Heart and Soulution

In this episode of Heart and Soulution , hosts Mike and Kristen Jones interview Dr. Harry Benson , a research director for the UK Marriage Foundation and author of Reliable Love , who discusses the psychology behind modern dating, marriage, and commitment. Dr. Benson shares his personal journey of rescuing his marriage from the brink of divorce and explains how contraception and cultural shifts ha...

Emmanuel Guarino , founder of Team Vulnerable , joins the Heart and Soulution podcast hosted by Mike and Kristen Jones to discuss overcoming pornography addiction through faith, vulnerability, and teamwork. Guarino shares his personal backstory of battling a hidden addiction that began at a young age and severely impacted his marriage, ultimately driving him to hit rock bottom and seek help from h...

In this episode of Heart & Soulution , hosts Mike and Kristen tackle a thoughtful listener question building on the Season 2 finale ( "Because of You" ): What do you do when your spouse isn't interested in growing emotionally or spiritually, or chooses not to mature? When one partner undergoes a spiritual awakening or emotional growth spurt while the other remains stagnant, a &qu...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones interview an engaged couple, Joe and Mali , who share their journey from a chance meeting in a college commuter lounge to preparing for their wedding . The couple discusses the evolution of their relationship , highlighting how they built a strong foundation through deep conversations , shared faith, and effective conflict resolution....

In this episode, Mike and Kristen Jones discuss the importance of intentional dating and spiritual intimacy in marriage using the resource "10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love, and Marriage." They acknowledge that many couples struggle with spiritual differences and the fear of vulnerability, noting that research links strong faith-based connections to higher relationship satisfaction...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution , hosts Mike and Kristen sit down with Amber Hollingsworth , a veteran addiction counselor with over 20 years of clinical experience and founder of the popular YouTube channel Put the Shovel Down (boasting over 800,000 subscribers). Amber c hallenges traditional narratives around addiction, rejecting the notion that families must passively wait for a loved on...

This podcast episode features hosts Mike and Kristen Jones as they launch the third season of Heart and Soulution , a show focused on improving interpersonal relationships. The hosts introduce the concept of a "sleep divorce," exploring how modern couples manage sleep disruptions like snoring or mismatched schedules to preserve their connection. Transitioning from home life to internatio...

In this episode of  Heart and Soulution , hosts Mike and Kristen Jones conclude the second season by reflecting on their own relationship through a series of personal questions. They discuss the vital role of  humor  in marriage, noting how it serves as a tool for  deescalating conflict  despite occasional lapses in timing. The couple shares memories of their early dating experiences to emphasize...

In this episode, Mike and Kristen Jones discuss the psychological impact of  emotionally immature parents . Drawing from Lindsay Gibson's research, the hosts explore how such parents often exhibit  child-like behaviors , including a lack of empathy, extreme defensiveness, and the use of  guilt or silence  to control their children. These dynamics frequently lead to  emotional isolation  and a...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution , Mike and Kristen Jones discuss the psychological concept of  emotionally immature parents  and the polarizing reception of Lindsay Gibson’s popular book on the topic. They explore a  Psychology Today  article that criticizes the book for potentially encouraging layman diagnoses and shutting down family dialogue, contrasting it with a  Guardian  piece that v...

BONUS MATERIAL : In this episode of Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones revisit the concept of  repair techniques , which are tools used to de-escalate tension before an argument spirals out of control. The hosts introduce  Dr. Gottman’s Four Horsemen — criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling —as negative behaviors that predict relationship failure if left unaddressed. To illu...

In this episode of  Heart and Soulution , hosts Mike and Kristen Jones interview their long-time friends,  Brandon and Megan Collins , to explore the evolution of their  twenty-year relationship . The couple discusses their origins in a conservative "purity culture" environment, explaining how they prioritized a  friendship-first foundation  before marrying young. They detail their unique approach...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution , hosts Mike and Kristen Jones explore  strategies for revitalizing romantic intimacy  and physical connection within a marriage. Drawing from the song "You've Lost That Loving Feeling," the couple discusses the importance of  vulnerability and open communication  to overcome feelings of rejection or insecurity. They highlight practical suggesti...

In this episode of  Heart and Soulution , hosts Mike and Kristen Jones interview  Jim and Joan Pagones , a couple married for over 44 years. The conversation highlights the couple’s  fortuitous meeting  in local politics and the  humorous proposal  that nearly went awry due to Jim’s reputation as a prankster. A central theme is their  shared faith , as they recount their simultaneous, independent...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones  critique the claims of a Maryland pastor  who says that the Bible does not explicitly forbid sex outside of marriage. The hosts argue that such teachings are  false doctrines  that contradict clear scriptural mandates regarding holiness and the exclusivity of the marital bond. They emphasize that  God designed sexual intimacy  as a sa...

In this episode from  Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones interview a young married couple,  Ally and Zach , to provide a real-world look at modern relationships. The guests recount their eight-year journey, which began at a  Buffalo Wild Wings , survived three years of long-distance dating, and culminated in a 2024 wedding. They share lighthearted stories about a  nervous proposal  involv...

In this episode, Mike and Kristen Jones discuss the  physical and psychological advantages  of sexual intimacy within a marriage. Drawing from medical journals and personal anecdotes, the couple highlights how regular intimacy can improve  cardiovascular health , boost the  immune system , and reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels. They candidly address the  social taboos  surrounding the topi...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution , hosts Mike and Kristen Jones discuss the  relationship benefits of traveling  as a couple after returning from a Caribbean cruise. They recount personal anecdotes, such as a  tense walk through Grand Turk  and a  close encounter with a barracuda  while snorkeling, to illustrate how shared adventures build a "memory bank." They emphasize that pushi...

In this episode of the Heart and Soulution podcast, Mike and Kristen Jones explore the complex nature of grief , using the recent passing of Kristen’s father to illustrate how to process loss more effectively. They move beyond the traditional "pull up your socks" mentality of previous generations to examine grief as a multi-layered experience that involves more than just death; it encomp...

In this special episode,  Mike and Kristen Jones  celebrate the life and legacy of Kristen’s late father, a  retired Navy officer  who recently passed away. They describe him as an  extraordinarily generous  man who frequently sacrificed his own career dreams to support his family’s stability and goals. The couple shares lighthearted anecdotes about his  unique dietary habits , his humorous "...

In this episode, Mike and Kristen Jones discuss the importance of  learning from the past  to avoid repeating mistakes in  romantic and family relationships . Drawing on the book  Emotionally Healthy Relationships , they explore how  family of origin  shapes a person’s views on conflict, success, and emotions through inherited "commandments." They emphasize that while individuals often a...

In this episode of the Heart and Soulution podcast, hosts Mike and Kristen Jones explore the critical roles of vision and mission statements within personal and family relationships. While common in corporate settings, the hosts argue that many couples lack a clear direction for their lives together, leading to potential conflict and unmet expectations. They discuss the differences between Vision...

In this episode of the Heart and Soulution podcast, Mike and Kristen Jones continue their deep dive into the unrealistic and false sexual expectations that can impact intimacy within a marriage. Borrowing concepts from the book Married Sex , they discuss how getting clear on your own expectations and understanding your spouse's is the first step toward building a healthier connection. (C) 2025...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones discuss  sexual expectations  in marriage, citing the book  Married Sex . They argue that  personal beliefs  shaped by culture and upbringing influence intimacy. Couples must communicate  realistic, agreed-upon expectations  and debunk myths to foster deep  intimacy . (C) 2025 All Music by Mike and Kristen Jones for use by Heart and So...

In this episode,  Mike and Kristen Jones  launch the second season of Heart and Soulution by discussing  physical intimacy within marriage . They highlight the importance of  intentionality and character , arguing that a healthy sex life requires effort and kindness outside of the bedroom. The hosts reference the book  Married Sex  to address common challenges, noting that a high percentage of cou...