Do you walk away from conversations feeling frustrated, misunderstood, or stuck in the same pattern again?

Many of us assume relationship conflict happens because of poor communication, personality differences, or someone simply “not listening.”

But there is often a deeper dynamic running quietly beneath the surface.

In this episode, Diane introduces the Drama Triangle, arelationship pattern first identified by Stephen Karpman that explains why conversations can quickly spiral into blame, frustration, or over-responsibility.

Without realizing it, many of us move between three roles:

* Victim – feeling powerless or overwhelmed
* Rescuer – stepping in to fix, manage, or take responsibility for others

Persecutor – criticizing, blaming, or trying to control outcomes

The tricky part? Most of us don’t stay in just one role. We shift between them depending on the situation.

Diane opens the episode with a personal reflection about how she tried to control outcomes in her children’s lives for her own comfort — something many parents unknowingly do. From grades to behavior to managing emotions, thesepatterns often come from love… but they can quietly create tension and disconnection.

Recognizing these roles is the first step in moving from relationship chaos to empowered connection.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• What the Drama Triangle is and why it shows up in everydayrelationships
• How rescuing can look like helping — but actually creates more conflict
• Why we often move between Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor roles
• How these patterns quietly fuel frustration, blame, and disconnection
• Why awareness is the first step toward healthier communication

Stay tuned for an updated Drama & Empowerment resource coming soon.

Let’s Connect:

Break-Through Session: https://www.dianesorensen.net/book

This session is an invitation to a 1:1 conversation where we identify underlying patterns driving your relationships and walk you towards connection through practical actionablenext steps.

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Join the conversation — share your takeaways or questions from today’s episode by sending me a message on Instagram or Facebook. I love hearing from you!

Working Together:
Diane Sorensen Coaching is where boundarywork becomes the bridge from chaos to connection. You’ll learn to transform your triggers, lead with compassion, and create emotionally safe, connected relationships built on authenticity, not approval.

Reclaim your CALM, speak your TRUTH, and live FREE

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279. The Hidden Drama Triangle Running Your Relationships