Heart and Soulution

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...

In this episode of the "Heart and Soulution" podcast, Mike and Kristen Jones focus on  navigating the holiday season  with family, particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas. They share  personal anecdotes  about their experiences with family traditions, the challenges of blending families, and managing holidays with adult children and in-laws. They discuss the importance of  setting health...

In this episode of "Heart and Soulution," Mike and Kristen Jones, discuss  relationships  and  grief . They begin with casual conversation about the end of their first podcast season, eventually revealing that they will be discussing the  heavy topic of grief . They explore  personal experiences with grief , noting that Kristen especially was not taught how to grieve effectively and that...

Want to know how to stop the hamster wheel in your relationship? In this episode of  Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones discuss the concept of the  "crazy cycle"  in romantic relationships, which they relate to  Dr. Emerson Eggerichs's  book,  Love and Respect , derived from  Ephesians 5  in the Bible. The core idea is that disrespect from the wife causes a lack of love from...

In this episode of "Heart and Soulution," hosts Mike and Kristen Jones focus on  improving marriage and relationships  with a biblical perspective. The discussion centers on a recent  marriage conference  they hosted, utilizing material from an organization called  Grace Marriage , which emphasizes a  grace-based  rather than performance-based approach to relationships. Throughout the ep...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones engage in an open discussion about  life transitions and change , particularly within the context of marriage and family life. They explore various types of transitions, including those that are initiated by choice (such as getting married or changing jobs) and those that are unexpectedly imposed (like losing a job or the death of a lo...

In this episode of the  "Heart and Soulution" podcast,  Mike and Kristen Jones , begin with the announcement of a  giveaway winner  for a  Table Topics Date Night  game. The main focus of the episode is a discussion on  parenting boundaries , drawing heavily on the principles and laws outlined by clinical psychologist  Dr. Henry Cloud , author of the book  Boundaries . Mike and Kristen u...

In this episode of Heart and Soulution, Mike and Kristen Jones diiscuss  relationship dynamics  and how to maintain  love and friendship  in a marriage, particularly after becoming parents. They begin with a casual conversation about their home life, mentioning challenges like  yard work and a ladder fall , before pivoting to a listener's question about  avoiding feeling like co-parents  rathe...