Why do some people navigate the social world with such ease while others feel like they’re swimming upstream? In this special episode of the Being Well Podcast, Forrest is joined by four leading experts for a masterclass on the science of attachment. Featuring conversations with Dr. Sue Johnson, Dr. Rick Hanson, Julie Mennano, and Elizabeth Ferreira, this carefully curated episode gives you a map to becoming more socially confident, emotionally intelligent, and authentically connected. 

Topics include:

• The four fundamental patterns that influence how we show up in every social interaction.
• Dr. Sue Johnson’s guide to having deeper, more meaningful “hold me tight” conversations.
• Dr. Rick Hanson’s approach to working with self-abandonment.
• Julie Mennano on working with the anxious-avoidant dance that brings so many couples to therapy.
• Elizabeth Ferreira’s somatic and trauma-informed perspective on healing attachment wounds.

About our Guests: Dr. Sue Johnson is a clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, and the founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a widely used and respected approach to couples therapy. She is considered one of the foremost experts in the field of attachment, and has received numerous awards for her contributions to the field of psychotherapy. Dr. Johnson is also the author of seven books, including the best-selling Hold Me Tight.

Elizabeth Ferreira is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working in California. She specializes in somatic approaches to trauma work. 

Julie Menanno a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and Relationship Coach. She is the founder of The Secure Relationship coaching method, and maintains an instagram of the same name with over 1M followers. She is also the author of Secure Love.

Rick’s Yearly Program: Rick’s Foundations of Well-Being 2.0 is a year-long, science-backed journey through developing 12 key inner strengths like mindfulness, motivation, and confidence. It’s currently on sale, and if you like Being Well we think you’ll love it. Follow the link here and use coupon code beingwell20 for an additional 20% off: RickHanson.com/FWB

Key Topics:

• 0:00: Introduction
• 3:35: Rick Hanson: How to become securely attached
• 31:20: Working with common attachment wounds
• 47:35: Sue Johnson: How to have a bonding conversation
• 1:09:35: Julie Mennano: The attachment mistakes that bring people to therapy, and how secure couples relate differently
• 1:22:25: Rick Hanson: Self-abandonment, anxious attachment, and how to build up a greater sense of self-worth and self-trust
• 1:40:30: Elizabeth Ferreira: Creating a secure relationship
• 1:56:50: Recap and outro

Forrest is now writing on Substack, check out his work there.