Podcasts about Marriage

John expresses anxiety and distress about being separated from his wife for two weeks. Are his feelings truly a reflection of sadness over their time apart?  Got a dilemma? Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join the Dr. Laura Family!! >> Receive my weekly newsletter, perks, and more! Sign up now, it's FREE > DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Larry is back in studio with his wife Jessica for the fourth installment of their couples series, recorded the same month they hit 23 years of marriage and 30 years of knowing each other. This time the whole conversation centers on one word that quietly makes or breaks a marriage: alignment. Most couples, Larry notes from a decade of coaching, are misaligned on parenting, money, intimacy, and faith, and never realize it until it derails their connection. Larry and Jessica walk through how they actually got aligned over 22 years, from choosing experiences over stuff and a backyard over a sports car, to spending on healthy food and shared workouts, to raising kids who value connection over possessions. They're honest that it came through constant, daily communication, the kind most couples avoid. If your marriage feels more like managing a household than sharing a life, this conversation is a window into how two people build shared values on purpose.   Timeline Summary [3:04] – What alignment in marriage actually means, and how misalignment shows up [6:09] – The daily reality of getting kids to help, and delegating chores [10:10] – Pulling back the curtain on a heated dinner with one of their kids the night before [10:52] – Why cleaning became Larry and Jessica's separate processing and thinking time [12:10] – The core values exercise and discovering they valued environment and connection, not possessions [13:36] – Their family mission: experiences over stuff, memories over things, connection over everything [16:05] – Why some couples need to buy or schedule experiences just to feel connected [17:53] – The Covid dishes conversation and Jessica's grounded response to Larry's darkest thought [19:52] – No luxury cars, no name brands, and being genuinely okay with less [22:36] – The backyard project versus a sports car, and what Ethan learned from it [24:16] – How they actually arrived at shared values through talking and reflecting [26:40] – 2017 as the turning point toward chasing experiences over stuff [27:04] – The three gifts rule at Christmas and where it came from [30:39] – Jessica's advice to their kids: communication is the key to any relationship [33:55] – Why couples talk about logistics but avoid the deeper alignment conversations [36:02] – The intimacy parallel: what happens when you stop pursuing each other [38:24] – Why they never run out of things to talk about, even after 23 years [40:14] – Can people be taught to communicate, or is that just who they are? [44:43] – Alignment as the make or break, and the non-negotiables they built together [45:33] – Going to bed at the same time, and when it's actually okay to go to bed angry   5 Key Takeaways Alignment Is the Make or Break — Most couples are quietly misaligned on parenting, money, intimacy, and faith, and it derails their connection without them realizing why. Building shared values on purpose is what holds a marriage together over decades. Experiences Over Stuff — Larry and Jessica built a family mission around memories over things and connection over everything. The backyard they gather in beat the sports car precisely because it creates shared experiences instead of solo possession. Communication Has to Be Daily — Talking through logistics isn't the same as real communication. Checking in every day, even briefly, keeps small tensions from compounding into the silence and assumptions that quietly end marriages. Don't Let Intimacy Drift — Just like conversation, physical intimacy erodes when you stop pursuing each other. Let too much time pass and it becomes awkward and hard to return to, so keep reaching for each other before the gap widens. You Can Change If It Matters Enough — "That's just who I am" is an excuse, not a fact. People revert to old patterns, but anyone can learn to communicate better if the relationship matters enough to them to keep practicing.   Links & Resources Episode page and all links: https://thedadedge.com/1522 Roommates to Soulmates (cohort 3, starts September 16, free preview calls September 8 and 9): https://thedadedge.com/soulmates Dad Edge Day with the Arizona Cardinals (November 15, Cardinals vs Rams, State Farm Stadium): https://thedadedge.com/nfl   Enjoyed This Episode? If hearing Larry and Jessica lay out the values they built on purpose made you wonder where you and your spouse are actually aligned, pick one area and talk it through this week. Ask your partner what they'd want more of, or download the 25 questions and work through a couple on your next date. If the show keeps delivering, follow, rate, and leave a review so more fathers can find these conversations.

Thanks to SoFi for sponsoring this episode! Looking for funding to help grow your business? Get started at SoFi.com/Codie. #SoFiPartner #ad My new book, Own Or Be Owned, is all about building a business so good it doesn't need you. More profit, less pain. It's out September 18, grab your ticket to the launch event here: https://contrarianthinking.biz/bigdeal-sexton -cs You've been telling yourself the same story. That you need to work harder on your marriage. That you need to read more books, take more courses, find the perfect framework. Here's the truth: the only thing between you and the relationship you want is believing you need something you don't already have. James Sexton is one of the world's most famous divorce attorneys who has represented clients in more than a thousand divorces. He's seen every way a marriage can fail and every pattern that predicts it. In this episode, he breaks down the exact signs that a relationship is ending, why disconnection happens so slowly you don't even notice, and the simple daily habits that separate couples who last from couples who don't. In this episode, you'll learn: The sound of a dying marriage: why the tone of voice that says whatever or what reveals more than any argument ever could, and how contempt kills connection faster than cheating Why babies don't cause divorce but disconnection does, and how the mental load of parenting makes couples forget that their love built the baby in the first place The menu framework: how offering your partner options instead of expecting them to read your mind creates safety, and why asking do you need space or do you need to talk right now changes everything Why men ask did you have sex with him and women ask do you love her, and what that reveals about how men and women experience betrayal completely differently The eight mile strategy: how getting ahead of your own weaknesses in a relationship disarms defensiveness, and why showing your partner your flaws is the only way they can truly love you ___________ (00:00:00) Introduction: The Sound of a Marriage About to End (00:01:33) The What Huh Whatever: How Contempt Kills Connection (00:04:46) The Story Retelling Test: When Your Partner Becomes Boring (00:05:57) The Spiral of Apathy: How Disconnection Happens Slowly Then All at Once (00:07:16) The Text Message Strategy: 30 Seconds That Could Save Your Marriage (00:10:15) The Eight Billion People Problem: Why Your Partner Is Your Favorite Person (00:11:50) The Evidence Test: Cross-Examining Your Own Relationship (00:15:24) Social Media and the Performative Self: Hashtag Blessed While Negotiating Divorce (00:18:06) The Manual We Never Got: Why No One Teaches Us How to Love (00:22:38) Babies and Disconnection: The Crisis That Pulls Couples Apart (00:24:56) You Can't Pretend You Meant to Get Divorced: The Humility of Failure (00:27:29) Men and Women Get Each Other Wrong: The Defensiveness Trap (00:30:10) Creating Safe Space: Why Men Don't Tell You What You Don't Want to Hear (00:34:46) Love Is Not Permanently Gifted, It's Loaned: The Fragility of Connection (00:36:59) Cheating and Infidelity: The 70 Percent Reality (00:39:56) Did You Have Sex With Him: How Men and Women Experience Betrayal Differently (00:42:35) The Economy of Monogamy: What We Owe Each Other in a Committed Relationship (00:47:32) The Imaginary Perfect Partner: Comparing Real People to Fantasy (00:59:19) The Shaving Story: How You Ask the Question Dictates the Answer (01:03:46) The Eight Mile Strategy: Owning Your Weaknesses Before They're Used Against You (01:06:13) The Persuasion Principle: Great Advocacy Doesn't Look Like Advocacy (01:10:57) A Good Lawyer Knows the Law, A Great Lawyer Knows the Judge (01:14:27) The Menu Framework: Listening, Fixing, or Distraction (01:17:48) Does Marriage Still Work: The 70 Percent Failure Rate Question (01:19:45) Chapters in a Long Book: Reframing Divorce as Part of Your Story, Not Failure (01:26:09) The Vulnerability Invitation: Showing Your Weaknesses So You Can Feel Real Love ___________ MORE FROM BIGDEAL

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A throwback episode from 2 years ago: How can we make good decisions (or even just make a decision without so much apprehension)? This week the ☕️Studio

One of the smallest words in English can quietly change the emotional climate of a marriage.In this episode, we talk about the difference between “but” and “and.” “But” often cancels whatever came before it. “And” lets two truths stand side by side.This is not a dramatic new technique. It is a simple linguistic shift that helps couples stay on the same side of the problem — in hard conversations, in parenting, and in the first conversation that happens inside your own head.We also look at how a childhood diet of hard “No” can shape rigid “No adults,” how shame thinks in either/or, and how the Wise Adult posture sounds in real time.In This EpisodeWhy “but” undercuts ownership and makes the second half of the sentence the only pointHow “and” holds two realities at once without forcing one to erase the otherEither/or thinking vs both/and (dialectical) thinkingAdaptive Child vs Wise Adult — rigidity vs flexibilityPaul Zohav's idea of “No adults” and the relational cost of growing up without enough “and”How to bridge a “No” with an “And” without abandoning your needsThe most important place to practice “and”: the conversation in your own headThe shame mantra: “I'm enough and I matter despite…”Everyday sentence swaps for plans, mental load, repair, and moneyKey TakeawaysYou can own your part and name the impact.You can hold a boundary and honor the other person's experience.You can regret something and still be enough.Marriage is full of moments where two true things are happening at the same time. “And” is one of the simplest ways to practice that kind of maturity.Practice This WeekNotice. For three days, just catch how often you use “but” when feelings, responsibility, or need are involved. Write a few down.Practice the internal version. When shame or harsh self-talk shows up, insert an “and.” Try: “I'm enough and I matter despite…”Use it once out loud. Choose one lower-stakes conversation and deliberately hold two truths with “and.”Connect With Us:Website: MasterYourMarriage.usInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/masteryourmarriageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MasterYourMarriage/If you try this and something shifts, even a little, we'd love to hear about it. Reply to this episode or send a note through masteryourmarriage.us.If you and your partner want help practicing conversations like this, you can book a free 30-minute discovery call at masteryourmarriage.us.

As we have named what our spouses cannot carry for us, now we turn the corner to the best gift your marriage never knew it needed, and it is not a date night or a new technique, it is a full you. If your spouse cannot give you your worth, your aliveness, or your sense of purpose, then where do these things actually come from? Christa explores the needs that do not disappear when we stop asking our spouse to be our everything, and the things only we can tend for ourselves with the SPARKS analogy she uses, to help you find your way back to your own joy, your own worth, your own inner growth, and your own relationship with God, where we are fully seen even when the people around us are depleted. Far from being one more burden, she shows why this is a gift: when you come to your marriage full rather than empty, you free your spouse from a job they were always going to fail at, and you free yourself from the ache of waiting. With practical ways to begin tending your own soul this week, this is a freeing turn toward wholeness! ⁠Watch on YouTube! We also share about the Enneagram and Marriage coaching certification, starting 9/15 where Christa trains others to help couples reclaim what is theirs to tend. ⁠Get inside the Enneagram and Marriage Coaching and Masterclass classroom here⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠ https://www.enneagramandmarriage.com/the-e-m-coaching-masterclass Use the code COACH for $250 off - or - use a payment plan!! Find more about your type, the pod, freebies, and SO much more at our website right here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EnneagramandMarriage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Take the E + M Quiz at www.QuizforCouples.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Love what you're learning on E + M? Make sure you leave us a podcast review so others can find us, too⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Christa's Best-Selling Book, The Enneagram in Marriage, here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/df8SxVx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does Genesis 2 really teach about men, women, and marriage? As Wailer and Adena continue their walk through Genesis, they move beyond familiar interpretations and uncover the deeper story woven into humanity's creation. Together they explore why Adam was formed outside the garden, what Eve's creation reveals about feminine strength, and how marriage reflects God's own nature. Along the way, they wrestle with difficult cultural questions surrounding masculinity, femininity, feminism, and biblical identity while showing how Scripture presents men and women as equal, complementary image-bearers created to reveal God's character together. Resources: Proven Wives: https://www.provenmen.org/wives-2/ Genesis 2  Reclaiming Sexuality by Juli Slattery: https://www.authenticintimacy.com/rscurriculum/ Proven Ministries: https://www.provenmen.org/ Isaiah (51:3) Francis Schaeffer: https://labri.org/resources/ David Wilcox: https://www.davidwilcox.com/ Connect with The Naked Gospel Podcast:   Website: https://www.provenmen.org/thenakedgospel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PROVENMenMinistries LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/provenmen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/provenministries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/provenmenministries TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endporn.org

We seem to be living in a world that has lost kindness. And everyone seems to have someone else to blame. But what does it actually mean to be kind in a relationship? When does trying to help, correct, or influence someone cross the line into control? What's the difference between critiquing, criticism, and nagging? We don't want fake positivity. We don't want relationships where no one can say what they really think. And yet, if we want healthy relationships, how we speak truth matters. In today's episode, we tackle all of these questions and talk about how we grow stronger relationships through kindness. Because kindness is not the same thing as being nice.

Do you miss feeling emotionally connected, excited about intimacy, and close sexually?Maybe you've been trying harder to create closeness. You've prayed, read the marriage books, worked on your communication, and done everything you know to do. Yet something still feels missing.What if rebuilding emotional connection, intimacy, and desire isn't about trying harder... but about trusting God more?In this episode of Midlife Marriage Makeover, I'm kicking off a brand-new series called "Let Him... and See What Happens." Before you dismiss the title, this isn't about becoming passive or losing your voice. It's about trusting God more deeply, letting go of control, appreciating your husband's strengths, and discovering how those simple shifts can rebuild emotional connection, awaken desire, and breathe new life into your marriage.In this episode you'll discover:3 simple shifts to rebuild emotional connection, intimacy, and desire in midlife marriage.Why trying to carry everything can quietly create distance between you and your husband.How surrendering control helped me experience more peace, romance, attraction, and intimacy.The unexpected lesson God taught me through a simple conversation about cooking that transformed our marriage.How trusting God more can soften your heart, deepen emotional connection, and help you fall in love with your husband all over again.Friend, your marriage isn't broken, and your best years don't have to be behind you. I believe your future can be bigger than your past, and sometimes the breakthrough you've been praying for begins with one simple shift—not trying harder, but trusting God more.If you're ready to rebuild emotional connection, intimacy, romance, and desire in your Christian midlife marriage, you're in the right place.Come join my private Facebook community, Empty Nest Wives: Rebuilding Intimacy & Connection, where Christian wives are learning how to create marriages filled with emotional connection, lasting intimacy, romance, and joy.I'm so glad you're here. Let's build the marriage you've always hoped was possible. ❤️

Amy tells us the story of having a hot handyman come to her house and wanting to ask him an inappropriate question. Bobby has a story of what people say is the happiest year of marriage and it's an eye opening stat for most of the show. We share what year has been our favorite years of marriage. Why did a woman try to sue Kenny Chesney for something we've never heard of before? Bobby talked about a Walmart shopper who picked up $30 from the floor and now local police are searching for him. What?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sasha and her husband are navigating disagreements about appropriate guidelines for their young child, particularly around sleepovers and playdates.  Got a dilemma? Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join the Dr. Laura Family!! >> Receive my weekly newsletter, perks, and more! Sign up now, it's FREE > DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SUBURBAKNIGHT: Act Two Walter Knope has finally discovered the one thing worse than suspecting your new neighbor is a sex demon. Being right. Inside Richard's immaculate house, Walter gets the confirmation he was looking for. The Maitlands are dead. Richard isn't human. And he isn't just interested in Samantha. He wants everything Walter has. Walter tries to warn Sam. It goes badly. What starts as an argument about Richard quickly becomes an argument about money, sex, failure, jealousy and every other thing a married couple has been politely not saying out loud. Sam packs a bag. Walter, terrified Richard will get to her, practically helps her leave. Written by Nick Bannister, SUBURBAKNIGHT is a wicked suburban horror-comedy about marriage, masculinity and what happens when your midlife crisis actually grows horns. Walter needs someone who understands monsters. Enter Bobby Joe Williams. Local horror host. Full-time drunk. Part-time monster expert. Possibly the least reassuring person you could want standing between your family and eternal damnation. Bobby Joe confirms the bad news. Richard is an incubus. He feeds on souls, controls his victims through desire and, unfortunately, appears to be immortal. Meanwhile, Richard has already started remaking the neighborhood. Walter goes looking for Andy and instead finds him dead in the bathtub, his wife Alli transformed into something considerably less neighborly. Walter barely escapes with his life. Then Samantha comes home. Richard is waiting. This time, Sam sees him too. When Richard finally drops the charm and shows them what he really is, he offers Walter everything he ever wanted. Money. Freedom. A fresh start. All he wants in return is Samantha. Walter says no. Then Mia introduces Richard's face to a medieval mace. For a moment, it feels like the Knopes may actually have this thing under control. Then Richard takes their daughter. Now Walter and Sam are done running. They need Mia back. They need help. Unfortunately, the closest thing they have to a professional is Bobby Joe Williams in boxer shorts drinking margarita straight from a blender pitcher. So they do what any responsible parents would do. They raid the failed antique business. Crossbow. Mace. Axe. Sword. Armor. Walter's junk has finally found a purpose. And across the street, Richard is waiting. Starring Darin Toonder, Jim O'Heir, Jade Tailor, Jack Daniel, Rob Fitzgerald, Logan Laurel, Emily Brolin, Ashley Platz, and Zeke Alton. Produced by Table Read Podcast and Manifest Media Productions, LLC. Executive Produced by Jack Levy, Shaan Sharma, and Mark Knell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Pepito has been married 36 years, homeschooled seven children for 30 years, and written The Inspired Homeschool — but a clarifying moment in her story came when her grown daughter told her what actually caused trauma growing up. It wasn't the hard circumstances. It was the conflict between her parents. In this conversation, Jennifer and Aaron walk through what chronic complaining does to a husband, how unresolved fear and disconnection create an atmosphere children absorb even when no one is talking about it, and what it actually looks like to cultivate a joy-filled, thankful home in the middle of genuinely difficult seasons. They also make the case for homeschooling — why the public school standard was never the right measuring stick, and why parents who feel unqualified are closer to ready than they think. For any couple that wants to build something better inside their home, this episode is a good place to start.

JOIN THE THIS WASN'T THE PLAN LAUNCH TEAM!!!! ^Ahhhh! This is our BIGGEST ask yet!!! Preorder our upcoming debut book and join the launch team. You'll get exclusive access to the e-book right away and can read the book before anybody else! All about Today's Episode: Kenz and Mac bring their usual early-morning chaos, but the conversation gets unexpectedly deep fast. Kenz shares a devotional unpacking the lie that God is too busy for you and landing on the truth that He is present, powerful, and never too far away. You'll also hear the real-life behind-the-scenes of two women trying to record, parent, work, and stay sane at 6 a.m., plus honest updates on marriage stress, a breakthrough with potty training, and the funny little details that make life feel full right now. Mac talks candidly about pregnancy, family rhythms, and the pressure of juggling a lot at once, while Kenz shares what it looks like to care for her husband in a hard season. & Just a reminder... pleassssse join our launch team for This Wasn't The Plan by doing these two things: 1. Pre order This Wasn't The Plan HERE! 2. Fill out this form to receive the digital download along side some free goodies like The Dating Devo! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're doing something a little different. I'm opening up my private monthly book club discussion (usually just for Flying Higher members) and sharing it with you. This month we read the bestselling novel Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. We get into the tradwife aesthetic, performative Christianity, and the difference between a woman who genuinely loves a homemaking life and a system that demands every woman perform one. Key Takeaways:The reason the beautiful tradwife image is so seductiveThe most convincing performances usually start with a belief that's actually sincere. One character's storyline sparked a heated disagreement in the group about who gets to be "smart" in stories like this one, and why that distinction matters There's a subtle difference between a woman choosing a traditional role and a woman being conditioned into one, and it changes everything about how we respond to the trend.What does authentic faith look like once the performance stops? If you're a divorced Christian woman who loves self-development and learning new things, consider joining the Flying Higher community! Get Today's Free Resource:

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your spouse thinking, "That's not what I meant at all"? Or wondered why you keep having the same argument over and over again? The truth is, most couples aren't struggling because they don't love each other, they're struggling because they communicate differently. In this episode, Dr. Kim is joined by licensed therapist and author Jason Van Ruler to unpack the five communication types and why understanding your spouse's communication style can completely change the way you approach conflict. They talk about why we so often take our differences personally, how stress affects the way we communicate, and why learning to truly listen may be the most powerful thing you can do for your marriage. If you've ever felt misunderstood or wished your spouse "just got you," this conversation will help you replace frustration with understanding and give you practical tools to communicate in a way that brings you closer instead of pushing you apart.   Episode Highlights: Why communication breaks down—and why it's probably not for the reason you think. Discover your communication type and learn how it shapes every conversation with your spouse. Simple shifts that will help you feel more seen, heard, and understood in your marriage. Stop taking communication differences personally and start using them to grow closer.   Quotes from This Episode: Jason VanRuler "We aren't very well versed in communicating for connection." "The more we feel we can't communicate, the more we believe the lie that our spouse must like it that way." "We're experts in what we meant, but we're not experts in what our spouse experienced." "Understanding your communication type takes the personal offense out of conflict and helps you ask, 'What did they mean?'" "A great communicator isn't someone who thinks they're communicating well—it's someone who understands how other people experience them." "When life gets hard, we all go back to our primary communication style. That's why understanding each other matters most in conflict." "From birth, we all want to feel seen, heard, and understood."   Dr. Kim Kimberling "Most couples don't know why they struggle to communicate—they just know it creates distance." "We're fighting our differences instead of embracing them and learning how they can strengthen our marriage." "Bad communication gets in the way of being a great team." "When I really learned to listen to Nancy, it changed our marriage." "Sometimes the simplest advice is the most powerful: let your spouse finish." "If you attack the problem, you can find a solution. If you dance around it, you'll never solve it." "The healthiest marriages keep working on communication because every season of life requires new ways of understanding each other."   Time to Talk About it: When do you feel the most heard and understood by me? Is there anything I could do differently to help you feel that way more often? Which communication style do you think describes each of us best, and how have our differences helped—or challenged—our marriage? What's one small change we could each make this week to communicate with more grace, patience, and understanding?   Mentioned in This Episode: You need to get your hand on Jason's new book: Discovering Your Communication Type: The 5 Paths To Deepen Connections and Stronger Relationships  Sign up for our daily One Thing email! Awesome Marriage wants you to grow your communication skills! Try our 30 Day Communication Challenge.  If communicating about money feels too big to tackle, this will help: 27 Money Questions Every Couple Should Ask. Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. You'll love our Achieving Awesome Communication in Marriage reading plan. Check out it out with your spouse! If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !  Be the first to hear about all things Awesome Marriage, receive monthly bonus content straight from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy, and take advantage of big discounts by becoming a Marriage Changer!   

Zach steps out of the host chair for this one. In a swap with Heather Shannon of Sex for Couples, Zach is the guest, and the conversation goes straight at a question most couples never ask out loud: what is sex actually for, and does that answer change over the life of a marriage? Zach, who's been married almost thirty years, and Heather dig into why frequency becomes the default target when quality and clarity would serve couples better.The conversation moves through the different eras a long marriage passes through, the anthropological reasons couples tend to hit a reset every few years, and the idea that any long marriage is really four or five different marriages stitched together. Zach shares specific, practical scenes from his own relationship, including a three hour float down a river with his wife where they talked about sex without ever touching, and describes a couple in his practice who solved their standoff by simply negotiating who gets what on which night. Heather brings in patterns she sees in her own client work, particularly the tendency to take sexual disconnection personally and the exhausting decision fatigue around initiating. Together they name two questions Zach uses to open nearly every session on this topic: what's it for, and what counts.The takeaway isn't a technique. It's a shift in framing, from sex as an obligation or a performance with a pass or fail outcome, to sex as something couples can actually get better at on purpose, the same way they'd get better at any skill they cared about. For anyone who's felt the pressure of "we should be having more sex" without ever stopping to ask what sex is supposed to accomplish, this conversation gives language for that gap, and permission to define it differently.Key TakeawaysFrequency is the wrong target. The better question is whether the sex you're having is actually good, and whether you're willing to get better at it on purpose.Sex is a skill, not a talent you either have or don't. It can be learned, practiced, and improved the same way any hobby can.Ask "what counts?" Narrow definitions of sex (intercourse only, simultaneous orgasm only) create a lot of ways to fail and very few ways to succeed.Intimacy is broader than sex. Physical closeness that isn't sexual, and sexual conversation that isn't physical, both count and both matter.Spontaneity is a myth for anything you actually care about. Couples plan meals, workouts, and sleep. Sex deserves the same intentionality.When you don't want sex, get specific about what you don't want. It's rarely your partner. It's more often boredom, exhaustion, or feeling obligated.A long marriage isn't one marriage. It's several different eras, and checking in roughly every three years, with a therapist or a trusted person, helps couples pivot into the next one.The most durable relationship habit isn't avoiding conflict, it's getting good at repair, and doing more of what your partner likes while doing less of what they don't.Guest InfoThis episode centers on a conversation between Zach and Heather Shannon, LCPC, CST (she/her), an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and host of the podcast Sex for Couples. Heather refers to working directly with clients around sex and communication in relationships throughout the conversation.Listen to Sex For Couples: podfollow.com/askasextherapistWebsite: HeatherShannon.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some Christians claim Jesus never directly addressed gay “marriage” so he must be fine with it. But Jesus did address this issue!

Send us Fan MailIt's a man's world of contradiction, manipulation and copulation. Get in the wife line from Joburg to Soweto with the Polygamist this week.Website | Rotten Tomatoes | Linktree | Youtube | Twitter | Instagram 

You want them to notice you, but what makes them remember you? "What's Wrong With Me?" host Cayla Cook returns - and this time she and Brian are trying to figure out what's wrong with all of us. A funny, revealing, and occasionally uncomfortable look at what we bring into dating before the other person even gets a chance to screw it up. From childhood baggage and emotional walls to independence, vulnerability, gratitude, and the things we refuse to admit about ourselves, sometimes the biggest obstacle to finding love isn't them. It's us.

Marriage is not the soft place. It is the furnace. Marcus said the obstacle is the way. Put marriage in that seat and the claim sharpens. The repeating argument is not blocking the path. That argument is the path applying pressure where the old pattern still runs. The night both of you go quiet after the same trigger is not failure. That silence is the curriculum arriving on schedule. The urge to leave the room or shut down is not weakness. It is the exact moment the work begins. Easy love is the story sold so people keep buying the product. Real love is continuous heat that keeps asking whether you can stay when the test looks like the same fight for the hundredth time. Soft life says cut anything heavy and protect your peace at all costs. This concept says the continuous reprimand is the only force strong enough to build a peace that can actually hold weight. One side treats friction as violence. The other treats it as the living initiation the culture stopped providing. The nervous system rewires under sustained pressure it cannot easily escape. Marriage raises the walls and makes the exit expensive so the temperature can rise high enough to force the meeting with the unfinished self. Unmarried intimacy can still teach, but the door stays easier to walk through. Most people leave the moment it stops feeling like choice. The temple will not let you hide. The mirror keeps showing the places you still abandon yourself. The furnace does not care if you are ready. The daily heat is the way. Stay long enough and the obstacle stops being the problem. It becomes the only reliable teacher left in the house. Questions to Consider: 1. The Neurobiological Reframe (Scientific & Psychological) If the brain is evolutionarily wired for homeostasis and threat-reduction, does the pursuit of an "easy, frictionless love" actually cause psychological atrophy? From a neurobiological standpoint, could life's continuous reprimand and relational friction be the exact biological catalysts required to trigger neuroplasticity and emotional maturity? 2. The Semantic Substitution (Philosophical & Authorial) If we substitute "marriage" for "obstacle" in Marcus Aurelius's famous axiom—rendering it "Marriage is the path"—does the institution cease to be a destination of safety and instead become an active, adversarial crucible? If so, is the widespread dissatisfaction with marriage rooted in a narrative error: expecting a harbor when we have actually signed up for an ocean? 3. The Metaphysical Threshold (Metaphysical & Empirical) If life is an infinite, non-terminating testing ground of your peace, boundaries, and endurance, what is the ultimate nature of the "tester"? Is the continuous reprimand an indifferent law of a chaotic universe, or is it a metaphysically responsive mirror designed to relentlessly expose the exact areas where your self-mastery is incomplete? 4. The Domestic Darwinism Paradox (Clinical & Empirical) Clinically speaking, long-term intimacy forces a confrontation with the "Shadow" of both partners. Why do we empirically observe that unmarried or less institutionalized couples often report higher temporary baseline satisfaction, while married couples face deeper existential turbulence? Is marriage inherently designed to maximize distress to accelerate individuation? 5. The Fallacy of Resignation vs. Radical Acceptance (Zen & Clinical) Where is the boundary line between the Zen practice of "stopping the fight with reality" and the clinical trap of learned helplessness? How does an individual determine if they are engaging directly with a relational obstacle to find a lesson, or if they are merely staying comfortable in a toxic cycle of "life's continuous reprimand"? 6. The Commodification of Intimacy (Authorial & Philosophic) In modern culture, love is often marketed as a consumer good that should yield maximum emotional comfort for minimal psychological cost ("Easy Love"). From an authorial and cultural critique standpoint, how has the capitalist expectation of "convenience" poisoned our capacity to view relational struggle as a sacred, non-negotiable path to wisdom? 7. The Boundary-Peace Antinomy (Psychological & Metaphysical) Can true psychological peace exist without the constant presence of an external force testing its boundaries? If peace is never tested, is it actually peace, or is it merely an fragile illusion born of isolation? Does the continuous testing of our boundaries by those we love actually define and strengthen the architecture of the soul? 8. The Ryan Holiday / Stoic Extension (Authorial & Empirical) If "what stands in the way becomes the way," then the specific, recurring argument, the mismatched libido, or the emotional distance in a relationship is not a sign of failure, but the literal curriculum. Why does empirical human behavior consistently reject this curriculum, treating relational obstacles as exit ramps rather than the engine of the relationship? 9. The Calculus of "More Trouble Than It's Worth" (Philosophical & Clinical) When a society increasingly concludes that intimate relationships are "more trouble than they are worth," what metric of "worth" are they using? If the worth is measured in hedonistic pleasure, the conclusion is correct. But if the worth is measured in existential depth, is avoiding the "trouble" of love actually a form of spiritual and psychological bankruptcy? 10. The Ultimate Zen Paradox of "Easy Love" (Zen & Metaphysical) Could the true, deepest definition of "Easy Love" be achieved only after one completely surrenders to the fact that love is inherently brutal, continuous work? Is it possible that love only becomes "easy" when we stop demanding that it be comfortable, thereby turning the obstacle entirely into the path? Why is marriage or intimate relationships often viewed as being more trouble than it's worth? Should the marriage construct of relationships be expected to be more challenging than those of unmarried couples? Could the word “obstacle” be used instead of “marriage” in the quote “The obstacle is the path?” by Marcus Aurelius? 1. If the nervous system only rewires under sustained pressure it cannot escape, what happens to a person who spends decades selecting partners who never raise the temperature high enough to force that rewiring? 2. When two people stay married through the same repeating fracture for fifteen years, is the fracture still a problem or has it become the only reliable teacher left in the house? 3. Does the cultural demand for easy love quietly train people to treat any sustained discomfort as evidence the relationship itself is defective rather than evidence the self still has work to do? 4. If the body records every completed defense as a new entry in its pain library, how many times can a couple complete the same argument before the library starts running the relationship without their consent? 5. What if the higher temporary satisfaction reported by unmarried couples is not proof of superiority but proof that the structure has not yet forced both people to meet the parts of themselves they still refuse to claim?

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”Bishop Fulton Sheen's 1974 diagnosis of a “crisis in Christendom” say this coming: family breakdown, media shaped by anti-Christian assumptions, and a society that slowly adjusts to decline like a frog in warming water. We start with Nick Shirley's reporting on alleged adult daycare fraud and the uncomfortable question it raises: when taxpayer money disappears into “programs,” who benefits, and who gets protected when the spotlight turns on? We talk through why certain leaders go silent, why whistleblowers get attacked, and how following the money can reveal the incentives that drive political corruption.From there, we zoom out into the moral and spiritual roots beneath the headlines. We share two simple tests we use to judge whether a public leader is oriented toward the common good: do they defend innocent human life, especially the unborn, and do they defend marriage and the family as the core structure that forms stable citizens? When those pillars collapse, everything else follows: dishonesty becomes normal, vulnerable people get manipulated, and ideologies step in to replace conscience.If you feel the urgency, join us on a practical path: The Claymore Battle PlanSubscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the one moment that challenged you most.Support the show

Today's episode is a special feature from the Vault, with James Conlon, LA Opera Conductor Laureate, whom we couldn't be more excited to have returning to the LA Opera podium this season to conduct “The Marriage of Figaro.” In this episode, Conlon discusses renaissance man Leonard Bernstein, growing up in Bernstein's New York City, and Bernstein's unique gift for connecting with people. Conlon also illustrates how Bernstein's “Candide” is just as timely now as it was in the 1950's, tackling challenging political themes with humanity, humor, and grace. Get your tickets now to “Candide” and “The Marriage of Figaro” as part of season packages at LAOpera.org.

Cheryl Kellond made her first angel investment in an at-home fertility startup and watched it get written off to zero. She still says it was worth it, and she built Play Money to make sure more women get the chance to find out for themselves how to start angel investing. Cheryl is the founder and CEO of Play Money and a serial entrepreneur who has raised more than $20 million in venture capital and led nearly a billion dollars in product revenue. On Getting Rich Together, host Syama Bunten asks Cheryl about the founder who went silent after taking her money, and how that experience shaped an angel investing platform for beginners instead of scaring her off the space entirely. Cheryl breaks down why startup investing for women has long relied on fragmented deal flow, individual outreach, and warm introductions, and why she built Play Money to make angel investing work more like scrolling than fundraising. She also runs the math on an idea that became a major aha moment for her. If just 20 percent of accredited investors invested $10,000 a year, she says they could move $30 billion in capital and replicate the entire early-stage startup funding ecosystem. Cheryl also shares how to start angel investing with a check the size of a weekend trip, and why communication between founders and their investors matters long after the check is written. Find a salon near you or grab a seat at the Wealth Catalyst Summit in San Francisco on October 16 at wealthcatalyst.com    Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet Cheryl Kellond 02:13 Shy Childhood, Fairfield County, and Early Rebellion 07:39 Single Motherhood, Night Shifts, and University of Chicago 11:14 The MIT Sloan Admissions Story 12:03 Blogging, Building HTML Sites, and the AOL Sale 19:22 California, Marriage, and the Move to Colorado 22:01 Chaos, Growth, and a Career at Yahoo 27:17 The Boardroom Moment That Changed Everything 28:32 Launching a Startup and Learning It the Hard Way 45:50 Her First Angel Investment and What Went Wrong 49:05 How to Start Angel Investing Through Play Money 56:35 The Math Behind Moving Billions in Capital 1:00:46 Fun Money, Costa Rica, and a Final Ask   Find more from Syama Bunten: Your money story may be shaping your financial life more than you realize. After hundreds of conversations with women at all stages of their financial lives, Syama distilled the questions that helped her understand her own patterns into The Money Story Reset, a free guide featuring five guided reflections and personal stories from her journey. Download The Money Story Reset and begin uncovering the beliefs behind your financial decisions.   Attend a Salon near you: wealthcatalyst.com/salons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syama.co/ Join Syama's Substack: https://thewealthcatalystwithsyama.substack.com/ Website: https://wealthcatalyst.com Download Syama's Free Resources: https://wealthcatalyst.com/resources Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://wealthcatalyst.com/summits Speaking: https://syamabunten.com Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm  

WITH-ness: The experience of being deeply connected with God and others through joy, presence, mutual delight, trust, safety, and shared life. A relational environment where people become more fully alive because they are deeply known, genuinely loved, and continually invited to grow. ~ Table & WellBig Question:What happens when our longing for security turns into a need to control the relationship through performance?Every spouse longs to know, "Are we okay? Am I safe here? Will you still be here?"That longing for security is good. We were created for secure attachment, for relationships in which we can rest, trust, grow, and know we belong.But when that security feels threatened, fear begins looking for a way to guarantee the outcome.In the UNDER posture, the strategy becomes performance:"If I do everything right, our marriage will be okay."Instead of receiving security through attachment, we try to earn it through our behavior. And slowly, marriage moves from joy to fear, from relationship to rules, and from intimacy to performance.Join Tennison & Ginelle as they unpack The False Solution that come when you  live from the relational strategy of Under in your marriage.  If you have been impacted by what you have heard in this podcast and would like to support us in our mission to help people experience healthier & deeper relationships with God, themselves, and others, go to: tableandwell.org/#supportTo learn how we can help develop your community, family or team: Schedule Interest Call To start on your journey to relational health go to: tableandwell.orgTo watch this and other Podcast go to our YouTube Channel: Table & Well co

Recognizing that a lot of challenges from in-laws may be rooted in misunderstanding or even unmet expectations… what better way to maneuver through those relationships than allowing for the benefit-of-the-doubt and an charitable acceptance of who they are? Janet Quinlan, certified life coach for mothers and women, explains how to navigate your relationships with in-laws, establish boundaries (on both sides), and change your thoughts to better understand and love your spouses parents.Janet's podcast Finding Joy in Marriage & Motherhood can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. You can visit her website at janetquinlan.com

What makes a relationship truly fulfilling? Psychologist and sex therapist Dr. Juliana Hauser joins the Love Mia Vita podcast to explore the renewed interest in lavender marriages and what they reveal about modern love. From emotional intimacy and relationship equity to authenticity, trust, and companionship, the conversation challenges traditional ideas about marriage and asks a more meaningful question: What if the best relationship is simply the one that makes you feel seen, supported, safe, and fulfilled? To connect with Dr. Juliana Hauser visit https://dr-juliana.com/ For more information on women's health advocacy, visit the FemmePharma website www.femmepharma.com

Today is Mel's 30th wedding anniversary. And she couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than to have a sit down conversation with her husband Chris about the lessons they've learned along the way. This episode isn't about the highlights – it's talking about the hard lessons that have shaped their marriage these last 30 years. Mel and Chris unpack the years where they felt more like roommates than a married couple and the simple and they share stories from when stress got the best of them.  They get into how resentment and bitterness created a distance that kept growing, and how they found their way back to each other. They talk about what they wish they knew sooner and the expert advice that has helped them the most. Mel and Chris also break down their relationship truths into small, actionable things you can do to make your relationship stronger today.  In this episode, you'll learn: -How to tell when stress has turned your partner from your favorite person into the person you blame. -Why resentment, criticism, silence, and shutdown can become a cycle that quietly pulls couples apart. -What “normal marital hatred” means and why your partner can trigger old wounds you have never fully dealt with. -How to soften during conflict instead of hardening, attacking, or retreating. -The simple rituals Mel and Chris use to rebuild connection, including notes, touch, walks, shared meals, and weekly calendar check-ins. -How to know whether your relationship has the foundation to grow with you through decades of change. Whether you are newly in love, decades into a marriage, going through a rough patch, or wondering if your relationship is going to make it through a rough season, this conversation will give you a more honest and useful way to think about lasting love.  Because the truth is, a strong relationship isn't built by avoiding the hard seasons. It's built by learning the lessons from them and finding your way back to each other when those seasons come.  For more resources related to today's episode, click here for the podcast episode page.  If you liked the episode, you should check out these ones next, both of which were mentioned on the podcast: James Sexton: The Most Eye-Opening Conversation on Marriage & Love You Will Ever Hear (From #1 Divorce Lawyer) Terry Real: Married, Dating, or Single: The Best Relationship Advice You Will Ever Receive Mel also wants to tell you:   Try the 23g protein shot I drink every single morning Join 2 million readers loving my weekly newsletter - full of tips, tools, and inspiration The Let Them Theory: read the book everyone's talking about Watch the episodes on YouTube Connect with me on Instagram Follow the show's Instagram for clips, behind the scenes, and more Find some daily positivity on my TikTok Want zero ads? Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Pastor Jimmy Witcher, CEO of XO Marriage, and his wife Kim hit their fifth year of marriage, they had drifted so far apart that Kim planned to leave. But on a 13-hour flight overseas, God met Jimmy with a hard truth – and everything changed. In this episode, the Witchers share how humility, ownership, and turning to God rebuilt their marriage, and the everyday habits that keep them thriving 42 years later: making daily "exclusive relational connection time," treating fun as fuel, and learning to play at marriage instead of just working at it. It's a powerful reminder that no matter how broken things feel, your marriage has a 100% chance of thriving when you do it God's way. Listener question: My husband is a born-again Christian but refuses to pray with me. We pray at meals with our kids, but never as a couple. I've brought it up several times. We even took a Sunday school class on couples praying together, but nothing has changed. We're in a stressful home and a stressful financial season and working on communication. I grew up in a church family; he didn't. How do I respectfully encourage him to lead us in prayer? Explore XO Marriage's free digital courses: https://www.xomarriage.com The Four Laws of Love by Jimmy Evans: https://store.xomarriage.com/collections/books/products/the-four-laws-of-love Watch Jimmy Evans' marriage teaching: https://www.youtube.com/@XOMarriage Get the Vision Retreat Guidebook: https://store.xomarriage.com/collections/xo-1/products/vision-retreat-guidebook-establishing-a-yearly-vision-for-your-marriage-family __________ Submit your questions to Dave & Ashley: http://nakedmarriagepodcast.com Download our FREE 31 Day Marriage Devotional: https://bit.ly/3ZxsLZd We want your marriage to thrive! Learn more at http://xomarriage.com Dave and Ashley Willis spent thirteen years in full-time church ministry before devoting their work entirely toward the global mission of building stronger, Christ-centered marriages. Their marriage-related books, blogs, podcast, speaking events and media resources have reached millions of couples around the world making Dave and Ashley one of the most recognized and trusted couples in marriage ministry. Dave and Ashley partnered with XO Marriage in 2018. XO Marriage is the nation's largest marriage-focused ministry. The Willis family includes four sons and a rescue dog named "Chi Chi." When Dave and Ashley aren't writing and speaking, they love hanging out with their family, watching movies and going on long walks which is also where they develop many of their marriage ministry content ideas. Learn more about Dave & Ashley at daveandashley.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mazel Morons! We're joined by the great Jodie Sweetin, or, as you may know her, Stephanie Tanner from Full House. We talk about the Full House crew's recent trip to Disney World, John Stamos firing the Olsen twins, the world of child acting, and what it takes to successfully reboot a show. Then, a boob job with cadaver fat, a rude customer at Sally Beauty Supply, and the secret to a successful marriage.  What are ya nuts?! Love ya! Write us! Send your messages to goodguyspodcast1@gmail.com  Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!  Sponsors: Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. Produced by Dear Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toby Wilkinson, Part Two: The Ptolemaic family's decline is driven by internal civil wars, incestuous marriages, and rising Roman influence. Highly ambitious queens like Cleopatra I and Cleopatra III emerge as central political forces. The narrative culminates with Cleopatra VII, who strategically allies with Julius Caesar, whose military forces accidentally burn down Alexandria's great library. Following Caesar's death, Cleopatra forms a powerful political and romantic union with Mark Antony. However, their coalition collapses after their defeat by Octavian at the Battle of Actium. Antony dies in her arms, and Cleopatra commits suicide to avoid Roman captivity, ending the three-century-long Macedonian dynasty. (2)

Your sex life shouldn't be the one area of marriage you never discuss. It's awkward—we get it. And you probably don't think talking about it will help. But research shows that talking about sex is strongly associated with a more thriving sex life. So, how do you actually have the conversation? This week, Juli walks through five conversations couples should be having about sex. If you've ever thought, "We should probably talk about this…" this episode is for you. Co-hosts: Hannah Nitz & Josiah Bogue   Follow-up Resources: Hot Topic Kit: Building a Great Sex Life God, Sex, and Your Marriage by Dr. Juli Slattery Research cited in this episode is from The Secrets of Sex in Marriage by Dr. Michael Sytsma and Shaunti Feldhahn.  

We have more relationship advice than ever—attachment styles, childhood wounds, red flags, boundaries, narcissism, communication tools—but is all this self-awareness actually helping our marriages? Or are we analyzing our spouses to fucking death? Today we're talking about social media's obsession with toxic relationships, the cultural shift around marriage and family, and what happens when healthy self-reflection turns into exhausting relationship hypervigilance. We get into: Are we over-therapizing normal marriage problems? Why your algorithm can make your spouse look like one giant red flag The difference between awareness and hypervigilance Is modern culture becoming anti-marriage and anti-family? When commitment means accepting normal human flaws Why sometimes we need to put down the microscope and LIVE our marriages Here's to 300 episodes of better communication, better relationships, better sex—and being imperfect fucking humans.

If you've ever felt like you're giving everything to a relationship while getting almost nothing in return, this episode is for you. We break down real relationship emails involving emotional neglect, motorcycle clubs, pornography, PTSD, communication breakdowns, and the painful experience of feeling like you're no longer your partner's priority. We discuss boundaries, respect, emotional safety, healthy marriage dynamics, and the difficult question of when love is no longer enough to save a relationship.We also dive into intentional parenting, how quality time strengthens family bonds, why self worth determines what we tolerate, and the hidden damage caused by emotional disconnection. Whether you're struggling with trust, feeling unseen in your marriage, dealing with porn addiction in a relationship, or trying to decide if your relationship can be repaired, this episode offers honest conversation, practical insight, and hard truths designed to help you build stronger, healthier relationships.Disclaimer: We are not professionals. This podcast is opinioned based and from life experience. This is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions helped by our guests may not reflect our own. But we love a good conversation.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support.

Some marriages get tested by distance. This one got tested by war, by silence, and by a version of a man that combat left behind. In this episode, I sit down with Marcus Capone, a retired Navy SEAL of 13 years, and his wife Amber Capone, co-founder and CEO of VETS (Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions). We walk through the true cost of elite military service and their recovery, individually and as a couple. Marcus speaks candidly about compartmentalization, a survival skill that protects a SEAL in combat but erodes his home life, his drinking habits, treatments that failed him, and a period when suicide felt logical. Amber talks about her resentment and the personal work that freed her from waiting to be rescued. It's a story of refusing to stay stuck, and of a treatment that changed everything afterward.What we explore:- How deployment trains you to compartmentalize, and why that skill quietly erodes a marriage.- Why conventional PTSD treatments failed Marcus, and the undiagnosed traumatic brain injury behind it.- What ibogaine treatment actually involves and what shifts after.- How Amber healed through therapy, faith, and surrender rather than waiting on Marcus.- Why heavy drinking and pharmaceuticals became coping tools, and what finally broke the cycle.- Why roughly 17 veterans die by suicide daily, and what VETS is building to change it.Chapters:00:00 A Navy SEAL Couple's Journey to Healing02:17 Choosing the SEAL Path After 9/1106:17 Raising Kids Alone as a SEAL Wife11:41 The BUD/S Mindset That Changes You16:21 What Constant Deployments Do to a Family18:09 How SEAL Wives Compartmentalize Marriage21:26 Life After the Teams and Losing Purpose29:35 Why He Left the SEALs for Banking35:24 The Therapy Breakthrough That Saved Amber43:34 How Suicidal Thoughts Start With Numbing45:57 Why Ibogaine Worked After Everything Failed52:56 What Happens During an Ibogaine Trip01:01:00 How Amber Saw Her Husband Change01:05:08 Fighting FDA Barriers to Fund Veteran Healing01:08:31 How to Support Veterans With PTSDAbout Marcus and Amber Capone: Marcus Capone served 13 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL before facing a harder battle at home: depression, TBI, PTSD, and treatments that never held. Amber Capone supported that career while raising their family, then drove the search for what conventional medicine missed. In 2019 they co-founded VETS, a nonprofit expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans through treatment grants, research, and policy reformConnect with Marcus and Amber Capone:Website: https://thecapones.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationswiththecaponesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcus_amber_caponePodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ssUKN0CoCBU0SRDqFCYIu–The Gabby Reece ShowThis is where I have real conversations with the people I find most worth listening to: scientists, athletes, coaches, parents, and thinkers who are doing the hard work of building a life that holds up over time. No hacks. No quick fixes. Just honest, practical conversations about performance, longevity, relationships, and what it actually takes to show up well at every age.If you are here, you probably already know that health is not a destination. It is how you live. I am glad you are along for it.Connect with Gabby Reece:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabbyreeceofficialWebsite: https://gabriellereece.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegabbyreeceshow.substack.com

Jenifer Lockwood became a surgical nurse in Florida, grew up watching her mother struggle with addiction, developed her own health complications that introduced her to prescription pills, and eventually built a scheme at her job calling in fraudulent prescriptions to pharmacies to feed the addiction before law enforcement set her up at a pharmacy and arrested her — producing a 15 year Florida state prison sentence that she served 13 years of before sobriety, a paralegal career built inside those walls, and a complete life transformation gave everything that addiction cost her a completely different second chapter. _____________________________________________ #PrisonStories #PrisonLife #florida #nurse #truecrimestory _____________________________________________ Thank you to HUNGRYROOT, PRIZEPICKS & AG1 for sponsoring this episode: Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "The Commissary Upgrade" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN _____________________________________________  PrizePicks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! _____________________________________________ AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin _____________________________________________ Connect with Jenifer Lockwood: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeniferlockwood_postconviction/ Website:https://postconvictionalliance.org/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAadFH6OUvd0oYsZ49876ZgUNamkrtoguEvoHhTss8b8Eae0YjSpPFNXIEHSGUw_aem_zplLQ5f36CmzUcciKJ03Vw _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:  https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Surgical Nurse's Journey 00:28 Growing Up in Pensacola 02:22 Discovering Biological Father 05:52 Influence of Medical Family 09:15 Early Marriage and Nursing 12:04 Life as a Surgical Nurse 14:41 Sponsor Break 15:14 Traumatic OR Stories 20:36 Addiction Begins 24:47 Mother's Role in Addiction 27:20 Silent Struggles in Healthcare 30:40 Prescription Ends, Desperation 35:20 Arrested in Pharmacy 38:48 Drug Trafficking Charge 41:02 Pharmacy Verification Process 43:36 Bond and Legal Threats 48:39 Out on Bond, Terminated 50:05 Bond Revoked and Withdrawal 52:27 Firing Lawyer, Public Defender 55:00 County Jail Experience 57:38 Sponsor Break 58:47 Legal Process and Plea Deal 01:03:58 Understanding Gain Time 01:05:18 Marriage and New Relationship 01:09:10 Motherhood from Prison 01:13:26 First Day of Prison 01:19:29 Fitting in at Gatson 01:23:31 Becoming a Law Clerk 01:29:51 Prison Shows and Talents 01:31:04 Types of Cases Helped 01:32:32 Sobriety and Self-Discovery 01:35:35 Using Nursing Skills in Prison 01:38:49 Financial Support Inside 01:39:55 Mother's Sobriety 01:40:06 Questioning Sentencing Length 01:42:50 Refusing Cases and Prejudice 01:48:53 Comparing Sentences 01:50:15 Lessons from Encounters 01:53:42 Approaching Release Date 01:55:59 Release and Reuniting with Kids 02:03:36 Josh's Anger and Healing 02:05:30 Current Work and Advocacy 02:08:13 Feeling the Lost Years 02:09:25 Advice to Past Self _____________________________________________ To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

Practical, Biblical advice if you are looking for a partner.The Bible, which begins and ends with a wedding, reveals the unique importance which God Himself attaches to marriage.Support the show

Marriage has been redefined around the world, particularly in the West. But marriage isn't ours to define.

Welcome to Day 2933 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2933 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 2:16-22 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2933 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2933 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Road to the Shades – Rescued from Broken Covenants and the Realm of Death On our previous episode, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Two, we explored Proverbs chapter two, verses nine through fifteen, discovering how divine wisdom enters our hearts to act as a watchful sentinel. We saw how this internal guard rescues us from evil men who speak twisted words, turn away from upright paths, and take dark pleasure in doing wrong. Today, as we step onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Three of our ongoing trek, we arrive at the solemn, dramatic climax of Proverbs chapter two, focusing on verses sixteen through twenty-two. Here, Solomon turns his attention to the second major threat facing every traveler on the road of life: the seductive lure of the immoral woman, and the tragic ruin of broken covenants. Over my fifty years of studying Biblical wisdom, and through my seventy years of walking this earth—watching marriages thrive and watching families fracture—I have observed that there are two great reefs upon which human destinies are broken: the love of dishonest gain, and the surrender to unbridled passion. Both offer flattering promises, but both end in the cold darkness of destruction. Today, Solomon shows us how wisdom preserves our covenant integrity, keeping our feet planted safely on the path of life. Let us open our ears to the solemn warning recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the logical, contiguous thoughts found in Proverbs chapter two, verse sixteen, and verse seventeen. Wisdom will save you also from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. She has abandoned her husband and ignored the covenant she made before God. Look at the dual description Solomon provides in verse sixteen! Wisdom rescues you from "the immoral woman" and from "the seductive words of the promiscuous woman." In the original Hebrew text, these two phrases utilize the terms zarah and nokriyah—which literally translate as the "strange woman" or the "foreign woman." In ancient Israel, this was not merely a comment on nationality; it described someone who was spiritually and morally outside the bounds of Yahweh's covenant community! She represents an alien, destructive way of life that stands in direct opposition to Lady Wisdom. Notice, however, where her primary power lies: it is in her speech! Just like the wicked man in verse twelve whose words were twisted, the immoral woman uses "seductive words." In Hebrew, her speech is described as smooth, slippery, and flattering—telling the unsuspecting youth exactly what his foolish ego wants to hear! But look at verse seventeen, where Solomon exposes her true character beneath the smooth words! "She has abandoned her husband and ignored the covenant she made before God." In the original language, her husband is called the alluph of her youth—the intimate companion, guardian, and chief friend of her early years. She didn't just walk away from a legal contract; she fractured a deep, personal partnership. Even more sobering, she "ignored the covenant she made before God." In the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview, marriage was never viewed as a mere temporary, secular arrangement. Marriage was a sacred, binding covenant sworn in the presence of Yahweh and His heavenly assembly! To break those vows is to defy the cosmic order of the Most High God. In my seventy years of life, I have watched smooth, flattering talk break up marriages that took decades to build. Seduction always promises secret intimacy, but it delivers covenant betrayal. The narrative takes a chilling, cosmic turn as Solomon pulls back the curtain to reveal the hidden destination of her house, combining the contiguous thoughts found in Proverbs chapter two, verse eighteen, and verse nineteen. Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave. None who go to her ever return or find the paths of life. These two verses contain some of the most haunting, serious language in the entire Book of Proverbs! Solomon warns, "Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave." In the ancient Hebrew mindset, the word translated here as "the grave" or "the dead" is Rephaim—a term deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern divine-council worldview! The Rephaim were associated with the shades, the sunken spirits of the dead, and the dark, chaotic underworld of Sheol. Solomon is revealing a terrifying spiritual geography: her house is built directly on the cliff-edge of hell! Crossing her threshold is not a harmless romantic adventure; it is a downward descent into the realm of spiritual death. Look at the sobering finality expressed in verse nineteen: "None who go to her ever return or find the paths of life!" While this is poetic hyperbole—because God's grace can redeem any repentant soul—it highlights a brutal, practical reality that I have witnessed time and again over my fifty years of studying wisdom. Sexual immorality and covenant betrayal create a profound, spiritual numbness that paralyzes the conscience. Once a person crosses that boundary, sacrificing their marriage, their reputation, and their relationship with God on the altar of passing pleasure, the path back to wholeness is extraordinarily steep, painful, and rare. The house of temptation promises paradise, but its hallway leads straight into the dark chamber of the Rephaim. Wisdom stands at the door, crying out: "Do not step inside!" Having exposed the catastrophic trap of the immoral path, Solomon brings the entire second chapter of Proverbs to a triumphant, dual-sided conclusion, grouping together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter two, verse twenty, verse twenty-one, and verse twenty-two. So follow the steps of the godly, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be ripped away. Look at how Solomon synthesizes the entire chapter into one clear, decisive forks-in-the-road moment! In verse twenty, he urges, "So follow the steps of the godly, and stay on the paths of the righteous." This brings us full circle back to the central theme of Proverbs: life is a journey, a trek! You cannot walk down the path of compromise and expect to end up at the destination of peace. You must intentionally align your steps with those who fear the Lord. Then, in verse twenty-one and verse twenty-two, Solomon contrasts the ultimate destiny of the two paths using the profound imagery of "the land." He declares, "For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be ripped away!" In ancient Israelite covenant theology, "the land"—the aretz—represented the place of Yahweh's presence, protection, blessing, and inherited rest. To dwell securely in the land meant having a permanent future, a thriving family, and a lasting legacy. The godly and those with integrity—those who are tamim, wholehearted and blameless—are firmly rooted like deep oak trees that no storm can uproot! In stark contrast, look at what happens to the wicked and the treacherous: they are "removed" and "ripped away!" The Hebrew word used here implies being yanked up by the roots, like noxious, poisonous weeds purged from a garden. They thought they were building an empire through their deceit, greedy shortcuts, and immoral conquests, but in the end, they leave behind no lasting root, no honor, and no legacy. They vanish from the land like smoke. As we bring our trek through Proverbs chapter two to a close today, consider the two destinations set before you. You can follow the slippery words of the culture that lead straight to broken covenants and spiritual death, or you can cherish the wisdom of God, walk with integrity, and remain firmly established in His blessing. Choose to walk on the highway of the righteous today, honor your covenants, and build a living legacy that will stand secure for generations to come. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of, ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' As we take this Trek of...

Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley are joined by Bob Lepine to discuss how guilt, shame, and past wounds affect marriage. If unresolved hurts are triggering conflict in your relationship, listen to this episode and then share it with your spouse. We also talk about building a healthy sexual relationship and adjusting unrealistic expectations shaped by culture. You'll learn how self-regulate when you go into fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses, too. Plus, we answer a listener question about how to move forward when someone's medical treatment has changed them.Building A Stronger Marriage: The Path To OnenessHope RestoredConflict Style QuizEnjoying music together can draw you closer as a couple. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster.Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or EmailSpeak With A CounselorShop our podcast store

After studying generosity together, we started taking a closer look at our own relationship with money, possessions, and giving—and noticed a few things we didn't expect.In this episode, we talk honestly about greed in a hyper-consumeristic world, the ways we're each still growing, and how even something as good as “being a good steward” can sometimes become a reason to hold too tightly to what we have. This isn't a polished lesson on generosity—it's a conversation about what we're noticing, confronting, and rethinking as we try to make generosity a deeper value in our lives and marriage.Click to join the interest list for Jenna's wives course Click here for the interest listSupport the show-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------GRAB Jenna's Summer Course Here >>> Become a sponsor of our shows

Twirl some soft serve and prepare for small town tragedy as we take an academic look at Scotland, PA (2001) with Professor Sheryl Sawin of Temple University, and all the carnivore carnage within! ---The Patron Drive is back! Join the Moviestruck Patreon at any paid tier to work towards bonus episodes of Moviestruck! At 150 total paid Patrons of any tier, we'll be covering Dune (1894) with OSP Red. Head on over to Patreon and stick around for the post roll for all the deets on this monthly event.---Additional Reading:Elizabeth A. Deitchman, “White Trash Shakespeare: Taste, Morality, and the Dark Side of the American Dream in Billy Morrissette's Scotland, PA.” Literature/Film Quarterly 34.2 (2006): 140–146.Eric C. Brown, “Shakespeare, Class, and ‘Scotland, PA.'” Literature/Film Quarterly 34.2 (2006): 147–153.Anthony D. Hoefer Jr., “The McDonaldization of ‘Macbeth': Shakespeare and Pop Culture in ‘Scotland, PA.'” Literature/Film Quarterly 34.2 (2006): 154–160.George Moore, “Macbeth Goes to Carnival: Otium and Economic Determinism in Scotland, PA.” Literature/Film Quarterly 45.3 (2017).Maurizio Calbi, “Ghosts, Burgers and Drive-Throughs: Billy Morrissette's Scotland, PA Adapts Macbeth.” Anglistica 12.1 (2008): 39–57.The Family, Sex and Marriage by Lawrence Stone:https://archive.org/details/familysexmarriag0000stonAn Ordered Society by Susan Ammusen:https://archive.org/details/orderedsocietyge0000amusMacbeth (2006):https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434541/Contact the Podmoviestruckpod@gmail.comwww.moviestruck.transistor.fmPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/moviestruckDiscord: https://discord.gg/cT2vm3KdeSBlueSky: @moviestruck.bsky.socialTheme by Prod. DomSoundcloudThank you to our $10 Patrons!aRabidGerbil, Kaeldrannas, Maddy New, Adam Bagnall, Christian Jolliff, UwU, Zas, Ken M, Jim8333, Jacob Hunt, Azraq Shinji, Case Aiken, AnOptimist, Lairde Ray, the Norwegian one, Travis Poe, William Warren, Stag Hart (Deer Deer), Rusty_Fork, Mura Purcell, insomnite, Nathan Dunlap. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

https://www.patreon.com/breakingsocialnorms/posts/tom-segura-bonus-167560053?pr=true (*UNLOCK full episode now! Ad-free, early access + monthly bonus content!)On our August bonus episode for supporters we discuss the recent split of Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky in regards to a social media opinion about traditional roles in marriage! We'll discuss what makes women happy and defining 'success', feminism, equality, capitalism, red-pill bros, masculinity, patriarchy and more! Unlock the full one-hour episode ad-free on the supporter feeds- free feeds get a preview! FULL SHOW NOW UP AD-FREE with early access on Patreon.com/BreakingSocialNorms and Apple Podcast Premium; free feed gets a preview! You can now sign up for our commercial-free version of the show with a Patreon exclusive bonus show called “Morning Coffee w/ the Weishaupts” at Patreon.com/BreakingSocialNorms  OR subscribe on the Apple Podcasts app to get all the same bonus “Morning Coffee” episodes AD-FREE with early access! (*Patreon is also NOW enabled to connect with Spotify! https://rb.gy/r34zj)Want more?…Index of all previous episodes on free feed: https://breakingsocialnorms.com/2021/03/22/index-of-archived-episodes/Leave a review or rating wherever you listen and we'll see what you've got to say!Follow us on the socials:instagram.com/theweishaupts2/Check out Isaac's conspiracy podcasts, merch, etc:AllMyLinks.com/IsaacWOccult Symbolism and Pop Culture (on all podcast platforms or IlluminatiWatcher.com)Isaac Weishaupt's book are all on Amazon and Audible; *author narrated audiobooks*STATEMENT: This show is full of Isaac's and Josie's useless opinions and presented for entertainment purposes. Audio clips used in Fair Use and taken from YouTube videos.

August 23, 2011, is a date we will never forget. It was the night Heather confessed her affair, and in a matter of moments, everything about our marriage and our future seemed to change. For years afterward, August 23 carried a weight of its own. As the date approached, the memories would come back: the conversation, the shock, the pain, and the days that followed. But today, 15 years later, August 23 doesn't feel the same. In this episode, we talk honestly about what those early anniversaries were like, how we learned to communicate about the emotions surrounding this date, and why we eventually decided we weren't going to allow one painful day on the calendar to continue having power over our marriage. We can't change what happened on August 23, 2011. But God has completely changed what that date means to us. What was once a reminder of betrayal has become a reminder of redemption. What once represented everything that was broken now reminds us of everything God has restored. If you have a date on the calendar that still carries pain—a discovery day, a confession, an anniversary, or simply a day you wish you could forget—we hope our story reminds you that the way that date feels today doesn't have to be the way it feels forever. Healing is possible. Redemption is possible. And the darkest chapter of your story does not have to be the final one. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Visit our website

When the kids need everything, there is often very little left over for the marriage, and yet if our family is going to make it, fighting for it is your work to do. To this end, Christa welcomes Abbey Howe, theater graduate, beloved Enneagram voice, and the mind behind memes that have made so many of us laugh and feel seen on IG and YouTube, for a real talk about marriage in the thick of the parenting years. Abbey is living this season herself, adjusting to the genuine demands of raising a little one, and she brings both honesty and hope to this convo in her 3-4 pairing. The research is clear that marital satisfaction often dips when children are young, with less time, less sleep, and less connection to go around, and yet the couples who stay intentional come through these years with a bond that grows deeper, not weaker. Together, Christa and Abbey talk about what a spouse can and cannot carry in this season, why a parent has to tend our own self-care rather than wait for the marriage to refill us completely, and how learning to play again, to laugh and lighten up, can bring life back to both a weary parent and a tired marriage. If you are deep in the parenting years or want to remember how to bless someone in this season as you offer wisdom, this one will meet you right where you are! Watch on YouTube, too! Abbey's Team Workshops and Websites! https://abbeyhowe.com/ Abbey's book is here! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1632175681?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Follow Abbey Howe's wildly popular YouTube here! https://www.youtube.com/abbeyhowe Find Abbey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enneagramwithabbey/?hl=en ⁠Get inside the Enneagram and Marriage Coaching and Masterclass classroom here⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠ https://www.enneagramandmarriage.com/the-e-m-coaching-masterclass Use the code COACH for $250 off - or - use a payment plan!! Find more about your type, the pod, freebies, and SO much more at our website right here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EnneagramandMarriage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Take the E + M Quiz at www.QuizforCouples.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Love what you're learning on E + M? Make sure you leave us a podcast review so others can find us, too⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Christa's Best-Selling Book, The Enneagram in Marriage, here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/df8SxVx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're discussing Courage to Ask for Help. Asking for help is something most solo parents will tell you they're working on, and almost none of them will tell you they've figured out. It's not just pride, though that's part of it. It's the fear of being a burden, the mental math of what you might owe someone, the exhaustion of having to explain your situation one more time, and the quiet identity that gets built around being the one who handles everything. This episode goes right at that tension and hopefully stays there long enough for something to shift. Robert Beeson, Founder and CEO of Solo Parent, Elizabeth Cole, a single parent, and Amber Fuller, a counselor with a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and single parent, bring their own stories to this conversation. None of them have this perfectly figured out either, which is exactly what makes it worth listening to. Key Insights from this episode: Refusing help has a hidden cost that shows up in your kids. The stress of carrying everything alone doesn't stay contained to you. It moves through you and lands on the moments and the people closest to you. Accepting help is an act of honor, not weakness. When you say yes to someone who wants to help, you're telling them their generosity matters and their presence in your life counts. Building the muscle starts with a list and a yes. Identify what you can offload, write down five people you trust, and practice saying yes, thank you without the explanation attached. Resources Mentioned in this episode: Brené Brown reference on shame and vulnerability Stay Connected + Get Support: Download our Solo Parent App Join a Solo Parent Group Learn more about Solo Parent Follow us on Instagram  

Your kids are paying attention to your marriage, even when you think they aren't.In this episode, I'm taking an honest look at what research tells us about how marriage and parental conflict can impact children. We talk about why conflict itself isn't necessarily the problem, what kids are actually picking up on at home, and why the way you communicate with your spouse matters far beyond your relationship.This isn't about guilt or creating a perfect marriage for your kids. It's about understanding how the emotional climate in your home affects them, what healthy conflict can look like, and why working on your marriage may be one of the most meaningful things you can do for your entire family.Tune in to discover:• What your children are learning from your marriage• Why conflict itself isn't necessarily harmful to kids• How tension and unresolved conflict affect the emotional climate at home• What research reveals about marriage, parenting, and children's well-being• Why changing how you communicate can positively impact your kidsLeave a review for a chance to win The Us System! Let's Connect!Book a FREE Married After Kids Intervention CallCheck out my 60 Min Marriage Shutdown Breakthrough CallFollow me on Instagram so you don't miss a thing! FREE Resources: • Marriage Shutdown Checklist• The 3 Secrets to a Happier Marriage Video• 3 Ways To Connect More With Your Spouse (In 5 Min or Less) E-Book

Introducing our Best Of series, taking a look back at some of our most popular and wisdom-packed episodes from previous seasons.  Thriving is relational: it involves growing in deeper and more authentic connections with others, with our deepest values, with God or our sense of the sacred, and with ourselves.  Dr. King's research points to the paramount role of spirituality and faith in this journey.  With the team at the Thrive Center at Fuller Seminary, Dr. King has identified six research-backed and interconnected facets of spiritual health and organized them into a framework using the acronym THRIVE. And in the upcoming weeks, we're going to dive into each facet, and re-air a Best Of episode from an expert – including insights from rock star developmental neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang and psychologist Richie Davidson. With & For is a podcast of the Thrive Center, an applied research center that exists to catalyze a movement of human thriving, with and for others through spiritual health. Learn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenter Dr. Pamela Ebstyne King hosts With & For, and is the Executive Director of the Thrive Center and the Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at the School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Seminary. Follow her @drpamking. Help us grow by taking our survey. About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media & Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenSenior Producer: Clare WileyExecutive Producer: Jakob LewisProduced by Great Feeling Studios Special thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and Fuller Seminary's School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. The podcast was made possible through the support from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.