Untangling the Venus Flytrap: Vulnerability, Trust & Taking Your Power Back
This week on Thursday Tea with Sami, I sit down with Dr. Stephen Paul Edwards, author of The Venus Flytrap: Sex, Lies, and Repercussions, for a raw and often funny conversation about self-awareness, accountability, and the patterns we repeat without realizing it.
We talk about why vulnerability isn't weakness but the foundation of real intimacy, how childhood shame quietly shapes the relationships we choose as adults, and why "everything happens for you, not to you" can be a powerful (if hard-won) reframe for even the most painful experiences. Stephen shares candid stories from his own history — including four marriages — and opens up about the three universal fears (self-worth, abandonment, and trust) that show up in nearly all of our relationship struggles.
We also get practical: what early warning signs of an unhealthy relationship look like, how isolation creeps in slowly, and concrete first steps if you recognize yourself in a "taker and giver" dynamic. Plus, a beautiful story about his mother that ties it all together.
📖 Read the first three chapters of The Venus Flytrap for free: https://vft23.com/
Grab your tea and get comfortable — this one's a reminder that none of us are alone in the mess of being human.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or psychological care.
Find Samia Estrada of Dignus Wellness on social media @DignusWellness
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🎶Special thanks to Nothing Short of Tragic for creating the amazing music you hear in our intro and outro—bringing the perfect vibe to each episode!
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Email me at: SamiaEstrada@DignusWellness.com
Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or mental health care. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic or clinician–patient relationship.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Dr. Samia Estrada, Psy.D., DipABLM, or Dignus Wellness. Content discussed on this podcast reflects general wellness, lifestyle medicine, and mental health education and may not be appropriate for everyone.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please seek immediate support from local emergency services or a trusted crisis ...
