Here’s the hard truth: most of us are not good listeners, even though we think we are. In today’s episode, you’ll learn seven tips on becoming a better listener and how to encourage your people to do the same. Communication doesn't have to go wild! The good news is that with a few tweaks, anyone can become a better listener and have more mutually beneficial conversations with those they care about. Here's some of what you'll glean from this episode: 🔎 Key Points & Topics: ✅ How to listen wi...
Jul 22, 2025•32 min•Season 14Ep. 361
Today's episode is like a master's course on communication in relationships. We're breaking down Dr. John Gottman’s famous concept of the “Four Horsemen” — four destructive communication habits that can quietly ruin even the strongest relationships if left unchecked. Drawing inspiration from the dramatic imagery of the biblical Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Gottman identifies Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling as the signs that a relationship is headed for disaster. But here...
Jul 15, 2025•30 min•Season 14Ep. 360
Whether you're a pro at giving the silent treatment or feel hurt by your partner's silence, I'm going to show you how silence can truly be golden in your relationship and how the silent treatment will further damage it. We're unpacking six healthier alternatives to the silent treatment . Rather than withdrawing, learn practical tools to address conflict effectively and foster more connected relationships. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to Boost your relationship skills Navigate con...
Jul 08, 2025•30 min•Season 14Ep. 359
How does it feel when someone shifts the blame for their behavior to you? No bueno, right? In today's episode, we're discussing the power of "I statements" and how they help us to stop pointing fingers and tell our partners about US, not them. Most people have never learned the tools of good communication, so they make accusations, abdicate responsibility for their feelings and/or choices, and incorrectly assign a motive to their partner’s behaviors. But, oh, friends, there is a much better way....
Jul 01, 2025•24 min•Season 14Ep. 358
Do you have a meddling in-law? Do they break your boundaries and cause a ruckus in your home? Today's episode emphasizes the importance of establishing clear boundaries within the household and the need for spousal support in the sometimes messy family dynamics. Open communication with both the mother-in-law and the other spouse is essential to ensure a respectful and harmonious living environment. Key Takeaways: This is your house; your mother-in-law is a guest. Be clear on the boundaries and e...
Jun 27, 2025•9 min•Season 14Ep. 357
Tough conversations are inevitable—but they don’t have to be toxic. Learn a practical and heart-centered approach to preparing for the difficult conversations we often avoid. Whether it’s addressing betrayal, setting boundaries, or navigating a sensitive issue in your relationship, you’ll learn how to check your emotions, clarify your intentions, and approach the talk with wisdom and courage. Tune in to discover how preparation can lead to connection, not just confrontation. This episode origina...
Jun 24, 2025•28 min•Season 14Ep. 356
Does it seem like you disagree and argue about almost everything in your relationship? A listener writes in to ask how to get his point across without arguing with his wife. Maybe you've wondered the same. In this episode, I am sharing a powerful communication tool (also a conversation starter) called the Mirror Moment. This practice will help you to explain your perspective or opinion to someone else and help them to do the same. Even when you disagree, you will both now see each other, not jus...
Jun 20, 2025•9 min•Season 14Ep. 355
Do you constantly second-guess yourself, shrink back in relationships, or feel like you’re never quite “enough”? Insecurity has a way of creeping into every area of our lives—our marriages, careers, friendships, and even our faith. But the good news? Confidence isn’t about perfection. It’s about knowing who you are and "whose" you are. In today’s episode, I unpack the root causes of insecurity and offer practical, faith-based steps to start rebuilding your confidence from the inside out. You’ll ...
Jun 17, 2025•27 min•Season 14Ep. 354
This was one of our highest-rated episodes of the Q & A series and, therefore, deserving of a "sweet repeat." Many spouses can relate to the feeling of "falling out of love" with their spouse, yet not wanting to divorce their spouse. If you have ever experienced prolonged resentment or boredom in your relationship, listen up. Learn how to overcome feeling stuck in your marriage while working on communication. If you're struggling to find motivation to stay married or are unsure about the nex...
Jun 13, 2025•13 min•Season 14Ep. 353
Are you going through something in your life and need to be reminded that you're not alone? I am so grateful to know that God sees, provides, and is always with me. In this episode, I'm helping you to discover this God, to truly know Him intimately and personally—the difference between head knowledge and heart experience. Drawing inspiration from a recent meeting with a group of women leaders I mentor, we'll explore some of the powerful names of God from scripture, illustrating how each name rev...
Jun 10, 2025•22 min•Season 14Ep. 352
I love today's listener's question about the different travel styles she and her husband have. Our listener, Carrie, wants to know how to vacation when she and her husband have different vacation interests and travel needs. In this episode, I discuss the importance of travel as a means to reconnect and recharge, while also discussing the necessity of compromise and individual preferences during vacations. Plus, I share some personal anecdotes and practical tips for making travel enjoyable for bo...
Jun 06, 2025•11 min•Season 14Ep. 351
Does it seem like your spouse doesn’t listen to you? Maybe you find yourself wondering how to talk so they will listen and understand you. Listening skills are an essential part of communication in relationships, and one that trips many people up. Today’s episode (a sweet repeat from 2023) will teach you the right communication principles to guide you toward a better understanding and better conversations with your partner. I discuss common communication mistakes partners make when communicating...
Jun 03, 2025•34 min•Season 14Ep. 350
Have you considered a separation in your marriage? A listener wrote asking about the right way to do a separation. How long should it be? What are the "rules of engagement"? We're discussing reasons for separation, establishing clear rules, and knowing the realities of the situation, including the need for a timeline and the significance of having a plan for reconciliation (or not!). Takeaways: A separation doesn't necessarily solve the problem. Know your why before entering a separation. Establ...
May 30, 2025•8 min•Season 14Ep. 349
I know you have good intentions, but want to know if you are helping or enabling? This episode will help you to discover if you are indeed an enabler: what it really means, the signs you might be an enabler, and the dangers of mistaking enabling for grace (especially within Christian circles and families). I share about my strength in setting boundaries, shaped by the experiences I witnessed growing up, and share practical advice for those who recognize enabling patterns in their marriage, paren...
May 27, 2025•27 min•Season 14Ep. 348
We're addressing a listener's question about how to support a loved one experiencing domestic abuse. It's essential to understand the victim's perspective, maintain open communication, and take proactive steps to ensure safety. This episode offers practical guidance on how to approach the situation with empathy, while also encouraging the victim to seek help and report the abuse. The episode also serves as a crucial resource for anyone looking to support someone in an abusive relationship. If yo...
May 23, 2025•10 min•Season 14Ep. 347
Have you gone through a season of brokenness in your life, or are you being triggered by a painful event in your past? Today's guest, Frank Meadows, is here to help shed light on triggers, the brokenhearted, and inner healing. Along with this powerful conversation, we discuss strongholds and how they manifest as addictive behavior in people's lives. Frank Meadows is a licensed clinical social worker and marriage therapist whose books and work have been featured across multiple platforms. He join...
May 20, 2025•35 min•Season 14Ep. 346
Guest host Shaun is stepping in for his wife and regular host, Dana Che, who is under the weather helping a husband to know if he and his wife should tell their kids their marriage is in trouble and that they're considering a possible separation. Shaun delivers Dana’s thoughtful response, providing practical advice on how parents can approach difficult conversations with their children and emphasizing the value of seeking coaching before making any permanent decisions about separation. Key Topic...
May 16, 2025•5 min•Season 14Ep. 345
Today's guest, Tweeny Randall, helps to shed light on the concept of soul ties. Maybe you’ve felt ‘stuck’ after a past relationship, or perhaps you’re curious how soul ties form—even outside of a romantic relationship. Tweeny and I share experience and research on how soul ties affect us in relationships. Episode Highlights What is a Soul Tie? Tweeny breaks it down simply: Soul ties are spiritual connections between people, formed not just through romantic or sexual relationships, but even in de...
May 13, 2025•34 min•Season 14Ep. 344
Have you let yourself go or perhaps lost yourself in your marriage? Today's episode will help you find yourself again. A listener struggles with finding the motivation to find herself again, having let herself go, and seeks advice on how to rediscover who she is in her marriage. This episode originally aired in Dec. 2024 and was one of our highest rated episodes that season. Listen in for encouragement, practical steps, and a simple 4-week blueprint I share to help you reignite your spark and yo...
May 09, 2025•13 min•Season 14Ep. 343
Infidelity is one of the most heart-shattering experiences anyone can endure in a marriage. It shakes the bedrock of trust and can leave spouses grappling with pain, betrayal, confusion, and fear for the future. If you’re reading this, you may be right in the middle of this storm—or you know someone who is. Take heart: your story is not over, and healing truly is possible. We’re bringing our “Healing After Infidelity” series to a close with an empowering message and a transformative resource for...
May 06, 2025•30 min•Season 14Ep. 342
Have you ever felt like you are the only one putting in the work, or maybe you're putting in a significantly more amount of work than your spouse is? That can feel very unjust. It can feel unfair, and most of us get tired of doing that. We have a question that I think all of us can probably relate to at some point: What if I'm doing more work on my marriage than my spouse? Key Takeaways: Change Your Step: Alter your approach in the relationship. When you change how you respond, your spouse will ...
May 02, 2025•9 min•Season 14Ep. 341
Can an emotional affair be just as damaging as a physical one? Research says yes. Yet, the topic of emotional affairs is complex because of their impact on the psyche and the marriage. This episode (a sweet repeat of ep. 284) focuses on understanding, prevention, and healing, providing valuable insights for couples navigating this challenging terrain. Key Highlights: Defining Emotional Affairs: What constitutes an emotional affair? We emphasize the need to clearly distinguish between emotional a...
Apr 29, 2025•31 min•Season 14Ep. 340
We're tackling a sensitive yet common issue in some marriages: what to do when your spouse’s hygiene (or lack thereof) is causing tension in your relationship. A listener wants to know how to respond without hurting their partner or furthering the disconnect. Key Takeaways: It’s Not Uncommon: Hygiene issues are not as uncommon as one might think. Yet they can be a dealbreaker for many couples when it comes to physical closeness. Direct but Kind Communication: Be honest yet gentle. Approach the c...
Apr 25, 2025•9 min•Season 14Ep. 339
As we continue our Healing After Infidelity series, a commonly asked yet sensitive topic is how to re-engage in sex after an affair. If you’ve experienced infidelity in your marriage, you’ve likely wondered this too. I'm offering grounded, compassionate wisdom on when and how couples should consider re-engaging sexually after infidelity. With a blend of personal stories, biblical guidance, real-life coaching experiences, and practical steps, this episode aims to support couples in making informe...
Apr 22, 2025•23 min•Season 14Ep. 338
What do you do when your spouse just won't say those three little words, "I love you"? A listener wrote in with this exact issue, sharing how her husband never actually says "I love you," even though it's her love language. She's looking for some advice, and I can actually relate to this. It's important for us to hear "I love you," especially as children. I share a bit about my experience vs my hubby, Shaun's experience with these words. I also give you tips on how to use "I statements" to let y...
Apr 18, 2025•7 min•Season 14Ep. 337
The aftermath of infidelity in marriage is painful, to say the least. Chances are you, or someone you know, is dealing with the fallout of an affair. Whether you're the betrayed or the betrayer, or if you're simply offering support to a loved one, this episode aims to provide practical guidance on navigating this tumultuous time. It’s critical to acknowledge the emotional upheaval that accompanies the revelation of an affair. You're likely to experience a whirlwind of emotions—disappointment, fe...
Apr 15, 2025•33 min•Season 14Ep. 336
A husband wants help in seeing eye to eye with his wife, more specifically how they can be on the same page during disagreements. This is a common struggle in marriages: finding common ground despite a couple's differences. Understanding the purpose of communication is key here. Listen in as I remind this listener (and you) that it's not about agreeing on everything but about understanding one another's perspectives. I shared practical advice on aligning your values, choosing your battles wisely...
Apr 11, 2025•6 min•Season 14Ep. 335
When an unfaithful spouse is discovered to have had an affair, there are certain things they need to do to repair the breach if they want to rebuild their marriage. My hubby, Shaun, is back on the podcast and is sharing his insights, as a former unfaithful spouse, and our journey through our season of infidelity. As ones who have walked this path, we want to offer guidance, especially to those who broke their marriage vows, and who might be facing this storm. Key Takeaways include what "doing th...
Apr 08, 2025•35 min•Season 14Ep. 334
Have you ever been concerned about your spouse's social media activities . . . or in our listener's case, lack of social media activities? I'm addressing a listener who feels unsettled that her husband never posts about her on social media and even occasionally unfollows her, while sharing other aspects of his life online. Episode Highlights: Marriage Advice: I emphasize the importance of communication. Ask, don't assume your partner's intentions. Use "I statements" to express your feelings with...
Apr 04, 2025•9 min•Season 14Ep. 333
Infidelity recovery is not a DIY experiment. It hit my marriage like a tidal wave, knocking me down and leaving me in a sea of emotions I never thought I’d have to face. It was one of the most heart-wrenching experiences I ever had to endure. In those early days of shock and disbelief, I quickly realized something critical: I couldn't and shouldn't try to handle this alone. In my journey and through conversations with my clients who are rebuilding their marriages after an affair, I've discovered...
Apr 01, 2025•27 min•Season 14Ep. 332
