Why unhappy relationships feel so lonely | Kristal DeSantis | TEDxFullerton
The real reason relationships feel harder than ever isn't because of a gender war - it's because we're navigating modern love with outdated relationship maps designed for function-based, rather than connection-based, partnerships. Kristal DeSantis cuts through the noise of polarizing gender wars to offer modern couples what they really need: a roadmap for building strong, lasting bridges to connection and a shared future of love. Drawing from years of clinical experience, she reveals the “4 S’s of Safety”—Self-Awareness, Stability, Self-Regulation, and Self-Expression—as the essential skills for lasting relationships. Her message is clear: love isn’t luck or chemistry—it’s a skill we can all learn to build deeper, safer, and more authentic connections.Kristal DeSantis is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Austin, Texas, who specializes in helping individuals and couples build emotionally connected relationships. She is the author of STRONG: A Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man and works at the intersection of gender dynamics, emotional intelligence, and relationship health.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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