The Communicate & Connect Podcast for Military Relationships Elizabeth Polinsky: Military Marriage Counselor and Educator

Welcome back to another episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we have a very special episode in store for you. We will be diving deep into the highs and lows of military life as a couple with our guests, Shanon and Matthew Morris. Shanon is a Navy veteran, and Matthew is a former Marine, making them the perfect pair to shed light on this unique and often challenging experience.

In this episode, we'll discover how they met on a dating app called Bumble and embarked on a first date that lasted for hours, setting the stage for a truly meaningful connection. From there, we'll explore their whirlwind romance, with an engagement within seven months and a wedding within nine months. But as military life would have it, their journey was filled with various hurdles and hardships, including deployments, a motorcycle accident, and the tough process of going through the medical board and discharging from military service.

As we delve into their story, Matthew and Shanon will share how their military career took an unexpected turn, forcing them to navigate a period of transition together. Alongside this, they also faced other major life changes, like Shanon getting laid off and discovering they were expecting a baby. Throughout it all, they found strength in their motto, "fighting naked," which encompasses vulnerability, light-heartedness, and the ability to resolve conflicts.

Join us as we explore the lessons they've learned along the way, including their advice on effective communication and the importance of aligning core values. Plus, they recommend a fantastic book for couples to spark meaningful conversations about finance, spirituality, and more. So, grab your headphones and get ready for an insightful and uplifting episode on navigating military life as a couple with Shanon and Matthew Morris. Let's dive in! 
>>>Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most. 
You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Welcome back to another episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we have a very special episode for you.
Joining us are the dynamic duo of Drs. Dustin and Kerry Brockberg, experts in the field of chronic pain. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of chronic pain in relationships.
We often think of pain as purely physical, but it goes beyond that. The "acute pain mindset" that we're all familiar with doesn't apply to chronic pain, which requires ongoing interventions. In this epsiode, we expand our definition of pain to include not just physical pain, but also emotional and social pain.
Drs. Brockberg bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this conversation as we explore the unique challenges that military service members and veterans face when it comes to chronic pain and reintegrating into society. We also delve into strategies for chronic pain management, ranging from relaxation techniques to cognitive behavioral therapy. Towards the end of the episode, we discuss the critical role of support systems and acceptance in managing chronic pain. 
So, if you're ready to deepen your understanding of chronic pain in relationships, join us in this episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast with Drs. Dustin and Kerry Brockberg. It's time to challenge our perceptions and explore new ways of supporting veterans and service members who experience chronic pain. Let's dive in!
>>>Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most. 
You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Welcome back to another episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we have a special guest joining us, military spouse and therapist Braquelle Murphy. In this episode, we'll be diving into the powerful topic of advocating for yourself. Braquelle shares her personal journey of overcoming challenges, making difficult decisions, and finding the support necessary to pursue her dreams. From navigating long-distance relationships in the military community to facing setbacks in her career, Braquelle's story is both inspiring and relatable. We'll explore the importance of surrounding yourself with the right support system, how to choose the people who will uplift you, and the significance of taking proactive steps even in the face of discomfort. So, whether you're seeking motivation to advocate for yourself or looking for practical tips on navigating challenging situations, this episode is for you.
Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most. 
You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Welcome back to another episode of The Communicate & Connect Podcast! I'm your host, Elizabeth Polinsky, and today we have a very special guest with us, Karen McMahon. In this episode, we delve into the topic of recovering from divorce. Karen, a divorce coach herself, shares her personal journey of going through a high conflict divorce and how it eventually became a catalyst for her personal growth and transformation. We explore the importance of self-reflection, taking responsibility, and finding forgiveness and compassion in order to heal and move forward. Karen also touches on the impact of divorce on children and the significance of modeling healthy relationships for them. If you're currently going through a divorce or have experienced one in the past, this episode is for you. Stay tuned as we dive into this conversation on recovering from divorce with Karen McMahon.
Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most. 
You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

For Veterans leaving military life and transitioning to post-military life, there is often a healing journey that they have to go through. This journey can also involve self forgiveness. In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews Air Force Veteran Bob Taylor on his journey toward self forgiveness and his advice to other Veterans. 

In this podcast episode, we discuss:
Bob Taylor's journey toward self forgiveness How to start the process toward self forgiveness  Advice for Veterans working toward self forgiveness  How military spouses can support the journey toward self forgiveness  5 signs of when to get professional help Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most. 
You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here. 

Many military couples are impacted by the experience of traumatic events, and this can take a  toll on the relationship. In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky interviews trauma expert Karen Robinson on ways to heal from trauma while in a relationship.

In this podcast episode, we discuss:
Symptoms of trauma How trauma impacts relationships Ways couples can work on improving communication after trauma  And individual and relational healing after trauma  Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most. 
You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here.