In this episode of Sex & Bacon, I’m joined by the vibrant and soulfully wise Shay Moore—a licensed marriage and family therapist with a love for all things messy, magical, and real when it comes to relationships. Together, we dive deep into the labyrinth of modern love, friendships, dating dilemmas, and the wild ride of being a woman who’s trying to figure it all out without losing herself in the process.

Shay brings raw honesty and therapeutic insight as we unpack the complexities of love, the importance of female friendships, and why your girlfriends really are your soulmates (even if they cook you dinner instead of sending flowers).

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

Love in Shambles – From Studying It to Living It
Shay shares her journey from being single and skeptical to becoming a therapist helping others navigate love—even when her own heart was still learning.

Hyper-Independent Women & The Vulnerability Conundrum
Why opening up feels like peeling your own skin off—and how we can soften without falling apart.

Dating in the Digital Age – Why Is This So F*cking Hard?
We talk about ghosting, texting anxiety, and whether being a "pen pal" counts as connection. Spoiler: it doesn’t.

Friends Who Love Us Too Hard
How our besties can sometimes project their own pain into our dating lives—and how to tell when it’s advice or overprotection talking.

Sisterhood is Sacred
Shay opens up about her own heartbreaks, the friends who walked beside her, and why adult female friendships are the real love story of your life.

Healing Through Sisterhood, Honesty, & Hugs
From seven-second hugs to "rotting on the couch" dates, we explore the power of being seen, held, and loved by other women—no filter, no judgment.

We get into:

• 00:00 Intro

• 02:16 The Struggles of Modern Relationships

• 04:33 Navigating Dating Expectations

• 09:30 The Role of Friends in Relationship Advice

• 16:43 Mental Health and Relationship Breakdowns

• 18:03 Red Flags and Emotional Availability

• 23:14 The Tall Man Dilemma

• 23:37 Emotional Availability in Relationships

• 24:41 The Importance of Open Communication

• 28:16 Supporting Friends Through Breakups

• 31:49 Love Languages in Friendships

• 33:36 The Value of Female Friendships

• 42:15 Unapologetically You

• 48:19 Final Thoughts and Advice

Connect with Shay

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shifthappenswithshay/

• Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2413290/episodes/16781737-the-power-of-vulnerability-how-being-real-strengthens-relationships

Connect with me

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownyourerotic

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sexandbacon1065

• Email us: sexandbacon1@yahoo.com