Thrive Again - Your relationship podcast

Michael & Amy
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Guiding a positive redesign in the relationship we have with our partner and ourselves. Offering tools, strategies and personal insights to bring your relationship from barely surviving to thriving.We are Michael and Amy, your couples connection coaches. Our mission is to help relationships to THRIVE again! A bit about us...We met in 2005 and married in 2009, welcomed two children in 2010 and 2012. Our relationship has had many ups and downs since we first met.-  Mental breakdowns from work overload- Massive stresses from a premature baby- Scare with ovarian cancer- Dealing with financial pressures- Not knowing ourselves!This led us to experiencing:- A communication breakdown- Arguments and not understanding each other- Living separately under one roof- Exhaustion! This podcast is for couples and singles who want to unlock their relationship potential using a conscious and holistic approach that brought us back to a state of beautiful harmony. One of the basic human needs is to feel LOVE and CONNECTION but our modern life has led us to feel disconnected and isolated more than ever before. This podcast is all about helping you to RECONNECT as a couple at a deeper, more meaningful, soul level.  Now, both working as coaches we share insights, client breakthroughs and personal stories to move your relationships from barely surviving to absolutely thriving!  www.michaelandamy.com.au

  1. 1D AGO

    A Man's Guide To Masculine Containment: The Secret To Safety & Desire

    One sharp comment, one quick defence, and the spark can vanish. We open up about the split-second loop that pulls couples from warmth into cold distance—and the quiet skill that pulls you back: masculine containment. Think steady presence under pressure, the kind that hears the message beneath the heat and holds space without flaring up or shutting down. It’s not suppression; it’s structure that lets emotion move without taking the house down. We trace our own pattern: she carried too much, asked for support with an edge, and met a wall of defensiveness. He heard “not enough,” adrenaline hit, and logic left the room. That cycle made Amy hyper-independent and left Michael convinced he had to justify or disappear. We break down the nervous system mechanics behind that spiral, then show how safety precedes desire and how consistency, boundaries, and calm attention rebuild both. Along the way, we answer a key question—yes, there’s a feminine version too—and share how framing, timing, and clear asks reduce misfires. You’ll learn simple, body-first tools to stay present when it’s hot: breath that slows the system, posture that signals steadiness, and language that keeps the focus on care instead of blame. We also dig into the deeper work—naming core emotions, surfacing old “not enough” narratives, and building evidence of reliability—so the relationship stops running on threat and starts moving on trust. Expect practical examples, honest reflections, and steps you can try this week to turn conflict into connection. If you’re ready to replace reactivity with leadership and rekindle desire through safety, listen now—and share it with a partner who wants the same. Then subscribe, leave a review, and tell us your biggest trigger and the tool you’ll practise first. Thankyou for listening, if you liked it, please remember to subscribe. Join our Private "Thriving relationships - Deepening connection to self and others" community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107209283451758/ Website: https://michaelandamy.com.au/ Join our free 7 day relationship challenge: https://michaelandamy.com.au/free-relationship-challenge If you would like to book in a private discovery call with us, here is the link: https://michaelandamy.com.au/call

    33 min

  2. FEB 9

    7 Things We Learnt About Love As Relationship Coaches

    Love doesn’t usually break; it drifts. Between busy weeks, tense chats, and old patterns, it’s easy to feel unseen and say, maybe the love is gone. We pull back the curtain on seven hard-earned lessons from coaching couples and doing our own work, showing how real repair, steadier nervous systems, and fresh curiosity can bring connection back into focus. We start with a vital reframe: you won’t communicate perfectly, and that’s okay. What matters is the repair ritual you share when words miss and tempers flare. From there, we look at the body’s role in conflict. When your nervous system is lit up, even good intentions land badly. We walk through simple co-regulation moves, time-outs with return times, and how to set state before content so hard talks feel safer. Triggers get a new job description too. Instead of proof that your partner is the problem, they become trailheads for growth. Mapping the cycle together turns blow-ups into insight and helps each of you see where self-abandonment or control might be driving the loop. We dig into a confronting truth many couples recognise: you don’t fall out of love, you fall out of priority. Kids, work, and screens are real, but so is the calendar. We share small, reliable rhythms that put the relationship back on the front burner without adding pressure. Curiosity then takes centre stage. Ask better questions, drop assumptions, and practice staying with your partner’s world long enough to understand what it means for them. Finally, we explore self-love as the ground of durable intimacy. When you soften perfectionism, soothe old insecurities, and meet your own needs with compassion, you stop demanding the relationship fix everything and start bringing your best back to it. If you’re ready to steady your bond and grow together, tune in, take what lands, and try one small shift this week. If this helped, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more couples can find their way back to love. Thankyou for listening, if you liked it, please remember to subscribe. Join our Private "Thriving relationships - Deepening connection to self and others" community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107209283451758/ Website: https://michaelandamy.com.au/ Join our free 7 day relationship challenge: https://michaelandamy.com.au/free-relationship-challenge If you would like to book in a private discovery call with us, here is the link: https://michaelandamy.com.au/call

    25 min

  3. JAN 21

    Stop Starting Fights With Your Eyebrows

    What if the real problem isn’t what you say, but the energy that carries it? We take you inside the quiet mechanics of relationship communication and show how tone, body language, and nervous system state can derail even the fairest message before it lands. When only a small fraction of meaning rides on words, the sigh, the clipped reply, and the raised eyebrow can speak volumes—and trigger a fight you never meant to start. We map the moments where couples go off track: meeting each other at the end of a long day, stuck in logistics, feeling unseen, and letting stress power the delivery. From there, we offer a clear, repeatable process to shift outcomes. First, check your body: breath, heart rate, and the urge to predict your partner’s reaction. If you’re activated, pause and regulate with a short breathwork pattern that lengthens your exhale. Then return with curiosity and an “I” statement that owns your feeling and names a simple, specific request. You’ll hear everyday examples—like a softer way to ask about the forgotten milk—that show how small changes to tone protect connection and reduce defensiveness. We also talk about the deeper work: why negative sentiment override takes hold, how unspoken resentment and old patterns amplify minor issues, and why nervous system regulation is foundational for repair. When you practise calm before communicating, you create emotional safety, shorten ruptures, and make space to actually hear each other. If you’re ready to experiment, grab our free “Calm Before Communicating” guide and three‑minute video to start regulating before the hard talks. If you want a bigger reset, our 12‑week Reconnected Union helps you deconstruct and rebuild your relationship’s foundation with practical tools and guided support. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a gentler script, and leave a review to help more couples find a calmer way to connect. Thankyou for listening, if you liked it, please remember to subscribe. Join our Private "Thriving relationships - Deepening connection to self and others" community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107209283451758/ Website: https://michaelandamy.com.au/ Join our free 7 day relationship challenge: https://michaelandamy.com.au/free-relationship-challenge If you would like to book in a private discovery call with us, here is the link: https://michaelandamy.com.au/call

    17 min

  4. JAN 8

    Fearless Inner Peace and Relationships - With Manna Abraham

    What if trauma isn’t what happened, but the meaning you keep choosing right now? We sit down with transformational guide Mana Abraham to reframe trauma as memory plus meaning and trace how that lens quietly builds identities that run our relationships: the “nice guy” who avoids conflict, the achiever proving they can’t be rejected, the partner who controls intimacy to feel safe. When those roles are powered by fear, our strengths flip into triggers, and love turns into management. We unpack practical ways to meet each other’s minds instead of fighting each other’s behaviours. Curiosity beats certainty. One more question creates sense‑making: “You’re not dismissing me; you’re protecting us from scarcity.” We get into intimacy blocks, too, from mismatched libido to the giver‑receiver tangle that makes sex a performance instead of presence. Manna shows how sovereignty and non‑attachment shift desire from negotiation to genuine connection, and why congruence matters more than techniques. See your partner as a magical being and your energy invites that becoming. Here’s the liberating pivot: change doesn’t require digging through timelines. The past is a training wheel; the present is the steering. The mind holds memory, ego, subconscious and discernment, and discernment is the missing muscle. Consistent, conscious choice in this moment rewires patterns because the mind follows what’s repeated, not what’s righteous. Drop attachment to meanings, charge your own battery, and love becomes less transactional and more expansive. We wrap with Manna’s Finally Free framework and EMPR method, plus where to find her book and free trainings. If this conversation sparked something, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review telling us the one meaning you’re ready to drop. To access Manna's free resources, book "Finally Free" and her world-renowned EMPR method, visit: mannaabraham.com Thankyou for listening, if you liked it, please remember to subscribe. Join our Private "Thriving relationships - Deepening connection to self and others" community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107209283451758/ Website: https://michaelandamy.com.au/ Join our free 7 day relationship challenge: https://michaelandamy.com.au/free-relationship-challenge If you would like to book in a private discovery call with us, here is the link: https://michaelandamy.com.au/call

    53 min

  5. 12/24/2025

    From the Vault: Navigating Holiday Stress - Strengthening Your Relationship Through Effective Communication

    Navigating the festive season with your partner can sometimes feel like a tightrope walk through social obligations, family gatherings, and holiday stress. Imagine having a toolkit to maintain harmony and connection even amidst the chaos. That's exactly what we explore in this episode, where we share personal anecdotes and insights into tackling relationship challenges that often arise during the holidays. From dealing with increased socialization and the stress of family visits to managing anxiety and past traumas, discover how proactive communication and teamwork can turn potential pitfalls into opportunities for deeper connection and support. Building on this foundation, we highlight the transformative power of effective communication in nurturing your relationship's growth, particularly during the bustling holiday season. Learn how to set aside dedicated time for meaningful conversations, using techniques like "I" statements, to express personal feelings and needs without triggering defensiveness or conflict. We introduce a program designed to foster safety, clarity, and intimacy, helping to reignite passion and reduce burnout. Finally, as we look toward 2025, we encourage you to savor each moment of presence with loved ones, embracing the growth and thrilling new opportunities the new year promises. Join us on this journey as we share our experiences and insights, aiming to enhance your festive experience and strengthen your relationship. Thankyou for listening, if you liked it, please remember to subscribe. Join our Private "Thriving relationships - Deepening connection to self and others" community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107209283451758/ Website: https://michaelandamy.com.au/ Join our free 7 day relationship challenge: https://michaelandamy.com.au/free-relationship-challenge If you would like to book in a private discovery call with us, here is the link: https://michaelandamy.com.au/call

    20 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    Why Nice Guys Silently Ruin Relationships

    Ever felt like kindness is your superpower, yet your relationship still feels flat, tense, or strangely distant? Michael goes solo to unpack the quiet patterns that so many men mistake for love: covert contracts, conflict avoidance, and the endless chase for approval that looks like connection but drains desire. Through candid personal stories and clear frameworks, he lays out why these strategies once kept you safe, why they now sabotage intimacy, and how to trade people pleasing for honest, grounded presence. We explore the five core behaviours that silently erode trust: giving with hidden expectations, smoothing over every disagreement, seeking validation instead of being known, suppressing direction out of fear of being controlling, and overgiving that creates pressure rather than warmth. You’ll hear what happens inside a partnership when needs go unnamed, why “I’m fine” breaks trust, and how a lack of clear leadership forces your partner into roles she never wanted. Michael shows how authenticity and simple, steady direction can restore polarity, safety, and attraction. Expect practical steps you can use today: naming a need without defensiveness, inviting healthy conflict without escalation, offering plans with room for choice, and giving without a ledger. If phrases like “I say yes when I mean no” or “I give so much and feel unseen” ring true, this conversation offers a path back to truth, clarity, and real closeness. For more support, check out No More Mr. Nice Guy by Robert Glover and our coaching options for one‑on‑one or group work where you can practise these shifts in safety. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review so more couples can find these tools. Your stories and questions shape future episodes—message us on Instagram or Facebook to keep the conversation going. Thankyou for listening, if you liked it, please remember to subscribe. Join our Private "Thriving relationships - Deepening connection to self and others" community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107209283451758/ Website: https://michaelandamy.com.au/ Join our free 7 day relationship challenge: https://michaelandamy.com.au/free-relationship-challenge If you would like to book in a private discovery call with us, here is the link: https://michaelandamy.com.au/call

    16 min

  7. 11/25/2025

    Sexual Performance Anxiety - How To Fix Erection Problems with Shay Doran

    Ever felt like the bedroom turned into a stage and you forgot your lines? We sat down with men’s coach Shay Doran to explore why performance anxiety is so common, how it hijacks the body’s physiology and what it really takes to restore ease, desire and connection. Shay’s lived experience brings rare honesty to a topic many couples avoid: erection challenges, premature or delayed ejaculation and the shame-laced stories that grow around them. We trace the roots where they often begin—early pressure to perform, moments of sexual shame, and the dopamine flood of porn that trains the brain to expect instant novelty and zero rejection. Shay explains the science in plain terms: calm parasympathetic tone helps you get and keep an erection, while healthy sympathetic arousal carries you over into orgasm. When anxiety spikes, blood moves to survival systems, not g******s, and everything gets harder, literally and figuratively. Pills can boost firmness, but they don’t create calm but mindset and nervous system skills do the heavy lifting. This conversation is practical and relational. We talk about how partners can respond without blame, why appreciation and non-goal touch rebuild trust, and how communication outside the bedroom fuels desire inside it. We look at the “performance anxiety loop”—a cycle of bad experiences, anxious questions and fixed beliefs—and how to break it with clearer understanding, slower pacing and more presence. Along the way, we unpack why “duty sex” deadens desire and how shifting from proving to feeling turns sex into lovemaking again. If you or your partner are navigating erection anxiety or intimacy that feels stuck, this episode offers relief, language and next steps. Check the show notes for Shay’s YouTube channel and a free 10‑question performance anxiety quiz to map your personal triggers. If this helped, follow the show, share it with a friend and leave a quick review to help more couples find their way back to connection. Find Shay Doran on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@shay-doran Take the quiz: https://shay-doran.com/free-quiz/ Here's his website: shay-doran.com Thankyou for listening, if you liked it, please remember to subscribe. Join our Private "Thriving relationships - Deepening connection to self and others" community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107209283451758/ Website: https://michaelandamy.com.au/ Join our free 7 day relationship challenge: https://michaelandamy.com.au/free-relationship-challenge If you would like to book in a private discovery call with us, here is the link: https://michaelandamy.com.au/call

    54 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    Softening The "Strong Woman"

    What if the “strong one” is secretly exhausted and aching to exhale? We dive into the hidden pattern of hyper-independence, why control often masks fear, and how couples can rebuild trust by trading silent resentment for steady leadership and genuine surrender. Drawing on our own journey and the breakthroughs from our recent couples retreat, we unpack the subtle, everyday moments that push partners apart: micromanaging, avoiding, redoing, and retreating to work because it feels safer than getting it “wrong.” We share a simple roadmap that actually works in real homes. For men, it starts with accountability and presence: manage your energy, meet intensity with calm, and follow through on what you say. Think benevolent King energy—grounded, reliable, and in service to the relationship. For women, the shift begins with awareness and allowance: notice where you jump in, let imperfect attempts stand, and offer appreciation to reinforce what you want more of. When he leads with integrity, her body relaxes. When she softens, he feels accepted and steps in more. That loop turns roommates into teammates and restores the polarity that fuels intimacy. You’ll hear practical language to use during tense moments, how to recognise the fear beneath control, and why “coming closer” beats “walking away” when spikes are out. We also explore origin stories—childhood roles, working patterns, and the moment kids arrive—and how these shape adult dynamics without us noticing. If you’re one or two tools away from a better rhythm, this conversation gives you the cues to start today: ground, allow, appreciate, and act with consistency. Love feels different when safety returns. If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs relief, subscribe for more grounded relationship tools, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your story might be the nudge another couple needs to thrive again. Thankyou for listening, if you liked it, please remember to subscribe. Join our Private "Thriving relationships - Deepening connection to self and others" community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107209283451758/ Website: https://michaelandamy.com.au/ Join our free 7 day relationship challenge: https://michaelandamy.com.au/free-relationship-challenge If you would like to book in a private discovery call with us, here is the link: https://michaelandamy.com.au/call

    35 min
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About

Guiding a positive redesign in the relationship we have with our partner and ourselves. Offering tools, strategies and personal insights to bring your relationship from barely surviving to thriving.We are Michael and Amy, your couples connection coaches. Our mission is to help relationships to THRIVE again! A bit about us...We met in 2005 and married in 2009, welcomed two children in 2010 and 2012. Our relationship has had many ups and downs since we first met.-  Mental breakdowns from work overload- Massive stresses from a premature baby- Scare with ovarian cancer- Dealing with financial pressures- Not knowing ourselves!This led us to experiencing:- A communication breakdown- Arguments and not understanding each other- Living separately under one roof- Exhaustion! This podcast is for couples and singles who want to unlock their relationship potential using a conscious and holistic approach that brought us back to a state of beautiful harmony. One of the basic human needs is to feel LOVE and CONNECTION but our modern life has led us to feel disconnected and isolated more than ever before. This podcast is all about helping you to RECONNECT as a couple at a deeper, more meaningful, soul level.  Now, both working as coaches we share insights, client breakthroughs and personal stories to move your relationships from barely surviving to absolutely thriving!  www.michaelandamy.com.au

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