About this episode

Dr. Thema Bryant discusses the importance of self-acceptance and nurturing relationships in the context of midlife challenges.

Description:Some conversations are so good, they deserve a second life. As we've been building out our Chosen Family series — exploring what it actually takes to find, keep, and nurture the people who truly see you — we kept coming back to this tender conversation because it was resonant then but it hits differently now. Dr. Thema Bryant is a psychologist, author, professor, ordained minister, and former president of the American Psychological Association. Her books Matters of the Heart and Homecoming have resonated deeply with women navigating the beautiful, complicated work of belonging — and her clarity on what it means to truly come home to yourself is exactly the foundation this series needed. In this conversation, Jen and Amy dig into: Why midlife can feel isolating even when you're surrounded by people — and what's really going on beneath that loneliness How to grieve friendships that have run their season while making genuine room for new ones The difference between performing friendship and actually being emotionally available for it Why our wellness matters more than our loyalty — and what it looks like to stop sacrificing yourself in the name of showing up for everyone…

People in this episode

Host: Jen Hatmaker

Guest: Dr. Thema Bryant

Topics covered

• finding community
• nurturing relationships
• self-acceptance
• midlife challenges
• emotional availability
• grieving friendships

Keywords

• self-care
• belonging
• friendship
• wellness
• community building
• emotional health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Psychological Association

Books & works: Matters of the Heart, Homecoming

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