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This Complex Life

Marie Vakakis
Mental Health
Empathy
Men's Mental Health
Adolescence
Communication
State Of the Union Meetings
Parenting Challenges
Understanding Adolescents
Depression
Positive Relationships
Teen Mental Health
Young Men's Mental Health
Relationships
Anxiety
Men's Health Month
Couples Therapy
Communication Skills
Sex Education
Developmental Stages
Parenting

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
Health & FitnessEducationSelf-ImprovementMental Health

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Artwork for This Complex Life

Latest Episodes

We all like to think of ourselves as grown-ups, but what does it really mean to grow yourself up? And how does that shape every relationship you have at home, at work, and with the people you love most?

In this encore episode, I’m joined by Dr Jenny... more

Does it ever feel like your teenager just doesn’t hear you?

You remind them about chores, offer advice, try to connect and all you get back is silence, an eye roll, or a quick “whatever.”

In this encore episode, I unpack one of the biggest frustra... more

YouTube

As kids grow into teens, they start to need more independence, and for many parents, that shift can feel like rejection. When your child pulls away, stops talking, or wants less of you, it’s easy to take it personally.

In this encore episode of This... more

Rejection stings, whether it’s a friend pulling away, not getting the job, being ghosted, or a partner feeling distant. Our brains don’t like ambiguity, so they fill in the blanks with painful stories about not being good enough, smart enough, or lo... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Belinda Gibson
Psychologist and regular podcast guest
Episode: Why You Don’t Feel Good Enough (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right)
Dr. Lillian Nejad
Clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience helping people manage anxiety and stress.
Skills for Life
Episode: Do you worry? with Dr Lillian Nejad.
Jamie Maserow
Psychologist sharing insights on mental health and parenting after COVID lockdowns
Episode: Are We Failing Young People?
Anne Carter
Compassionate and experienced therapist specializing in discernment counseling.
Episode: Discernment Counselling
Trish Purnell-Webb
Clinical psychologist, certified Gottman therapist, and advanced clinical trainer and consultant for the Gottman Institute
Gottman Institute
Episode: How Couples Therapy Can Improve Mental Health with Trish Purnell-Webb

Host

Marie Vakakis
Therapist and mental health educator providing insights and practical advice about parenting, relationships, and mental health.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 69 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 States7 months 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.

The informative discussions are complimented for their blend of humor and sincerity, making difficult topics more accessible.
Appreciation is evident for the therapeutic insights and the host's engaging style, fostering a connection with the audience.
Listeners recommend the podcast for its depth and variety in addressing common issues faced in modern parenting and relationships.
Many find the content to be a valuable resource for both personal growth and professional development, especially relevant for parents and mental health professionals.
Listeners appreciate the practical and relatable advice offered, particularly in navigating complex family and relationship dynamics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Healing the Unmet Needs of Our Younger Selves
Q: What are some of the biggest myths you've heard about childhood trauma?
Many believe trauma only includes significant events such as physical abuse, while it often includes unmet emotional needs or attachment wounds that aren't recognized.
Healing the Unmet Needs of Our Younger Selves
Q: What are we talking about when we refer to unhealed parts of ourselves?
We're talking about coping strategies or learned ways of navigating the world that start to become not helpful and can manifest as difficulties in managing emotions.
The Future of Friendships: Are We Getting Lonelier?
Q: How can we navigate the challenges of maintaining friendships as adults?
It's about putting in intentional efforts, whether it's planning activities or simply staying in touch regularly.
The Future of Friendships: Are We Getting Lonelier?
Q: What does initiating plans look like in friendships?
Initiating could mean being straightforward about what you want to do and when, making plans easier and more casual.
When Your Teen Struggles to Make Friends. What Parents Can Do That Actually Helps
Q: What should I do to help my daughter who is struggling to make friends?
Instead of pushing activities, try to create a supportive environment where she feels comfortable expressing her feelings and explore her interests with curiosity.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Complex Life

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

This podcast focuses on the complexities of parenting, teenage behavior, and relationships, offering real-life insights and practical advice rooted in psychological principles. Hosted by a seasoned therapist and mental health educator, the discussions cover a wide range of issues, from understanding teenage moods to navigating marital difficulties. Each episode features relatable conversations aimed at helping listeners find manageable solutions to the challenges they face in daily family and relationship dynamics, blending education with a touch of humor to make the content engaging and accessible.

Where can I find podcast stats for This Complex Life?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for This Complex Life. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to This Complex Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does This Complex Life get?

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What are the audience demographics for This Complex Life?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for This Complex Life, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does This Complex Life have?

To see how many followers or subscribers This Complex Life has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to This Complex Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Complex Life:

1. Ladies, We Need To Talk
2. The Imperfects
3. No Filter
4. She's On The Money
5. How Do They Afford That?

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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for This Complex Life?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for This Complex Life from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for This Complex Life?

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What guests have appeared on This Complex Life?

Recent guests on This Complex Life include:

1. Andrea Dindinger
2. Carrie Wiita
3. Ben Feinman
4. Tham Fuyana
5. Belinda Gibson
6. Dr. Lillian Nejad
7. Jamie Maserow
8. Anne Carter

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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