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From Surface Apologies to Deep Repair: The Real Work of Rebuilding Trust
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In this episode of Relationship Reset, you’ll meet a couple stuck in a frustrating loop: he keeps lying about small things, she keeps asking for honesty—and instead of addressing the root issue, he brings flowers.
Sound familiar? Katie unpacks why we give the wrong medicine for relationship wounds, and how adaptive behaviors from childhood become destructive patterns in marriage.
This isn’t just about one couple—it’s about all of us. Whether you're the one handing out cough syrup or silently nursing a broken leg, this episode will help you:
- Identify the “cough syrup” fixes you or your partner default to
- Understand the deeper habits that drive surface-level solutions
- Begin honest conversations about what healing actually looks like
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why quick fixes (like gifts or helpfulness) fall short after emotional damage
✅ The psychology behind why people repeat childhood coping behaviors
✅ How to move from bandaids to actual repair in your relationship
✅ The crucial question: “Am I really hearing what my partner needs?”
Homework:
Take 15 minutes this week to talk with your partner:
💬 What “cough syrup” behaviors do we fall back on when something’s broken?
💬 What would true healing actually look like—for both of us?
Because the truth is: You can’t rebuild trust with shortcuts. But you can reset, repair, and reconnect—with the right tools.
Free Conversation Starter Cards for Couples
Couples Goal Setting Workbook
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