How Strangers at an Airport Reminded Me Why This Matters

The Unpatterned Podcast · Apr 18, 2026 · 17m

I was sitting in an airport when I overheard two strangers talking about family drama that felt all too familiar. One sister showed up expecting things to be done a certain way. The other sister felt judged for her spontaneous approach to life. Both were hurt. Both were defensive.

That conversation reminded me why understanding protection strategies matters so much. When you see that most behavior is protection - not personal attacks - everything about relationships shifts. In this episode, I'm sharing why we all develop different strategies for feeling loved and safe, how these strategies…