In this candid episode of Holistic Dose, hosts Tiffany and Jeanette sit down with licensed therapist Dr. Tavari Brown to unpack the complex world of attachment theory—and how it shows up not only in childhood but also in midlife, parenting, friendships, and the workplace.
From John Bowlby’s foundational research to Mary Ainsworth’s “strange situation” studies, Dr. Brown explains the origins of secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment styles. Together, they explore how these early patterns play out in adulthood, especially during life transitions like divorce, burnout, reinvention, and parenting challenges.
Whether you’ve wondered why you crave reassurance, avoid closeness, or struggle with codependency, this episode offers practical tools for building healthier, more secure relationships.

Key Topics Covered
• 📖 The history of attachment theory — Bowlby, Ainsworth, and beyond
• How early caregiver dynamics shape attachment styles
• Can attachment styles change in adulthood (and how)?
• The link between attachment and love languages
• Parenting after divorce & anxious attachment in children
• How attachment shows up in the workplace and friendships
• Practical steps to move toward secure attachment
• Red flags vs. green flags in relationships
• Reflections on the Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish and real-world implications

Practical Takeaways
• Self-awareness is the first step toward healthier relationships.
• Love languages can be a bridge to understanding how we give and receive affection.
• Secure attachment doesn’t mean perfection—it means consistency, trust, and repair.
• Feedback from others is a “casserole”—you decide whether to keep it, save it, or throw it out.
• Therapy, self-reflection, and intentional communication can help rewire attachment patterns—even in midlife.

00:00 – Introduction to the episode
00:48 – Welcome to Holistic Dose + guest intro
02:15 – Origins of attachment theory (Bowlby & Ainsworth)
04:07 – Secure vs. insecure attachment in babies
06:00 – How early experiences shape attachment styles
08:00 – Love languages as tools for adults
09:30 – Secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized explained
12:10 – Real-life examples of attachment in relationships
15:23 – Can attachment styles change in adulthood?
17:48 – Love languages, triggers, and people-pleasing
19:00 – Boys, emotions, and cultural expectations
20:15 – Parenting styles, divorce, and anxious attachment
22:53 – Mothers, control, and anxious parenting
24:16 – Enmeshment vs. healthy attachment
26:08 – Codependency and attachment in relationships
28:03 – Netflix’s Unknown Number case discussion
29:36 – Secure attachment vs. youth insecurity
32:20 – Sibling differences & birth order effects
34:16 – Attachment in the workplace
36:56 – Attachment in friendships & adult relationships
40:24 – Partners, boundaries, and shared interests
42:19 – Adult children resisting parents dating
43:25 – Control, anxiety, and extreme cases (Dan Markel case mention)
45:24 – Recognizing growth vs. being stuck
47:18 – Self-awareness as a green flag
49:25 – Anxiety as a warning system (Inside Out analogy)
50:53 – Progress over perfection in healing
52:14 – Practical tips to build secure attachment
54:16 – Therapy, self-reflection & love languages in practice
56:37 – Playing small, self-worth & learning to ask for needs
58:00 – Closing thoughts & where to connect

Guest
Dr. Tavari Brown – Licensed therapist and relationship expert helping individuals and couples understand their attachment patterns, love languages, and emotional needs.

Hosts
• Tiffany – Life coach, co-host of Holistic Dose
• Jeanette – Divorce attorney & co-host of Holistic Dose

Connect with Us
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