Utah Marriage Comission

Stronger Marriage Connection

It's often said that marriage takes work. The Stronger Marriage Connection podcast wants to help because a happy marriage is worth the effort. USU Family Life Professor Dr. Dave Schramm and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Liz Hale talk with experts about the principles and practices that will enhance your commitment, compassion, and emotional connection.  More than ever before, marriages face obstacles, from the busyness of work and daily hassles to disagreements and digital distractions. It's no wonder couples sometimes drift apart, growing resentful, lonely, and isolated. The Utah Marriage Commiss...

Author

Utah Marriage Comission

Category

Education

Podcast website

extension.usu.edu

Latest episode

Jun 29, 2026

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Episodes

Resilience in Marriage: Navigating Stressors Together | Nathan Leonhardt | 137 16.06.2025

How do you transform relationship challenges into opportunities for growth? What does it mean to truly flourish together beyond mere happiness? When hardship strikes, what separates couples who crumble from those who emerge stronger? Dr. Nathan Lenhart, assistant professor at Brigham Young University and author of "The Science of Virtue," tackles these profound questions with refreshing...

Why Being Nice Kills Passion (And What To Do Instead) | Alexandra Stockwell | #136 09.06.2025

Dr. Alexandra Stockwell shares her journey from physician to intimacy coach and reveals how couples can create passionately intimate marriages through authenticity rather than compromise. She offers transformative insights on cultivating everyday eroticism, communicating with kindness, and deepening emotional connection to enhance sensual experiences. • Developing "everyday eroticism" by...

Keeping Marriage Strong When Life Gets Tough | Dave and Julie Bulitt | #135 02.06.2025

Happy Hacks: 101 Science-Backed Ways to Boost Happiness, Reduce Stress, and Build a More Meaningful Life. Available now starting at 99¢ on Amazon and Dave's Book Store Written by Dr. Dave Schramm, this practical and uplifting new book offers simple, research-based strategies to help you build greater happiness, strengthen resilience, reduce The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendat...

Your Baby Deserves Parents Who Love Each Other | Julie Blackburn | #134 26.05.2025

Julie Blackburn shares her expertise on helping couples maintain strong relationships during the challenging transition to parenthood, drawing on her experience as a registered nurse, midwife, and Bringing Baby Home educator. • 67% of couples become unhappy with each other during the first three years of their baby's life • The greatest gift you can give your baby is a happy and strong relati...

A Great Marriage Starts With a Great You | Greg Denning | #133 19.05.2025

Greg Denning shares his journey from a troubled childhood to creating an extraordinary marriage and family life while traveling to over 60 countries with his wife and seven children. His positive energy and unique ability to inspire others stems from his personal transformation after leaving home at 16 and experiencing homelessness before discovering the secrets to creating a happy life. • Making...

Gottman's Science of Love: Practical Tools for Connection | Julie Sharon-Wagschal | #132 12.05.2025

Struggling to understand what makes a relationship flourish over time? In this eye-opening episode with Dutch-American psychologist Julie Sharon, we uncover the science-backed secrets that separate thriving marriages from those that falter. When couples find themselves locked in the same frustrating conflict patterns, the answer might be surprisingly physiological. Julie reveals how a racing heart...

Navigating Relationship Conflict: Healing Through Connection | Dr. Ryan Seedall | #131 05.05.2025

Dr. Ryan Seedall draws on his 20+ years of experience as a therapist to share insights about relationship conflict patterns and the role of attachment in marriage dynamics. He provides practical pointers to strengthen marriage connections, including how to navigate the demand-withdraw cycle and use anger productively. • Healthy marriages require not just absence of negative interactions but presen...

The Imago Connection: Transforming Conflict into Growth | Mary Kay Cocharo | #130 28.04.2025

Mary Kay Cocharo shares how Imago therapy helps transform relationship conflicts into opportunities for healing childhood wounds through a structured dialogue process that fosters safety, understanding, and deep connection.  • Imago theory suggests we're unconsciously attracted to partners who possess both positive and negative traits of our childhood caretakers • Relationships typically move...

Technology Meets Therapy: How Digital Tools Are Transforming Modern Relationships | Brian Doss | #129 21.04.2025

Dr. Brian Doss shares a science-backed digital resource called Our Relationship that helps couples identify relationship challenges and implement effective solutions through a structured framework. • Our Relationship program has been continuously funded by the NIH for 15 years and helped tens of thousands of couples • The DEEP framework helps couples understand Differences, Emotions, External stre...

Relationship Churning: The On-Again, Off-Again Cycle | Sarah Halpern-Meekin | #128 14.04.2025

Relationship churning—the pattern of breaking up and getting back together with the same partner—affects nearly half of young adults and creates emotional whiplash for couples, children, and their support networks. Dr. Sarah Halpern-Meekin shares her groundbreaking research on this common relationship phenomenon, explaining why couples fall into these patterns and what it means for their wellbeing...

Connection: The Core of Human Experience | Adam Dorsay | #127 07.04.2025

Connection forms the foundation of mental health and happiness, with disconnection from ourselves, others, the world, and something greater underlying virtually every psychological struggle we face. • Four types of connection: with self (authenticity), others (relationships), the world (nature/art), and something greater (awe/spirituality) • Modern distractions like social media, FOMO, and constan...

Betrayal Trauma: Finding Hope After Infidelity | Dave Jones | #126 31.03.2025

Betrayal trauma occurs when trust is violated within a relationship, creating a profound alteration of reality for the betrayed partner and causing symptoms similar to PTSD. David Jones, a licensed marriage and family therapist, shares insights on the unique challenges of betrayal trauma and offers a three-part framework for healing. • Betrayal trauma is defined as an "alteration of reality&q...

When Marriage Meets Faith | Dr. Loren Marks | #125 24.03.2025

Faith and religion shape marriages by influencing beliefs, practices, and community connections that help couples build "championship marriages" through shared sacred purpose. Dr. Loren Marks shares insights from the American Families of Faith Project, featuring interviews with 300 exemplary couples from 20+ faith traditions. • Shared beliefs create a "family vision" that trans...

Hidden Toll: How Conflict & Divorce Impact Children | Jenet Erickson | #124 17.03.2025

Dr. Liz and Dr. Dave welcome Dr. Janet Erickson to discuss the profound impact of marriage on children and families, exploring how parental relationships shape child development and identity formation. • Strong marriages create a sense of wholeness, identity, and belonging for children • Research consistently shows divorce has significant impacts on children of all ages • Children of divorce often...

The Art of New Parenthood: Protecting Your Relationship While Welcoming Baby | Joni Parthemer | #123 10.03.2025

Dr. Liz and Dr. Dave welcome Joni Parthimer, education director for the Gottman Institute's Bringing Baby Home program, to discuss how couples can maintain a strong relationship while navigating the challenges of new parenthood. About Joni: Joni Parthemer, M.Ed., is a Master Trainer and Education Director for the Bringing Baby Home Program. She is a certified Childbirth Educator and faculty m...

Why Marriage is So Important | Dr. Brad Wilcox | #122 03.03.2025

Besure to watch this and every episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pXpkkT0DyZA Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave Schramm talk with Dr. Brad Wilcox, sociology professor and Director of the National Marriage Project, about why marriage matters more than ever. They discuss its key benefits—emotional support, financial stability, child well-being, and community strength—while addressing challenges like cohab...

Why Do We Argue So Much? | Laura Heck & Zach Brittle | #121 24.02.2025

Be sure to watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tEm34gytP4A Today Laura Heck and Zach Brittle, co-hosts of Marriage Therapy Radio, break down why couples argue and how to navigate disagreements in a healthy way. Drawing from Dr. John Gottman’s research, they explore practical strategies to express needs, take responsibility, regulate emotions, and increase appreciation.  About: Laura He...

Relationship Evaluation | Don & Carrie Cole | #120 17.02.2025

Besure to watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Lk5moCDwYWQ Today Don and Carrie Cole return and share with host Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale a unique Relationship Evaluation checklist they created to help couples check up on there relationship connection. Don and Carrie also discuss unique insights and techniques they have learned in practice with couples at the Center for Relation...

Establishing Household Roles: Tips For Couples to Avoid Conflict | Dr. Julie Hanks | #119 10.02.2025

Be sure to watch this and every epsidoe of the podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IQ3pSyQ-9HY Today on Stronger Marriage Connection , hosts Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave Schramm sit down with Dr. Julie Hanks, a licensed therapist specializing in marriage and family therapy. They discuss the challenges couples face when dividing household labor and how to create a fair and equitable partnership. Dr....

Daily Acts of Love Build Strong Intimate Marriages | Dr. Alexandra Solomon | #118 03.02.2025

Be sure to watch this and every episode of the podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zjuKWgivYNo Today Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a renowned relationship expert, joins Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave Schramm to discuss daily practices for love, relational self-awareness, and fostering intimacy. The conversation dives into overcoming relationship stagnation, understanding family of origin influences, and mana...

Avoid Divorce: Expert Tips from a Divorce Lawyer | Padideh Jafari, Esq | #117 27.01.2025

Be sure to watch this and every epsidoe of the podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yoBDCp1li2w Today divorce attorney Padideh Jafari shares invaluable insights from her 22 years of experience. She delves into the common challenges marriages face, including financial stress, in-law interference, toxic positivity, and the seven- year itch. Padideh also provides practical tips for better communicati...

Chastity Before and Inside Marriage | Jason Evert | #116 20.01.2025

Be sure to watch this and every epsidoe of the podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lz5PEu7SOlc Jason Evert shares his insights on chastity, self-mastery, and the importance of authentic love in relationships. From defining chastity and its role in dating and marriage to discussing the damaging effects of pornography and the significance of tenderness in relationships, Jason provides actionable ad...

Shame and Healthy Sexuality | Natasha Helfer | #115 13.01.2025

Today in this powerful episode, certified sex therapist Natasha Helfer joins Dave Schramm and Liz Hale to discuss the complex relationship between sexual health, faith, and cultural messages. Natasha sheds light on the damaging effects of sexual shame, the influence of purity culture, and the importance of open communication around intimacy. She offers actionable advice for parents, couples, and i...

Defining Gender Roles In Marriage | Dr. Daniel Carlson | #114 06.01.2025

Dr. Daniel Carlson joins Dave and Liz to discuss the division of household labor and its impact on marital satisfaction. From managing the mental load to ensuring fairness, Dr. Carlson shares research-backed strategies for balancing responsibilities at home. They explore the effects of the pandemic on gender roles, the importance of communication, and how couples can navigate household responsibil...

Men Matter: Husbands Need Support Too | Leslie Doares | #113 30.12.2024

Lesli Doares joins Dave and Liz to discuss the Hero Husband Project and practical ways husbands can strengthen their marriages. From building emotional safety and communication skills to creating a marriage blueprint, Lesli offers actionable advice for nurturing connection and fostering mutual respect. With over 20 years of experience, Lesli empowers husbands to step into their roles as partners a...

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