Podcast

Explore the messy, imperfect road of life with Dr. Carla while you exercise, relax, and go about your daily routine.

“I deeply appreciate Dr. Carla’s Imperfect Love podcast. As I drive home in traffic from Los Angeles, rush hour becomes wise hour. Instead of being frustrated, I am in the good doctor’s wise, caring, and compassionate company.”

–Wendy

Imperfect Love Podcast

Tired of striving to be perfect? Looking to find perfect love or trying to give perfect love? Let go of the impossible! No one is perfect. It’s giving and receiving our very best imperfect love that brings joy, success, and fulfillment.

Join Dr. Carla Marie Manly on the Imperfect Love podcast and discover how to transform love’s struggles and flaws into uplifting growth. Dr. Carla, renowned psychologist, author, and self-fulfillment expert, guides you with wit and ease using her empowering, loved-based approach. Each episode leaves you stronger and more capable of accepting your imperfections and those of others while you grow from these challenges. Find the power to break free from whatever holds you back. Discover how to channel your worries and self-criticism into positive energy. Give and receive the love that is right for you–with all its human imperfections.

No subject is off-limits including boundaries, dating, red flags, toxic dynamics, dead-end relationships, emotional intelligence (EQ), hookup culture, sex, attachment issues, emotional health, self-esteem, body image, anxiety, depression, infidelity, betrayal, marriage, divorce, LGBTQIA2S+, situationships, parenting, empty nesting, grandparenting, burnout, shame, conflict, and everything in between.

Welcome Imperfect Love into your life by tuning in now at https://www.drcarlamanly.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is purely educational and is not a replacement for professional psychological support. In case of emergency, contact your nearest hospital or emergency hotline such as “911” (US), “999” (UK), or “112” (EU).

Send Your Confidential Podcast Questions to Dr. Carla

Helping Families Be Happy

With help from guest authors, experts, and community and business leaders, the Familius Helping Families Be Happy podcast explores topics and issues that connect families to the nine habits of a happy family: love, play, learn, work, talk, heal, read, eat, and laugh together.

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Blog Episodes

Find Your Voice, Speak Your Truth, and Set Yourself Free with Expert Soha Al-Jurf

Has your inner voice been quashed or silenced? Do you feel small or unseen due to the forces of your upbringing, relationships, or society?…

Is Relaxed Parenting the Healthiest Way to Go? Lighten Up with Expert Dr. Emily Edlynn

No matter your age, gender, socioeconomic status, or other factors, parenting is no easy task. Yet we often expect ourselves to be the ideal,…

Discover Your Power to Shine and Be Your Authentic Self with Affirmation Expert Jess Vosseteig

Affirmation is a powerful tool for resilience. We’re often expected to be positive and upbeat no matter what is going on in our lives.…

Healing Family Rifts by Embracing Love, Respect, and Boundaries with Expert Lyn Smith Gregory

Family is one of the most fundamental aspects of human existence. From birth forward, we’re often indoctrinated to embrace the values and priorities prized…

Break Free Of Destructive Dieting And Disordered Eating–Simple Research-Backed Steps From Expert Dr. Supatra Tovar

We often learn early in life to use food as a coping strategy, which can lead to destructive dieting patterns. In today’s stressful, perfection-oriented…

Boost Mental Clarity, Mindfulness, and Physical Well-Being with Renowned Somatic Expert Dr. Martha Eddy

We naturally want to believe that we are living consciously and engaging in practices that foster optimal health and well-being. However, challenges and stressors…

Increase Confidence, Focus, and Emotional Regulation with Life Optimization & Neurodiversity Expert Dr. Gretchen Pound

Frazzled? Unfocused? Emotionally dysregulated? Although we want to be stable and caring partners, parents, employees, bosses, and friends, it’s easy to get stuck in…

Emotional Vampires: How to Detect Them and Keep Yourself Safe from Their Energy-Draining Ways!

Emotional vampires specialize in sucking up your energy, joy, and inner peace. At their core, emotional vampires are empty, and their self-centered behaviors take…

Decreasing Bullying, Gun Violence, and Mass Shootings with Medical Expert Dr. Nina Cerfolio

Are you plagued by thoughts of school shootings, terrorism, or other acts of violence? If fear, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts about violence permeate your…

Cure Binge Eating and Other Destructive Eating Habits (and Never Diet Again) with Expert Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin

Emotional eating can be difficult to cure due to an often confounding mixture of emotional, psychological, physiological, and societal factors. We often expect ourselves…

Navigating The Pain Of Family Estrangement With Expert Aimee Palmer

We want—and expect—family ties to last forever. From infancy forward, we naturally seek lasting bonds that will make us feel safe and loved. Yet,…

Discover the Six Secrets of Lasting Joy and Satisfaction with Expert Dr. Jennifer Guttman

We’re told that we should be happy and that we deserve to have it all. And we often feel that we’ve failed ourselves if…

Healing From Traumatic Bonding, Gaslighting, and Abuse With Expert Dr. Nadine Macaluso

We never expect—much less want—to find ourselves caught up in abusive relationships or toxic dynamics such as trauma bonding or gaslighting. In fact, traumatic bonding,…

Confused and Out of Balance? Discover Top Healing Secrets with Wellness Advocate and Acupuncture Expert John Jaarsveld

We often expect ourselves to be everything, everywhere, all at once for everyone, yet such high expectations can lead to being mentally, emotionally, physically,…

Mindfully Managing ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Medical Expert Dr. Raun Melmed

We’re constantly learning more about the world of neurodiversity and how to appreciate that every person’s brain works differently. Yet, given the pressure to…

Struggling with Aging or Ageism? How to Embrace a Vibrant Outlook at Every Age with Expert Lindsey McDivitt

There was a time in the not-too-distant past when aging was honored and seen as a natural part of life. Yet in today’s world, we’ve…

Become Your Best Self–and a More Attuned Parent–by Healing Childhood Trauma with Expert Dr. Robyn Koslowitz

If your childhood was traumatic, you might expect yourself to have forgotten or moved past the difficulties and challenges you endured. Yet, from my…

MENTAL HEALTH MADNESS: Fighting for Support in a Broken Mental Healthcare System with Expert Dr. Alice Feller

We want to believe that our healthcare system will be there for us when we need it. And we rightly expect that those entrusted…

Exploring The Peter Pan Syndrome: Fostering Growth and Harmony While Reaching for the Stars with Expert Dr. Nick Literski

We often believe that we need to change who we are to be loved and accepted. Yet, in the process of shape-shifting to meet…

Creating Safety, Connection, and Inner Calm in an Uncertain World with Neuropsychologist Dr. Sherry Kelly

We want those we care about to feel safe, loved, and secure, and we naturally want the same for ourselves. Yet in today’s chaotic…

The Trauma Toolkit: Research-Back Tips for Healing with Trauma Expert and Physician, Dr. Christy Gibson

When life feels stressful, dark, or challenging, we often tell ourselves–or are told by others–that we should just toughen and carry on. Yet, from…

Listen, Love, And Learn: Bringing Generations Together With Mental Health Advocate And Gen-Z Expert John Schlimm

Division between generations is not a new issue, yet the disconnect between Gen-Z and older generations can lead to social alienation, interpersonal conflict, and…

The Intricate Web of Addiction, Love, Loss, Grief, and Healing with Expert Alicia Cook

Love. Addiction. Sobriety. Trauma. Death. Grief. Each of these six seemingly simple words holds vast meaning and power, yet – when absorbed collectively –…

Healing from Family and Romantic Relationship Betrayals with Expert Dr. Debi Silber

We often crave to be loved perfectly, yet human love is naturally imperfect. And while it’s normal for us to unintentionally let each other…

The Joy and Freedom of Being Imperfect with Expert Debra Fox Gansenberg

We often believe that if we try harder and harder to be the perfect partner, parent, friend, or employee, we will somehow create a…

The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot Gaslighters and Heal from Emotional Manipulation with Expert Dr. Robin Stern

Gaslighting. It’s an increasingly common term that dates back to a 1938 British Play, Gas Light, and subsequent movies focused on the power of…

Untying the Anxiety Knot with Mental Health Expert Lisa Sugarman

Anxiety has a way of weaving itself into our bodies, brains, and lives. Struggles with anxiety often begin in childhood and, by adulthood, can…

Truth, Lies, and Confessions: The Fear of Sharing Dark Secrets with Mental Health Advocate Tobi Ojekunle

Secrets. Lies. Truth. Confessions. We often learn to hide parts of who we are–including the mistakes we’ve made along the way. Yet, I’ve found…

Feeling Blocked? Bring Your Dreams to Life Through the Power of Manifestation with Expert Julia Griffin

It can be easy to fall into indifference, hopelessness, or despair when we’re met with roadblocks over and over again. Yet I’ve found that–even…

PTSD and Children: Supportive Insights for Parents with Expert Jolene Philo

PTSD and children—it’s a critical topic. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is increasingly common in our challenging world, and while it’s often difficult to recognize…

Motherhood Matters! Empowering and Uplifting Self-Care Tips for Moms with Expert Dayna M. Kurtz, LCSW

Every day, millions of women struggle in their new (or existing) roles as mothers. No matter how much a woman desires to be a…

Motherhood is Beautiful and Hard! From Managing Stress to Post-Partum Depression, Dive Into Powerful Self-Care Tips with Expert Tracy Gold

Motherhood is wonderful, yet, as any mom can tell you, it’s not always sunshine, roses, and smiles. From the challenges of physiological changes, self-doubt,…

Break Free of Stress and Burnout Using the Power of Mindful Intention with Expert Chantay Golson

Tired of endless chaos? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Burnt out? Exhausted? If you’re nodding along, you’re likely feeling the effects of the hustle culture. The cure…

Love, Loss, and Grieving: Getting Stuck, Moving Forward, and Letting Go with Expert Mark Ed

LOVE is the greatest gift we are ever given. It brings us purpose, joy, connection, and life itself. Yet because we love, we also…

Heal From Betrayal Via Gentle Self-Love With Award-Winning Expert Noah benShea

We want to believe that love will last forever, and perhaps it does. Yet, as imperfect humans, we sometimes let down others—and even ourselves—in…

THE CURE FOR ECO-ANXIETY! Discover Simple Tips to Create Inner Peace and Lasting Change with Expert Laura Paskus

Eco-anxiety is on the rise. We see and feel the effects of climate change at every turn. From natural disasters to increasingly unpredictable weather…

Lasting Love: Navigating the Highs and Lows of Relationships with Expert Myrna Haskell

Real love takes work! It’s easy to believe that healthy relationships should “just happen.” Our happily-ever-after fairy tales perpetuate the myth that love relationships…

Suffering from Imposter Syndrome? Filled with Self-Doubt? Discover Empowering Tips for Embracing Self-Worth with Expert Linda Sanderville

Imposter syndrome haunts many of us. For those who suffer from this self-defeating dynamic, I’ve found that feelings of being an imposter stay entrenched…

Feeling Powerless? Create BIG Changes in Your World via Small Acts of Kindness with Expert Magali Limeta

Feeling stressed and powerless in today’s chaotic world? At every turn, we are faced with important concerns: political turmoil, global warming, environmental disasters, wars,…

Unhealthy Food Habits? Rewire Your Brain for Lasting Change with Nutrition Expert Eydie Desser

Are your eating habits bringing you down? We often believe that what we eat has little, if any, impact on our psychological health. Especially…

Reduce Stress! Create Balance! Optimize Your Emotional and Physical Well-being with Somatic Expert Dr. Amy Wheeler

Looking for an antidote to stress? If you feel constantly out of balance, anxious, or stressed, you’re not alone. When life feels challenging or…

Simple Steps to Lasting Joy with Expert Lisa McCourt

We are often expected to stay happy—to be cheery and upbeat no matter what is going on in our lives. As a result of…

Create a NEW Experience of Love and Relationship by Healing Your Inner Child with Expert Rebeccah Silence

Are you a prisoner of your past? Is it possible to access your inner child to heal the wounds that keep you stuck? Can…

Embrace Your Perfectly Imperfect Self with Body Positivity Expert Emily Lauren Dick

The pressure to look perfect–and be perfect–is exhausting and expensive on many levels. In the quest to live up to impossibly high beauty standards,…

You Are Enough! You Do Enough! You Have Enough! The Upside of Inner Contentment! with Expert Sheridan Stewart

We often have scripts running in our heads that tell us we should be more, do more, and obtain more. These inner narratives work…

How Insecure Attachment Feeds Unhealthy Behaviors with Expert Jasmine Alexander, Registered Clinical Counselor

People-pleasing tendencies tend to begin in early childhood and often stem from insecure attachment. From childhood forward, we often learn to please others to…

Sensitivity as a Superpower! Tips for Mindfully Embracing Sensitivity with Expert Rebecca Strong, Writer, Singer, and HSP!

If you’re a sensitive person, you may have been told that you are the problem—that if only you weren’t “so sensitive,” everything would be…

Boosting Your Body Image and Eating Habits with Expert Bri DeRosa

Body image. Food. Perfectionism. The relationships we have with our bodies and the food we eat are shaped by factors such as childhood environments…

Manifest Incredible Abundance with Expert Jessica Lancaster

Manifesting! This singular word is magical to some and cringe-worthy to others. Yet, when manifesting is mindfully embraced, it can become a powerful tool…

The Wild, Wonderful World of Imperfect Parenting with Expert Heather Aranda, Mother of Eight

Balancing family, marriage, work, and at least a touch of self-care isn’t easy. Sometimes, the harder we strive to get it all done perfectly,…

Crafting Healthy Friendships at Every Stage in Life with Expert Jessica Speer

Healthy friendships are food for the soul. Indeed, the best relationships are rooted in mutual kindness, honesty, and respect. With loneliness at epidemic levels,…

Neurodivergence, Trauma, and Special Needs! Strength-Based Tips for Fostering Healthy Family Time with Expert Bri DeRosa

Neurodiversity—the idea that each person experiences and interacts with the world around them in different ways—is a truly empowering concept. When we remove labels…

Nurturing Sisterhood: Keys to Connecting with Sisters of the Soul and Heart with Experts Sabrina and Eunice Moyle

The power of sisterhood can be amazing despite—and sometimes because of—the imperfections each person brings to the relationship. When sisters unite in heart, soul,…

Fostering Healthy Boundaries and Empowerment with Expert June Smalls

From the norms that push people-pleasing behaviors to the influences of patriarchal households, it’s easy to end up feeling small and boundaryless. In our…

Plagued by Self-Doubt, Anxiety, or Panic Attacks? Free Yourself from Fear with Expert Dr. Friedemann Schaub

Anxiety. It’s a powerful force that can take hold of us and control every aspect of our lives. Anxiety, which is a form of…

REAL Family is Made, Not Born! From Attachment to Self-Care, Expert Dr. Denise Wagner Offers Top Tips on Parenting and Adoption!

We often believe that families are based on shared genes—that biology itself creates family. Yet in my professional and personal experience, I’ve surely found…

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Imperfect Love Podcast

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