Stronger Marriage Connection

We flip the mic and let Liz and Rex interview Dave about his new book, Happy Hacks, and the science-backed habits that make joy more durable in real life. We dig into why happiness matters for marriages and families, how small choices build momentum, and why compassion and kindness are the glue of a stronger marriage connection.  • why happiness is not toxic positivity and still involves choice th...

Discovering infidelity can be one of the most painful experiences a couple faces. In this episode, Dr. Bill Bumberry shares practical guidance and hope for couples navigating betrayal trauma and rebuilding trust. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and the Gottman Method, Bill explains the three key phases of healing after infidelity—atonement, attunement, and attachment—and offers actionabl...

We sit down with psychotherapist Kirsten Davidson to unpack why couples drift into disconnection and how Internal Family Systems therapy can help us lead ourselves with more clarity, compassion, and courage. We challenge the stories we tell ourselves in conflict, practice speaking from “parts” instead of blame, and lay out simple shifts that rebuild real connection.  • assumptions driving communic...

We sit down with marriage and family therapist Andrea Dindinger to name the repeat fight loops that hijack connection and to practice simple ways to interrupt them before they turn mean. We walk away with concrete tools for calmer conflict, deeper intimacy, and more intentional partnership that ripples into the next generation.  • naming the “loop” as the problem, not each other  • spotting trigge...

We sit down with therapist Josh O’Tani to talk about pornography use as a couples issue and why secrecy can wound a relationship as deeply as infidelity. We map the shame and anger cycle that keeps partners stuck, then share practical ways to rebuild trust through curiosity, empathy, and consistent repair.  • Reframing pornography use as relational and systemic, not just individual behavior  • Por...

Sexual intimacy changes over the arc of a long-term relationship, and treating every lull like a crisis often adds pressure that makes things worse. We talk with sex and relationship coach Keeley Rankin about how to rebuild closeness through curiosity, kinder communication, and a better understanding of what each partner actually desires.  • Defining what “sexless marriage” can mean and why the co...

We talk honestly about grief, loss, and why love can keep shaping us even after someone is gone. We share research and real stories that reframe mourning as both painful and meaningful, then land on practical ways to build a relationship that strengthens you now and later.  • why grief is complex across mind and body  • what predicts higher grief levels in young widowhood  • loss-oriented versus r...

We talk with Nick and Amy about how their marriage nearly ended, and how rebuilding emotional safety brought back real connection and passionate sexual intimacy. They share the simple habits and tools that helped them stop drifting, communicate about hard topics, and create the Ultimate Intimacy app to help other couples do the same.  • their turning point after financial stress and burnout  • why...

We welcome Dr. Sean Brotherson to talk about the joys and pressures of becoming parents and how that transition can strain or strengthen a marriage. We share concrete ways to stay connected through fatigue, changing roles, and shifting intimacy while building the stability kids need most.  • why the transition to parenthood feels so intense even with preparation  • setting realistic expectations t...

We sit down with Dr. Chelom Leavitt to unpack why emotional intimacy is the strongest predictor of sexual wellbeing and what “feeling seen” actually looks like in a real marriage. We share science, stories, and simple daily practices that help us build trust, repair disconnection, and create a safer path to desire over time.  • emotional intimacy as being known and accepted, including fears and we...

We sit down with Curtis Morley to learn how “counterfeit emotions” quietly disconnect couples and how authentic emotions build peace, clarity, and real intimacy. We dig into practical shifts like choosing curiosity over anger, honoring pain without turning it into misery, and removing shame so connection can grow.  • Curtis’s origin story after divorce and the loss of his friend Jerry  • Four crit...

We sit down with Ralph Brewer to unpack what really sits underneath dead bedrooms, infidelity, and the quiet insecurity that many men carry into marriage. We talk straight about anxious attachment, “Mr Nice Guy” patterns, and how secure, connected couples protect intimacy by building a full life instead of clinging tighter. • Ralph’s turning point after discovering an affair and becoming a single...

In this episode of the Stronger Marriage Connection podcast, Dr. Dave welcomes Dr. Alan Hawkins to explore the critical issues surrounding the current state of dating, its impact on marriage formation, and practical solutions to strengthen young adults' dating skills. Understanding these dynamics is essential for fostering healthier relationships and addressing the broader societal trends inf...

We welcome UK marriage therapist Naomi Light, who shares how her relationship nearly ended and how couples therapy helped her and her husband rebuild a stronger “marriage 2.0.” We dig into the science and skills behind her Rewiring Love method so you can shift patterns, lower conflict, and create real safety with your partner. • Naomi’s story of slow-building toxic conflict and the turning point t...

We explore how desire works over time and why many couples crave sex that feels effortless, absorbing, and deeply connected. Dr. Emily Jamea shares research on flow state in sexual intimacy and the five qualities that help couples sustain passion in busy real life.  • Dr. Emily Jamea’s journey into sex and relationship therapy  • How flow state connects to sexual satisfaction  • The five desire “s...

We explore why dating feels harder, how on-demand culture reshapes expectations, and what AI companions and pornography are doing to our ideas of love. Dr. Brian Willoughby shares research, skills, and hopeful strategies for parents, teens, and singles who want real connection. • falling dating rates and fading norms among teens and young adults • benefits and costs of dating apps, including rejec...

We explore a marriage operating system built on small, specific habits that strengthen trust, make time for connection, and turn differences into strengths. Casey and Meygan share tools like Love Lists, the KNOWN position, the 60‑Second Blessing, weekly meetings, and a repair-first apology. • origin of Marriage365 and why access matters • building a marriage operating system with habits • tools ve...

We share Kilie Tomadakis’s journey from early instability to adoption, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, and why strong families are the foundation for healthy communities. We explore her pageant platform, modern dating, communication skills, and practical steps to reduce distraction and deepen connection. • early childhood instability, adoption, and faith shaping values • lessons from farm work on...

We explore how understanding neurodiversity can strengthen love, reduce conflict, and turn differences into design features rather than deficits. Dr. Matthew Zakresky shares science, stories, and practical tools to navigate communication, sensory needs, and executive function in marriage. • one in five partners as neurodivergent and why it matters • brain differences in form and function backed by...

We trace how childhood attachment styles shape sexual desire, arousal, and closeness in marriage, and why couples get stuck in the sex standoff. Mark Cameron shares practical steps to earn secure attachment and turn emotional safety into better intimacy. • Key gender differences in arousal and desire • The sex standoff and how it spirals • Quick primer on attachment theory and styles • Avoider pat...

We sit down with Dr. Lee Baucom to unpack the “pause button marriage,” why most couples misdiagnose communication issues, and how small, steady habits and a team mindset rebuild connection. One partner can start the change with curiosity, empowerment, and self-management. • defining the pause button marriage and its slow costs • shifting from me and you to a true we • why connection, not communica...

We sit down with researcher Wendy Wang to unpack how AI companionship, porn, and endless scrolling are reshaping dating, marriage, and mental health. We share data-backed risks and simple house rules that protect attention, intimacy, and commitment. • one in four young adults saying AI could replace romance • how frictionless AI partners create unrealistic expectations • links between screen time,...

We unpack how codependency hides inside “helping,” why rescuing backfires, and how to build self-compassion, boundaries, and interdependence. Therapist Peyton Holt shares concrete tools for couples and parents to trade control for empathy and create safer, stronger bonds. • clear definition of codependency and why it’s common • five core symptoms from Pia Mellody’s framework • the fix-it cycle and...

We welcome Les and Leslie Parrott to unpack how preparation, empathy, and practical tools create stronger marriages, from the origins of SYMBIS to the launch of the four-minute Heart Chart. We explore healthy conflict, invisible rule books, and thought patterns that quietly shape connection. • SYMBIS origin story and why premarriage prep matters • moving from traits to state for real-time insight...

We explore how emotional safety fuels connection and why consent, validation, and nervous system awareness transform tough talks. Shane Burkle shares RLT’s “truth with love,” a six-hour intensive model, and a simple exercise couples can use today. • connection seekers vs safety seekers and the push-pull loop • what emotional safety looks like in practice • validating language, curiosity, and accou...