To know her is to love her – and we’ve had the privilege of loving her for 19 years. As the Studio 5 Marriage Contributor, Dr. Liz Hale has poured her heart into every conversation.
She joined Brooke to reflect, remember and celebrate her time on Studio 5.
It’s a show that has carved out a unique space in lifestyle television, offering insight, encouragement and sometimes healing to viewers across Utah and beyond. And after nearly two decades on air, Studio 5 with Brooke Walker is sunsetting at the end of the month.
As the program nears its close, one of its most beloved contributors, Dr. Liz Hale, took a final moment to reflect on her journey, her favorite moments, and the enduring message she hopes viewers will carry forward.
A Therapist’s Evolution: “I Got Married!”
Dr. Liz Hale, known as Studio 5’s marriage and family contributor, has spent years helping others navigate relationships. But as she candidly shared in her final interview, her own life experience shifted her perspective profoundly.
“When we first started Studio 5, I remember feeling confident that, in my field, we knew all there was to know about what makes marriage thrive—but then… I got married!” she laughed. “For the past 12 years my eyes have been opened even more, and I’ve been humbled and have fumbled along the way.”
Her willingness to be vulnerable became a hallmark of her segments. “I have not shied away from telling on myself because, as I look back through the decades, the most impactful insight I received came from mentors and clients who shared the truth about themselves. Their transformations became my inspiration,” she said. “I hope sharing vulnerably has deepened my connections with viewers, and that they felt less alone and more hopeful.”
A Family Story of Unconditional Love
When asked to recall her favorite on-air moment, Dr. Hale didn’t hesitate to name a poignant segment from July 29, 2019. In it, she supported parents of LGBTQ children—an episode rooted deeply in a personal family story.
Her great aunt, nearly 100 years old at the time, served as a quiet example of love without condition. “I rang the doorbell and was surprised when a young man came to the door who I didn’t recognize,” Dr. Hale recounted. “After an awkward interaction I soon learned that this young man, formerly Aunt Bea’s granddaughter, was now her grandson.”
Her aunt’s reaction? “It doesn’t matter one bit. She said, ‘I just love him with my whole heart!’” Dr. Hale recalled through a smile. “And that she did up until the day she left this world surrounded by her loving family, including this grandson.”
Behind the Scenes: A Tearful Moment
Off camera, Studio 5 had its share of intimate moments too. One stood out to Dr. Hale for its emotional depth and timing.
“It may have been my most vulnerable moment with you,” she told Brooke, referring to a phone call the host made just after a taping. “As soon as I heard your voice I immediately burst into tears! It was that moment where the therapist needed a therapist… or at least just a good cry.”
That episode had been inspired by a friend’s transgender son, and the deep pain he’d experienced at school and church. Dr. Hale was deeply moved by a text she received from the mother just moments too late to include in the segment: “I don’t care what identity he stays with. I just want him to… stay! Rejection and suicide is what I worry about most.”
“I felt sad that this crucial message wasn’t part of our segment that day,” Dr. Hale said. “But I love that we can share it now. Acceptance and love are our greatest responsibility to each other.”
Impact That Lasts
Among all the heartfelt emails, social media messages, and hugs over the years, one anonymous note stands above the rest. In 2016, after delivering cupcakes with her niece to a classroom in American Fork, Dr. Hale returned to her car to find a letter on her windshield.
“It left me speechless that someone could be so generous and thoughtful with their words and time,” she shared. That note remains on the whiteboard in her home office to this day—a simple reminder of the quiet power of kindness.
A Final Word on Relationships
In closing, Dr. Hale offered a reflection grounded in research and heart. Citing the famed Harvard Adult Development Study, she said:
“The thing that surprised Harvard the most was finding that our relationships are the most important factor in happiness, and that how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health. The size of the effect was huge!”
She emphasized that it’s not the quantity or type of relationships that matter—but the quality.
“We found that human beings need exercise, nutrition, and a sense of purpose—but most of all, we need each other. Especially to get through the hard times which are inevitable.”
And with that, Dr. Hale offered her hope for viewers moving forward: “That we all channel our favorite Studio 5 contributors, and that we continue to seek good relationship skills, and fierce intimacy. People and partners are powerful, for better or for worse.”
As Studio 5 takes its final bow, Dr. Liz Hale’s words serve as both a tribute and a call to action: love deeper, connect more honestly, and never stop striving for better relationships. After all, it’s not just television—it’s real life.
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