Today, Jeff Forte joins us to chat about everything from parenting and relationship stress to 10 second hugs and intentionally making the most of every interaction with your spouse or partner. Jeff Forte is a relationship expert and author of the books, the 90 Minute marriage miracle and be happy forever. Jeff has experienced both a divorce and the death of his second wife. About Jeff Forte:Jeff Forte, is an Executive Peak Performance Coach, Leadership Expert, Author, and Speaker. He writes about the areas of his life that he's had to improve by overcoming adversity. His ability to relate to the reader comes from his genuine desire to give the reader immediately useful tools, skills, and strategies that they can put to work right away. The ideas you'll read about in his books contain powerful secrets that begin to shift the odds of success quickly in your favor. His work is highly proprietary in nature. He's the creator of The Magenta System for personal transformation, The Magenta Process for emotional wellness, The Rising Love Marriage Repair Process for fixing marriage and divorce prevention, and The Leadership Alliance for creating a transnational shift in global leadership. His clients include Fortune 500 Executives, Professional Athletes, High Tech Visionaries, Emmy Award Winners, Global Leaders, Business Professionals, Couples and Teams. Insights: Jeff: I hope listeners remember that every interaction with each other is a chance for a fresh start. It’s a chance to improve things between you as a chance to deepen connection is a chance to reconnect to resolve conflicts a chance to apologize every single interaction can be utilized to improve your relations. Dave: What does my partner need from me right now. Right now, in this moment, what can I do to relieve stress from their life? Liz: The whole idea about distractions affecting attractions. Even Jeff, as you were so kind to talk about, you know, after the passing of your wife and then trying to date again, and how that distraction was really kind of hurtful to your son. And I, I wish more parents would pause and understand that who are either divorce or were also widows widowers to understand that, well, maybe there is a time and a place and the most important thing right now is the well being of that child. Invites: Take notice of how you can help reduce some of your partner’s stress; like doing thedishes, helping to cook dinner, picking up dinner…. Be mindful of all the little distractions in your daily life that could be a cause of lessattraction; ie: your children seeing you on your phone may prevent them from comingup and talking about something they’d like to share with you. It’s the simple things that help build a stronger marriage, try to do one simple thingtoday to show them that you care. Like write a note, make the bed, start the dishwasher… Jeff Forte Links: https://90minutemarriagemiracle.com/https://www.facebook.com/peakresultscoaching Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

Today Dr. David Dollahite joins Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale to discuss the connection between faith and marriage. About David Dollahite:Dr. David Dollahite, is a professor of family life at Brigham Young University. He received an MS and MFT and as a family life coach. He is co director of the American families of faith project. He has more than 200 publications for scholarly and public audiences. He has written or edited nine books on Family Life and Religion, including Home Centered Gospel learning and Living Strengths and Diverse Families of Faith, Religion and Families, and Successful Marriages and Families among other books. He and his wife Mary had been married for 40 years and have seven children and four grandchildren. Insights: “Personal religious choices, beliefs, values, commitments, obviously impact individuals but they also strongly impact other people; siblings, parents, couples, kids or spouses, kids." -Dave Dollahite "I think when each person in a marriage is humble about their own perspectives, their own attitudes, their own ideas about what should happen in a marriage, I think humility is sort of that, that core virtue that allows people to see good, see truth, see meaning and value in the other person." -Dave Dollahite Invites: Learn more about how shared religion can bring you closer to your partner. Find time to chat with your partner about both humility and commitment in your relationship. David’s Resources:Website: americanfamiliesoffaith.byu.eduYouTube: American Families of FaithPodcast: American Families of Faith Project Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

Today Jeff and Tammy join Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale to discuss helpful tips forblended or “stewed” families. About Jeff and Tammy Hill:Jeff and Tammy Hill have been enjoying the ups and downs of remarriage and stepfamily living for 17 years. Together, they have 12 children and both recently retired from teaching atBrigham Young University. They both continue to stay busy. Jeff helps with money workshops,and Tammy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and conducts love retreats, honeymoon workshops and dating boot camps. Most importantly, the hills love being parents, step parents and grandparents. Insights: “I think the fundamental principle is to honor the previous family, honor the original family honor to recognize that nobody wished that that didn't work out with that original family.”-Jeff Hill “If you really are grounded and know who you are, and are living aligned with who you want to be, you're gonna be a great marriage partner.” -Tammy Hill “Having a step family isn't something that happens overnight. It doesn't even happen within a year or two. A lot of the research says it takes between four and seven years until a step family, big blended family or our small blended family but anyway that this type of a family actually gets cohesive.” - Tammy Hill Invites: Chat with your partner about ways that you have moments to slip away from your family or home to just focus on your relationship. Listen to Tammy’s podcast “Live your Why” on spotify or apple podcasts Jeff and Tammy’s ResourcesWebsite: tammyhill.comInstagram: @tammy_hill_lmftPodcast: Live Your Why Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

Today Utah Marriage Commission Manager, Alan Hawkins joins Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale to discuss the challenges of an open relationship. About Alan Hawkins:Alan Hawkins is the manager of the Utah Marriage Commission. He recently retired after 33years as a professor at Brigham Young University. He earned a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University in 1990. Professor Hawkins scholarship andoutreach efforts focused on educational interventions and policies to help couples form andsustain healthy marriages and relationships and to help fathers be engaged in the lives of their children. Since 2000, he has been intricately involved in state and federal policy efforts tosupport relationship education programs for disadvantaged families. He has served on the Utah marriage commission since 2004. And as a past chair of the Utah marriage commission. He currently serves as vice chair on the board for the National Association for Relationship and Marriage Education. Insights: “ I believe marriage is a relationship that asks you to give your all to each other mentally,emotionally, sexually, give your all to another person. I think that kind of depth in a relationship leads to a richness and a beauty and a power that you can't achieve by dividing your heart.” - Alan Hawkins “Go deeper with one person instead of broader with others.” - Dave Schramm “The deeper you get, the more you understand, which then means the more you love.” - Alan Hawkins Invites:-“Go Deeper” with your partner by downloading the Gottman Card Deck app.-Learn about ways that you can create a stronger marriage connection by attending thewebinars held by the Utah Marriage Commission. Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

Lori joins Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale to discuss the common issues thatresult in a mid-life or “gray” divorce. About Lori Schade:Lori Schade is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT approved therapysupervisor running a therapy practice in Pleasant Grove Utah called CompassionateConnections Counseling. She specializes in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy andsupervises therapists towards certification in the model. She has been an adjunct facultymember in the Marriage and Family Therapy Department at Brigham Young University as wellas Utah Valley University. For over three decades she has practiced therapy alternately withraising seven children and has published several peer reviewed materials related to herprofession. In her spare time she enjoys running, traveling, tandem bike riding with herhusband, knitting and playing the organ. She is convinced the grandchildren are one of life'sbest kept secrets. Insights: “There's always hope. I have a very easy time being hopeful for married couples, sometimes I have to say, ‘borrow my hope.’ I actually got that from Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen. And I think it's so lovely. And a lot of times small changes bring about really large changes in dynamics in marriage.” - Lori Schade “There are two kinds of commitment. One is personal commitment, where you feel free to exercise where you want to put your loyalty. The term is kind of like restraint. It's actually called constraint commitment, and constraint commitment are all of those variables that keep people feeling stuck. It might be religious beliefs, it might be children in the home, it might be financial constraints, but there are those things where people might divorce but they stay there because they feel these barriers to divorce? And so sometimes at midlife, those are removed. And so I think it's quite possible that that's also why we might see a resurgence of divorce and at that time.” -Lori Schade Invites: Find time in your week to have a connection check-in with your partner by asking these three questions. How connected are we from last time we checked? More or less or the same? What's been happening in our lives that may have impacted the level of connection? What is one small thing that would help me feel more connected?" Reach out to a therapist to learn more about Emotionally Focused Therapy to see if it could potentially strengthen your relationship with your partner. Lori’s Links: Compassionate Connections Counseling WebsiteBook mentioned by Lori: The Lost Love Chronicles: Reunions & Memories of First Love by Nancy Kalish Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

Ariel joins Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale to discuss the complex dynamics of sexin a relationship and how women can feel empowered in their sexuality. Sign up for Ariel's FREE MASTERCLASS NOW THRU February 12, 2024: https://outlook.office.com/mail/safelink.html?url=https://ladiestalkinglove.com/masterclass&corid=6a8a53f5-c147-1b8a-d10f-5cc24b4e1cb5 Starting February 5, 2024 earn a special $20 discount from using this link: https://ladies-talking-love.ck.page/products/womens-sexuality-course-registration?promo=DAVE About Ariel Finlinson: Ariel Finlayson is a women's sexuality educator and the host of the ladies talking love podcast.She recently earned her master's in Human Development and Family Studies at Utah StateUniversity. A native of northern Wisconsin, she can't get enough of forests or fresh squeakycheese curds. Her online course from pressure to passion empowers women to live up to thejoy and fulfillment they deserve in their relationships. She is currently living in Utah with herhusband, Kyle, and their four young children. Insights:“I think just recognizing number one, that it is a really important part of your relationship to foster. And then number two, that it isn't all of your relationship but with that connection and sex, you are going to be able to have a more thriving and flourishing and beautiful empowering relationship than you thought possible.” -Ariel Finlinson 22:38-22:57 “To ask ourselves as women "Where did I get my information?" Where did I get this belief that sex is for men, for instance, or that ‘good girls don't,’ right? Many of us have heard through them  years? Where did I get that information? And can I explore something different?” -Dr. Liz Hale 28:44-29:00 Invites: Download Ariel’s free resource, “10 Questions to ask your spouse about Sex” Find a time to discuss with your partner the stereotypes that you believe are affecting your relationship. Ariel’s Links:Instagram: @ladies.talkingloveWebsite: https://www.ladiestalkinglove.com Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

Natasha joins Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale to talk about the struggles thatwomen face with feelings of inadequacy and simple tips to overcoming these feelings. About Natasha Dansie:Natasha offers concrete tips and real life examples of everyday interactions that often lead tomothers thinking they aren't enough. Natasha Dansie is a certified family life educator. She has taught relationship education classes through Utah State University for the past 11 years,working with a variety of audiences from high school students and retreats for women toinmates in the maximum security unit and everything in between. She loves traveling, learningand snuggling. Natasha and her husband Jeff are raising their five children ages 7 to 19alongside a variety of farm animals in central Utah. Insights: “It's hard to be grateful and resentful.” -Dr. Liz Hale “Observe and then serve.” -Dr. Dave Schramm “One of the actions that I've personally seen the power of in my own life is the intentional practice of gratitude. So when I feel my stuff, my brain starts slipping into this negative vortex that starts to get dark. And I just have to pause. And when I start practicing gratitude, it's like, I can reverse the effects of that.” -Natasha Dansie Invites: Find a moment to pause after you have a feeling of inadequacy. If someone shares the way that they are feeling, instead of stating why they shouldn’t befeeling that way, validate their feelings by saying something like, “that must be reallydifficult” or “I see how you could feel that way.” Natasha’s Links:Email: ariseworkshops@gmail.comInstagram: @natashadansie Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

Tyler joins Dr. Dave Schramm to talk about the challenges of addiction and shame inmarriage and the skill set required to overcome addictions with a stronger marriage connection. About Tyler Patrick: Tyler is a Marriage and Family Therapist has dedicated his career to mastering andunderstanding of recovery from sexual addiction and betrayal trauma. He has come to believethat the men and women who embrace and live the principles of recovery do far more than gettheir lives back. They become the best kinds of husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. Hehas been married for over 20 years to an incredible woman and as a father to four amazingdaughters. His hobbies away from work include supporting his children's interests, fly fishing,backpacking, and training River, his German Shorthaired Pointer. Insights: "I'm going to pursue a life where I understand what's going on in my mind and my heart, andthen choosing to live from that sort of centered, sort of gut place. And then that allows me tolive my life on, you know, on life's terms, if I'm having a bad moment, I can trust that I have the tools to do that. I can trust that I'm human.” -Tyler Patrick “When you have two people who know who they are and can be vulnerable with one another,and they choose to be with one another. That's where the deepest levels of connectionhappen.” -Tyler Patrick “If you're sitting there listening to this feeling like it's hopeless or it's dark, it's not, your story is not finished. It's just begun and you're sitting on a goldmine if you're willing to do the work.” -Tyler Patrick Invites: Check out the podcast of Brian and Tyler  Sign up for a first free session with Tyler. Talk with your partner about the importance of humility and honesty in yourrelationship. Tyler’s Links: Website: https://lovestrong.comInstagram: @the.wandering.therapist Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

On today’s episode of the stronger marriage connection, Dr. Chelom Leavitt, J.D., Ph.D., will explore with Dr. Dave and Dr. Liz how to intentionally slow your mind and body to build awareness and create better connection during sex. About Chelom Leavitt: Dr. Chelom Leavitt, J.D., Ph.D. teaches in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University. Dr. Leavitt received her Ph.D. from Penn State where she focused her research on how mindfulness is linked to sexual functioning and satisfaction. Dr. Leavitt’s findings have been published in top research journals and books. Her research has helped uncover what couples experience during sex, and what factors contribute to connection. Along with her work in Sexual Mindfulness, Dr. Leavitt hosts interventions that teach couples how to slow down and be more aware and create greater connection during sex. She regularly blogs for Psychology Today as well her website www.chelomleavitt.com, where she shares with readers the latest research on meaningful sex, slowing down to experience greater connection, and being more curious in romantic and sexual relationships. Dr. Chelom Leavitt is married to David Leavitt and they are the parents of nine children. Insights: Chelom: Slow down, be gentle and be curious. Dave: Media does not portray sex correctly, making time to breathe, slow down, and raise awareness will benefit your relationship in all ways. Liz: Normalizing emotions in our life and bringing awareness can increase our sexual pleasure and lives. Invites: • Practice the mindful embrace and heads together exercise Chelom discussed with your partner. Start mindfulness exercises. The next time you have 2 minutes of breathing room, sit down, practice how it feels to just breathe and be. Implement this routine more and more into your schedule. Notice what happens when you are physically connecting with your partner. A hug can tell you a lot about how your relationship looks and what you and your partner need. Chelom Leavitt Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexualmindfulnessproject/ https://www.chelomleavitt.com/   Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/

On today’s episode of the stronger marriage connection, Dave and Liz with TammyHill, educator, LMFT, ASSECT, and author discuss how to overcome rejection, desire difference,and stale sex. Explore new ways to replenish your partner and build beauty in your sexualconnection. About Tammy Hill: Tammy Hill is passionate about strengthening marriage relationships. She is a LicensedMarriage and Family Therapist and an active member of the American Association of SexualEducators, Counselors and Therapists (ASSECT). Tammy enjoys being an adjunct facultymember at Brigham Young University in the School of Family Life where she teaches hundredsof students each semester in Marriage Preparation, Marriage Enhancement and HealthySexuality in Marriage courses. Tammy owns a private counseling practice where she largelyworks with couples. She has free resources available on her website(http://www.tammyhill.com) where she also offers numerous Making Love Retreats,Honeymoon Workshops and Dating Bootcamps each year. Published in 2021, Tammy’s firstbook, “God Made Girls and Boys” is a beautiful children’s book addressing agency, gender,accountability, and hope in our Heavenly Parent’s eternal plan. Her second book, “Replenish:Creating Sexual Fulfillment in Marriage”, was published earlier this year. Most importantlyTammy is forever grateful to be a wife, mother and grandmother. Insights: Tammy: Humans are created with a capacity to have amazing sexual pleasure. Push yourself tolearn how to replenish each other. Dave: Make time to intentionally have sex with your partner. Liz: Monogamous does not have to mean monotonous. Invites: Instead of waiting for your partner to change, recognize the part you play inconflict and seek to change it without any guarantee that your partner will do thesame. You may find that your partner’s response to your change is exactly what youhoped. Examine whether there is contempt in your relationship. If you “horibilize” yourpartner by objectifying them and only seeing their faults and their weaknesses, youmight be guilty of contempt. As yourself, “ If I were to give my whole heart to my partner, what would it occurto me to do?”. Be still and then heed that inner call to connect Tammy Hill Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tammy_hill_lmft/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/replenishyourmarriage Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wSW6CZ431e8nJFCVMUyeZ     Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways: StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife Dr. Dave Schramm: https://drdaveschramm.com https://drdavespeaks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642 Dr. Liz Hale: http://www.drlizhale.com/