Trust isn’t soft—it’s structural. In this episode, Dr. David Zierk breaks down how trust forms, fractures, and rebuilds through what he calls relational reliability. Using his T-R-U-S-T framework—transparency, responsibility, unity, sincerity, and time—he shows why trust is “square one” for every relationship, whether at home or at work. Through everyday examples, he reveals why ruptures hurt so much, how safety shapes connection, and what it really takes to repair what’s been broken. If you’ve ever struggled to trust again—or to earn it—this episode gives you a clear path back to steady ground and stronger bonds.

Episode highlights:

→ Trust is the starting line for every healthy relationship and every true connection.

→ The T-R-U-S-T framework.

→ Relational reliability—showing up consistently—rebuilds safety faster than any apology.

Follow Dr. David Zierk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-zierk-psyd-ab99302/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidzierk/

Website: www.davidzierk.com

Subscribe to his re.fresh newsletter: www.davidzierk.com/resources/newsletter/

About Dr. David Zierk:

With a substantive background in psychological work with individuals and teams, Dr. Zierk enjoys bringing his experience to the stage and corporate clients by providing them with the tools and language necessary for effective outcomes. Most recently, he’s published a book called Mind Rules: Who’s In Control—You or Your Mind?

Dr. Zierk is a graduate of the University of Denver with a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado. He’s affiliated with the American Psychological Association, American Psychotherapy Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and has three children. When he’s not on stage or working with a team, David loves to cycle in the mountains with his wife, Carol.

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Z on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Zierk’s episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

1. For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right.

For Spotify, click the “Follow” button below Dr. David Zierk’s show tile.

We’ve all felt it—the moment your smile stays on, but your stomach drops. In this episode, David unpacks what it means to be on emotional thin ice: Those fragile seconds when insecurity spikes, clarity slips, and old patterns take the wheel. Using his I-C-E model—your Inner Connection to Everything—he explains why these shaky moments matter and how awareness, acknowledgment, analysis, and adaptation guide you back to solid ground. You’ll learn how to spot the cracks, name what’s happening, and choose connection over defense. If you’ve ever felt off balance, this one brings you back to center.

Episode highlights:

→ Feeling “on thin ice” signals a loss of your inner connection to confidence and clarity.

→ Insecurity spikes when old internal threats get triggered beneath the surface.

→ Four moves—awareness, acknowledgment, analysis, and adaptation—help you shift from reaction to reconnection.

Follow Dr. David Zierk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-zierk-psyd-ab99302/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidzierk/

Website: www.davidzierk.com

Subscribe to his re.fresh newsletter: www.davidzierk.com/resources/newsletter/

About Dr. David Zierk:

With a substantive background in psychological work with individuals and teams, Dr. Zierk enjoys bringing his experience to the stage and corporate clients by providing them with the tools and language necessary for effective outcomes. Most recently, he’s published a book called Mind Rules: Who’s In Control—You or Your Mind?

Dr. Zierk is a graduate of the University of Denver with a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado. He’s affiliated with the American Psychological Association, American Psychotherapy Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and has three children. When he’s not on stage or working with a team, David loves to cycle in the mountains with his wife, Carol.

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Z on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Zierk’s episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

1. For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right.
2. For Spotify, click the “Follow” button below Dr. David Zierk’s show tile.

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or foggy about your next step? Dr. David Zierk introduces the COURSE Method—a six-step framework for transforming uncertainty into confident progress. From career shifts to relationship decisions to organizational change, this episode gives leaders a repeatable mental model they can rely on when clarity is nowhere in sight.

Highlights

→ The six letters (C-O-U-R-S-E) that convert confusion into momentum. → How dual reflection improves decisions and relationships. → Why you don’t need a full plan—just a dependable process.

Follow Dr. David Zierk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-zierk-psyd-ab99302/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidzierk/

Website: www.davidzierk.com

Subscribe to his re.fresh newsletter: www.davidzierk.com/resources/newsletter/

About Dr. David Zierk:

With a substantive background in psychological work with individuals and teams, Dr. Zierk enjoys bringing his experience to the stage and corporate clients by providing them with the tools and language necessary for effective outcomes. Most recently, he’s published a book called Mind Rules: Who’s In Control—You or Your Mind?

Dr. Zierk is a graduate of the University of Denver with a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado. He’s affiliated with the American Psychological Association, American Psychotherapy Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and has three children. When he’s not on stage or working with a team, David loves to cycle in the mountains with his wife, Carol.

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Z on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Zierk’s episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

1. For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right.
2. For Spotify, click the “Follow” button below Dr. David Zierk’s show tile.

Conflict isn’t just a clash between two people—it’s the collision of two histories. In this episode, Dr. David Zierk breaks down his Conflict Navigation Roadmap, a practical way to understand your internal tug-of-war before you ever speak a word. Leaders who master this shift—from reacting to relating—strengthen trust, connection, and clarity in every room they’re in.

Highlights

→ Why conflict rarely “resolves” and what it actually reveals. → The real trigger you’re responding to (Hint: it’s not the moment, it’s the meaning).

Follow Dr. David Zierk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-zierk-psyd-ab99302/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidzierk/

Website: www.davidzierk.com

Subscribe to his re.fresh newsletter: www.davidzierk.com/resources/newsletter/

About Dr. David Zierk:

With a substantive background in psychological work with individuals and teams, Dr. Zierk enjoys bringing his experience to the stage and corporate clients by providing them with the tools and language necessary for effective outcomes. Most recently, he’s published a book called Mind Rules: Who’s In Control—You or Your Mind?

Dr. Zierk is a graduate of the University of Denver with a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado. He’s affiliated with the American Psychological Association, American Psychotherapy Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and has three children. When he’s not on stage or working with a team, David loves to cycle in the mountains with his wife, Carol.

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Z on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Zierk’s episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right.

For Spotify, click the “Follow” button below Dr. David Zierk’s show tile.

Some people meet setbacks with tension; others meet them with perspective. Why? In this episode, David explores the quiet power of mindset—the lens that shapes how you interpret every delay, disappointment, and disruption. Drawing from psychology and his Mind Rules framework, he breaks down three transformational “mindset muscles”: intentionality, curiosity, and flexibility. You’ll learn why old beliefs rush back at lightning speed, how reframing shifts you from judgment to learning, and how small mindset choices reshape connection at home and at work. If you’re tired of reacting on autopilot, this episode shows you how to rethink the lens you’re looking through—and how a single shift can change everything.

Episode Highlights:

→ Your mindset is the lens that determines whether a setback drains you or reframes you.

→ Intentionality, curiosity, and flexibility act as “mindset muscles” that shift you from reacting to responding.

→ Reframing opens the door from judgment to learning—and transforms how you connect under pressure.

Follow Dr. David Zierk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-zierk-psyd-ab99302/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidzierk/

Website: www.davidzierk.com

Subscribe to his re.fresh newsletter: www.davidzierk.com/resources/newsletter/

About Dr. David Zierk:

With a substantive background in psychological work with individuals and teams, Dr. Zierk enjoys bringing his experience to the stage and corporate clients by providing them with the tools and language necessary for effective outcomes. Most recently, he’s published a book called Mind Rules: Who’s In Control—You or Your Mind?

Dr. Zierk is a graduate of the University of Denver with a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado. He’s affiliated with the American Psychological Association, American Psychotherapy Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and has three children. When he’s not on stage or working with a team, David loves to cycle in the mountains with his wife, Carol.

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Z on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Zierk’s episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right.

For Spotify, click the “Follow” button below Dr. David Zierk’s show tile.

In this episode, Dr. David Zierk unpacks what really drives your reactions when tension rises—whether you freeze, fight, fix, or finesse your way through conflict. We all have a conflict personality—a reflex we fall into when emotions run high. But it’s not who you are; it’s the person you become to protect a connection or preserve control. In this episode, Dr. Z reveals the five conflict styles (and their more relatable nicknames) and offers a practical way to rethink your reactions before they rule you.

Episode Highlights:

➔ Setting the Scene: Everyday Conflict

➔ Conflict Isn’t Who You Are

➔ What Shapes Your Style

➔ Mapping the 5 Styles

➔ The 5 Conflict Personalities

➔ The Real Problem Isn’t Disagreement

➔ Rethink Reflection and Call to Action

➔ Micro Rethinks

Follow Dr. David Zierk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-zierk-psyd-ab99302/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidzierk/

Website: www.davidzierk.com

Subscribe to his re.fresh newsletter: www.davidzierk.com/resources/newsletter/

About Dr. David Zierk:

With a substantive background in psychological work with individuals and teams, Dr. Zierk enjoys bringing his experience to the stage and corporate clients by providing them with the tools and language necessary for effective outcomes. Most recently, he’s published a book called Mind Rules: Who’s In Control—You or Your Mind?

Dr. Zierk is a graduate of the University of Denver with a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado. He’s affiliated with the American Psychological Association, American Psychotherapy Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and has three children. When he’s not on stage or working with a team, David loves to cycle in the mountains with his wife, Carol.

In this episode, Dr. David Zierk explores the five core emotional needs—attention, affection, acknowledgment, approval, and applause—that deeply influence our personal and professional relationships. Discover why these attachment needs are essential yet often overlooked, and how unmet needs can lead to insecurity and disconnection. Learn practical ways to recognize and fulfill these emotional nutrients, enhancing your ability to connect, engage, and lead with greater confidence and authenticity.

Episode Highlights:

➔ Understanding Attachment Needs

➔ Attention: The Power of Being Seen

➔ Affection: The Glue of Human Connection

➔ Acknowledgment and Dismissal

➔ Approval and Applause: The Need to Matter

Follow Dr. David Zierk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-zierk-psyd-ab99302/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidzierk/

Website: www.davidzierk.com

Subscribe to his re.fresh newsletter: www.davidzierk.com/resources/newsletter/

About Dr. David Zierk:

With a substantive background in psychological work with individuals and teams, Dr. Zierk enjoys bringing his experience to the stage and corporate clients by providing them with the tools and language necessary for effective outcomes. Most recently, he’s published a book called Mind Rules: Who’s In Control—You or Your Mind?

Dr. Zierk is a graduate of the University of Denver with a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado. He’s affiliated with the American Psychological Association, American Psychotherapy Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and has three children. When he’s not on stage or working with a team, David loves to cycle in the mountains with his wife, Carol.

In Episode 11, "Facing Your Insecurities: From Self-Protection to Self-Awareness," Dr. David Zierk reveals how past experiences of rejection, exclusion, and devaluation create deep-rooted insecurities that silently shape our behaviors, relationships, and leadership styles. Explore the six core types of insecurities and learn practical strategies to identify and overcome these emotional barriers. By rethinking insecurity as an opportunity for growth, discover how to shift from defensive reactions to powerful responses, enhancing connection, confidence, and performance in all areas of life.

Episode Highlights:

➔ "Understanding Your Insecurity Triggers" Discover how past experiences resurface as present insecurities and impact your interactions.

➔ "The Origin of Insecurity" How repeated experiences of rejection, exclusion, and devaluation form lasting relational wounds.

➔ "The Six Core Types of Insecurities" Exploring inadequacy, inferiority, insignificance, incompetence, incompleteness, and ordinary insanity as primary insecurity types.

➔ "How Insecurity Shapes Habits" Uncovering how insecurities influence our behaviors and internal dialogues, reinforcing negative self-perceptions.

➔ "From Reaction to Reflection" Practical steps for recognizing and managing your insecurities, enabling personal and professional growth through self-awareness and intentional response.

Follow Dr. David Zierk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-zierk-psyd-ab99302/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidzierk/

Website: www.davidzierk.com

Subscribe to his re.fresh newsletter: www.davidzierk.com/resources/newsletter/

About Dr. David Zierk:

With a substantive background in psychological work with individuals and teams, Dr. Zierk enjoys bringing his experience to the stage and corporate clients by providing them with the tools and language necessary for effective outcomes. Most recently, he’s published a book called Mind Rules: Who’s In Control—You or Your Mind?

Dr. Zierk is a graduate of the University of Denver with a Master of Arts and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Colorado. He’s affiliated with the American Psychological Association, American Psychotherapy Association, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He currently resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife and has three children. When he’s not on stage or working with a team, David loves to cycle in the mountains with his wife, Carol.

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Z on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Zierk’s episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

1. For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right.

For Spotify, click the “Follow” button below Dr. David Zierk’s show tile.