Ep 368 The Hard Work of Staying Together: Tarah & EJ’s Story

In this vulnerable and powerful episode, Zach is joined by Tarah and EJ Kerwin, a married therapist duo and co-founders of Relationship Renovation, a counseling center and podcast dedicated to helping couples reconnect and rebuild. With honesty, warmth, and even some tears, Tarah and EJ take us behind the scenes of their own marriage—from honeymoon bliss to total overwhelm, from avoidance and trauma to healing and deep emotional presence.

They share how the birth of their twins shifted their entire dynamic, how ketamine-assisted therapy helped Tarah reconnect with forgotten trauma, and how they both committed to doing the inner work to stay together, grow together, and model safety for their blended family.

This episode is a window into the real, raw, and redemptive process of building a resilient marriage, even when both partners are therapists.

Key Takeaways

The Before & After of Parenting

• Going from 0 to 4 kids (including twins with colic) rocked their nervous systems—and their connection.
• The honeymoon phase disappeared overnight, and they had to rebuild their emotional infrastructure from scratch.

Healing Through Ketamine Therapy

• A supervised ketamine protocol opened the door for deep trauma processing, revealing forgotten abuse and emotional blockages.
• It became a turning point for compassion, communication, and reconnection in their marriage.

Authenticity Over Perfection

• As therapists, they felt pressure to “walk the talk,” but real healing came when they dropped the performance and embraced their own messy growth.
• “The best marriages aren’t perfect—they’re honest and evolving.”

Relearning Safety Together

• Tarah’s trauma responses affected their intimacy and communication, and EJ had to learn not to retreat during conflict.
• Over time, they created a marriage where all parts of themselves could show up and be seen.

The Power of Staying

• Instead of giving up, they chose to double down—on themselves, their love, and their mission to help others.
• Their counseling center now helps hundreds of couples every week, born from the lessons of their hardest moments.

Guest Info

Tarah & EJ Kerwin

Podcast: Relationship Renovation

Website: relationshiprenovation.com

Instagram: @relationship.renovation

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