Relationships face their most significant struggles in times of transition. Childbirth and having a baby is one of the most significant life changes that individuals and couples face during their lifecycle. Becoming parents creates a significant shift in the identity of an individual which can pull a couple apart in a time when they want to feel the most connected. Couples are often unprepared for the marital/relationship challenges that they face when they become parents. In this episode Tarah ...
Jan 14, 2022•36 min
Individuals have countless options to help them find another person (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, HER, etc.). But, once you have found someone you want to be with, technological resources dry up, and you are left on your own. The process of building a healthy relationship is almost entirely unsupported in the digital world. The proliferation of dating apps can keep individuals in a constant state of seeking the “next best thing” instead of appreciating and cultivating their current relationship. In th...
Jan 07, 2022•35 min
Taking an honest and empathetic yet critical look at how the past will affect the future helps couples create the loving relationship that they crave. It helps them identify the obstacles that get in the way of healthy conflict resolution. When couples lack the understanding of the roots of the discord in their relationship they get lost in destructive patterns of communication which diminishes their ability to feel intimately connected. In this episode, Tarah and EJ begin by reflecting on the f...
Dec 31, 2021•31 min
Couples often struggle to make their relationship a priority. They trust that the deep bond created early on in their relationship will naturally maintain their connection. Other aspects of their lives (career, hobbies, children, family) take up all their time and energy, and their relationship ends up on the back burner. It takes creativity, intentionality, and consistency to create ongoing quality time together. But when they do, they feel more intimately connected and supported by one another...
Dec 24, 2021•30 min
When a couple seeks help for their relationship, they address various topics -- communication, parenting, finances, family integration, appreciation, work/life balance, and of course, sex and intimacy. No issue is more complicated to navigate than a couple's intimate relationship. Having the ability to express love and receive love from your partner is the foundation of wellness and satisfaction in your relationship. Unfortunately, sex and intimacy are frequently where couples are most ill-equip...
Dec 17, 2021•28 min
Sex and intimacy are aspects of a relationship that all couples struggle with. It is also an area of our lives where we receive limited and often destructive and unhelpful messages as a child and adult. By deepening your understanding and ability to communicate with your partner about the intimate aspects of your relationship, you create the ability to give and receive love in a way that makes you feel deeply connected and fulfilled. In this episode Tarah and EJ interview Jessa Zimmerman a natio...
Dec 10, 2021•42 min
Family dynamics, gift buying, finances, blended families, and holiday expectations are one of the many issues couples have to cope with in the weeks ahead. The holiday season is a time where there are added stressors and expectations. At a time when individuals want to feel deeply connected to their partner, they can easily find themselves lonely, frustrated, and unfulfilled. In this episode, Tarah and EJ take questions from their social media followers. They share strategies couples can use to ...
Dec 03, 2021•29 min
Studies estimate that up to 43% percent of adults experienced some childhood trauma. Traumatic experiences often lead to mental health struggles which place significant stress on a high percentage of adult relationships. Dissociative Disorders are a common biproduct of childhood trauma. Dissociative disorders involve problems with memory, identity, emotion, perception, behavior and sense of self. Dissociative symptoms can potentially disrupt every area of mental functioning. In this episode Tara...
Nov 26, 2021•47 min
Family dynamics, gift buying, finances, blended families, and holiday expectations are one of the many issues couples have to cope with in the weeks ahead. The holiday season is a time where there are added stressors and expectations. At a time when individuals want to feel deeply connected to their partner, they can easily find themselves lonely, frustrated, and unfulfilled. In this episode, Tarah and EJ take questions from their social media followers. They share strategies couples can use to ...
Nov 19, 2021•27 min
The idea of going to couples counseling can be intimidating and feel daunting. Often, couples put off seeking support until they are in a place of crisis. This complicates the process and can slow down healing because their communication has gone so far offline. When couples come to counseling preventatively or early on in their relationship, they can strengthen their relationship and avoid many damaging dynamics that leave them emotionally and intimately distant. In this episode Tarah and EJ in...
Nov 12, 2021•30 min
Individuals can get so caught up in life that they take their relationships for granted. Instead of appreciating all of the ways that their partner enriches their life, they only notice moments of discomfort and disruption. If couples aren't careful they can get stuck in patterns of frustration and annoyance that pull them apart and erode their intimate connection. In this episode, Tarah and EJ discuss the importance of enjoying your relationship by noticing what is wonderful about your partner....
Nov 03, 2021•22 min
When we commit to our partner for the long term, we are often caught up in the excitement of finding our life-long love. The joy of coming together overshadows the gravity of what commitment means. Becoming life partners is an agreement that you will be together throughout your lifespan. That you will support one another in growth and the inevitable ups and downs of life, aging with your partner - physically, cognitively, spiritually, and emotionally. This episode of Relationship Renovation is a...
Oct 29, 2021•42 min
Couples often lack the tools to navigate conflict in a healthy way. They both become emotionally activated and engage in a "war of perspectives". They desperately want to feel heard and understood, but because they are both hurt, angry and frustrated they struggle to listen and validate each other's thoughts and feelings. In this episode, Tarah and EJ discuss Emotional Triage, a strategy that can be employed during difficult moments which helps couples remain emotionally connected and build conf...
Oct 22, 2021•35 min
More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking. More than 7 million children live in a household where at least one parent is dependent on or has abused alcohol. Alcohol abuse can be a significant cause of relationship stress. It is essential to understand the impact problem drinking has on your individual and relationship wellness. In this episode Tarah and EJ interview Dean Anderson (author, executive, husband, and father). Dean discusses the impact alcoho...
Oct 15, 2021•40 min
Relationships improve when each individual commits to facing their challenges and growing as a person. By committing to personal growth and learning to support your partner in their development you create the possibility for a long-lasting healthy relationship. In this episode, Tarah and EJ discuss realistic expectations of the pace of change in yourself and your partner. They share challenges they face in their relationship and what they have learned both as a couple and as therapists about how...
Oct 08, 2021•27 min•Ep. 37
Understanding the emotional and behavioral patterns that pull couples apart is essential in building a healthy relationship. But, to make lasting changes, couples must cultivate the mindfulness to realize when they are falling into old patterns and intentionally choose to interact in more healthy ways. Mindfulness is an essential tool for couples to utilize in developing a respectful and loving relationship. In this episode, Tarah and EJ interview Lodro Rinzler, a meditation teacher and the auth...
Oct 01, 2021•39 min
In our years of working with couples in counseling, it has become clear that when couples go through changes that this often destabilizes them. Often couples find themselves feeling separate and frustrated with one another and have no idea how this happened. The truth is that individuals have very different ways in which they cope with change and when their instinctual responses to change do not line up then problems arise. In this episode, Tarah and EJ explore the different life transitions cou...
Sep 17, 2021•30 min
Tarah and EJ interview Hannah B Body Confidence advocate, Social Media Influencer, and Confidence Educator. Hannah hosts the podcast "Hannah Says".Hannah's mission is to help all people radically accept their bodies and achieve the self-confidence they deserve. She does this by teaching others about how to heal their relationship with food, improve their body image, and fall in love with who they are. They explore how body image and self-esteem affect relationships, dating, and picking a life pa...
Sep 03, 2021•32 min
In this compelling and heartfelt episode Tarah and EJ interview Brian and Jaime, a couple who went through the Relationship Renovation program several years ago. They share intimate details of their decades-long relationship and the healing path through infidelity. In a rare exploration of the process of healing, Brian and Jaime share how the stresses of life can slowly pull a couple apart and leave them feeling like strangers to each other and themselves. They share the non-linear road that led...
Aug 20, 2021•55 min
Tarah and EJ Kerwin interview Robin Memel Fox MA/LPC, a therapist specializing in Dance/Movement and EMDR. They spend the interview discussing EMDR, a well-researched trauma resolution technique. They help the audience understand this therapeutic approach, how it works, and the benefits it offers individuals who have experienced trauma. EMDR International Association (listing of therapists and resources) https://www.emdria.org/ https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/ Books: Getting Past your ...
Aug 06, 2021•34 min
Tarah and EJ interview Liz Montgomery, Psy D. Dr. Liz is a military vet and therapist specializing in trauma and its' effect on relationships. They discuss the culture of the military, law enforcement, and first responders and how the skills they develop in their occupation often cause trouble for them in their intimate relationships. Individuals in these fields often struggle to connect with and communicate in a vulnerable way with their partners. They compartmentalize their emotions and can be...
Jul 23, 2021•27 min
Often times couples begin to expect the worst of their partner. They assume that even in the most simple interactions there are hidden or negative feelings. In this episode, Tarah and EJ explore why couples struggle to give each other The Benefit of the Doubt. They explore how this dynamic develops in long-term relationships and the consequences when it is not addressed. They also help couples develop ways to address this dynamic in order to feel more deeply connected. Tarah and EJ also offer an...
Jul 09, 2021•28 min
In this episode Tarah and EJ asked their social media audience to provide statements that create conflict in their relationship. They take each of these statements and share ways to communicate them in a way that is more hearable to your partner. Often couples struggle to communicate there frustrations in a kind, loving and honest way. Their message which is lost in their delivery. A vulnerable or even loving desire for connection is completely obscured by their inability to express their feelin...
Jun 25, 2021•28 min
In this episode, Tarah and EJ discuss a healthy approach to the normal struggles that couples face in their relationship. In all relationships, there are challenging dynamics that can only be resolved through intentional effort over a longer period of time. This mindset creates an atmosphere where a couple can avoid falling into feelings of resentment and despair which can pull them apart and create new obstacles to a deep and loving connection. They share strategies that support couples in stay...
Jun 11, 2021•27 min
In this episode Tarah and EJ interview Mike and Katie, a couple who went through their Relationship Renovation program over a year ago. The four of them discuss the process of couples counseling. Mike and Katie share the positive shifts they experienced in couples counseling and how their relatioTarah and EJ have are relationship experts who help couples understand the underlying individual issues that often lead to struggles within the relationship. They normalize the ups and downs of relations...
May 28, 2021•36 min
In this episode, Tarah and EJ dissect a recent conflict that they had and how they found a healthy resolution that led to increased confidence in their ability to solve problems together. They explore common pitfalls that they and many couples fall into in emotionally activated moments. Tarah and EJ have are relationship experts who help couples understand the underlying individual issues that often lead to struggles within the relationship. They normalize the ups and downs of relationships and ...
May 14, 2021•13 min
In this episode, Tarah and EJ share their new online program for couples, Relationship Renovation at Home. Our goal is to create a safe environment where couples explore their feelings and grow together. By establishing clear, honest, and compassionate communication, we help strengthen or rebuild the foundation of your relationship. Relationship Renovation at home is designed for couples facing struggles in their relationship and couples who want to strengthen their relationship . Relationship R...
Apr 30, 2021•16 min
Tarah and EJ interview Jessie Krall, a therapist who specializes in Somatic Experiencing https://traumahealing.org/ . Somatic Experiencing focuses on body awareness as a way to connect to emotions. This technique can help couples communicate in a productive way even in challenging moments. This episode explores the importance of making the intentional effort to recognize and take in positive/joyful moments. They discuss negativity bias and how couples easily absorb negative interactions and let ...
Apr 16, 2021•32 min
In this episode Tarah and EJ interview Matis Miller. Matis Miller, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and certified cognitive and dialectical behavior therapist with more than fifteen years of experience. He is the founder, director, and supervisor of The Center for Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy of New Jersey. His educational and training background includes certification in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) from the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and intensive training at the Beck I...
Apr 01, 2021•37 min
Tarah and EJ interview Robin Memel Fox MA, BC-DMT, LPC, Board-certified Dance/Movement Therapist with over 25 years of experience working in the field of mental health and wellness. Robin has worked with individuals, couples, families and children in both community mental health and treatment centers. She has extensive expertise in trauma, relationships, addiction and couples/family systems. This episode explores trauma and its effects on individuals and couples. They define trauma, explore trea...
Mar 16, 2021•29 min
