06/03/2026
I was so excited to welcome my friend, Lauren Gilley, to the podcast!
Lauren Gilley is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wichita, KS with main focuses in Couples Therapy, Perinatal Mental Health, and Sexual Wellness. She is a wife & mother who loves animals, spending time in nature, gardening, being with friends and family, and simply having a good time.
If you’re struggling with a relationship that looks “fine” from the outside, but underneath the surface there’s disconnect and resentment, this episode is for YOU!
In today’s conversation, Lauren and I are unpacking something we both see all the time in the therapy room: the way so many people settle for emotional disconnection, unmet needs, and survival-mode partnership. And yes…they’re doing all of this while convincing themselves it’s “not that bad”.
We’re talking honestly about the bare minimum in relationships, emotional labor, and what it actually means to feel emotionally safe and supported by your partner. Desire discrepancies are about sooo much more than s*x. Changes in intimacy don’t automatically mean something is wrong with you or your relationship either. Desire is not linear, and intimacy is not just physical connection - it’s emotional safety, communication, and feeling known and cared for.
Remember - you deserve relationships where your needs, emotions, and humanity are considered. Sometimes, rebuilding connection starts with simply being willing to have the conversation!
