Tera and Wes talk about the challenges of staying emotionally connected during the busy and often chaotic holiday season. They openly share moments of guilt, shame, and loneliness, showing how quickly small interactions can turn into emotional disconnect if left unaddressed. They discuss using the Core Emotion Wheel to break cycles of resentment and miscommunication. It’s not about avoiding conflict but recognizing the moments when connection is slipping and choosing to lean in—whether it’s over wrapping gifts, missed cues, or moments of unspoken bitterness. This conversation isn’t about holiday perfection; it’s about showing up for each other, even in the mess.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: https://www.connectioncodes.co/wheel

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-course-online

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – When Christmas Hustle Meets Emotional Chaos
• 00:00:51 – Why Wes is Here (And Why Tera Thinks People Don’t Like Her)
• 00:02:35 – The Tool That Saves Conversations Before They Explode
• 00:09:32 – Holiday Stress: Silent Resentment’s Best Friend
• 00:15:25 – The Moment Connection Feels Like an Uphill Climb
• 00:16:45 – Guilt and Anger Aren’t Just Gift-Wrapped Feelings
• 00:17:42 – The Core Emotion Wheel in Real Time
• 00:18:09 – When Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
• 00:19:35 – The Fastest Way to Stop Emotional Drift
• 00:20:40 – Sexual Loneliness: The Emotion No One Talks About
• 00:25:33 – Small Moments, Big Repairs: Finding Compassion Again
• 00:26:37 – Staying Connected When the Calendar Feels Impossible
• 00:30:02 – Joy, Gratitude, and a Holiday Sign-Off

Phyllis and Dr. Glenn Hill, alongside Tera Wages, reflect on years of caregiving, immense responsibility, and the hidden toll of staying too long in life’s boiling pot. As she shares moments of unexpected joy, pain, and tough decisions, Phyllis talks about how recognizing and addressing pain can lead to profound change. Tera joins the conversation, helping frame the journey of shifting from “I can’t” to “I can,” challenging all of us to confront our own boiling water and embrace the courage to pursue a life that truly serves us.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: https://www.connectioncodes.co/wheel

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-course-online

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Shattering the “I Can’t” Mindset
• 00:01:05 – Cracking the Code to Connection
• 00:01:36 – Pain as a Silent Companion
• 00:03:34 – A Life-Changing Family Call
• 00:04:43 – The Whisper of Help
• 00:08:18 – When the Pool Collapsed
• 00:12:30 – A Breath of New Perspective
• 00:15:49 – The Joyful Weight of Change
• 00:20:12 – Confronting the Fear of Letting Go
• 00:24:56 – Untangling Emotions for a Fresh Start
• 00:30:16 – A Call to Courage

Tera, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis dive right into the deep emotional impact of hurt and how it shapes our decisions, often leading us to throw out meaningful connections. They discuss the origins of the phrase “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” and share examples where unresolved pain led to disconnection—from friendships to church experiences and even political divides. The Connection Codes team discusses the importance of staying curious, processing emotions like hurt and fear, and choosing connection over isolation. This is a very powerful conversation about making your way through personal and communal hard situations while holding onto what truly matters.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/wheel

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-course-online

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - The Weight of Hurt Unpacked
• 00:00:52 - Meet the Voices Behind Connection
• 00:01:23 - Baby, Bathwater, and a Bigger Problem
• 00:05:51 - Stories That Still Sting
• 00:11:55 - Science Meets Hurt: The Brain’s Alarm
• 00:13:14 - Love in the Time of Pain
• 00:17:35 - Faith, Hurt, and a Bigger Picture
• 00:22:28 - When Churches Stop Listening
• 00:24:45 - Conversations That Change Everything
• 00:26:33 - Moving Through Pain, Step by Step
• 00:29:02 - How Pain Creates Growth
• 00:32:39 - Politics, Curiosity, and Connection
• 00:35:52 - Healing Starts with Acknowledgment
• 00:43:11 - A Final Look at Connection

Tera, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis talk about the surprising ways emotions can surface and the impact they have on our lives and connections. Phyllis shares a deeply personal moment when a Broadway play unexpectedly brought her to tears, triggering memories and grief she hadn’t felt in years. Tera, Glenn, and Phyllis reflect on the Connection Codes principle that emotions happen to us, often without warning, and how embracing this truth can lead to deeper connection and healing. They also discuss how society often misjudges emotional responses, and why learning to honor and process our feelings—rather than suppress them—can transform relationships and self-understanding. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation that reminds us how emotion shapes our human experience.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help⁠⁠

Chapters

• 00:00:00 - The Connection Codes Unveiled
• 00:01:23 - Phyllis Faces Unexpected Emotions
• 00:03:02 - A Play That Triggered the Past
• 00:05:16 - Grief Through the Lens of Broadway
• 00:08:57 - Supporting Emotions in Real Time
• 00:15:10 - The Depth of Emotional Pain
• 00:18:58 - Navigating Intense Emotional Waves
• 00:22:24 - A Stranger’s Unsettling Encounter
• 00:24:32 - What Drives Human Behavior
• 00:27:25 - Exploring the Core Emotion Wheel
• 00:30:52 - Emotions from New York Adventures
• 00:36:59 - Wrapping Up with Encouragement

Tera sits down with Sharon McMahon, widely known as America’s government teacher, to discuss the power of fear as a driver in politics and history. They discuss how emotions influence decision-making, the importance of warm relationships in bridging divides, and the steps individuals can take to create meaningful change in their communities. Sharon shares insights from her journey, highlights from her new book, The Small and the Mighty, and advice for navigating today’s polarized world.

Links and Resources:

Book a discovery call for Overwhelm Overhaul: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/tera-wages/30min⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about becoming a Certified Connection Codes Coach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/certified-coach

Connect with Sharon McMahon:

• Sharon McMahon: https://sharonmcmahon.com
• Sharon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonsaysso
• Here’s Where It Gets Interesting Podcast: https://sharonmcmahon.com/podcast
• The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon: https://sharonmcmahon.com/book

Chapters

• 00:00:00 - Meeting Sharon McMahon: America’s Government Teacher
• 00:01:59 - A Bold Leap into Education and Public Service
• 00:06:23 - How Fear Shapes History: Lessons We Need Today
• 00:12:30 - Fear as the Catalyst: Understanding Its Political Grip
• 00:17:41 - Politics Powered by Fear: Unpacking its Influence
• 00:27:14 - Uniting in Division: Strategies to Find Common Ground
• 00:29:08 - Social Media's Role in Isolation and Connection
• 00:34:08 - Big Impacts, Small Actions: How to Make a Difference
• 00:39:36 - Building a Legacy in a Digital World
• 00:40:46 - Stories of Unsung Heroes: Honoring Quiet Courage
• 00:51:13 - Supporting Roles: The Glue of Great Achievements
• 00:52:29 - Closing Reflections: Lessons to Take Forward⁠

Erika and Jordan Koop are back with the Connection Codes team to discuss creating meaningful connections within relationships and communities. From their initial struggles with applying Connection Codes to their eventual success in fostering a culture of emotional fluency in their northern Canadian community, their story gives you a look into both the challenges and rewards of building relational resilience. The conversation goes into the impact of vulnerability, the reality of conflict in close relationships, and steps for bringing transformative tools to others. The Koops show how connection can thrive even in the midst of personal and communal challenges.

Links and Resources:

Book a discovery call for Overwhelm Overhaul: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/tera-wages/30min⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Learn more about becoming a Certified Connection Codes Coach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/certified-coach⁠⁠

Connect with The Koops:

Erika and Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/questforthecore

Chapters

• 00:00:00 – The Start of a Connection Revolution
• 00:00:29 – Meet Jordan and Erica Koop
• 00:01:27 – A Message from Northern Canada
• 00:03:42 – The Koops’ Path to Connection Mastery
• 00:05:35 – Overcoming Barriers to Build Community
• 00:06:14 – The Key to Group Dynamics Success
• 00:09:01 – Profound Impacts of Connection Codes
• 00:16:10 – Personal Growth Through Emotional Challenges
• 00:27:17 – Navigating Shame and Fear in Relationships
• 00:28:30 – Exploring Emotional Cycles and the Pit of Despair
• 00:29:47 – Why Real-Time Emotional Processing Matters
• 00:31:23 – The Blueprint for a Supportive Community
• 00:34:33 – Vulnerability’s Role in Deepening Relationships
• 00:38:57 – Steps to Foster a Culture of Vulnerability
• 00:40:55 – Tangible Stories of Vulnerability at Work
• 00:45:12 – Empowering Community Builders with Resources
• 00:50:31 – Wrapping Up with Encouragement

Tera Wages and Echo Vetter Hill are discussing the realities of emotional awareness, exploring how emotions show up in our bodies and what they’re really telling us. They talk about the link between sensations and feelings, the purpose behind emotions like anger and sadness, and why we often resist our own needs. Together, they look at how facing pain can lead to real growth and how connecting with our emotions can transform relationships and self-understanding. Tera also guides you through the Core Emotion Wheel, giving you a look at a tool for identifying and processing what’s going on beneath the surface.

Links and Resources:

Book a discovery call for Overwhelm Overhaul: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/tera-wages/30min⁠⁠⁠⁠

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠⁠

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Learn more about becoming a Certified Connection Codes Coach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/certified-coach⁠

Connect with Echo Hill Vetter:

Echo Hill Vetter’s Substack | Letters from Nashville: ⁠https://substack.com/@echohillvetter⁠

Echo on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/echohillvetter⁠

Schedule 1:1 Coaching or Group Coaching with Echo: ⁠https://calendly.com/echohillvetter⁠

Echo’s LinkTree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/echohillvetter

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 — Start of the journey with Connection Codes
• 00:00:35 — Discovering needs with Echo Vetter Hill
• 00:02:42 — Emotions decoded: What do they do?
• 00:07:16 — Sensations and self-awareness
• 00:13:02 — Emotions stored in the body
• 00:19:14 — Differentiating acute and chronic emotional pain
• 00:27:40 — The surprising strength of anger
• 00:35:52 — Building connection: The real practice
• 00:36:35 — Embracing vulnerability with emotion
• 00:38:30 — Recognizing and managing hurt
• 00:38:51 — Weighing pain against growth
• 00:44:38 — Facing sadness and navigating loss
• 00:47:59 — Loneliness exposed and finding support
• 00:55:19 — Guilt, shame, and rewriting our actions
• 00:59:55 — Unlocking the Core Emotion Wheel
• 01:06:45 — Final reflections and encouragement

Tera welcomes the co-creator of Connection Codes, Echo Hill Vetter. She’s a trauma informed coach as well as a parenting and lead coach. Today they’re discussing the power of beliefs and how they shape our identities, often keeping us in what Echo calls a "tiny little box." As they talk about the emotional weight of Election Day, they explore why differing perspectives can feel threatening and how fear plays a central role in our reactions. Tera and Echo discuss the impact of generational experiences and challenge you to approach differing beliefs with curiosity rather than judgment. Tera shares her own journey toward openness, encouraging you to stay connected to yourself and others, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Links and Resources:

Book a discovery call for Overwhelm Overhaul: ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/tera-wages/30min⁠⁠⁠

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about becoming a Certified Connection Codes Coach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/certified-coach

Connect with Echo Hill Vetter:

Echo Hill Vetter’s Substack | Letters from Nashville: https://substack.com/@echohillvetter

Echo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echohillvetter

Schedule 1:1 Coaching or Group Coaching with Echo: https://calendly.com/echohillvetter

Echo’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/echohillvetter

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Election Day Reflections and Emotional Intensity
• 00:01:58 - Exploring How Beliefs Shape Identity
• 00:03:22 - The Role of Fear in Feeling Safe
• 00:04:43 - When Beliefs No Longer Fit
• 00:08:19 - Echo’s Personal Journey with Shifting Beliefs
• 00:10:13 - Finding Connection through Curiosity
• 00:14:58 - Using Emotional Awareness to Bridge Differences
• 00:20:33 - Discovering Common Ground Through Shared Fears
• 00:27:15 - Core Emotion Wheel: A Tool for Connection
• 00:30:47 - Final Reflections on Staying Connected