Drawing from the Thrive Marriage Lab, powered by Restoration Counseling, hosts Chris Bruno and Tracy Johnson offer professional and personal conversations to empower couples to thrive in their marriage. Each month launches with a snippet expert interview on a psychological theme, followed by Tracy and her husband, Mark Johnson and Chris and his wife, Beth Bruno pulling back the curtain to how that theme plays out in their own marriages.
In this episode, counselors Tracy Johnson and Chris Bruno discuss the importance of understanding and discussing sex in a marital relationship. They focus on how past experiences, cultural influences, body image, and personal stories can shape perceptions of sex. They recommend open dialogue within a relationship on these aspects to nurture a sex-positive environment that strengthens the marriage bond.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
Explore the importance of trust in marriage on this episode of Thrive Marriage Lab. Join Tracy Johnson and Chris Bruno as they delve into premarital conversations, building trust, and addressing betrayal in relationships. Discover valuable insights to strengthen the foundation of your marriage and navigate challenges with resilience.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this interactive talk, Chris Bruno and Tracy Johnson, delve into the top conflicts in marriages, specifically focusing on the challenge of in-law relationships. They explore the often overlooked aspect of loyalty in marriages and discuss the importance of making intentional choices to prioritize the spouse over previous family loyalties. They also emphasize the risk and necessity of navigating this psychological and emotional shift, setting the stage for the next episode on building lasting trust in marriages.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
Discover the real reasons couples fight as Tracy Johnson, a story work coach, and Chris Bruno, a licensed professional counselor, explore the emotions and fears behind conflicts, especially as the wedding day approaches. Uncover the "why" behind relationship issues and learn valuable insights on improving marriage communication.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this podcast episode, we explore the significance of individual narratives in a relationship and the importance of understanding your partner's story. Our marriage counselors, Chris Bruno and Tracy Johnson, share valuable insights on how these stories influence your connection and offer guidance for building a strong foundation before walking down the aisle. Tune in to discover the secrets behind a lasting and thriving marriage.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode, Chris Bruno delves into the dynamics of therapeutic separation in marriages. He discusses the cases where couples find success and rekindle their relationships and the situations where separation might not work. FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode of the Thrive Marriage Lab podcast, Chris Bruno delves into the crucial question of when and how to conclude a therapeutic separation in a marriage. Chris emphasizes the importance of having a clear, time-bound plan from the outset and outlines a six-month maximum duration guideline.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode, Chris Bruno discusses a surprising warning sign in marriages – the absence of conflicts. He highlights the importance of addressing ruptures in a relationship through the concept of rupture and repair. Chris emphasizes the value of therapeutic separation as a structured approach to addressing ruptures and facilitating repair for stronger and healthier marriages.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode of the Thrive Marriage Lab, Chris Bruno delves into the topic of therapeutic separation, particularly for Christian couples facing marital challenges. He explores whether therapeutic separation aligns with biblical principles and how it can be a hopeful and restorative process. Chris emphasizes the importance of taking a break to catch your breath, allow emotional healing, and let God work in your marriage. Tune in to discover how this approach can lead to a renewed and deeper connection in your relationship.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode, Chris Bruno discusses the impact of children during a therapeutic separation. He emphasizes the importance of explaining the therapeutic separation to children, setting clear expectations, addressing their questions, and providing regular progress updates to alleviate their concerns and foster a sense of security.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this podcast episode, we explore the essential elements of therapeutic separation, emphasizing the importance of mutual agreement between partners. We delve into the significance of a well-defined separation document that clarifies expectations, logistics, and a defined timeframe, ensuring it's therapeutic rather than just a separation.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode, we explore the concept of a "therapeutic separation" for couples facing challenges in their marriage. Chris Bruno highlights the key differences between a therapeutic separation and a regular separation. He emphasizes the importance of seeking professional guidance and the need to work towards healing the relationship rather than drifting towards divorce. Tune in for valuable insights and stay tuned for upcoming episodes to learn more about the parameters and benefits of therapeutic separation in marriage.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
Discover the 20/24 Rule for effective conflict resolution in Marriage on the Thrive Marriage Lab Podcast. Join Chris Bruno as he guides couples through cooling down, healing, and reconnecting after intense conflicts. Learn how the 20-minute rule can help you maintain a deep and lasting marriage connection, even in challenging times.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this podcast episode, we delve into the intriguing dynamics of marital communication and the four common postures that often emerge during conflicts in relationships. Chris Bruno enlightens us on the significance of recognizing these postures in our partners and ourselves to enhance understanding and improve communication in marriage. Discover how recognizing and understanding these postures can lead to healthier and more empathetic communication in your marriage.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
Discover the four levels of communication and conflict in relationships with Chris Bruno. Learn how to navigate differences, disagreements, hurt feelings, conflicts, and fights in your marriage. Explore valuable insights to improve communication and strengthen your relationship.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this eye-opening episode, join Chris Bruno as he shares a real-life marriage counseling experience. Discover how communication issues often stem from deeper emotional stories and how exploring your narratives can enhance your marital connection. Tune in for valuable insights into the 'why' behind communication challenges in relationships.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode, Chris Bruno delves into the challenging experience of emotional unavailability in relationships. He describes the feeling of trying to connect with a partner who seems distant and explains how this can erode the connection between couples.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
Explore the essence of rebuilding relationships and emotional connection as Chris Bruno delves into the importance of risk, authenticity, and vulnerability in fostering intimacy. Discover how kindness can transform and heal emotional unavailability in this insightful episode from Thrive Marriage Lab.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connection Subscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this podcast episode, Chris Bruno explores the underlying stories and traumas that contribute to emotional unavailability in relationships. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity as a means to better understand and bridge the gap between partners, shedding light on the origins of emotional unavailability and its impact on adult relationships.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode, join Chris Bruno as he delves into the importance of curiosity in understanding the emotional unavailability of your partner. By exploring your spouse's past and showing empathy for their childhood experiences, you can foster a deeper connection and create a new narrative of emotional safety in your relationship.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
Explore the roots of emotional unavailability and its impact on your relationships in this episode with licensed professional counselor Chris Bruno. Learn how past experiences shape your emotional responses and how to navigate healing for a deeper, more connected partnership.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
In this episode, we explore the crucial distinction between tragedy and trauma. Tragedy, often unavoidable, represents external challenges we face in life, while trauma, the internal response to a lack of kindness during tragic moments, can shape our beliefs about ourselves and the world. Discover how introducing kindness into your relationships can transform trauma back into tragedy, creating new possibilities for healing and connection. Join us in understanding the power of kindness and its potential to reshape your emotional availability and relationships.FREE 12 Months of Dates: How date nights can lead to connectionSubscribe here: www.restory.life/thrive-dates
We all tell a version of how we met and fell in love, but how do we tell the rest? Learn how to identify the themes in your marriage so that you come to better know who you are as individuals and who you are as a couple for when things get hard.Download the free pdf, "Prompts for Creating a Safe Marriage" HERE. Check out the Thrive Mini-Course on Story HERE.Thrive Marriage Lab is a product of ReStory™ Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling and a part of the ReStory™ Universe network.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab. Learn more about ReStory™ Labs. Learn more about Restoration Counseling. Learn more about ReStory™ Universe.Learn more about marriage intensives with Chris or Tracy.
If you are coming to understand parts of your story, but feel unsafe sharing with your spouse, what do you do? How can you begin to create safe spaces and set up safety for yourself? Listen in to hear some specific things to do and say, as well as a warning: if you are in an unsafe marriage, please seek help HERE.Download the free pdf, "Prompts for Creating a Safe Marriage" HERE. Check out the Thrive Mini-Course on Story HERE.Thrive Marriage Lab is a product of ReStory™ Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling and a part of the ReStory™ Universe network.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab. Learn more about ReStory™ Labs. Learn more about Restoration Counseling. Learn more about ReStory™ Universe.Learn more about marriage intensives with Chris or Tracy.
As you learn more about your own story, how do you bring your spouse into it? How can you help each other find the meaning (or even a different meaning) in your shaping stories?Download "Charting Your Story" for free HERE. Check out the Thrive Mini-Course on Story HERE.Thrive Marriage Lab is a product of ReStory™ Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling and a part of the ReStory™ Universe network.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab. Learn more about ReStory™ Labs. Learn more about Restoration Counseling. Learn more about ReStory™ Universe.Learn more about marriage intensives with Chris or Tracy.
Where in your marriage have you written something, unintentionally, that has a toxic dynamic? That has been woven in alongside things that are meeting genuine needs? What do you actually want to write into your marriage rather than incorporate from someone else's teaching or influence? Whose script are you living? Spurred by thoughts on The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast and the influence of Mark Driscoll on couples.Download "Take Up Your Pen and Write" for free HERE. Check out the Thrive Mini-Course on Story HERE.Thrive Marriage Lab is a product of ReStory™ Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling and a part of the ReStory™ Universe network.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab. Learn more about ReStory™ Labs. Learn more about Restoration Counseling. Learn more about ReStory™ Universe.Learn more about marriage intensives with Chris or Tracy.
Many of us just want someone to tell us what to do. But when it comes to the marriage relationship, there is not formula, no cookie-cutter solution that works for all couples. How can you become authors of your own marriage rather than co-opting or absorbing someone else's? Join Chris Bruno and Tracy Johnson, marriage counselors and hosts of the Thrive Marriage Lab, to hear how you can identify and move toward writing your own scripts.Download "Take Up Your Pen and Write" for free HERE.Thrive Marriage Lab is a product of ReStory™ Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling and a part of the ReStory™ Universe network. Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab. Learn more about ReStory™ Labs. Learn more about Restoration Counseling. Learn more about ReStory™ Universe.Learn more about marriage intensives with Chris or Tracy.
In this series, we're talking about other loves, or polyamory. Every marriage has multiple loves, not just your spouse, but multiple other loves that crowd the space. In this fourth episode, we talk about the hijacked desire for containment and how this can often turn into high control and a "ratcheted down" life, keeping us disconnected from the presence and withness of our spouse.
In this series, we're talking about other loves, or polyamory. Every marriage has multiple loves, not just your spouse, but multiple other loves that crowd the space. In this sixth episode, we talk about the hijacked desire for belonging and how this can often turn into a desperate need to be wanted keeping us disconnected from the presence and withness of our spouse.
In this series, we're talking about other loves, or polyamory. Every marriage has multiple loves, not just your spouse, but multiple other loves that crowd the space. In this fourth episode, we talk about the hijacked desire for life and how an addiction to the rush can keep us disconnected from the presence and withness with our spouse.
In this series, we're talking about other loves, or polyamory. Every marriage has multiple loves, not just your spouse, but multiple other loves that crowd the space. In this third episode, we talk about the hijacked desire for affirmation and how an addiction to this can keep us disconnected presence and withness with our spouse.
In this series, we're talking about other loves and another word for that is "polyamory". Poly means multiple and Amory means loves. Every marriage has multiple loves, not just your spouse, but multiple other loves that crowd the space. In this second episode, we talk about the hijacked desire for comfort and the ways in which soothing processes can keep us disconnected from receiving comfort from our spouse.
Chris and Tracy kick off Season Two by defining Polyamory and suggesting that your marriage has other loves.
In the last episode on The Source of All Conflict (DESIRE!), Chris and Tracy talk about the connection between fear and desire and the way it comes between them and their spouses. If you missed the last 3 in this series, make sure to catch up! In Part 1, therapist Sam Jolman describes what we're talking about.
This month we've been in a series about how the source of marital conflict is unmet desire. This week, Beth Bruno shares a vulnerable story of Chris missing her desire and how their conflict took the shape of distance.
Thrive Marriage Podcast is brought to you by ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about AND/OR leave a message for us at ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.
Thrive Marriage Podcast is brought to you by ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about AND/OR leave a message for us at ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Sam Jolman.
Thrive Marriage Podcast is brought to you by ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about AND/OR leave a message for us at ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.
Learn more about Dr. Juli Slattery and Authentic Intimacy.The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy. If you like what you're hearing, consider leaving a rating or review! Thanks!
Learn more about Dr. Juli Slattery and Authentic Intimacy.The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy. If you like what you're hearing, consider leaving a rating or review! Thanks!
Learn more about Dr. Juli Slattery and Authentic Intimacy.The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy. If you like what you're hearing, consider leaving a rating or review! Thanks!
The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy. If you like what you're hearing, consider leaving a rating or review! Thanks!
The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy.
The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy.
Learn more about David Robbins. Learn more about Family Life. The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy.
The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy.
The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy.
The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy.
The Thrive Marriage Podcast is offered in conjunction with the Thrive Marriage Lab, a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about Marriage Intensives with Chris and Tracy.
Thrive Marriage Podcast is a product of ReStory Labs, powered by Restoration Counseling.Learn more about ReStory Labs.Learn more about Restoration Counseling.Learn more about marriage intensives with Chris and/or Tracy.Learn more about Thrive Marriage Lab.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
