Almost everyone we’ve ever worked with needs help learning how to communicate better with their partner. So why is this such a ubiquitous relationship challenge? There’s lots of reasons: we often are not role modeled healthy or effective communication strategies, many times we don’t know what we feel, need or want, or if we do, we don’t always have the words to communicate it. And even if we were able to express ourselves clearly and kindly, our partner may not have the skills to receive it well. So what happens? Frustration and resignation take over, communication becomes limited to transactional conversations and couples are left feeling disconnected. We get it - we’ve been there. In this episode Joree & John not only talk broadly about communication challenges in relationships, but they share their own personal journey and how once they mastered some essential tools, their communication and relationship vastly improved. If you are stuck in communication patterns that are leaving you feeling unheard or defensive, then this episode is for you!

In this timely conversation in the face of the election, Joree and John talk about how couples can navigate staying connected and how to get along when they have differences in their values or beliefs. We know from research that 67% of relationship challenges are not solvable, so then what? Not agreeing does not have to be a deal breaker; the key is to understand that we are not trying to convince our partners to agree with us, but to learn the tools to stay respectful when they don’t. This may feel counterintuitive, but when couples continue to fight the same fight, they will usually end up with the same outcome: disconnected, annoyed and building resentment. In this episode, Joree & John share examples of many common issues that couples deal with, including political differences, and offer realistic and practical ways to move through them, rather than moving apart.

In this engaging episode, John and Joree explore what makes a healthy, thriving relationship by dissecting the themes from the Netflix hit show Nobody Wants This. Using the show’s rare portrayal of a healthy relationship as a starting point, they identify the common pitfalls couples fall into and offer expert advice on how to avoid them. And more importantly, they offer a picture of a healthy, thriving relationship, a model which seemingly no one grew up with, by diving into the importance of trust, non defensive listening, effective communication, validating emotions, capitalizing (supporting someone’s good news), self-awareness, emotional safety, and honoring your partner's nuances or idiosyncrasies. Joree and John highlight examples from the show that demonstrate these, along with real-life examples from their own relationship, and how to create a relationship that not only lasts, but truly flourishes. Whether you’re a fan of the show or simply looking to strengthen your connection, this episode offers practical, heartfelt advice on how to foster a partnership filled with love, fulfillment and resilience.