063: Understanding and Overcoming the Freeze Response in Relationships with Lauren Dry
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Release Date: 06/02/2025
66: How To Deal With Sibling Rivalry With Parenting Coach DJ Stutz
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Sibling rivalry is one of the most common challenges parents face, but did you know it can also be an opportunity for growth? In this episode, parenting coach DJ Stutz shares practical strategies on how to deal with sibling rivalry while fostering lifelong skills in your children. From creating weekly family meetings to teaching negotiation through playful roleplay, DJ explains how small, intentional actions can transform sibling conflict into valuable lessons in communication, boundaries, and empathy. She also reveals why giving children ownership over certain belongings, offering...
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065: Secrets to a Successful Marriage with Veteran and Military Spouse Tina Erwin
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
What if the secret to a successful marriage wasn’t about being perfect… but about learning to love each other through the mess, the distance, and the fear? If you're a military spouse or in any kind of long-distance or high-stress relationship, you know it’s not always easy. The deployments, the uncertainties, the constant adapting. And yet, somehow, we still long for connection, for belonging, for a love that lasts. In this episode, I sit down with Tina Erwin, a retired Naval Commander, Navy wife, and mother, who’s been married for over 50 years. Through real stories and raw...
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064: How to sleep better with anxiety with Savannah Hipes
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
If anxiety is keeping you up at night, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to settle for sleepless, anxious nights. In this episode, we’re talking about exactly how to sleep better with anxiety, especially when stress, trauma, or PTSD are in the picture. Dr. Elizabeth is joined by Savannah Hipes, LCSW, DBSM, a sleep and anxiety specialist who works with high-achieving, sleep-deprived professionals to help them finally get the rest they’ve been missing. Together, they explore why anxiety impacts sleep, how it affects relationships, and what you can do, starting tonight to get real,...
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063: Understanding and Overcoming the Freeze Response in Relationships with Lauren Dry
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
In this episode of the Communicate and Connect Podcast, Liz talks with relationship coach Lauren Dry about the freeze response and how it shows up in communication, connection, and conflict. The freeze response is one of the most misunderstood nervous system reactions, especially in relationships. It can look like emotional shutdown, disconnection, or indifference but it’s actually a survival mechanism. Lauren explains why the freeze response happens, how it affects both partners, and what you can do to move from disconnection to reconnection. In this episode, you’ll learn: What...
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062: How to deal with different parenting styles with Adam Angel
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Welcome to this episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast, where we tackle the ever-relevant topic of how to deal with different parenting styles. In today's conversation, host Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky is joined by Adam Angel, a specialist in supporting new dads and an advocate for thoughtful, collaborative parenting approaches. This episode is particularly significant for military families, who often face unique challenges and transitions. Adam begins by sharing his personal journey into fatherhood during the pandemic, which led to his development of a supportive group for new dads....
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061: How to improve intimacy in a relationship with Chloe Mascord
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
In this episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast, host Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky welcomes intimacy expert Chloe Mascord to the show, where they dive deep into the intricacies of nurturing intimacy within relationships, with a special focus on the unique dynamics faced by military couples. Chloe, renowned for her expertise in the field, discusses the common challenges and misconceptions surrounding intimacy, emphasizing the crucial distinction between intimacy and sex and the need for emotional closeness for a fulfilling intimate life. Throughout the episode, Chloe offers a wealth of...
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060: How to make your relationship STRONG with Kristal Desantis
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Welcome to Episode 060 of The Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we have an enlightening conversation with the incredible Kristal Desantis, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Austin, Texas. In this episode, we delve into the often-overlooked dynamics of men in relationships and the societal expectations that shape their roles and behaviors. Kristal shares her insights on the shifting roles of men, particularly the challenge of being valued for performance over personhood. We'll unpack the powerful metaphor of "lipstick on a...
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059: Military Spouse Relocation - Navigating leaving friends and home behind with Leigh Conant
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Welcome to Episode 59 of the Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we have a deeply insightful conversation lined up with our special guest, Leigh Conant, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in the military community. In this episode, we dive into the emotional and logistical complexities of military spouse relocation. Leigh shares her personal experience moving from a well-established community in New Orleans to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, detailing the mix of excitement and profound grief that comes with leaving friends...
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058: Coping with PCS Stress with Michelle Farmer
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Welcome to The Communicate & Connect Podcast with your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky. In today's episode, titled "Coping with PCS Stress with Michelle Farmer," we dive deep into the unique challenges faced by military families during Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves. Joining us is Michelle Farmer, a true expert in navigating military life, having experienced it from multiple perspectives—as an army brat, a service member, a military spouse, and a member of the reserves. Michelle and Dr. Polinsky explore a range of topics, from the complexities of communication within families and...
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057: Navigating living overseas and OCONUS military life with Brianna Mendoza
The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships
Welcome to The Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky. In today's episode, we're diving into the unique challenges and enriching experiences that come with living overseas and navigating OCONUS military life. Our special guest, Brianna Mendoza, brings her wealth of experience as a military spouse and graduate student in marriage and family therapy, specifically focusing on military therapy. Brianna will share her journey of moving to Japan post-COVID, highlighting her adventures in nature hikes, traditional onsen visits, and connecting with locals through a...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Communicate and Connect Podcast, Liz talks with relationship coach Lauren Dry about the freeze response and how it shows up in communication, connection, and conflict.
The freeze response is one of the most misunderstood nervous system reactions, especially in relationships. It can look like emotional shutdown, disconnection, or indifference but it’s actually a survival mechanism. Lauren explains why the freeze response happens, how it affects both partners, and what you can do to move from disconnection to reconnection.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What the freeze response looks like in relationships
- How unconscious programming and attachment styles affect your reactions
- Why high-achieving people often experience freeze in their personal lives
- Simple somatic tools to help regulate your nervous system in the moment
- How to set connected boundaries that build safety instead of walls
If you or your partner tend to shut down during conflict or feel emotionally frozen, this episode will give you practical tools and new insight to create a stronger, more connected relationship.
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