In this episode of Human Beings, being human, I’m not sharing a story I’ve already walked through—I’m sharing the one I’m living right now. Earlier this year, I left behind a secure but soul-numbing federal job. After nearly a decade of “counting sheep and goats,” the comfort had become confinement, and I knew I couldn’t grow there anymore. So I quit—without a plan, only a leap of faith into the unknown.

What followed was messy: financial anxiety, sleepless nights, doubts about my worth, even ruptures in my relationship. But breakdowns became breakthroughs as I learned to face the fears I’d spent years avoiding. Instead of pushing them away, I began listening—discovering that on the other side of fear is often the very desire I’ve been longing for.

I share what it’s been like to sit with shadow, to give up alcohol and feel what I used to numb, and to let therapy and mirrors of connection hold me through the hardest parts. And I share the hope and clarity that’s begun to emerge—the trust that my worth isn’t something I have to prove, but something I can remember and return to.

If you’re in your own season of transition—between jobs, identities, relationships, or versions of yourself—I hope my story helps you feel less alone. You’re not broken, you’re not behind. You’re becoming.

I’d love to hear from you: What have your seasons of in-between looked like? What challenges have you faced, and what did you learn by walking through them?

Let’s keep becoming—together.

What does it really mean to live and love beyond traditional rules?

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Sky to explore the messy, beautiful, and deeply human experience of being non-monogamous. Together we talk about what drew us into this path, the challenges and breakthroughs we’ve faced, and how non-monogamy has changed the way we see ourselves, our partners, and love itself.

This isn’t a “how-to” guide. It’s a conversation about the real stuff—the fear of being vulnerable, the courage it takes to tell the truth, the joy of deep connection, and the heartbreaks that shape us along the way. Sky shares stories that are raw and relatable, while I reflect on my own journey of learning how to communicate, negotiate, and love in ways I never thought possible.

At its heart, this episode is about more than just relationship structures. It’s about being human together. About what it means to feel seen, held, and heard in our relationships, and how leaning into honesty—even when it’s uncomfortable—creates space for intimacy, freedom, and belonging.

If you’ve ever wondered about non-monogamy, or if you’re just curious about how people make meaning of love in their own lives, this conversation is for you. My hope is that you leave this episode not only with a window into non-monogamy, but also with permission to ask deeper questions in your own relationships—and to trust that the hard conversations can lead to more connection, not less.

Come as you are. Leave a little more human.

If you loved Sky and would like to work with her, you can contact her here.

https://www.erikalabuzanlopeztherapy.com/meet-sky-counseling-intern-couplestherapy-marriagecounseling-leaguecity-houston-texas

In this intimate episode, I trace my personal relationship journey—from shy teenager, to married and opening up, to embracing many loves, and finally calling in my current primary partner. It’s a story about learning what love means when you stop following default rules and start creating relationships with intention.

I share the awkwardness of my early years, when I barely spoke to the girls I liked, and the sweetness of my first love at 15—a connection that planted the seed for the kind of intimacy I’d always seek. I talk about the long stretch between then and my marriage, where I often found myself drawn to people who were unavailable in some way, and how that shaped my early understanding of love.

When I got married, I knew about non-monogamy but hadn’t practiced it. We eventually opened our relationship, and while it brought new possibilities, it also brought every insecurity and fear to the surface. That experience taught me what doesn’t work for me—and pushed me to start asking better questions about what I actually want.

Post-divorce, I dove into learning: books like More Than Two and The Ethical Slut, relationship coaching, and a lot of trial and error. In 2019, I found myself in three concurrent relationships that felt surprisingly easy and connected—none of us trying to be each other’s “everything.” I realized that variety wasn’t a lack; it was richness.

When the pandemic hit, one of those relationships deepened. I said yes to it even knowing it might end, because endings can be just as sacred as beginnings. That conscious ending made space for what I truly wanted: a primary partner.

That’s when Ziona came into my life. Introduced through mutual friends, we connected immediately. We chose to be monogamous for our first couple of years, building a foundation of trust, safety, and communication. Now, with that foundation in place, we’re expanding again—slowly, intentionally, and with joy for each other’s joy. That’s compersion: finding pleasure in your partner’s pleasure.

This episode explores:

• Why I no longer believe in one person meeting all my needs
• How conscious endings can be deeply healing
• The importance of starting with friendship and moving at the pace of your nervous system
• Why there’s no “better” between monogamy and polyamory—only what works for those involved
• The role of intention and communication in every relationship style

If you’ve ever questioned your relationship model, felt torn between tradition and curiosity, or wondered how to build something that truly fits you—this episode is for you. It’s not about choosing the “right” structure; it’s about being in relationship in a way that feels aligned, alive, and authentic.

💬 Reflection prompt:
What’s your relationship style—really? And what would you choose if you set aside everything you were told was “right” or “normal”?