This week's conversation investigates a practical dilemma that quickly reveals something deeper: How can we stay grounded, self-respecting, and relationally skillful when we’re pulled into dynamics that aren’t ours to fix?

Nate is living and working in a home where tension, criticism, and disrespect regularly surface between a couple he works for. When that energy starts including him, he’s left asking:

• How do I set a boundary without escalating things?
• How do I speak up without becoming part of the problem?
• And how do I stay open-hearted in an environment that’s starting to close me down?

What unfolds is a nuanced exploration of the difference between advocating and over-functioning, and an examination of how to stay in our lane without abandoning our values.

We talk at length about why “fixing” others often backfires, and how to communicate boundaries in a way that protects dignity on both sides

At the heart of this conversation is a shift from trying to change the dynamic to changing how we show up within it.

Read more on the blog.

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection.

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

In this episode, we explore what it means to find your ground in relationships that feel confusing, painful, or no longer workable.

Through two real-life situations, we look at the difference between relationships that can grow and those that can’t, and the internal work required in both.

We explore:

• How to recognize when a relationship isn’t a good fit
• Why clarity can take time (and why that’s not a failure)
• How to stop over-functioning when repair isn’t mutual
• What it means to stay in a relationship while protecting yourself
• The grief that often comes with seeing things clearly

This is an honest, grounded conversation about boundaries, self-trust, and learning to care for yourself in the face of relational limits.

Read more on the blog.

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection.

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

What happens when we come face-to-face with a harmful version of ourselves we don’t recognize, and actually reject?

In this episode, Wendy shares a moment with Buddy the cat that left her questioning her own capacity for harm.

Together, we explore the roots of aggression, the role of unmet needs and nervous system overwhelm, and the difference between shame and true self-responsibility.

At its heart, this is a conversation about what happens when we see something in ourselves that doesn’t match who we believe we are, and how we metabolize that without collapsing or defending.

Because when we can see clearly what drives our behavior (especially the parts we’re not proud of) we open the door to real change, repair, and a more compassionate way of being.

This episode includes an honest exploration of moments where we may have acted in ways that feel out of alignment; particularly toward more vulnerable beings. If you’re sensitive to themes of shame, aggression, or power dynamics, you may want to listen with care.

Read more on the blog.

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection.

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube