Andrea

Adult Child

Andrea Ashley

  • 218 - Finding Your Voice Through Intimacy: Beyond Freeze, Fear, and Fawning w/ Leah Carey

218 - Finding Your Voice Through Intimacy: Beyond Freeze, Fear, and Fawning w/ Leah Carey

Wednesday 18th February 2026

Leah Carey discusses overcoming fear-based childhoods, intimacy, and healing from trauma in this episode with Andrea Ashley.
Explicit
67 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Honest
Hopeful
Engaging

About this podcast

Adult Child
Author:
Andrea
Overview:
Categories:
Healing Relationships
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Recovery from Trauma
Sobriety Toolkit
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Links:
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Finding Strength in Intimacy: Leah Carey's Journey

Episode Overview

  • Understanding the impact of high-control childhoods on adult relationships.
  • The importance of communication in overcoming intimacy issues.
  • Exploring non-monogamy as a path to healing and self-discovery.
  • Recognising and addressing survival patterns like freezing and fawning.
  • The role of societal norms in shaping our perceptions of love and intimacy.
"I couldn't ask for what I wanted in bed because I didn't really know what I wanted."
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this captivating episode of Adult Child, Andrea Ashley welcomes Leah Carey, a Sex and Relationship Coach, to explore the complex web of intimacy, relationships, and the impact of growing up in fear-based environments. Leah shares her personal journey of overcoming a high-control childhood, where patriarchal abuse and purity culture left deep scars.
With humour and honesty, she unpacks the survival patterns of freezing and fawning in intimacy and how they shape our adult relationships. Leah's insights are not just theoretical; she draws from her own life experiences, providing a raw and relatable perspective on healing. She talks about the importance of communication, not just in romantic relationships but in all aspects of life.
The conversation touches on heavy topics like narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, and the challenges of non-monogamy, yet manages to maintain a hopeful tone throughout. Andrea and Leah also discuss the broader societal implications of these issues, highlighting how many adults carry unresolved trauma from their upbringing. Whether you're struggling with similar challenges or simply curious about the dynamics of intimacy and healing, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice.
So, how do you find your voice in a world that often silences it? This episode might just hold some answers for you.
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