Marriage Therapy Radio

In this episode of So I Married a Relationship Expert , Zach and Laura get personal with Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt—relationship experts who don’t just teach  about marriage, they live  it. Get ready for an intimate look at the ups and downs of their own marriage. Spoiler: it wasn’t all smooth sailing! Harville and Helen open up about the times they nearly got divorced— twice ! At one...

In this first special episode of "So I Married a Relationship Expert", Zach and Laura sit down with Dr. Ellyn Bader and Dr. Peter Pearson, co-founders of The Couples Institute. This conversation dives deep into the dynamics of relationships, focusing on the developmental stages of couples therapy, the power of differentiation, and essential skills to strengthen partnerships. Known for pioneering t...

Zach embarks on a new chapter as the solo host of the podcast following Laura’s departure. Reflecting on the past seven years, Zach expresses gratitude for the journey and shares his excitement for the future. He introduces fresh ideas, including new interviews, experimental formats, and thought-provoking content, all designed to continue the mission of helping listeners think differently about re...

Zach and Laura reflect on their seven-year journey together as co-hosts. Laura announces her departure from the podcast, sharing her gratitude for the experiences, growth, and connections she’s gained along the way. The episode is filled with nostalgia, humor, and thoughtful reflections as the two discuss their favorite episodes, memorable guest moments, and lessons learned from seven years of tal...

Zach and Laura explore the complexities of transitions, nostalgia, and holiday traditions. Laura is feeling proud of her proud of her gym routine, even if her husband hasn't noticed. Meanwhile, Zach recounts nostalgic moments from a recent trip to his hometown, emphasizing how revisiting the past can offer clarity and a sense of grounding. The conversation also dives into “sliding door” moments, t...

Zach and Laura kick things off with their signature banter, sharing personal stories from their week. Zach recounts his recent trip to Chicago, sharing about connecting with an old friend and nerding out about superheroes. Laura recounts her excitement about seeing  Wicked  with her son, reflecting on the joy of revisiting experiences that remind us to embrace wonder and connection. As the convers...

Zach and Laura are joined by special guest Dr. Jeanne Michele https://drjeannemichele.com/ , a relationship coach and author of The Infidelity Cure https://amzn.to/4g6QBSf . The trio delves into the complex topic of infidelity, exploring its emotional impact, the motivations behind it, and how couples can navigate the aftermath. Jeanne shares her professional insights, emphasizing the importance o...

Zach and Laura explore the theme of transitions in relationships and the importance of honoring life’s natural seasons. They share personal stories about changes in their own lives, from shifting priorities to redefining roles in work and family. Together, they discuss how relationships—whether professional, personal, or familial—are constantly evolving, and how embracing these transitions with gr...

Zach and Laura take a deep dive into the highs, lows, and unexpected lessons that come with weddings and the relationships they celebrate. Drawing from their own wedding stories—like Laura’s epic lightning-filled ceremony and Zach’s traditional Connecticut celebration—they explore how these milestone events can shape and reflect the dynamics of a relationship. The discussion covers the importance...

Zach and Laura reflect on significant milestones and life lessons. Laura shares her journey of completing the New York Marathon, weaving in lessons about endurance, self-discovery, and how the physical demands of a marathon parallel the emotional effort required in relationships. Zach celebrates four years of sobriety, reflecting on how his journey has reshaped his relationships, health, and minds...

Zach and Laura welcome relationship expert and mental health advocate Allison Raskin. They dive into her latest book,  I Do, I Think: Conversations About Modern Marriage , exploring how marriage and commitment have evolved in today’s society. Allison shares insights into the “modern marriage,” discussing how relationships have shifted from traditional roles to more flexible, individual-focused com...

Zach’s shares his pedicure obsession. Laura has a rousing night with a bunch of Cathys at the senior center.  After Laura attended Zach's Relationship Boot Camp she has questions about the concept of a Core Negative Image (CNI) and how it affects relationships. Zach and Laura unpack how each partner’s perceptions, often rooted in past experiences or insecurities, can lead to exaggerated negative v...

Zach shares of his first-time experience with Dungeons and Dragons. Laura is looking forward to a murder mystery party.  They then explore the dynamics of acknowledging and meeting your partner's expressed needs, using a story from Laura’s therapy practice as a springboard to discuss the significance of understanding each other's boundaries and preferences. Zach and Laura examine the role of emoti...

Laura has her first snow of the year, and on her morning run no less. Zach thanks you for listening and shares his admiration for another podcaster.  They transition into a great conversation about how partners can communicate and take responsibility in meeting each other’s needs. Laura shares a personal story about her relationship with her husband, Ryan, highlighting the tension that arises when...

Zach and Laura kick off this episode with some fun banter about Laura's outfit and a Zoom-themed party Zach attended with their mutual friend. They quickly shift gears to discuss the feedback they’ve been receiving from long-time listeners. With heartfelt messages from those who’ve listened to every episode, they reflect on the value their show has brought to people’s lives. Zach asks:  How has li...

Zach and Laura kick off this episode with some fun banter about Laura's outfit and a Zoom-themed party Zach attended with their mutual friend. They quickly shift gears to discuss the feedback they’ve been receiving from long-time listeners. With heartfelt messages from those who’ve listened to every episode, they reflect on the value their show has brought to people’s lives. Zach asks:  How has li...

Zach and Laura celebrate a special milestone—seven years of  Marriage Therapy Radio . They kick things off with some lighthearted banter about their journey, joking about sending out autographed glamour shots. From there, they dive into a listener email from a woman navigating an in-home separation from her husband, who she suspects may be engaging in secretive behavior. They explore the complexit...

Laura shares her pride in completing a triathlon and Zach chimes in with his marathon experiences. The discussion transitions into deeper relationship topics, focusing on how to apologize effectively and, just as importantly, how to receive an apology. Zach emphasizes that successful relationships are not just about knowing how to apologize, but also about knowing how to accept a partner’s apology...

Laura finds out how Zach did hanging out with her family over the weekend.  Zach shares his struggle between choosing a trendy neighborhood or staying in a corporate setting, leading into a conversation about how environments can affect work and client experiences. They then discuss relational boundaries and the concept of outsourcing emotional needs. Laura explains how people often put too much p...

Zach and Laura discuss the launch of their new book,  Reconnect , and how couples can use it to improve their relationship.  They delve into an in-depth discussion on the concept of gaslighting, clarifying that it involves malicious, intentional manipulation—far different from the common emotional invalidation many couples experience.  Episode Highlights: How to Use  Reconnect : Zach and Laura sug...

Zach is feeling bad that his mustache has garnered very little attention. Laura thinks he should keep it. Zach reports back on his experience with his daughter at the  Dave Matthew's Band show. They go on to discuss a bit of some conflict they had right before starting to record. It leads to some great insight into managing one's behavior and reactions even when they are a well-worn habit.  Episod...

Laura talks about her new bucket list project, inspired by a client challenge, which leads to a broader conversation about dreaming big and setting personal goals. Zach reflects on a deeply personal experience with his daughter, showcasing the complexities of parent-child relationships and the healing power of patience and open communication. Together, Laura and Zach explore the dynamics of how pe...

Zach introduces Laura, his "little sister," and Julie Ruediger, his friend, mentor, and "big sister”. They discuss how they met, what they’ve learned from each other, and the work they are doing together this fall. Episode Highlights: Sibling Dynamics and Family Reunions : Zach introduces Julie, who immediately fits into the sibling-like rapport he shares with Laura. The trio dives into stories ab...

Laura shares her latest journey towards better gut health and the surprising benefits she's noticed, like increased energy and clarity. Zach talks about some feelings that were brought up when seeing his brother at the recent Lard Butt race.  They then tackle an important listener question: Is it okay to have close friends of the opposite sex (or any potential partner alternative), outside of your...

Laura touches base with Zach about his other projects and his upcoming race. Zach shares a successful exercise his clients took on to help them disrupt their boring and predictable patterns of conflict.   Paired. Download the PAIRED app at  https://www.paired.com/MTR  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priva...