In this episode of Make More Love, Ellen takes on one of the most misunderstood issues in long-term relationships: trust. Most people think about trust in terms of the obvious violations — betrayal, secrets, lies, and affairs. But trust can also erode through the repeated daily letdowns that make a partner feel unsafe, uninformed, dismissed, unsupported, or unable to rely on the relationship. Ellen breaks trust down into seven practical domains: Safety, Security, Caring, Integrity, Fidelity, Reliability, and Repair. Because if you want to rebuild trust, you first have to know where it is breaking down. Part 1: The Trust Deficit In the Big Picture Ellen opens by looking at the larger “trust deficit” we see in society and connects it to what happens inside many business-owner marriages. A trust deficit is not always caused by one major betrayal. It can also build slowly when one partner’s need to feel safe, connected, informed, and secure is not consistently being met. She also explains why many business owners feel confused when their partner does not experience them as trustworthy, especially when they have avoided what Ellen calls the Fatal Four: betrayal, secrets, lies, and affairs. Part 2: The Seven Domains of Trust Trust is not one vague feeling, and it is not an all-or-nothing question. Ellen breaks it into seven domains that help couples identify exactly where trust is strong, where it is strained, and what needs attention. The seven domains are: Safety — Can I trust that I will not be physically harmed, threatened, or deprived of basic needs? Security — Can I trust that I am informed about money, financial risk, and the decisions that affect our shared life? Caring — Can I trust that my feelings, concerns, and reality will be treated with basic respect? Integrity — Can I trust you to be honest when it is not easy to be honest? Fidelity — Can I trust you to honor the sexual, romantic, and emotional agreements of the relationship? Reliability — Can I trust that you will do what you say you will do? Repair — Can I trust that when something breaks, we will come back together, take accountability, and work the problem? Part 3: Why Fidelity Alone Does Not Create Trust Ellen shares a real-life example of a client who chose her husband partly because she knew he would never cheat. But over time, she realized that sexual fidelity did not mean the relationship was broadly trustworthy. There were trust deficits in safety, security, integrity, reliability, and repair. The marriage looked intact from the outside, but the actual connection was weak because trust was weak in so many places. The point is clear: you can be sexually faithful and still have a serious trust problem if you are failing at honesty, reliability, repair, financial transparency, or emotional care. Key Takeaways:Trust is not binary. It is not as simple as “you trust me or you don’t.” Being faithful matters, but fidelity is only one domain of trust. The seven domains of trust give couples a more practical way to identify what is actually breaking down. Repeated small letdowns can create real damage when they stack up without repair. Apologies do not rebuild trust if they are not accompanied by changed behavior. Business owners need to understand that business decisions can affect their spouse’s sense of safety, security, and trust. Call to Action:Now here’s something for you to think about: Which domain of trust is strongest in your relationship right now, and how do you know? Which one is weakest, and why do you think it is weak? Which one, if repaired, would change the whole tone of your relationship? And what is one step you could take to start repairing that one? If you are struggling with this, set up a free Relationship Reset Call with Ellen, and work through the issue together. The call is quick, private, and designed to give you a single tangible next step you can take to sort out a relationship problem. Go to relationshipresetcall.com to set up a time. Closing Thoughts:Trust is not a yes or no question. It is about whether the relationship consistently helps both partners feel safe, connected, informed, secure, respected, and able to rely on each other. When you can name where trust is breaking down, you have a much better chance of repairing the right thing. Next Time on Make More Love:Ellen will take this topic one step further and introduce the seven Trust Archetypes. These archetypes will help you identify your natural trust tendencies, where you already show up as trustworthy, and where you may need to build additional skills to create a more balanced trust profile. Support & Resources:Ellen invites listeners to share their thoughts, either in the P3 Insider's Community on Facebook or directly with her via email. Or, for one-on-one brainstorming on a specific situation, listeners can set up a time on Ellen's calendar for a free Relationship Reset Call. Or, for immediate insights, take the Relationship Dynamics Scorecard: a fast, free quiz to pinpoint relationship strengths and stressors, and identify priorities that need your attention. Find it at: MakeMoreLove.show/quiz Share the Love:If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit. All links can be found below. Mentioned in this episode:The National Domestic Violence Hotline Free, confidential support available 24/7. Call: 1-800-799-SAFE / 1-800-799-7233 Text: START to 88788 Chat: thehotline.org Make More Love Season 1, Interview with Justin William Wiseman https://www.makemorelove.show/14-transformative-relationships-from-addiction-to-triumph-with-justin-wiseman/ https://www.makemorelove.show/15-finding-your-inner-voice-in-relationships-and-beyond/ Leave a Review for Make More Love:https://www.makemorelove.show/reviews/new/ About the Host:Ellen Dorian is a relationship and business coach dedicated to helping high-performing business leaders truly create the business, relationship, and life that most entrepreneurs only dream of. Disclaimer:The Make More Love show is for information and entertainment purposes only, and reflects the personal opinions and experiences of the host and guests. It is not a substitute for professional advice or guidance in specific situations. "Love isn't something you find. You have to make it. And that's my mission — to help you Make More Love, with Your Wife and In Your Life." - Ellen Dorian