In this thoughtful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Susan E. Schwartz, Jungian analyst, clinical psychologist, and author of The Absent Father Effect on Daughters. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and Jungian psychology, Susan offers profound insights into how father absence shapes the inner life and, more importantly, how healing is possible.

n this episode we explore the Choleric temperament—the natural-born leader of the four classical temperaments. Cholerics are often driven, courageous, decisive and visionary, but like every temperament, they also have blind spots that can affect their relationships and emotional wellbeing.

As a teenager, Nicole watched her father die. In the years that followed, she found herself living with anxiety, panic attacks and the deep emotional wounds that can accompany grief. But Nicole’s story is also one of beauty, courage and restoration.

Melancholics are often compassionate, creative, analytical, loyal, and deeply committed to excellence. They possess a remarkable ability to see beauty, meaning, and depth where others may not.

Using the metaphor of the garden of your heart, we discover the well that already exists within us, a place where we learn to receive our worth from God rather than constantly searching for it in other people.

In this episode we explore the Phlegmatic temperament—the peaceful, steady introvert of the four classical temperaments. Phlegmatics are often gentle, patient, loyal, dependable, and gifted at bringing harmony wherever they go. They make faithful friends, supportive partners, and calming influences in a busy world. But every temperament has its challenges.