Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide

About Rabbi Manis Friedman: World-renowned author, counselor, lecturer and philosopher, Rabbi Manis Friedman uses ancient wisdom and modern wit as he captivates audiences around the country and the world. Rabbi Friedman started an organization called "It's Good to Know" which reaches thousands of people every month through his online classes and events.        (Please listen to the podcast episode...

About Robert Kandell:  Robert Kandell is an interpersonal communication expert, speaker, podcaster and the author of the bestselling book, unHIDDEN: A Book for Men and Those Confused by Them. Since 2002, Robert's mission has been to help people find themselves and use their internal power to live their best lives. He is the host of the podcast, Tuff Love, where he puts his compassionate, hard-hitt...

About Dr. Lonnie Barbach:  Dr. Lonnie Barbach, a clinical-social psychologist, was co-director of clinical training at UCSF medical centers sexuality program and is currently in private practice.  She has received numerous awards for her work on sexuality and has written a dozen books on relationships, sexuality and menopause.  Her best-known books include: For Yourself, The Erotic Edge, The Pause...

In this episode, Dr. Dain Heer and Dr. Jessica Higgins discuss:   What a gentleman is and what it means to be a holistic you.   Masculinity and how it appears in relationships.   The masculine and feminine traits that we all possess and embracing them in our lives.   How to look at the judgments, rules, and expectations we live by and work with them, so that you can connect with what is truly you....

Several listeners have posed the question " How do I get my partner to go to therapy? " Or " How do I get my partner to go to therapy with me? " Today, I am going to give you some guidelines to consider when approaching this conversation with your significant other. (Please listen to the podcast episode or read  the transcript  to hear explanations, stories and examples.) DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE...

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? Unfortunately, there may come a point in relationship, where we are in enough distress, discontent and disconnect, that we question our relationship or marriage. (Please listen to the podcast episode or read the transcript to hear explanations, stories and examples.) DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Four relationship dealbreakers (in general) that extremely difficult to ove...

GUEST GABRIELLE USATYNSKI: Gabrielle Usatynski, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Power Couples Counseling in Boulder, CO. She has been in private practice since 2008 and specializes in couples therapy. She is trained in PACT (a Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy). Gabrielle has been named 2018 and 2019 Best Marriage Counselor of Louisville by the Louisville Awards Program. She...

In this episode, Bento Leal and Dr. Jessica Higgins discuss:   How Bento got involved in the field of relationship skills.  Some of the biggest problems in interpersonal communication.  The 4 Keys to Effective Communication.  The number one skill for everyone.  It's not just about receiving information, it's about getting where the other person is coming from, especially on an emotional topic.  Li...

Last week's episode (177) , I discussed how difficult it can be when feeling distressed, threatened, and reactive to engage in comfort with a significant other. As one of my clients puts so well "Why would I want comfort from you, when you are they one that is causing me pain!" Many of us did not get the experience of having comfort when we were young. Thus, we developed ways to deal with it, but...

Discussed In This Episode: During stress, ways we get it wrong when we try to comfort our partner. How offering physical and emotional closeness is one of the most powerful ways to offer comfort. Ways to provide physical closeness (i.e. hugging, holding, sitting close). General ways to offer emotional closeness: 1. Accept and listen to your partner. 2. Understand the hurt. 3. Be with the pain. 4....

In This Episode, Dr. Keith Witt And Dr. Jessica Higgins Discuss:   Understanding intersubjectivity – the unique space that exists between two people. Recognizing the powerful impact and influence of our emotional states on each other in relationship. Learning how to manage and shift out of reactive, defensive, and negative states and how to amplify positive states.   Attending to the three foundat...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Higgins and Dr. Scott Woolley discuss:    Understanding the motivating factors of an affair and trusting it won't happen again.  The internal working models of attachment about who we are, who other people are, and how we relate to them.  The destructive impacts of taking revenge, public shaming, and waiting to make significant decisions.     Key Takeaways:    The thre...

Guest Byron Katie: In 1986, at the bottom of a ten-year spiral into depression, rage, and self-loathing, Byron Katie woke up one morning to a state of constant joy that has never left her. She realized that when she believed her stressful thoughts, she suffered, but that when she questioned them, she didn't suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Her simple yet powerful process of inq...

Guest David Emerald : David Emerald Womeldorff is the Creator-in-Chief of the 3 Vital Questions ® leadership frameworks proven to powerfully boost teamwork and productivity. Thousands of people and organizations have achieved breakthroughs by applying his self-leadership techniques and attending his seminars worldwide. David and his wife and business partner Donna Zajonc (sajon) MCC have developed...

In episode ERP 171 , I read a listener's question and I shared some examples of different types of manipulative behavior. I also offered the first 2 tips on how to deal with manipulative behavior in relationship. If you missed it, I encourage you to check it out. To recap, the first two tips of How To Deal With Manipulative Behavior: 1. Identify The Manipulative Behavior 2. Focus On Your Power, St...

LISTENER'S QUESTION: "First of all, thank you so much for doing the podcast. I have been learning so much about relationships and how to better improve my own. My question is about family and parents. Some background on my situation. I have told my very religious parents that I am moving out of the house. My boyfriend and I have found a place together and decided that our next step in our very com...

If you missed  part one and part two , I encourage you to check these episodes out first as it gives to the foundation for today's conversation. In a relationship, it is easy to focus on what our partner is doing that isn't working or is problematic. Yet, at the same time, we often overlook the ways in which we contribute to the problematic pattern. How often do we ask the question, " How lovable...

GUEST: DR. SUSAN HEITLER Susan Heitler PhD is a Denver clinical psychologist and widely-read author. Educated at Harvard and NYU, Susan Heitler offers self-help information for individuals and for couples. Dr. Heitler also writes for therapists, offering new understandings and treatments for anxiety, anger, depression, narcissism, and relationship challenges. Dr. Heitler's web-page provides an ove...

PART-ONE RECAP: In episode 167 , part one, we explored the human tendency to focus on what our partner is doing that isn't working or is problematic. While this is a natural tendency, we are overlooking the ways in which we might be contributing to the pattern of disconnect. How often do we ask the question, "How lovable am I being right now?" Easier said than done. There are many things that get...

In relationship, when we have a concern or an issue about something (as it relates to something our partner is doing that is bothering, upsetting, or offending us), we will likely want to: Point out and identify what your partner is doing wrong. Tell them how you don't like what they are doing. Describe how their behavior is not okay. Illustrate how what they are doing is unfair or not good. In re...

GUEST: Dr. Margaret Rutherford, a clinical psychologist, has practiced for twenty-five years in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She is the author of "Marriage Is Not For Chickens", a perfect gift book on marriage, and hosts a weekly podcast, SelfWork with Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Her new book, Perfectly Hidden Depression, will be published by New Harbinger in 2019. SUMMARY: In this episode, Dr. Margaret R...

GUEST: DR. ROBERT NAVARRA Dr. Navarra, Certified Gottman Therapist and Master Trainer has co-authored book chapters with Drs. John and Julie Gottman. Recently he published an article on systemic approaches in addiction treatment and co-authored three articles on Gottman Therapy with Dr. John Gottman for the Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Dr. Navarra created  "Roadmap for the Journey: A...

In this episode, you will learn ways to address the difficulty and uncertainty of not knowing if your partner is really "in it" with you and what to do about it. If you missed Part One, you can check it out here . LISTENER'S QUESTIONS: Listener :. ."I'm having a few issues in my relationship with my boyfriend. He just can't seem to stop messaging his exes. He knows I am very uncomfortable with it....

LISTENER'S QUESTIONS: Listener:   …"I'm having a few issues in my relationship with my boyfriend. He just can't seem to stop messaging his Exes (two of them) he knows I am very uncomfortable with it, we've broken up a few times due to this. but I'm starting to think maybe I'm the issue and not him, and I don't know what to do. we just recently got back together again and he is doing again, maybe i...

GUEST: LISA FIRESTONE, PHD Lisa Firestone, PhD is Director of Research and Education with the Glendon Association. She is the author of numerous articles and chapters and co-author of Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice and Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: the Wisdom of Psychotherapy, most recently Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships (APA books) Dr Firestone is a practicing clinical psy...