The Ways Vulnerability Breeds Connection, and How to Practice It

Intimacy isn’t just physical, it’s the courageous act of sharing your inner landscape: the thoughts, feelings, fears, and messy in-between moments most of us keep tucked away. In this candid, funny, and deeply vulnerable episode, John and Joree unpack why so many couples get stuck in transactional chatter (calendars, chores, carpools) and how to shift back into connection through everyday openness and non-defensive listening.

They explore what makes intimacy so scary (hi, vulnerability!), how the first 90 seconds of your response shapes long-term safety, and why “two conversations” often work better than one: lead with validation, then explain or share concerns later. You’ll hear stories from their work with couples, the power of bearing witness to your partner’s life, and practical ways to make sharing easier, including their favorite relationship card decks. The episode ends with a fun and playful twist you won’t want to miss; you’ll have to hear to believe.

You’ll learn:

• What intimacy really is (and isn’t)

• How to replace transactional talk with connection talk

• A simple “two-conversation” framework to reduce defensiveness

• The micro-skills that build emotional safety in the first moments

• Low-pressure tools (card decks, gentle prompts) to spark deeper sharing

If you’ve ever thought, “We talk all the time, so why don’t I feel close?” then this episode for you.

Connect with Joree & John:

• Website: www.loveisntenough.net

• Instagram: @loveisntenough33

• Subscribe to their podcast: Love Isn’t Enough

• Join our relationship Master Class series: https://loveisntenough.net/masterclass/

 

Connect with Dr. John Schinnerer:

• Website: www.guidetoself.com

• Instagram: @theevolvedcaveman

• Subscribe to his podcast: The Evolved Caveman

 

Connect with Joree Rose:

• Website: www.joreerose.com

• Instagram: @joreerose

• Subscribe to her podcast: Journey Forward with Joree Rose

• Join the Podcast Membership: https://joreerose.com/journeyforwardpodcast/