'm not great at small talk—can we skip to the good stuff?" The truth: Small talk isn't the enemy. Staying there is. Real connection is on the other side. These tips get you there faster. Save this for your next conversation.

Society taught you to treat people like products. "What do they bring to the table?" "Red flag or green flag?" "Know your worth." Sound familiar? Here's the trap: When you evaluate people, you know they're evaluating you too. So you perform. Curate. Hide. Try to pass their secret test. And even when you're "chosen"—they chose the performance. Not you. That's why you can feel lonely IN a relationship. The alternative? Co-creation. Stop asking "Am I good enough?" Start asking "What can we create together?"