As a Relationship Expert & Certified Master Life Coach, Sharon Pope has helped thousands of women gain the confidence and clarity they need to either fix their struggling marriages or move forward without regret. On The Loving Truth Podcast, she shares advice on how to navigate deep marriage hardships, challenging common beliefs about what love and relationships “should be” and providing realistic steps towards peace and happiness. If you can’t decide whether to stay or go in your marriage… you’re facing infidelity… you’re terrified of hurting your kids… you can’t bring yourself to leave your marriage, even though you want to… or you’re wondering whether it’s possible to respark the desire between you… tune in to the weekly episodes.
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In this episode, Sharon explores one of the most misunderstood aspects of a long-term relationship: desire. Most of us were never taught how desire actually works. We weren't taught where it comes from, what impacts it, or how to nurture it over the years. So when desire fades, we often assume something is wrong with us, our partner, or the relationship itself. But desire isn't something you fix. It's something you understand. In this episode, Sharon shares a different way of looking at desire a...
In today's episode, we're talking about something that doesn't get nearly enough attention: the growing number of men who feel blindsided when their marriages end. At a recent mastermind event, I heard story after story from successful husbands and fathers whose wives decided to leave, often after years of silently struggling. It sparked a deeper conversation about what's really happening in modern marriages and why so many couples find themselves disconnected, resentful, and confused about how ...
Is AI helping your marriage or making your conflicts worse? In this episode, we unpack the growing trend of using ChatGPT and AI tools for relationship advice and the hidden dangers that come with it. From emotional validation loops to confirmation bias and overanalyzing your partner, we explore how AI can intensify marriage problems, increase resentment, and create even more disconnection between couples. You’ll learn: How AI can unintentionally reinforce resentment and emotional reactivity Why...
In this episode, we explore this question: Why do so many people stay stuck in relationships that are clearly hurting them? In this deeply honest and emotionally charged episode, we unpack one of the most painful dynamics in marriage: the exhausting cycle of trying to change a partner who has no intention of changing. Using the powerful story of “Annie,” we explore how addiction in marriage doesn’t only show up through alcohol, gambling, or pornography—but also through the desperate hope that lo...
In this episode, we explore the uncomfortable truth about why women have affairs — and why the answer is far more complicated than most people want to admit. Rather than reducing infidelity to selfishness or immorality, this conversation looks at the emotional disconnection, longing, desire, and internal conflict that often exist underneath it. We discuss how modern relationships have changed, why emotional affairs can slowly become physical ones, and the two primary reasons people cheat: to esc...
Delving into the popular idea that our thoughts shape our reality, this episode unpacks common misunderstandings, particularly concerning trauma and loss. It introduces Brooke Castillo's "The Model" to clarify the distinction between neutral circumstances and our interpretive thoughts, which then drive emotions, actions, and results. The discussion emphasizes navigating difficult emotions without toxic positivity, avoiding blame, understanding others' actions, and focusing solely on managing one's own mind for greater peace and personal growth.
If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake at 2 a.m. wondering, “Should I stay or should I go?” —this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, we unpack the quiet crisis happening in modern marriages, especially for women in midlife who feel stuck between staying and leaving. Despite endless relationship advice, books, and podcasts, many are still feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. This episode challenges the idea that more information is the answer—and reveals ...
What happens when your life choices make other people uncomfortable? In this episode of The Loving Truth Podcast with Sharon Pope , we explore the emotional weight of judgment, especially in the context of divorce and choosing a path that others don’t understand. When you step outside expectations, people often rush to assign roles, form opinions, and decide who’s right and wrong. But the real cost of judgment goes far deeper than hurt feelings. It can fracture families, reshape relationships, a...
What happens when you and your partner are in business together and your relationship starts to break down? For founder couples, the stakes are far greater than most people realize. It’s not just about saving a marriage. It’s about protecting a business, a livelihood, a team, and the life you’ve built together. In this week’s episode of The Loving Truth Podcast with Sharon Pope , we unpack the hidden dynamics that cause tension between couples who run businesses together and why most traditional...
Modern marriage isn’t just struggling—it’s being reshaped in real time. In this episode of The Loving Truth Podcast with Sharon Pope , we unpack the “perfect storm” of three powerful cultural forces that are quietly redefining our most intimate relationships : The erosion of attention The rise of artificial intimacy through AI Rapidly changing expectations within marriage The truth is, many couples aren’t necessarily experiencing more conflict. They’re simply less connected. In a world filled wi...
Are you doing all the right things in your relationship — but still nothing changes? In this episode of The Loving Truth Podcast with Sharon Pope , we explore two often-overlooked forces that determine whether a relationship grows or quietly falls apart: endurance and self-honesty . Building on the foundational idea that strong relationships require emotional, relational, and growth capacity, we dive deeper into what sustains change over time. Because having the right tools alone isn’t enough. W...
Most couples blame relationship struggles on communication issues. But what if that’s not the real problem? In this episode of The Loving Truth Podcast with Sharon Pope , we’re unpacking a powerful (and often overlooked) truth: It’s not just about how you communicate. It’s about your capacity to stay open, connected, and willing to grow. Because here’s the reality: You can love someone deeply, and still feel disconnected, unheard, and stuck in the same patterns. Not because the love isn’t there....
When your relationship feels hard, staying grounded matters more than ever. We’re not entitled to a good relationship. If it’s good, it’s because we created it. In this episode, I share two simple habits that change how you show up. First: protect the first hour of your day. Start with yourself, not your phone, email, or the news. Build calm reserves through something that grounds you, like meditation, prayer, journaling, gratitude, breath work, and moving your body. Second: end your day on purp...
Wonder what really destroys marriages? It isn’t an affair or money… it’s disconnection. It builds slowly through a million little hurts, like laying bricks until there’s a wall we can’t see over. When things are good, you notice the rumble strip and course-correct with time together, honest talk, and touch. If you missed the rumble strip and you’re in the ditch, expect it to take patience and more than one date night. Don’t throw the problem at your partner; say what you want instead of what’s m...
Stress doesn’t stay at work. It follows you home and seeps into your marriage. In this episode, I share a real example of a couple whose stressful roles were quietly creating impatience and distance between them. We explore a powerful exercise: identify the three things you truly need to feel fulfilled — no more than three — and protect what makes you come alive. When you recognize that you’re making a choice to stay in a stressful role, you move from resentment to empowered action. Sometimes yo...
"Our triggers are our responsibility." Sharon Pope In this episode, I talk about that feeling of taking two steps forward and one step back in your relationship. I explain why triggers are personal, often rooted in childhood, and why we have to own them. We can't control everyone around us, but we can change the meaning we give to their behavior. Real listening and presence are rare right now. We can all build that muscle. Healing happens when what used to trigger you no longer does, not when so...
Change is something we all resist. It's uncomfortable, unknown, and goes against our basic human nature. In this episode, I explore why we tend to wait until our relationships are in total crisis before we’re willing to do the hard work of being vulnerable. Drawing on back-of-the-mind wisdom from Esther Perel, I explain why we have less incentive to change when things are good, but far less creativity to change when things are bad. This "aspirin vs. vitamin" approach to marriage keeps us reactiv...
I’m sharing the two best, and least used, relationship tools I know. We didn’t get a class on this, so most of us are winging it. And no, I’m not teaching voodoo Jedi mind tricks to change your partner. This is about making it easier to be in relationship with you. The first tool is validating your partner’s experience, even when it’s different from yours. That builds trust and safety. Validation is not agreement. It’s simply, “I can see how you’d see it that way.” The second tool is taking 100%...
I’m talking about when relationships end, not just marriages, but family ties and friendships. More people are going no contact as we learn what’s healthy and set boundaries, but I remind you that “health resides in the middle.” Sometimes we need distance. Sometimes our seasons of life just don’t match. I share the three core skills that keep long-term relationships alive and how communication ties it all together. As we get better at these, we may outgrow some relationships, and that’s a hard t...
In this episode, I get honest about knowing divorce would be hard and then discovering what’s actually hard once you’re in it. I talk about co‑parenting as the biggest pain point. Why you can’t control an ex but you can influence, and how two different parenting styles can actually help your kids. I share a simple mindset shift and a practical fix for communication: add structure, like a monthly coffee to review the kids, what’s working, and what’s not. We also name what you don’t see coming: ne...
A morning meditation with Wayne Dyer stopped me in my tracks: "... Freedom does not come from avoiding the pain. It comes from walking through it with your heart wide open ." In this episode, I share a simple three-part path for moving through marriage challenges with courage. First, I separate facts from my thoughts and choose the story that serves me. Then I ask better, braver questions that reveal the truths I’ve been avoiding. Finally, I use those answers and my tools to turn pain into growt...
In this episode, I unpack “monkey barring,” which is reaching for the next relationship before you’ve let go of the last. It often looks like cheating, but it’s really about fear, codependency, and avoiding hard conversations. We use an affair like an emotional safety net because being alone feels scary. I name how affairs distract us from the real problems at home and how easy it is to get hooked on external validation. I also show you what it can sound like to tell your partner you felt a ting...
I’m breaking down how to know when your marriage is in real trouble, using a TV moment that felt all too real: a late‑night “We need to talk,” an “I’m not happy,” and a packed bag by the door. By the time someone says I’m not happy, things are already serious. That phrase is vague, blaming, and usually too late. Many partners brush it off, not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know what to do. Then years pass, nothing changes, and we hear, “You should have said it louder.” I walk t...
I’m unpacking emotional adulthood through a client’s story. I challenge the idea of “make it work.” We can aim higher than a marriage that doesn’t suck. I walk you through naming your unspoken rules, keeping only the few that matter, and actually saying them out loud. Your thoughts create your feelings, not your partner. The thing that once made you laugh only became annoying when your thought about it changed. We all slip into blame because change is hard. But long-term love asks more of us. “ ...
Your coach isn’t your bestie. And that’s a good thing. When you admit your marriage is in trouble, you need love that sees your blind spots, challenges your excuses, and won’t let you settle. I share a Q&A moment where a woman wanted a pep talk about reconciling while still in an affair. I paused and chose the truth: “I could make you feel better, but I kind of don’t want to .” I called her higher, named the avoidance, and laid out her real choices: end the affair and give the marriage your ...
In this episode, I share a client story where her husband secretly put a tracker on her car, and how tempting it was to tell him off or file a restraining order. We walked through what those reactions would actually accomplish. Not much. They don’t change the past and they can harm co-parenting and her peace. She chose a different path. She chose to protect her peace and stay steady toward a peaceful divorce. “ If telling someone off worked, I’d tell you to do it .” It doesn’t. So I give you thr...
In this final episode of the Us Unfiltered: Behind the Beautiful Life series, I explore what “having it all” really means — and why a beautiful life on the outside can still feel empty when your marriage isn’t getting the care it deserves. We talk about the difference between success, happiness, and true fulfillment, and how easy it is to give our best to work and our kids while offering only crumbs to our relationship. I share why emotional connection is real wealth, why numbing keeps us stuck,...
In this episode, I talk about why desire fades — and why it’s not gone, just buried. Buried under busyness, emotional distance, resentment, and the weight of responsibilities. A lack of sex isn’t the problem; it’s the symptom. I break down what desire really needs (safety and aliveness), how routine and predictability smother intimacy, and why familiarity dampens passion over time. You’ll learn the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire, why emotional closeness has to come first, a...
In part three of Us Unfiltered , I explore how power dynamics quietly shape a marriage: who leads, who decides, who sets the tone. These patterns usually come from what we saw growing up, and without realizing it, they create a one-up/one-down dynamic that erodes trust and connection. Too much independence can turn partners into high-functioning roommates instead of a true team. I talk about why every contribution counts, why control blocks intimacy, and how “keeping the boardroom out of the bed...
In part two of Us, Unfiltered , I talk about what silence really costs inside a marriage. Avoiding hard conversations feels easier in the moment, but over time it erodes your voice, your connection, and the safety between you. The space between you fills with assumptions, resentments, and quiet loneliness. Avoidance hides in busyness, sarcasm, over-functioning, or shutting down—and underneath all of it is fear. Fear of conflict, fear of being misunderstood, fear of what honesty might change. I w...
