Conflict is a truth for every couple. Every relationship has its fair share of arguments from time to time. While the threat of COVID-19 persists around the world, couples are spending more time in close proximity while quarantined together and find themselves in more bouts of conflict. In fact, my wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, and I recently had a special conflict situation. Rainbow is an artist and fashion designer. She is the founder and owner of the Artsy Goddess Studio , where she facilit...
May 05, 2020•47 min•Ep. 90
In many ways, a relationship is like a garden: you need to make a deliberate effort to care for the soil so that plants can have a strong foundation. Whether it’s igniting a spark in the relationship or handling conflicts better, the quarantine presents us with opportunities to connect with our loved ones and understand them more profoundly. It’s our relationships that will get us through this time where the world is filled with anxiety and distress, and it’s become critical now more than ever t...
Apr 28, 2020•41 min•Ep. 89
Patience is one of the pillars of our everyday lives that must be cultivated. At a time where uncertainty about our future plagues the air, we can feel an anxiety that could drain our patience. We may feel irascible and get frustrated easily, even with people whom we love. Recently, my wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, and I had a bout of impatience with each other and worked through it. After all, we need patience now more than ever, as it will foster the love that will see us through this crisis...
Apr 21, 2020•46 min•Ep. 88
COVID-19 has disrupted our normal life and confined us into the spaces of our homes. Many people have been isolated in their houses for weeks, and there is a lack of certainty in how long the quarantines will last. This confinement impacts couples, too. Being in constant, close proximity with each other can erode the novelty in their relationships and bring in grumpiness, irritability, and defensiveness. Even my wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, and I recently had our own experience with grumpines...
Apr 14, 2020•58 min•Ep. 87
In a world disrupted by a pandemic, it may be difficult to express empathy for other people. The unknown can be scary, and we might be anxious about our own finances, health, and survival. Yet, we need empathy for each other now more than ever. How do you practice empathy, especially in a time of distress? My wife, Yvonne (Rainbow) Teplitsky—artist, founder & owner of Artsy Goddess Studio —believes that we need to have empathy for ourselves first to have the capacity to have empathy for othe...
Apr 07, 2020•59 min•Ep. 86
Human beings are resilient creatures. Amidst the fear, stress, and anxiety brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, people relate to each other kindly and meaningfully, from checking-in online to singing together on balconies. But social distancing and quarantines can challenge even the happiest and most stable relationships. My wife Yvonne Teplitsky—the founder & owner of Artsy Goddess Studio —and I have been spending time in quarantine together. Like many couples in quarantine around the wo...
Mar 31, 2020•58 min•Ep. 85
Commitment: that big ‘c’ word that causes cold feet for some people. In many ways, it’s a projection of future scenarios that a person creates in their mind. Will their partner change? Will they be able to make decisions for themselves? Will they be able to meet new people and do the things that they like? If you’re someone who constantly asks these questions before entering a relationship, you may have a fear of commitment. But whether you have this fear or not, it’s worthwhile to look inward a...
Mar 24, 2020•36 min•Ep. 84
Trish Kruger is a professional counselor and therapist currently working at Blue Ridge Treks , a community of mental health therapists in Asheville, North Carolina. She is dual-licensed as a counselor and addiction therapist trained in trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing. With a diverse background in yoga, art, and entrepreneurship, Trish values mindfulness, expressive art, and talk therapy in her practice. In this episode, Trish and I discuss the role of rituals and ceremonies in...
Mar 17, 2020•57 min•Ep. 83
Families are complicated. As much as we want to always be there and support our loved ones, sometimes our relationships could be toxic. It’s difficult to draw a boundary between you and a relative, but how do you know it’s time to cut off ties with a family member? Or how do you know when to maintain the relationship? My wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, the founder & owner of Artsy Goddess Studio , has her own experiences of challenging family relationships where issues and misunderstandings ...
Mar 10, 2020•45 min•Ep. 82
Thomas Doochin is the CEO of Daymaker , an organization that helps employees cultivate a deeper connection with their community, team, and themselves through the intentional acts of giving and service. Daymaker helps people realize and foster their intrinsic goodness and generosity by helping employees and their companies connect with under-resourced communities. Through this experience of generosity and service, Daymaker aims to bring givers and the people they serve closer, and inspire them to...
Mar 03, 2020•50 min•Ep. 81
Jealousy is a human experience. Whether we were the ones receiving it or the ones feeling it, we’ve all had our fair share of jealous feelings and behaviors. Despite the commonality of this emotion, jealousy could bring on challenges and issues in a romantic relationship that, when aggravated, could create distrust and eventually end the relationship. Couples need to take the necessary steps to overcome jealousy and cultivate a relationship that is connected, open, and loving. Today, I share my ...
Feb 25, 2020•45 min•Ep. 80
At a very young age, Cathy Courtenay felt an urge to find truth and has since been living her life responding to its call. Cathy brings her heart into everything that she does, whether it’s leading the Art of Circling, Body-Mind Centering, or working with her clients as a Conscious Relating Coach. She helps people fully stand in what’s real for them, and all of her work ultimately teaches authenticity and sovereignty that creates a greater space for a love that helps uplift humanity. Cathy joins...
Feb 18, 2020•56 min•Ep. 79
Conflict is an inevitable part of committed relationships, marriages, partnerships, or even in our relationships with family and friends. Yet many of us avoid it. We don’t know how to properly open ourselves to conflict, let alone handle it properly. But conflict, when managed constructively, can be a source of growth and connection between all disagreeing parties involved. We need to understand and cultivate the tools we can use to transform conflict into a constructive experience. Today, I dis...
Feb 11, 2020•34 min•Ep. 78
Trish Kruger is a duo-licensed professional counselor and clinical addiction therapist. Trained in trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing, Trish believes in the value of talk therapy, mindfulness, and expressive arts which she includes in her practice. She completed her graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Western Carolina University and currently works at Blue Ridge Treks , a community of mental health therapists in Asheville, North Carolina. In today’s episode, T...
Feb 04, 2020•57 min•Ep. 77
Susan Patrice is the Principal Consultant of Makers Circle , an organization that sparks change through the creative process. As a documentary photographer, arts educator, and community facilitator, Susan has been using her talents to transform people and communities over the last 12 years. Susan has supported communities worldwide to address problems such as gender equality and racial equity through photography-centered, arts-inspired programs. At the heart of Susan’s work is the desire to help...
Jan 28, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 76
Everybody has family dramas. But while no family is entirely healthy, it’s always great to be in a family where there’s less drama. My wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, brilliant artist, founder and owner of Artsy Goddess Studio, hails from Denmark. With my American background and her upbringing from a different culture, we’ve had our share of family drama with our relatives. How can a couple stand up for themselves and their happiness amidst the expectations of their family? In today’s episode, Y...
Jan 21, 2020•52 min•Ep. 75
Thomas Doochin firmly believes in humanity’s story of love and interconnectedness. This great faith in humanity led him and his peers at the University of North Carolina to co-create Daymaker at the young age of 19. Through connecting employees to their communities, Daymaker is a company that helps people realize their intrinsic goodness and generosity. But to Thomas, Daymaker is more than a business; it is a living mentor that continues to teach him what generosity means. In today’s episode, Th...
Jan 14, 2020•35 min•Ep. 74
Al Bailey has been a student of the healing arts for over 30 years. Al uses his wisdom on the relationship between mind and body to help his clients return to their authentic breathing and facilitate healing and self-awareness. In addition to being a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, Al is the owner of BreatheAboutLife, a center for inner healing. Through BreatheAboutLife, he provides NOWON Bodywork, life-coaching, and Mind/Foot Circle Walking sessions to his clients to bring them to the ...
Jan 07, 2020•41 min•Ep. 73
Maureen McCarthy is a living testament that just because a marriage ended, it doesn’t mean it has failed. When doctors told Maureen that she would die from a rare genetic illness, she ended her 10-year marriage with her husband, Bill. Yet, Maureen and Bill collaborate to maintain a relationship that’s healthy for both of them and their children. She knew that the fear-driven stories that revolve around marriage and divorce aren’t the only stories that exist. Carrying this insight with her, Maure...
Dec 31, 2019•52 min•Ep. 72
Gregg Levoy is devoted to helping people find and sustain their passions in life. His books, Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion and Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life , reflect his mission of helping people feel alive through their passion. He is currently a regular contributing author to Psychology Today and holds workshops and keynote presentations at organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Microsoft. A former repor...
Dec 24, 2019•43 min•Ep. 71
There are times in a relationship when a person needs to set boundaries. It could be healthy to take a step back and soothe the emotions in times of anger. But while it’s helpful to ‘take a breather’ during escalated conflict situations, refusing to engage or acknowledge the other person in the relationship is not healthy. Stonewalling, silent treatments, or sulking can be hurtful, and in some cases, manipulative. If there’s no communication, there’s no relationship. In today’s episode, I discus...
Dec 17, 2019•31 min•Ep. 70
Thomas Doochin believes in humanity’s inherent capacity for love and interconnectedness. At the age of 19, Thomas took this faith in humanity and, together with his peers from the University of North Carolina, co-created Daymaker . Through helping employees and their companies connect with under-resourced communities, Daymaker helps people realize and foster their intrinsic goodness and generosity. Now at 25 years old, Thomas continues to discover what it means to give and receive as he serves a...
Dec 10, 2019•53 min•Ep. 69
Mollie Curry is a ‘true Earth’ person. In addition to being a wilderness ranger, communitarian, permaculturist, home herbalist, and gardener, she is a natural builder who aims to help the planet and its people come to greater balance. Through her work, Mollie fosters more profound connections with herself, society, the Earth, and spirit. She was first involved in the art of natural building in the mid-90s when she moved to the Earthhaven Ecovillage in North Carolina. After years of honing her sk...
Dec 03, 2019•57 min•Ep. 68
Corey Costanzo is a licensed addiction counselor and somatic therapist who seeks to help people achieve a higher flow in their life experience. Another area of expertise is bodywork, a mix of Esalen Massage, Craniosacral therapy, and Didgeridoo sound vibration healing. A kind-hearted person and good friend of mine, Corey helps the local community improve their lives by offering donation-based Restorative Yoga classes at Asheville Community Yoga and teaching somatic psychology at the Center for M...
Nov 26, 2019•46 min•Ep. 67
Ever since she felt a sense of urgency to find truth in the world at a very young age, Cathy Courtenay has lived a path of personal and spiritual growth. Inspired by this calling of truth, she studied Body-Mind Centering in her early twenties and later became interested in the potential of re-patterning and perceptual shifts, applying them into her bodywork practice. She took her pursuit of truth further by closely studying the Art of Circling with its founder, Guy Sengstock. Cathy brings heart ...
Nov 19, 2019•54 min•Ep. 66
Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky is a talented artist who creates tapestries and paintings from a variety of materials. Born and raised in Denmark, she now runs her up-cycled clothes design business in the USA, Artsy Goddess Studio , in addition to facilitating voice-empowering workshops in Black Mountain, NC, co-facilitating couples' workshops with me, and hosting a women’s circle in our home. Yvonne does many things outside of our marriage and remains open and curious about life. Doing her own things ...
Nov 12, 2019•51 min•Ep. 65
Gregg Levoy is a vibrant and passionate teacher, presenter, and author of the books Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion and Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life . He is a contributing author and blogger for Psychology Today and has written countless articles for publications like The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and Christian Science Monitor. Gregg has appeared on multiple media channels like ABC-TV and CNN and frequently hosts seminars and workshops in t...
Nov 05, 2019•47 min•Ep. 64
When you put two people together - people who grew up with different values and belief systems, who lived out different customs and principles - the natural outcome of this human partnership can be both fascinating and frustrating. Each person’s unique experiences can either build up or tear down relationships, depending on whether the people involved would choose to judge or be curious about the other person’s experience. If you take the time to be curious, you would be amazed about how it coul...
Oct 29, 2019•36 min•Ep. 63
Honesty and open communication greatly contribute to the health of any relationship, especially intimate ones. Being open can be a struggle for couples who have different expectations about keeping secrets and where to draw the line when it comes to their privacy. Does the mantra “I’ll show mine if you show me yours” establish a healthy foundation of trust in a relationship? What kind of attitude should we have to foster and maintain trust in our relationships to save ourselves from all unnecess...
Oct 22, 2019•32 min•Ep. 62
My wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, is the founder of Artsy Goddess Studio , where she actively carries out her role in helping others and the planet heal. Yvonne is passionate about art, as seen in the upcycled clothing she creates from second-hand materials, as well as the visual arts she creates, such as murals, paintings, and tapestries. Yvonne also helps women transform through voice empowering workshops and helps couples through workshops and retreats that she co-facilitates with me. Today,...
Oct 15, 2019•45 min•Ep. 61
