Love, Unboxed. For the Hopeful Romantic

About Love, Unboxed. For the Hopeful Romantic

A relationship advice podcast for the high-functioning, heart-weary romantic. Hosted by therapist and relationship expert Dr. Colleen Mullen, each episode explores real listener questions about dating, love, and the emotional patterns that keep us stuck. Through relatable stories, expert insights, and actionable advice, you’ll learn how to stop repeating old dynamics and start creating the kind of love you actually want—because you can win in love, too. Leave your question for Dr. Colleen at LoveUnboxedPodcast.com.

Publisher

Dr Colleen Mullen

Category

education · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Apr 2024

Latest episode

7 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Sept 2025

   How to Stop Falling for Potential: 5 Ways to Avoid Relationship Mud

   Are you dating someone’s potential instead of the reality sitting across from you? In this episode of Love, Unboxed, Dr. Colleen Mullen unpacks why smart, high-achieving women get stuck in “relationship mud,” holding out hope for partners who can’t or won’t meet them halfway. With personal stories, client insights, and five practical strategies, you’ll learn how to stop chasing potential and start building love on solid ground.

2. 

   4 Aug 2025

   Loving Someone WIth ADHD: How to Support Your Partner

   🧠💛 Loving Someone with ADHD isn’t about fixing them — it’s about understanding them. In this episode of Love, Unboxed, Dr. Colleen breaks down what it looks like to love and support a partner with ADHD. She shares her own late diagnosis and how treatment helped her reframe shame into strategy — a powerful reminder that ADHD doesn’t mean broken. It just means different. All of a sudden, there was a reason for the clumsiness, always running late, taking things too personally, or never really hitting the mark of her goals. She realized life could be different. She tells how the symptoms can present through the story of Ellen and Justin, and shares how you can support your partner with ADHD. In this episode, we explore the misunderstood symptoms, emotional toll, and what it means to show up with empathy without losing yourself in the process. 🎧 If you’ve ever felt unseen in your relationship — or wondered why your partner’s attention, follow-through, or emotional regulation seems unpredictable — this episode is for you. 👉 Subscribe now so you never miss an episode, and leave your relationship dilemma or drama as a voicemail at loveunboxedpodcast.com. Your story might inspire the next episode.

3. 

   5 Jul 2025

   Me, You, and the Friend I Can’t Stand: Navigating Tension with Your Partner’s Bestie

   Dr. Colleen Mullen explores the subtle tensions arising from strained relationships with a partner's close friend, offering tools to protect peace and communicate effectively in this episode.

4. 

   9 Jun 2025

   Ted - How Soon is Too Soon to Say How You Feel?

   Dr. Colleen explores the neuroscience of falling in love early in a relationship, revealing how brain functions change and potentially cloud judgment, which helps listeners understand intense feelings.

5. 

   28 Apr 2025

   The Invisible Drift - Staying Connected when Living Busy Lives

   Feeling emotionally distant from your partner amid daily chaos? In this episode of Love Unboxed, Dr. Colleen Mullen addresses the subtle yet pervasive "invisible drift" that can erode intimacy in busy relationships. Through relatable scenarios and actionable strategies, she offers guidance on rekindling connection, even when time and energy are scarce. Learn how to implement meaningful rituals and small gestures that can make a significant impact on your relationship. Key Topics: Understanding emotional drift in relationships Implementing the "10-minute bridge" communication ritual The significance of small gestures, like love notes Redefining date nights for busy couples Utilizing weekends for intentional connection Insights from Dr. John Gottman's research on emotional bids Whether you're navigating the challenges of parenthood, demanding careers, or both, this episode provides actionable advice to help you and your partner stay connected and nurture your bond.

6. 

   30 Mar 2025

   6 Things You can Do to Improve Your Relationship Today S1, Ep 7

   S1, Ep 7 The Love Unboxed Relationship Mini-Playbook -In this episode of Love, Unboxed, licensed therapist, Dr. Colleen Mullen, answers a listener’s question about making a great relationship even better. If your relationship is already thriving—strong communication, no arguments, and mutual respect—this episode is for you! Learn actionable, research-backed tips to deepen emotional intimacy, create new experiences together, build connection through rituals, and celebrate each other's wins. Whether you’re in a long-term partnership or just starting out, these simple strategies will help you keep growing and strengthening your bond. Tune in for expert advice on how to nurture lasting love!

7. 

   17 Feb 2025

   How to Support a Partner with Depression

   This is the first in an intermittent series on how to support your partner with several mental health struggles, including depression, ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety, and many more. This episode begins with the story of Sally and Johnny and how depression affects their relationship. As always, Dr. Colleen unboxes the topic and provides clear and actionable things you can do to support your partner when they have depression.

8. 

   4 Jan 2025

   Dating After Divorce. Are you Ready?

   How do you know if you are Ready to date after your divorce? Relationship therapist, Dr. Colleen Mullen unboxes the topic and spells out what you need to know to decide you are ready to start dating again.

9. 

   9 Dec 2024

   Location Sharing and Trust Building on Love Unboxed

   Dr. Colleen shares her expert insights on the pros and cons of location sharing, helping hopeful romantics build trust and navigate relationships with confidence.

10. 

    11 Nov 2024

    What Happens When You Solve Your Partner's Problems for Them?

    Hopeful Romantic relationship therapist Dr. Colleen tackles the question: "Should you solve your partner's problems for them? " She unboxes the topic and explains what happens when you solve your partner's problems for them. The result may not be what you might think. Listen to a case example and then get practical advice that anyone can apply in their relationship. S1, E 03

11. 

    25 Oct 2024

    Reframing the Myth of Relationship Work

    In this engaging episode of "Love Unboxed," host Dr. Colleen dives deep into the commonly misunderstood phrase, "Relationships are a lot of work." She shares her personal insights and professional experiences to reframe this idea, emphasizing that while sustainable relationships can require effort, it's essential to recognize when that work is productive versus when it leads to distress. By the end of the episode, audiences are left with actionable insights and a clearer perspective on fostering healthy, sustainable relationships. Listeners are invited to engage with the show by submitting questions or sharing their thoughts at loveunboxpodcast.com. Join Dr. Colleen in this hopeful exploration of love, and let's keep the conversation alive!

12. 

    7 Oct 2024

    Birds with Broken Wings Belong at the Vet, Not in Your Bed!

    Leave Dr. Colleen a voicemail with your relationship questions at LoveUnboxedPodcast.com. Have you ever loved a birdie with a broken wing? Are you a Wing Whisperer?? Listen in as Dr. Colleen Mullen unboxes the topic of the (totally made up) Broken Wing Syndrome. She tells the story of Jenny & Jack, two people who come together at an opportune time to meet each other's needs. When there is a bird with a broken wing in the relationship and a wing whisperer who wants to nurse them back to emotional health, this becomes more toxic than it is helpful. You deserve better than to be an empty nester in your own relationship. Love, Unboxed: The Podcast for the Hopeful Romantic is your place for keeping hope alive when it comes to having more of the love you want in your life.

13. 

    30 Aug 2024

    Welcome to Love Unboxed - The Podcast for the Hopeful Romantic: trailer 001

    This is the introduction to the new podcast, Love Unboxed, hosted by Dr. Colleen Mullen. Dr. Colleen wants to share what she knows about relationship with you. Ask your quesdtions at loveunboxedpodcast.com

14. 

    13 Apr 2024

    Love Unboxed Podcast Trailer 000

    Welcome to Love Unboxed, the podcast for the hopeful romantic! Hosted by Dr. Colleen Mullen, a therapist with over 20 years of experience and a lifelong hopeful romantic, this podcast is here to help you find and improve love in your life. In this trailer, Dr. Colleen introduces herself and her passion for helping people navigate the complexities of relationships. She's been a therapist for two decades, aiding clients in finding and sustaining love. Now, she's excited to share her knowledge with you. The show kicks off with Dr. Colleen inviting fellow Hopeful Romantics to join her on a brand-new unboxing adventure. Here are the key points from the Love Unboxed Podcast Trailer: 1. Introduction (00:00:00 - 00:00:30): Dr. Colleen Mullen, a therapist for over 20 years, introduces Love Unboxed. The podcast is for the hopeful romantic, whether searching for love or seeking to improve existing relationships. 2. Building a Community (00:00:37 - 00:01:05): Dr. Colleen establishes Love Unboxed as a space for all hopeful romantics. The show is for those struggling in relationships and those in long-term relationships that have lost their spark. Dr. Colleen shares her background as a licensed marriage and family therapist, emphasizing her passion for understanding relationships. Acknowledges personal growth and learning from her own experiences. 3. Sharing Knowledge and Personal Growth (00:01:30 - 00:01:50): Dr. Colleen expresses her commitment to sharing what she's learned over the years about healthy relationship dynamics. Acknowledges her journey of personal growth and learning to walk the walk as she talks the talk. 4. Listener Participation (00:01:50 - 00:02:37): The show thrives on listener participation. Dr. Colleen encourages hopeful romantic listeners to leave voicemails at loveunboxedpodcast.com with their relationship questions. Each week, a listener's question will be chosen, unboxed, and addressed, providing practical advice for both the questioner and other listeners. 5. Unboxing Love (00:02:37 - 00:02:55): Dr. Colleen looks forward to unboxing love each week with her listeners. Promises practical advice for navigating relationship dilemmas, ensuring that everyone gains valuable knowledge to handle similar situations. Get ready for a weekly journey into the world of love, relationships, and personal growth with Love Unboxed. Tune in and participate to unbox the complexities of love in your life! More Resources from Dr. Colleen My Mindful Reflections: A Daily Journal for Better Mental Health (https://a.co/d/8c5bq5y) (get it on Amazon) - This is a journal designed by Dr. Colleen. You can use it to track your emotions, highlight special moments, learn from difficult ones , let go of daily steam through daily narrative pages , and even learn to give yourself permission to take a break. Do you want to hire Dr. Colleen to help you? (https://coachingthroughchaos.com/) Please check out her therapy & consulting page at CoachingThroughChaos.com Upcoming Workshops in 2024 Date Differently - for the singlles who want to break free from past relationship obstacles. Love Them More - for those in committed relationships who want to protect their relationship from future obstacles. SUPPORT THE SHOW! AMAZON.COM Use code LoveUnboxed-20 at checkout when you make your regular purchases on Amazon or visit Dr. Colleen's Amazon storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcolleenmullen). You wont pay anything extra, but Dr. Colleen will make a small commission on what you purchase. Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/LoveUnboxedPodcast)- FInd out the perks of joining the Hopeful Romantic community! Disclaimer This show exists only for educational and/or entertainment purposes. Although Dr. Mullen is a licensed therapist, in the capacity of her show hosting duties, she is not your therapist. This show is not meant as a replacement for therapy. Resources for Finding a Mental Health Professional in the U.S. Therapy Den (https://www.therapyden.com/) Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us) Mental Health Matters (https://mentalhealthmatch.com/) Therapy for Black Girls (https://providers.therapyforblackgirls.com/) Dial 211 (https://www.211.org/)to be connected to a Social Services Helpline in your area that can provide you with information on menatl health resources in your area. The National Suicide Prevention Helpline. or call 988 (https://988lifeline.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=onebox) If you, or someone you love is thinking about suicide, they are there to help. Dr. Colleen's online voicemail line is powered by SpeakPipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

43

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact Love, Unboxed. For the Hopeful Romantic

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.