Relationship Advice

We've all felt the need to blame our partner for something going wrong in the relationship. Why do we retreat to negative emotional habits so easily? Dr. Steven Stosny explains how our toddler brain takes over and can cause us to react with blame, denial and avoidance during conflict. Listen to today's show to avoid falling into that trap, and learn how to better react to improve your relationship. In this episode we discuss relationship advice topics that include: Learn why we retreat to our 'toddler brain' of emotional reactivity and how to avoid this. How to create new positive emotional responses that will benefit your relationship. The importance of communicating at least 5 positives for every negative communication. How to prevent defensiveness from your partner and communicate in the most productive manner. Focusing on how you want to feel to help create the emotional changes you need. And much more! Steven Stosny, Ph.D., is the founder of CompassionPower. His current book is Empowered Love and he has published over five others. He has treated over 6,000 clients for various forms of anger, abuse, and violence. He has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Today Show,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” many CNN shows, and in the New York Times, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, WSJ, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, O, Psychology Today, USA Today. He has taught at the University of Maryland and at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. His blog on Psychologytoday.com. has nearly 12 million views. Full show notes and episode links at: http://idopodcast.com/141 Sign up for our 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge here: 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge Do you want to hear more on this topic? Do you react with negative emotional responses that hurt your relationship? If so, you're not alone. Continue the conversation on our Facebook Group here: Love Tribe Sponsors Lola: LOLA is a monthly subscription that delivers a fully customizable box of ORGANIC cotton tampons, pads and liners right to your doorstep. For 40% off your first order, visit mylola.com and enter the promo code IDO when you subscribe! Audible: Get a FREE audiobook download and 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/idopodcast. Audible.com is the premier provider of digital audiobooks. Audible has over 180,000 titles to choose from in every genre: thrillers, business, romance, comedy, sci-fi and more. Audible titles play on iPhone, Kindle, Android and more than 500 devices for listening anytime, anywhere.   If you love this episode (and our podcast!), would you mind giving us a review in iTunes? It would mean the world to us and we promise it only takes a minute. Many thanks in advance! - Chase & Sarah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Cole, an Associate Professor at DePaul University and author of "Broken Trust," dives into the vital role of intimacy in relationships. He discusses the significance of daily check-ins to strengthen bonds and shares tips for reigniting the initial spark through new experiences. Cole highlights how understanding attachment styles can enhance connection and communication, allowing partners to express their intimacy needs. He emphasizes the importance of presence and mindfulness in navigating modern distractions to cultivate deeper emotional ties.

There can be many areas in our lives and relationships that can cause frustration and disappointment. Your sex life shouldn't be one of them. Learning how to communicate your needs and desires, understanding your partner's sex drive and confronting sex life negativity are just a few ways to prevent some of the common troubles many couples run into. Listen to today's show to prevent these common sex life pitfalls from wreaking havoc on your relationship. In this episode we discuss relationship advice topics that include: Learn how to talk about sex, your desires and fantasies with your partner. Avoid getting distracted during sex and become more present for a better experience. Navigate the desire discrepancies in your relationship. Do you or your partner want to have sex more often? There are ways to compromise around this! Understanding your partners sex drive and what 'gets their motor going'. Confronting any negativity surrounding your sex life. And much more! Jessa Zimmerman is a licensed sex therapist whose work focuses on helping couples who have a good relationship but who are avoiding sex because it's become stressful, negative, disappointing or pressured. She teaches, coaches, and supports people as they go through her 9-phase experiential process that allows them real world practice in changing their relationship and their sex life. She is the host of the Better Sex podcast and will be releasing her first book later this year. Full show notes and episode links at: http://idopodcast.com/139 Sign up for our 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge here: 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge Do you want to hear more on this topic? Does your sex life need some help? If so, you're not alone. Continue the conversation on our Facebook Group here: Love Tribe Sponsors YogaGlo: YogaGlo is yoga and meditation website that you can use anywhere. You can practice in your own space, on your own time, for just eighteen dollars per month! That’s less than a single class at most yoga studios! They have thousands of classes, at all levels, taught by some of the best teachers in the world. Get your first two weeks of YogaGlo FREE when you sign up on YogaGlo.com/IDO. Lovelands: Lovelands is a highly readable guide to creating the relationship and life you most deeply desire, by psychologist Dr Debra Campbell. If you’ve ever wondered why you keep going wrong in love and how to make lasting change for the better — Lovelands will show you how to make that change, not just in your relationship but in every area of your life. Get your copy of Lovelands today — available in hardcover, Amazon and Audible. If you love this episode (and our podcast!), would you mind giving us a review in iTunes? It would mean the world to us and we promise it only takes a minute. Many thanks in advance! - Chase & Sarah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Kathy McCoy, a psychotherapist and award-winning journalist, shares profound insights on personal change to enhance relationships. She emphasizes that transformation starts with you, not your partner. Learn effective exercises to deepen attention and express gratitude, helping relationships flourish. Discover the power of small, intentional gestures to build connection and navigate differences. Prioritizing quality time is key to happiness in love. Dr. McCoy's actionable strategies can help turn a good relationship into a great one!

Dr. Denise Fournier, a mindfulness-based psychotherapist and coach, shares insights on managing anxiety to enhance personal and relationship health. She discusses how anxiety manifests in reactivity towards partners and teaches ways to shift this to responsiveness. Tune in to learn about the positive aspects of anxiety, the importance of self-awareness, and the role of mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation in emotional regulation. Discover lifestyle adjustments and coping strategies that can foster a supportive and understanding partnership.

Dr. Diana Kirschner, a best-selling author and expert in love, shares her insights on empowering relationships. She discusses the power of creating a 'best self' nickname for your partner to boost their confidence. Validating emotions can heal past wounds, while assuming the best in your partner fosters connection. Diana also suggests enhancing intimacy by treating your partner with the same excitement as an affair. Plus, learn how affirmations can align with your deepest desires, making love a transformative journey.

Join David Ludden, a psychology professor and author, as he dives into the quirks that can irritate partners—like loud chewing and messy clothes. He discusses the importance of understanding why these annoyances arise and how communication serves as a negotiation tool in relationships. Learn strategies for active listening and de-escalating arguments, especially during stressful times. Ludden emphasizes turning minor annoyances into opportunities for growth by focusing on positive traits and promoting constructive dialogue.

Want to have better sex!? If you answered, YES!, then this episode is for you. It turns out that as relationships mature, the sex tends to become less frequent and less passionate. Don't despair. There are simple steps to help improve your sex life right here in this episode. Listen and learn! In this episode we discuss relationship advice topics that include: Why being aware of when you're aroused and what that feels like is the first step to better sex. Dumb and happy arousal and why it's important in your relationship. Why women are increasingly less satisfied in bed and what to do about it (hint: smartphones and porn). The importance of taking your time during sex and not simply having the goal of climaxing. Why you should 'simmer' and not only get aroused when you are going to have sex. Understanding that everyone is responsible for their own arousal. Learn what 'lazy sex' is and how it can help your relationship. And much more! Stephen Snyder, M.D. is a sex and couples therapist, psychiatrist, and writer in New York City. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai in New York City, and chairman of the Consumer Book Award Committee for the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR). He has treated patients at his practice for 25 years, is a guest on major media outlets nationwide, and writes for Psychology Today and Huffington Post. He lives with his wife and children in New York City. Full show notes and episode links at: http://idopodcast.com/134 Sign up for our 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge here: 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge Do you want to hear more on this topic? Are you and your partner struggling with having great sex in your long-lasting relationship? If so, you're not alone. Continue the conversation on our Facebook Group here: Love Tribe Sponsors YogaGlo: YogaGlo is yoga and meditation website that you can use anywhere. You can practice in your own space, on your own time, for just eighteen dollars per month! That’s less than a single class at most yoga studios! They have thousands of classes, at all levels, taught by some of the best teachers in the world. Get your first two weeks of YogaGlo FREE when you sign up on YogaGlo.com/IDO. Lovelands: Lovelands is a highly readable guide to creating the relationship and life you most deeply desire, by psychologist Dr Debra Campbell. If you’ve ever wondered why you keep going wrong in love and how to make lasting change for the better — Lovelands will show you how to make that change, not just in your relationship but in every area of your life. Get your copy of Lovelands today — available in hardcover, Amazon and Audible. If you love this episode (and our podcast!), would you mind giving us a review in iTunes? It would mean the world to us and we promise it only takes a minute. Many thanks in advance! - Chase & Sarah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that well over half of the communication you have in your relationship is nonverbal? We all know that feeling when your partner 'needs to talk'. They may touch your shoulder, or their tone or facial expressions change. These are nonverbal communications that are most recognizable, but there are hundreds of nonverbal cues we give and receive in our relationship each day. The way in which we give positive or negative nonverbal communication is a key to creating a successful relationship. Listen to today's episode to learn more about the importance of nonverbal communication in your relationship. In this episode we discuss relationship advice topics that include: Learn how nodding, leaning and tilting with your head can create positive non-verbal cues for your partner. Understand the gender differences in how men and women give and receive non-verbal communication. Why the tone of your voice can be a critical component of successful non-verbal communication. How reading body language can affect your relationship. Why something as simple as placing your hand on your partners shoulder can help your relationship. And much more! Vanessa Van Edwards is a published best selling author and behavioral investigator. Vanessa is lead investigator at her human behavior research lab, the Science of People. She designs original research experiments to crack the code of human behavior. Her unique work has been featured on NPR, the Wall Street Journal, the Today Show and USA Today. She has written for CNN, Fast Company and Forbes. Full show notes and episode links at: http://idopodcast.com/133 Sign up for our 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge here: 14 Day Happy Couples Challenge Do you want to hear more on this topic? Are you and your partner struggling understanding each other's nonverbal communication? If so, you're not alone. Continue the conversation on our Facebook Group here: Love Tribe Sponsors Barkbox: For humans, BarkBox is a delivery of 4 to 6 natural treats and super fun toys curated around a surprise theme each month. For dogs, BarkBox is like the joy of a million belly scratches. Whether it’s your partner, daughter or friend who wants a monthly surprise for their beloved pup, BarkBox is the perfect gift for your loved one! For a FREE month of BarkBox, visit BarkBox.com/IDO when you subscribe to the 6 or 12 month plan! Lovelands: Lovelands is a highly readable guide to creating the relationship and life you most deeply desire, by psychologist Dr Debra Campbell. If you’ve ever wondered why you keep going wrong in love and how to make lasting change for the better — Lovelands will show you how to make that change, not just in your relationship but in every area of your life. Get your copy of Lovelands today — available in hardcover, Amazon and Audible. If you love this episode (and our podcast!), would you mind giving us a review in iTunes? It would mean the world to us and we promise it only takes a minute. Many thanks in advance! - Chase & Sarah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ellen Gendelman, a psychotherapist and relationship expert, dives into the complexities of arguments in partnerships. She emphasizes that conflicts often stem from our own insecurities rather than the issues at hand. Ellen discusses tools to defuse tense situations, the importance of recognizing and validating feelings, and how to communicate effectively without letting emotions escalate. With her experience as a coach and author, she inspires listeners to focus on personal growth and strengthen their relationships through understanding and compassion.