The "All Things 'Uncomfortable' "Podcast

Season 2, Episode 9: AI Wants To Fix Your Relationship, Should You Let it?

AI Wants to Fix Your Relationship, Should You Let it? In this episode of 'All Things Uncomfortable,' podcast host, Coach Deborah, is joined by Tony Fabrikant and Clay Cockrell, founders of CoupleWork, to discuss their innovative AI couples therapist, Maxine. The conversation delves into the creation and functionality of Maxine, ethical considerations, and the nuances of AI in mental health. Tony, with a background in FinTech and AI, and Clay, a seasoned psychotherapist, explain how Maxine bridges communication gaps between partners, ensures privacy, and provides a safe space for tackling sensitive issues like abuse and porn addiction. They also share personal anecdotes and discuss the potential of AI to complement traditional therapy, offering hope and practical tools for couples facing relationship challenges. 00:00 Welcome to 'All Things Uncomfortable' 00:44 Meet Tony and Clay: The Minds Behind CoupleWork 00:58 Tony's Journey into AI and Relationships 02:28 Clay's Unique Approach to Therapy 03:48 Developing Maxine: Challenges and Insights 04:58 The Story Behind Maxine's Name 05:58 The Birth of an AI Therapist 10:39 Privacy and Security in Couplework 14:50 Addressing Abuse and Safety Concerns 17:16 The Role of AI in Mental Health 21:35 Implementing Session Limits 22:51 Safety Protocols and Abuse Detection 25:40 User Patterns and Relationship Issues 30:04 Addressing Porn Addiction 31:57 State of the Union: A Tool for Couples 33:35 Navigating Conflict with Maxine 35:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts from Somatic Coach Deborah Links: AI Couples Therapist — Maxine [https://couplework.ai/] Articles on Abuse and Coercive Control By Coach Deborah 1) If you are in an abusive relationship, is your therapist truly safe? [https://medium.com/@Creaturae7/if-youre-in-an-abusive-relationship-is-your-therapist-truly-safe-624670520b44] 2) Understanding Coercive Control: A Guide for Survivors, Therapists, and Lawyers [https://medium.com/@Creaturae7/understanding-coercive-control-a-guide-for-survivors-legal-administrators-and-advocates-c3274cb00667]

Season 2, Episode 8: Boundaries, Safety & Healing from Trauma in the Age of AI with Dr. Rachel Wood

Somatic Coach Deborah Lee explores the complex intersections of trauma, boundaries, and AI with Dr. Rachel Wood, a licensed counselor with a PhD in cyber psychology. They examine the concept of boundaries both in human relationships and how AI is being trained to set them. The conversation extends to how AI can be a tool for emotional support, not a replacement for human connection. Dr. Wood discusses the importance of attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and the potential for AI to erode or promote human agency. The episode also features practical exercises for setting boundaries and emphasizes the importance of using AI ethically. 00:00 Introduction to Trauma and AI 00:12 Meet Dr. Rachel Wood 01:09 The Importance of Boundaries 02:33 Attachment Theory and AI 05:42 AI as a Secure Base 09:21 Ethical AI and Community Support 12:02 AI in Therapy and Mental Health 24:21 Future of AI in Relationships 32:58 Somatic Boundaries Exercise 35:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Season 2, Episode 7: You at Work, You in Love: The Trauma Threads That Tie Them Together

Why does the forbidden feel so irresistible? Why does attraction at work feel magnetic enough to risk everything? In this episode, I take you into the recent Astronomer scandal — a CEO, a Head of HR, a kiss that went viral — and ask why this story stood out when office entanglements are everywhere. The truth: it’s not about the kiss. It’s about the trauma threads beneath it. Conditional love. Hypervigilance. Conflict avoidance. Patterns woven in childhood that don’t vanish — they bleed into boardrooms and bedrooms, shaping who we choose, how we collapse, and the messes we create. And in the digital age, texting has become the stage where these threads tighten — tiny pings and pauses turning into fantasy, obsession, the illusion of intimacy. This isn’t about shame. It’s about recognition. In this episode you’ll learn: 🌱 How trauma threads replay in both work and love 🌱 Why forbidden fruit at work feels like gravity you can’t fight 🌱 The hidden role of texting in intensifying longing and projection 🌱 Somatic tools to notice, interrupt, and reweave these patterns We’ll close with practices to help you set boundaries, listen to your body, and step out of survival into choice. ✨ And next time: we shift from desire to design. I’ll be joined by Dr. Rachel Wood as we open a new six-part series on Trauma and AI — asking how machines might help us heal without losing what makes us human.

Season 2, Episode 6: Joy as Medicine: A Trauma-Informed Guide to Curious Leadership with Jose Romero

In this episode of the "All Things and Uncomfortable" Podcast, titled 'Leading with Curiosity and Joy,' host Deborah welcomes Jose Romero, a Global Executive master coach. Together, they delve into the transformative power of curiosity in leadership, particularly how it disrupts conformity, builds belonging, and enables overcoming internal fears and limiting beliefs.  Jose shares insights from his extensive career and personal journey, exploring the delicate balance between fitting in and true belonging in organizational contexts. The conversation touches on the difficulties leaders face, including the tendency to sacrifice authenticity for acceptance, and the importance of fostering open dialogue and psychological safety within teams.  They also discuss the challenges of leading with curiosity amidst societal and professional expectations, the nuances of communication across cultures, and how to handle feedback constructively.  This enlightening dialogue is capped with an introduction to Jose's upcoming book, 'Living and Leading with Curiosity,' aimed at empowering readers to navigate change and uncertainty with resilience and insight. 00:00  Introduction to the Podcast 00:33  Meet Our Special Guest: Jose Romero 01:15  Exploring Belonging vs. Fitting In 03:29  Authenticity in Leadership 04:38  Navigating Gender and Privilege in Leadership 08:02 Building Dialogue Through Curiosity 13:04  Challenges and Rewards of Coaching 18:50  The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership 25:47 Jose Romero's Book: Living and Leading With Curiosity 35:11  Quick Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

Season 2, Episode 5: Shadow Work and Trauma: A Somatic Guide to Conscious Leadership

In this episode of the All Things Uncomfortable Podcast, somatic coach Deborah delves into the concept of shadow work as a crucial aspect of healing from trauma. Listeners are guided through understanding their shadow side, using somatic tools to integrate these parts, and communicating with the underlying child parts often at play. Coach Deborah outlines key shadow archetypes and offers practical exercises in a provided worksheet, emphasizing the importance of meeting these parts with curiosity rather than shame. The episode includes practical somatic exercises to recognize and address shadow aspects, ultimately aimed at fostering better leadership and personal growth through shadow integration. 00:00 Introduction to Shadow Work 01:33 Understanding Your Shadow Side 05:33 Identifying Shadow Archetypes 11:31 Reflecting on Your Shadow Archetypes 12:46 Somatic Tools for Shadow Integration 19:25 The Three R's Framework 21:28 Additional Somatic Practices 24:03 Closing Reflections and Call to Action Somatic Shadow Integrations Worksheet:https://shorturl.at/kHYKs [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_vQB7j17PlgFUFmKYzcXIi5tsGOZxwc0/view?usp=sharing] Book a 30 min free Somatic Consultation Session with Coach Deborah: https://shorturl.at/zRjG4