Relationships Let's Talk About It!

Many people are well-acquainted with the power of intention to manifest their projects, their desires, even their businesses. But intent could be also be taken into our relationships and used to transform us into better individuals, partners, and human beings. At the beginning of our relationship, my wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, and I set the tone of our life together by creating our foundation...

Conflict is a truth for every couple. Every relationship has its fair share of arguments from time to time. While the threat of COVID-19 persists around the world, couples are spending more time in close proximity while quarantined together and find themselves in more bouts of conflict. In fact, my wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, and I recently had a special conflict situation. Rainbow is an artis...

In many ways, a relationship is like a garden: you need to make a deliberate effort to care for the soil so that plants can have a strong foundation. Whether it's igniting a spark in the relationship or handling conflicts better, the quarantine presents us with opportunities to connect with our loved ones and understand them more profoundly. It's our relationships that will get us through this tim...

Patience is one of the pillars of our everyday lives that must be cultivated. At a time where uncertainty about our future plagues the air, we can feel an anxiety that could drain our patience. We may feel irascible and get frustrated easily, even with people whom we love. Recently, my wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, and I had a bout of impatience with each other and worked through it. After all,...

COVID-19 has disrupted our normal life and confined us into the spaces of our homes. Many people have been isolated in their houses for weeks, and there is a lack of certainty in how long the quarantines will last. This confinement impacts couples, too. Being in constant, close proximity with each other can erode the novelty in their relationships and bring in grumpiness, irritability, and defensi...

In a world disrupted by a pandemic, it may be difficult to express empathy for other people. The unknown can be scary, and we might be anxious about our own finances, health, and survival. Yet, we need empathy for each other now more than ever. How do you practice empathy, especially in a time of distress? My wife, Yvonne (Rainbow) Teplitsky—artist, founder & owner of Artsy Goddess Studio —believe...

Human beings are resilient creatures. Amidst the fear, stress, and anxiety brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, people relate to each other kindly and meaningfully, from checking-in online to singing together on balconies. But social distancing and quarantines can challenge even the happiest and most stable relationships. My wife Yvonne Teplitsky—the founder & owner of Artsy Goddess Studio —and...

Commitment: that big 'c' word that causes cold feet for some people. In many ways, it's a projection of future scenarios that a person creates in their mind. Will their partner change? Will they be able to make decisions for themselves? Will they be able to meet new people and do the things that they like? If you're someone who constantly asks these questions before entering a relationship, you ma...

Trish Kruger is a professional counselor and therapist currently working at Blue Ridge Treks , a community of mental health therapists in Asheville, North Carolina. She is dual-licensed as a counselor and addiction therapist trained in trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing. With a diverse background in yoga, art, and entrepreneurship, Trish values mindfulness, expressive art, and talk...

Families are complicated. As much as we want to always be there and support our loved ones, sometimes our relationships could be toxic. It's difficult to draw a boundary between you and a relative, but how do you know it's time to cut off ties with a family member? Or how do you know when to maintain the relationship? My wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, the founder & owner of Artsy Goddess Studio ,...

Thomas Doochin is the CEO of Daymaker , an organization that helps employees cultivate a deeper connection with their community, team, and themselves through the intentional acts of giving and service. Daymaker helps people realize and foster their intrinsic goodness and generosity by helping employees and their companies connect with under-resourced communities. Through this experience of generos...

Jealousy is a human experience. Whether we were the ones receiving it or the ones feeling it, we've all had our fair share of jealous feelings and behaviors. Despite the commonality of this emotion, jealousy could bring on challenges and issues in a romantic relationship that, when aggravated, could create distrust and eventually end the relationship. Couples need to take the necessary steps to ov...

At a very young age, Cathy Courtenay felt an urge to find truth and has since been living her life responding to its call. Cathy brings her heart into everything that she does, whether it's leading the Art of Circling, Body-Mind Centering, or working with her clients as a Conscious Relating Coach. She helps people fully stand in what's real for them, and all of her work ultimately teaches authenti...

Conflict is an inevitable part of committed relationships, marriages, partnerships, or even in our relationships with family and friends. Yet many of us avoid it. We don't know how to properly open ourselves to conflict, let alone handle it properly. But conflict, when managed constructively, can be a source of growth and connection between all disagreeing parties involved. We need to understand a...

Trish Kruger is a duo-licensed professional counselor and clinical addiction therapist. Trained in trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing, Trish believes in the value of talk therapy, mindfulness, and expressive arts which she includes in her practice. She completed her graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Western Carolina University and currently works at Blue Ridge...

Susan Patrice is the Principal Consultant of Makers Circle , an organization that sparks change through the creative process. As a documentary photographer, arts educator, and community facilitator, Susan has been using her talents to transform people and communities over the last 12 years. Susan has supported communities worldwide to address problems such as gender equality and racial equity thro...

Everybody has family dramas. But while no family is entirely healthy, it's always great to be in a family where there's less drama. My wife, Yvonne Rainbow Teplitsky, brilliant artist, founder and owner of Artsy Goddess Studio, hails from Denmark. With my American background and her upbringing from a different culture, we've had our share of family drama with our relatives. How can a couple stand...

Thomas Doochin firmly believes in humanity's story of love and interconnectedness. This great faith in humanity led him and his peers at the University of North Carolina to co-create Daymaker at the young age of 19. Through connecting employees to their communities, Daymaker is a company that helps people realize their intrinsic goodness and generosity. But to Thomas, Daymaker is more than a busin...

Al Bailey has been a student of the healing arts for over 30 years. Al uses his wisdom on the relationship between mind and body to help his clients return to their authentic breathing and facilitate healing and self-awareness. In addition to being a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, Al is the owner of BreatheAboutLife, a center for inner healing. Through BreatheAboutLife, he provides NOWON...

Maureen McCarthy is a living testament that just because a marriage ended, it doesn't mean it has failed. When doctors told Maureen that she would die from a rare genetic illness, she ended her 10-year marriage with her husband, Bill. Yet, Maureen and Bill collaborate to maintain a relationship that's healthy for both of them and their children. She knew that the fear-driven stories that revolve a...

Gregg Levoy is devoted to helping people find and sustain their passions in life. His books, Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion and Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life , reflect his mission of helping people feel alive through their passion. He is currently a regular contributing author to Psychology Today and holds workshops and keynote presentations at organizations suc...

There are times in a relationship when a person needs to set boundaries. It could be healthy to take a step back and soothe the emotions in times of anger. But while it's helpful to 'take a breather' during escalated conflict situations, refusing to engage or acknowledge the other person in the relationship is not healthy. Stonewalling, silent treatments, or sulking can be hurtful, and in some cas...

Thomas Doochin believes in humanity's inherent capacity for love and interconnectedness. At the age of 19, Thomas took this faith in humanity and, together with his peers from the University of North Carolina, co-created Daymaker . Through helping employees and their companies connect with under-resourced communities, Daymaker helps people realize and foster their intrinsic goodness and generosity...

Mollie Curry is a 'true Earth' person. In addition to being a wilderness ranger, communitarian, permaculturist, home herbalist, and gardener, she is a natural builder who aims to help the planet and its people come to greater balance. Through her work, Mollie fosters more profound connections with herself, society, the Earth, and spirit. She was first involved in the art of natural building in the...

Corey Costanzo is a licensed addiction counselor and somatic therapist who seeks to help people achieve a higher flow in their life experience. Another area of expertise is bodywork, a mix of Esalen Massage, Craniosacral therapy, and Didgeridoo sound vibration healing. A kind-hearted person and good friend of mine, Corey helps the local community improve their lives by offering donation-based Rest...