EmPowered Couples with The Freemans

All great teams “huddle” often, whether a sports team or a professional team. But how often do you guys check-in? Today’s episode covers how to have a weekly, quarterly, and yearly check-in. This is a major update to our process we shared in 2021, which was a SUPER popular episode. You’ll hear the 5 questions to ask each other every week, what to discuss about your relationship every quarter of the year, and big picture topics to stay on track on a yearly basis.  We promise, these can be accomplished in just a few minutes and will help you prevent miscommunications, tackle issues proactively, and experience more harmony in the relationship!   To go with the episode, get our BRAND NEW Family Meeting Guide & Templates here: https://thecouplesexperience.com/family Also from the episode, you can get the Making Up & Moving Forward Guide if you need more guidance on how to repair things that were unresolved.

Life will always have challenges and we believe it’s about how you respond to them as well as how well you learn and grow. This is a huge aspect of maintaining a healthy relationship, how you handle challenges as a team.  Hopefully you know that we are not here to sugar coat anything or give you any advice that is not practical or useful in your daily marriage. So in this episode we share updates from the last 18 months as it was the hardest season we have had as a couple. It is our intent to share these challenges and updates while sharing the lessons and wisdom we have gained (and are still gaining), so that maybe you can learn the lessons without going through it yourself!  A major part of us getting through this hard season, truly united as a team, is how often we checked-in with each other. We always knew where we were each at mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We also knew what actions and patterns we needed to change. We did all this by using our Family Meeting Guide & templates that we now have available for you for ust $19. We hope this can get you back on the same page and kepe you there though any challenge you are facing as a couple!  For the Guide just to go https://thecouplesexperience.com/family  

In this episode we unravel the crucial distinction between repair, finding a solution, and resolution in relationships. Repairing conflicts, rather than simply reducing the frequency of them, is a powerful indicator of a healthy and lasting partnership. You will hear the misconception that finding a solution automatically leads to resolution, and why the emotional aspect of repair is equally vital. By understanding the formula of Repair + Solution = Resolution, we provide you with the tools to navigate conflicts more effectively and create lasting harmony.    Resources For Your Relationship: Last chance to sign up for the 30-Day Couples Challenge starting July 1st. Join here. Get the Making Up & Moving Forward guide here.

We all know that relationships can be challenging, especially when it comes to expressing our needs. Ever found yourself in a situation where you're feeling frustrated but can't quite put your finger on why? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the importance of identifying and expressing your needs within a romantic partnership. We'll explore why simply venting your frustrations isn't enough and how it can lead to misunderstandings and communication breakdowns.  By learning to articulate your needs, you'll unlock a whole new level of understanding and connection. We'll discuss fundamental human needs, drawing inspiration from Maslow's Hierarchy and the 6 Human Needs model, and provide practical examples of physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Join us as we share relatable insights and actionable tips that will empower you to create a stronger and more fulfilling relationship. Join The 30-Day Couples Challenge called “Prioritizing Us” as it starts July 1st HERE

In this episode we tackle a common challenge in relationships: expressing strong emotions to our partners without considering the present mood. We've all been there, feeling the urge to let it all out, only to realize it may not be the best time or could escalate tensions further. That's why we're here to guide you through the art of discerning the mood before speaking up. By understanding the momentum and direction of the interaction, you can make informed choices that either diffuse the energy or lead to a positive outcome. We'll also explore the importance of nurturing your partner's "Love Account," which acts like a bank account for love and connection. But that's not all! We'll share practical tips on how to approach these situations with empathy and curiosity, asking your partner what they truly need rather than jumping to conclusions.   Sign up for The 30-Day Couples Challenge, which simplifies how to make positive shifts in your relationship with daily prompts/actions directly from us to your phone for 30 days.  https://mycoupleschallenge.com/  

Feeling guilty after arguments in front of kids? Discover how to turn those moments into teaching opportunities! Learn the crucial strategies of de-escalation, taking constructive pauses, and fully repairing after conflicts. These approaches not only improve your relationship but also provide valuable lessons for your children. By modeling healthy conflict resolution, you help shape their future emotional resilience and relationship skills. Embrace these tips and transform guilt into growth!

The 30-Day Couples Challenge starts THIS week, so sign up here: https://mycoupleschallenge.com/ In this episode, we dive into the subtle ways that effort can dwindle once we've achieved our goals. Think about athletes reaching their peak or accomplishing a major milestone in your personal life—there's a loss of that initial hunger and drive. The same can happen in your marriage, but it's trickier because there isn't a clear finish line or “scoreboard” to tell us how well we’re doing.  By listening you will get the signs of declining effort, like depleted love accounts, quick and thoughtless communication, fading passion, and that feeling of coasting or routine. But don't worry, we've got you covered with five powerful ways to rekindle that effort. From small love deposits and appreciating conscious choices to thoughtful greetings and setting the right mood, we share practical strategies to feel more prioritized, loved, and connected.  

You know that conflicts will happen in a marriage, this truth should not be resisted or avoided. However what if that same conflict comes up again and what if that turns into a pattern that shows up over and over again? This is what creates a hard season in marriage. But if this goes on for multiple weeks, months, or even years then you feel as if nothing is going to change and you lose hope in the marriage.  Some people see ending the marriage as the only option, because honestly who would want to continue to expose themselves to the same pain over and over. You need relief… and we agree. But this episode gives you 7 steps to take to get yourself out of this pattern and subsequently out of this hard season in your marriage. It’s not easy, but then again neither is this current situation and neither is a divorce. So really this is the best option for you.   Resources For Your Relationship: Join the "Prioritize Us" Couples Challenge - the 30 day challenge for couples to simplify how to make positive changes in their marriage and prioritize loving actions and respectful communication.

The obvious statement is that men and women differ in how they emotionally connect. But the actions one can take to close the gap between how men and women connect is not as practical. Couples get stuck in the trap of “I just don’t connect the same way as my partner”.  In this episode you are going to hear 3 different ways that men feel emotionally connected and 3 different ways for women. No matter how different you think you and your partner are in this area of connection, you can use one of these ways to better connect and be in harmony with your partner.   Resources For Your Relationship: Join the "Prioritize Us" Couples Challenge - the 30 day challenge for busy couples to re-prioritize each other and be more connected.   

Do you ever wish that you were back in that infamous "honeymoon" stage of your marriage? Believe us we understdand why we hear this from couples. You want to be in that feeling of newness, optimism, passion, and infinite possibilites with a true partner at your side. There is something to honor about this stage but the reality is that this is not just a short window of time that you cannot get back. It's just that you were doing a bunch of things unconsciously that were leading to this feeling of marrital bliss. In this episode you will be enlightened hearing these 4 things that you just forget to do after being together for years. In some situations it's not that you even forgot but they you never realized you were doing them in the forst place. But now you can relaize what these actions are and consciously bring them into your life to add to increaes your connection, optimism, and feeling of possibility!    Resources For Your Relationship: NEW REPAIR GUIDE: A step-by-step guide to repairing after an argument; to ensure it’s resolved for good and get back to being truly connected as a couple. It’s the Making Up & Moving Forward Guide and it’s only $19. NEW DE-ESCALATE CONFLICTS GUIDE: A realistic guide to managing your emotions and keeping simple conversations from escalating into overblown fights. It’s the De-escalating Conflicts & Regulating Emotions Guide and it’s also only $19.