Stronger Marriage Connection KSL Podcasts

Today, we are joined by, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist Sean Grover to discusses the challenges of maintaining a couple-centered marriage amidst the demands of parenting. Grover, an expert with over 25 years of experience, shares insights from his books and provides practical tips for preventing parent burnout. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-care, creativity, and effective communication in strengthening marital bonds and fostering a happier family life.

About Sean:

Sean Grover is a psychotherapist and best-selling author with over 25 years of experience.Sean has appeared on the Today Show and over 200 podcasts and radio shows, and leads oneof the largest group therapy practices in the United States.

Insights:


Sean:Don't give up. It's never too late to start again. You can retrain your brain, even after years of chronic illness. I was reading about people who overcame 22 years of illness by retraining their minds. I have a young patient with an incurable intestinal disease who has been symptom and medication-free for two years now. Remember, people are more adaptable than we think. You can challenge and change behaviors and rewire your brain. So, don't give up.
Liz: Your happiness as a panent is so important to your child. It's everything. When you, as a parent, genuinely enjoy parenting your child, it sends positive messages that you might not even realize. Even if you're a newlywed or haven't had children yet, it's never too early to focus on what kind of parent you want to be. Think about what you want to embrace and how you want to show up in the world of parenting.

Sean's Links:

https://www.seangrover.com/

 

Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:

Strongermarriage.org

Podcast.stongermarriage.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/

Dr. Dave Schramm:http://drdaveschramm.comhttp://drdavespeaks.com

Dr. Liz Hale:http://www.drlizhale.com

In this episode of the Stronger Marriage Connection Podcast, hosts Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale sit down with licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Kyle Barth. They discuss the foundation of healthy relationships, focusing on trust, boundaries, and overcoming obstacles. Kyle Barth shares his professional journey and personal insights into creating safe, connected, and value-based relationships. Listeners will gain valuable tools and perspectives for improving their relationships and understanding the complexities of trauma and trust.

#marriage #buildingtrust #relationshipgoals #couplestherapy
About Kyle Barth:

I'm not your typical relationship therapist. Yes, I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist with over a decade of experience, but here's the twist: I've been through divorce myself. Unexpected, right? Life has a funny way of steering us in unexpected directions. However, this experience further ignited my passion to help others build safe, secure, and connected relationships. 

My mission is to empower individuals to cultivate confidence and foster healthy,empowering, and connected relationships. By incorporating trauma-informed andevidenced based therapy practices, I create a safe haven for healing, honesty, andgrowth. I'll walk alongside you as you rewrite the script of your story. But beyond my role as a therapist, my proudest title is "dad." Nothing brings me more joy than spending quality time with my kids. When I'm not immersed in the world of therapy, I indulge my love for the great outdoors, cheer on the Utah Jazz, and love reading. Let's embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, unlocking your potential for meaningful connections and personal growth. You matter!

Insights:


Kyle: You're capable of having the relationship of your dreams, no matter your current situation or past experiences. Whether you're 60 years old and have never been married, have never had a long-term relationship, or have been divorced three times, you can still achieve that dream relationship. It may not look like what you envisioned earlier in life or even right now, but it can become a reality for you. It might require letting go of past relationships or changing how you've been doing things, but you're capable of making it happen.
Dave: One thing that might stand out about ways of thinking is the concept of the marriage of your dreams. Initially, you might think of a fairy tale, like a Disney ending with music, dancing, and everyone focusing on the couple. However, that's not reality. The marriage of your dreams can mean feeling safe, happy, and connected, with your partner as your best friend, by your side through all the ups and downs. That's what many truly want and long for.
Liz: We are always changing, and I think that's really great. To try something new, we often talk about marriage 2.0, but I've even had a couple say this is marriage 10.0 because of constant change. We need to be willing to let go of old patterns. Just as our internal bodies and organs are changing, we are part of that process, and we need to embrace it intentionally in our marriages.

Kyle Barth Links:

https://impactfulcounseling.com/

 

Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:

Strongermarriage.org

Podcast.stongermarriage.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/

Dr. Dave Schramm:http://drdaveschramm.comhttp://drdavespeaks.com

Dr. Liz Hale:http://www.drlizhale.com

 

In today’s episode of Stronger Marriage Connection, hosts Dr. Dave Schramm and Dr. Liz Hale welcome Dr. James Cordova to discuss the concept of relationship checkups. Just like regular doctor or dental checkups, Dr. Cordova advocates for regular relationship checkups to prevent relationship deterioration and enhance mental and physical health. They explore the importance of proactive relationship health care and the development of Arammu, The Relationship Checkup Inc., aimed at improving relationship health in both military and civilian populations.

About Dr. James Cordova:

Dr. James Cordova is Department Chair and Professor of Psychology at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dr. Cordova is a leading figure in the field of Couples Research and Therapy. He is the developer of The Relationship Checkup, a preventative relationship healthcare intervention designed to prevent relationship deterioration through the relationship health equivalent of the annual physical health checkup.

Dr. Cordova was co-PI, with retired Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Cigrang, and their Air Force team, on a recently completed $1.3M DoD-funded grant to conduct a full-scale randomized control trial of the Relationship Checkup in the Air Force’s integrated behavioral healthcare settings. The study demonstrated that the Checkup is easily adapted to primary care settings in the Air Force and has a significant positive effect on the relationship health and depression of Airmen and their spouses.

Dr. Cordova is the founder and President of Arammu: The Relationship Checkup, Inc., a university-based startup company created to disseminate the Checkup throughout both military and civilian populations and improve the overall relationship health of the country as a whole. Arammu Inc. currently partners with the Office of the Secretary of Defense to train over one thousand Military and Family Life Counselors serving all branches of the military.

Insights:


Dr. Cordova: We need to shift our perspective on relationships to view them as a form of health care that requires regular checkups. Just like physical health, regular preventative relationship checkups are crucial for maintaining long-term relationship health.
Dave: Investing in relationships through regular checkups is one of the most important investments one can make. It’s comparable to maintaining physical health through good nutrition, exercise, and regular doctor visits. Without intentional and planned efforts, relationships can naturally drift apart, so there is a necessity of consistent investment in maintaining strong relationships.
Liz: Love the porcupine analogy in marriage, it’s important to recognizing that both partners can unintentionally cause pain. Focus on addressing the impact of our actions rather than the intent, and remember the need to respond with care and healing when hurt occurs, as both partners are vulnerable to causing and feeling pain.

 

Dr. James Cordova’s Resources:https://arammu.com/

Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:

Strongermarriage.org

Podcast.stongermarriage.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/

Dr. Dave Schramm:http://drdaveschramm.comhttp://drdavespeaks.com

Dr. Liz Hale:http://www.drlizhale.com

 

Today In this important episode of the Stronger Marriage Connection podcast,Dr. Lauren Barnes shares her extensive knowledge about eating disorders and body image,exploring their impact on individuals and relationships. Offering hope and healing, Dr. Barnesdiscusses the prevalence, recovery, and the critical importance of addressing these issueswithin marriages. Listeners will learn from an expert in the field about the signs, effects, andtreatment options for eating disorders, making this a valuable resource for those seeking tounderstand or cope with these conditions.

About Lauren Barnes:

Dr. Lauren A. Barnes, LMFT is an Associate Clinical Professor in the School of FamilyLife and the Clinical Director for BYU’s Marriage & Family Therapy graduate program.Prior to her faculty appointment at BYU in 2013, she worked as a therapist at Center forChange treating girls and women struggling with eating disorders within a residentialtreatment setting. She maintains a small private practice where she primarily works withthose struggling with body image, eating disorders, and life challenges within theirfamilies. Dr. Barnes grew up in a multicultural multigenerational home with her nativeCuban grandparents, mom, dad, and siblings in the Pacific Northwest. During her freetime, Lauren loves baking (especially cakes and cookies) walking or hiking, playingpiano, and loves socializing with good friends and family. One of her current passions isspeaking at women’s body image retreats because it combines her love of connectingwith people, learning, and engaging in fun activities. She is married to Aaron and theyhave a son and daughter

Insights:


Lauren: Eating disorders are widespread, affecting up to 9% of the population. Eating disorders are complex and they are not solely about food consumption or exercise habits. Instead, they require well-researched, specialized care and attention. Anyone struggling with an eating disorder is encouraged to seek help, as numerous resources and support options are available.
Dave: There is significant and prolonged stress that both partners in a relationship can experience when dealing with an eating disorder. It is important to acknowledging the struggle and the impact it can have on a relationship. It is important to seek help, learn more about eating disorders, and communicate concerns to a partner in a caring and supportive manner.
Liz: The thought of function over feature is quite beautiful. Even in just talking about it to our kids, the focus is on your body is so strong, we can go run now let's go run this hill. Isn't that wonderful? Our bodies can do this. And we're breathing and we don't even know it and our whole, all these organs are working in unison, and without us having to direct them. The body is phenomenal.

Links:

Instagram: @drlaurenabarneslmftEmail: Lauren_Barnes@byu.edu

 

Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:

StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife

Dr. Dave Schramm:

https://drdaveschramm.com

https://drdavespeaks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU

Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579

Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642

Dr. Liz Hale:

http://www.drlizhale.com/

In Episode 85 of "Stronger Marriage Connection," Dr. Dave Schramm talks with Dr. Liz about his extensive experience and the wealth of resources available for enhancing family and marital relationships. He shares insights on various tools and methods, such as positive psychology and educational resources, aimed at helping individuals improve their happiness and relational dynamics. This episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to foster better relationships and personal growth.

Insights:


Mallory: The daily structure of the journal, and the small daily prompts encourage personal growth and mood enhancement. This principle of making small, consistent efforts, such as exercising or eating well, extends beyond journaling to improve one's overall quality of life and maintain positivity.
Dave: Small, frequent actions are important in improving one's life. There is an abundance of virtual resources available today for support in various aspects of life, such as parenting and marriage. As an extension specialist, Dave’s role involves curating and recommending the best research-based resources to the public, ensuring that people have access to high-quality support materials.
Liz: The journal is a great resource for college students. We might not think the drip, drip, drip is enough, but just a little bit, consistently. It goes a very long way.

Episode Links:

https://impactsuite.com/https://www.joinclimb.com/

https://www.joinraise.com/the-raise-apphttps://www.malouffoundation.org/https://extension.usu.edu/relationships/https://extension.usu.edu/strongermarriage/https://www.youtube.com/@drdaveschramm

Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:

StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife

Dr. Dave Schramm:

https://drdaveschramm.com

https://drdavespeaks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU

Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579

Facebook Parenting Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/542067440314642

Dr. Liz Hale:

http://www.drlizhale.com/

In this episode of the "Stronger Marriage Connection" podcast, hosts Dave Schramm and Liz Hale are joined by certified sex therapist Jessa Zimmerman. They delve into common sexual issues faced by couples, focusing on sexual desire discrepancies and strategies for maintaining a strong marital connection. Jessa provides invaluable insights into reactive and proactive desires, the sexual avoidance cycle, and the impacts of pressure and expectations on sexual intimacy.

About Jessa Zimmerman:

Jessa Zimmerman is a licensed couples’ counselor and nationally certified sex therapist. Sheworks in private practice in Seattle, WA. Over the course of her therapy career, she has focused almost exclusively on helping couples with their emotional and sexual intimacy. In her years of clinical experience, Zimmerman has treated hundreds of couples who have struggled to feel sexual desire and fulfillment. Her clients describe having a good relationship in other ways, but their sex life has become difficult to the point that they start to avoid sex. These are people who love each other but are struggling to have a sex life they both enjoy. She specializes in helping these couples who find that sex has become stressful, negative, disappointing, or pressured. She educates, coaches, and supports people as they go through her 4 pillar experiential process that allows them real world practice in changing their relationship and their sex life, guiding them to become easily intimate.

Zimmerman received her Master’s in Psychology from LIOS college of Saybrook University andSex Therapist certification from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors,and Therapists (AASECT). She has done extensive training in couples’ therapy, with a focus onCrucible® Therapy with Dr. David Schnarch. She is the author of Sex Without Stress; A Couple’s Guide to Overcoming Disappointment, Avoidance & Pressure. She is the host of the Better Sex Podcast and has appeared on numerous other podcasts as an expert guest. She is the creator of the Intimacy With Ease Method and founder of The Desire Spa, an online course for women with little to no libido. She is a regularly featured expert in the media, including Refinery29, Marriage.com, Business Insider, and Mind Body Green. She lives in Seattle with her partner.

Insights:


Jessa: One cannot fail in sex if they shift their mindset to view it simply as a source of pleasure and connection, without attaching to specific outcomes. By embracing this approach, sexual experiences can become easy and enjoyable, even if they differ from previous expectations or desires. The key lies in accepting and adapting to these differences, which opens limitless possibilities for enjoyment and satisfaction.
Dave: Moods for sexual activity evolve over time, there is a contrast between the constant readiness (proactive mood) in early stages of relationships with the need to actively engage or transition into feeling ready (reactive mood) as time progresses. If couples only engaged in sex when both partners were spontaneously in the mood, they might seldom have sex. Love the concepts of reactive and proactive desire, and engaging physically can lead to a physiological response where the body releases dopamine and serotonin, aligning physical readiness with emotional desire.
Liz: Sex is like going to a playground, we don't know how long we're going to stay. We're not sure what we're going to enjoy once we get there. But we are going to enjoy it. It's not about the outcome or the goal.

Jessa Zimmerman Links:

https://intimacywithease.com

Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:

StrongerMarriage.orgpodcast.strongermarriage.orgFacebook: StrongerMarriage.orgInstagram: @strongermarriagelife

Dr. Dave Schramm:

https://drdaveschramm.com

https://drdavespeaks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDaveUSU

Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/grou