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Artwork for This Complex Life

This Complex Life

Marie Vakakis
Mental Health
Couples Therapy
Relationships
Communication
Therapy
Conflict Resolution
Intimacy
Communication Skills
Men's Mental Health
Parenting
Family Dynamics
Sex Education
Anxiety
Empathy
Emotional Safety
Infidelity
Attachment Theory
Adolescence
Emotional Connection
Loneliness

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, practi... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes119Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Self-ImprovementHealth & FitnessEducationMental Health

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Artwork for This Complex Life

Latest Episodes

You've probably received the same relationship advice everyone gets. Never go to bed angry. Just communicate more. Send them the link. Some of it sounds reasonable and most of it gets misapplied in ways that create more problems than they solve. Moni... more

YouTube

If you've ever agreed to something and immediately regretted it, apologised for something that wasn't your fault, or changed your opinion halfway through a conversation just to keep the peace, this episode is for you. The fawn response is one of the ... more

YouTube

Most couples have had the same money argument dozens of times without ever having the real conversation underneath it. Research shows that 58% of Australian couples report finances as a major source of conflict, and a study of over 5,500 couples foun... more

YouTube

Sex and disability. Two words most people still find uncomfortable in the same sentence. I sat down with sexologist Casey Payne to talk about what we get wrong, why pleasure belongs to everyone regardless of how their body works, and what it actually... more

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Recent Guests

Monica Tanner
Relational Life Therapy Certified Relationship Coach and host of Secrets of Happily Ever After
Relational Life Therapy; Secrets of Happily Ever After
Episode: Bad marriage advice with Monica Tanner
Casey Payne
Sexologist, Pleasure Pixel
Pleasure Pixel
Episode: Sex and Disability: Pleasure Is for Everyone
Dr. Jodi Richardson
Wellbeing and mental health expert, author and speaker, host of the Well Hello Anxiety Podcast
Well Hello Anxiety Podcast
Episode: Is This Anxiety or Is My Brain Just Freaking Out
Michael Wilson
Conducted a world-first study on suicide prevention and men's mental health.
Orygen
Episode: Breakups, Masculinity and Men’s Mental Health
Bronte Taylor
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Therapist
Episode: Rethinking Who You Are After Having Kids with Bronte Taylor
Andrea Dindinger
Marriage and Family Therapist
Therapy with Andrea
Episode: Affairs, Trust, and the Work of Healing After Betrayal
Carrie Wiita
A graduate of a master's in marriage and family therapy program in California, she has transitioned from the entertainment industry into therapy.
Very Bad Therapy Podcast
Episode: What Therapists Get Wrong (and How We Can Do Better)
Ben Feinman
Co-host of Very Bad Therapy and clinic director at Sentio Counseling Center, where he trains counselors in a deliberate practice approach.
Very Bad Therapy Podcast, Sentio Counseling Center
Episode: What Therapists Get Wrong (and How We Can Do Better)
Tham Fuyana
Educator and therapist focusing on mental health and BIPOC experiences
Therapy Hub
Episode: Navigating Therapy as a BIPOC Client: Stigma, Support & Healing with Tham Fuyana

Host

Marie Vakakis
Couple and family therapist; therapist and mental health educator; host providing insights on relationships and parenting.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 71 ratings
  • Insightful and practical

    I really enjoy this podcast. The host is smart and helpful and easy to listen to. The topics don’t necessarily all apply to me but usually something is mentioned or the way she frames things helps translate to my own situations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kevin5220abc
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love it

    A friend got me onto this podcast. So much interesting info and I love that the episodes are different lengths so I can pick what I have time for in that moment.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aniaistired
    Australiaa year ago
  • Highly rate

    Marie is well researched and thorough in her exploration of topics. Her podcast is my go to whenever i’m in the car or during my morning walk. I highly rate this podcast to anyone wanting to increase their knowledge.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BellGee81
    Australiaa year ago
  • Incredible listen for teachers and parents!

    As a teacher, This Complex Life has been such an eye-opener—not just for understanding my students but also for my own relationship. Marie’s insights into teenagers and relationships are practical, relatable, and often feel like she’s speaking directly to my experiences.

    Her episodes have helped me better understand the emotional challenges my students face, while also giving me thoughtful tips to strengthen communication and connection in my personal life. Whether it’s for the classroom or my ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Msord
    Australiaa year ago
  • Highly recommend!

    Listening to This Complex Life feels like having a personal therapist in your pocket. Marie’s episodes on relationships are insightful and practical, breaking down why things feel hard and how to make them better.

    Her advice is honest, warm, and easy to apply, leaving me with real tools to improve my relationship. If you’re looking for straightforward, relatable guidance, this podcast is a must-listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Reece rocks
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Appreciated for varied episode lengths and actionable takeaways.
Consistently practical and relatable guidance for relationships and parenting.
Feels like a personal therapist in your pocket with honest, actionable advice.
Helpful for social workers and educators seeking real-world applications.
Professional, well-researched discussions that are accessible to a broad audience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bad marriage advice with Monica Tanner
Q: What is the core misinterpretation of the biblical idea not to let the sun set on your wrath, and how should couples actually handle late-night conflicts?
She argues it's about not leaving important issues unresolved and encourages clearing the air the next day if needed, allowing both partners to rest and revisit with a calmer mind.
Bad marriage advice with Monica Tanner
Q: How did the idea for Bad Marriage Advice come about, and why did you decide to write it?
Monica explains that her oldest son announced his engagement at 21, which prompted her to reflect on the well-meaning but potentially unhelpful marriage advice she'd seen. She wanted to create a beginner's guide that balances truth with practical steps, challenging common maxims she believes are often misapplied.
Help, We Keep Fighting About Money
Q: My partner and I keep fighting about money. What do we do?
Shift toward curiosity, share your own discoveries from the episode, and start with non-defensive questions to uncover each person's money story and values before tackling a budget.
Sex and Disability: Pleasure Is for Everyone
Q: When is it appropriate to seek professional help for sex and disability topics?
The host and guest agree that there's no wrong time to seek support and that sex therapy or sexology is talk-based, providing a safe space to explore sexuality without physical contact.
Sex and Disability: Pleasure Is for Everyone
Q: What do we get wrong when we talk about sex and disability?
The guest explains that societyoften equates sex with penis-in-vagina and overlooks emotional, physical, and non-penetrative aspects of intimacy, which narrows understanding and inhibits healthy sexuality.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Complex Life

What is This Complex Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Relatable discussions centered on parenting, teenagers, and intimate relationships, with a focus on practical, therapist-informed guidance. Episodes span how past experiences shape present dynamics, how different attachment and communication patterns fuel conflicts, and how to foster healthier connections through emotional safety, vulnerability, and clear conversations. A consistent thread is translating clinical insights into actionable tips for families, couples, and individuals navigating everyday life, with expert guests offering perspectives on mental health, parenting challenges, and personal growth that listeners can apply in real-time.

Noteworthy strengths include a therapist's approachable tone, a strong emphasis on real-world str... more

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How many listeners does This Complex Life get?

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Which podcasts are similar to This Complex Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Complex Life:

1. The Mel Robbins Podcast
2. The Imperfects
3. Chat 10 Looks 3
4. Ladies, We Need To Talk
5. Mamamia Out Loud

How many episodes of This Complex Life are there?

This Complex Life launched 7 years ago and published 119 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact This Complex Life?

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What guests have appeared on This Complex Life?

Recent guests on This Complex Life include:

1. Monica Tanner
2. Casey Payne
3. Dr. Jodi Richardson
4. Michael Wilson
5. Bronte Taylor
6. Andrea Dindinger
7. Carrie Wiita
8. Ben Feinman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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