This Complex Life

By Marie Vakakis

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Category: Mental Health

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Subscribers: 17
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 116

Description

Got questions about parenting, teenagers, or relationships? Ever wonder why your teen won’t talk to you, or why your relationship feels like hard work lately? Hi, I’m Marie Vakakis—a therapist, mental health educator, and someone who’s been behind the scenes with countless families and couples navigating the ups and downs of real life. This Complex Life is your go-to for relatable insights, practical advice, and real talk about parenting, raising teenagers, and navigating relationships. I’ll share what I’ve learned from years of sitting in the therapist’s chair—helping parents understand their teens, supporting couples through tough times, and figuring out what actually works when life feels overwhelming. Whether it’s understanding your teen’s moods, handling family drama, or reconnecting in your relationship, I’m here to give you practical advice, relatable insights and a little humour to keep it real. Parenting and relationships aren’t easy, but they don’t have to feel impossible. Subscribe to This Complex Life for honest advice and actionable tips to make life’s messiness more manageable.

Episode Date
Love Without Desire: Navigating Spark Loss
Aug 31, 2026
My Partner Wants Sex More Than I Do
Aug 17, 2026
Why Mental Health Advice Doesn't Change What You Do a Conversation with All in the Mind Host Sana Qadar
Aug 11, 2026
The 5 Love Languages: What the Research Actually Says
Aug 03, 2026
Why does my partner get so defensive?
Jul 09, 2026
Grief: How to Cope and Support Someone Grieving
Jun 29, 2026
How to fall back in love with your partner
Jun 23, 2026
7 signs your partner is emotionally checked out
Jun 01, 2026
Feeling lonely in your relationship? Ask Marie
May 21, 2026
Bad marriage advice with Monica Tanner
May 04, 2026
The Fawn Response: What It Is and how to change it
Apr 27, 2026
Help, We Keep Fighting About Money
Apr 19, 2026
Sex and Disability: Pleasure Is for Everyone
Apr 08, 2026
The Psychology of the Ick — and What It Says About You
Mar 30, 2026
Is Your Wounded Child Ruining Your Relationship?
Feb 18, 2026
Attachment Styles in Conflict: Breaking the Cycle
Feb 09, 2026
5 Conversations Couples Should Have Before It’s Too Late
Feb 02, 2026
I Got a Promotion and My Partner Isn’t Happy for Me
Jan 20, 2026
Why Won’t My Partner Communicate With Me
Jan 06, 2026
Soulmates Or More Like Roommates?
Dec 22, 2025
They Should Just Know and Other Ways Relationships Get Hard
Dec 15, 2025
Is This Anxiety or Is My Brain Just Freaking Out
Dec 08, 2025
Breakups, Masculinity and Men’s Mental Health
Dec 01, 2025
Rethinking Who You Are After Having Kids with Bronte Taylor
Nov 24, 2025
Making Sense of ADHD in Therapy
Nov 17, 2025
Turning ADHD Struggles into Strengths
Nov 10, 2025
Growing Yourself Up with Dr Jenny Brown - Encore
Nov 04, 2025
Why Doesn’t My Teen Listen to Me Anymore
Oct 27, 2025
Parenting, Rejection and Connection
Oct 20, 2025
The psychology of rejection and what to do about it
Oct 13, 2025
Help. My teens aren't interested in me. What do I do?
Oct 06, 2025
Healing the Unmet Needs of Our Younger Selves
Sep 29, 2025
The Future of Friendships: Are We Getting Lonelier?
Sep 22, 2025
Affairs, Trust, and the Work of Healing After Betrayal
Sep 15, 2025
Suicide, Grief and Connection: An R U OK? Day Conversation
Sep 10, 2025
What Bad Therapy Taught Me About Good Therapy
Sep 10, 2025
What Therapists Get Wrong (and How We Can Do Better)
Sep 01, 2025
The 4 Habits that Predict Relationship Trouble
Aug 25, 2025
Why Do We Keep Drifting Apart in Our Relationship
Aug 18, 2025
Cassandra Syndrome
Aug 11, 2025
When Dream Jobs Fade, Men Redefine Masculinity, and Lived Experience Leads Suicide Prevention
Aug 09, 2025
Is Falling in Love with an AI Companion Considered Cheating?
Aug 04, 2025
AI Affairs, Clinic Closures, and the Mental Health Cost of Early Smartphones
Jul 31, 2025
Why Are We So Fascinated by Other People’s Affairs?
Jul 28, 2025
The Weekly Wrap Men, Tech, and Trust
Jul 24, 2025
Is this a red flag or just discomfort?
Jul 16, 2025
10 Relationship Red Flags You Should Never Ignore
Jul 09, 2025
Why Love Isn’t Enough When Trust Is Missing
Jul 01, 2025
When Your Teen Struggles to Make Friends. What Parents Can Do That Actually Helps
Jun 19, 2025
Why We Avoid Talking About Sex (And How to Start)
Jun 04, 2025
Navigating Therapy as a BIPOC Client: Stigma, Support & Healing with Tham Fuyana
May 21, 2025
Why You Don’t Feel Good Enough (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right)
May 14, 2025
Do you worry? with Dr Lillian Nejad.
May 07, 2025
Are We Failing Young People?
Apr 30, 2025
Discernment Counselling
Apr 23, 2025
Not Having Enough Sex in Your Relationship?
Apr 16, 2025
What Makes Inclusive Relationship Therapy Work
Apr 09, 2025
6 Things Emotionally Healthy Couples Don’t Do
Apr 02, 2025
Unspoken Expectations in Relationships Are Hurting You Here’s Why
Mar 26, 2025
Can Laughter Really Be Medicine?
Mar 22, 2025
Feeling More Like Housemates Than Partners? How to Rebuild Friendship in Your Relationship
Mar 19, 2025
How Couples Therapy Can Improve Mental Health with Trish Purnell-Webb
Mar 12, 2025
Big Fights Over Small Things?
Mar 05, 2025
Why Waiting Too Long for Couples Therapy Can Make Things Worse
Feb 26, 2025
It’s Not About the Fight—It’s How You Fight
Feb 19, 2025
How Couples Therapy Works (And When to Start)
Feb 12, 2025
Why does grief feel so lonely?
Feb 05, 2025
Understanding Trauma and Its Impact with Kathryn Eberly
Jan 31, 2025
How to Align Your Life with Your Values
Jan 23, 2025
Is It Time to Rethink Your Relationship with Booze?
Jan 15, 2025
Are We Really Fighting About the Christmas Ham?
Dec 18, 2024
Are Your Holiday Boundaries Strong Enough?
Dec 12, 2024
Why Does My Teen Seem So Anxious, and How Can I Help?
Nov 27, 2024
Why Does My Teen Seem so Moody?
Nov 14, 2024
Why Doesn’t My Teen Want to Spend Time with the Family?
Oct 29, 2024
Why Does My Teen Feel Overwhelmed and What Can I Do to Support Them?
Oct 15, 2024
Why Won’t My Teen Talk to Me?
Oct 10, 2024
Is It Ok to Read My Child's Diary?
Oct 08, 2024
Bids for Connection. REPLAY
Oct 02, 2024
Is Couples Therapy Right for Your Relationship
Sep 25, 2024
What Women Aren't Told About Sex
Sep 18, 2024
Why do some people avoid couples therapy? REPLAY
Sep 11, 2024
Discussing Sex and Consent with Teens
Sep 04, 2024
Talking to Kids and Teens About Sex and Consent
Aug 28, 2024
Debunking Sex Myths
Aug 21, 2024
Why Doesn’t My Teen Listen to Me Anymore?
Aug 14, 2024
Supporting young mens emotional and mental health.
Aug 07, 2024
Is Your Teen Changing Overnight? Here's What’s Happening
Jul 31, 2024
Tackling Shame in Men with Michael Derby
Jul 24, 2024
Transform Your Relationship in One Hour a Week with State of the Union Meetings
Jul 14, 2024
Unlocking Happiness and Men’s Mental Health with Tim Sharp
Jun 27, 2024
You Made Me This Way Confronting Childhood Trauma and Surviving Sexual Abuse
Jun 20, 2024
Navigating Conflict and Embracing Vulnerability with John Flanagan
Jun 12, 2024
Understanding Depression: Men's Mental Health with Therapist Simon Rinne
Jun 04, 2024
Intro- Mens Health Month
Jun 03, 2024
Understanding Addiction. Coping Strategies and Sober Dating Tips
May 22, 2024
Help. My teens aren't interested in me. What do I do?
May 08, 2024
How our mindset impacts how we eat
Mar 20, 2024
How do I support my daughter through sexual assault without adding to the trauma?
Mar 13, 2024
Growing Yourself Up with Dr Jenny Brown
Mar 06, 2024
Navigating ADHD Coaching vs Therapy
Nov 20, 2023
What's an ADHD coach with Jodi Green _ ADHD part 1
Nov 08, 2023
Mini episode: Why Won't My Teen Talk To Me?
Oct 24, 2023
Mini series: Why won’t my teen talk to me after school?
Oct 21, 2023
Parents feeling rejected by their teens.
Oct 19, 2023
Dealing with rejection. Part 1
Oct 11, 2023
Building Stronger Parent-Child Relationships: A Conversation with Jenny Brown
Oct 05, 2023
What to expect when you start therapy
Sep 21, 2023
R U OK? Day Special: Talking About Suicide and Mental Health
Sep 13, 2023
Finding your values with Patch Callahan
Sep 07, 2023
Complaining is bad for your brain
Aug 20, 2023
Why do some people avoid couples therapy?
Aug 09, 2023
Understanding EMDR Therapy with Caroline Burrows
Aug 02, 2023
Bids for connection
Jul 28, 2023
I'm just not good enough
Jul 19, 2023
Do you worry?
Jul 12, 2023