If we can embrace that our loneliness is just the shadow side of our uniqueness and our deepest self, then all of a sudden, we have an opportunity to befriend it, to move towards it, to get to know ourselves better, and to enjoy who we are even more deeply.
Now I realize I’m lonely because I’m human, and I can begin to enter into that experience as an opportunity to get to know my humanity even better.
And to me, that’s freeing for relationships. It just sets up an entirely new dynamic and relationship.”
– Kelly M. Flanagan, Ph.D.
How can we embrace our worthiness? What are the three pillars to true companionship? How can loneliness be a good thing?
Find out in this week’s episode of The Learn to Love Podcast, where your host Zach Beach interviews clinical psychologist, author, consultant, and speaker Kelly M. Flanagan, Ph.D. on The Three Pillars of True Companionship.
Listen on:
Apple Podcasts || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || Spotify || Amazon Music || Castbox
about Kelly M. Flanagan, Ph.D.
Dr. Kelly Flanagan is a clinical psychologist, author, consultant, and speaker who enjoys walking with people through the three essentials of a truly satisfying life. Kelly has a Ph.D. from Penn State University and is the founder of Artisan Clinical Associates in Naperville, IL.
In 2012, he began his now popular blog, where he writes regularly about those three essentials: worthiness, belonging, and purpose. His writing has been featured in Reader’s Digest, The Huffington Post, The 5 Love Languages, and in 2014 a letter he wrote to his daughter led to their appearance on the TODAY Show.
In 2017, Kelly published his first book—Loveable: Embracing What Is Truest About You, So You Can Truly Embrace Your Life—and it debuted as the #1 New Release in Interpersonal Relations on Amazon. His next book—True Companions: A Book for Everyone About the Relationships That See Us Through—was published in February 2021.
Kelly is married to another clinical psychologist named Kelly—because they decided to make life more complicated than it already is—and they have three children: Aidan, 17; Quinn, 13; and Caitlin, 11. They live in a small town outside of Chicago.
Stay connected with Kelly M. Flanagan, Ph.D.
Website || Book || Practice|| Facebook || Twitter|| Instagram
Links from the show
- Brené Brown, author of The Gifts of Imperfection
- Laura L. Carstensen, and her research:
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