The 6 Stages Every Relationship Goes Through & Where Most Break Down - With Thais Gibson)

The 6 Stages Every Relationship Goes Through & Where Most Break Down - With Thais Gibson)

From Almost Forty by Kylie Lately

February 9, 2026 · 47 min

About this episode

Kylie Lately and relationship expert Thais Gibson discuss the six stages of relationships and the critical power struggle stage that can lead to growth or breakdown.

In this episode, I’m joined by relationship expert Thais Gibson to break down the six stages every relationship goes through and the critical stage where most couples either grow closer or quietly fall apart. We explore why relationship frustration isn’t a sign you chose the wrong person, but often a sign you’ve entered the power struggle stage. The make-or-break phase can feel like a crisis, but is actually an opportunity for deep connection and long-term stability.This conversation is for you if you’ve ever wondered: why the same relationship patterns keep repeating why qualities you once loved now feel triggering whether conflict means something is wrong  or whether it’s part of healthy growth In this episode, we cover: The 6 stages every relationship moves through (and where most get stuck) Why the power struggle stage feels so intense and why it’s unavoidable How attachment styles shape who we’re drawn to and why Why your subconscious, not your conscious mind, drives most relationship choices The difference between toxic cycles and productive conflict How couples move from conditional love to something deeper and more secure…

People in this episode

Host: Kylie Lately

Guest: Thais Gibson

Topics covered

  • relationship stages
  • power struggle
  • attachment styles
  • conflict resolution
  • communication
  • relationship patterns

Keywords

  • relationship stages
  • power struggle
  • attachment styles
  • conflict
  • communication
  • conditional love
  • toxic cycles
  • productive conflict

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