Stronger Marriage Connection

Utah Marriage Comission
  • 4.9 (52)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 Commission invites you to listen and discover new ways to strengthen and protect your marriage connection today!

  1. 4D AGO

    Protecting Your Marriage During The Transition To Parenthood | Sean Brotherson | #179

    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 through education, planning, and honest conversations  • protecting couple time with simple routines like consistent bedtimes  • children’s core need for security and how marital stability supports it  • how partners experience parenthood differently and why comparing “top stressors” helps  • daily check-ins and small rituals of connection that build resilience  • navigating intrusive in-laws with healthy boundaries  • dividing childcare and housework based on perceived fairness and changing seasons  • warning signs of emotional disconnection and ways to stay close physically and emotionally  • building your village so you can rest, date, and keep choosing each other  Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:  Strongermarriage.org   Podcast.stongermarriage.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Dr. Dave Schramm:  http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com   Dr. Liz Hale:  http://www.drlizhale.com/

    1h 5m

  2. APR 27

    How Emotional Closeness Builds Better Sex In Marriage | Chelom Leavitt | #178

    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 weaknesses  • why emotional connection shapes sexual satisfaction and long-term desire  • the oxytocin difference that often drives “connection first” vs “sex first” conflict  • small daily reunions, check-ins, and repair as the real builders of closeness  • mindful practices like a five-minute hug, shared breathing, and quiet eye contact  • vulnerability as a signal of safety, trust, and gentle handling  • interrupting an approach withdraw rut with a bold, planned conversation  • engaged and newlywed guidance, including permission to go slow on the wedding night  • sex frequency myths, what research suggests, and when to be concerned  • practical advice for men to create space for initiation and for women to protect emotional safety  Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:  Strongermarriage.org   Podcast.stongermarriage.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Dr. Dave Schramm:  http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com   Dr. Liz Hale:  http://www.drlizhale.com/

    39 min

  3. APR 20

    How Our Counterfeit Emotions Undermine Connection and Intimacy | Curtis Morley | #177

    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 criteria for spotting counterfeit emotions: connection, direction, motivation, valuation  • Why peace has no counterfeit and what that means for relationships  • Curiosity as the antidote to anger and a path to calmer conflict  • Two marriage practices: promise to lean in and create a nightly slow-dance ritual  • Anger versus advocacy and how to address injustice without burning connection  • Nice versus kind and how people pleasing blocks growth  • Attachment versus connection and moving from need to want  • Pain versus misery, how shame and blame fuel misery, gratitude as a reframe  • Sobriety versus recovery, healing underlying emotions instead of white-knuckling behavior  • Love versus lust, give and receive versus take  • Parenting around porn exposure, using “thank you” to remove shame  • Takeaway tools: name emotions, pause before reacting, the 90-second emotion window  Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:  Strongermarriage.org   Podcast.stongermarriage.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Dr. Dave Schramm:  http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com   Dr. Liz Hale:  http://www.drlizhale.com/

    58 min

  4. APR 13

    Reviving Intimacy in A Sexless Marriage: A Path Back To Connection | Ralph Brewer | #176

    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 father • why sex and intimacy become the biggest pain point for many men • anxious attachment patterns and pairing with avoidant partners • novelty, long-term monogamy, and why desire often drops without intention • nice guy codependency, covert contracts, and hidden manipulation • boundaries as attraction, without swinging into being a jerk • how avoidance, control, and compartmentalizing can feed infidelity dynamics • why men isolate after divorce and what it costs mentally • building brotherhood and male friendship as a stabilizer • quick wins like fitness and hygiene, plus the deeper vulnerability work • scheduling sex, date nights, and getting kids out of the bedroom • secure independence, self-regulation, and taking ownership of your choices • where to find Ralph at helpformen.com and Dad Starting Over Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:  Strongermarriage.org   Podcast.stongermarriage.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Dr. Dave Schramm:  http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com   Dr. Liz Hale:  http://www.drlizhale.com/

    57 min

  5. APR 6

    How To Help the Next Generation Break the Dating Recession | Alan Hawkins | #175

    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 influencing marriage today. Key Topics: The concept of the "dating recession" and its scope, including data indicating a decline in active dating among young adults.How contemporary cultural shifts, digital communication, and social skills deficits affect dating confidence and competency.The importance of developing social and dating skills early, including parent and educator roles; introduction of programs like the Utah Marriage Commission's Dating Ready course.Barriers to dating such as money, past negative experiences, and digital preference for virtual interaction.Strategies for building relationship grit and resilience to handle setbacks and rejection.The influence of historical norms versus current practices in dating and marriage, including the shift from duty-based to emotional connection-based relationships.Recommendations for societal, educational, and familial interventions to improve the dating system and support young adults.Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:  Strongermarriage.org   Podcast.stongermarriage.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Dr. Dave Schramm:  http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com   Dr. Liz Hale:  http://www.drlizhale.com/

    43 min

  6. MAR 30

    Marriage 2.0: How To Rebuild A Marriage in Crisis | Naomi Light | #174

    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 that brought them into couples therapy  • The first therapy question that changed everything: how your partner fits your “script”  • Why relationship pain feels isolating and why we believe you should not carry it alone  • Chronic ambivalence and the cost of staying stuck in limbo  • The Zeigarnik effect and how unresolved conflict keeps “tabs” open in your brain  • Attachment styles made simple with anchor, wave, and island  • The Rewiring Love method: perspective shift, physiological shift, behavioral shift  • Two-person psychology and building a “couple bubble” for secure functioning  • Overt vs covert contempt and how both erode trust  • Research on conflict, stress, immunity, and why it can affect women even more  Naomi's Links: https://naomilight.com/ https://www.instagram.com/naomilightcouplestherapist/ Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:  Strongermarriage.org   Podcast.stongermarriage.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Dr. Dave Schramm:  http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com   Dr. Liz Hale:  http://www.drlizhale.com/

    45 min

  7. MAR 23

    Five Research-Based Secrets To More Passionate Sex | Emily Jamea | #173

    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 “secrets” from Anatomy Of Desire: sensuality, curiosity, adaptability, vulnerability, attunement  • Why curiosity and novelty matter for long-term passion  • How small “challenge-skill” shifts prevent boredom and overwhelm  • Building attunement so connection becomes less talk and more real-time awareness  • Single-tasking and sensory focus to quiet split attention  • Planning intimacy without killing spontaneity  • Broadening the definition of sex to reduce pressure and increase closeness  • Sexual satisfaction as a predictor of relationship satisfaction  • How singles can cultivate these qualities within themselves  Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:  Strongermarriage.org   Podcast.stongermarriage.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Dr. Dave Schramm:  http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com   Dr. Liz Hale:  http://www.drlizhale.com/

    41 min

  8. MAR 16

    Why Dating is in Decline & How to Fix It | Brian Willoughby | #172

    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 rejection mindset • updated divorce data and how agency and skills shift risk • on-demand expectations versus the effort of real relationships • rise of AI companions and the “sugar high” of synthetic intimacy • pornography’s impact on expectations, satisfaction and stability • practical skills for starting relationships and building resilience • guidance for parents on modeling, monitoring and positive messaging • keys to stronger marriages through mutual focus and sacrifice Visit our site for FREE relationship resources and regular giveaways:  Strongermarriage.org   Podcast.stongermarriage.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrongerMarriageLife TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@strongermarriagelife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongermarriagelife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongermarriage/ Facebook Marriage Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/770019130329579 Dr. Dave Schramm:  http://drdaveschramm.com http://drdavespeaks.com   Dr. Liz Hale:  http://www.drlizhale.com/

    52 min
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4.9
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

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 Commission invites you to listen and discover new ways to strengthen and protect your marriage connection today!

Information

  • Creator
    Utah Marriage Comission
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stronger Marriage Connection
  • Show Website
    Stronger Marriage Connection

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