What does it mean to honor your father and mother as an adult? During the month of November, we’ll be exploring family of origin issues to see how our upbringings impacted us + continue to impact our relationships. On this episode, we discuss how to honor your father & mother as an adult, when you had a more difficult childhood or upbringing. Music on today’s episode by: John Tibbs. You can find John’s music on iTunes or Spotify, or connect with him @johntibbsmusic To work with Kensi at Brav...
Nov 12, 2018•12 min•Season 1Ep. 24
What does it mean to honor your father and mother as an adult? During the month of November, we’ll be exploring family of origin issues to see how our upbringings impacted us + continue to impact our relationships. On this episode, we discuss how to honor your father & mother as an adult, when you had a good childhood or upbringing. Three ways we do that are by (1) naming what’s good, (2) honoring our individual experiences, and (3) learning to see our parents as 3-dimensional. Music on toda...
Nov 05, 2018•16 min•Season 1Ep. 23
On today’s episode, I’m answering Ashley & Sarah’s questions on transition - how to transition well into parenthood & how to support your friends as they transition into marriage. If you have questions you’d like to hear answered, feel free to email me: kensi@bravemarriage.com . Music on today’s episode by: John Tibbs. You can find John’s music on iTunes or Spotify, or connect with him @johntibbsmusic To work with Kensi at Brave Marriage, click the link below: Marriage Therapy Couples Co...
Oct 29, 2018•14 min•Season 1Ep. 22
While some transitions can be anticipated and prepared for, others catch us completely off guard. This episode provides insight as to what to expect, how to process your experience, and how to move forward together when life catches you off guard through loss. In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, I’m sharing pieces of my story with you on this episode. My heart is to help you be brave as you sit with your own experience - whatever that may be - as well as seek healing and whole...
Oct 22, 2018•20 min•Season 1Ep. 21
If you thought marriage was a transition…just wait until you have kids! On today’s episode, we’re talking about: 2 of the biggest changes to your marriage relationship after having children. 3 mindsets to adopt early on. 3 “speed bumps” to watch out for relationally. 10 ideas for time together! Lots to cover on today’s episode. I promise, I’ll be shorter next week. ;) Brave Marriage Resources include: FREE Relationship Quiz: https://bravemarriage.com/quiz Courageous Conversations Workshop: https...
Oct 15, 2018•23 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Love cannot last on feelings alone! Learn what to do when your feelings fade as you transition out of the honeymoon phase and into what mature actually is. Mentioned on this episode: Courageous Conversations Workshop: https://bravemarriage.com/courageous-conversations Couples/Premarital Coaching: https://bravemarriage.com/couples-coaching 1-Hr. Consultation: https://bravemarriage.com/shop Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Thanks so much for joining us today! If you're enjoying the podcast...
Oct 08, 2018•19 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Leaving & cleaving…what the heck does that mean anyway? Join us today as we talk about the transition into marriage, why it can be so hard, & what you need to do to be sure you transition well into marriage. Mentioned on this episode: Relationship Quiz : https://bravemarriage.com/quiz Couples/Premarital Coaching: https://bravemarriage.com/couples-coaching 1-Hr. Consultation: https://bravemarriage.com/shop Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Thanks so much for joining us today! If yo...
Oct 01, 2018•15 min•Season 1Ep. 18
What do you do when your problems seem unsolvable? These are known as perpetual issues. According to Dr. John Gottman, every couple has 3-5 perpetual issues. What makes the difference between couples who are happily married and those who aren’t…is how couples handle these issues over the long haul. Tune in today for practical tips on how to deal with your perpetual issues! Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this episode: Relationship Quiz : https://bravemarriage.com/quiz Micha...
Sep 24, 2018•17 min•Season 1Ep. 17
We all know how to problem solve. But what happens when our problem solving is premature? Tune in to today’s episode, When to Solve Your Problems, to find out why timing is the most important part! Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this episode: Relationship Quiz: https://bravemarriage.com/quiz Marriage/Premarital Coaching with Kensi: http://bravemarriage.com/couples-coaching Thanks so much for joining us today! If you're enjoying the podcast but haven't yet subscribed, pleas...
Sep 17, 2018•14 min•Season 1Ep. 16
It's unrealistic to think that as married couples, we won't ever have conflict. It's also unrealistic to think that we would ever do it perfectly. Join us this week as we discuss how to have a do-over & turn conflict into connection in your marriage! Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this episode: Relationship Quiz: https://bravemarriage.com/quiz Les Parrott Quote: https://lesandleslie.com Thanks so much for joining us today! If you're enjoying the podcast but haven't yet...
Sep 10, 2018•15 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Awareness of our triggers can make all the difference between responding to our spouse & reacting to them! Join us today to better understand what triggers YOU in both negative & positive ways, so that you can learn to do something different (& re-wire your brain in the process!) *This episode is the fourth in a 4-part series on conflict in marriage. Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this episode: Relationship Quiz: http://bravemarriage.com/quiz Simon Sinek's "How...
Sep 03, 2018•17 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Answering Lindsey's question on the podcast today about maintaining healthy communication, given the specific relational dynamics in her marriage, which so many of us can relate to! Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic To work with Kensi, check out: Relationship Quiz: http://bravemarriage.com/quiz Couples Coaching: http://bravemarriage.com/couples-coaching Thanks so much for joining me today! If you're enjoying the podcast but haven't yet subscribed, please do! And feel free to leave a ratin...
Aug 27, 2018•12 min•Season 1Ep. 13
What defense mechanisms are you engaging in that are preventing your marriage from thriving? Listen in to identify your defenses...and then commit to drop them. FREE Relationship Quiz: http://bravemarriage.com/quiz Marriage/Premarital Coaching with Kensi: http://bravemarriage.com/couples-coaching Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Thanks so much for joining me today! If you're enjoying the podcast but haven't yet subscribed, please do! And feel free to leave a rating + review, & share ...
Aug 20, 2018•15 min•Season 1Ep. 12
What defense mechanisms are you engaging in that are preventing your marriage from thriving? Listen in to identify your defenses...and then commit to drop them. FREE Relationship Quiz: http://bravemarriage.com/quiz Marriage/Premarital Coaching with Kensi: http://bravemarriage.com/couples-coaching Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Thanks so much for joining me today! If you're enjoying the podcast but haven't yet subscribed, please do! And feel free to leave a rating + review, & share ...
Aug 13, 2018•16 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Do you know what it means to get flooded? It's probably happened to you before. The key in conflict is learning to recognize it, communicate it to your spouse, & calm yourself down! FREE Relationship Quiz: http://bravemarriage.com/quiz Couples Coaching with Kensi: http://bravemarriage.com/couples-coaching Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this episode: Managing Perpetual Issues: https://www.gottman.com/blog/managing-conflict-solvable-vs-perpetual-problems/ Thanks so much ...
Aug 06, 2018•13 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Answering questions on the podcast today about how to have a healthy marriage, how to know when it's time to go to counseling, & what Brave Marriage is all about! Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this episode: Relationship Quiz: http://bravemarriage.com/quiz To work with me through couples coaching, visit: http://bravemarriage.com/couples-coaching John Gottman's Sound Marital House: https://cdn.gottman.com/wp-content/uploads/08673eaf1eebfeffee4c170bbf1e94ac.jpg Thanks so...
Jul 30, 2018•20 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Our marriages are only as intimate as the degree to which we learn to speak for ourselves. That means holding on to ourselves & expressing our true feelings, while communicating fully, honestly, & with integrity & respect. Learn more on today's episode! *This episode is the fourth in a 4-part series on communication in marriage. Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this episode: Relationship Quiz: http://bravemarriage.com/quiz Primary Emotions (Shaver et al., 2001): ...
Jul 23, 2018•13 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Today, we're talking about the surprising reason why it's so important to name what's good. How often do you say out loud what you're grateful for or appreciative of in your marriage? On today's episode, you'll have the opportunity to brainstorm several different ways to name what's good. You can also find the FREE 15-question PDF for this episode here: bravemarriage.com/good *This episode is the third in a 4-part series on communication in marriage. Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Ment...
Jul 16, 2018•16 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Today we're talking about how to use the skill of empathy to show understanding to your spouse & connect emotionally. Instead of talking about reflective listening or using a speaker-listener technique, it's important to understand that communication in marriage is more about connecting emotionally than it is about technique. *This episode is the second in a 4-part series on communication in marriage. Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this episode: Brene Brown on Empathy:...
Jul 09, 2018•13 min•Season 1Ep. 6
How to really listen...sounds pretty basic, right?! But today we're actually covering 3 steps that have to happen in our own minds & hearts first if we want to become great listeners. Remind yourself: "My spouse has an equally valid & legitimate way of thinking, feeling, & reasoning." Put your own perspective on hold. Get curious about your partner's inner world. Tune in over the next 15 minutes for a quick coaching session, action step, & prayer for your marriage! "Know this...l...
Jul 02, 2018•16 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Today, we cover the final piece of the mission of Brave Marriage. We learn how to live mutually empowered, purposeful lives by looking at the Trinitarian relationship. First, we celebrate our own & our spouse's individuality. Then, we learn to love in a way that empowers the other. As we do both of these things, we naturally live into differentiated unity as married couples. Intro & outro music: @johntibbsmusic Mentioned on this Episode: A Model for Marriage, Jack & Judith Balswick T...
Jun 25, 2018•15 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Today, we cover part II of the the mission of Brave Marriage - doing marriage with intention. Specifically, we discuss how to leave & cleave, plus 4 steps to deepening intimacy. After all, if we desire oneness & value being united in our marriage, then we have to start with the tasks mentioned in this episode. Intro + outro music by my friend, John Tibbs >> Find his music on iTunes + Spotify. Follow him on IG: @johntibbsmusic If you're new to the podcast, please rate + review if yo...
Jun 18, 2018•17 min•Season 1Ep. 3
On this week's episode, we dive into the first mission of Brave Marriage - helping couples grow as individuals. We discuss self-awareness, identity in Christ, & differentiation of self. To get the corresponding PDF for this episode, visit: https://bravemarriage.com/grow Connect with me >> IG: @kensiduszynski (privacy setting bc #therapist) Enter the IG Giveaway for iTunes Reviews >> Leave a review of the show to win $200 in prizes! Winner will be announced next Monday, June 18th....
Jun 11, 2018•15 min•Season 1Ep. 2
I’m so excited you’re here! Sharing with you my story, credentials, & heart for helping couples in their 1st few years of marriage! I want this to be a community for couples committed to growing as individuals, doing marriage with intention, & living mutually, empowered purposeful lives. IF THAT’S YOU, SAY HELLO + STAY TUNED! Connect with me >> IG: @kensiduszynski (privacy setting bc #therapist) Enter the IG Giveaway for iTunes Reviews >> Leave a review of the show! Winner of...
Jun 04, 2018•12 min•Season 1Ep. 1