Welcome back to another episode of "Women of Impact!" In this riveting first half, host Lisa Bilyeu sits down with the profoundly insightful Afrika Brooke. They delve deep into the nuances of honesty and accountability in our relationships. Afrika shares her powerful reflections on defensiveness in relationships, emphasizing the difference between desired and embodied values. We'll hear from Lisa as she opens up about her own journey with her husband, Tom, detailing how they navigate giving each other permission to hold one another accountable without slipping into defensiveness. Afrika and Lisa discuss the impact of direct honesty, the importance of practicing honesty to avoid self-righteousness, and how addressing insecurities can lead to true alignment with one's goals. This part of the episode sets the stage for understanding how self-awareness and emotional intelligence play critical roles in personal growth and intimate connections. Get ready to uncover groundbreaking insights that will transform the way you communicate and relate to others around you. SHOWNOTES 00:00 Understand your fears before addressing patterns. 19:01 Environment shaped my hyper independence and feelings. 26:29 Fragmented identity led to decade-long alcohol struggle. 38:24 Resentments led to manipulation in relationships. 42:04 Shame and embarrassment hinder self-awareness. 53:39 Ownership interrupts conflict through personal responsibility. 01:01:45 Apologetic demeanor affects many, especially women. CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/lisa Found Banking: Sign up for Found for FREE today at https://found.com/lisa. Caraway: Visit https://carawayhome.com/woi or use code WOI at checkout and get 10% off your next purchase! Masterclass: 15% off any annual membership at https://masterclass.com/lisa FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/womenofimpact Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisa_bilyeu?lang=en LISTEN AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS: apple.co/womenofimpact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices