What happens when your boyfriend seems interested in physical intimacy but treats you poorly the rest of the time?
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen unpack a painful relationship paradox: feeling sexually desired while simultaneously feeling emotionally neglected, criticized, dismissed, or taken for granted.
They explore why some people separate sex from emotional connection, how unresolved resentment and learned relationship patterns can affect intimacy, and why being wanted physically is not the same thing as being valued as a whole person.
Mike and Jen also talk about some of the questions worth asking when this pattern keeps happening. Does your partner listen when you explain how their behavior affects you? Do things improve temporarily and then return to normal? Are you able to set boundaries without being pressured or punished?
The conversation also looks at the difference between ordinary relationship problems and more concerning patterns involving control, coercion, or emotional abuse.
In This Briefing
You’ll hear Mike and Jen discuss emotional intimacy, sexual connection, relationship boundaries, feeling used by a partner, emotional neglect, communication, resentment, respect, and what healthy intimacy should feel like.
Article That Inspired This Episode
This conversation was inspired by relationship content from Couples Counseling Chicago.
📚 Book Resource
If you’d like to explore relationship and attachment patterns further, Mike and Jen recommend Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller.
Find the book on Amazon:https://amzn.to/4xu65I9
As an Amazon Associate, the podcast may earn from qualifying purchases made through eligible links, at no additional cost to you.
Related Pods:
Is your boyfriend's penis TOO large?
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Sleeping with your boss can feel exciting, validating, and intensely attractive—but it can also create a complicated mix of secrecy, power, guilt, career risk, and emotional confusion.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen unpack why workplace affairs can feel so intense, how power imbalances can affect the relationship, and why that uneasy feeling in your gut may be worth paying attention to. They also discuss the possible professional and emotional consequences, the questions to ask yourself, and what it means to make a decision that lines up with your values and long-term goals.
Read the Original Article
Podcast inspiration came from the article: I’m Sleeping With My Boss But Feel Weird where apparently a male employee who works in the mailroom has been sleeping with his female boss. Read the article at Couples Counseling Chicago
Today’s Self Help Briefing Affirmation
I trust myself to make choices that honor my values, protect my future, and bring me lasting peace.
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Dating is supposed to be exciting, but for many people it feels more like a high-pressure test.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen talk about dating anxiety and why texting, dating apps, first dates, fear of rejection, and uncertainty can trigger so much overthinking and self-doubt. They also explore how avoidance can make anxiety stronger over time, why past relationship experiences and attachment patterns may influence dating, and how mindfulness, healthier self-talk, communication, and therapy can help.
Dating anxiety can show up before a relationship even begins—through canceled dates, obsessive message-checking, people-pleasing, fear of vulnerability, or constantly wondering whether someone still likes you. The goal isn’t to eliminate every nervous feeling. It’s to stop anxiety from making all the decisions.
Read the Original Article
Dating Anxiety: Why Dating Feels So StressfulRead the article at Calm Anxiety Clinic
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Is bigger always better? Not necessarily.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen explore a topic that's rarely discussed openly: what happens when physical compatibility becomes a challenge in a relationship. They discuss why intimacy can sometimes become uncomfortable or painful, practical strategies couples can use to improve comfort, and the importance of communication, patience, and working together to build a healthy intimate relationship.
Whether you're experiencing this issue personally or simply want to better understand the topic, this conversation offers practical, judgment-free guidance.
Read the original article:https://www.couplescounselingchicago.net/boyfriend-too-big-hurts-what-to-do/
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.

Heading back to school can be exciting—but it can also bring stress, distractions, and a lot of pressure.
In this episode of The Self Help Briefing, Mike and Jen share seven practical strategies for making the transition back to school easier and more successful. They talk about managing smartphone distractions, learning when to say no, creating a calming study space, limiting news overload, making time for fun, staying physically active, and protecting yourself from toxic relationships.
Whether you’re starting college, returning after time away, or simply trying to build better habits for the semester ahead, this episode offers simple ideas you can actually use.
In this episode
Managing smartphone distractions
Learning to say no
Creating a better study environment
Limiting news overload
Making time for fun
Staying physically active
Avoiding toxic relationships
Read the original article
Back to College: Success Strategieshttps://guycounseling.com/back-college-success-strategies/
 
Follow the Show If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to follow The Self Help Briefing on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a quick review. It helps other listeners discover the show. Visit Us Online or Make Contact You can visit the podcast at www.theselfhelpbriefing.com to check out our latest episodes or to make contact. Affiliate Disclosure The Self Help Briefing may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are selected because we believe they may be useful or relevant to the topic being discussed. General Disclaimer The Self Help Briefing is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed on the podcast should be considered medical, psychological, mental health, legal, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult an appropriately qualified professional. Production Notes The Self Help Briefing is a production of G Digital Studios. Episodes may be developed from sources available online. Episode artwork may be created using Adobe Firefly or other royalty-free sources. Articles, books, and other resources discussed in an episode are credited and linked in the show notes when applicable. Voiceovers are generated using synthesized audio.