Hello friendly faces! It’s that time of the week! We’re back with a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law.
Jaime Bronstein’s heart is full, and it should be! She’s been helping people find (and keep) “their people” for the last 20 years. And to that end, she’s been reaching willful and woeful singles and couples via therapy sessions as a licensed relationship therapist, her podcasted radio show “Love Talk LIVE”, countless news segments (scroll to the bottom to see her impressive YouTube clip) and most recently through her wonderfully composed book, “MANifest.” The Glencoe born and raised mom gushes, “I am so passionate about my work. I feel grateful that I get the opportunity to serve in the way I do; to witness healing, growth, learning, and watching people evolve and find peace in their lives is priceless!” Get to know Jaime, The Relationship Expert!
Hi Jaime! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?
Hi! I’m Jaime Bronstein, and I’m originally from Glencoe. We live in Highland Park now. After living in San Diego and then Los Angeles, we wanted to return to the North Shore before our son started kindergarten (he’s now 8 and in the second grade). I am a licensed relationship therapist (LCSW) of 20 years, author of the book “MAN*ifesting,” podcast host, and speaker, and I’m proud to be named the “#1 Relationship Coach Transforming Lives” by Yahoo Finance.
What are one or two fun facts to know about you?
I LOVE to sing- it brings me joy… I don’t get to do it enough because I’m a busy working mom. However, as a child, I was a triple threat and had so much fun participating in Highland Park’s Apple Tree Theater and the musicals at Central School in Glencoe.
My second fun fact is that I participated in a singing competition during a David Foster concert at Ravinia in 2018!
What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and eats to frequent?
We go to Norton’s a lot because it’s kid-friendly; I love the omelets and stir fry chicken there. I love picking up a quick and healthy lunch at True Juice. I’m a big fan of Greenwood for dinner. Pizza is my favorite food, and Barnaby’s is heaven!
What gets you through a tough day?
I call up a friend and laugh, go to an exercise class (I don’t look forward to it, but I feel better after), or go out for dinner. I also love watching mindless reality TV- “The Bachelor” franchise is my favorite!
Your mantra?
I have two! (1) The extra mile is never crowded! (2) Trust yourself because YOU are the expert of you!
Time to get down to business! You are a licensed therapist who specializes in relationships. Tell us about your practice here and now. Who are you working with?
Yes, I have been practicing for twenty years and can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s beyond rewarding to help someone change their life and relationships for the better. I work with singles looking to find their “person,” couples, and people going through breakups and divorces. I work in person at an office in Northbrook and the city. For many of my clients, I do coaching sessions on Zoom because they are around the country and the world, and of course, there are local clients who prefer it over schlepping to an office for their sessions.
What made you go into relationship therapy specifically?
At the beginning of my career, I took any client because that’s what any intelligent business person does; I needed to earn a living. As I moved forward in my career, I found that the clients who came in who were either wanting help in navigating their dating journey, struggling as a couple, or going through a breakup or divorce were the ones that I felt the most drawn to help, so I decided that from then on, dating and relationships were going to be my niche.
I always say that I popped into this world, destined to work in the world of “love” because my name in French means “I love” (if it’s spelled “J’aime”). For as long as I can remember, I have always loved everything about love. Since I know how life-changing love is, it became my mission to inspire people to do everything they can to be in fulfilling, deeply connected, purpose-filled, and meaningful, heart and soul-connected loving relationships and to know that everyone deserves love and is capable of having love in their lives. My love and fascination for psychology started in my first psychology class in high school. I couldn’t get enough of learning how and why people operate the way they do, so essentially, I have never stopped studying and learning everything I can about human emotions and behavior from that day forward. I think it’s beautiful how we are all so unique; I help my clients embrace that fact.
I want to point out an important note about couples therapy/coaching. It’s never too early or too late to start. It’s one of the most brilliant things you can do for your relationship or marriage. Ironically, my clients are some of the happiest and most solid couples I know. It might be rocky initially, but their relationships are transformed once they learn simple tools. It’s so impressive to work with couples who see the power of therapy and also the importance of being accountable; making that investment shows how dedicated they are to each other and how much they want to have a happy and healthy relationship. The couple will thrive if both people are willing to do the work. AND if a couple had “it” once, they can get “it” back. Love doesn’t just disappear. It’s always there, sometimes it’s hiding behind issues. It takes work to sustain it, but it’s beyond rewarding and worth it.
You recently lived in Southern California, What was your practice like there?
We moved to San Diego in 2018 and then to LA in 2021 so that I didn’t have to do the weekly commute to film my show as it was in a studio before Covid started. Now, my podcast is virtual, which makes it easy to interview people all around the world!
Speaking of podcasts, when and why did you launch Love Talk Live? It may sound like a silly question but what do we typically hear people talk about on this show?
I launched “Love Talk Live” at the LA Talk Radio studios in the fall of 2018. I was starting my book writing journey, and my editor recommended that I build a platform and more of an audience for my brand so that when my book was published, people would know about it; she suggested I be a guest on a radio show. Instead, I thought to myself (go big or go bigger), why not start my own show! I always said I could talk to a wall, so a talk show where I can inspire, teach, and change lives… sign me up!
Who are your guests?
I have all different guests on my show, ranging from therapists, coaches, authors, holistic and integrative doctors, lawyers, wealth managers, etc. Everyone has wisdom to share about dating and relationships, so that’s why it’s interesting to bring in an array of professionals. The conversations are always interesting, filled with unique content, and entertaining!
And back to your book, “MANifesting!” Congratulations on becoming an author. What is the impetus behind writing this?
I want to help people on their dating journey to not suffer, to feel a renewed sense of hope, to extinguish doubt, and instead shift into living life trusting they will find their “person.”
And in the true spirit of MANifesting, Where did you and your husband meet?
We met on Match.com in 2011 before dating apps were invented. I wrote to him first, and he said he hadn’t seen my profile or else he would’ve written to me. This is why I always encourage my clients to write to a guy on an app, or if you see a guy somewhere in public and you think he is cute, go up and say “hi!” You have nothing to lose!
What general advice do you have for our single readers who were once married or partnered up and want to find love again (or for the first time)?
Read my book, of course, because all of this is in there 🙂 BELIEVE that you’re going to find your person, and you will. If you don’t believe it, you can’t see it happening, or you have fear or doubt, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. What you believe you shall receive (as long as you do the additional steps I’ve outlined in my book). Do the work to heal! To manifest the right love for you, you want to show up as your authentic self, loving yourself unconditionally and showing up as a whole person. TRUST yourself- use your intuition- you are the expert of you! Be discerning and get clear on what you’re looking for; what makes you happy? What lights you up? Make a short list of non-negotiables and stick to it!
For anyone who would like to reach out to you for therapy, how do we reach you?
Email: [email protected]
Cell Phone: (310) 824-3197
Website: https://therelationshipexpert.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therelationshipxpert/
You have some really exciting things happening in the next few months – do tell!
I am doing a book signing at the Los Angeles Barnes and Noble at The Grove on February 17th. If you or anyone you know would like to go, click here to register. There is a free option (meaning you can choose to buy a book beforehand, but it’s not a requirement).
I am one of the experts interviewed for the Jeff Hayes Studios docuseries “Hacking Happiness.” It is going to be available to watch starting on March 26th. Watch out for more information (if you want to join my newsletter, shoot me an email) and I will also be posting information on Instagram and Facebook.
Anything in the works long-term?
I have another book in me, although it will be a little while before I start writing it. I have a working title though!
At some point in the future I will be creating a documentary about couples who have the “it” factor; couples who have that forever relationship, soulmates if you will. My purpose for the film is to show that real love exists, and no one has to settle. Love is available for everyone, and life is better when you’re with “your person!”
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
