In this conversation, Mark Hicks delves into the multifaceted nature of love, emphasizing the importance of emotions, particularly sadness, in fostering healthy relationships. He argues that society has largely replaced sadness with anger, leading to a culture that values toughness over vulnerability. Hicks advocates for the reintroduction of sadness as a necessary emotion for healing and compassion, suggesting that acknowledging our feelings can lead to healthier interactions in families, workplaces, and communities.

Takeaways

• Love is the answer, but we must explore the questions.
• Emotion is a vital component of love.
• Sadness is an emotion we need to bring back.
• Society often replaces sadness with anger.
• Anger is a stereotype for strength, especially in men.
• Women also face pressure to appear strong and tough.
• Sadness is often dismissed as weakness.
• Our nervous system reacts differently to anger and sadness.
• Sadness calls us to healing and compassion.
• We need to practice sadness to improve our relationships.

Chapters

00:00 The Three Phases of Starting Over

03:35 The Dismissal of Feelings in Business and Family

06:10 The Replacement of Sadness with Anger

10:03 Understanding Anger and Sadness

12:26 The Importance of Compassion and Healing

Dr. Mark A. Hicks, author of the book 'Learning Love,' provides tangible, real-life insights on how to build healthy, happy, thriving relationships, even if you come from a dysfunctional family background, have been through a divorce, or struggled with relationships in the past. Love isn't about fate. Love is a skill set, and this is the place to learn that skill set as we spend some time learning love.

Order "Learning Love: Building a Life that Matters and Healthy Relationships that Last": https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-love-mark-a-hicks/1146412363?ean=9781636985954

Visit Dr. Mark A. Hicks online: https://www.markahicks.com/

In this conversation, Mark Hicks explores the concept of starting over in life, emphasizing that love is the answer to many of life's challenges. He discusses the importance of recognizing when it's time to make a change, the fantasy of erasing the past, and the necessity of going through a grief process to heal. Hicks highlights the significance of mutual agreement in relationships, the unpredictability of life, and the importance of learning from past experiences without creating villains. He also addresses the need for a strategic approach to professional changes and outlines three essential phases for starting over: grief, honesty, and taking small steps.

Takeaways

• Love is the answer to life's challenges.
• You are never truly stuck in life.
• Starting over requires a realistic approach, not fantasy.
• Grief is essential for healing and moving forward.
• Emotional scars can coexist with a fulfilling life.
• New patterns must replace old ones for true change.
• Life's unpredictability means you don't need a clear vision.
• Learning from past relationships is crucial for growth.
• Avoid creating villains in your personal narratives.
• Take small, actionable steps towards change.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Love and Starting Over

02:05 Facing the Fantasy of Starting Over

04:45 The Process of Healing and Grief

08:44 Building New Patterns in Relationships

12:48 Starting Over Alone: Lessons Learned

16:19 Navigating Career Changes and Professional Growth

21:08 The Three Phases of Starting Over

Dr. Mark A. Hicks, author of the book 'Learning Love,' provides tangible, real-life insights on how to build healthy, happy, thriving relationships, even if you come from a dysfunctional family background, have been through a divorce, or struggled with relationships in the past. Love isn't about fate. Love is a skill set, and this is the place to learn that skill set as we spend some time learning love.

Order "Learning Love: Building a Life that Matters and Healthy Relationships that Last": https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-love-mark-a-hicks/1146412363?ean=9781636985954

Visit Dr. Mark A. Hicks online: https://www.markahicks.com/

In this episode of the Learning Love Podcast, Dr. Mark A. Hicks, the host, discusses his new book 'Learning Love,' set to be released on June 10, 2025, by Morgan James Publishing. Dr. Hicks shares his journey of writing and the life lessons about relationships he learned through the experience. He recounts the various stages of his writing process, his move to Prague, fortuitous meetings with friends who guided him through self-publishing, and his eventual collaboration with Morgan James Publishing. Additionally, he delves into broader themes such as the importance of self-love, the practicality of love as a skillset, and the inclusive power of love in overcoming division. The episode emphasizes the application of love in personal and communal life and tackles the misguided belief that love can eradicate all fears and darkness. Instead, it positions love as a balancing force that enhances life quality. The podcast also explores fundamental questions like 'Who made that rule?' to challenge societal norms and encourage listeners to embrace rest and self-worth regardless of productivity levels.

00:00 Welcome to the Learning Love Podcast

00:34 The Journey of Writing 'Learning Love'

02:04 Meeting Don and the Path to Self-Publishing

04:16 From Self-Publishing to Morgan James Publishing

07:58 The Practicality of Love

11:54 The Inclusive Nature of Love

13:35 The Image of Love and Self-Love

19:14 The Goals and Misconceptions of Love

24:56 Questioning Life's Rules

29:10 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Dr. Mark A. Hicks, author of the book 'Learning Love,' provides tangible, real-life insights on how to build healthy, happy, thriving relationships, even if you come from a dysfunctional family background, have been through a divorce, or struggled with relationships in the past. Love isn't about fate. Love is a skill set, and this is the place to learn that skill set as we spend some time learning love.

Order "Learning Love: Building a Life that Matters and Healthy Relationships that Last": https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-love-mark-a-hicks/1146412363?ean=9781636985954

Visit Dr. Mark A. Hicks online: https://www.markahicks.com/