Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

Marriage is one of the most significant decisions one has to make. It is designed to foster a partnership, a lifelong commitment, and a sense of shared success and happiness between two people. Nobody enters into a marriage expecting it to end in divorce, but as couples spend more time together and get to know one another better, conflicts may arise, responsibilities and priorities may change, and if couples can't work it out, it may result in divorce. There are marriage and couple's therapists who can assist couples in working through conflicts, but if the relationship is beyond saving, you might want to speak with a divorce lawyer who can guide you through the legal process. Have you heard of a divorce attorney that helps couples stay in their marriage? That sounds ironic. While most divorce lawyers focus on getting the best settlement offer their clients can get, even if that means adding fuel to the fire, David Erdman approaches his cases differently. David has been happily married for 38 years and has practiced divorce law for over 40 years. He is a graduate of Duke University and the Georgetown University Law Center. David is an advocate and ally for clients who are working to save their marriages with a focus on children. He is also a veteran of over 5,000 marriage-related legal consultations, which inspired him to write the book, The Ten Commandments of Marriage: Secrets of a Divorce Lawyer. In this episode, David discusses his unique approach to handling divorce cases. We'll discover how he is shifting the emphasis from the impending separation to making your marriage the way you want it to be by asking the right questions. Furthermore, he outlines what is in his book while focusing on the most important rules and delivering some insightful advice. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 4:54 David's motivation for writing The Ten Commandments of Marriage: A compilation of what he discovered from more than 5000 other marriages over the course of 40 years. 13:28 Asking clients probing questions to help them prepare for negotiations. 19:12 What is unforgivable? 25:29 Thou shalt learn to resolve differences. 28:34 What happens in a relationship when there is equality. 35:35 Top reasons for divorce: the percentage of women who are more likely to initiate divorce. 38:36 How to make sex satisfying for both you and your partner. 42:49 Spouses' superpowers that you should not neglect. 44:47 Thou shall NOT allow children to obstruct your marriage 49:04 Golden nuggets of advice Mentioned The Ten Commandments of Marriage: Secrets of a Divorce Lawyer (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with David Erdman Website: tencommandmentsofmarriage.com Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Relationships are the best mirror for our deepest fears and emotions. Although you may have been able to suppress these feelings as an adult, getting into a committed relationship can bring them to the surface. Can love transform our nervous system and mend these wounds? The short answer is yes. In this episode, Jessica Baum discusses core wounds and the emotional charge associated with that narrative. She also discusses co-regulation and interdependency and how they can be used to better understand your own and your partner's behavior. Jessica Baum, LMHC, is the founder of the Relationship Institute of Palm Beach, providing couples therapy, family counseling, and addiction therapy in South Florida for over 10 years. She has helped thousands of clients with her unique approach to healing, the Self-full® Method. Through her sister company, Be Self-full (beselffull.com), Jessica offers transformational courses and online coaching services that support individuals and couples to form healthy, long-term relationships. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:36 Breaking the anxious-avoidant dance in relationships: How Jessica's fascination with energy and system issues evolved. 8:01 Understanding Core Wounds: The underlying story and the energetic charge associated with it. 13:47 Understanding how your nervous system affects your relationships. 20:24 Patterns and themes: Distinguishing what is happening in the relationship from possible feelings you may have had before you met that partner. 24:50 How the nervous system responds to cues of stress and how co-regulation helps create a calm environment. 35:55 How to go from being anxious or avoidant to feeling secure. 48:12 Connect with Dr. Baum and learn more about her work. Mentioned Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with Jessica Baum Websites: beselffull.com/anxiouslyattached Facebook: facebook.com/beselffull Instagram: instagram.com/jessicabaumlmhc Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

​​You become what you consistently tell yourself, whether it is positive or negative, according to the adage "You are who you say you are." This tells us that the thoughts that you feed your mind matter because, unwittingly, they serve as the road map for both your interpersonal relationships and your individual self. You can't really rewrite the past, but having the awareness of how it can impact your life, you give yourself the power to write a new story, a new beginning. In this episode, Dr. Skerrett explains the concept of couples' resilience and the advantages it has for relationships and elaborates on how couples can develop and nurture their resilience. Karen Skerrett, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and registered nurse with over 40 years of experience as a clinician, academic, and author who specializes in strength-based approaches to healing and change across the lifecycle. She is the author of Growing Married, co-author of Positive Couple Therapy, co-editor of Couple Resilience, and author of the memoir Tell Me Again How I Know You? Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 6:06 Karen's transition from nursing to psychology: Targeting towards and focusing on couple's resilience. 11:14 What is couples' resilience and what makes it a source of positive energy for couple life? 13:24 The importance of the stories we tell our narrative. 18:59 The distinction between a story and a "we-story". 25:31 The seven elements of we-ness. 34:50 Transforming individualistic cultures and behavior into an empowering story. 41:39 Karen's advice and resources to help people build a couple's resiliency. Mentioned Growing Married: Creating Stories for a Lifetime of Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Couple Resilience: Emerging Perspectives (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Positive Couple Therapy: Using We-Stories to Enhance Resilience (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Strengths-based Resilience (SBR) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with Dr. Karen Skerrett Websites: karenskerrettphd.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karen-skerrett-7a185024 Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

When your partner or someone else calls you out or you feel attacked, it's natural to go into defense mode. Humans are simply wired that way. Defensiveness, however, can hinder your ability to relate to others and damage your relationships. Aperture awareness is an essential skill for open, honest, and healthy communication. While our brains are built to instantly read an aperture, not everyone is aware of this, so they fail to recognize the signs. The good news is that it's a skill that can be acquired. In this episode, Dr. Kathryn Ford elaborates on aperture awareness and its significance in relationships. You'll learn how to read body language as a sign of awareness, as well as some highly structured exercises to help people slow down. Kathryn Ford, M.D. is a relationship expert and creator of the couples therapy model, Aperture Awareness™ — the felt sensation of availability for connection. She's been practicing psychotherapy for over 20 years in private practice and through workshops at Stanford University. She received her M.D. from Brown University Medical School and did her psychiatry residency at The Stanford School of Medicine. In addition to her traditional training, both her yoga practice and her life-long meditation practice have informed her life and her work. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 8:02 What sparked Kathryn's interest in mindfulness and relationships? 15:42 Understanding aperture awareness and why it's often disregarded. 21:18 Body language as a sign of responsiveness and awareness. 30:27 Fostering trust by rewarding risk-taking. 32:49 Pumping the brakes and riding the waves. 41:52 How to sift through your partner's words for the kernel of truth. 54:50 The power of slowing down. 58:34 How to connect with Dr. Kathryn Ford. Mentioned About Kathryn Ford M.D. (*Psychology Today) Stanford Continuing Studies Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Dr. Kathryn Ford Website: kathrynfordmd.com Facebook: facebook.com/KathrynFordMD Instagram: instagram.com/KathrynFordMD LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kathryn-ford-m-d-1a675b2b Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Keeping your emotions at bay to maintain the harmony in your relationship may seem like a better option than engaging in a conversation that might result in an argument. On the other hand, suppressing your feelings can eventually do serious damage to your relationship. When you spend a lot of time with someone, you may begin to believe that you know everything about them. Starting a conversation may feel terrifying because you anticipate your partner's response and how the conversation will go, but you may or may not be right. In this episode, Susan Scott discusses the causes of relationship plateaus, common misconceptions about love, the effects of poor communication or lack thereof, and the characteristics of a fierce conversation. You'd be surprised at how refreshing that would be if you knew how to approach these conversations in a courageous, loving, and skillful way. Susan Scott is a bestselling author and leadership development architect who has enabled top executives worldwide to engage in vibrant dialogue with one another, with their employees, and with their customers for two decades. In her latest book, "Fierce Love – Creating a Love that Lasts, One Conversation at a Time," Susan Scott guides couples through eight must-have conversations to create a fierce love that stands the test of time and grows stronger over the years. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 6:19 Gradually and then suddenly: Understanding how lack of communication can ruin a relationship. 16:53 Post-romance stage: Recognizing the causes of a relationship plateau. 23:07 What a fierce conversation looks like. 33:21 Susan's own description of what she considers to be a safe place for meaningful conversations. 40:00 Myths about love that can destroy you and your relationship. Mentioned Fierce Love: Creating a Love that Lasts---One Conversation at a Time (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with Susan Scott Website: susanscott.io | fierceinc.com/fierce-conversations Facebook: facebook.com/SusanScottFierce | linkedin.com/company/fierce-inc- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susan-scott-1b63388 | linkedin.com/company/fierce-inc- Twitter: twitter.com/fierce_inc YouTube: youtube.com/user/fierceinc Instagram: instagram.com/fierceconversations_ Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

The majority of women due far more housework than men (in heterosexual relationships). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women spend 47 minutes more on housework on average than men each day. This translates to roughly 5 ½ more hours each week, which doesn't include childcare, grocery shopping or errands (which women do more of as well). This gender gap has an effect on everyone. In this episode, Dr. Kate Mangino discusses what she learned from interviewing 40 men in equal relationships to show how gender norms can restrict one or both partners in a relationship compared to what it looks like in equal relationships. Kate Mangino, PhD is a gender expert who works with international organizations to promote positive social change. She has written and delivered curricula in over 20 countries about issues such as: gender equality, women's empowerment, healthy masculinity, HIV prevention, and early and forced childhood marriage. She brings her lens of social change to her debut book, Equal Partners, which addresses gender roles in the American household. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:51 Promoting social change as an expert and a parent. 9:14 Taking the gender equality conversation into the community. 14:02: How gender norms create inequity and limit the potential of one or both partners. 23:29 An illustration of how partners' tasks are typically divided. 37:42 What exactly is the EP40, and what did Dr. Mangino learn from them? Mentioned Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Connect with Dr. Kate Mangino Websites: katemangino.com Twitter: twitter.com/manginokate Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:00 The increased domestic violence during the pandemic. 7:02 Dr. Kelley's "aha!" moment that got her interested in helping people who have experienced trauma. 9:49 Why do people react differently to trauma? 14:38 Signs of a potentially abusive person. 28:50 Significant reasons why people are unable to confront or exit this situation. 38:52 Why highly sensitive people struggle more with decision making. 42:41 How to discern whether or not you should end the relationship and where someone in an abusive relationship can find support. Mentioned What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Internal Family Systems Model (*Wikipedia) Connect with Amelia Kelley Websites: ameliakelley.com — insighttimer.com/kelleycounseling Facebook: facebook.com/DrAmeliaKelley/ Twitter: twitter.com/DrAmeliaKelley Instagram: instagram.com/drameliakelley/ Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

When ADHD has not been identified, a person with ADHD is often doing the best they can to function. However, they will likely struggle with aspects of executive functioning skills in life. Being in a relationship with someone with ADHD can pose extra challenges in working together as a team, especially when it comes to domestic responsibilities, tasks, and decision making. In this episode, Dr. Ari Tuckman provides some insight into how ADHD manifests differently in adult men and women, particularly how it affects a couple's sex life. Additionally, he discusses approaches for resolving conflicts as well as tools and resources that both partners with ADHD and those without can utilize. Ari Tuckman, PsyD, CST, is a psychologist, international speaker, and ADHD expert. He is the author of four books on ADHD, including his most recent book, ADHD After Dark: Better Sex Life, Better Relationship. He volunteers as the conference co-chair for CHADD, the national ADHD advocacy organization. He is in private practice in West Chester, PA. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 8:11 How Dr. Tuckman became passionate about helping adults with ADHD. 11:52 How each person's experience with ADHD differs. 14:17 ADHD in women vs. men. 18:12 How does ADHD manifest itself in romantic relationships? 22:41 How to make a relationship between people with ADHD work. 29:47 Dr. Tuckman's approach to assisting people with ADHD. 36:03 ADHD and sexual intimacy: effects, tips, and recommendations. 49:04 Tools and resources. Mentioned ADHD After Dark: Better Sex Life, Better Relationship (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) ADHD Coaches Organization Sex needs a new metaphor. Here's one … (*TED Talks) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with Dr. Ari Tuckman Websites: adultadhdbook.com Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Although co-dependence is often referred to as being unhealthy, to some extent, it is beneficial in marriages. Deeper connections are made when partners lean on one another and give and receive as acts of generosity rather than as acts of service. In this episode, John David and Ana Gabriel Mann discuss conflict resolution using their five secrets to success, which are condensed versions of their own experiences and expertise and are found in the book they co-authored. John David Mann is the coauthor of over 30 books, including nine New York Times and national bestsellers. His writing has earned the 2017 Living Now Book Award's "Evergreen Medal" for its "contribution to positive global change." Ana Gabriel Mann earned her Master's degree in clinical psychology before going on to serve as an educator, therapist, and corporate trainer. She currently coaches Go-Giver Marriage clients and leads the Go-Giver Marriage Coaches Training Program. John and Ana have been dreaming about writing "The Go-Giver Marriage" together for two decades. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 4:29 John and Ana's love letter to the world. 5:49 What does it mean to be a part of the "us"? 12:59 A description of the book's two main parts. 29:07 Frequently asked questions that Ana poses to couples. 30:50 Replacing criticism with appreciation. 45:21 The distinction between allowing and controlling. 52:01 How the opposing negative patterns prevent you from growing personally. 55:53 Go-Giver's couples-focused courses and programs. Mentioned The Go-Giver Marriage: A Little Story About the Five Secrets to Lasting Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with John David & Ana Gabriel Mann Website: gogivermarriage.com Facebook: facebook.com/johndavidmann | facebook.com/anagabrielmann Twitter: twitter.com/JohnDavidMann | twitter.com/anagabrielMann LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndavidmann | linkedin.com/in/ana-gabriel-mann-a2aa6011 Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

There is no such thing as a perfect relationship. No matter how great your relationship with your partner is, conflicts are inevitable, and that is not always a bad thing. Depending on how well you manage them, they can either weaken or strengthen your relationship. Most people don't even realize that they are responding to conflicts out of fear. When a problem arises, they automatically arm up to protect themselves, which leaves it unresolved and eventually breeds resentment. In this episode, Tami Kiekhaefer discusses how fear manifests itself in conflict situations through physical cues and an illustration. Most importantly, she explains how you can apply this knowledge to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner. Tamara Kiekhaefer, LCSW, has operated her psychotherapy practice since 2002. She provides individual, family, and couple therapy around anxiety, depression, domestic violence, trauma, relationships, and empowerment. Tami is a certified yoga instructor and weaves concepts of holistic therapy into her clinical work. Her first book provides hands-on tools required to work through the past, stabilize the present, and prepare for a loving relationship. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 4:56 How her divorce equipped Tami help other people even more. 9:40 How she confronted the criticism about her failed relationship while working as a couple's therapist. 14:34 How fear manifest itself during conflict. 18:29 Physical signs of fear. 24:38 The roots of anxiety. 29:00 The Cone of Fear—a visual representation of the fear of rejection and fear of abandonment. 38:58 How to overcome the fear of rejection and abandonment. 42:33 An overview of her book, Preparing for the Jungle: Avoiding Snakes and Pitfalls on the Path to Healthy Love. 46:56 Learn more about the services she is offering. Mentioned Preparing for the Jungle: Avoiding Snakes and Pitfalls on the Path to Healthy Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Cone of Fear Prepare for the Jungle (online self-paced course) Shifting Criticism into Connected Communication Connect with Tami Kiekhaefer Websites: healthyhealing.net Facebook: facebook.com/groups/womensempowermenttoolkit | facebook.com/tamikieklcsw TikTok: tiktok.com/@tamikiek_lcsw Twitter: twitter.com/tamikiek Pinterest: pinterest.com/tamikiek/_created Instagram: instagram.com/tamikieklcsw LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tami-kiekhaefer-32298a8 Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Every one of us struggles with something that impacts our relationships. We were raised to believe that whatever we struggle with—be it self-worth, emotions, or body image—is a flaw. Despite the fact that we are heavily influenced by our society, we are taught that we are all unique individuals who have the power to make our own decisions. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus discusses how to recognize our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions as well as how to practice being mindful of them. She urges everyone to venture a little further outside of their comfort zones and develop their mental and emotional fortitude so they can begin to make decisions they never had before. Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD, is a sociologist, international intimacy speaker, and relationship and communication coach, and the author of From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinventing Sex for Women. Dr. Jenn has presented two TEDx Talks, co-hosts the podcast Sex Talk with Clint & the Doc, and she has collaborated on projects with Planned Parenthood, the Global YPO Spouse/Partner Network, Erica Lust films, and Dr. Ruth's Sex for Dummies book. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:50 How Dr. Jen became interested in sexuality and mindfulness. 7:49 Why is mindful intimacy so crucial? 20:43 Obstacles to profound intimacy and how mindfulness overcomes them. 47:48 A practical step you can take to begin engaging in mindful intimacy. Mentioned From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinventing Sex for Women (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Sex Talk with Clint & the Doc Podcast American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counsellors and Therapists (AASECT) Sex, Consent, & Gender - A Personal Story about Consent Violation - Sex & the Price of Masculinity Female sexual shame hurts us all | Jennifer Gunsaullus | TEDx Phoenixville Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus Website: drjennsden.com Facebook: facebook.com/jennifer.gunsaullus Twitter: twitter.com/drjennsden YouTube: youtube.com/user/drjennsden Instagram: instagram.com/drjennsden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenn Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Marriage entails a commitment to support one another through both good and bad times. The traditional vow goes along the lines of, "For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do us part," which means the couple stays together no matter what. The truth is that most couples hope for a bright future and a long-lasting romantic relationship, but they don't expect or prepare to go through the worse and sickness parts. In reality, it's not always convenient and easy. The hormones and attraction wear off, and other problems arise. In this episode, Dr. George and Vanessa Naum sit down and talk about some significant topics that every couple should consider before getting married; how health issues can affect the relationship; and some doable steps couples can take to strengthen their relationship. Best Friends Again is a physician marriage coaching company helping physicians and healthcare professionals reignite their marriage through a customized approach based on the unique needs of physician and healthcare professional families. Dr. George and Vanessa Naum's own battle-tested physician marriage, generational physician family heritage, and expertise from coaching hundreds of marriages off the ledge have paved the way for their revolutionary program: 90 Days to Clarity and Connection, a blueprint for guiding healers in healing their own relationships, saving their families, and enjoying their careers. They believe that you really can have it all. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 6:30 What Dr. George and Vanessa Naum learned from their own experiences and the inspiration behind their desire to help other couples. 12:37 Things that are significant but rarely discussed before getting married. 34:24 Compassionate intuition as an important ingredient in a healthy marriage. 38:33 How acceptance and suppression of emotions affect a relationship and how Dr. George and Vanessa help couples deal with it. 42:39 The 4 R's of a committed relationship. 45:36 How health issues can affect relationships. 50:13 Programs and resources for cultivating healthy relationships. Mentioned What's Forever For? A Physician's Guide to Everlasting Love and Success in Marriage (FREE chapter of Dr. Jeep's book) Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Dr. George and Vanessa Naum Website: BestFriendsAgain.com Facebook: facebook.com/askdrjeepandvanessa Twitter: twitter.com/@askdrjeep LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drgeorgenaum Instagram: instagram.com/bestfriendsagain Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Making the choice to leave an abusive relationship can be one of the most difficult things a person has to do. Without the right resources and support, it would be hard to move on even after you have cut your ties with your abuser. Being in an abusive relationship causes you to constantly pay more attention to your surroundings than is necessary. So, in this episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley discusses some useful techniques for managing feelings of anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance, as well as how to retrain your body to feel secure in any situation. Dr. Amelia Kelley is a trauma-informed therapist who has conducted research on the effects of exercise on ADHD symptoms as well as the effects of resiliency on PTSD. She is a trained hypnotherapist, art therapist, HSP Therapist, EMDR-informed therapist, and meditation and yoga teacher. She is a presenter and writer in the "science-help" field, focusing on relationships, highly sensitive people, trauma, motivation, healthy living, and adult ADHD. She is a guest podcast presenter focusing on women's issues and coping with the trauma of unhealthy relationships, as well as a coach and trainer for SAS's Work/Life Program in Cary, NC, and a resident trainer for the NC Art Therapy Institute. Her practice is also currently part of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:18 How to rediscover yourself and rebuild your self-confidence after an abusive relationship. 20:32 Managing feelings of anxiety, stress, and hypervigilance. 40:43 Useful strategies for beginning self-healing. 43:04 A summary of her book, What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship and the narrative that inspired it. Mentioned What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship (*Instagram) High Heels and Heartache Podcast (*Apple podcast) ERP 321: How to Tell the Difference Between an Abusive Relationship & a Toxic Dynamic — An Interview with Dr. Amelia Kelley Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Amelia Kelley Websites: ameliakelley.com — insighttimer.com/kelleycounseling Facebook: facebook.com/DrAmeliaKelley/ Twitter: twitter.com/DrAmeliaKelley Instagram: instagram.com/drameliakelley/ Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

It is incredible and worth celebrating that this generation is actually the first in all of human history to make an attempt to establish equality in marriage. However, we simply lacked the skills necessary to successfully navigate the terrain of long-lasting intimacy, which led to fights over fairness. While the traditional marriage was wildly unfair, it is worth recognizing that couples were more in partnership, working toward a shared goal. In this episode, Nate and Kaley Klemp share their insights on various marriage structures and introduce the 80/80 model, a brand-new marriage framework designed to support radical generosity in relationships. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 3:49 Nate and Kaley's conflict over fairness and the larger sociological point of our generation to establish equality in marriage. 6:22 Recognizing the value of the conventional marriage structure. 11:19 How your mindset and expectations greatly affect our decision-making or how we perceive the other. 14:00 The three components of mindset. 18:35 The 50/50 model and why it is unsustainable. 29:05 How the 80/80 model was developed and how it changed Nate and Kaley's marriage. 37:51 Easing into radical generosity while minimizing discomfort. Mentioned Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Marriage (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) Free Epic Date Night Guide 80/80 Marriage self-guided retreats 80/80 Marriage Newsletter Start Here: Master the Lifelong Habit of Wellbeing (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) The Drama-Free Office (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) 13 Guidelines for Effective Teams (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) Connect with Kaley Klemp Websites: 8080marriage.com Facebook: facebook.com/8080Marriage YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCpncjN_woj6Xrth0i-bGp7w Instagram: instagram.com/8080marriage Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

A strong relationship requires human connection. Ironically, though, when you seek connection from a place of scarcity, the universe tends to take it away from you. Enrique Delgadillo asserts that the only way to get it is to first find the connection within yourself. In this episode, Enrique discusses how our thoughts manifest in different areas of our lives. As the law of attraction suggests, where the focus goes, energy flows. We'll take a deep dive into 5D consciousness and discuss how you can change your mindset and apply it to strengthen your relationships. Enrique is a world-leading specialist in transcendental psychology and is the founder and CEO of Vive Incredible, with a mission to awaken mankind's ability to live in complete abundance and wealth, beginning from our inner world of thoughts. With over 100 million views on YouTube and 4 million followers across his social platforms, he aims to elevate the consciousness and wealth of individuals by understanding their unique frequency value, or "Secret Sauce," that helps them play a bigger game in life and feel more fulfilled as they continue to evolve. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:26 Enrique's incredibly difficult journey of self-evolution. 12:47 Recognizing 5D consciousness or energy and how to use it to determine what you truly need from a romantic partner or relationship. 16:12 Shifting one's perspective to 5D consciousness. 22:18 Distinctions between the need that comes from lack versus preferring those things as experience. 31:21 Various approaches to reaching your higher self. 38:06 Cultivating connection from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. 42:41 Understanding the three levels of connection. 47:51 Words of wisdom. Mentioned Navegar En Tiempos de Tormentas (Spanish Edition) (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Enrique Delgadillo Website: go.enriquedelgadillo.com/home Facebook: facebook.com/viveincreibleintl YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC-hjRfCoajsJvMKeSGVtDwA Instagram: instagram.com/kikedelgadillo/?hl=en Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

If you've been listening to the Empowered Relationship Podcast, you've probably heard Dr. Jessica Higgins talk about criticism and how it affects relationships. The goal here is to collaborate with your partner to co-create a fulfilling and passionate relationship. However, leading with criticism can make you or your partner feel defensive or attacked, diverting the entire communication to this criticism defensive loop. In this episode, Dr. Higgins answers some listener and reader questions about criticism, along with some illustrations to help explain it further. As with many of these podcasts, these are not comprehensive responses, but they do provide some food for thought. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. Listeners' questions: 8:44 "I'd be interested if you have any thoughts or perhaps a podcast around how we listen with or for criticism. I think we sometimes hear what we are feeling in ourselves. Just a thought." 15:21 "I appreciate this content—it is helpful. However, I am confused about whether you should not help your partner become a better person. Please address this." 25:28 "I am critical of a part of my girlfriend's body that cannot be changed and don't want to end the relationship, but it causes me great anxiety. [I] don't want to leave the relationship, but it is something that may never go away for me internally and it's making me very unhappy. I really like her in so many other ways and [I] hate this. Do I stay or do I go?" 28:24 "Dr. Higgins. My wife is constantly criticizing me. She never has anything nice to say to me or any praise for anything I do to try and make her happy. Never says thank you or shows any sign of affection to me. It is to a point where I wish I could stop treating her with love and dish out the same stuff she gives me, but I just can't be like that. I have tried to tell her I would like it ever so often if she could reciprocate the kindness and love I show her, but it is like she doesn't care about my feelings. We are both in our sixties, and I just don't think I have the energy to leave this marriage and find someone I can build a new, better relationship with. Plus, I really love her and leaving would be a hard blow to our family. How far do I go?" 35:05 "I have read a lot of articles over the years about this particular issue – criticism, as there is a lot of conflict over this issue in my marriage of 30 years. I feel that I have had to try to exist in a bit of a dysfunctional vacuum, where the fact that her father was an alcoholic, was not allowed to be discussed or acted upon in a way that was healthy for our own family which we were establishing together. If I raised the issue of her father's behaviour (who is a very charming but also a very manipulative man), or how that might have affected the way she and I relate and communicate, my efforts were labelled as "critical". I tried over the years, many different approaches to these communications, but they generally ended in the same way, namely in an argument, resulting in her withdrawing herself from me, for a few days, then her cooling off and eventually her acknowledging the problem and apologising, but only so that the conflict could end. Unfortunately, this apology was forgotten a week later, and we often found ourselves in the same place a month or two later. I called it Groundhog Day, because of the familiar cycle. My wife appeared to be prepared to do anything to avoid the accountability of acknowledging, communicating about and addressing the dysfunctional behaviour within her own family, and with it, avoiding accountability for her own denial of her own behaviour. This repetitive cycle eventually became a power struggle, in which her final weapon was to doubt our marriage, and my character, and whether she could remain in the marriage. It was an ultimatum that if I chose to raise these 'uncomfortable" issues, I would have to face that I was not important enough to her, for her to authentically discuss or address these issues. Part of the behaviour I have consistently observed is her extreme avoidance of conflict (which was the same way her father avoided any scrutiny for his own behaviour). My question is, when there is a problematic (dysfunctional) behaviour, that needs to be addressed between a couple, and despite every effort to raise the issue constructively, empathetically, gently, using I words etc etc the communication seems to deteriorate, because the real motivation is to avoid the issue altogether and hope it disappears into "fantasy land". The excuse is that the avoidance is justified because the communication is critical in nature, and while I know that some people view all criticism as problematic, surely there is necessary constructive criticism that is not directed as a "character flaw" of another person?" Mentioned Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication (free guide) Shifting Criticism – Empowered Relationship (course) How to Know If You Are

Before the age of two, children seek unconditional love, but not a lot of parents are able to provide it, resulting in unmet needs, fear of rejection, and fear of dying. These childhood experiences can now manifest as fears and sabotage your current relationships. That's what Tracy Crossley realized after a series of dysfunctional relationships. In this episode, Tracy talks about insecure attachment, how it can interfere with your relationships, and most importantly, how to break free from this vicious cycle and have a happy and empowered relationship. Tracy Crossley is a Behavioral Relationship Expert, author, and podcast host who specializes in treating individuals with unhealthy life and relationship patterns. Tracy helps clients transform impostor syndrome, insecure attachment, and negative belief systems, breaking the cycle of narcissistic damage, destructive self-talk, and more. With a background in psychology and an innate emotional intuition, which draws from her own personal experience, Tracy shows her clients how to permanently change the repetition of unhealthy, unhappy, and unfulfilled cycles, both personally and professionally. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:19 Tracy's lightbulb moment following a series of failed relationships. 11:13 Getting out of the insecure attachment loop. 17:42 How your emotional armor is limiting you. 21:01 What to do when you're in an uncomfortable or anxious situation. 30:48 Ways to overcome your fears. 46:53 Learn more about Tracy's work and programs to help you overcome your fears. Mentioned The Method Mastery Overcoming Insecure Attachment! 8 Proven Steps to Recognizing Anxious and Avoidant Attachment Styles and Building Healthier, Happier Relationships (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Connect with Tracy Crossley Websites: tracycrossley.com Facebook: facebook.com/TransformativeCoach YouTube: youtube.com/c/TracyCrossley/videos Instagram: instagram.com/tracylcrossley/?hl=en TikTok: tiktok.com/@tracylcrossley?lang=en Podcast: Freedom from Attachment Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

We all know that disagreements are an inevitable part of every relationship, but would you agree that they are not personal? According to Drs. Michael and Barbara Grossman, conflicts between partners are not personal but rather part of a healthy development process. In this episode, they share their own experiences, struggles, and attempts to figure out how to keep their relationship thriving as well as the skills they learned from different mentors that ultimately inspired them to support couples going through these transitions in their relationships. For over twenty-five years, Drs. Michael and Barbara Grossman have taught thousands of couples practical skills to create a fulfilling romantic partnership. They have made TV appearances on CBS, NBC, Fox, and CW. They share powerful secrets to having a fulfilling long-term romantic partnership with a genuine love that lasts forever through all the phases of life. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:04 What Dr. Michael and Barbara learned in their 50 years of marriage. 11:32 Understanding why our developmental paths are not on the same timeline and how that relates to the power struggle stage. 23:59 The foundation of a healthy and long-lasting romantic relationship. 30:39 How marriage has evolved over the last 150 years, as well as some important relationship skills you can learn through ballroom dancing. 38:55 Final golden nuggets of advice. Mentioned The Marriage Map: The Road to Transforming Your Marriage From Ordeal to Adventure (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The Magic of Stem Cells: Activating Your Own Healing Power: How to Avoid Surgery and Rejuvenate Your Body (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) AGELESS LOVE: The Sexy Science of Falling in Love Forever - Prescriptions for Mind, Body and Spirit (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Dr. Michael and Dr. Barbara Grossman Website: fallinginloveforever.com Facebook: facebook.com/themarriagemap YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCv5BQU8rcraNzjzsA4LxzKA Affiliate Link: fallinginloveforever.idevaffiliate.com/signup.php Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Frequencies such as WiFi and radio are all around us. Although our brains are not equipped to see or hear these, we know that they exist. In the same way, frequency, also known as lifeforce energy, runs through our bodies at all times. In this episode, Dr. Elsbeth Meuth and Freddy Zental Weaver discuss how to work consciously with the lifeforce of sexual energy as a transformational vehicle to make deeper and more meaningful connections not only in romantic relationships but also in other aspects of life. Dr. Elsbeth Meuth and Freddy Zental Weaver have assisted thousands of couples and singles create lasting intimacy and fulfillment in their life and relationships. They are featured on Showtime's documentary series Sexual Healing and the Emmy Award-winning NBC show Starting Over, best-selling authors of Sexual Enlightenment endorsed by world-renowned Spiritual Pioneer Dr. Michael Beckwith and the co-founders of TantraNova Institute in Chicago. Elsbeth and Freddy Zental are beloveds, husband & wife as well as business partners residing in Chicago. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:18 How Elsbeth and Freddy came to share their intimacy and love message. 12:38 Elsbeth's quest for fulfillment led her to the Tantric intimacy journey. 20:39 How sexual enlightenment benefit individuals and couples, and how it manifests in various areas of one's life. 25:21 Understanding how energy flows in our bodies. 50:08 Workshops and products to assist individuals and couples on their journey. 51:31 Final words of wisdom. Mentioned Sexual Enlightenment: How to Create Lasting Fulfillment in Life, Love, and Intimacy (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Sustaining Masculine Pleasure Awaken to Your Feminine Essence Secrets to Lasting Intimacy Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Dr. Elsbeth Meuth and Freddy Zental Weaver Websites: tantranova.com Facebook: facebook.com/TantraNova Twitter: twitter.com/TantraNova YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCKincrF-VHfsabcIvsbQEhQ Instagram: instagram.com/tantranova_institute LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elsbethmeuth Pinterest: pinterest.com/elsbethfreddy/tantranova Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

People who care for loved ones suffering from addiction or mental health issues are frequently labeled and even pathologized as part of the problematic and addictive cycle. Dr. Robert Weiss would like to honor, validate, and acknowledge the love and effort of these people who choose to stick around and help their loved ones get better, whether or not they are doing it correctly, because the truth is that most of us are not trained to assist someone who is dealing with these issues. In this episode, Dr. Weiss gives context for codependency and its significance around addiction, as well as the new concept of Prodependence, a less stigmatizing way of looking at and treating addicts' loved ones that is rapidly replacing this model. Robert Weiss Ph.D., LCSW is Chief Clinical Officer of Seeking Integrity LLC, working with sex, porn, and substance/sex addicted men. He is the author of 10 books, including Prodependence, Sex Addiction 101, and Out of the Doghouse. His Psychology Today blog, Love and Sex in the Digital Age, has over 20 million readers to date, and his podcast, Sex, Love, & Addiction, has more than 600,000 downloads since its inception in 2019. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 12:17 Dr. Robert Weiss and his incredible passion for educating people. 14:13 Why Dr. Weiss disagrees with the codependency model. 23:15 Codependency versus Prodependency, particularly in intimate relationships. 29:37 Recognizing people's love and effort in caring for loved ones with addiction and mental health issues. 39:30 Understanding why some people become addicted to alcohol, drugs, or whatever substance they prefer. 46:48 Why is it vital to change one's perspective when working with loved ones? 53:45 How to connect with Dr. Weiss. Mentioned Prodependence: Beyond the Myth of Codependency, Revised Edition (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Sex Addiction 101: A Basic Guide to Healing from Sex, Porn, and Love Addiction (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Out of the Doghouse: A Step-by-Step Relationship-Saving Guide for Men Caught Cheating (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication Connect with Dr. Weiss Websites: seekingintegrity.com — sexandrelationshiphealing.com Facebook: facebook.com/SexandHealing Twitter: twitter.com/robweissmsw — twitter.com/SexandHealing LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sexaddictionspecialist Podcast: Sex, Love, and Addiction Blog: Love and Sex in the Digital Age (*Psychology Today) Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Different factors, such as social, political, and cultural, influence parenting styles. While one parent may be more concerned with their child's sense of agency, whereas the other might be more attentive to their child's sense of feeling supported. These differences can pose conflicts that not only confuse children about how to behave and what to expect in response but can also destroy a marriage and a family. In this episode, Nellie Harden discusses these differences further, as well as how parents can align their parenting styles to strengthen not only their marriage but also to equip their children with the confidence, respect, and wisdom they need to go out into the world as their unique and amazing selves. Nellie is a Family Life & Leadership Coach who focuses on helping parents eliminate power struggles with their daughters and help them grow into confident, wise, and respectful young women that are actually ready for the world! She is a wife and mom to four daughters, an author, speaker, podcaster, a homeschooling parent, and an adventure chaser and believes in a life of intention and making dreams and goals realities. She knows that the best way to help the world is through one living room at a time! Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 6:20 Two significant events that awakened Nellie's sense of purpose. 13:37 The egocentric nature of children and how parents can help them have positive confidence and self-esteem. 20:23 Conflicts over parenting styles and decisions and how to deal with them. 31:47 Honoring and respecting both parents' core beliefs and getting the right balance. 38:13 How to identify and choose the right path towards growth. 42:04 Tips for strengthening family bonds. Mentioned Ignite Her Joy Workshop: 5 Steps to Grow Your Daughter's Self-Esteem During the Tween and Teen Years Map to Maturity Connect with Nellie Harden Websites: nellieharden.com Facebook: facebook.com/groups/the6570project Instagram: instagram.com/nellieharden Podcast: The 6570 Family Project Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

It's amazing how couples can function as two distinct individuals in a relationship. Maintaining your own identity while encouraging your partner's interests and personal goals is gold. On the other hand, individual independence can be toxic too. It can make you feel like you're competing with your spouse, getting into a power struggle, and everything else that comes from these two individual perspectives. In this episode, Terry Real encourages us to consider the consequences of approaching a relationship from a toxic individualism perspective and how critical it is to shift to a relational mindset as he shares some actionable steps from his new book, Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. Terry Real is an internationally recognized family therapist, speaker, and author. He founded the Relational Life Institute, offering workshops for couples, individuals, and parents, along with a professional training program for clinicians to learn his Relational Life Therapy methodology. He is the bestselling author of I Don't Want to Talk About It, How Can I Get Through to You?, and The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Know to Make Love Work. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 9:18 The inspiration behind the book, Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. 12:42 What is toxic individualism and how does it affect relationships? 20:14 How to make the transition from automatic response to conscious communication? 23:52 How to empower your relationship. 46:00 Key takeaways. Mentioned Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) I Don't Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) How Can I Get Through to You? Closing the Intimacy Gap Between Men and Women (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Know to Make Love Work (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Connect with Terry Real Websites: terryreal.com — relationallife.com Facebook: facebook.com/TerryRealRLI YouTube: youtube.com/user/TerryRealRLI/feed Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

There are a lot of moving parts in relationships, such as your background, having children, career, previous relationships, and so on. So, how can you cultivate a more secure and intimate relationship with your partner? Should you lower your standards and expectations in order to avoid disappointment? Linda Bloom strongly disagrees with this notion. In this episode, Linda talks about how she and her husband took their relationship to the next level after a five-year irreconcilable difference gridlock and how they are now helping other couples cultivate an empowered relationship. Linda Bloom, L.C.S.W., is a psychotherapist and marriage counselor who teaches relationship workshops. She is the co-author of four books including the best-selling 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married (over 100,000 copies sold). She is a regular teacher at Esalen Institute and Kripalu, with over 600 blogs on Psychology Today with over 10 million hits, and over 100 videos on her YouTube channel. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 6:45 Linda and her husband's journey to becoming an empowered couple that inspires other couples. 10:01 What true empowerment entails. 13:42 Limiting beliefs that keep people from gently and consistently co-creating a highly romantic relationship. 18:52 Lowering expectations versus encouraging one another to become their best selves. 22:37 Traits and characteristics of couples who have empowered relationships. 33:16 How to manage differences: the growth mindset. 40:45 Finding psychosocial support. Mentioned Link to 3 free e-books: An End to Arguing, The Ten Biggest Things We've Learned Since We Got Married, and Your Guide to Great Sex. 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married: Simple Lessons to Make Love Last (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Secrets of Great Marriages: Real Truth from Real Couples about Lasting Love (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Happily Ever After... and 39 Other Myths about Love: Breaking Through to the Relationship of Your Dreams (book) ERP 013: Balancing Intimacy and Autonomy in Relationship ERP 297: How to Enhance Emotional Intimacy in Your Relationship in Your Relationship – An Interview with Amber Dalsin ERP 300: How to Set Your Relationship Up for Success ERP 100: Three Building Blocks For A Conscious Intimate Relationship Shifting Criticism for Connected Communication Relationship Map To Happy, Lasting Love Connect with Linda Bloom Website: bloomwork.com Facebook: facebook.com/lindaandcharliebloom Twitter: twitter.com/bloomwork YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCV3lPZs0gRNYCTQ6vgz4Q6Q Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Conflicts are opportunities to learn more about your partner, and depending on how you handle them, they can either bring you closer together or lead to a toxic dynamic, or worse, an abusive relationship. If it's the latter, how do you determine whether to stay or leave the relationship? While some people recognize that they should leave an unhealthy relationship early on, others choose to stay. Dr. Amelia Kelley shed some light on why these people aren't making the same decision. She also discusses warning signs of abuse or potential abuse, as well as how to empower someone in an abusive relationship to stop this dynamic, find support, and heal from trauma. Dr. Amelia Kelley is a trauma-informed therapist who has conducted research on the effects of exercise on ADHD symptoms as well as the effects of resiliency on PTSD. She is a trained Hypnotherapist, Art therapist, HSP Therapist, EMDR-informed therapist, and meditation and yoga teacher. She is a presenter and writer in the "science-help" field focusing on relationships, Highly Sensitive Persons, trauma, motivation, healthy living, and adult ADHD. She is a guest podcast presenter focusing on women's issues and coping with the trauma of unhealthy relationships, as well as a coach and trainer for SAS's Work/Life Program in Cary, NC, and a resident trainer for the NC Art Therapy Institute. Her practice is also currently part of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:00 The increased domestic violence during the pandemic. 7:02 Dr. Kelley's "aha!" moment that got her interested in helping people who have experienced trauma. 9:49 Why do people react differently to trauma? 14:38 Signs of a potentially abusive person. 28:50 Significant reasons why people are unable to confront or exit this situation. 38:52 Why highly sensitive people struggle more with decision making. 42:41 How to discern whether or not you should end the relationship and where someone in an abusive relationship can find support. Mentioned What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Internal Family Systems Model (*Wikipedia) Connect with Amelia Kelley Websites: ameliakelley.com — insighttimer.com/kelleycounseling Facebook: facebook.com/DrAmeliaKelley/ Twitter: twitter.com/DrAmeliaKelley Instagram: instagram.com/drameliakelley/ Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

One of the benefits of knowing your family history is that it can help develop a strong sense of who you are, but did you know that it can also reveal some dysfunctional patterns that may be affecting your relationships? If you're having difficulties and/or feel stuck, ask yourself the following questions: What was the pattern? Who else in the family system was stuck? Am I borrowing that pattern from them? Is it costing me or serving me? What is my destiny with this pattern when I take it on? It's worth noting that if you notice patterns that you tend to replicate over and over again, it's possible that your mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, or other family members did as well. The good news is that revealing these patterns could help you stop these particular problematic patterns that have been repeated in the family for generations. In this episode, Judy Wilkins-Smith discusses Family Constellation work, a therapeutic intervention used by therapists to gain insight into a client's family history, dynamics, and potentially dysfunctional patterns, as well as some resources to help you get started on your own journey. Judy Wilkins-Smith is a highly regarded organizational, individual, and family patterns expert. A systemic executive coach, trainer, facilitator, thought partner, and motivational speaker, she has 18 years of expertise in assisting high-performance individuals, Fortune 500 executives, and legacy families to end limiting cycles and reframe challenges into lasting breakthroughs and peak performance. Passionate about visionary leadership and positive, accelerated, global change, Judy uses her ability to understand systems and patterns to create growth and success. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 10:23 Understanding what the Family Constellation is and how they affect you. 22:07 A real-life example of someone in a relationship who is repeating a similar pattern. 33:00 Discover the wow version of yourself in a practical and logical manner that you can apply and use on a daily basis. 43:48 Developing a purpose and staying on track. Mentioned Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint: A Powerful Guide to Transformation Through Disentangling Multigenerational Patterns (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Capability & Resilience DNA (Upcoming Event) Emotional DNA (Upcoming Event) Connect with Judy Wilkins-Smith Websites: judywilkins-smith.com Facebook: facebook.com/judywilkinssmith Instagram: instagram.com/judywilkinssmith/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/judywilkinssmith Youtube:youtube.com/channel/UC2deofVCmw7Fxdq866SpJbQ Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Many professionals believe that fantasy is perfectly normal and harmless. They can be a reliable source of comfort, stimulation, escape, or relief. It can also be used to address long-standing relational needs and activate unconscious feelings of loss and emptiness. Unfortunately, people who utilize sexual fantasy as a primary coping mechanism may become disconnected from reality. Fantasies can be so addictive and compelling that they impair one's ability to be present in a relationship. And that's exactly what one of our listeners has been going through. In this episode, we look at how fantasies can reveal unmet needs and how to break the cycle, increasing your chances of experiencing supportive connections that cultivate the experience of intimacy and togetherness. Here's listener B's question: "My partner and I have been in a relationship for 10+ years - he was severely depressed at the beginning of COVID lockdowns due to job loss and medical issues. Because of this, our already minor codependency habits became incredibly magnified. Taking care of him and trying to 'fix' him became my entire life, while that only resulted in him feeling more worthless. This lasted for 2 years. During that time, I would often fantasize about another life, about being with someone else (unfortunately a friend of ours took that form in my thoughts), or just being single in general. It was an escape to feel somewhat good for a moment. In the past few months, however, things have changed quite dramatically (new medications for us both, new job offers) and it's all for the better! He's made significant improvements mentally and in his commitment to our relationship as well. ...So why doesn't it feel better? I still have the fantasy thoughts even though I don't want to, and on off days when I feel anxious or depressed, I convince myself that I shouldn't keep trying and it would be kinder to him to end it (which I have tried to do twice now) I do deal with some obsessive thinking and am medicated for ADHD - but how do I break this hurtful cycle? How do I get myself to realize we're in a good spot again, and that I don't need to rely on the coping mechanisms I developed when they weren't?" Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 6:18 When does a normal fantasy become unhealthy? 13:29 How fantasies can affect your relationship. 21:17 What do your fantasies reveal about you. Mentioned Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship (book) Healthy Lust vs. Unhealthy Lust ERP 316: How to Recognize & Deal with Emotional Immaturity — An Interview with Dr. Eddie Capparucci ERP 286: How to Know If You Experience Limerence & What to Do About It – An Interview with Dr. L ERP 105: How to Deal With Limerence in Relationship Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Most of us hope to find that one true love that would stand the test of time but that is not the case for everyone. Some people jump from one relationship to the next without fully understanding why the previous ones failed in the first place. If the majority of the people you've dated turned out to be cheaters or abusers, you may be wondering what is wrong with you? Most importantly, how do you break free from these negative relational patterns? In this episode, we'll dive into understanding why you keep attracting the same type of people in your life and how you can use your past experiences as teachable moments in finding the love that you truly deserve. Natasha is the Founder of Love CEO Institute, a personal development company for women. As a recovered love addict, Natasha has seen and experienced self-doubting, a negative mindset, and an imbalance in work and life that keeps women from reaching their greatest potential. Through the development of her one-woman show, "Evolution of a Love Addict," several years of counseling, and serial entrepreneurship, Natasha turned her life around and elevated herself from love addict to Love CEO. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:10 How she became the person she wished she had 15 years ago. 14:55 A painful moment in her life that turned her into a love addict. 19:55 A new perspective on love and dating. 30:35 What exactly is love addiction, and how do you show yourself love? 36:09 What she discovered in her research that she is now applying to her new relationship. 45:42 Key pieces of advice for women who are going through the same difficulties. Mentioned Evolution of a Love Addict: A Love Affair Between the Pages Free 5-Day Self-Care Workshop Evolution of a Love Addict Connect with Natasha McCrea Websites: natashaMcCrea.com ⁠— loveceocommunity.mn.co Facebook: facebook.com/TheRealNatashaMcCrea Twitter: twitter.com/natashamccrea Instagram: instagram.com/natashamccrea Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Every relationship goes through five developmental stages. The first stage is typically the romance stage, also known as the honeymoon stage. However, as you become more acquainted with your significant other, you will begin to notice some differences between you and your partner. Then, as either of you attempts to return to the early ideal phase or pushes forward into some imagined future that neither you nor your partner agreed to, a power struggle may occur. In this episode, we'll look at each developmental stage, as well as some skills you can learn to cultivate a long-lasting relationship. Dr. Chelsea Wakefield is a couples therapist and Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where she is the Director of the Couples Center. She is a popular keynote speaker and workshop leader, trains practitioners worldwide, and offers online programs in her unique approach to relationship transformation. Dr. Wakefield is the author of three books, her recent release is entitled The Labyrinth of Love – the Path to a Soulful Relationship. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 4:53 What she learned from her parents' challenges, which resulted in their 30-year marriage ending in divorce. 8:53 Understanding the road map of intimate relationships, from enchantment to disenchantment. 14:20 Six crucial love capacities that partners must cultivate. 20:50 Recommendations for when you feel a surge of reactivity. 30:13 Communication techniques that can help people slow down. 42:35 Learn more about how Dr. Chelsea Wakefield can assist you. Mentioned The Labyrinth Of Love: The Path to a Soulful Relationship (Amazon affiliate link*) (book) Negotiating the Inner Peace Treaty: Becoming the Person You Were Born to Be (Amazon affiliate link*) (book) Ineffective Behaviors Partners Use To Cope Ellyn Bader (pdf file) Negotiating the Inner Peace Treaty: Becoming the Person You Were Born to Be The Roadmap of Intimate Relationships Challenging Choice Points for Using the Initiator-Inquirer Process What is Imago Relationship Therapy? The Dialogue Therapy Connect with Dr. Chelsea Wakefield Websites: chelseawakefield.com Facebook: facebook.com/ChelseaWakefieldPhD Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-in-the-time-of-covid/id1507998764 Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Growing up, men are taught, either directly or indirectly, that showing emotion is a sign of weakness, and that if they do, they will be mocked. Vulnerable is almost a derogatory term for men. As a result, the vast majority of men have low emotional IQ, which correlates with low relational IQ because we need that emotional component to make the relationship more vibrant and exciting. In this episode, Dr. Eddie Capparucci will elaborate the root cause of the problem behind the behaviour and how he exclusively assists men in identifying and addressing these issues. Dr. Eddie Capparucci is a licensed counselor and coach, certified in treating Problematic Sexual Behaviors, and is the creator of the Inner Child Model for the treatment of sex/porn addiction. Eddie has worked with professional athletes and television personalities. He is the author of several books including Going Deeper: How the Inner Child Impacts Your Sexual Addiction and Why Men Struggle to Love: Overcoming Relational Blind Spots. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:24 Dr. Eddie Capparucci's inspiration in helping men with problematic sexual behaviors. 11:24 The correlation between low emotional IQ and low relational IQ. 12:52 The root of all addiction. 15:55 Encouraging men to identify and express their emotions. 17:49 What causes character defects and how to deal with them. 28:41 The blind spots that prevent men from bonding emotionally. 33:51 How he is helping men explore their unresolved childhood pain points. 41:50 Hide and Lie. 44:56 Resources and tools to help men. Mentioned Going Deeper: How the Inner Child Impacts Your Sexual Addiction: The Road to Recovery Goes Through Your Childhood Paperback (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Why Men Struggle to Love: Overcoming Relational Blind Spots *Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Connect with Dr. Eddie Capparucci Websites: innerchild-sexaddiction.com, strugglingmen.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/capparucci Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Sexual infidelity is one of the biggest issues in long-term relationships and failing to address it will only make the problem worse. Most people find sexual communication difficult. It's easy to believe that we can't do it because we just don't have the necessary resources to do so. We understand the importance of communication, but how do we become more comfortable with it? In this episode, Dr. Tara teaches us how to boost sexual communication comfort as she shares her personal journey from several monogamous relationships and unfulfilling sex to being a sexually powerful woman. Dr. Tara is a tenured professor of relational and sexual communication at California State University Fullerton, an award-winning researcher, a relationship coach at luvbites.co, and a podcast host at Luvbites by Dr. Tara. She recently gave a TEDx Talk titled Become Sexually Powerful that highlights her 5,000-participant study examining factors that predict sexual satisfaction, and her journey from a sexually anxious girl from Thailand to a sexually confident woman. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:02 Her transition from being a sexually anxious girl into a sexually powerful woman. 13:16 The two sides of sexual communication. 18:08 Why do people engage in affairs rather than fix their sexual undesirable issues and how important is sexual communication. 24:28 Dr. Tara's top five favorite sexual communication practices. 35:09 Our need for affectionate touch explained. Mentioned Become Sexually Powerful ERP 314: How To Work Through The Complexities Of Sexual Desire In Relationship — An Interview Martha Kauppi Luvbites by Dr. Tara (*podcast) The Outlander Series Connect with Dr. Tara Websites: luvbites.co TikTok: tiktok.com/@luvbites.co LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tarasuwin YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCrbW6PCKjgcxkq3dTvjjeyQ Instagram: instagram.com/luvbites.co Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Most of us know something about reproductive health yet almost nobody knows anything about pleasure. Pleasure is frequently associated with sex and like sex, it's an uncomfortable subject to discuss for a lot of people. But it is so much more than that. In this episode, we cover some of the reasons why we don't experience pleasure in our lives and how to work through these complexities of sexual desire in your relationships as Martha Kauppi creates a safe learning environment for this delicate subject. Martha Kauppi is a marriage and family therapist, educator, author, speaker, and AASECT-certified sex therapist and supervisor. She has a lifelong career in health and sexuality and is a senior trainer of the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy. Martha trains therapists all over the world to work more effectively with relational intimacy challenges and sex issues. She is the author of the groundbreaking new book Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients). (Self-help manual for Strong emotional intimacy.) Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:04 Martha's desire to educate therapists about sex issues. 14:13 How to enter a space where desire could flourish without feeling stuck in it. 17:17 How multiple systems work together and align in order for desire to happen and thrive. 23:01 Creating a safe haven for creative curiosity, flexibility, and connection. 35:35 Scheduled sex versus goal-oriented sex. 37:49 Some helpful resources to learn more about sexual desires. Mentioned Handling Sexual Challenges Like A Rockstar Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients) (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) ERP 287: How To Engage in the Art of Giving and Receiving: Using the Wheel of Consent — An Interview with Dr. Betty Martin Connect with Martha Kauppi Websites: instituteforrelationalintimacy.com Facebook: facebook.com/martha.kauppi LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/institute-for-relational-intimacy YouTube: youtube.com/c/MarthaKauppiLMFTIRI Instagram: instagram.com/martha_kauppi Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Are you one of the three Americans who have a step relationship today? Demographers expect that one out of every two Americans will be in a step relationship at some point in their lives. It's not easy being a part of a blended family. There are way too many factors to take into account. In fact, external step-family-related variables generate a high divorce rate in the US. It might be a lengthy and difficult process, but it is not impossible to succeed with the right mindset, guidance, and resources. And that's exactly what Ron Deal discusses in this episode. We'll go over what to expect, what activities you can do, resources, and advice for raising a healthy blended family. Ron L. Deal is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is Director of FamilyLife Blended® for FamilyLife®, founder of Smart Stepfamilies™, and the author and Consulting Editor of the Smart Stepfamily Series of books including the bestselling Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages® and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (with Dr. Gary Chapman), The Smart Stepfamily: 7 Steps to a Healthy Family, and Preparing to Blend. Ron is a licensed marriage and family therapist, popular conference speaker, and host of the FamilyLife Blended podcast. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:38 Ron's motivation for a career in marriage and family therapy. 13:00 What you need to know about blended families. 19:55 A visual map to help you navigate the blended family territory. 36:06 Some growth activities that you can try. 45:04 How to get smart and guide your family forward in the right direction. Mentioned Preparing to Blend: The Couple's Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) FamilyLife Blended® Podcast Connect with Ron Deal Website: familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families Facebook: facebook.com/familylifeministry Twitter: twitter.com/familylifetoday YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC7WmdqnETL3gCmWruBF0tpQ Instagram: instagram.com/familylifeinsta Pinterest: pinterest.com/familylifeministry Website: smartstepfamilies.com Facebook: facebook.com/SmartStepfamilies Twitter: twitter.com/RonLDeal YouTube: youtube.com/user/FamilyLifeBlended Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Sex is an expression of our love and passion with our significant other but over time our desire for it tends to fade away. According to Esther Perel, what makes sex really hot is the mystery. However, when we enter long-term partnerships, we lose that mystery. We understand the importance of maintaining sex in a long-term relationship, yet it's frequently a taboo subject to discuss. So, in this episode, Emily Pereira will share her story, knowledge, and effective practices that foster openness and transformation that can lead to a more intimate relationship. Emily Pereira is an International retreat leader, yoga teacher, and women's coach —coined by her clients as the "Relationship Whisperer". After 13 years of intensive and extensive spiritual training and exploration, she has amassed a treasure trove of astonishing wisdom + powerful practices. She's used these to heal her own love story and transform her life. Over the years, she's had the honor of helping hundreds of women ignite their intimate, heart-thumping, passionate, I got-your-back-no-matter-what love, and build the family and lifestyle of their dreams. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 4:48 The inspiration behind Emily's desire for helping couples rekindle their intimate relationships. 9:47 The importance of creating a new version of yourself that you can bring back to the relationship. 17:21 How to overcome the fear of trying something new. 19:50 Advice for people who don't even know what they want sexually. 38:20 About the programs that Emily offers to help couples ignite their intimate relationships with their partners. Mentioned The Quest (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) Legendary Lovership The Quest for Love Academy 7 Day Goddess Cleanse Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence by Esther Perel (*Amazon affiliate link) (book) Connect with Emily Pereira Websites: emilypereira.com/about Facebook: facebook.com/bethebeginner Instagram: instagram.com/emily_begins Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Many people have this fairy tale view of love in which there is always passion, a lot of sex and everything feels wonderful. It may appear that way at the start of the relationship but once the infatuation stage wears off, the reality sets in. You'll then realize your partner isn't as perfect as you thought. So, what comes next? In this episode, Kimberly Holmes gives an in-depth explanation of the three components of love and the four stages of the love path, as well as some actionable steps you can take to keep the fire burning in your relationship. Kimberly Beam Holmes has applied her master's degree in psychology for over 10 years, acting as the CEO of Marriage Helper & CEO and Host of her own podcast, It Starts with Attraction, being a wife and mother herself, and researching the ways that attraction affects people personally and the relationships that they hold dear. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in psychology. Kimberly lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband, Rob, and two beautiful children from India. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 4:13 Kimberly defines love and talks about a framework to falling in love. 6:04 The three components of love. 10:00 What happens when infatuation or limerence wears off? 17:47 How to overcome the power struggle stage. 25:27 How do you build commitment in a relationship. 30:05 What you should intentionally focus on as a couple when life tries to pull you apart. 34:00 How to cultivate strong attachment? 44:14 How they're helping couples save their struggling relationships at Marriage Helper. Mentioned Triangular theory of love by Robert Sternberg (*Wikipedia) It Starts With Attraction (*Apple Podcast) Couples Turnaround Workshop mini-course Connect with Kimberly Holmes Websites: marriagehelper.com/kimberly-holmes Twitter: twitter.com/marriagehelper (7.4k followers) YouTube: youtube.com/c/MarriageHelper/videos (170k subscribers) Instagram: instagram.com/marriagehelper (11.4k followers) Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Falling in love is human nature. The moment you are born and see your mother, you form a bond, and that is love. But if falling in love is that easy, why are there so many failed relationships? In this episode, we'll look into unhealthy relationship experiences, things that we have learned in the past that we tend to repeat in our relationships over and over again. Although these are part of who we are, the good news is that there is something we can do about it. Dr. Thomas Jordan discusses how we can unlearn these unhealthy habits and stop these vicious cycles. Dr. Thomas Jordan has helped thousands of individuals and couples enjoy more fulfilling relationships and experience more satisfying, longer-lasting love lives as a psychotherapist for the past 33 years. He is the author of a breakthrough book Learn To Love: Guide to Healing Your Disappointing Love Life. Dr. Jordan specializes in the treatment of chronic love life problems and founded the educational resource Love Life Learning Center in 2012. In 2017 he launched the Healthy Love Life Seminar, leading love life educational seminars with his wife, a psychotherapist, Victoria Jordan, LCSW. He resides and practices in the Upper West Side of New York City. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 3:49 Three reasons that got Dr. Jordan interested in helping couples and individuals in their love lives. 17:27 Unhealthy relationship experiences that people tend to replicate in their relationships. 22:41 How our experiences and the after-effects influence our love life. 25:51 An overview of the 3-step unlearning method. 40:13 Dr. Jordan defines what a psychological love life is. Mentioned Learn to Love: Guide to Healing Your Disappointing Love Life (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) ERP 238: How to Find Your Emotional Balance in Relationship Take Him To Court For Child Support? How To Live Without Love In Your Life? Connect with Dr. Thomas Jordan Websites: lovelifelearningcenter.com Facebook: facebook.com/Dr.ThomasJordan/?ref=tn_tnmn Twitter: twitter.com/LLLearningCtr Instagram: instagram.com/lovelifelearningcenter LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drthomasjordan Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

We are all shaped and informed by our childhood experiences, and these experiences undoubtedly influence how we show up in our relationships. And, while our childhood is a part of who we are, it does not bind us to these limiting beliefs and relational models. In this episode, we discuss how we can manage our thoughts and change the stories that we tell ourselves. We'll look at Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and how it can help you communicate more effectively and ultimately help us create newfound habits. Passionate about empowering others to succeed, as a Breakthrough Impostor Syndrome Coach, Linda Bonnar works with high-performing executives to ignite their self-confidence, maximize their potential and be the leaders they were born to be. Combining her fourteen years of experience in education with her wealth of professional coach accreditations, Linda provides business executives and organizations with an outstanding personalized coaching service that educates, empowers, and encourages powerful, successful change through action. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:14 How childhood and growing up experiences impact your communication style. 14:54 What helped Linda change her narrative about her husband and previous beliefs. 24:33 The huge difference between being assertive and being aggressive. 27:19 How Linda is helping people with her coaching. 34:36 Things to be aware of and skills you need to learn. Mentioned Just Three Things: Bite-size ways to transform your life (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) ERP 248: How to Negotiate Skillfully to Reach a Win-Win in Relationship – An Interview with Juliet Grayson ERP 238: How to Find Your Emotional Balance in Relationship ERP 036: How to Offer the Gift of Listening Shift Criticism Into Connected Communication Course by Dr. Jessica Higgins Connect with Linda Bonnar Website: lindabonnar.com Facebook: facebook.com/groups/1395615284019836 Instagram: instagram.com/lindabonnar_lifecoaching LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/linda-bonnar-pcc-coach-87374689 Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Do you have to keep reminding your partner to take out the trash or put away the laundry? Well, you are not alone and it can be frustrating when you expect them to do something but they don't. As a result, you'd react negatively, and they'd respond negatively, resulting in a downward spiral that leads to a power struggle. In this episode, Christal Allen brings to light how decoding expectations can empower you in creating ease and fulfillment in your relationship by changing how you show up in the relationship rather than waiting for the other person to change. Christal Allen is an accomplished businesswoman, certified coach, and has a relatable down-to-earth vibe that makes you feel safe and cared for. Christal believes that women can change their relationships, household, and environments by how they carry themselves, believe in themselves and care for themselves mentally. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 4:32 An overview of Christal's work. 7:20 The human tendency to focus on what is negatively affecting and how this manifests itself in a relationship. 15:58 The downward spiral that leads to power struggles. 29:01 How Christal is helping couples shift their paradigm. 42:09 A few examples of how this process helped couples in their relationships. Mentioned Free 2-minute Quiz to find out "What Kind of Wife or Girlfriend You Are" Shift Criticism Into Connected Communication Course by Dr. Jessica Higgins Connect with Christal Allen Website: christalallen.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christal-allen-harrahill-0982b296/?trk=pulse-article_main-author-card Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachchristal/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeCoachChristal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/christalallen Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Everyone learns about money differently and these differences shape our perspective on it. And because it's closely linked to our safety and security, it makes it difficult to discuss. However, despite how awkward it may feel, financial conversations are extremely important in relationships. In this episode, we'll talk about starting a safe conversation with our partner about our finances and how it affects our relationships. We'll delve into understanding the deeper psychological processes to minimize arguments over money and level up the love in your relationship. Ed Coambs, MBA, CFP, CFT, is an internationally recognized thought leader in financial therapy, who has been cited by the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, and Time. He leads couples from financial despair and frustration into financial intimacy and connection using the latest in love and brain science. He earned master's degrees in business, counseling, and financial planning. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified financial planner, and certified financial therapist. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:03 How the guys from his workplace and his relationship with his wife inspired Ed to explore financial intimacy. 13:31 How to prepare for a safe conversation about money with your partner. 21:10 Understanding attachment styles and multi-generation attachment and developing a new internal representation of safety and security. Mentioned The Healthy Love & Money Way: How the Four Attachment Styles Impact Your Financial Well-Being (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The Couples Guide To Financial Intimacy Connect with Ed Coambs Websites: healthyloveandmoney.com/home LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/healthyloveandmoney Facebook: facebook.com/healthyloveandmoney Instagram: instagram.com/healthyloveandmoney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healthyloveandmoney Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Fewer and fewer people are opting to get married as time passes by. Is marriage outdated? According to Marcia Naomi Berger, absolutely not. However, marriage has changed. In this episode, we'll talk about how marriage has changed over the years and why so many marriages fail. We'll discuss some myths and expectations around finding the right partner and we'll delve deeper into understanding the benefits of being marriage-minded and some tips in creating this wonderful connection with you and your partner and so much more. Marcia Naomi Berger, MSW, LCSW, leads dynamic marriage and communication workshops, is a popular speaker at conferences, a clinical social worker with a private psychotherapy practice, and has taught continuing education classes for therapists at the University of California Berkeley Extension, Alliant International University, and various professional associations. She's the author of Marriage Minded: An A to Z Dating Guide for Lasting Love and Marriage Meetings for Lasting Love: 30 Minutes a Week to the Relationship You've Always Wanted. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:08 The crying need for people to learn how to have good relationships skills and create good marriages. 8:05 How has marriage changed over the years. 11:02 What makes a good marriage? 13:55 Myths and expectations that get in the way of a good marriage 16:48 What men think about marriage and what keeps some women from finding the right person to marry. 18:52 The benefits of being marriage-minded. 20:50 Marcia's advice to those who have lost their passion in marriage. 26:11 Tips for keeping the fun alive when there are so many demands. 29:29 How can people recognize and overcome what's getting in the way of a good marriage. 36:13 The Marriage Meeting framework. Mentioned Marriage Minded: An A to Z Dating Guide for Lasting Love (book) (*Amazon affiliate link) The Marriage Meeting Program: A Strengths-Based Approach for Successful Relationships Marriage Meetings for Lasting Love: 30 Minutes a Week to the Relationship You've Always Wanted (book) (*Amazon affiliate link) Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love (book) (*Amazon affiliate link) ERP 252: How to Deal with Sexual Performance Anxieties - An Interview with Dr. Ian Kerner Connect with Marcia Naomi Berger Website marcianaomiberger.com Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Our brains are hardwired to seek pleasure and avoid pain and that's what's been keeping us alive. However, that's a problem in this day and age where we have an overabundance of highly potent and reinforcing drugs at the tip of a finger. As a result, there's been a significant increase in the percentage of anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric problems as we are constantly seeking pleasure. In this episode, we'll learn what's happening in our neurobiology as we seek comfort in a dopamine-rewarding behavior as well as what happens when we learn to tolerate some discomfort. Understanding how our brains work will be extremely beneficial as we consider our personal development and relationships. Anna Lembke, MD, is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she has published more than a hundred peer-reviewed papers and she sits on the board of several state and national addiction-focused organizations. Her new book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence explores how to moderate compulsive overconsumption in a dopamine overloaded world. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:04 Understanding how we develop tendencies for seeking pleasure and overconsumption. 16:06 How social media, other technology, and even food contribute to these tendencies. 18:48 Our propensity to notice the behavior. 24:34 How to start a healthy balance between pain and pleasure. 30:15 Some real-life examples of tolerating the discomfort and its benefits. Mentioned Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence (book) (*Amazon affiliate link) Stanford marshmallow experiment Connect with Dr. Anna Lembke Website annalembke.com Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

When we talk about mothers, qualities like nurturing, caring, and compassion always come to mind. Mothers are also known for putting everybody else's needs first and theirs last. And for many years, there's been a notion that mothering is a woman's natural role but as it turns out, we all mother regardless of gender and whether or not we have kids. In this episode, we discuss mothering with emphasis on the concept of self-mothering and how this can support us internally, which can essentially result in having better relationships with our partners. Dr. Gertrude Lyons is a professional life coach who is focused on exploring, demystifying, and democratizing the maternal power that lies within all women. She believes that motherhood is a transformational journey that all women can take with or without children and together, we can start a new conversation around modern motherhood. Dr. Lyons is the Lead Faculty member, Senior Life Coach and Director of Family Programs for The Wright Foundation for the Realization of Human Potential. Through her work, she inspires people to take control of their own personal transformations. She has made it her mission to challenge traditional notions of mothering by facilitating raw, open conversations around mothering, womanhood, and parenthood that no one else is having. She has spent the last 19 years empowering individuals, couples, parents, and families to bring out their best selves through helping them realize meaningful, successful lives, with the aim of bringing new perspectives on personal transformation to as many people as possible. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 6:25 What is self-mothering? 11:31 How she rediscovered herself which ultimately got her interested in diving deeper into self-mothering. 16:27 The purpose of self-mothering. 23:59 How self-mothering looks like in men. 33:19 The deeper inner work: self-validated intimacy. 41:51 Some ways to start self-mothering. Mentioned Society of Femininity in Action Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships (book) Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick (YouTube video) Dr. Jessica Higgins, Psychologist, Relationship & Transformational Coach (Google Review) Connect with Dr. Gertrude Lyons Website drgertrudelyons.com Facebook facebook.com/gertrude.lyons.3 Instagram instagram.com/drgertrudelyon LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/gertrudelyons/ Podcast mot(HER) with Dr. Gertrude Lyons Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

In this episode, we'll discuss an often overlooked skill that is so simple yet has a significant impact on how we negotiate relationships. We'll also talk about some tools and practices that can help us turn our disagreements into meaningful connections with our partners. Dr. Harville Hendricks and Dr. Helen Hunt are co-creators of Imago Relationship Therapy, and a social movement called Safe Conversations. Internationally respected as couple's therapist, educators, speakers, activist, and New York Times bestselling authors. Their 10 books, including the timeless classic Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples, have sold more than 4 million copies. Harville appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show 17 times! Helen has been installed in the Women's Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian Institute. The list goes on and on. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 3:56 What safe conversation is and why it's important in building a healthy relationship. 12:58 How these safe conversations in the Imago Dialogue process help the relational culture. 28:19 Simple practices to remind us to value our partners, that they matter, and that we adore them. 39:13 The structure of the Imago Dialogue process: mirroring, validating, and empathizing. 42:54 What the on-duty, off-duty days are and how Helen and Harville use this method to make sure that they are connected when they go to bed. Mentioned Imago Relationship Therapy Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples Helen LaKelly Hunt - National Women's Hall of Fame Meet a Philanthropist - A Conversation With Helen LaKelly Hunt | National Museum of American History The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick Doing Imago Relationship Therapy in the Space-Between: A Clinician's Guide Connect with Harville and Helen Websites: Harville and Helen and Safe Conversations Facebook: facebook.com/harvilleandhelen Twitter: twitter.com/HarvilleHelen YouTube: Harville Hendrix & Helen LaKelly Hunt Instagram: instagram.com/harvilleandhelen/ Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Just like Roy, some people jump from one relationship to another because they believe that the right person is going to fix their relationship challenges. What they don't realize is that they are just avoiding the pain. Eventually, they get hurt all over again and look for another relationship to fill the void. In this episode, Roy talks about self-sabotage in relationships, how that happens, and some tips to overcome them. Roy Biancalana is a certified relationship coach and a nationally recognized expert in the field of attraction and conscious relationships and is the host of the Attracting Lasting Love Podcast. Along with being a frequent TV analyst, Roy is the author of three number one best-selling books, the latest of which is Relationship Bootcamp: Hard-Core Training for Life, Love & the Pursuit of Intimacy. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 3:46 Roy's takeaways from failed relationships and limiting beliefs about love. 24:04 An illustration of self-sabotage and how a coach can help you become more self-aware. 27:42 Roy's seven relationship muscles for a healthy and sustainable connection. 34:12 A few pointers on how to change your mindset and overcome self-sabotage. 43:21 A relationship fitness test to evaluate yourself and how Roy can further assist you to get in great relationship shape. Mentioned The Attracting Lasting Love Podcast RELATIONSHIP BOOTCAMP: Hard-Core Training for Life, Love & the Pursuit of Intimacy book The Relationship Fitness Test Connect with Roy Biancalana Website: coachingwithroy.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachingwithroy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/coachingwithroy/ Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

How do couples draw the line between business and romantic relationships? Managing a business is a powerful force that can take over the family in so many ways and have a significant impact on the marriage. It's a lot to take in and simply unavoidable. Unlike couples who are not negotiating business, it is critical to provide additional support to couples who are doing business and building a relationship under the same roof. In this episode, we'll talk about entrepreneur couples and what they're up against. Dr. Ellyn Bader shares some real-life examples as well as some tools to help navigate these challenges. Dr. Ellyn Bader is a psychotherapist and one of the early founders of couples therapy, as well as a recognized thought leader and trailblazer in relationship therapy worldwide. Through her informal research and thousands of sessions, Ellyn co-created the Developmental Model, a revolutionary approach to couples therapy that is highly adaptable to the complex needs of two people growing, changing, and staying connected in a relationship. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 5:37 Ellyn talks about the first-hand experiences that inspired her to help couples negotiate business and couplehood. 8:09 How to manage couple-time that is off-limits for business talk. 13:14 Six skills for living, loving, and working together: 14:46 Commitment. 19:38 Appreciation. 25:17 Negotiation. 32:34 Decision Making. 44:06 Where to find more information on Ownership and Roles with authority. Mentioned Peter Pearson, Ph.D., Emeritus The Daily Double 30-Day Challenge The CANDOR Solution: The Entrepreneur's Marriage Blueprint Couples as a Team The Developmental Model Entrepreneurs Marriage Intensive Connect with Dr. Ellyn Bader The Couples Institute website Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

To commemorate the 300th episode of the Empowered Relationship Podcast here's a special episode for you all! Since the premiere episode in 2015, our goal has been to help people feel more prepared and, as a result, set their relationships up for success by encouraging them to invest in the strength of their connection rather than second-guessing their partner choice. Learn how couples can shift into safer, more positive, and more connected patterns of relating as she discusses key findings out of a landmark relationship science study that was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which was first-authored by Samantha Joel. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 08:08 What constitutes a successful relationship, and why do some relationships thrive more than others? 16:06 Top relationship characteristics that most accurately predict a person's happiness. 30:00 Five personal attributes that can help predict a person's happiness. Mentioned A landmark study shows what makes a successful relationship Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies Dr. Susan Johnson's website Gottman Institute Julie Gottman's wikipedia page Samantha Joel's citations on Google Scholar Podcast Rocket's website ERP 297: How to Enhance Emotional Intimacy in Your Relationship – An Interview with Amber Dalsin ERP 274: How Increasing Relationship Love & Health Can Impact Borderline Personality Disorder – An Interview with Gabrielle Usatynski ERP 169: What to Do When Depression Takes Hold in Your Relationship, with Dr. Susan Heitler ERP 166: How Perfectionism And Depression Affect You And Your Relationship – with Dr. Margaret Rutherford ERP 015: Do You Have a "Unity" or "Journey" Mindset In Relationship? Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

When confronted with situations that make us feel distressed, it's so easy to project those feelings onto others, and sometimes we don't even realize why we are feeling that way. This can be caused by deeply ingrained childhood beliefs that we might not be aware of. If left unaddressed, these can interfere with our ability to show our authentic selves to our partners. In this episode, Beth Miller shares how she overcame extreme anxiety and depression and how that transformed her personal and marital life. She explains how understanding your inner child leads to a deeper understanding of your relationship conflicts and so much more. Beth Miller is the founder of Soulify Wellness, a marriage coach, a teacher of psychology, and consulting hypnotist. She has coached many women who are on the verge of divorce and helped them transform their marriages into relationships filled with mutual love, connection, and support. One of her secret weapons is Hypno-journeying, a deep meditation that's rooted in psychology, and neuroscience. It helps women release beliefs that are keeping them stuck in relationship struggles. And while Beth focuses a lot of her work on supporting women, I do believe these principles are very applicable to however you identify in your gender. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 3:35 How Beth's brain bleed affected her marriage and what she did to save it that ultimately led to her journey of helping other wives with their relationships, too. 10:11 Using hypnosis to recognize triggers and how accessing your subconscious helps you heal from deep-rooted issues inside you. 17:16 How understanding your inner child can help solidify your marriage. 21:38 The beautiful transformation that can happen once you start addressing the root causes of your problems. Mentioned 3 Ways to Save Your Marriage True You Connect with Beth Miller Website Soulify Wellness Facebook facebook.com/soulifywellness Instagram instagram.com/soulifywellness Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Most of us are familiar with non-verbal communication being upwards of 80% of all communication and part of that is facial expressions. In this episode, Dan Hill talks about his journey and 20 years of experience in facial decoding. Learn about the seven core emotions and how facial decoding can be a useful tool in navigating intimate relationships. Dan Hill is an internationally recognized expert on the role of emotions and business, politics, sports, popular culture, and one's personal relationships. Among his 9 books, is Famous Faces Decoded: A Guidebook for Reading Others, which uses celebrities' examples to promote emotional literacy and the 23 facial expressions that reveal seven core emotions. Dan's TV appearances have included ABC's "Good Morning, America," NBC's "The Today Show," CNN, Fox, MSNBC, and front-page coverage and the New York Times. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 4:18 How Dan Hill's fascination with brain science led him to pioneering facial decoding in market research 20 years ago. 14:54 The 7 core emotions. 19:25 How facial decoding helps navigate intimate relationships. 30:11 Identifying contempt through facial expressions. 32:27 The upside and downside of anger. 39:25 About surprise and how this can be helpful in a relationship? 43:07 How fear or sadness can be fatal when it comes to communication. 46:38 What to do if you feel threatened. Mentioned Famous Faces Decoded: A Guidebook for Reading Others (*Amazon Link) Dan Hill's EQ Spotlight Gottman Love Lab Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution Plutchik's Color Wheel of Emotions Tell all the truth but tell it to slant by Emily Dickinson ERP 261: How to Strengthen Your Relationship from a Polyvagal Perspective, an Interview with Stephen Porges Connect with Dan Hill Website Sensory Logic Facebook facebook.com/Emotionswizard/ Instagram instagram.com/emotionswizard/ LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/dan-hill-emotionswizard/ Twitter twitter.com/EmotionsWizard Youtube channel Sensory Logic Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

According to research, women are the primary initiators of divorce, with emotional intimacy being the most significant factor. In the early stages of a relationship, you may feel that intense sense of connection even without emotional intimacy because of the dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and pheromones making everything seem to be in perfect harmony. However, as time passes by, these neurotransmitters diminish. In this episode, we'll dive into understanding what emotional intimacy is as Amber Dalsin talks about her personal journey — from someone who craves connection into a love that she never thought was possible. Learn about the 7 key components of emotional intimacy and the different ways of cultivating this beautiful connection that can stand the test of time. Amber Dalsin is a licensed psychologist and couples therapist. She has delivered over 10,000 hours of One-on-One therapy services and has given professional talks to over 28,000 participants. Her mission is to help couples create intimate, loving, peaceful, and long-lasting relationships. Check out the transcript to this episode in Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 7:43 What sparked Amber's interest in helping individuals with Couplehood. 11:33 The 7 pillars of emotional intimacy. 21:33 What stands in the way of helping people create emotional intimacy. 31:04 How to identify emotional intimacy problems and assess whether or not they are fixable. 34:25 Simple things you could do to spice up your relationship. 42:31 Gender stereotypes and how these might relate to emotional intimacy. Mentioned The Gottman Institute 5 Love Languages The 6-second kiss & the 20-second hug Mini-Course: Emotional Intimacy Blueprint Connect with Amber DalsinWebsite Ember Relationship Psychology Facebook Ember Relationship Psychology Instagram Ember Relationship Psychology Pinterest Ember Relationship Psychology | Couples Therapy Podcast Relationship Psych | Love | Marriage | Conflict | Psychology Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

In the spur of the moment, a simple argument can go out of hand if we focus on proving that we are right rather than seeking to understand our partner's emotional needs. We basically just listen so we can rebut. Whilst it does seem to be clever, it is not the same as understanding. So, what can we do to change that? Shari Foos dives into what Relational Mindfulness is and how we can apply it to create meaningful connections in both romantic and non-romantic relationships. Shari Foos is a licensed marriage and family therapist and creator of The Narrative Method. She holds an MA in clinical psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles, and a Master's in Science in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University. A sought-after expert on the subject of relationship and meaningful connection, Foos' writing and commentary have appeared in a range of online and print publications including Real Simple, Huffington Post, Women's Health, KBLA, Fatherly, LA Weekly, and Bustle. Check out the transcript to this episode in Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 04:53 Shari explains what Relational Mindfulness means. 09:06 Steps that you can do to regulate your nervous system enough to suspend and to engage in this practice. 26:17 Shari elaborates on The Narrative Method. 41:16 How to connect with Shari. Mentioned 10 Tactics for Finding Happiness During Times of Isolation and Loneliness On Becoming and Being a Mother by Shari Foos Connect with Shari Foos Website: The Narrative Method Facebook: facebook.com/thenarrativemethod Instagram: instagram.com/thenarrativemethod LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thenarrativemethod Twitter: twitter.com/NarrativeMethod Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Research shows that practicing mindfulness helps reduce stress, anxiety, lowers blood pressure and improves sleep. If we make it a habit, aside from our mental and physical health, it can also improve every aspect of our lives. Can mindfulness improve our relationships, too? The answer is yes and in this episode, Caroline Welch talks about its benefits, some tips in incorporating it into our daily lives and so much more. Caroline Welch is the CEO and co-founder, with Dr. Dan Siegel, of the Mindsight Institute in Santa Monica, California. She began her mindfulness practice forty years ago while working in Japan as an English teacher. Welch's book "The Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women" has been widely acclaimed. Caroline offers lectures and workshops on the power of mindfulness to enhance well-being in our personal and professional lives including its role in supporting racial and gender equity. Stay tuned and learn how mindfulness can play a big role in bringing you and your partner closer! Check out the transcript to this episode in Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode: 5:14 Caroline's definition of mindfulness and how it started for her. 7:19 Some real-life examples of mindfulness. 12:54 Why is mindfulness important. 16:24 Features of mindfulness. 26:52 Understanding the 3 Ps: Purpose, Pivoting, Pacing. Mentioned Mindsight Institute website The Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women book (*Amazon Link) Guided Mindfulness Meditation Practices with Jon Kabat Zinn website The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer book (*Amazon Link) What Kind of Woman: Poems by Kate Baer book (*Amazon Link) John O'Donohue's website Life on Purpose by Victor J. Strecher: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything book (*Amazon Link) Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin Neff book (*Amazon Link) The Guest House poem by Jalaluddin Rumi Connect with Caroline Welch Website: carolinewelch.com Facebook: facebook.com/carolinewelchauthor Instagram: instagram.com/carolinewelchauthor Twitter: twitter.com/CarolineWauthor Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Friction and differences are breeding grounds for real conflicts, especially for couples. Because of one's environment, upbringing, situation, and other factors, we develop different personalities which can all contribute to our reactive patterns and biases. Personality is such a complex psychological concept but what if we can bring understanding to what's going on? See where these perspectives are coming from? That would be a real game-changer! Beatrice Chestnut, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist coach and business consultant based in San Francisco, and Uranio Paes, MBA is a world-renowned Enneagram teacher and business consultant. They are the founders of Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy and the hosts of the Enneagram 2.0 Podcast. They are also the authors of the forthcoming book, The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up: Find Your Path, Face Your Shadow, Discover Your True Self. In their work around the world, Beatrice and Urano focus on using the Enneagram as a tool for personal and professional transformation. In this episode, they briefly talk about the nine personality types in the Enneagram, the habitual patterns around these types, and essentially how this can be a powerful tool in improving relationships. Check out the transcript to this episode in Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode: 5:59 What's the Enneagram and what makes it so powerful 9:28 How the Enneagram can help with our relationships and how we interact with other personality types 10:37 Why it's recommended to get explicit and talk about it in couplehood 14:19 An overview of the nine types 33:35 Finding your type 42:25 About Enneagram Academy and other professional workshops they offer Mentioned The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up: Find Your Path, Face Your Shadow, Discover Your True Self (*Amazon Link) Enneagram 2.0 with Beatrice Chestnut and Uranio Paes The Enneagram Academy Connect with Beatrice Chestnut Website: beatricechestnut.com Facebook: facebook.com/beatricechestnutphd Instagram: instagram.com/beatrice.chestnut LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/beatrice-chestnut-0493602/ Connect with Uranio Paes Facebook: facebook.com/uranio.paes Instagram: instagram.com/uraniopaes/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ur%C3%A2nio-paes-624129 Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins Twitter: @DrJessHiggins Website: drjessicahiggins.com Email: [email protected] If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here. Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here. Thank you! *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.