Startup Spouses

Startup Spouses
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Hi! We're Marie and Adam, a relationship coach and a business coach married for 20+ years committed to helping entrepreneurial couples reignite their connection and take their mediocre relationship and make it mind blowing. Through the Startup Spouses Podcast, we share our journey and teach couples how to spark connection and elevate every part of lives together.

  1. 22h ago

    The Conversation Most Couples Are Too Afraid to Have

    Episode Summary Marie and Adam open with personal and professional good news — including celebrating a successful first keynote together where they delivered their SPARK Framework (Safety, Play, Alignment, Rhythms, and Kaizen) — before diving into a candid conversation about how pop culture, romantic comedies, and porn have shaped our understanding of sex and sexuality, often in unhealthy ways. What We Cover How sex education in the '80s and '90s was woefully incomplete — from banana-and-condom videos to scrambled late-night TV Why romantic comedies are considered "porn for women" — and how they set unrealistic expectations about spontaneity, desire, and relationships The role shame plays in sexual behavior and how suppressing sexual education can actually lead to more unhealthy outcomes How learning from pop culture (instead of real education) leaves both men and women with distorted views of sex, consent, and pleasure The connection between sexual openness and a stronger relationship — and how that spills into your business if you're an entrepreneurial couple Why scheduling sex isn't unromantic — it's practical How Marie and Adam went from intimacy once or twice a month to many times per week by normalizing open, honest conversations Resources Mentioned 📺 The Diary of a CEO featuring Dr. Rachel Rubin (urologist) 🎙️ Sex With Emily — Emily Morse 🎙️ Shameless Sex podcast 🎙️ Where Should We Begin? — Esther Perel (also has a podcast) 📚 Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel 💻 OMGYes.com — research-based resource on women's pleasure Core Values Spotlight Each week, Marie and Adam highlight where their spouse lived out one of their shared core values: Continuous Growth, Play, Openness & Honesty, and Connection. This week: Adam recognized Marie for Continuous Growth — owning the stage at their first keynote. Marie recognized Adam for Openness & Honesty — being vulnerable during a significant family transition at home. Free Resource Download the Weekly Connection Workbook — the exact tool Marie and Adam use in their own weekly relationship meetings. It includes the right prompts and agenda to spark deeper connection, communication, and continuous growth as a couple. 👉 Link in show notes Connect with Startup Spouses If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! Growing this community is how more entrepreneurial couples discover that a strong relationship fuels everything else — including a stronger business.

    49 min

  2. Jun 23

    Finding Your Way Back to Yourself: Reclaiming Intimacy and Aliveness

    In this solo episode, Marie opens up about her personal journey — from a teenage moment when her therapist celebrated her sexuality instead of shaming it, to the gradual burial of that vibrant part of herself through the pressures of motherhood, cultural expectations, and self-numbing. Marie shares how a podcast about sex and intimacy sparked a "thawing out" — and how reclaiming that one buried part of herself brought back far more: her playfulness, creativity, adventurousness, and aliveness. She also gets real about what came with it — the anxiety she'd buried right alongside the joy. The core message: when you selectively mute a part of yourself, you mute all of yourself. And the path back isn't in your head — it starts in your body. In this episode, Marie covers: Why she buried her sensual, passionate self after becoming a mother How numbing one part of yourself numbs everything What finally sparked the "thaw" — and what surprisingly came with it Why intimacy with a partner starts with intimacy with yourself Practical homework — a body-based daily practice: Take a deep breath to arrive in your body, not your head Tell yourself: "It's safe to be here" — repeat as needed Visualize your favorite safe place with full sensory detail (sand, waves, sun, wind) Practice 5–15 minutes daily, ideally in the morning or during a stressful midday moment Discomfort during this practice isn't a sign you're doing it wrong — it means you're doing it right. Adam will be back next week. If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs it. Download our Weekly Spousal Meeting Agenda startupspouses.co/free-workbook-download

    25 min

  3. Jun 16

     You’re Not Lacking in Confidence - You’re Disconnected From Your Body

    Most people think confidence is a mindset. It's not. It lives in your body.  In this episode of Startup Spouses, intimacy coach Marie and business coach Adam break down the concept of embodied confidence — and why affirmations, pep talks, and "fake it till you make it" fall flat without it.  Marie shares her raw, personal story of learning to distrust her own body starting in puberty, battling an eating disorder as a mother, and how those messages quietly sabotage intimacy, self-worth, and even business decisions. Together, they lay out a practical path to reconnecting with yourself — from breathwork and body scans to visualization and building what Adam calls a "Reflection Reservoir."  Whether you're struggling in your relationship, feeling disconnected from your partner, or making fear-based decisions in your business — this conversation will change how you think about confidence forever.  In this episode: 00:00 — What even is embodied confidence?  The difference between confidence in your head vs. your whole nervous system being online  The dark side of "intellectual confidence" — why it becomes arrogance without humility  How women are conditioned to distrust their bodies (and what that costs them)  Why being "in your head" ruins intimacy — and boardroom decisions  Body scan: the simplest place to start reconnecting  Breathwork, music & movement as embodiment tools  The Superman pose & posture hacks that actually work Visualization that engages ALL your senses (not just pictures)  Adam's Reflection Reservoir: your personal bank of wins to draw on  How to process rejection without letting it destroy your confidence  Embodied confidence = presence. Anxiety = future. Shame = past.  Why strong relationships and strong businesses go hand in hand  Free Resource mentioned: 👉 Download the free Connection Workbook — a weekly check-in guide for entrepreneur couples startupspouses.co/free-workbook-download

    42 min

  4. Jun 9

    When You Feel That You Have Tried Everything and Still Feel Stuck

    check out our FREE workbook here!!! startupspouses.co/free-workbook-download Marie and Adam get vulnerable and go deep — sharing their personal psilocybin journeys as a couple navigating trauma, generational patterns, and major life transitions. From setting intentions to facing their darkest fears in the experience itself, they walk through what it's really like to pursue psychedelic-assisted healing in a therapeutic setting. Raw, honest, and not what you'd expect. Note: This is a personal account only. Marie and Adam are not licensed therapists or medical professionals. Always consult a qualified professional before exploring any therapeutic treatment. Full Show Notes: In this episode, Marie and Adam open up about something they've never shared publicly — their individual psilocybin journeys and what led them there. After years of therapy, major life transitions, advocating for their kids through serious health challenges, and leaving a fourth-generation family business, both found themselves stuck. Talk therapy could only go so far. So they each worked with a licensed guide in a legal therapeutic setting to explore what plant medicine could unlock. What they cover: Why they each decided to pursue psilocybin therapy after years of traditional talk therapy The role of shame, generational trauma, and self-sabotage in holding entrepreneurs back How to set intentions (and why turning them into expectations will derail you) What Marie's experience was like — and why guardedness was her biggest barrier Adam's two sessions: descending into a hellscape the first time, and going even deeper the second Why the healing happened after the experience, not during it The "confidence gap" and why entrepreneurs pushing outside their comfort zone need emotional tools, not just business strategy Resources mentioned: How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan Tim Ferriss's work on psychedelics and PTSD treatment for veterans Disclaimer: Marie and Adam are not licensed therapists, doctors, or psychedelic guides. This episode is a personal account only. If you're considering psilocybin therapy, please consult a qualified medical professional and licensed guide in your area.check out our FREE workbook here!!! startupspouses.co/free-workbook-download

    53 min

  5. Jun 2

    What You Are Not Saying And Why It Matters.

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION: What does it really mean to be open and honest with your partner — and are you actually doing it? In this episode, Marie and Adam dive deep into one of the most misunderstood concepts in relationships: true openness and honesty. Using the powerful Johari's Window model, they break down the four quadrants of self-awareness — what you know, what others see, your hidden side, and the completely unknown — and show you how expanding each one can transform your relationship and your business. They get personal, sharing their own journey from surface-level communication to the vulnerable, trust-building conversations that changed everything — including their approach to intimacy. You'll learn the difference between openness (how you receive) and honesty (how you give), why safety and trust must come first, and how to navigate the uncomfortable territory of blind spots, people-pleasing, and the "bully" dynamic that shows up in so many relationships. Whether you're just starting out or years into your partnership, this episode will challenge you to know yourself first — so you can show up fully for the person you love. SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Marie & Adam cover: What Johari's Window is and how it applies to your relationship (and your business) The 4 quadrants: Open, Hidden, Blind Spot, and Unknown — with real-life examples Why openness and honesty are not the same thing — and why you need both The 4 relationship dynamics: healthy, dysfunctional, the bully, and the people-pleaser How to use "yes/no/maybe" lists to explore intimacy and desires The role of the body in receiving difficult feedback (the 90-second feelings rule!) How to build a weekly rhythm that makes honest conversations feel safe Practical tools: conversation starter cards, compliment sandwiches, core values shout-outs Why "know thyself first" is the foundation of everything Resources mentioned: Johari's Window model Esther Perel's conversation cards Patrick Lencioni's Trust Pyramid Yes/No/Maybe lists for intimacy exploration Marie & Adam's free Weekly Connection Rhythm workbook startupspouses.co/free-workbook-download Action items for this week: Try a vulnerability conversation starter with your partner Notice where you fall on the openness/honesty spectrum — are you the bully, the people-pleaser, or somewhere in between? Download the free Weekly Connection Rhythm workbook and start your weekly meeting ritual

    51 min

  6. May 26

    How Intimacy Has Completely Redefined Our Relationship

    Episode Description:What does it really mean to be sex positive — and why does it matter for your relationship and your business? In this episode of Startup Spouses, Marie (intimacy coach) and Adam (business coach) get real about their personal journey from shame, silence, and suppressed desires to radical openness and a thriving intimate life. They share how growing up in a culture that stigmatized sex shaped their early marriage, how listening to podcasts like Sex With Emily and Shameless Sex cracked open the conversation, and how tools like the Yes/No/Maybe list changed everything. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, body image struggles, or just trying to build a stronger foundation with your partner, this episode meets you where you are.Show Notes:Episode: Sex Positivity — What It Is, Why It Matters & How It Changed Our MarriageIn this episode, Marie and Adam discuss:What sex positivity actually means — it's not about doing everything, it's about education, curiosity, and being non-judgmental about pleasure and desireHow cultural conditioning and the Reagan-era abstinence-only approach shaped their (and your) unhealthy relationship with sexTheir personal journey — from shame, obligation, and silence to openness, confidence, and connectionMarie's transformation — navigating perimenopause, low testosterone, thyroid issues, body image challenges, and how hormone replacement therapy, boudoir photography, and the Somatica training changed her relationship with her own sexualityAdam's story — from deeply rooted self-imposed shame to becoming an advocate for sex positivity within their marriageThe Yes/No/Maybe List — a tool from Dr. Emily Morse that helped them discover desires they didn't even know they had (they went from 20% yes to 50/50!)The Johari's Window model — how sharing hidden parts of yourself with a safe partner expands your self-knowledge and deepens intimacyWhy safety comes first — you can't jump into radical openness without first building an environment of trustConsent as an ongoing conversation — not a one-time yes or no, but a fluid, evolving dialogue that can even be foreplayCuriosity over judgment — seeking to understand different relationship dynamics and desires without shameResources mentioned:Sex With Emily podcast — Dr. Emily MorseShameless Sex podcastThe Yes/No/Maybe List (available as a free download — link in show notes)Somatica Institute (somatic intimacy coaching)Key takeaway: A strong sex life is foundational to a strong relationship — and a strong relationship is foundational to a strong business and life together. Start with the conversations, build the safety, and the rest follows.https://www.startupspouses.co

    54 min

  7. May 19

    Your Marriage Has a 90% Chance of Failing If You Do This

    What if you could predict whether your relationship would last — with 90% accuracy? The Gottman Institute can. In this episode of Startup Spouses, Marie (relationship & intimacy coach) and Adam (business coach) break down the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse — four destructive communication patterns that, left unchecked, can destroy your relationship and your business partnership. Whether you're navigating a marriage, a family business, or both, understanding these patterns is the first step to building the kind of communication that creates a truly mind-blowing relationship. Show Notes: What We Cover: 🐴 Horseman #1 — Criticism Going beyond feedback into shame and passive aggression. Learn why shaming never changes behavior — and what to say instead. 🐴 Horseman #2 — Contempt The most dangerous horseman. Superiority, sarcasm used as a weapon, eye-rolling, and the toxic "should haves." The antidote? Gratitude and dropping expectations. 🐴 Horseman #3 — Defensiveness When burnout and ego collide, defensiveness shuts down real connection — even in the bedroom. Learn how curiosity and vulnerability create safety instead. 🐴 Horseman #4 — Stonewalling The silent treatment. Checking out. The point where a relationship may be beyond repair without outside help. Recognize it early. Key Takeaways: Shame does not change behavior — curiosity does Lead with "I" statements and concern, not criticism Drop the "shoulds" — comparison is a relationship killer Put your ego aside and communicate, especially in intimacy Accountability can't be forced — create an environment where it thrives Both partners have to want it for a relationship to be repaired Resources Mentioned: The Gottman Institute — gottman.com Download our Weekly Spousal Meeting Agenda (link in show notes) Connect with Startup Spouses: Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend!

    55 min

  8. May 12

    Burnout Is Silently Destroying Your Marriage

    In this episode of Startup Spouses, Marie Intimacy coach) and Adam (business coach) get real about burnout: what it looks like, how it sneaks up on you, and why hustle culture is conditioning an entire generation — including our kids — to run on empty. Drawing from their own experiences with sobriety, family business near-bankruptcy, a daughter's eating disorder, and a global pandemic all hitting at once, they share the mindset shifts and practical tools that helped them rebuild their capacity — and their marriage. You'll hear about: Why "giving 110%" is actually a red flag — and what to say instead The 80% Rule: how training for Ironman Triathlon taught Adam a better way to work, live, and lead How burnout shows up in your body before your brain catches on Simple embodiment practices to reconnect with yourself under stress Why your intimacy life is the first casualty of chronic burnout — and how to protect it The power of scheduling connection (yes, including sex) to keep your relationship from becoming a roommate situation Episode: Burnout Startup Spouses — helping entrepreneurial couples go from mediocre to mind-blowing In this episode: [Intro] Marie & Adam introduce the topic of burnout and its connection to hustle culture Adam's personal burnout story: panic attacks in college, over-functioning in the family business, and even "recovery burnout" in sobriety Marie's burnout story: working restaurant shifts without breaks, young kids + undiagnosed ADHD, panic attacks driving to work How burnout nearly destroyed their marriage when business insolvency, COVID, a daughter's eating disorder, and a move all hit in the same two months The 80% Rule — the Maffetone Method, heart rate training, and how building capacity at 80% makes your 80% better than everyone else's 110% Signs of burnout: weight changes, heart palpitations, nervous system dysregulation, loss of libido, anger, disconnection Embodiment tools: breathwork, body check-ins, placing a hand on your chest, gratitude practice as a gateway to mindfulness Why scheduling intimacy isn't unromantic — it's essential Understanding responsive vs. spontaneous desire and what your partner actually needs to feel connected How prioritizing your relationship fuels everything else in your life and business Resources mentioned: Weekly Spouse Meeting Framework (download in show notes) The Maffetone Method (heart rate-based training) If you enjoyed this episode: Share it with a friend who needs to hear it Leave a 5-star review Subscribe so you never miss an episode "Let's build mind-blowing relationships with our spouses so we can build great businesses." Show Notes

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hi! We're Marie and Adam, a relationship coach and a business coach married for 20+ years committed to helping entrepreneurial couples reignite their connection and take their mediocre relationship and make it mind blowing. Through the Startup Spouses Podcast, we share our journey and teach couples how to spark connection and elevate every part of lives together.

Information

  • Creator
    Startup Spouses
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Startup Spouses
  • Show Website
    Startup Spouses