If you've ever struggled with communication, boundaries, or making relationships actually work, this episode with Dr. Mark Hicks is for you—whether it’s love, friendship, family, or coworkers, these insights can change the way you connect.

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In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Dr. Mark Hicks joins us to talk about what makes relationships thrive. As an author, counselor, speaker, and relationship expert, Mark is passionate about breaking down what makes love last—whether it’s with a partner, friends, family, or even coworkers.

Mark’s book, Learning Love: Building a Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last, explores five key components of love that anyone can practice to create stronger, healthier connections. And guess what? The first one might surprise you—grief. He explains that people who struggle with relationships often have past wounds that make them put up walls. Learning to grieve and heal is the first step in opening up to real connection. The other components—emotion, practicality, acceptance, and passion—build on that foundation, giving us the tools to communicate, work through conflict, and genuinely enjoy our relationships.

We also talk about the cultural stigma around mental health and relationships, particularly how people hesitate to seek therapy. Mark is firm: everyone should see a counselor. Just like we go to doctors for physical health, therapy should be a regular part of life. He even suggests treating it like going to the dentist—check in every six months, whether or not you think you need it.

One of the biggest relationship mistakes? Trying to “go it alone.” Mark points out that relationships are shaped by how we grew up, and let’s be real—most of us didn’t get a perfect roadmap from our families. Whether it’s through therapy, coaching, or just being open to learning, improving relationships starts with improving yourself. And that means self-love. He reminds us that we can’t love others more than we love ourselves—so if we’re struggling to show up for our relationships, it might be time to look inward.

Of course, we also get into the fun stuff. Mark and his wife travel the country as professional house and pet sitters, which means he’s often writing his books (or ghostwriting others) from someone else’s home while caring for their pets. He also shares his unexpected fascination with the Manson family case, how past heartbreak shaped his views on love, and why laughter—even forced laughter—can completely shift your mindset.

This conversation is packed with insight, practical advice, and encouragement for anyone looking to improve their relationships. Whether you’re trying to heal from a breakup, struggling to communicate, or just want deeper connections, Mark’s approach gives you real tools to make it happen. His book is being republished by Morgan James Publishing, with pre-orders opening in November and a full release in June 2025. In the meantime, you can grab his free eBook for a breakdown of the five components of love.

How to Build Healthy, Thriving Relationships with Dr. Mark Hicks