Oxygen by Stronger Families

Transition counselor Karen Herold discusses how to navigate the ups and downs of transitions, including: What core issues come up during transition? What are the stages of transition? Why is it crucial not to skip over stage two? How can you identify your sub-personalities as they transition into something new? How do you deal with a family in transition?

Gary Thomas—thought leader in marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation; international speaker, and author of 18 books, including Sacred Marriage and Cherish—discusses the art of cherishing your spouse, including: How is loving different than cherishing? How can you cherish your spouse? What does it mean to showcase your spouse? How can you authentically cherish your spouse despite his/her shortcomings? How can you steer clear of cultivating contempt?

Hans and Star Molegraaf—founders of Marriage Revolution and authors of You’re Being Lied to: The Truth About Marriage—discuss the keys to reconciling a broken marriage, including: What was the process of reconciliation in your marriage? How did your belief system change? Which lies contributed to the initial breakdown of your marriage? How can a couple put aside anger? How can a couple on the brink of divorce have hope?

Ted Cunningham—founding pastor of Woodland Hill Family Church in Branson, Missouri, and author of Young and In Love: Challenging the Unnecessary Delay of Marriage—makes the case that marrying young should not be discouraged if the individuals are mature, informed, and supported. You will learn: What is the #1 symptom of a failed marriage? How can you encourage young couples towards a positive view of marriage? How do you know when you are ready to get married?

Lisa Anderson—director of young adults at Focus on the Family, host of the radio program and podcast “The Boundless Show,” and author of The Dating Manifesto—discusses the highlights and challenges of dating in today’s culture, including: What are the problems with dating in the world today? What should be the ultimate goal of dating? What can the perpetually single person do to “make it happen”? What are the five reasons for singleness? How can a single person date well?

Dr. Heather Davediuk Gingrich, licensed counselor and author of Restoring the Shattered Self, discusses the different types of trauma and the struggles caregivers face when trying to help trauma survivors.

Dr. Janis Abrahms Spring—board-certified clinical psychologist and author of After the Affair: Healing the Pain and Rebuilding Trust When a Partner Has Been Unfaithful—discusses what it takes for couples to move on after an affair, including: What drives a person to be unfaithful? What happens to the “hurt partner” after an affair is revealed? How can couples rebuild trust? How can couples restore intimacy in the bedroom?

Taya Kyle is the wife of legendary U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who was killed in 2013 by a fellow veteran. As a companion to her husband’s bestselling book, American Sniper, which was made into a critically acclaimed film in 2014, Taya wrote American Wife. In her book, Taya describes what it was like to be married to the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history.

Sheila Wray Gregoire discusses how to be in charge of your own happiness in your marriage. Gregoire is a syndicated columnist, speaker, and author of several books, including Nine Thoughts That Can Change Your Marriage. How can you adopt the philosophy that “my husband can’t make me mad”? Is it my husband’s job to make me happy? How can you accept your husband as he is? What is the difference between a peace-keeper and a peace-maker? How can you learn to be more concerned with unity than being right?

In this episode, Harriet Lerner discusses the rules for having a happy and healthy marriage. Lerner is a distinguished lecturer, consultant, psychotherapist, and author of numerous scholarly articles and books, including Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and Coupled Up. How can you make marriage work? How can you take the focus off of changing your spouse? What are some marriage rules related to criticism? How do you become a better listener? What are some top marriage rules related to sex?

Laura Doyle discusses the secret to having a passionate, peaceful marriage. Doyle is the founder of Laura Doyle Connect, a coaching company that has helped over 150,000 women, and is the author of First, Kill All the Marriage Counselors: Modern-Day Secrets to Being Desired, Cherished, and Adored for Life. Intimacy and fear, she says, are direct opposites; one is light and one is dark. They cannot coexist. If a wife wants to be in control, she must give up intimacy; but if she wants intimacy, she has to give up control.

Dr. Meg Meeker—author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters and medical doctor for over 30 years—discusses a father’s irreplaceable impact on his daughter. A daughter’s connection with her father is, arguably, the most important male relationship she will have in her life. Simply by being her father, a dad teaches his daughter what male love and trust is all about—a lesson that she carries with her forever.

Fawn Weaver is the founder of “The Happy Wives Club” blog and author of The Argument-Free Marriage.  In this episode, she discusses how every couple can lay the groundwork to create a marriage free from arguments.

Bobb Biehl is an executive mentor who has consulted over 5,000 executives and developed 50 tools for personal and organizational development. In this episode, he explains why 4th grade is the most important year of your life. Discovering the correlation between your nine-year-old self and your adult self will launch you on a path towards your greatest potential in all areas of your life.

Dr. Shon Neyland—minister, motivational keynote speaker, and author of Loving When You Don’t Feel Like It—unpacks what it means to love your spouse unconditionally. Unconditional love is far more than a feeling; it is an action, a decision you must make every day.

Ellen McCarthy—feature writer for the Style section of The Washington Post and author of The Real Thing: Lessons on Love and Life from a Wedding Reporter's Notebook—discusses the keys to a happy, healthy marriage, including: What is the key to a good romantic relationship? How can a couple make marriage last a lifetime? How can a couple use arguments for the good of the relationship? What should a single person keep in mind when searching for a healthy relationship?

Eric Davis—former Navy SEAL, decorated veteran of the War on Terror, and author of Raising Men: Lessons Navy SEALs Learned from Their Training and Taught to Their Sons—discusses how to parent sons, including: How can a father “lead from the front”? How can you be consistent in your parenting? How does Navy SEALs training relate to parenting? How can a father use military principles to parent his son? How can you grow every day as a parent? Also, Davis will answer audience questions on a variety of topics, including the character traits to instill in a son, the top skills to teach a son, and how to talk to a son about sex and relationships.

Marshall McCloud—a Strategy and Career Development Consultant at Hire Heroes—discusses how members of the military can successfully transition into civilian careers, including: What is the mission of Hire Heroes? What is the biggest challenge for transitioning members of the military? What is the start-to-finish process of Hire Heroes? How can a spouse support the transition from active duty to a civilian career? Are there any additional resources to help transitioning members of the military?

Alli Worthington—speaker, executive director of Propel Women, co-founder of BlissDom Events, and author of Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy—discusses the effects of chronic busyness, including: How is busyness impacting us? What is the cure for chronic busyness? How can you tell when you’ve hit your limit? How can you stay connected to loved ones during seasons of busyness? How can you protect your time from people and things that are life-draining?

Claire Wood shares her experiences and lessons learned about the first hard years of transitioning into a military family. She shares reflections on what it means to be a supportive spouse to her Army Chaplain husband, and discusses the challenges - and hope - that come amidst deployment, reintegration, and the military lifestyle.

Jeff & Cheryl Scruggs were married for ten years, divorced for seven, and then remarried.  This is their story of hope, redemption, and restoration.

Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil, well-known therapist and author of Financial Infidelity: Seven Steps to Conquering the #1 Relationship Wrecker, investigates what she considers the number one way to destroy any marriage: cheat with money. Shockingly, 40% of people lie about their purchases, and another 82% hide their purchases from their spouses. In fact, financial infidelity is so subtle and subversive that, in many cases, it can be as damaging and destructive as sexual infidelity. Dr. Bonnie offers seven enlightening steps every couple should take to move past infidelity and get on the same page about finances. By making your financial relationship with your spouse a priority, you can walk together towards peace with money.

  In this episode, Dr. Neil Clark Warren—co-founder and CEO of eHarmony.com and author of Falling in Love for All the Right Reasons: How to Find Your Soul Mate—discusses the key to a strong and lasting marriage: compatibility. Through eHarmony.com, Dr. Warren has helped foster nearly two million marriages, among which the divorce rate is only 3.86%, well below the national average of 40%. After years of research and countless case studies of real-life married couples, he has identified 29 areas of compatibility, of which the following are vitally important: (1) emotional health, (2) intelligence level, (3) shared values, (4) sense of humor, (5) energy level, (6) level of industry, and (7) shared interests. For the single person, the most important thing to do is find someone who is similar to you in the most basic areas, such as the way you were raised, your values, your interests, and your spiritual life. Also, look for someone to whom you are deeply attracted. Attraction is not the most important factor in a healthy relationship, but it is crucial nonetheless. Do not despair in finding a good match; be patient and hold out for the person you know in your heart is right for you. As Dr. Warren states, “It is hard to find the love of your life, but it is worth the wait.”

In this episode, Drs. John and Julie Gottman—co-founders of the Gottman Institute and authors of 10 Lessons to Transform Your Marriage—unpack the two types of problems every couple faces: perpetual problems and solvable problems. Sixty-nine percent of married couples suffer from perpetual problems, which vary based on personality differences or lifestyle preference differences. These types of differences can create friction in a marriage, but smart couples, know how to avoid a gridlock and seek to have healthy conflict conversations by approaching these types of discussions with kindness, understanding, and compassion. For military couples, conflict resolution can be particularly tricky. During deployment, military couples should talk on the phone as often as they can and have stress-reducing conversations—allow your spouse to talk about the stress while you simply listen and empathize. This will help your spouse feel less alone in dealing with the stress. Military members should avoid creating emotional distance by refusing to talk about what they have gone through and experienced. Instead, they should allow their spouses to enter into the pain. Only then can their marriage be intimate and life-giving.  

Nick Clements—financial guru; co-founder of MagnifyMoney, an online resource for making smart financial decisions; and author of Debt-Free Forever—teaches married couples about the #1 financial priority for a healthy marriage: Get on the same page about today’s finances and decide together about the future. He asks questions like, “Do you know how much you spend each month?” and “Where do you want to be tomorrow, financially?” to uncover the key to every couples’ financial success. With step-by-step guidance and principles that make sense, he gives couples the tools they need to be well on their way to financial harmony in just a few short weeks.

Trevor Romain—motivational speaker for children and supporting member of Comfort Crew, an organization that aims to care for military kids—delves deep into the greatest challenges every military child faces today. A parent’s deployment, frequent moves, the complexities of reintegration—all of these things can lead an otherwise resilient child to withdraw or act out. As a parent, it is important to surround your child with a support group of peers, adults, and authority figures who are dedicated to providing comfort and guidance when your child feels depressed or lost. Do not assume that your child can handle things on his own; instead, shore him up so he can head confidently into the world.

Scott and Bethany Palmer—financial coaches and authors of founders of The 5 Money Personalities—discuss what it takes for every marriage to find financial harmony. Over 70% of divorced couples cite financial issues as the #1 cause of arguments, and financial discord spills over into every other area of a couples’ relationship. Every person has two distinct money personalities—one primary and one secondary—that inform and direct their habits with money. They are: (1) the Spender, (2), the Saver, (3) the Risk Taker, (4) the Security Seeker, and (5) the Flyer. Finding common ground and understanding each other’s unique spending/saving habits can be just what a marriage needs to make it grow and flourish.

In this episode, Parent Effectiveness Training master trainer Steve Emmons talk with podcast host, Noel Meador, about all things parenting. With over 40 years of training under his belt, Steve offers a fresh perspective on parenting in today’s society. In the past, parents essentially had two options for parenting: Exercise power and authority (i.e., you the parent are in charge) or be permissive (i.e., let your kids do whatever they want). But there is a third—and better!—way to get the job done: Parents and kids alike can get their needs met by adopting the innovative no-lose problem-solving method. This method is both simple and practical; it operates under the philosophy that most conflict and problems are really fights over solutions. In response to this revelation, you will learn how to use “active listening” with your child, how to communicate in a way that is both bold and respectful, how to resolve conflict in a healthy manner, how to combat negative peer pressure, and much more. Whether your child is having behavioral issues or is the most well-behaved child on earth, there’s something in this episode for every parent.

In this episode, Gil and Brenda Stuart—founders of the Restored and Remarried seminars and authors of Restored and Remarried—take an insider’s look at the difficulties every blended family faces. In spite of the happiness and hope a second-marriage couple feels at the start of their new marriage, blending two families together is often the biggest challenge the couple will face. According to Gil and Brenda Stuart, over 58% of divorced people have not dealt with their past pain before committing to a new relationship, which can have a devastating effect on the success of a second marriage. But it is not impossible to heal from past pain and move forward into a healthy marriage. To do so, the couple must commit to avoiding each other’s “bare wires,” or areas of intense pain that, if triggered, will create a shock. Also, especially in the beginning of a remarriage, many blended families experience waves of grief over former family structures that have nothing to do with the new spouse, parent, or siblings. Gil and Brenda Stuart offer wise counsel on dealing with exes who attempt to tear apart a couple’s new relationship due to unresolved issues that lead to resentment and jealousy. They also offer advice on how a remarried couple can and should parent each other’s children.

Rosalind Wiseman discusses the different roles boys take on in social groups, including the Mastermind, Entertainer, and Conscience. Wiseman also addresses common parenting dilemmas, such as what to do when your son lies or is sending and receiving sexual texts.

In this episode, husband and wife team and co-creators of Imago Relationship Therapy, Drs. Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, discuss their acclaimed book Getting the Love You Want. They tackle the complex question of how couples can deal with and heal from old childhood wounds that may be affecting their marriage. Drs. Hendrix and Hunt teach listeners to dive deep into the subconscious childhood pain and bring it out into the light. By doing so, couples can begin to build healthy neuropathways, or healthy roads, alongside the pain-giving neuropathways in the brain. As Drs. Hendrix and Hunt say, “We are all drawn to people we are incompatible with, but if we grow to heal each other’s wounds, we become compatible.” Perhaps your marriage is suffering from unhealed childhood wounds—you will learn how to communicate about the wounds and the steps it takes to move past them and on to a healthy marriage. For those struggling with old wounds, seemingly small confrontations can feel like an emotional avalanche. Drs. Hendrix and Hunt teach couples to, instead of make demands, make “behavior change requests,” which preserve the sacred safe space in their marriage.

The Genesis Process identifies and helps change the faulty belief systems that drive self-destructive behaviors. In our interview, Michael Dye shares powerful tools for anyone stuck in self-defeating patterns who truly wants to change.

Michael Cain describes how journaling is a valuable tool in the pursuit of easing the pain of PTSD among soldiers and anyone who has been hurt by a traumatic experience. Cain talks about when, where, why, and how to journal for relief from PTSD symptoms.

Former NFL quarterback Jeff Kemp shares how to overcome life's blitzes. The "blitz" is one of the most dangerous moments in a football game. It has the potential to cause serious damage...and create amazing, game-changing opportunities.

Do you yearn to feel truly intimate with your spouse? Do you wish that you enjoyed a sex life that was ALIVE, rather than one that was dull or inhibited by fear and insecurity? Listen to our podcast with Sheila Wray Gregoire for effective strategies and tips to start improving your sex life in 31 days.

What makes the happiest couples different from the rest? That's just what you'll discover in this interview with Shaunti Feldhahn. Her groundbreaking, research-based books have sold more than two million copies worldwide, and in this podcast, she reveals the best habits for improving your marriage.

Remember back to your dating days―the excitement you felt? Now you can reclaim that same spark, connection, and creativity in your marriage through ten intentional, memory-making dates. This proven approach to relationship growth is low-key, purposeful, effective, easy, and fun , and will help you

If you're tired of arguing with your spouse over the same old issues and longing for a marriage with more intimacy, then How We Love can help you to transform your relationship with your partner. Learn how your childhood experiences shaped your future expectations of all relationships, especially marriage, and what you can do to develop a more intimate and passionate relationship.

Rebuilding trust after an affair is not easy. It requires real guidance. Dr. Scott Haltzman has written the book on the subject, “The Secrets to Surviving Infidelity” and discusses techniques and tips anyone can use in this interview with Noel Meador on Oxygen 365.  Dr. Scott Haltzman has been praised with the ability to provide hope and more than that – a path forward, beyond infidelity. Dr. Haltzman is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is a graduate of Brown University and received his medical degree from the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. He completed his psychiatric training and chief residency at Yale University, and then practiced psychiatry as part of the Brown University faculty for more than 20 years.  From 2012-2015 he served as the senior outpatient psychiatrist at The David Lawrence Center, in Naples Florida, where he was appointed a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Florida State University. He currently serves as the Medical Director in the Behavioral Health Department at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, in Providence Rhode Island. Dr. Haltzman has gained international recognition for his work on infidelity, and in support of marriage and committed relationships. He has appeared on the Today Show, 20/20, Nightline, Good Morning America, The Rachel Ray Show, and in TIME, Glamour, Redbook, Parent’s Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and more.   Listen to his interview on Oxygen 365 for insight into your own marriage and learn what to do to embrace your partner going forward. 

Do you ever get the idea that your spouse just doesn't understand? Well, it's time to learn a thing or two about what empathy is really about. Strap yourselves in for an in-depth look into the book “Communication Miracles for Couples” by Jonathon Robinson, a psychotherapist and best-selling author who has turned real life examples into a guide for relationship success. Parents seeking practical ways to engage their teenage children in meaningful conversation need to look no further than this interview with Dennis Trittin on Oxygen 365. Dennis is a successful author, publisher, educator, speaker, and money manager committed to helping young people reach their full potential.  As founder and CEO of LifeSmart Publishing and the author of “What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead” and co-author of “Parenting for the Launch: Raising Teens to Succeed in the Real World,” Dennis combines his world-class leadership experience with passionate advocacy for the next generation.  With acclaimed resources and speaking engagements on the topics of leadership, life skills, and parenting, Dennis inspires and equips young people and the adults and institutions guiding them.    Dennis holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington, where he was Valedictorian of his class. He also holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. 

Are you fighting with your spouse more often than you should? If you hear divorce bells in your future, stop what you are doing and listen to this interview with Laurie Puhn, a Harvard-trained family and divorce lawyer and couples mediator. Laurie is extremely well qualified to speak to communication difficulties in relationships and in her recent book, "Fight Less, Love More," she outlines tactics to improve communication, avoid unhealthy behaviors, and better appreciate your partner that are simple to implement, remarkably effective, and will benefit couples in relationships troubled and healthy alike.  With advice that is nonjudgmental, extremely efficient, and clearly understandable, Laurie covers all aspects of romantic relationships, from problems like infidelity to boundaries giving couples of every strip something of benefit. Eschewing frustrating vagaries, sweeping generalizations, and gender-based assumptions, Laurie's extremely specific guide focuses on simple, rational solutions that primarily revolve around maintaining respect for one's partner. Laurie Puhn initially practiced corporate law at a New York City law firm and was soon featured as the Communications Expert on an ABC 20/20 special about “Rudeness in America. ” She is a frequent commentator on Fox News Channel, Fox 5's Good Day NY, WNBC's Weekend Today in NY and was featured on CNN's Tips from the Top. Laurie was the cover story for Networking magazine's June 2006 issue. Her commentary has been featured in magazines including Entrepreneur, Maxim, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Woman's Day and Glamour, as well as featured in newspapers such as Chicago Tribune, Newsday and The New York Times.  She is the author of "Instant Persuasion: How to Change Your Words to Change Your Life" and President of Laurie Puhn Communications. Her second book "Fight Less, Love More: 5-Minute Conversations to Change Your Relationship without Blowing Up or Giving In" was released on October 12, 2010.

Create lasting harmony and keep love alive with psychotherapist and bestselling author Jonathan Robinson's powerful and simple methods for effective couples' communication. In this in-depth interview on Oxygen 365, Noel Meador navigates Robinson's techniques. You will hear example after example of some of the basic guidelines presented in Robinson's best-selling book “Communication Miracles for Couples.”   For anyone who wants to enhance their relationship by learning to communicate with less blame and more understanding, this interview will point you in the right direction.  A psychotherapist from Santa Barbara, Robinson offers real-life examples, tips and exercises designed to create less conflict and more love. He is a best-selling author of ten books, and a professional speaker from Northern California. He has reached over 250 million people around the world with his practical methods, and his work has been translated into 47 languages. Articles about Jonathan have appeared in USA TODAY, Newsweek, and the Los Angeles Times, as well as dozens of other publications. In addition, Mr. Robinson has made numerous appearances on the Oprah show and CNN, as well as other national TV talk shows. He has spent over 35 years studying the most practical and powerful methods for personal and professional development.  Listen to this exclusive interview with the man who can help turn your relationship around with practical tools and a guide for success.

Bring the spark back into your bedroom and your relationship with gutsy and effective advice from bestselling author Michele Weiner Davis. It is estimated that one of every three married couples struggles with problems associated with mismatched sexual desire. Do you? If you want to stop fighting about sex and revitalize your intimate connection with your spouse, then you need to listen to this podcast where Noel Meador interviews Michele Weiner-Davis on her book, “The Sex-Starved Marriage” Michele Weiner Davis will help you understand why being complacent or bitter about ho-hum sex might cost you your relationship. If you're the more highly sexed partner, you'll breathe a sigh of relief. At last someone understands your feelings about the void in your marriage. Discover why your pleas for touch have fallen upon deaf ears and why your approach to the lull in your sexual relationship could be a sexual turnoff. Most important, learn new ways to motivate your spouse to take your needs for more physical closeness to heart. If you're the spouse with a lagging libido, you're far from alone. You'll learn about the physiological and psychological factors, including unresolved relationship issues, that may contribute to the chill in your bedroom and what you can do to melt the ice. And if you're a man, you'll be surprised to learn that staggering numbers of men, even men whose sexual machinery works just fine, "get headaches" too! The Sex-Starved Marriage will give you and your spouse the inspiration, encouragement, and answers you need.