It’s annoying when your husband complains. It sucks the fun out of everything, makes you feel unappreciated, and can definitely lead to resentment (if you’re a mere mortal woman like me). What I’m going to share with you is going to sound counterintuitive. What I’ll invite you to try when your husband complains too much is not a regular power that most women have. No. These are superpowers that some wives have developed for strengthening their families. You can too. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your husband complains too much. I'll share 2 ways to change that. Also, my guest Mary felt very alone and scared that her husband would leave or cheat on her, especially when he brought up divorce during a fight! She decided to experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills, but her husband was skeptical and sometimes it backfired completely. Then he started flirting and seeking her out more, and now the passion has skyrocketed. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

If you’re thinking that your husband doesn’t care about your desires and that’s why he doesn’t get inspired when he hears them, that’s so hurtful and unloving. It's also very lonely, like you’re invisible. That's how I felt when I thought that John didn’t care what I wanted. That’s what a lot of students thought too. But we were wrong. It turns out, we just weren’t expressing desires. We thought we were, but we weren’t. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about four reasons your desires aren't inspiring and how to fix that in a hurry. Plus, my guest Marian couldn’t stop raging at her husband, who told her he wasn’t happy anymore. She discovered this podcast and started implementing the Intimacy Skills, and today he tells her he loves her all the time. She’s going to tell us how she went from depressed and anxious to content and calm so you can do it too!

The bigger question may be: How do you respect your husband when he doesn’t seem to deserve it? That was a tough one for me! Knowing I SHOULD be respectful has never been that motivating to me. I don’t wanna! What if he’s messing up? Shouldn’t I let him know that? That is one option. But being disrespectful feels dirty and hairy. It leaves me with an emotional hangover after I’ve interrupted or dismissed him or run over him like a steamroller. Blech! I don’t like it. I married John because I respected him so much. I can decide to remember why I felt that way. When I do, he responds to me the way he did when he wooed me, tender and romantic, sweet and chivalrous. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 proven ways to respect your husband. Plus, my guest Valerie was tired of feeling like roommates. But when she started using the Intimacy Skills, her man responded with more smiles, hugs and kisses. Today they enjoy lots of togetherness. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!  

It’s so idyllic and nostalgic to think about the past, when marriages lasted. The idea of stay-at-home mothers getting dolled up and making things from scratch is so pretty. I follow a woman on TikTok who bakes bread from scratch and lives in the French countryside with two adorable little boys, which seems so nourishing and wholesome. Fortunately, what made my marriage better was not becoming more domestic, as I seem to have very little domestic inclination. When I was doing the most domestic stuff, my marriage was struggling, so that wasn’t the answer. What is? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about whether trad wives have better marriages and a few things that will strengthen yours. Plus, my guest Sarah was devastated when her defiant, disrespectful teenage daughter moved out and wanted nothing to do with her. Sarah knew about the 6 Intimacy Skills™ from a Laura Doyle coach friend. When she vulnerably reached out to the coach for help, it wasn’t to save her marriage, which had ended already. It was to save her connection to her daughter. Today she’s thankful they have the relationship she always dreamed of. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

I still remember feeling “What a mistake. He’s such a Loser McLosey Pants. What was I thinking?! I could have done so much better. If only I hadn’t done that, I’d be so much happier.” I was suffering. Why try to save your marriage when you don’t even like the guy? It’s very demotivating. You may have good reasons for not liking him. Maybe he’s abusive or neglectful or has abandoned you. He’s caused you a lot of pain. I’m in no position to tell you to just suck it up and start liking him again because I couldn’t do it either. But what I can speak to is how to avoid the embarrassment of divorce and how most of the things I didn’t like about my husband that were causing me to suffer were of my own doing. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when you don't like your husband and three surprising solutions that will actually make him a lot more appealing. Plus, my guest Kim and her husband were getting divorced. It was decided and she didn’t see that changing. But Kim then her husband called off the divorce and said she is the love of his life. They barely even argue. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too. 

It's depressing when you long to hear your man tell you how beautiful you are and how crazy he is about you and he just…doesn’t. It’s frustrating if you just want him to fix the screen door, move the patio furniture or put the crib in the attic and he just…won’t. Or if you really love snuggling and want to feel physically desired but that’s not happening, it hurts! So what can you do if he’s just not the type of guy to give you that, and never has been? Tigers don’t change their stripes, right? Or do they? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your husband doesn’t speak your love language—and two ways to change that. Plus, my guest Kristi was heartbroken after her husband’s infidelity and him telling her he didn’t love her anymore. Her marriage felt dead! But today they have a deeper connection than ever, and he is always doing things to make her happy. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When I got married, no one had taught me that there are five gifts of femininity that I get to enjoy as my birthright and that my relationship depends on for success. If no one ever taught you either, here they are. I’ll share how you can start enjoying your superpowers of being a woman! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about the five gifts of femininity, your birthright as a woman.  Plus, my guest Annie and her husband were fighting a lot, and she felt so disrespected. But from the first time she experimented with the 6 Intimacy Skills™, she got a better response. While they still have their ups and downs, now her husband apologizes to her and her marriage is so rewarding. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

It’s so discouraging when your husband is diagnosed with something like ADD, OCD, narcissism, Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or Dissociative Disorder. Having hitched your wagon to someone with a disorder or deficit can feel like a life sentence of misery. It’s very distressing. Even if you don’t have a formal diagnosis, maybe you’ve done some reading about what you observe in him and you have strong suspicions. While it’s hard to find this out after you’re married, it’s also intriguing because having a diagnosis holds out the promise that he could improve with some kind of treatment, like medicine or therapy. At least that’s how I felt when my husband got his diagnosis, but it all went wrong from there. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do instead when your husband’s disorder is ruining your marriage. Plus, my guest Katherine’s husband waited until the kids were teens when he said he wanted to separate, which left her feeling abandoned and scared. But that was then. Today he seeks her out, says she’s beautiful and that he is so lucky to have her as his wife. How did Katherine make such a dramatic change in her marriage? She’s going to tell us so you can do it too.

Especially if physical intimacy has dried up and he’s not interested in you, the rejection hurts and makes you feel pathetic. You’re competing with a two-dimensional woman and losing. It’s only logical that it’s the porn that’s stealing the passion. And you can’t control that. So what are your options? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your husband is addicted to porn. I’ll share the #1 way to heal. Plus, my guest Melissa struggled with feeling emotionally abused, and there were lots of fights about money. After she implemented all of the Intimacy Skills step by step, she feels like she’s had a whole-life makeover, including in her marriage, which is safe, peaceful and exciting now. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

It's such a lonely, scary feeling when your man’s affection dries up. Especially if there was a time when he couldn’t keep his hands off of you or he was always stealing kisses and putting his arm around you. I remember being so confused and worried that I wasn’t attractive anymore. I thought it was because I was older and out of shape, but that had nothing to do with it, I found out. I’m even older now, and all that easy loving is back and better than ever—like when we were falling in love. Now I know that I had gotten ugly, but not physically like I thought. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about two ways to deal with a partner who is not affectionate. Plus, my guest Jacquelyn  was so tired of her husband’s porn and substance addictions, him sleeping on the couch and their sexless marriage. Then she made a decision to better herself, which was really hard at first. But today those addictions are no longer an issue, her marriage is amazing, and she feels adored and happier than she’s ever been. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

If your husband speaks to you disrespectfully, it feels really hurtful and embarrassing, especially if anyone else hears it, even if it’s just your kids. It’s not the role modeling you want them to have. If he’s yelling, swearing, calling you names, or telling you you’re crazy, stupid, or worse, you shouldn’t have to live with feeling demeaned like that by the guy who’s supposed to love and protect you. It’s stressful and bad for your self-esteem. So let’s get you back to feeling safe and adored when he talks to you. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about 3 simple fixes if your husband speaks to you disrespectfully. Plus, my guest Dr. K and her husband were separated on different continents. Since she was the breadwinner and they had a lot of disagreements about parenting, there wasn’t much left to hold on to. But then Dr. K had some insights and changed how she showed up with him. Today her marriage is peaceful and she has a tender husband who takes on responsibilities for their family like never before. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When I got married, I thought my husband would support me, kiss away my tears, listen to my problems, desire me, snuggle with me, and do everything he could toward our common goals. And he did—for a while. When he became distant, I felt bamboozled and just knew that something was wrong with him. I thought I would have to end it and find someone who COULD meet my needs, which was scary and dreadful. The longer we struggled and went to marriage counseling, the more hopeless I felt. I was working hard on the relationship, but I was doing all the wrong things. Turns out, I just needed to learn a few skills that contribute to a playful, passionate relationship where all my needs and desires are met because he naturally wants to make me happy, not because I’m begging him to meet my needs (yuck!). On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to deal with unmet needs in a relationship. And, my guest Olivia was still a newlywed when her husband moved out suddenly, wouldn’t say why and wouldn’t come back. Then Olivia discovered the Intimacy Skills and dove right in. Today, her marriage is better than she ever thought it could be, even better than when they were dating. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  

If you're anything like me, you love hearing your man say you're beautiful and the best wife or you did a great job. If you’re not hearing those things, it’s only natural to crave some compliments. That’s just human. We all need to be seen, heard and understood, and compliments are part of that. Going without them is dreary and unsustainable, like trying to hold your breath. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about why compliments are important in a relationship—and 3 ways to get more! Also, my guest Rebecca felt that her husband was angry and emotionally unfaithful. But when she experimented with the 6 Intimacy Skills, she immediately got a positive response. Today, not only is her marriage romantic and adventurous, every relationship in her life has gotten better. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When you see your husband drinking too much, it’s very scary because you can’t help but wonder: Is this an addiction? Is he an alcoholic? If so, everybody knows that would come with a lifetime of suffering. Even if you’re not worried about that, just seeing him choose to get wasted instead of wanting to be with you hurts a lot. I remember how confused and hurt I was when I realized my husband would rather do a lot of things that seemed like a waste than spend time with me. I felt so unlovable and undesired, which was painful because I really wanted to feel loved and desired. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the 3-step cure if your husband would rather drink too much than be with you. Plus, my guest Jessica was living with a scary level of hostility and violence in her marriage. But she found there was something she could do about it, and she did it. Today she feels loved, cherished, and adored, and her marriage is free from domestic violence. She’s married to the same man. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If your man isn’t happy, of course you want to cheer him up so you’re not getting dragged down yourself, which is tiring. I thought I could make my husband happy by doing things for him that would’ve made me happy. I was doing a bunch of stuff I thought would make him happy that felt like a lot of work for me but was not working—at all—because he is so different from me. Sometimes it made him feel even worse, then we’d fight because he didn’t appreciate all I was doing. Let’s not both make that mistake. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about 4 significant ways to make your husband happy. Plus, with no intimacy or communication, my guest Tracy’s marriage felt on the brink of divorce. When she experimented with the 6 Intimacy Skills™, she was surprised to find out that her husband just wanted to make her happy. Today she is married to the man she always hoped to be. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

If your husband has a crush on another woman, it can make you feel terrible and not special. He committed to loving you and only you ’til death do us part, and now? He’s using an excited voice with the neighbor, going out of his way to help her, texting someone a lot more than usual, staying at work later with a female colleague, or staring at another woman. And that’s scary. It seems so wrong that he could feel that way, like a betrayal. Crushes can grow into something more. Even if nothing has happened, it’s not how you want him to feel about someone else. How can make him stop crushing on someone else and adore you instead? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about 5 signs your husband has a crush on another woman and 5 questions to ask. Plus, even though my guest Irena’s marriage was good, she felt disconnected, which had always bothered her. But things got a lot better when she made this discovery. She’s going to tell us how she made her marriage connected, intimate and authentic so you can do it too.  

Being around Eeyore all the time is draining and discouraging. How are you supposed to enjoy life when your man is constantly making gloomy comments and throwing cold water on everything? You might wonder when he’s going to snap out of it or look for nutritional supplements for him or sleep aids or a therapist to help him cheer the heck up so you don’t have to be around his apathetic self. But none of that works, in my experience. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m talking about what to do when your husband is always negative, including 3 ways to change that. Then, with all the blowups and cold wars, the temperature at Michelle’s house was getting colder and colder. When she experimented with just one cheat phrase, things got warmer fast. She kept going with the Intimacy Skills, and today her marriage is happy, playful, safe and loving.

It has such a chilling effect on intimacy you’re getting called names, especially rude ones that you wouldn’t even want to repeat. It’s so hurtful and scary. Everyone knows you shouldn’t put up with that if you have any self-respect. Verbal or emotional abuse is not okay. It also makes you feel really bad—unless you practice the Intimacy Skills and know about vulnerability. I know it sounds odd to even use the word “vulnerability” in the same sentence as “name-calling.” How can you be vulnerable when he has just attacked you like that? That sounds crazy, right? It did to me too at first. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m sharing 3 decisive strategies for when your husband calls you names. And, my guest Bre’s husband never wanted to spend time with her. Then she found out he was having an emotional affair with his ex. She wanted a divorce. But when she started to do some things differently, he changed without her even having to ask. Today they spend time together, and her marriage is fun and meaningful. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  

When you want a reset, you don’t like the track things are on… There’s too much conflict, tension or distance. Maybe you miss how passionate your relationship once was. Instead of having fun together, it feels like painful drudgery. Instead of being exhilarated together, you feel like awkward roommates. So how do you get back to the good times you once had? Is it even possible? Or was that just him being on his best behavior and now you’re seeing the real him? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m sharing two effective ways to start over in a relationship. Plus, my guest Noor felt so broken and depressed in her miserable marriage that she was making plans to leave her husband. But when she started a few new habits, their fights stopped within two weeks! Today she describes her marriage as happy, easy and funny. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  

When your husband resents you, the tension is so uncomfortable, especially if he’s just scowling or hiding in his cave and being silent, ignoring you, neglecting you. It would be nice if he’d just come out with it and tell you he resents you and WHY. Then you’d know exactly where you stand instead of wondering what’s going to happen. You could make plans, defend yourself, or find a way to make him stop resenting you. You could look for the words to have him reevaluate, including that it’s not good for him to hold a grudge against his wife! The scowling, neglect, and silence are all pretty good signs that he resents you, right? But what if he’s not resentful at all? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if you see these signs—and 3 common challenges that could be the real problem. And, the tension was high for my guest Jane too. She was not controlling at all—she was just trying to help her husband! But that wasn’t going over well. Then she made a decision to do this one thing, which led to great peace and happiness in her marriage and in herself. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

It’s so devastating and hurtful if your husband leaves you because he’s unhappy. First, he loved you enough to marry you in front of God and everybody. Then he was so unhappy he left you? That’s not what he promised to do, and it feels like such a betrayal. Not only does it knock the wind out of you, he’s the very person you would turn to for comfort. Instead, you’re left to fend for yourself, which is incredibly scary and lonely. It could even make you feel unlovable and hopeless. But you can change the story, even now. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if your husband leaves you because he was unhappy. Plus, my guest Michelle and her husband were in separate bedrooms and having cold wars that lasted for months. The threat of divorce felt heavy in their house. Then Michelle did a few unconventional things and the fighting stopped. Now her husband is as passionate as when they first married. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When my marriage was really bad, I just wanted to force it to get better through sheer will. That’s why I made John go to marriage counseling! I was willing to put in hard work and perseverance, of course, because that’s what I figured it meant to “work on” your marriage. I mean, I’d always heard marriage is hard work. Hard work! I heard that a lot. Weirdly, it’s not hard work now; it’s easy and fun and light. But back then I was exhausted, frustrated, and impatient for it to change already! I just wanted to know where to apply the force because I felt like I had plenty of that. Now that I know and my husband can’t stop kissing me and is always bringing me tea and chasing me around the kitchen island, I just think you’ll want to get this information and write it down. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 3 ways to force your marriage to improve. Then, my guest Ellen was devastated to find out her husband was involved with another woman. She felt so lost! But she decided to find herself again in a dignified way. She not only saved her marriage—she made it stronger than she could have imagined. She’ll tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If your husband isn’t keeping his promises, like to love, honor and cherish you, or is drinking way too much or there’s another woman who’s too close or he’s just become a loser pants, then how are you supposed to respect him? What if he’s abusive? What if he’s distant or absent? What if he’s walking away from the marriage? What if he conned you? It’s painful enough to be in that situation without feeling like now you should somehow just suck it up and be a respectful saint to him. How is that even humanly possible? Especially if all you feel is disgust because of his narcissism, meanness to the kids, or cruising along while you do everything. It’s already more than you should be putting up with.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how you’re supposed to respect a husband who hasn’t earned it.  I’ll share the key action—despite my great reluctance and resistance—that made it easy to respect my husband, who now does all the things that impressed me when I first fell in love with him.  Plus, my guest Yuki felt like the victim of her abusive husband. She was too ashamed to tell anyone. Then she found a way to interrupt the familiar pattern at her house, and today she has a very respectful marriage. It not only includes joking but she truly feels her husband’s love. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.   

If you’ve been struggling in your relationship for a while, you’re probably exhausted. I remember how hopeless and scared I felt when we’d been struggling for years and nothing was working to make it better. Not marriage counseling, not books about relationships, not working on communication—none of that worked for us. It’s such a disappointment to go from feeling like he’s an amazing person you’re excited to spend the rest of your life with, to wondering what happened to that guy and feeling lonely, neglected, and stupid for falling for him in the first place. Now that I’m back with that amazing guy I fell for, excited to get to spend every day with him again, here’s what I wish I had known. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 3 ways to rebuild a relationship and stop struggling. Plus, my guest Sharon felt starved for love and intimacy. So she flipped her part of the script and said some things she’d never said before. Today her marriage is pure bliss, and she loves the passion and how meaningful it feels. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too!

I found myself doing all the housework not long after we were married because I thought it would be nice for him and I wanted to be a nice wife, plus I wanted a clean house, homemade meals, and neatly folded laundry. And I wanted those things done the right way. It wasn’t long before I was overwhelmed, exhausted and mighty resentful! I was doing everything while he just skated along and watched TV, like I was the mom and he was a little boy. So I decided he HAD to help and told him that. But he didn’t help. Looking back I can see why. But I didn’t know I was making these outrageous mistakes that were preventing him from doing chores. And I’m not the only one! I hear from students that they were making the same mistakes until they learned what to do. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 3 mistakes with splitting chores and how to get more help with housework.  Plus, my guest Renee and her husband kept having big blow ups then cold wars then huge emotional hangovers over and over again. Renee took a long look at herself and saw some things she could improve. Today things are mostly peaceful, and he just wants to serve his wife and family. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

This was one of the great mysteries of my life, so I want to share this with as many women as possible. I don’t want anybody to suffer just because they don’t know about these mistakes. Because before I knew them, I suffered. Just a few years into our marriage, my husband John refused to do housework. When I tried to tell him to wash the dishes, he just turned up the TV to drown me out. I begged, demanded, and repeated myself. I signed us up for marriage counseling, but it didn’t help. He just didn’t care about helping me, which made me question the whole marriage. Then I discovered a phrase that made him do chores willingly. The first time I tried it, John offered to clean the kitchen. And he did. That was over 20 years ago, and he’s been cleaning it ever since. Thousands of my students have also used this cheat phrase with great success. But it won’t work if you make these common mistakes that almost cost me my marriage. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 5 alarming mistakes that make him tune you out. Plus, my guest Jamese had zero romance at her house because her husband was always on the computer. And they were newlyweds! But then Jamese “got herself some business” and got off of her husband’s paper. Today, her marriage is fresh, loving, and fun! She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too. 

If you’re anything like I was, this isn’t the first year you’ve resolved to improve your relationship. I said it year after year because I was so stuck and didn’t know what to do to get my husband to pay attention to me, be more affectionate, and be more responsible. But this new year, your marriage can actually be different. And I don’t mean because you’re going to try harder, which never works but is very tiring (I’m tired just thinking about it). Or by going to counseling since many couples who get marriage counseling end up separated or divorced anyway. Or by being more giving and supportive to your man, even though I know you hear that everywhere. Today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast is about the scary New Year’s resolution that will actually save your marriage. I’ll share 3 things that changed everything at my house and will make your relationship vibrant and shiny this new year. You’ll also get to hear a true first coaching session with Brittany, who is so courageous to let me share this call with you from back when her husband was bent on divorce.

If you’re anything like I was, this isn’t the first year you’ve resolved to improve your relationship. I said it year after year because I was so stuck and didn’t know what to do to get my husband to pay attention to me, be more affectionate, and be more responsible. But this new year, your marriage can actually be different. And I don’t mean because you’re going to try harder, which never works but is very tiring (I’m tired just thinking about it). Or by going to counseling since many couples who get marriage counseling end up separated or divorced anyway. Or by being more giving and supportive to your man, even though I know you hear that everywhere. Today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast is about the scary New Year’s resolution that will actually save your marriage. I’ll share 3 things that changed everything at my house and will make your relationship vibrant and shiny this new year. You’ll also get to hear a true first coaching session with Jackie, who is so courageous to let me share this call with you from back when her husband was bent on divorce.

Every month the Certified Relationship Coaches and I get together and tell true stories about our relationships because having lots of stories to share is an important part of being a great relationship coach. Some of the best stories, those most valuable to the person you’re coaching? They’re embarrassing. They’re not proud moments or good examples of how to be a model wife. More like horrible warnings of what NOT to do to have a healthy marriage. Those are the kinds of stories we tell at these meetings, which are exclusively for the certified coaches, no one else.  Hearing that I am NOT the only person who has these self-inflicted embarrassing moments is so comforting, such a relief, and so entertaining, at least for me. So this week I got permission to share a coaches’ storytelling meeting with you, even though the stories were originally told in this sacred space of our coaches-only private call. The coaches decided to let you in on things you don’t hear women admitting to very often. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m letting you in on mistakes that were made, where you get to eavesdrop as relationship coaches confess!

When you’re going to trust someone with something as important as making your marriage last and thrive, it’s scary. You want to make sure it’s the right someone! Especially if you’re trying to navigate a crisis, like a separation, the threat of divorce, or an affair, which feels so vulnerable and private. There’s so much at stake, like your whole family’s happiness and future! You shouldn’t have to go through that alone, but you also need someone super safe who won’t judge you. That’s also true even if you’re just disappointed that your marriage isn’t what you thought it was going to be. Because your birthright as a woman is to feel desired, adored and cherished. If you’re not feeling that way, it’s so painful—I still remember. You’ll want a guide to help you see what’s in the way, what’s in your blindspot, what’s stopping you from having that. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to find a relationship coach and the top 3 things to look for. Plus, my guest Crystal’s husband was set on getting divorced, then he moved out, which was heartbreaking. But even in her pain, Crystal decided to fight the good fight to save her marriage, and… it worked. Today her marriage is better than ever. She’s going to share how she fixed her broken marriage so you can do it too.

When your husband treats you like a roommate, it feels cold and lonely. You didn’t get married to have a roommate! You got married to enjoy each other’s company, to enjoy passion, and if you’re anything like me, to feel desired. So getting the roommate treatment is a bait-and-switch that can make you feel rejected and abandoned as a wife. It’s also embarrassing. At least it was for me, because I felt like it was proof that I wasn’t desirable, which I wasn’t, and that our marriage was falling apart, which it was. So I had lots of problems and no idea where to start because I had already tried the oft-repeated advice to share my deep concerns about his lack of affection, and let me tell you: That. Did. Not. Work. It did not make him pull me in for a kiss and whisk me away to the bedroom, which is what I secretly wanted. That was painful. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when your husband treats you like a roommate. Plus, my guest Deena’s marriage felt cold and distant, like roommates who were either fighting or having a cold war most of the time. The threat of divorce was hanging over them. Then Deena decided to do a few things differently and instead of roommates she says they feel like soulmates. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!   

Okay, I don’t have much to say about outlaws. I just love that joke, that the difference between outlaws and in-laws is that outlaws are wanted. That’s because in-laws can be annoying and get on your very last nerve! They might be nosy, overbearing, or passive-aggressive, but you can’t get rid of them, as much as you might like to sometimes. Or is that me I’m thinking of? Well, not anymore. Now I genuinely like all my in-laws. I used to find fault with them like it was buried treasure, but it turns out they’re a great bunch. Maybe your in-laws are not so great though, and it’s putting stress on your marriage. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to make his family members more tolerable. Plus, my guest Jessica was sure the only way her marriage would get fixed was if her husband would finally open his eyes and start treating her better! But she did some experiments herself, and her prayers were answered in an unexpected way. Now he writes her love notes that make her heart sing. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  

It feels really bad when the man who promised to love honor and cherish you sneers at you when you’re talking, takes sides with the kids, doesn’t bother to answer you when you’re saying something important, makes demands or criticizes you. It’s so hurtful and insulting. You start to feel like you’re always on guard to protect yourself, which is tiring too. How is it ever going to improve if he’s just getting ruder and more dismissive? It’s scary to think about spending the rest of your life with someone so disrespectful! We talk a lot about how to be respectful on this podcast, but what about how to get respect? Here’s a powerful way to break out of the cycle of feeling disrespected by your husband and create a new culture at your house. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re unpacking what to do when your husband doesn't respect you. Plus, after big fights about parenting their blended family, Faith’s husband started confiding in a female “friend.” Faith decided to experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills™ even though her friends told her that wouldn’t work. Today she says her marriage is the best it’s EVER been and they are both so in love. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

First of all, I don’t even have kids to disrespect me, so this could be a really short podcast because what do I know?! Sure, I know what it’s like to be disrespected by exceedingly short people. It is so frustrating because I can just pick them up and drop them on the bed while they giggle relentlessly like bedtime is some big game instead of the end of my childcare shift, which can’t come fast enough. I am the person in charge of them, the boss, and everyone knows you have to respect your boss—everyone but kids, that is. Food has to be consumed, bodies washed, pajamas put on, teeth brushed, stories read and lights turned off. And kids don’t seem to respect my authority about these things. Nagging, begging, pleading, and even bribing don’t work very well. I can’t make them obedient, which is very stressful. So on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re unpacking what to do when your kids don’t respect you. Plus, there was no joy or laughter in my guest Julia’s marriage, but there were plenty of arguments. Then she did a bunch of experiments and they worked! Today she feels a weight has been lifted and her marriage feels intimate and fun. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If you suspect your man is just a little too emotionally intimate with another woman, it feels terrible. It’s threatening because emotional intimacy was a big part of how you two fell in love to begin with. It could signal that he’s falling for someone else, which is not right. You shouldn’t have to fear that some other woman is having the connection with him that you want or that she might have bigger plans for his future. But where’s the line on emotional cheating? If he were clearly over the line, you could use the law to confront him. Then he would have to admit he is cheating and he’d realize that’s not the man he wants to be. He’d keep his distance and blow her off, like he should, and go back to being emotionally intimate with you and only you. But what if it’s not over the line? What if he’s just being friendly and there’s nothing to worry about? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re unpacking exactly what emotional cheating is. Plus, my guest Maxine was grouchy and resentful that her husband wouldn’t do things for her no matter how creatively she nagged him. But she made some changes, and today her marriage feels really good. She knows he just wants to make her happy and that she has the key. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.    

What could be worse than knowing that your husband loves someone else when he should be devoted to you and only you? This should not be happening. It’s so wrong! And a terrible rejection to know he finds someone else so alluring that he’s willing to put everything he has with you at risk. I mean, is she younger than you? Prettier? What is it about her that’s worth making a fuss about? He is your husband and this is not part of the agreement you made. It’s so hurtful and disappointing when the time, attention and affection he’s giving her is taking away from what he should be giving you. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when your husband is in love with someone else. Plus, my guest Cindy’s husband was having an affair for three years, which she never thought would happen to her! Saving her marriage seemed completely hopeless because he wouldn’t end it. Then she started experimenting with the Intimacy Skills, and today she has the marriage she always wanted. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

Going from feeling desired and sexy to getting rejected by your own husband is a terrible feeling. Is there something wrong with him? With you? Is it because you’re not as attractive as you used to be? Either way, it’s scary to think about a dreary future with little to no passion. You might wonder what you can even do about it if the problem is his lack of drive. Are you going to be on a starvation schedule in the bedroom or even involuntarily celibate when you’re still a sensuous being? That’s an awful life sentence to serve ’til death do us part. But fortunately, that doesn’t have to be your story. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what it means when your husband rejects you sexually—and what to do about it. I’ll share two ways you can turn this around and skyrocket the passion in your marriage.  Plus, my guest Erin’s marriage was doing okay, so she was blindsided when her husband announced that he was moving out. There was another woman. But in just a few months of using the 6 Intimacy Skills™ and the Connection Framework, miracles happened in her marriage. Wait until you hear what she did! I think you’re going to want to do it too.

Not only will this phrase help make your marriage last a lifetime, it will also help your marriage stay shiny and amazing. Because it’s not just the words coming out of your mouth and your husband hearing them that make them powerful. Although that’s certainly part of it, and he will respond to you better. This phrase is also going to change your heart. It does double duty that way. That’s why I consider it the most powerful Intimacy Skill of all. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about a phrase to say every day for a long-lasting marriage.  The intimacy at my guest Nicole’s house had grown COLD. She was doing everything yet not feeling appreciated. But six months ago something happened, a big something, and now her husband can’t stop taking her on romantic date nights. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!  

We’ve discovered four things that are pivotal for wives fixing their marriage. But one in particular helps you make quantum leaps in your marriage because it helps the 6 Intimacy Skills stick. It’s when I started practicing this piece that I got my miracle of feeling loved, desired, taken care of and special every day—more than ever over 20 years later. I’m excited to share how I got a breakthrough with being able to implement the Intimacy Skills myself when I was terrible at them! So you'll know the missing link if you’re struggling, like I was, to implement the Skills or wondering why you can’t remember to use them. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the Connection Framework and how you can pay it forward. Plus, even though she knew she was a good wife, my guest Steph felt lonely and hopeless. She could feel her marriage slipping through her hands. Through that pain came an insight that set her in a new direction. Today her marriage feels loving, respectful and safe. She’s going to share what she did so you can do it too.

It’s so dreary to find out you're married to someone with bouts of exhaustion and depression interspersed with manic behavior. It feels like bait and switch. How are you ever going to have a great partnership when there are just those two extremes and nothing in the middle, no normal husband behavior? It’s scary because not only are you married to someone who can’t always be a good partner to you, it sucks up your time and energy trying to care for him. Instead of a playful, passionate marriage, you’re left with a stressful burden. Ugh! But it doesn’t have to be that way. You too can be a ridiculously happy wife, even if your husband is bonafide bipolar. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to fix a marriage to a husband who has bipolar disorder. My guest Joanne was desperate to avoid the pain of another divorce at any cost but didn’t know where to start since the breakdown was mostly her husband’s fault. She had some unpleasant realizations and started to do a few things differently, and he responded beautifully. Today her marriage is calm, peaceful, and respectful on both sides. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

Part of why you decided to go all in and commit to your man is because he made you feel special. So when you see your husband checking out other women, it’s not only disappointing, it can be threatening. That’s not the agreement you had when he said you were the most wonderful, amazing woman in the world. It can make you angry if he’s looking at another woman in an obvious way. It can be embarrassing and make you feel insignificant. You shouldn’t have to feel that way with your man! So what gives? Why is it so difficult for a man to just be respectful and only look at you and not at other women? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about why men look at other women.  Plus, my guest Krystin was devastated when her husband moved out without even telling her. That’s when she found the Intimacy Skills and had an unexpected twist on her journey to becoming a ridiculously happy wife. She’ll tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If you miss snuggling on the couch, dreaming about your future together, and spontaneous dance grooves in the hallway, it’s disappointing when that goes missing. Without love, there’s just work and chores and sleep. It’s lonely and sad when all the joy is sucked out of your marriage. But if you want to feel desired again, get pats on the butt just because, and see his face light up when you walk in, you can get it all back. You can have deep conversations and silly ones too. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’ll reveal 3 steps that will fix your relationship so that it’s loving instead of loveless. Plus, even though my guest Margaret’s household was miserable and explosive, she was incredibly hurt when her husband moved out then said he wanted a divorce. But she made some changes and today she feels secure and happy with her best friend in their now peaceful home! She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

This is the 200th episode of the Empowered Wife Podcast, so first of all, let’s have some confetti! Yay! It’s because of you listening to this podcast every week, many of you more than once, that it’s been so successful. So thank you for listening, for thinking marriage is important enough to learn about and work on, because it is, and for the glowing ratings and reviews, and for sharing the podcast with your friends and family! I’m so grateful. I want to celebrate with you that we’ve been together for all these years, working on making our marriages stronger, staying inspired, and changing the world by changing our own families, making them strong.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re going to reveal 5 lessons from 200 empowered wife podcasts. I’ll take you behind the curtain to introduce you to my podcast team and share their aha moments. My guests today are two master relationship coaches and two husbands, one of them mine! They’ll talk about the top 5 lessons we’ve learned from doing 200 Empowered Wife Podcasts.  

This is the 200th episode of the Empowered Wife Podcast, so first of all, let’s have some confetti! Yay! It’s because of you listening to this podcast every week, many of you more than once, that it’s been so successful. So thank you for listening, for thinking marriage is important enough to learn about and work on, because it is, and for the glowing ratings and reviews, and for sharing the podcast with your friends and family! I’m so grateful. I want to celebrate with you that we’ve been together for all these years, working on making our marriages stronger, staying inspired, and changing the world by changing our own families, making them strong.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re going to reveal 5 lessons from 200 empowered wife podcasts. I’ll take you behind the curtain to introduce you to my podcast team and share their aha moments.  My guests today are two master relationship coaches and two husbands, one of them mine! They’ll talk about the top 5 lessons we’ve learned from doing 200 Empowered Wife Podcasts.

It's annoying when you’re trying to have a conversation and your man either clams up and gets cold or raises his voice or starts arguing with you. It seems mysterious why he’s so riled up. If only he’d relax so you could have a normal conversation! I used to be so confused about why my husband would look exasperated when I’d made an innocent comment. It turns out that, without meaning to or even realizing it, I was offending him. I didn’t think he should be offended! But now that I understand how, it’s not surprising he was reacting so badly. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re going to answer the question “Why is my husband so defensive?” I’ll share 3 embarrassing ways I unintentionally made my husband feel he had to protect himself from me. My guest Rachel studied the 6 Intimacy Skills™ before her relationship even started but found that practicing them in theory was very different from practicing them in marriage. Here are the adjustments she made so she now says she’s married to the best husband in the world!

Lacking emotional and physical intimacy in my marriage was miserable. With no deep conversations, flirting, or laughing together, I felt rejected and neglected, NOT desired, which is something really important to me. What’s the point of even being married?! After the connection and playfulness we used to have, I knew what I was missing, which made it even worse! Thinking this is just what happens when you’ve been married a while didn’t stop me from wanting the intimacy back. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when there’s a lack of intimacy in your marriage. Plus, my guest Joanne was heading for another divorce. When she changed her approach to her marriage, her husband seemed suspicious. But now she feels secure about the future of her peaceful marriage. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!  

The silent treatment can make you feel really bad and make you desperate to end the tension. It’s scary and takes up a lot of energy wondering how long it’s going to last, if it’s still on, and if there’s something you should be doing differently to fix it. It feels horribly rejecting when someone you love won’t speak to you, answer you, or look at you—like a punishment with no end to the sentence. So what can you do when you’re being shut out? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to handle the silent treatment with dignity. I’ll share 3 experiments to try if what you’re doing doesn’t feel so dignified and you want to shorten or stop the silent treatment. Plus, my guest Deanna’s marriage was hurting from betrayal on both sides when she stumbled on The Surrendered Wife book and this podcast. She started applying the 6 Intimacy Skills™ right away and was amazed at what happened after only a few days. Today she feels loving and loved. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

Being pregnant is vulnerable. When you’re getting ready to welcome a baby, you want to feel secure about your future, to know that you’re loved and desired, that you’ll be protected and taken care of. So it’s an especially scary time to feel rejected. Pregnancy messes with your body so much that it can also feel like you’re not very attractive. Then if he’s less physically affectionate, you could assume it’s because you don’t look hot anymore in your maternity pants. Or someone might tell you that you just feel rejected because your hormones are making you crazy. So now you’re not just rejected, you're also unattractive and crazy!—and it’s all out of your control. But is that what’s really happening? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if you’re feeling rejected by your husband during pregnancy. Plus, Sue had a breakdown in her marriage even though she’s a well-loved relationship coach who has been practicing the Intimacy Skills for many years. She decided to get coaching herself and manifested some big desires, including making her marriage hot again in more ways than one. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

A coach recently shared with me that she decided to become a coach even though she didn’t love her husband because she wanted to be kinder. She was actually guarded against falling back in love. Then she spent a year becoming an expert on the 6 Intimacy Skills, practicing them at the highest level with her classmates. She surprised herself and did start to notice what a great man she had married decades ago. And she came to a coaches’ call recently to admit that, despite her best efforts to just leave him out of this, she was in love with her husband. So, if you don’t want to fall back in love with your husband, do not practice the 6 Intimacy Skills with a supportive community and structure or you’ll end up excited and happy to be with him. You’ll end up with a romance instead of a roommate and co-parent. He’ll seem sexy to you again. It’s crazy, I know! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to fall back in love with your husband. Plus, my guest Julie wanted her husband to change, and he just wasn’t! With life throwing them some big curveballs, their connection was very strained. Then Julie started experimenting with the 6 Intimacy Skills™, and today her marriage is just what she wanted all along: a peaceful, fun and strong union.

It feels terrible when the guy who used to trip over himself trying to help you is now interested only in staring at his phone or staying at work all the time. What a disappointment. Especially when you have so much to do and so many responsibilities because you set out to be partners but now he isn’t doing much to contribute. Why isn’t he supporting you and what can you do about it? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 signs he’s not supportive. I’ll share what to do if he doesn’t listen to you, appreciate what you do, or do what you ask. Plus, my guest Jill was so unhappy that she left her 30-year marriage twice. There were lots of arguments, and her husband made her feel guilty when she spent money. But when he introduced her to the audiobook The Empowered Wife, she decided to experiment. Today they have a closeness they’ve never had. She’ll tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

It feels so rejecting when you find out your guy doesn’t love you back, like you’ve been let down in the worst way when you least expected it. Your head races with terrible thoughts about how this could have happened, whether it’s hopeless, and what it means for your future, which can seem so dark. Does it mean you’re not lovable? I have proof it does not. And if what you want is for him to respond like you’re an irresistible magnet so you feel desired, let’s bust some myths that could hurt your relationship. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when he doesn't love you back.  Even after all the fighting in my guest Julia’s blended family, when her husband decided to move away it was a terrible wake-up call. She started practicing the 6 Intimacy Skills™, and a year later he still wasn’t coming back. But today her marriage is so connected and strong, she knows they’re soulmates. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If you are trying to practice the 6 Intimacy Skills™ in your relationship and it feels like they’re not working or you can’t remember to do them or you’re not sure how to do them in your situation, that’s so frustrating and discouraging! You are not the only one. On this podcast, I interview women who have had success transforming their marriages because I want to talk about what’s possible for you and your marriage so you feel inspired and hopeful. My guests share how they did it so that you can try the same things. But I get that even when you know what the 6 Intimacy Skills are, it can still be tricky to implement them by yourself. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to transform your marriage with the 6 Intimacy Skills™. Plus, my guest Laura was frustrated with her husband’s video gaming and how late he came home. She was also struggling with postpartum depression and overwhelm as a mom. She felt so lonely and unsupported. But today she feels confident as both a wife and mother, her family thriving in a way she couldn’t have imagined. She’s going to describe how she changed practically everything in her life so you can do it too.

It feels really bad when your husband doesn’t care about your needs, even when you tell him over and over. But what if it’s not that he doesn’t care but that you haven’t been well trained on how to communicate your needs in your relationship, just like I wasn’t? I was a communications major in college, so I thought I was really good at communicating. I knew what I needed and wasn’t afraid to say it. But it turns out I was confused about several things. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to communicate your needs in a relationship. I’ll share 4 common mistakes that could be stopping him from meeting your needs. Plus, my guest Mary and her husband were living like roommates and co-parents, which she figured was just the way life is, full of ups and downs. So she was surprised to learn that she could turn things around by herself, but she dug into the 6 Intimacy Skills™ and found that a happy marriage is 100% possible and an absolute pleasure. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

Men are highly motivated to make their wives happy. Notice I didn’t say “some men” or “most men” but just “men.” That’s because in my research where I asked thousands of men how important it is that their wife is happy, they ALL said the same thing. That it’s the most important thing, everything, it’s of utmost importance, or in the UK, they said it’s imperative. In other words, they all wanted to feel like their wife’s hero. You might even think, like I thought, that your man is one of those rare men who doesn’t have a hero instinct. A lot of our students thought that too, but I’m happy to say we were all wrong. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to trigger a man's hero instinct. I’ll share 5 ways to trigger his hero gene—and how you could be unwittingly sabotaging his opportunities to be your hero. My guest Jamiee Lee slapped her husband, and then, she found out he was cheating. It’s not a stretch to say they hated each other. Then she read the book The Empowered Wife and from the minute she tried the 6 Intimacy Skills™, she knew they were working. Today, she says her husband just wants to be her hero, and her marriage is 100 times better. She’s going to tell us how she triggered his hero gene so you can do it too.

It’s terrible to feel like you can’t trust the man you married, whether you don’t trust him to be faithful, to take care of the kids, or to be responsible with money. It just feels bad. You don’t feel heard because if he cared, he would listen to your concerns and try to support you by doing the things you want him to do so that you could trust him. That’s depressing because if you can’t get him to straighten up, it’s pretty hopeless that you’d ever be able to trust him, especially if he keeps letting you down and reinforcing that he doesn’t deserve your trust. How’s that ever going to improve? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if you don’t trust your husband.  My guest Kelsie didn’t trust her husband, and their arguments sometimes lasted for weeks. She worried they were just one argument from divorce, something she didn’t want to go through a third time. But when she did two specific things differently on the verge of an argument, everything changed. Today she is so grateful to be married to an honorable and faithful man that she can’t stop smiling. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to live with an addict. My guest Karyn was devastated by her husband’s addictions to porn, alcohol, drugs and gambling. When she tried to address those issues, he responded with rage. She realized that wasn’t working and learned a whole new approach to communicating her needs, and today she feels beyond blessed to laugh and enjoy her time with the amazing man she married. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

I was the perfect wife. Right up until I actually got married. That’s when it all went kablooey.  I worked so hard as a wife that I gave myself at least a nine out of ten. But I wasn’t scoring so high on the wife scale with John. That’s because I was actually an overbearing, prickly porcupine wife who thought she knew better than him about everything. My criteria of what made me good wife material and his criteria were not the same. At all.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to actually be a good wife. I’ll share the one skill that will boost your good wife score dramatically. Plus, my guest Kaydee’s cold, distant husband wanted to separate. She felt hopeless because he wasn’t willing to work on the relationship. Then, to her horror, she discovered she hadn’t been the good wife she wanted to be, and she started some new practices. Today her marriage is cheerful, connected and intimate. Also, he can’t do enough home projects for her. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

There’s no worse feeling than discovering your worst fear has come true and that the man you promised to love, honor and cherish has done the unspeakable. It’s crushing. If most people knew what he did, they would tell you “He doesn’t deserve you.” Which feels validating because what he did was low and wrong, and you don’t deserve that. But no one else can decide for you what’s best for you. Women whose husbands have betrayed them keep showing up on our campus and blowing my mind by fixing their marriages. And I don’t mean just keeping them together, mind you, but really making their marriages amazing and shiny again, sometimes shinier than they’d ever been! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when your husband betrays you. Plus, my guest Isabel was seven months pregnant when she discovered her husband’s affair. She was so hurt, lonely, and depressed, she even had suicidal ideation.  Even when she went all in on the 6 Intimacy Skills™, he was confused and skeptical. But today her marriage is peaceful, joyful, and better than it has ever been. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too!

My guest Robyn was doing life by herself, lonely and disconnected from her emotionally unavailable husband. But then she did something that made her stop crying and made the arguments stop. Today she feels cherished and is her husband’s “chooky” again. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the secrets of magnetizing an emotionally unavailable husband.

For years, my guest Tilly’s husband threatened her with divorce. They argued constantly and she was living in fear. Then she started doing some experiments, and the results were so positive that she says she has no fear because her marriage is now peaceful and strong. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about what to do if your husband blames you for everything.

My guest Anne was separated for over two years, and her husband started seeing another woman. When Anne started with the Intimacy Skills, he responded very negatively. But today their marriage is passionate, loving, romantic, fun, goofy, supportive and better than ever. How did she do it? She’s going to tell us so you can do it too!

Looking for a good marriage support group is so smart because we humans are social creatures who tend to do what we see others doing. If someone you know is getting divorced, that puts pressure on your relationship. But if you’re spending time with people who are not only staying married but also talking about how they’re improving their marriages, even if they’re facing big challenges, that strengthens your marriage. How do you find such a group? Because when you’re struggling in your marriage, the last thing you want is to end up in the wrong place, wasting time and energy. If you’re anything like I was when my marriage was falling apart, you’re already feeling fragile and worried. You don’t have the energy to waste. You just need relief from the pain and stress ASAP. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m going to tell you how to find the best marriage support group.  Plus, my guest Anna and her husband struggled through alcoholism and emotional and physical abuse. Here’s the one thing she found out that made their constant fighting stop!   

If you’re trying to fathom how you could ever rebuild the trust in your marriage, it means you’ve had it broken in a big way. That’s so painful and scary because it seems permanent! If he let you down, you may feel like you’d be a sucker to trust him again. Whether he lied, cheated or spent money recklessly, it’s completely natural to feel like vigilance, not trust, would be the smarter route.  Or, if you feel responsible for breaking your husband’s trust, you might also be struggling with how to get that back, which is scary and can fill you with regret. Wanting to rebuild trust is like saying you want to be the woman who expects the best from your husband and who gives him her best too. The good news is that you can be her again, and your husband can be the man who deserves your trust. Or vice versa. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 secrets to restoring the trust in both directions. Plus, my guest Grace took an online quiz and realized she was a victim of domestic violence. She followed what the books, counselors and social workers told her to do, which was to separate. But she didn’t want to end her marriage, so she did something radical and simple but surprisingly effective to fix her marriage. Her husband still doesn’t know what she did, but she’s going to tell us so you can do it too.  

If you and I have been hanging out together for a while on this podcast, then you already know how I feel now about marriage canceling, I mean marriage counseling. So don’t even get me started! Who even approved this topic for the podcast anyway? But there is one very specific kind of marriage counseling that I believe can help, which I’ll tell you about. If you’re wondering whether marriage counseling is worth it, it means you’re looking for some relief and maybe some validation that you were abandoned, duped, or abused, like I did. I dragged my husband to counseling so that the counselor could fix him and I could finally be happy. Of course, that’s not how you get the outcome you’re wanting. And that’s the real reason you go to marriage counseling, for the outcome. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about whether marriage counseling is worth it. Then, my guest Teresa was so exhausted from doing everything in her marriage that she became resentful and bitter toward her husband, who never seemed happy. She was committed to her relationship but felt like the only one who was struggling. Then she made a few pivotal changes, and her husband started to look at her differently. Today, the resentment is gone; instead, she feels loved and cherished. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

I’m on a mission to end world divorce and know that you’re with me! Now imagine how great it will be when the social norm is that couples stay together. I don’t mean they suck it up and stay together in separate rooms for the kids. No, I mean they stay together because there’s a culture that when you’re going through a rough time, feeling lonely, discouraged, or unloved, there is also a stand for you that the two of you will make it through that rough time and get to the good times. Toward that end, on this episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast today’s hot topic is the Ending World Divorce Update.  My guests today are eight women who once struggled in their marriages but used the Six Intimacy Skills™ and the Connection Framework not only to make their marriages shiny but also to become highly admired relationship coaches who now help other women fix their marriages! They have cooked up something special for you, which I can’t wait to share with you! You’re also going to hear their inspiring stories.

Being married to an angry man is scary because it’s unpredictable. It’s only natural to make like a turtle and retreat into your shell because it can really hurt to get the brunt of his anger. Your brain works overtime thinking of ways to protect yourself, which is exhausting and stressful. It can also make you feel like you need to figure out how to keep him from getting angry. Or that you need to be a buffer between him and the kids. Or that you need to just get out! That’s what I used to think too, but it turns out I was making some mistakes that actually made the problem worse, not better. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the mistakes lots of well-meaning wives have made being married to an angry man. Here’s what to do instead so you can make your home feel peaceful, calm and safe.   Then, my guest Rachel and her husband were getting divorced after 18 crazy years. She couldn’t forgive him for his affairs and drug and alcohol issues. Then Rachel decided to read something that opened her eyes. The first time she tried the Intimacy Skills, it didn’t work at all, but today her marriage is everything she ever wanted. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  

When you’re struggling in your marriage because you’re getting hurt, neglected or criticized, it’s so discouraging and draining. Maybe your husband has a big character defect that you don’t see ever changing, so it doesn’t seem possible to become a ridiculously happy wife. If you’ve been practicing the Six Intimacy Skills™ and they’re just not working, you might feel like your situation is hopeless. Or maybe the Skills have improved some things, but there are still things you don’t like but feel you just have to accept, even though it’s depressing to imagine living the rest of your life that way. I’m not interested in having you suck it up and just accept that some part of your marriage is miserable. I’m not giving up until you get the marriage you dreamed you would have when you were a little girl, even if you think you weren’t a very realistic little girl. Even if the problems in your marriage seem unfixable. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about YOUR journey to becoming a ridiculously happy wife. My guest Anna and her husband fought a LOT. Things even got broken sometimes and she got called nasty names and threatened with divorce. When she started using the Six Intimacy Skills, he was suspicious and sarcastic. But today they have a beautiful marriage, the best it’s ever been. How did she do it? She’s going to tell us so you can do it too.  

If only getting married made your finances as cinchy as economists make it sound. Sharing the rent or mortgage, grocery bills and utilities saves so much money, there should be less financial strain on you both, not more. Study after study shows that married couples are at the top of the financial heap for net worth and earning. But somehow money is also one of the top subjects couples fight about. It sure was for my husband and me in the bad old days. Fighting about money was not conducive to intimacy or to our prosperity either. Thankfully, I finally learned what I’m about to share with you, and we haven’t had a fight about money in years. Not only do we have more peace around finances and more intimacy, we also have more prosperity. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to handle the finances in marriage. Plus, my guest Dianna was pretty sure her marriage was hopeless because her husband had moved out, but she decided to go all in with the Intimacy Skills. Wait until you hear what she did to fix her marriage! She shares those details so you can do it too.

Getting married and expecting it to look a certain way then getting let down when it’s not is so discouraging. It can even put your marriage at risk. These are the top 3 expectations I had in my marriage that STILL come up for me sometimes and for many of our students too. So see if you also identify with having these unrealistic expectations. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 unrealistic expectations in marriage. Plus, my guest April, a star of the 5-Day Adored Wife Challenge, and her husband were both sober when they met. Then she found out he was hanging out at a local bar during the day, which caused a lot of fighting. But today she is so grateful for all the ways he makes her life wonderful. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

If your husband is saying it’s over or he’s more interested in someone else, that’s terrifying and painful. It’s tempting to believe that it’s not up to you whether your marriage will last. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the top 5 signs your marriage won't last. I’ll share the REAL question to ask if your marriage seems hopeless.  My guest Laura was ready to leave her marriage of two years because of all the fighting and the cold wars. Then she had what she calls “just a little insight,” which changed everything. Today she has a lighthearted marriage full of laughter and fun. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  

When you discover that your husband watches porn, it can feel really bad, disrespectful even. Here you’re his only partner in the bedroom, but he’s watching other women do nasty things on his phone. It’s so disappointing, and so revolting. It can also make you feel pretty unspecial knowing that your husband watches an endless parade of strange women on the Internet. You wonder if he’s even a decent, moral person. Maybe he’s addicted. And if he’s watching porn but not having physical intimacy with you, then it can feel like porn is stealing something precious from you. Maybe you’ve told him to stop, only to find he does it in secret. That might strike terror into your heart. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about why he watches porn. Plus, my guest Erin was incredibly lonely but couldn’t get her husband’s time, attention or consideration. She lost all respect for him. Then she made some changes, and today he kisses her before leaving the house, tells her he loves her and wrote her a special card for their anniversary. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When there’s no passion in your marriage, it’s a huge disappointment because that’s a big part of the allure of marriage. You vowed to love in sickness and in health partly because you felt so irresistible when he made bedroom eyes or swept you into his arms and told you how beautiful you are. But when that stopped, it made you wonder if you were not attractive anymore, which feels terrible! Or maybe you thought that this is just what marriage is like—it starts out exciting then the passion just evaporates. You were hoping yours would be different but it’s not, which is so depressing. Fortunately, those are very likely NOT the reasons there’s no passion in your marriage, based on my experience helping thousands of women skyrocket the passion in their marriages. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the top 3 reasons there's no passion in your marriage. Plus, my guest Ameerah felt unwanted and stuck in her marriage. No matter what she did, she was never good enough for her husband. She tried the Intimacy Skills, but things didn’t improve much. Then she did something that changed the course of her relationship and her life, and today she feels just how much her husband wants her to be happy. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too!

I first taught the Six Intimacy Skills™ to women in my living room. When there were too many of us to fit in the room, I started offering workshops at hotel meeting rooms, community centers, conference centers, churches, and a mosque a few times, across the U.S. Women often traveled a long way just to be at these in-person events. I taught lots of workshops, but there were always more women who wanted to come and I realized I couldn’t do it all myself. I needed to train coaches to teach those workshops too. Today there are well over 100 coaches who lead Empowered Wife Workshops all over the world, both online and in person. So they are spreading that magic a lot faster and farther than I ever could. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about The Empowered Wife Workshop. Plus, my guest Lainy was co-living with her husband, who slept on the couch in the basement while she focused on their kids. But when he confessed he had made a “mistake,” her blood ran cold. Then she made a mind-blowing discovery, and today her marriage feels light and her kids have their dad back. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  

Physical abuse is one of the scariest things you can experience. If you’re not safe with your own husband, then when are you ever safe? Everyone who knows you and loves you may get scared too and say you have to get out of that relationship. Then it seems pretty hopeless and even foolish to try to fix a marriage after there’s been hitting, kicking, shaking or choking. That’s what I thought too. But I got schooled! I got schooled by women who have lived through domestic violence and fixed their relationships. Women who had restraining orders against their husbands, women who had to go to the hospital for injuries after fighting with their husbands. They didn’t want to be victims or be divorced, and somehow they found a way to fix their marriages and make them safe. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about whether a relationship can be saved after domestic violence. My guest Queenie was so tired of her husband constantly interrupting, correcting and criticizing her. Then a huge fight turned physical, so she took the baby and left. But she decided to do some experiments, and today they are back together and she says her marriage is unbelievably amazing. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

Last week my guest Suzette mentioned she had come across my blog on what your husband really wants for Valentine’s Day and experimented with those suggestions and they worked! I asked her to go into detail about what it said, and neither of us could remember. Since it’s the week before Valentine’s Day, I got inspired to share this here again because it is probably not what you think. Your husband doesn’t want flowers or chocolates for Valentine’s Day. Red socks or silk boxers or even a six-pack of his favorite beer won’t be as romantic to him as getting what he really wants from you. And I don’t mean sex, although he likely wants that too. But there are three things he wants even more. Giving them to him will make February 14th loving and dreamy for you both. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, you’ll learn the astonishing truth about what he really wants for Valentine’s Day. Plus, my guest Jodie was tired of the constant arguing. She and her husband were downright mean to each other at times, which she knew was affecting their children. But she got her hands on a book that changed her outlook on their issues, and today she says she feels renewed and like she and her husband are in love again. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When I first interviewed happily married women on their secrets, they said these crazy things that made no sense to me. But I was desperate enough to try what they said, and that’s when I got my miracle. My husband showed up like the man who had wooed me, the one I’d fallen in love with. And he’s been showing up that same way ever since. So their crazy ideas were actually the things that worked to make marriage playful and passionate. Who knew that women with actual happy marriages would know what actually works, right? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about step-by-step instructions on fixing your marriage—and some exciting news! Plus, my guest Suzette kept having explosive arguments with her cold, distant husband. She was so lonely. But she made some very specific changes and today her marriage is fun, easy and full of cuddles and playfulness. Even friends and family members have commented on the miracle in her family. Her husband tells his friends to have their wives listen to this podcast. She’s going to explain exactly how she did it.

Brian is not a student but rather the husband of a podcast guest and Laura Doyle certified relationship coach. He generously agreed to be part of our Man Panel series, and today I’m going to get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife using the Connection Framework and the Six Intimacy Skills™. You’ll hear the male perspective on what makes a man attracted to his wife and want to be her hero. Brian was incredibly open and willing to share deeply about his marriage, and I can’t wait for you to hear what he shared! But first, here’s a shout-out to his wife, who invited him on the show on my behalf to talk openly about their marriage on this very popular podcast. Thank you, Ann, for bravely sharing your husband with us on this podcast! What a great gift.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about insights from the husband of a ridiculously happy wife (part 3).

Dwight is not a student but rather the husband of a podcast guest and coach trainee. He generously agreed to be part of our Man Panel series, and today I’m going to get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife using the Connection Framework and the Six Intimacy Skills™. You’ll hear the male perspective on what makes a man attracted to his wife and want to be her hero. Dwight was incredibly open and willing to share deeply about his marriage, and I can’t wait for you to hear what he shared! But first, here’s a shout-out to his wife, who invited him on the show on my behalf to talk openly about their marriage on this very popular podcast! So brave? Thank you, Ruthie, for fearlessly sharing your husband with us on this podcast! What a great gift.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about insights from the husband of a ridiculously happy wife (part 2).

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, then you have heard a thing or two about The Six Intimacy Skills™. Well, I have a confession. When I first heard about the Skills, I thought they sounded stupid. I remember thinking, “I am NOT going to do THAAAAT!” I thought they were old-fashioned and just plain yucky. I thought if I apologized for being disrespectful, that would be a step back for all womankind. Good thing I was desperate enough to try the Intimacy Skills because then I saw things so differently through my new perspectacles, not to mention my husband responded so much better. These days, I’m always scheming ways to create opportunities for every woman to try them out, just as an experiment. Just in case they might work for her too. That’s why we started the 5-Day Adored Wife challenge. At the last one, I was impressed to see so many of you grabbing the training with both hands and sharing your incredible results. I could just feel the momentum everyone was getting from all of us doing the same thing at the same time. I was so inspired, it’s one of my favorite things! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to become an adored wife in the 5-Day Challenge. Plus, my guest Siya wasn’t sure whether to stay with her unfaithful husband, but today she says she’s full of happiness and serenity, and her marriage is like a dream space. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, then you have heard a thing or two about The Six Intimacy Skills™. Well, I have a confession. When I first heard about the Skills, I thought they sounded stupid. I remember thinking, “I am NOT going to do THAAAAT!” I thought they were old-fashioned and just plain yucky. I thought if I apologized for being disrespectful, that would be a step back for all womankind. Good thing I was desperate enough to try the Intimacy Skills because then I saw things so differently through my new perspectacles, not to mention my husband responded so much better. These days, I’m always scheming ways to create opportunities for every woman to try them out, just as an experiment. Just in case they might work for her too. That’s why we started the 5-Day Adored Wife challenge. At the last one, I was impressed to see so many of you grabbing the training with both hands and sharing your incredible results. I could just feel the momentum everyone was getting from all of us doing the same thing at the same time. I was so inspired, it’s one of my favorite things! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to become an adored wife in the 5-Day Challenge. Plus, my guest Siya wasn’t sure whether to stay with her unfaithful husband, but today she says she’s full of happiness and serenity, and her marriage is like a dream space. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

When your kids leave home to spread their wings, it’s exciting! And bittersweet. It’s exactly what you raised them to do but also a letdown because you won’t get to see them as much and they no longer need you as much—which is great but can leave you feeling empty. If co-parenting was a big part of the glue that kept your marriage together, then the new quiet in the house can feel sad, especially if your marriage is struggling. While the divorce rate among those 65 and up has tripled in recent decades, nearly two-thirds of couples actually become closer after the kids move out. So how do you become part of that group? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 secrets for even greater intimacy as an empty nester. Plus, after 35 years of marriage, Basya’s husband relapsed in his addiction and ran up a huge debt. She thought her only option was to resign herself to the situation, but then she discovered a power within herself that changed everything. Today they enjoy warmth and affection, and just when she thinks things can’t get better, they do. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

As you already know if you or your husband has chronic pain, it can put a big strain on a marriage! When one of you is always hurting, it’s an ever present challenge to emotional and physical intimacy. Just like when you’re sick, it’s very hard to be at your best when you’re going “ouch ouch ouch” all day. It can also interfere with receiving or giving physical affection, which is frustrating and can make you feel lonely on top of everything else. If you’re not sure how that pain is ever going to be alleviated, it can be so discouraging and leave you feeling guilty that you’re not able to be the kind of wife you want to be and hopeless that you’ll ever have a happy marriage. So much seems out of your control, it’s hard to know what you can ever do to improve the situation, especially if your marriage feels like it’s unraveling already.  So how can you even begin to fix your marriage when that’s happening? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’ll share three ways you can. Plus, my guest Janice knew she was a controlling and sometimes downright cruel wife, but she had no idea how to stop. Even early on, the constant tension at their house was punctuated by her husband’s angry outbursts. Then she learned a different approach, and today she is thrilled to feel emotional stability within herself and a culture of peace, comfort and mutual respect in her marriage. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.

If you’ve ever been separated, I don’t need to tell you what a stressful, heartbreaking experience it is. It’s also awkward and embarrassing to have to explain to everybody what’s going on. You don’t want their pity or for the kids to get scared or start asking really hard questions. You just want to fix what’s broken and get back on track already. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 4 steps to fight for your marriage when separated.  I’ll share a four-step game plan that our students have used to make their marriages last and thrive after separation, even when he said he was never coming back. My guest Izzy was devastated about her husband’s emotional affair and addiction to porn. He wanted to divorce when her maternity leave ended. Then Izzy made a big change, and things became dramatically different at her house. She and her husband now feel like a team, their physical intimacy better than ever. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

When your husband is there but not there, it’s lonely. It’s also stressful and exhausting. When you’re reaching out trying to get reassurance and he doesn’t respond, it only reinforces how disconnected you are, which hurts. A lot. If this goes on for a long time, you feel a wave of hopelessness that it will never get better because that’s just who he is. Then you feel disappointed that you didn’t see it sooner, before you chose him.  But his emotional detachment doesn’t have to be a life sentence of loneliness. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about two cures for an emotionally detached husband. Plus, my guest Sarah was appalled by her man’s health choices because of what he ate, drank and smoked. She felt that his views on raising children could be a dealbreaker. But then she read something that gave her some answers and there was a huge change. She now trusts him wholeheartedly. She’s going to describe what she did so you can do it too.  

When my marriage was full of drama, it was incredibly taxing. I felt so overwhelmed and consumed by our problems. It was painful and exhausting to fight all the time and to feel so hopeless that it would ever get better. It robbed me of energy for other relationships, work, and having fun. What I know now is that anything that’s sucking out a lot of energy and focus pulls you away from your true calling. With so many relationships falling apart, many people are losing vital energy on Needless Emotional Turmoil. The important things they’re supposed to be contributing, things they’re called to do and the world desperately needs them to do, are not getting the time and energy they deserve. If you’re in survival mode in your relationship like I was, you may not even know what your calling is! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what happens when your marriage drama ends. Plus, my guest Kathy and her husband had been sleeping in separate beds for six months. She didn't think he would ever change, but then she got the Six Intimacy Skills™. That was twenty years ago, and she gets tears in her eyes when she talks about how wonderful her marriage still is. She became a Certified Laura Doyle Relationship Coach then a Master Relationship Coach then a Master Coach for Relationship Coaches and the CEO of a multimillion-dollar coaching organization. She's going to talk with us about what happens when you end your relationship drama for good. 

When you fell in love with your husband, he made you feel beautiful, sexy and special. So it can be crushing to find out that he’s looking at other women online. It can make you feel undesirable, disappointed and less-than, not to mention lowering your opinion of him. Why would he sink so low to sneak around and look at sleazy strangers? Is this really who you married? Naturally you just want him to stop looking—for good. Fortunately, you can restore your confidence, get the respect you deserve, and preserve the passion. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about three actions to take if your husband looks at other women online.  Plus, my guest Taylor was tired of her husband’s heavy drinking and how controlling HE was. On their ten-year anniversary, she felt trapped and resentful, wishing she were with someone else. Then she started using a particular phrase and today her marriage is better than she ever thought possible. Plus her husband mostly stopped drinking. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too!

If he doesn't want you anymore, it does hurt—really bad. Whether his actions are speaking louder than words and he’s too busy to spend time with you or he’s saying he doesn’t want you or making plans to leave or has already left, it can give you the excruciating impression that you’re unlovable. And there’s no lonelier feeling than that. Well-meaning friends can make it even worse by telling you to stop loving him or stop trying to make him love you. They might advise you to cut off all ties with him. Sure, you could do that. But what if that’s not what your heart is telling you to do? Maybe there’s a good reason you still love someone who doesn’t seem to be loving you back right now. While you may wish that things could go back to the way they were before, maybe there’s something even better waiting for you. At least, that’s what I see happen with students of the Six Intimacy Skills™ who use the Connection Framework. They’ve gone through this crushing experience of feeling completely rejected and unloved, and they come out the other side saying their marriage is better than ever. How can you do that too? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do if he doesn't want you anymore and it hurts. Plus, my guest Rachel and her husband were fighting, fighting, fighting. It had become the norm at their house. She couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t try to heal their marriage. Then Rachel decided to experiment with all of the Intimacy Skills and after a long winter, her husband said something he hadn’t said in a very long time. Today, she says her 19-year marriage feels like a miracle and she is full of JOY! She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

When things were out of balance in my marriage, I was seething with resentment about my husband not doing enough chores or making enough money, which left me having to make up for him in both areas. I also had to control the finances since we were always so close to the edge and I knew he wouldn’t be able to handle it. It was very stressful and lonely to be stuck carrying these heavy burdens, but I didn’t see any way out. Maybe you’ve been there too.  Fortunately, I learned a practice that completely changed all that. Today my relationship feels much more balanced, and far from doing everything around here, I feel well taken care of and even spoiled! It may even be out of balance the other way, with him doing practically everything and me just coasting along.  And I’m married to the same guy, so go figure.  On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 5 ways to maintain balance in a relationship while feeling taken care of. My guest Steph’s husband was distant, and she was resentful, lonely and tired of feeling rejected. Then she ran headfirst into a new process, and today he does things she’s wanted him to do for forever. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too. 

Everybody has doubts about their relationship from time to time. It’s painful when you feel like your values don’t match, or your husband is engaging in behavior that you never would have condoned, or his parenting is not at all what you see your children needing to thrive. What if such doubts make you question your own judgment about having said “I do”? It’s an exhausting and scary place to be. What if your marriage is a big mistake—then you should leave, right? But what if you devastate your husband and kids and end up breaking your own heart too? It’s a terrible quandary not knowing what the right decision is. It’s tempting to jump on the fence and stay there. But doubt is the devil. It eats away at the joy and connection you could otherwise be having if you could find your faith, and it pretends that you have no choice but to suffer or leave. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 tips to deal with relationship doubts. With no physical intimacy for two years, my guest Irena and her husband were both miserable. The marriage counselor told them they had no chance of survival and fired them as clients. But things got a lot better when Irena made a discovery and ran with it. Today she says her marriage is exactly where she wants it to be—and getting better every day. Plus, the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to a T-shirt that a student was too embarrassed to take a picture of in front of her husband and kids.

A student named Gigi told me she wanted intimacy in her marriage but didn’t really know what it looked like. “I’ve been married for over 20 years,” she confessed, “and I feel like I just don’t even know what intimacy is.” I knew what she meant because I was similarly baffled early in my marriage. Was intimacy purely physical–just another way to say “sex”? What did emotional intimacy look like? Whatever it was, I knew I wanted it. And although I knew I had experienced it at times, I had no idea why or how to create more of it. I didn’t realize I was unwittingly crushing the emotional and physical connection in my marriage. I didn’t know that intimacy was a matter of expertise and that there were Six Intimacy Skills™ that would help me feel lovable and loved every single day. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the roadmap that will give you these Skills. My guest Charlie was angry and confronted her husband about his lack of help with their financial life and lack of activity in the bedroom. Then they separated. But Charlie had an epiphany about how to solve the problems in her marriage and today they are back together, the physical intimacy is frequent, and he compliments her all the time. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  Plus, the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to a bumper sticker about what to expect when you’re married. But it’s got it all wrong!

When your marriage is in trouble, you know it because you’re worried. And you’re scared something bad will happen to your family, like getting broken beyond repair. But how do you know whether your relationship is really in trouble or just going through a phase that everybody goes through? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about three signs your marriage is in trouble. My guest Atesh and her husband fought constantly, even fighting about the fight, and she felt so unloved. They separated and it seemed hopeless. But then she took a completely different approach, and today her marriage is peaceful, light, safe and warm. She’ll tell us how she did it so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to an unoriginal yet harmful suggestion about how to stop feeling dismissed and ignored. Wait until you hear this claptrap!

When you first say the words “I do,” the idea that your marriage will last forever feels like a given. Of course it will! That’s why you’re committing for life in front of God and everybody! You met the right person, who miraculously felt all melty with you just like you did with him. Your marriage will definitely last forever and ever–the end. But then life kicks in, there’s a misunderstanding, and you notice he has a strange way of doing things, or he hurts your feelings or gets very angry. Oooh! Maybe he has an anger problem and you notice that the “forever” part seems longer than it did during that “I do” session. It’s a big accomplishment to stay married forever. I used to think it was just luck, but now I know that there are powerful habits that contribute to marriage longevity. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what makes a marriage last forever. My guest Dina felt like she was drowning because she had to do everything to take care of their small kids while her unsupportive husband was at his leisure. But she had an insight that changed how she looked at things, and today her husband spoils her, taking care of the kids so she has time for herself. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too! Plus, the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to an Instagram post from a coach–but definitely NOT one of our coaches–who gives examples of how you should talk to your partner that will definitely make you very, very resistible.

If you’re anything like me, you love feeling desired. When the physical passion is missing or rare in your relationship, it makes you feel undesirable, which is an awful feeling. You wonder if the extra pounds or wrinkles are turning him off or if there’s something wrong with him. Either way, it’s lonely, painful and confusing. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’ll reveal 5 ways to fix a sexless marriage. My guest Sofia’s husband said he wanted a divorce then moved out two days a week, and he was having an affair. Her marriage felt like a mess. But Sofia made some big changes, and today her husband is back home and they snuggle and are so close. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week award goes to a pithy quote about what strong women do, but it’s actually the opposite of what I see truly strong women doing every day. 

If you’re asking yourself what cheating is, that means you’re already between a rock and a hard place trying to figure out what to do. Like, what if he’s sending inappropriate flirty messages to his ex from high school but you know he hasn’t seen her in person? Or he’s texting a female colleague all the time and won’t show you his phone but says nothing is going on? What if you overhear him saying he has feelings for someone else? Or you find out he’s got an online dating profile? It sure feels icky to know he’s having intimate conversations with a woman who isn’t you. Of course you want him to stop before he crosses the line, which brings up some very tough questions: How should you react? Does this mean your husband can’t be faithful? Does it mean he’s going to leave you? Can you even repair things from here, or is your marriage doomed to be another divorce statistic? Should you give him an ultimatum that you’ll divorce unless he stops? Or should you try to be understanding but insist on marriage counseling? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what cheating is in a relationship. To say my guest Brenda was disillusioned about marriage is an understatement. She was resentful about always having to be the responsible one and questioning whether she’d made a good decision to marry her husband in the first place. But then she tried an experiment and was amazed that it led to immediate closeness, connection and the realization that she has a good man. Today she says she has the true partnership she always wanted. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to some familiar tripe meant to help a woman who’s anguished about her husband not coming to bed at the same time as her. 

Everybody knows there are some things you can’t just forgive in marriage. Like abuse–physical, emotional or verbal. It’s terrible. Two is being cheated on. Whether he’s going to prostitutes or has another woman, it makes you feel like a doormat and a fool. It’s awful. And three is being with an addict who abuses drugs or alcohol. That’s so unpredictable you never know what might happen, which is a painful way to live. Logically speaking, you can’t just forgive and carry on with the status quo in those situations. You can either choose endless suffering in your marriage, option A. Or you can give up on your dreams of a lasting, happy marriage and tear apart your family, option B. What if there’s a third option? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what really works with the big, stubborn, scary problems in a marriage. My guest Sam was burned out in her marriage and her life. She was doing everything she could for her husband, but she really just wanted to run away. Her daughter even told her to just leave! Instead she started two new habits that turned out to be life changing, and today her marriage is peaceful, joyful, intimate and vulnerable. Her husband sends her long-stem roses at work. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too! This week’s Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to an article about how to get your husband’s attention without begging for it, and it’s a great way to make yourself seem desperate and insecure.

When your marriage is falling apart, it can be pretty hard to know exactly what to do next, except for going to marriage counseling. Everyone knows that’s what you’re supposed to do if your marriage is falling apart, only it didn’t work for my husband and me–or for thousands of students on the Laura Doyle campus either. So what can you do to fix your marriage if it’s gotten dull and you want it to be shiny again? Or if it’s got serious problems that you feel overwhelmed about? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, you’ll discover 7 resources for fixing your marriage.  My guest Christina’s marriage was filled with explosive rage, cold wars and fights about everything: parenting, money, time, housework, feeling alone and unloved. They were on the brink of divorce. But she learned a secret that seemed too good to be true, and today her marriage is filled with slow dances, companionable silence and peace. She feels cherished beyond what she ever could have imagined. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too! And, the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to a saying that’s meant to be funny but hit too close to home for one student. And for me too!

We all want to feel seen, heard and understood. If you’re not feeling understood, it’s like you’re missing a nutrient in your diet, and you start to feel malnourished. I remember feeling this way when I’d listen to my husband talk endlessly about something he was interested in and then as soon as I brought up something I was interested in, he’d interrupt me. Harrumph! If he just doesn’t seem to get you or care about what you want, it hurts! In today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing what to do when your husband doesn’t understand you.  My guest Charlotte says there was no trust or connection in her marriage. With nothing in common, she felt like she’d married the wrong person–and a liar too. But when she took a different approach, they became closer and closer. She says they have a bright future together and that she respects her husband now, not just because she’s supposed to but because she feels it.  Plus, the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about what I should have said years ago when my husband was avoiding me. It’s not only ineffective, it’s also insulting. 

One of the worst feelings is when you’re not getting your husband’s love and attention. And, to make things worse, he’s giving it to other women. Like when his voice gets warm and happy when talking to the kids’ teachers or a co-worker. So what should you do? How do you tell him that he’s being inappropriate and to stop embarrassing you? Especially if you already told him and he’s acting like it’s no big deal even though it’s hurting you? You don’t deserve that. In today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing 3 ways to respond when your husband is being nicer to other women than he is to you.  My guest Jeanne’s husband was the controlling one in their marriage. In fact, things were so bad between them that their son was scared they would divorce, and Jeanne herself thought her husband would leave. But she made a few changes to the way she showed up in her marriage. Today, Jeanne says she and her husband are happy, respectful, and they like to hang out together. They have a peaceful and loving home. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too. Plus, as always, I reveal this week’s worst relationship advice. It starts with a cute story…but is totally false!

How do you save your marriage when you are the only one trying? It’s frustrating when you know your marriage is broken and yet your husband won’t do anything about it. He won’t read a marriage book, won’t go to counseling, won’t even have a conversation about it! It can make you crazy. I mean why even try if he’s not going to do anything! I know you would much rather saving your marriage be a team effort. I remember feeling this way early on in my marriage. I was dreadfully unhappy and thought divorce would solve all my problems. But as a last resort, I decided to try out some ideas from wives with happy marriages. I was out of options, so why not? These ideas changed everything…and I started to notice that maybe I was part of the problem. Sure, I was the only one trying to save my marriage—but I had been doing all the wrong things. I don’t want that to be you! That's why on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m revealing my top 3 strategies to save your marriage when you’re the only one trying.  My guest Liliana and her husband tried to fight quietly but sometimes they spiraled out of control. This was affecting the kids, who were drifting. She was terrified that they would divorce or separate and she’d have to go back to her parents, who always told her her husband would eventually do this to her! But then Liliana did something radical and she has something she’s never had before: Her relationship feels easy! She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to a columnist's response to relationship advice (it’s shocking!).

If you’re thinking of leaving your relationship, it’s because you’re feeling lonely, hurt and hopeless about it ever getting better. I still remember how terrible that felt and how much relief I felt thinking about escaping my marriage for that very reason. That pain was real! The part that wasn’t so real was my fantasy that leaving the relationship was going to fix my problems and make me feel better. The illusion, which I was completely convinced was the truth, was that my husband was the source of the problems that hurt me so much. But the reality, I now know, was that most of my suffering was because of a lack of training and support in practicing the Six Intimacy Skills™ and not because of a terrible, incorrigible husband. Back then, I would have sworn that it was all his fault and that he was never going to change. So my options were to leave or continue to suffer forever–and let’s not forget–ever. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about when to leave a relationship.  My guest Julie went to their last couple’s counseling appointment by herself because her husband wouldn’t go. She was living with constant cold wars and wondering whether he was a gaming addict or depressed. But then the marriage counselor recommended a book, and today Julie says her marriage is such a safe place and she feels like a new woman who is happy and hopeful. She’s so grateful for her patient, loyal, honest, fun husband. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to a new Netflix show about getting married, and the title alone made me spit out my tea! 

When your husband is harsh, thoughtless or downright mean, of course you want him to stop. If you’re anything like I was, you want him to feel embarrassed or ashamed so he won’t do that again! And since he promised to love you in front of God and everybody, it stands to reason that letting him know how much he hurt you should be very persuasive in getting him to be more gentle, thoughtful and kind. But if you’ve ever had the experience of your husband not even listening when you’re telling him how hurt you are or just telling you to stop being upset, it’s so frustrating! You can end up even more hurt than you were to begin with. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to tell someone they hurt you while teaching him how to treat you. My guest Noelle felt completely ignored by her husband, who talked to the dog instead of her at dinner. He would laugh and laugh with their son but not with her. Now her husband is so attentive to her! He takes her out for brunch and is giving her a new kitchen. Then there was the very special moment she knew that the 6 Intimacy Skills™ were working for her. She’s going to share how she got there so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to a book that may be meant to help address verbal abuse in marriage but goes about it in all the wrong ways. 

As a listener of The Empowered Wife Podcast, you may have found yourself feeling hopeful that you could make your marriage last and thrive, like you hear every week from the women who share their stories. Maybe you got inspired to experiment with the Six Intimacy Skills™. But maybe it just didn’t go over well. Maybe your husband didn’t even respond when you apologized. Or he told you to stop with the gratitude because he doesn’t need that. Or maybe you’re working hard to practice the Intimacy Skills and he won’t even talk to you. Or he’s announced he’s moving out or that he wants a divorce. It’s so demoralizing and unfair. You might conclude that your situation is different, or too far gone, and the Intimacy Skills just won’t work for you! And because you’ve heard so many success stories here, you feel like the only woman this isn’t working for, which is awful. It’s scary and painful to feel all alone and hopeless like that. It’s especially tragic because you’re not alone at all. It’s not uncommon for students and even our coaches to feel like the Skills just aren’t working for them. No kidding. But that doesn’t mean your situation is hopeless. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about when the Intimacy Skills don't work for you. My guest Marla’s home was full of fights that turned violent, and their children were suffering. Her husband avoided her then said he wanted to separate and live alone abroad. Marla made a decision to do a few things differently in her marriage, and today she says it’s very respectful and her husband is no longer planning to leave. He cleans the kitchen every day before she comes home and hangs out in the living room to talk to her. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to an answer to the question “My Husband Won't Spend Time With Me—What Should I Do?” It’s actually what you should do if you want him to leave tire marks in the driveway.

 If your husband cheated and left you, it’s one of the most heart-wrenching things anyone can go through. When the man who vowed to love you for better or worse betrays you, it affects your self-esteem, your health, your family, every aspect of your life. No one deserves to be treated that way. A lot of people will tell you it’s time to give up on your marriage. But if you’re reading this, there must be some part of you that still wants to make it work. The question is: How are you supposed to do that, especially if your husband is living with another woman? Or maybe he’s saying he is done, he’s not in love with you anymore and there’s no changing his mind. It’s enough to make anyone feel hopeless and ready to give up. Kudos to you for not giving up. Because as the wife, the keeper of your relationship, you have enormous power to turn things around, in my experience. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about why husbands come back after leaving for another woman. My guest Julie’s husband filed for divorce twice, and their marriage had little intimacy physically or emotionally. The whole thing seemed hopeless. But today her marriage is a delight because he dotes on her, they laugh together, and there’s a lot of intimacy between them. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to an article that promises “The Secret to Stopping Housework-Related Resentment” but actually just says the same old same old tired thing that you and I already tried and never, ever worked.

If you’re begging for attention in a relationship, it is so lonely, demoralizing and even demeaning. You shouldn’t have to beg for attention from the man you married! I remember the bad old days when my husband didn’t want to be around me, and they were lousy. Fortunately, I learned a thing or two to turn that around completely. So if you’re tired of trying to get attention from your husband, you are in the right place. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 steps to a more attentive spouse. My guest Rebecca’s workaholic husband never had time for her and was probably having an affair with a coworker. She went all in with the Intimacy Skills but did not get a great response. Today, though, she says her relationship is amazing, simply amazing. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week has all the answers on whether marriage is a good choice.

Are you stuck in an unhappy marriage but can’t leave? Maybe you don’t want to see your family torn apart, so you grin (at least sometimes) and bear it. But at what cost? It’s all so painful: the frustration of not being able to communicate with the one you love, the overwhelm and resentment at not getting the support you need, the loneliness at night. Well, I have good news and bad news. If you’re wondering how to get OUT of an unhappy marriage or how to survive a loveless, sexless marriage, then bad news: this is not the podcast for you. The good news is that if you want to stay married, you can turn things around to create the vibrant, happy marriage you deserve. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 secrets you need to know if your marriage is unhappy. My guest Sage had mistakenly married a broken, immature, ignorant man who was ruining her life with his narcissistic tendencies. He had anger issues and told her he was in no way attracted to her. But Sage made a decision and followed it up with action that changed everything about her marriage, her family and her world! Today she says she couldn’t be happier with the road she and her husband are on. She’s going to explain how she transformed her marriage so you can do the same thing.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to a blog about who gets the short end of the stick in marriage, and it sure is a doozy!

If your husband keeps getting angry, you’re not alone. When he blows a fuse at you or the kids, it can be really hurtful and scary. When it happens again and again, then it has a way of making you angry too. Especially if he jumps down your throat at the smallest things, like how you stock the groceries! It’s baffling when you’re being nice by making his coffee or having his dinner ready. If you’re doing everything you can think of to be a good wife and still getting snapped at, it is downright disheartening. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 2 proven ways to make a rageaholic be respectful. My guest Kait was sure her husband was the problem. He played video games all the time and didn’t help with the kids. She started talking to another man, who was saying all the things she wanted to hear from her husband. Then she used a phrase that turned things around 180 degrees, and now she says she has the marriage she has always dreamed of, full of I love you’s, laughter and snuggling. She’s going to tell us what she said and did so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is a tired refrain that I had in the bad old days of my marriage, and here it is popping up again, presented as a modern remedy for overwhelmed wives. But it didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now!

If you’re asking yourself whether there’s hope for your marriage, it means you’re going through a lot of heartache. After all, no one asks that about a marriage that’s full of hand-holding and sweet nothings. That question comes up only when you’re incredibly hurt and angry, and you’ve been feeling that way for a long time. Even though it was long ago, I still remember feeling that way, and it was awful. I remember thinking there was no way things would improve and it was completely hopeless because he was not going to change. Of course, I was wrong. Things could improve, and they did–beyond my wildest dreams. And wouldn’t you know it–I was the one who had the power all along, just like Dorothy. But what about your situation? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’ll share 4 questions to help you definitively know--right now–whether there is hope for your marriage. My guest Laurelie thought everything was perfect in her marriage except when it came to the bedroom, where it felt like an anxiety-inducing disaster. Finally she got fed up and gave her husband three months to shape up or else get divorced. But today her marriage is absolutely wonderful. She’s going to describe how she did it so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to an article on a popular website called “Ten Signs that You’re Not in Love with Your Partner Anymore,” and it has ten examples of terrible relationship advice! 

Listen and subscribe to the Empowered Wife podcast with New York Times bestselling author Laura Doyle, the world's most trusted relationship expert, so you can stop feeling lonely, exhausted and unloved and start feeling desired, taken care of and special again.

When your husband is going through a tough time, it’s pretty hard to just stand by and watch without wanting to help him or fix things somehow. It’s agonizing to see him suffering, and why should he struggle when you’re right there ready to support him? Especially if you have solutions for him that, if he would only try them, would help him feel better and thus help you feel better too. But what if he’s pushing you away? Or seems distant and isn’t letting you contribute the way you’d like to? If you’ve already done all you can to be a good wife, only to feel more disconnected, you know how frustrating that is. So how are you supposed to be supportive when your partner is stressed or depressed? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about five ways to be supportive in a relationship. My guest Liz was sure she was doing things properly, but she and her husband had been separated for five years. It was painful and lonely, and she didn’t know what to do about it. But then something happened that changed everything, and she now says that her marriage is wonderful and she couldn’t be happier! She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award goes to an article in a well-known publication that gets nominated for this award more than Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks get nominated for Academy Awards combined! If you’re wondering how to interpret your spouse’s withdrawal, this advice is sure to make the problem much, much worse!

Listen and subscribe to the Empowered Wife podcast with New York Times bestselling author Laura Doyle, the world's most trusted relationship expert, so you can stop feeling lonely, exhausted and unloved and start feeling desired, taken care of and special again.

What can you change about yourself to save your marriage? If you’re asking that question, my hat is off to you. Wanting to change myself is not what got me here–I wanted to change my husband! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 4 changes to make to save your marriage, even when he doesn’t want to work on things. My guest Lynn says that after her husband’s betrayals and the subsequent fallout, their two very disconnected lives became literally separate. She wanted to be with her trustworthy, passionate man back in one home, so she changed things up and now it feels like the beginning of their 37 years all over again. He moved home and took her on a cruise. She’s going to share what she did so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is how to respond when someone apologizes to you, and OMG will it ever make you resistible. Yikes! 

If your husband keeps stuff in the garage, stuff in the yard, stuff in the dining room, stuff in the bedroom and more stuff in the living room, it can feel suffocating. Especially if most of it is junk. The trash that nobody would want is standing between you and having the tidy home you dream of. And if you’ve asked him to get rid of things and he won’t or he just puts things somewhere else then brings home new stuff, it’s frustrating. Especially because it seems a little crazy that someone would want to have so much junk around. It makes you wonder if you married a mentally stable person. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about two solutions when your husband hoards. My guest Kim’s husband was always negative and moody, and she felt helpless to make her marriage feel hopeful and fun. But she started a practice that not only made him smile more, kiss her more and take her out on more dates, it made her happier too. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award winner explains the sinister, subconscious reasons you picked your husband and why you’re probably doomed. 

Listen and subscribe to the Empowered Wife podcast with New York Times bestselling author Laura Doyle, the world's most trusted relationship expert, so you can stop feeling lonely, exhausted and unloved and start feeling desired, taken care of and special again.

If your husband never does anything romantic, it’s just sad. You know he’s capable of being sweeter. I bet he turned on the charm to get that ring on you. But now that you’ve put in all the hard work to build a life together, it’s like he values you less, not more. If you want to revive the romance and make it last, you’re in the right place. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about when your husband never does anything special for you. I’ll share four concrete steps you can take today to start feeling desired, taken care of and special–pronto. My guest Jessica’s marriage was so lonely that she cried herself to sleep every night. They had big fights full of verbal onslaughts and criticism, especially about parenting, and she felt like her husband hated her. Her self-confidence and her marriage were at an all-time low when she Googled “how to stay married to a narcissist.” She discovered something that changed the entire trajectory of their lives, and today she has a peaceful home filled with love and laughter. She’s going to describe the steps she took to get there so you can get there too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week if your marriage looks dark has me booing in horror.

One of the things I was not very good at back in the bad old days was knowing how I felt. Even if I did know how I was feeling, I didn’t know what to do about it. So I mostly complained! That was all I knew to do. But it wasn’t good for my marriage and it wasn’t good for my happiness. Fortunately, the breakdown in my marriage taught me to focus on myself and pay attention to myself more. That was key for helping me become a happier wife and therefore have a happier marriage, since only happy people have happy marriages. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to know what you're feeling and what to do about it.  My guest Susan felt so disconnected and unloved because her husband would often stay up until 3 a.m. relaxing but never with her. Nor did he help out with anything, so she felt like the only parent to their four children, which made her feel like she had a fifth child. But today she says her marriage is wonderful, with her husband always wanting to make her happy and giving her gifts, like a honeymoon. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award winner is from a doctor who advises that you sit down together with your man, each with pen and paper to answer these 26 questions. Sounds so helpful, right? Wrong! Brace yourself for some harmful hogwash!

Sometimes when I’m talking to a woman who’s struggling in her relationship and I mention feeling desired, cherished and adored, she looks disbelieving. Sure, she wants him to stop playing video games all the time, take out the trash before it’s overflowing and pay more attention to her. Or if her relationship is in a crisis, she wants him to stop sleeping in the spare bedroom, texting another woman, or to move back home. But she can’t imagine her man being tender, looking for ways to make her life easier and coming up behind her while she’s cooking to kiss her neck. That seems completely unrealistic to her. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to use your feminine gifts in marriage so it’s not pie in the sky. My guest Tiana and her husband argued all the time: about finances, parenting, home decor, in-laws, and even things that they agreed on! But today she says "big deals" aren't such big deals anymore. Instead of arguing all the time, they are relaxed, with lighthearted teasing and laughing. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  The Worst Advice of the Week Award winner is from a student who sought support for her relationship and got a shocking response from the counselor. I’ll let her explain in her own words.

Listen and subscribe to the Empowered Wife podcast with New York Times bestselling author Laura Doyle, the world's most trusted relationship expert, so you can stop feeling lonely, exhausted and unloved and start feeling desired, taken care of and special again.

When it’s clear your husband doesn’t like you, it feels really bad. Maybe he doesn’t say it with words, but if he’s always avoiding you, doesn’t want to talk, won’t come in for spontaneous kisses or cuddles, and just stares at his phone when you try to engage with him, that’s a painful kind of rejection. It kinda makes you not like him either! And then you think what is the point of being married if we don’t even like each other? It’s annoying. And sad.  If you’re anything like me though, even if you don’t like your husband at the moment, you still want him to like you. I like being liked. Or maybe you do still like him but you’re also hurting from knowing he doesn’t like you, which feels very personal. People even say, “I love this person, but I don’t like them right now.” Meaning, I’m committed, but I’m not finding much enjoyment from my relationship with them right now. So the underlying message of feeling unliked by your husband is: “I don’t enjoy your company.” Ouch! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 4 solutions when your husband doesn't like you. My guest Victoria cried to her mother a lot about not being her husband’s number one priority. She was obsessed with him, but he was indifferent to her. On the rare occasions he wasn’t working, he would find other things to keep him busy, which really hurt. Plus, he was missing out on the wonder years with their two little boys, and they were missing him. Not any more though. Today Victoria says she has her dream relationship being married to her best friend. All they do is play and joke and spend every waking moment together and with their boys. Dancing in the kitchen is a weekly occurrence, and their sex life is better than it has ever been! She’s going to share the things she did so you can do them too! The worst advice of the week award winner was sent to me by a student who found a syndicated advice columnist’s answers appalling. And so did I! It’s good advice if what you want is to break up your family.

Listen and subscribe to the Empowered Wife podcast with New York Times bestselling author Laura Doyle, the world's most trusted relationship expert, so you can stop feeling lonely, exhausted and unloved and start feeling desired, taken care of and special again.

When your husband is miserable and grumping around the house or hiding in his man cave, naturally you want to help pull him out of it somehow. But what if he’s really committed to his suffering and your efforts don’t seem to do any good? What if you get exhausted trying to cheer him up? It’s lonely and irritating to be married to Mr. Misery, especially if it’s been a while and it doesn’t look like he’ll be feeling sunny any time soon. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 solutions when your husband is miserable. My guest Jenna felt a recurring lack of attraction to her partner, who seemed weak and incompetent in many areas. Every time she attempted to express the hurt he was causing her, he would put up a wall. She felt so unheard and misunderstood. Then on New Year’s Day he told her she was controlling. That sparked her to take action where she ended up relaxing more, and to her amazement, her man stepped up to help more. Ten months later, he proposed and now they are planning two weddings! What did she do to turn things around? She’s going to explain so you can do it too.  The worst advice of the week is from a major online publication about habits that are sabotaging your relationship. Wait until you hear the dopey advice a couples therapist seems to think would help with communicating your needs. I can’t EVEN keep my eyes from rolling out of my head!

How do you keep a marriage alive after 20 years or more but also keep it sizzling? This is the secret sauce. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what keeps a marriage together. I’ll share 3 simple methods I use every day for lasting peace, playfulness and passion. My guest Leann was lonely because her husband always had a hobby he was more interested in than spending time with her or the family. She was devastated when he stopped wearing his wedding ring, moved out, threatened divorce and spent his time with multiple other women. It seemed completely hopeless to make her marriage last. But when she changed up the script they had been following and took a totally different approach, her husband responded in a totally different way. He moved back in, bought new wedding rings and has become so affectionate and attentive.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week if you want your husband to get a better paying job is from a columnist in a major newspaper who gives some advice that sounds really wise and spiritual but is actually so cynical and sad!

When your kids are getting yelled at, insulted or called terrible names by their own father, it’s very hard to handle without interfering. It’s hard to watch any kid treated harshly but almost unbearable when they’re your babies. It’s heart-wrenching to see their little faces fall and the tears start when clearly none of the treatment they’re getting is warranted or fair. How in the world can you stay respectful when that’s happening? I have no idea. I don’t have kids, so I’m still the perfect mother (just like I was the perfect wife, right up until I got married). But I have these amazing students who share how they’ve transformed the dynamic in their homes and brought out the best in their husbands’ interactions with their kids. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to make your husband a better dad. My guest Danielle’s husband was always angry because the house wasn’t clean and the kids were being, well, kids. Their oldest child would hide from him, which broke Danielle’s heart. She suspected that her husband had low self-esteem and an undiagnosed mental illness, but when she learned how to bring respect and speak positively she saw his confidence rise, and their marriage got so much better. It’s not perfect, but today she says her marriage is happy and loving, and her kids are excited to see their dad. How did she do it? She’s going to tell us.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week about how to avoid nagging is a classic from a major national publication and OMG does it stink!

If you’re longing for intimacy with your man like I used to and not getting it, you may not feel like there’s a key to creating it. If it’s just been so long since you felt emotionally, physically and spiritually intimate, you may have steeled yourself so you don’t even feel the longing anymore. That’s a logical thing to do if you keep hoping and keep getting let down. I felt the same way in the bad old days of my marriage. But staying guarded and giving up on intimacy wasn’t a real solution. The pain was still there, and hardening my heart like that was pretty much guaranteeing that I would NEVER have the soft, mushy connection I had long dreamed of having. That’s because there is a formula for creating intimacy. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about the key to creating mind-blowing intimacy.  My guest Danielle’s husband traveled a lot but couldn’t even make the time to call her. She felt so unloved. They were speaking past each other and the more unheard she felt, the more she nagged. It was ugly! But when Danielle changed it up, her husband chatted and chatted with her and is now always checking in on her. She says she realizes she has a great man who loves her and does want to help! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a Facebook meme that sounds just like conventional wisdom.

When everything in your marriage feels like it’s on your shoulders, it’s pretty exhausting and stressful. If your to-do list is a mile long but never gets you any closer to feeling relaxed, supported, and taken care of, then I’m excited to share a connection and intimacy superpower that will. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to accomplish more by doing less. I’ll share three ways to get a lot more done without having to do it all yourself.  My guest Hindy was so disappointed she’d missed the signs that her husband had Asperger’s, no social skills and was lazy, and now she was stuck married to him. She felt so unloved, hopeless and stupid for choosing him! But today she says her marriage is full of passion and romantic dates. He even started working more and got a raise. Things are so exciting and good between them that they are planning to grow their family. What did she do that changed everything? She’s going to tell us so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is a tweet from an organizational psychologist and author about being honest in a relationship. To quote the student who sent it to me, it’s pretty messed up!

Getting what you want in your marriage is important. The whole world depends on strong families, which means strong marriages, which means it’s important to feel that your desires are being met. Because life gets tedious when day after day you go without feeling like you’re getting what you want. It makes everything feel gray, and your husband can seem like a giant disappointment for not caring what you want. It’s sad and lonely. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to ask for what you want in marriage. My guest Frances and her husband each had their own divorce attorneys. After all the anger and hurt in their marriage, they were both "done." But then Frances started a practice that not only stopped all the fighting, it also caused her husband to stop the divorce proceedings altogether. Now she says her marriage is so good she wouldn’t trade it for anything, and her husband says she makes him want to be his best self. They are both ridiculously happy! She’s going to tell us the steps she took to get her miracle. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a trending news story about how to decide if you can trust your partner. I think you’ll see why this conventional wisdom made me hopping mad!

It’s so lonely and exhausting to feel like the only one responsible for everything at your house. I remember how stressful it was when I was the sole breadwinner at our house and felt like I was doing all the housework and bill paying too. Talk about overwhelmed! And resentful. Not anymore though. Now I marvel at how my husband does so much and I do so little! It feels like he does 90% and I do 10%. And you know what’s so strange? We’re both happy about it. So much happier than we were in the bad old days. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to get more help from your husband. My guest Kelly had no help from her husband with their home or their children, along with no appreciation or empathy, no communication, and worst of all, no connection. She struggled with PTSD and her husband had a narcissistic parent, so they both had challenges from day one of the relationship. Then Kelly had an insight about how she was contributing to the nightmare she was living, and she changed it up. Today, she says her marriage is a dream–better than it was in the beginning, which she didn’t think possible. She’s going to describe exactly what she did so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is to criticize your spouse then make him put a quarter in a jar. I’ll tell you all about this cockamamy concept so we can make fun of it behind its back together.

If there really are sure-fire secrets to a long and happy romance, wouldn’t you think somebody would write them down and teach them in every high school all over the world? Is there anything more important to learn in life than how to make your marriage last and thrive? I can’t think of it. Couldn’t they throw in a few tips about how your husband will react to certain things you do alongside the part about how the elements on the periodic table will react to each other in chemistry class? It’s puzzling to me that the crucial “elements” of a lasting romance aren’t passed along in schools, which is why most people don’t know them and therefore they continue to be secrets! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 4 fail-safe secrets to a long and happy romance. My guest Crystal’s marriage was like a fairytale right from the beginning, but ten years in, she realized she was full of resentment and anger and felt only distance from her husband. Nor did she want to be respectful, appreciative or stop controlling her husband--she wanted him to be respectful, appreciative and stop controlling her! But she started to experiment anyway and he mirrored back to her the new way she was showing up. Now that deep resentment has left and they are best friends who laugh together a lot. She feels deeply loved.   The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about how divorce can be healthy! And hopeful! I’ll be making fun of THAT advice big time. 

When is it too late to stop a divorce?  It’s not too late for you. How do I know? Well, if you’re still married and finding this podcast, that tells me you want your marriage to last and also that you still have hope, even if sometimes you forget where you put it or it’s so small you can’t find it. That’s okay. You’re so committed to your marriage that you’re doing your research on what you can do to make it last. And, as Abraham Lincoln said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” But what exactly should you do? If your husband wants a divorce, how do you change his mind? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about what to do when he wants a divorce and you don’t–and how to revive his love for you. My guest Rosa had no intimacy in her marriage and was so tired of dealing with her husband’s drinking and mental health issues. She was shocked and horrified when he brought up divorce, with his family encouraging him to leave her and their three young kids. But today she says she feels like a princess because he is so loving and tender. He’s flirty, adoring and devoted to her and the kids. How did she turn things around? That’s what she’s going to share with us.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week about growing apart is as cliché as it is ridiculous!

Imagine you could wave a magic wand to make your marriage the way you want it to be. How would it be different? Maybe your husband would do a lot more chores or be more attentive and affectionate, seeking your company and kissing you whenever he got the chance. He wants to be all of that for you so he can make you happy. All men want to succeed–especially with their wives. So what’s stopping him? It could be, and often is, that he’s misunderstood. Maybe he’s trying to express his love, but you’re hearing a complaint. Maybe he’s trying to protect you, but you hear control or criticism. Maybe he wants to make you happy, but he’s afraid he’s not succeeding. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about two two ways to hear his heart message. My guest Hannah’s husband broke her heart when he said he wasn’t in love with her or attracted to her anymore and wanted to sleep with someone else. They had huge blow-ups daily. But Hannah took action that has changed everything. Today her husband is affectionate, and she says their sex life is amazing. He even said he was in love with her again and that he was so happy with her. She’s going to describe exactly what she did so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week, which you’ve heard many times before, is guaranteed to make you seem needy and resistible.

When you live with someone who loses his cool, it’s very scary and draining. It seems logical to try to minimize those blow-ups however you can. You try to keep the kids quiet or keep quiet yourself or just agree with him or remove yourself when you feel the tension rise. It's exhausting to always be thinking about how to keep the drama from happening. Even worse, it doesn’t always work, which makes the whole thing even more terrifying and tiring. When your best efforts to keep him calm by sucking it up don’t stop him from blowing up, it’s the worst! On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to stop walking on eggshells when he yells. Then, Master Coach Kathy Murray interviews a student who was lonely and sad that her husband didn’t love her or want to spend time with her, but she didn’t know why. Then she made some changes, and now he seeks out her company, conversation, and her hand for holding. He told her, “This is the best thing you could have done for us.” What exactly did she do? She’s going to share the specific steps she took so you can take them too, including joining the FREE Adored Wife Challenge, which starts on January 10, 2022.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week, about how a wife should handle her husband’s low self-esteem, is only two words, which could devastate this young family if she follows them. 

Do you wish your husband would help out around the house but, no matter how nicely you ask, he’s too busy binge watching Breaking Bad? Have you begged him to spend time with the kids, but he’s still more interested in his phone than his own children? Or asked him to have sex–or just spend time with you, period–but he’d rather work all hours than be with you? If you’re going through any of this, it’s natural to wonder if you’d be better off without him. But then you remember that you’d really rather keep your family together. Or maybe simply that you still love him and don’t want to be another divorce statistic. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 ways to deal with a miserable husband. My guest Jamie and her fiancé got engaged two years ago, but they were constantly fighting, with name-calling and cursing, and it seemed like they couldn’t get along long enough to actually get to the marriage. So she moved out and gave back the ring. But today, Jamie and her now husband have a light, fun, peaceful marriage with a blended family. She’s going to describe what she did so you can do it too! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about how to get your husband to appreciate your financial contributions to the household when you’re a stay-at-home mom, but it makes your marriage a lot harder than it needs to be! 

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if saying “We need to talk” made him gaze into your eyes and describe all the ways he’s so in love with you? Or if telling him he needs to be more affectionate and attentive made him turn off the TV and gallantly sweep you off to the bedroom? Unfortunately, calling him out doesn’t work. But if he’s not taking initiative to be romantic and you can’t tell him to do something about it, won’t you have to suffer forever and just get your romance needs met by watching Hallmark movies? Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to inspire him to be more romantic without saying a word about what he’s NOT doing. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 4 ways to get the romance back. My guest Maggie’s marriage was full of verbal abuse, which was affecting their children and had her looking for nearby apartments. Her husband was so angry, resentful, critical and controlling. But today she says they have an indescribably deep connection and that he wants to take care of her heart. They’re having so much fun together and, when they do fight, it doesn’t last long and they can get back to their sweet spot fast. Her blended family feels healthy and strong. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week about how to know if you’re better off ending your relationship is likely to lead to exactly that if you follow it.

Does your husband always have friends over? Or talk to his best friend more than you? Whether he’s a social butterfly or a barfly, not being his number one is downright disappointing. It can feel hopeless, lonely, and make you angry too! Going it alone surely isn’t what you had in mind when you said “I do.” On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 moves for becoming his #1 priority. I’ll share what to do when your husband puts his friends first so that you can become irresistible and get the attention you deserve. My guest Melissa and her husband were discussing separation instead of celebrating their 10-year anniversary. They had stopped communicating about important stuff, which seemed like a good solution since most of their conversations turned into arguments, including discussions about parenting and his drinking. But when she cleaned up her side of the street, his reaction was beyond her wildest dreams! He started working to be a better person, quit drinking and wanted to be with her and the kids more. Today, she says they have so much more fun together and are so much more relaxed. She’s going to describe the steps she took so you can copy them. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from an article in a major women’s magazine about the signs that tell you your relationship is over, and wow is it ever far out and appalling!  

My guest, Matthew, is not a student on our campus but rather the husband of a new coach. He generously agreed to be part of our Man Panel series, and today I’ll get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife using the Connection Framework and the 6 Intimacy Skills™. He’s also going to answer anonymous questions from students on the husband’s perspective. Get ready to hear what makes a man feel attracted to his wife and want to be her hero. Matthew has had an extraordinary transformation in the last couple of years. He’ll describe what it was like at his house before his wife started studying the Intimacy Skills along with the Connection Framework and what it’s like now. He’s going to explain why he gives his wife credit for his 18 months of sobriety and his 80-pound weight loss and how she motivated him to make those changes. Matthew melted me right from the start of the interview, when he described how he feels about his wife. It was humbling to hear his incredible side of the story and his reactions to the changes as his wife was working to become a certified relationship coach. I learned so much from Matthew, who is one brave, open, and accountable guy!Now, imagine being his wife, who invited him on the show on my behalf to be a guest and talk openly about their marriage on a podcast that’s downloaded by tens of thousands of listeners! Can you imagine the courage that must take? So I want to give a big shout-out to Matthew’s wife for the gift of her husband sharing with us on this podcast! I’m incredibly grateful for your generosity and determination! 

My guest, Dr. Ben, is not a student on our campus but rather the husband of a student--and the father of two of our coaches! He agreed to be part of our Man Panel series, and today I’ll get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife and two daughters having the Connection Framework and the 6 Intimacy Skills™. He’s also going to answer anonymous questions from students on the husband’s perspective.  Dr. Ben, who has been married for decades, will describe the challenges they faced at his house and what’s different there today. He shares how he responded to his wife’s changes and what he appreciates most about her now. Dr. Ben was so honest, wise and willing to share deeply and personally about his many years of marriage, and once again I learned a lot!  Now, imagine being his wife, who invited him on the show on my behalf to be a guest and talk openly about their marriage on a podcast downloaded by tens of thousands of listeners! Can you imagine the courage that must take?  So I want to give a big shout-out to Dr. Ben’s wife for the gift of her husband sharing with us here! I’m so grateful.

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about insights from the husband of a ridiculously happy wife (part 2). My guest Antonio is not a student or a book reader but rather the husband of a coach trainee. He generously agreed to be part of our Man Panel series! He’ll share his perspective on the changes in his marriage as a result of his wife using the Connection Framework and the 6 Intimacy Skills™. You’ll hear what makes a man feel attracted to his wife and want to be her hero. Antonio is very forthright in admitting that he was inappropriate with another woman, which I so appreciate. He’s going to describe what happened, what was going through his mind, and what his wife did to turn it all around and get him back. He shares how he responded and what he thought of the whole approach his wife took.  Antonio was very open and willing to share deeply and personally about his marriage, and once again, I learned a lot! I especially loved hearing his accountability and what he loves about his wife. Now, imagine being his wife, who invited him on the show on my behalf to be a guest and talk openly about their marriage on a podcast that’s downloaded by tens of thousands of listeners! Can you imagine the courage that must take? So I want to give a big shout-out to Antonio’s wife for fearlessly sharing her husband with us on this podcast. Thank you! 

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, I’m sharing insights from the husband of a Ridiculously Happy Wife. My guest, Len, is not a student or a book reader but rather the husband of a recently certified coach. He generously agreed to be part of our Man Panel series, and today I’m going to get his perspective on the changes in his family as a result of his wife using the Connection Framework and the 6 Intimacy Skills™. Prepare to hear the male perspective on what attracts men to their wives and makes them want to be our heroes. Imagine that you’re a husband who can’t seem to make your wife happy, even though you’ve tried and tried. Then, out of nowhere, your wife starts saying things that she never has before, even though you’ve been married a long time. What goes through your head? How do you react? Len is going to describe his side of the journey when that happened at his house.  I was nervous to meet Len because I knew I’d want to ask him some deeply personal questions, and I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to do that when you first meet someone. But Len was very open, generous and willing to share deeply about his marriage, and I have to admit, I learned a lot! I especially loved hearing his reaction when his wife started showing up differently, his thoughts about making her happy, and the transformation that he sees in his family. Now imagine being his wife, who invited him on the show on my behalf to be a guest and talk openly about their marriage on a podcast that’s downloaded by tens of thousands of listeners! Can you imagine the courage that must take? So I want to give a big shout-out to Len’s wife, Catherine, for fearlessly sharing her husband with us on this podcast! What a great gift. 

It’s lonely to be married to a workaholic. If he’s not at work, he’s sleeping or working from home. Or he’s too tired from working so much to be much fun. He neglects not just you but also the kids. You feel like a single mom going to get-togethers without him, always for the same old reason: he has to work. If only you could get him to spend more time with the family. Well, you can. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to get more couple time with a workaholic. I’ll share 4 ways to inspire him to linger and lounge with you. My guest Sandy was so miserable and lonely in her marriage that she would sit in her closet and cry every day. Finally she got her husband to agree to go to marriage counseling! But she was mortified when he blew up at the counselor, saying it wasn’t helping them at all. She felt hopeless and worried that he would always be resistant and harsh to her. But today her husband takes her on trips where he treats her like his girlfriend, and he helps around the house like never before. She describes their relationship as life-giving and says it’s even more fun than when they were dating. She’s going to explain how she did it. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about how boundaries are supposed to work but really don’t. At all!  

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about whether you should fake it. When I say “fake it,” of course I’m talking about pretending you respect your husband even if you’re not feeling it because he doesn’t seem to deserve your respect. Wait, what did you think we were going to talk about? Oh, faking it in the bedroom!  Funny you would bring that up while we’re talking about respect because respect and passion are so thoroughly intertwined, in my experience. But what if you’re struggling to muster respect when your husband has made so many bad choices or is so hostile or is always disappointing you or has hurt you so much? Then what? I’ll share how to bring back the capable, considerate guy you married and get to relax more while you’re at it. My guest Amber’s husband was so full of anger and rage that she and her son lived with a lot of verbal and emotional abuse. Affection and physical intimacy were scarce, but there was plenty of name-calling, yelling and disrespect. She was overwhelmed at the prospect of fixing her marriage. But she took action, which she’s going to tell us all about, and today they are happy and constantly telling each other “I love you” and sharing gratitudes. Even the relationship between her husband and son is fun and kind. She’s going to describe exactly how she transformed her marriage into something beautiful. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about what to do if you’re married to a narcissist, according to one misinformed clinical psychologist. Wait until you hear this uninspiring and unoriginal bit of unwisdom.

Can you think of someone you have a difficult time with? Whether it’s a family member, colleague, or someone in your circle of friends, who in your life is driving you buggy? If you have someone in mind, good! Because today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast is about using the Six Intimacy Skills™ with everybody. You get to be a fly on the wall in our monthly storytelling meeting, which is normally for coaches’ ears only. But my coaches were vulnerable enough to let me share this private meeting because it’s so empowering we couldn’t keep it to ourselves. That’s because we’re talking about how we use the Intimacy Skills not just with our husbands but with others in our lives too. And how this not only helps us create connection, ease and love everywhere we go but makes us feel more dignified and confident. I'll share true stories of how Certified Laura Doyle Relationship Coaches have used the Intimacy Skills with everyone they want to feel connection and love with (or at least not animosity and tension), including in-laws, parents, children and friends.  

When you have unpleasant things happening at your house, things that seem embarrassing or shameful, you tend to keep them a secret. At least that was my strategy early on and that of many of my students. We didn’t want anyone to know that our marriages were dysfunctional, distant, and falling apart. There aren’t many places you can go to share about the painful, scary parts of your marriage without either losing status or feeling judged, both of which feel terrible. Especially if everybody else appears to have a happy family pictured right there on social media--everybody but you. Keeping your marriage shame a secret seems like a smart strategy, but it’s also a heavy burden. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about the magic of telling your marriage story. During our free Adored Wife Challenge twice a year, where we all experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills™ together for five days, I interviewed Master Coach Kathy Murray, who has been practicing the Intimacy Skills and Connection Framework for nearly 20 years. She shares so much wisdom in such an engaging way that I knew I wanted you to hear this interview. Her story was a powerful catalyst for transformation during that Challenge, with so many women hearing themselves as she revealed her own experience. See if you too hear yourself in Master Coach Kathy’s story.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week goes to the third largest newspaper in the U.S. for what I wish were satirical notions of self-love. 

Let’s say you get a diagnosis for your husband. So you finally know What’s Wrong with Him. But what if his being passive aggressive or bipolar, exhibiting adolescent syndrome, or having ADD, OCD or NPD is not what keeps you sleeping in separate rooms or has every conversation turn into an argument? Imagine that the real issue were something completely unexpected, like it was in my lonely marriage. Today it’s as if my husband never had a deficit disorder, even though he was diagnosed with and medicated for an incurable one years ago. Turns out that treating the illness is not what got me closer to feeling connected and cherished. In my experience, it’s something YOU can change that will have his face light up when you come home and have him chasing you into the bedroom. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to cope when he's mentally ill.  During our free Adored Wife Challenge twice a year, where we all experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills™ together for five days, I interviewed Virginia, who has had such a powerful transformation in her marriage that I knew I wanted you to hear it. I’m excited that Virginia agreed to let me share with you what she did so you can do the same things to make your marriage thrive.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week had one of my students sobbing when her marriage counselor prescribed it. No wonder since this exercise only heightens the unpleasantness and hopelessness.

If you’re having a breakdown in your marriage, you may just be playing out a pattern you learned in your family. Whether your parents are divorced, never married or are married to this day, maybe they don’t have the kind of marriage you want to emulate. There probably was no Relationships 101 at school, so where were you supposed to learn how to have a good marriage? Most of us do get our early training in relationships from our families since our first relationships were with our parents and siblings.  I unwittingly copied my parents’ recipe so well that I ended up with a miserable marriage, at which point I nearly got divorced, just like my parents had. And if I hadn’t found some new and better training on relationships, I’m confident my marriage wouldn’t have lasted and all of my other relationships would also be suffering. Fortunately, there have been modern advances in revitalizing relationships that weren’t available to our parents, who had the TV show All in the Family with Archie Bunker to study from. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 ways to break your family patterns.  During our free Adored Wife Challenge twice a year, where we all experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills™ together for five days, I interviewed Heather, who has such a hopeful and engaging story that I knew I wanted you to hear it. I’m excited that Heather agreed to let me share with you what she did so you can do the same things to make your marriage thrive.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from an article titled “Empowering Relationship Advice for Women,” but it should be called “Exhausting Relationship Advice.” If the effort in your relationship isn’t 50/50, this advice is a reliable way to cause distance or an outright fight.

If you’re anything like I was, some fights come up in your relationship more often than a hit song plays on Top 40 radio. You don’t want to have the same fight over and over, but it keeps happening. You’re just talking about the leftovers from dinner and next thing you know, your mother–who isn’t present–is involved, and you’re both yelling things you would be embarrassed to repeat. It makes you question whether this relationship is even sustainable because these blow-ups are so draining and painful. And so distracting from the things you were planning to do because the fight keeps replaying in your head. Happily, you don’t have to stay stuck in wall-to-wall hostility or a week-long cold war. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 moves to restore peace after a fight.  Twice a year we host a free Adored Wife Challenge, where we all experiment with applying the 6 Intimacy Skills™ together every day for five days. As part of our Challenge, I interviewed Alison, who was so inspiring and authentic that I knew I wanted you, dear podcast listener, to hear what she did to make her marriage last. So we asked her permission, and Alison agreed to let me share it with you! She’s going to reveal what she did so you can do the same things to make your marriage thrive.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is part 2 from an article on how to get your husband to take out the garbage, guaranteed to kill the romance and make you sound like a condescending, nagging kidney stone of a person. 

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if marriage came with an easy-to-follow instruction manual? But since it doesn’t, most women bumble along trying out relationship advice from the hair salon, well-meaning friends or even strangers at bars. There’s a lot of bad relationship advice floating around disguised as “common sense.” Maybe that’s why so many marriages are falling apart. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 Mistakes Wives Make Trying to Get His Time and Attention. I’ll share how to get the consideration you want the way you want it. My guest Darla’s marriage felt like a cold war mixed with moments of peace. The lack of intimacy was excruciating, but she didn’t know how to break out of it. Then she learned about a secret affair from five years ago, back when she was a new mom. But today she feels like she’s in love! The intimacy is great. Her husband flirts with her and says he feels butterflies when he kisses her. She’s going to tell us exactly how she did it.    The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about how to get your husband to take out the garbage, but this advice should be left at the curb on trash day. 

An affair is a betrayal that hurts like crazy and seems impossible to recover from, both personally and as a couple. It’s human to want to make him hurt too, to yell and throw things. As you desperately seek relief from the sharp ache, the doorway marked “End this relationship!” will look like the fastest way to stop the hurt. Unfortunately, the hurt won’t die with the end of the relationship. Fortunately, you can absolutely end your suffering and save your marriage. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to get past cheating. I’m going to share 3 specific ways you can recover and make your relationship better than ever.  My guest Marybeth had been happy in her marriage for years and never dreamed anything would go wrong. But after a serious car accident and a death in the family, things started to fall apart. Her husband was so angry and detached that she didn’t see how her marriage would ever get better. She was terrified. But she decided to do things she had never done before to have the relationship she’d never had before. Today her marriage is full of laughter and love, and she says it’s a source of strength and confidence that she has turned it all around. She’s going to tell us exactly how she did it so you can do it too.    The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a well-known magazine’s advice columnist who advises her dear reader what to do about her husband not helping when she asks.

Over twenty years ago I was shocked to find out that I could single-handedly make my crumbling marriage thrive using the 6 Intimacy Skills. I felt a strong desire to share this information with other women, the only way that I could get myself to stick to the new practices myself. A lot of women reached out for help, but without a team of coaches or any structure at that time, I got completely overwhelmed. So, I’m not proud to say, I ran away. I’ll share why the Intimacy Skills weren’t enough for me on today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, where we’re talking about 3 Insights from 20 Years of Empowering Happy Wives.  My guest Milcah refused to be intimate with her husband, who was cold, critical and so tight with money he would not contribute financially except for rent. She was just waiting for her five kids to grow up so she could file for divorce and get away from him and his parents, who put her down and made fun of her. But today she says she’s married to a cute, generous, loving man who brings her flowers and says wonderful, kind things. Same guy! They love to sit in the garden and talk, and she says the change is unreal. She’s going to describe the steps she took so you can do the same thing.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a well-meaning PhD and professor who explains how to know if you’re falling out of love. Like you need a quiz to tell you that! But wait until you hear what he says is a very bad sign. This approach guarantees more loneliness.

On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the weirdest, scariest--and probably most indispensable--ingredient for creating intimacy. I’ll share how to inspire others to help and protect you, take care of you and support you--without being weak, submissive or acting like a doormat. My guest Ch’vaun’s marriage was deeply lonely and felt like a rollercoaster ride. She knew that trust and respect were missing but had no idea how to get them back. But when she discovered what respect really looked like to her husband, he went back to doing all the great things he used to do when they fell in love. Today she says she could cry because she feels so loved. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a well-known syndicated columnist. If you’re resentful and angry because your man isn’t contributing, she’ll give you the map straight to the victim swamp. 

When I started fixing my marriage, I really didn’t want my husband to know! And I know I’m not alone here. It’s nice to have the freedom to experiment without your husband asking about it--or being your armchair coach. The last thing you want is having an experiment go wrong and hearing “I told you so!” Especially from the very person you so want it to go right with!  If you too are experimenting behind your husband’s back, should you ever come clean about it? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about why so many women keep it a secret that they’re fixing their marriage. I’ll also share which Intimacy Skill they use when they do let the cat out of the bag. My guest Stephanie was unhappy in her marriage and exhausted by the constant tension. Moments of physical intimacy were few and far between. Then she found out there was another woman. Fortunately, she made a discovery that gave her hope to save her marriage. Unfortunately, when she changed the way she interacted with her husband, he reacted with anger and frustration. But today, she feels light and free, and her 25-year marriage feels like a gift that keeps getting better. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is so cringey and unpleasant it would just make everyone avoid you if you followed it. 

In the bad old days, when my husband John and I used to fight all the time or have cold wars, there was plenty of drama. It wasn’t much fun, but I was used to it. When I finally discovered The Six Intimacy Skills, along with the Connection Framework of a community and paying forward what I was learning, our house became peaceful but strangely quiet. I was uncomfortable and felt like something was missing. Often a client has the same dilemma: The relationship is going great, her husband is sweet and affectionate. But she feels restless and bored, wondering if maybe she doesn’t have much in common with him after all. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to fix this problem and keep drama out of your relationship. My guest Annie’s marriage was a mess. She and her husband had been separated for seven months, there was another woman, and the divorce papers had been filed. But then she started some new practices. Slowly, her husband came closer. He initiated calls and visits with her more and more, until eventually, the other woman just went away. Annie’s sweet husband not only returned, their marriage is better than ever. Now they’re making plans to have another baby! She’s going to share what she did to get rid of that other woman and transform her marriage into the one she always dreamed she would have. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a syndicated advice columnist who suggests doing something that I tried many times, but it never, ever worked. Join me in rolling my eyes at this inept suggestion!

Whenever a student tells me that she’s having a lot of conflict in her relationship or feeling hopeless about it, there’s one question I always ask. It’s the same question I ask myself if my husband is bugging me. Then he doesn’t seem so bad; in fact, he seems pretty funny and sweet. And I forget what I was irritated about. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about the #1 indispensable practice for a lasting marriage. I’ll share what to do when your relationship feels stressful and ridden with conflict. Within their first year of marriage, my guest Liz’s husband told her he was already thinking about other women and that marrying her had been a mistake. She struggled with anger and depression for the next fourteen years while he stayed on the fence the whole time. But today things are light and easy when they’re together, he spends more time at home and is quick to fulfill her desires, and they enjoy extremely passionate physical intimacy. She’s going to tell us exactly what she did to cause a 180-degree change in her marriage.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about how to make sure your partner isn’t “micro-cheating.” I can’t wait to make fun of this sensible-sounding but silly suggestion!  

If you’re anything like me, you love having deep conversations with your husband. They’re probably part of what made you fall in love with him. If they’ve gone missing, you may have wondered how to get those started again at your house. And there are two common tactics that you’ve probably been told are healthy but that may actually be backfiring on you. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about two things that wives with lasting marriages don't say. I’ll share why they’re not working and what to do instead. My guest Jessica had big communication problems, and then even bigger problems when she found out that her intuition was correct and her husband had been having an affair for two years. She was crushed and felt like she couldn’t breathe. But she got her husband back and now her marriage is better than ever. She’s going to share what she did that made her marriage last. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week, which started as a Facebook post telling tired moms what they should do if there’s a labor imbalance at their house, was amplified by a major magazine as “excellent work.” See if you’re as horrified as I am with what they suggest.

You’ve been working really hard on your relationship. The bad news is you may have been working on fixing the wrong things. The good news is that, no matter how bad it seems now, it’s not too late to save the relationship—and get the fulfilling one you set out to have when you first fell in love. So how do you restore the peace, passion and connection you once shared? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 genius marriage hacks. My guest Rivkah felt like she’d married the wrong person. She and her husband just couldn’t connect, and she constantly felt criticized and defensive. After 36 years of marriage, she felt like she was just going through the motions but not feeling loved like she’d always wanted to be. But she started a practice that changed her experience completely. Her husband is no longer critical and he tells her he has the wife of his dreams! And she has the husband of her dreams. How did she do it? She’s going to tell us. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is something a counselor actually charged money to tell a struggling couple. Wait until you hear this one!  

Having your best relationship may feel impossible if your marriage is struggling. You might think, like I once did, that you’d need to start over with someone new in order to have a good relationship. When you’re in a lot of pain because of fighting or feeling abandoned, it’s easy to dread the future, hard to picture your marriage becoming its best. Yet here you are, and I admire that. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about 3 things that might be getting in the way of having your best marriage and what you can do to get unstuck. My guest Kathy’s husband was depressed, drinking daily and had been having an emotional affair for six years. Her marriage had so many problems and cold wars that she believed it was a lost cause. But she not only attracted her husband back, he put the wedding ring back on her finger in a moving, heartfelt way that made them both cry. They enjoy laughter and peace in their home and he sends her sweet videos throughout the day. She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award is something I’ve already tried and I bet you have too, but it only makes your marriage more hostile, distant and lonely. 

Today we’ll talk about three ways you can help end world divorce and get advanced self-help for your own marriage at the same time. My guest Magenta was still a newlywed when she started wondering what had happened to the wonderful guy she married! Instead of talking to her, texting her and video chatting, he just was not paying attention to her and she didn’t know why. He also refused to join their finances even though she’d done all the paperwork for him at the bank and all he had to do was sign it. But today he handles all the money and bills, and greets her with a big hug and kiss every day when he comes home. What happened? She’s going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week offers an explanation for why men stop being romantic that is both dopey AND offensive.

If you’ve never had a coach except in school sports, then counseling is probably your point of reference for what you think of when you picture any conversation with a professional for help with your relationship. That’s all any of us had for a long time. Whether it was through your place of worship or a professional counselor who had a particular education, marriage counseling was all there was for decades.  Today, both relationship coaching and relationship counseling are presented as options for improving your life and your relationship. So how different could they be?  If you’ve already been to marriage counseling as so many people have, and that didn’t work, why would coaching be any better? But relationship coaching is very, very different. Today I’m sharing 3 myths that women are surprised to find are just not true when they get relationship coaching on our campus.

Last week you heard Part 1. This week, I’m sharing the rest of the Empowered Wife Session on “How to RSVP ‘Not Attending’ When you’re invited to an Argument” from my paid program. If you missed What is a Ridiculously Happy Wife Part 1 last week (episode #83), check that out first to get the most value from hearing the students in my programs share how they’re applying the skill in their unique situation. You can listen in as we workshop it together to get her the best, fastest improvement in her relationship. You’ll gain insight for your relationship too.

What is a Ridiculously Happy Wife and how do you become one? One of the things that feels nearly impossible to do when you’re really struggling in your marriage and feeling like it’s hopeless, is to make yourself happy.    Unless…Unless you have the thing that I stumbled on early on in my own marriage journey. Words alone couldn’t explain what I want to share with you. You have to experience it for yourself. I’ll show you what I mean in today's episode, which is part one of a two-part series.That’s why instead of an interview, today I’m sharing the recording from a live Empowered Wife session from my paid programs, where we focus on practicing a specific skill, and students share how they’re applying the skill in their unique situation and we workshop it together to get her the best, fastest improvement in her relationship.    The Empowered Wife session that I’m sharing with you today is on “How to RSVP ‘Not Attending’ When You’re Invited to an Argument.”

Being part of a group of women who are all committed to making their marriages last, sharing authentically and standing for each other’s marriages is the most powerful way I know to quickly get the transformation that I experienced, and that now tens of thousands of students have also experienced. That’s why group coaching is a critical part of all of the programs on our campus--The Ridiculously Happy Wife, Diamond Private Coaching, and Relationship Coach Training. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast you’re going to get to eavesdrop on a Master Relationship Coach at work. Instead of an interview, my guest Karen gave us permission to share a recording of a group coaching call where she brought the challenge of feeling unloved to Master Coach Kathy, one of the best relationship coaches in the world. If you’ve never been in any of our programs, this is your opportunity to hear first-hand what it’s like to be coached. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week tries to offer help but isn’t actually helpful at all.

Maybe your marriage is painful right now, and you have a hunch that training to become a coach would put it right again. Or maybe your marriage is doing better than it has in a long time, and you just want to keep it that way. Maybe you’re like me and you just want to stay in the fascinating conversation with women like you who make marriage a priority. But what does the process look like? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to become a relationship coach. My guest Anne’s husband said he wanted a divorce, AND HE MEANT IT, because 5 months later, they were legally, officially divorced. The main reason being their marriage was failing, but also because he started a relationship with another woman once he said he wanted the divorce. But Anne didn’t give up on her marriage, and they ended up reconciling in the SAME month that their divorce was finalized, and re-married 3 months to the day later. They even started a family. Now she says their relationship is amazing, fun and loving. She’s going to describe what she did so you can have the same results. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week offers a bossy and authoritative suggestion.

If you’ve ever wondered if your husband even loves you anymore, then you’ve experienced him being distant and cold, or more interested in his phone or the TV than spending time with you, like my husband was. How can get your husband’s attention and fix your marriage for good? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 4 steps for making your cold marriage hot. My guest Kaylee’s marriage suffered from a lack of connection and was filled with fighting. She was so tired because she felt like the only adult. But not anymore. Today she says her relationship is wonderful, that they are happy and they play, giggle and flirt a lot. She’s going to share the steps she took to make her marriage so connected again so you can have that too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week paints a popular illusion when it comes to marriage.

Sometimes your marriage looks bleak. You wish it were the way you imagined when you said your vows, but you didn’t imagine having cold wars, without speaking for days. When his latest hurtful words and neglect are still stinging, you can feel like a sucker for falling for a man who isn’t who you thought he was. But that doesn’t mean you have to either be miserable-ever-after or get divorced. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about the one thing you need to fix your marriage. My guest Dawn and her husband had been to four marriage counselors, but still they were so angry with each other that they would yell and fight so much that one counselor wouldn’t even see them at the same time. Her husband frequently slept on the couch but she was shocked when he roared at her that he wanted a divorce. But today her husband takes her on dates, kisses her good-bye, pats her butt, and even bought her a fabulous convertible. There are no more nights on the sofa and their sex life is ridiculously steamy! She’s going to tell us how she turned it all around. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week perpetuates a myth that is often repeated by women who are just about to get divorced.

When your husband lets you down again and again, it’s discouraging. You don’t want to feel so resentful, but how can you help it when you can’t count on him to do what you know would make things so much better for your marriage. What if it’s been years that you’ve felt resentful toward him? How are you going to just wash that away? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to stop resenting your husband in 3 simple steps. My guest AnneMarie resented that her husband could dip in and out of home life while she was left with all the responsibility of it falling apart if she didn’t manage it. They were so disconnected they only communicated about practical things. She told him very seriously that they should split up. But instead, she made some changes that resulted in her husband delighting in making her happy and wanting to talk to her again. Today her marriage is supportive, fun, warm, peaceful. She’s going to describe the steps she took to transform her marriage for the better so you can do the same thing. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week suggests that you solve problems together but ends up backfiring more often than not.

Ending your marriage is a huge decision, and if it’s a question you’re considering, it’s probably weighed heavily on you for a long time. And that’s very tiring. Nobody considers divorce unless they’re really hurting and hopeless that things will ever get better. You’d like answers. What’s the best path? Which choice will make you happier in the long run? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 questions to ask before you divorce. My guest Lucia was tired of being lonely when her husband came home late and drunk so many nights, but she knew something really had to change when she found a flirty note from another woman in her husband’s pants pockets when she was 8 months pregnant. Today, her husband comes home to his wife early and sober. They laugh and chat easily every day and spend a lot of time cuddling. What happened? She’s going to describe exactly what she did to get a much better response from her husband, so you can do it too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week points to a popular myth that’s believed to be true all too often.

When your man is making bad decisions, it drags you down. It’s like he’s broken, and since your fates are tied together by matrimony, that’s a lot of weight you’re pulling when your hands are already full. You probably think there isn’t anything you can do, right? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 secrets for fixing your husband. My guest Janice had been married almost 30 years and the spark was diminishing. The kids had flown the nest. As they were getting older, she was afraid she was less attractive to her husband. He didn’t even want to plan a weekend trip with her. But today she knows she’s attractive to her husband that he is planning adventures for the two of them all over the globe, just to make her happy. She’s going to describe the steps she took to change her husband without his conscious effort. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week just might be the worst advice of the entire year!

When you’re fighting, bickering and snapping at each other, you just want it to stop. You want him to understand where you’re coming from and make him realize that it’s ridiculous to keep arguing. Most of all, you want a peaceful house. But how? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 ways to resolve conflicts quickly. My guest Clara didn’t feel loved or appreciated at home. Her husband was cold, sharp and distant. She was so frustrated that he had plenty of time for gaming, but none for chores. She tried using The 6 Intimacy Skills, but found they didn’t work on her husband! Finally she had an “a-ha!” moment, and now her marriage is sweet and tender, and her man helps with everything in the house! He initiates conversations as he knows she loves to talk, and he appreciates her for everything she does. She’s going to share what she realized and how she changed everything in her marriage for the better. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week encourages you to find evidence that your marriage is doomed.

When you’re falling in love, it’s like you’re temporarily insane, but over time you may lose sight of whatever it was you saw in your man. You wish you could admire your husband and feel excited about your relationship. But how can you if you’re feeling repulsed? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 2 steps to bring back the sizzle even if you’re not feeling it. Almost every conversation my guest Erika had with her husband was an argument that included threats, name-calling, swearing and even occasional physical altercations. They separated. But today, he has moved back and they are happier together than they’ve ever been. They laugh together and she gets huge hugs from her man. She’s going to describe exactly what she did to save her marriage and make it terrific, along with her best tip for wives who want to fix their marriages too. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week can quickly create drama out of a friendly situation.

If your man says things that are subtly insulting and hurtful but then acts like you’re the one who is overreacting, it can be crazy making. At times you wonder how you can ever win when he mopes around and won’t say what’s wrong. If all you’re getting is the silent treatment, how do you respond to that? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 ways to solve a passive aggressive husband problem. My guest Lucy often joked that her husband was like one of her kids or one of her social work clients. She couldn’t trust him to be a responsible adult or parent because before he became a stepdad to her kids, he had abused opiates and moved into his mom’s basement. But Lucy worried that she was going to ruin her second marriage, so she did something completely different from anything she’d been doing before. Today, her relationship is peaceful, with lots of laughter and she feels desired. Also, she never worries about money. She’s going to share her best secrets for keeping the same man but getting a much better husband. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week suggests that you can fix being unhappy with one unique strategy.

If your husband criticizes you, it hurts. You’re doing so much, yet somehow it’s not enough. No matter how hard you try, your parenting, your housekeeping, or your work just don’t measure up–or so he would have you think. How can you fix your marriage when you’re in this lonely place? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to deal with disrespect in marriage. One year into their 18-year marriage, my guest Gabi already wanted a divorce. Her husband was always cranky and blamed her for being a bad parent of their five kids even though he was the one abusing alcohol. He lied, he flirted with female co-workers, he didn’t get along with her family, and made her feel like she wanted to die. But today her marriage is exactly what she dreamed about, and she has no doubt that her husband loves her and wants to be her hero. She’s going to share her secrets for creating your own loving story even if your relationship seems hopeless. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week seems to promote honesty but actually encourages you to be critical of your husband.

When you work with your spouse, it can be too much togetherness. Plus, if you don’t see things the same way, it often creates tension both at work and at home. How can you revitalize your marriage while improving your bottom line? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 secrets to succeeding in business and love with the same person. My guest Deb was giving and doing so much to get her husband’s appreciation, but he was the grumpiest man ever and ignored her as much as he could get away with. She suspected he was a dry drunk, but she encouraged him to drink beer anyway so he would at least talk to her. When his son slapped her across the face, and he didn’t lift a finger to defend her, she brought up divorce, and insisted they go to counseling. But just two weeks in, the counselor happily declared they no longer needed counseling! Today she says her marriage is fantastic and she feels like the passenger while her husband is the chauffeur. She’s going to describe exactly how she changed it for the better.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week creates problems in your relationship where there were none.

Being constantly disappointed in your marriage can wear you down and make you hopeless about the future. But what if you didn’t have to just suck it up and continue to hurt endlessly? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 5 ways to inspire him to be a better man. My guest Rachel’s husband checked every box for Narcissistic Personality Disorder which she knew meant he would NEVER change his selfish ways. Their weekly marriage counseling sessions were ugly fights, so she got a divorce attorney and started making plans to leave him. But instead she went on a getaway that changed her life. Today she says her husband loves, honors and respects her and they have an amazing life together. Same husband! She’s going to tell us how she did this. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is so ridiculous that it’s had my husband John and I laughing non-stop.

It’s devastating to hear your husband tell you he’s done, or worse, leaves you. It’s easy to feel hopeless especially when it seems he’s made up his mind. But what if the breakdown in your marriage is actually a doorway to a breakthrough? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 4 ways to win back your husband's heart. My guest Catherine was overwhelmed and exhausted just counting the number of mistakes that her husband was making with their children. He had retreated into his work but when he was there, the tension and conflict ran high. Then she made a commitment to finding a way to fix her marriage, and that’s exactly what she did. She’s going to tell us how she created a marriage that’s filled with not just generosity, tenderness, respect and support but also playfulness and fun. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week advises avoiding critical statements but offers an even worse alternative.

For some, quarantining with your family during the pandemic has been a wonderful bonding experience. Others may find that each day is filled with drama and conflict. How can you restore playfulness and passion to your home even during a pandemic? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 marriage mistakes everyone is making during quarantine. My guest Yvonne’s husband had left and was living out of the house for over a year. To make things worse, there was another woman in the picture. But within the first week of practicing the Intimacy Skills, he started bringing her small gifts. Not long after, he was back home 100%! She’s going to tell us exactly how she did that. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week says you should ask your partner a set of questions that will only lead to suffering.

When you don’t feel as if you’re living up to your full potential, it can put a strain on your relationship. Similarly, struggling in your marriage can make it difficult to reach your goals. Would you believe me if I told you that you can cause a transformation in both areas of life at the same time? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about finding your purpose while fixing your relationship. My guest Karen’s husband had an affair and lied about it. When he finally admitted it--after Karen found out herself--she begged him to go to marriage counseling, but he refused. He said he would get divorced before he would ever go to counseling. But Karen wasn’t giving up! She found a way to fix her marriage without her husband’s participation. She’s going to share exactly what she did to make her home happy again. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week comes from a therapist who promotes total disrespect of your husband.

It’s normal for everyone to feel insecure sometimes and wanting to feel more self-assured is a great goal. It can be hard to know where to begin, especially if you just feel too broken or hopeless to ever totally relax. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 7 ways to become more confident. My guest Mary realized that she was controlling, but didn’t know how to stop. She wanted attention from her husband but instead she found herself frequently texting another guy. She knew that wasn’t what she wanted, but the pull was so strong! Today she finds the playfulness and connection with her husband so gratifying and fun her vision for her marriage and her family is coming true. She’s going to tell us how she did that. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week concludes women have a higher risk of death if they do this one thing.

In the beginning of your marriage, you were probably attracted to your husband for many reasons. But what if you look at him now and wonder if you should give up and find someone else? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about what to do if you're not attracted to your husband. My guest Dianne was shocked and terrified when, after a serious accident, her husband completely changed from the person she had known for 30 years to one who was consumed with anger, unpredictable and unrecognizable from the man she had married. Today her husband is back to the humble, gentle, man who loves to please her and make her happy. She’s going to describe what she did to fix her marriage. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week talks about diagnosing your husband with a disorder.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and while you may be inclined to gift your husband chocolates or new boxers, that’s not really what he wants. I don’t mean sex either, although he likely wants that too. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about what your husband really wants on Valentine's Day. My guest Kristen had frequent, explosive fights with her husband, even though they were newlyweds! He drank too much and there were issues with his parenting and his lying to her. But today she says her home is peaceful and her husband makes her laugh a lot. Oh, and he has cut way back on his drinking. She’s going to tell us exactly how she did that. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week alleges that there’s one tell-tale sign that you’re falling out of love.

Believe it or not, a happy marriage isn’t always a direct result of marrying the right person for you. Instead, I’ve found that women can adopt some simple habits to increase their level of joy. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 5 signs of an incredibly happy marriage. When my guest Noel discovered that her husband was having an emotional affair, it was the most painful realization of her life. Even after she found the Intimacy Skills, things weren’t healed right away. Then her husband apologized and asked her to let him prove to her that he loved her and their child. Now their relationship feels fun and light and loving and gracious. She’s going to tell us how she did it so you can do it too.  The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week places an emphasis on chance when it comes to love.

Many believe that knowing how to compromise is an important part of marriage. But what if you’ve been compromising with your husband for years and things aren’t getting any better? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to stop compromising and what to do instead. My guest Britny’s marriage felt beyond repair because of infidelity on both parts and separation. He was so cold and hurtful to her that she wasn’t convinced there was anything to save. But today she says her marriage is better than ever, and that her husband is continuously telling her sweet things and how amazing she is. They are truly happy and close! She’s going to tell us how she did that. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week comes from the co-worker of one of my students and is truly cruel and judgmental.

Show Notes:

It’s natural to want to talk about your feelings with your man and to want him to share his feelings with you. But what if the only feeling he ever expresses is that he’s hungry? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 4 ways to have deep conversations with your man. If you’ve ever felt like your husband would rather spend time on his phone or computer instead of being with you, you’re not alone. My guest Connie’s husband would ignore her often, and instead of getting help and attention from him, all they did was fight. Connie had some insights that helped her to transform her marriage into the amazing relationship it is today and she’s going to share with us exactly what she did. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week claims to know what the secret is to a happy relationship but it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

It’s often said that what you focus on increases, and in my experience, that’s especially true in marriage. I’ve seen women transform their relationships simply by focusing on what they want. But do you really have as much influence as you think? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about the law of attraction for relationships. My guest Juliana finally married the man of her dreams. But soon her marriage started to fall apart and he moved out of her house. She’s going to share with us exactly what she did to save her marriage! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week claims that marriages are supposed to take an unusual trajectory.

Discovering that your husband has been unfaithful brings up a range of emotions from anger to denial to sadness. It calls into question if there’s ever hope for restoring your marriage after such a betrayal. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about recovering from an affair: the ultimate guide to healing. In the beginning, my guest Michelle and her husband would fight about the conflict that his daughter was causing. But then she discovered something even more painful — she learned that her husband had another woman. Michelle decided to fight for her marriage and now things are better than ever. She’s going to share with us how she did it so you can save your relationship too! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week suggests that punishing your husband will get you what you want.

Do you have a desire to grow your family but your husband isn’t so keen on it? Believe it or not, there are several things you can do to help him warm up to the idea. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to get your husband to want a baby. My guest Liz, a licensed marriage and family counselor for 35 years, was on her way to a second divorce after being told her husband had a narcissistic personality disorder. People around her thought she should leave him, but today Liz’s marriage is fun, intimate and full of laughter. She’s going to share with us exactly what she did to transform her relationship. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week encourages you to give your husband feedback like a business partner.

Does your husband seem grumpy, depressed or distant? If you wish you knew the secret to making your man happy and having the marriage of your dreams, you’re not alone. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about the 5 relationship hacks all women should know but don’t. My guest Shannon and her husband have been in love since high school but found themselves fighting a lot. After going to counseling and classes they felt exhausted and just as distant as they were before. Shannon knew she had to try something different and today, her marriage is full of fun and she feels taken care of. Today she’s going to share with us exactly what she did. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week only amplifies fears and encourages drama.

I often hear women who are struggling to save their marriage say that their husband isn’t interested in working on their relationship. How can you try to salvage what you once had when you’re the only one trying to fix things? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to save your marriage when he won’t even try. My guest Christy was in an unhappy marriage with a man who acted like a jerk. They divorced after 29 years when he left her for another woman. Today, she has a sparkling diamond ring from that very same man who she just recently remarried! She’s going to share with us how she attracted him back and what her marriage is like now. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week claims that divorce can be the key to happiness.

Most married couples have a fight every now and again, but what if you and your husband seem to be replaying the same disagreement over and over again? Sometimes it can be enough to make you question if the relationship is worth it and leaves you feeling distant and upset. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to recover from a fight. My guest Maria’s marriage is happy, warm, and safe but it wasn’t always that way. She had a huge problem with her husband’s drinking and it led to lots of arguments and cold wars. Today she’s going to tell us exactly what changed in her relationship — and wait until you hear about what happened with the drinking! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week says that a boundary of “no more cheating” will help to save your marriage.

While we know that there’s no such thing as “normal,” it makes sense to want to compare our relationship to others. How can you overcome the shame that’s associated with marriage breakdowns and discover if what goes on in your house is common? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to know if your relationship is normal. My guest Jennifer didn’t fight much with her husband but still felt miles apart from him in their home. The silence was deafening and she wondered if they would always be so distant. Today Jennifer and her man are a team again and she feels taken care of and loved. She’s going to tell us how things changed for the better. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week tries to tackle narcissism in the worst possible way.

If you feel like your marriage has been broken for so long that it’s too hard to fix, you’re not alone. But what if there was a way to restore peace and intimacy without wearing yourself out? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 ways to fix a broken marriage. My guest Martha already felt like a single mom as her husband was usually withdrawn and always on his phone. When he took a job out of town, things got even worse. Today, Martha’s marriage is nothing short of a dream with a husband who’s playful, protective, attentive, and who loves taking her out on dates. She’s going to tell us how her whole family dynamic changed. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week sounds reasonable but doesn’t get you very far.

Does it feel like your list of chores is neverending? Are you the only one doing things the way they actually should be done? Most women are surprised to learn that you can end the cycle of feeling lonely and exhausted by doing one simple thing. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about the most powerful intimacy skill. My guest Whitney constantly felt wounded, criticized, and unappreciated by her husband. Years ago she built up an emotional wall and eventually began to tear it down, but ultimately she wanted to fall back in love with her man again. Today she enjoys a marriage that’s filled with peace, love, and appreciation and she’s going to tell us what she did to make that happen. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week aims at romance but falls short.

Does it feel like every problem you have in your marriage turns into a never-ending power struggle? What if there was a way to end this back and forth easily and get what you want? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 steps to end the exhausting tug of war forever. My guest Rebecca’s husband was incredibly controlling and didn’t seem to care about her happiness at all. Yet after changing her perspective, she now gets to enjoy him fulfilling her desires and making her dreams come true. Rebecca’s going to tell us what she did to inspire her man. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week encourages criticism and complaining.

The word “feminist” often gets a bad name, yet many women feel torn between wanting to succeed in the workplace while still appearing feminine and soft. Can you have both, or will “feminist” always sound angry and harsh? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 ways to be a feminine feminist. When her husband had an emotional affair with a woman from work, my guest Rae thought her marriage was over. She insisted he end things, which he did, and wanted him to admit his wrongdoing. He wouldn’t, and soon he started texting with a different woman. Rae gave him an ultimatum and began a transformation that eventually brought her to the happy marriage she’d dreamed of. She’s going to walk us through exactly what happened. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week turns sexy time into a chore.

Does it feel like no matter how much you say to your husband, he just doesn’t understand where you’re coming from? We’re told that communication is the key to a successful relationship, but what if talking does more harm than good? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 5 hacks for communicating with men so they hear you and get you. My guest Stephanie so badly wanted to transform her marriage that she was willing to do anything but her husband was completely uncooperative. Not only did they have children but they also worked together, making her home life and job feel out of control. She decided to do things differently and is now enjoying a beautiful new phase in all areas of her life. Today Stephanie’s going to share exactly what changed. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week encourages us to be more virtuous than is necessary.

Do you find yourself wishing your marriage was happier? Many women feel like improving their marriage is an overwhelming task, but what if I told you there’s only one thing you need to do to create a transformation of your own? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about the #1 way to make your marriage happier. If you have anxiety around your marriage you’re not alone. When my guest Suzzen started making some changes, her husband responded with suspicion. As time went on things became calmer and now her home is one that’s full of peace. She’s going to share with us what she did. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week gives preparation a bad name.

Many women have experienced going to marriage counseling when their relationship was struggling, but far fewer have worked with a relationship coach. What’s the difference and how can you use a coach’s wisdom to help your own marriage? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 secrets great relationship coaches know. My guest Kathy is one of the world’s best relationship coaches and she’s going to share the most impactful ways to transform your marriage. What does a master coach know that can help you to feel special, taken care of and adored? Kathy’s going to tell us today, so make sure to take notes! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week makes marriage sound like a chore.

There’s nothing more painful than hearing your husband say he doesn’t love you anymore. But does this mean that you should give up all hope of having a happy marriage or can your relationship be saved? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to make your husband love you again. My guest Tsippi was trying so hard to save her marriage that she built up an immense amount of resentment toward her husband, and after all of her hard work, she was able to improve things temporarily. Then they experienced a heartbreaking tragedy and her marriage was tested in an even bigger way. Today she’s going to share with us what happened. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week actually encourages you to fight with your man.

Does it feel like the only thing wrong with your marriage is your mother-in-law? Whether she tries to tell you how to do everything or it seems like she downright hates you, having a tense relationship with your MIL can put a strain on your marriage. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about what to do with your monster-in-law. My guest Tiffany felt trapped in her second marriage as there was constant tension between her daughter and her husband. She started to give up hope that they would ever become a happy family, but after starting some new practices, she saw things shift for the better. Today she’s going to share with us how her marriage went from tense to soft and loving. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week claims that marriage should be treated as a business arrangement.

Does it feel as if no matter how hard you work, your husband doesn’t give you the appreciation you deserve? Instead of telling him about all of the things you do to make his life easier, there’s a better way to get his recognition. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 3 ways to get more love. When my guest Jodie’s marriage was drained of both emotional and physical intimacy, she feared that she’d never feel close to her husband again. Instead of giving up, she transformed her relationship into one that’s warm and full of affection, and she’s showing her kids what a happy marriage looks like. Today she’s going to share how she did that. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week encourages couples to bare their souls even when it might not be appropriate.

If it’s been a long time since you’ve felt sexy or desired by your man, you might think that changing it is completely out of your control. But what if I told you that you had the power to put the spark back in your sex life? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to attract your husband in bed. My guest Danni was heartbroken when she discovered her husband was having an affair with the receptionist. After the holidays, he planned to leave, but Danni convinced him to go to marriage counseling. She decided to make some changes as they headed toward divorce, and now their marriage is incredible. Danni’s going to tell us exactly what she did. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is full of judgment and rarely leads to a happy ending.

We’re often told that setting boundaries is healthy for our relationships, not just with our husbands but with friends, family and coworkers. But what if I told you that boundaries may not always look the way you’ve envisioned? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about 5 bogus facts about boundaries. Have you ever been caught between your parents and your husband? My guest Raseena was as she constantly tried to make everyone happy while attempting to be the Perfect Wife. Today her marriage is far more relaxed and her husband and family get along much better. She’ll share how this transformation happened. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week encourages a take it or leave it approach that’s truly repulsive.

At first glance it might not seem like watching a movie with your man would do much to help your relationship. However, you’d be surprised at the intimacy you can build in the short time it takes to watch your favorite flick. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about the 5 best date movies for fixing your relationship. Does your marriage feel like a struggle? Are you exhausted from shouldering the bulk of the parenting responsibilities? My guest Rebecca felt that exact same way and it lead to lots of resentment toward her husband. Today, she’s grateful for her man, who happens to now write her love songs. She’s going to share with us what changed. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week tries to bring a business mindset into your relationship and only leads to fighting.

Many people believe that when their relationship is on the rocks, going to marriage counseling is the only way to fix it. However, this “help” is often not helpful at all and can make things even worse. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about four things about marriage counseling that will blow your mind. After experiencing 30 years of loneliness and yelling from her narcissistic husband, my guest RoxAnne decided to transform her marriage. She went from the brink of divorce to now enjoying a husband who puts his phone away so he can spend time with her and who clears the table after dinner. RoxAnne’s going to share exactly what she did so you too can revitalize your marriage. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week paints disagreements in black and white without leaving any room for compromise. 

Does it seem like your husband is lazy, complains a lot, or doesn’t want to spend time with you? What if none of these things were true no matter how much evidence you think you had? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about three things wives get wrong about husbands. My guest Judith found that after 40 years of marriage, living with her husband felt more like a business arrangement than anything else. Sure it was convenient and reliable, but she missed the joy, passion and fun. Now, her relationship is even better than when they first met, and she’s going to share exactly what she did to create this huge transformation. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is often given to couples but instead of it encouraging vulnerability, it actually makes things worse.

No matter how lonely or sad you feel in your marriage, the threat of getting a divorce is even more upsetting. How can you revive your relationship even if things are completely falling apart? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to cope with the threat of divorce. My guest Abby’s husband left her four months ago and said there was no way they would be able to reconcile. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to save her marriage due to the hurtful things he said to her. Today, Abby’s husband is telling her how deeply in love he is and the two of them have plans to start a family. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is filled with judgment and devoid of hope.

Does your husband watch TV constantly or spend all his free time in the garage? If the days of spending time together are long gone, it’s natural to want to get his attention again. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to inspire him to seek your company. Are you resentful and angry that your husband always puts you down, says you’re wrong or even criticizes your parenting? My guest Inga was but then she got a glimpse of hope that showed her how she could single-handedly improve her marriage. Today she’s going to share with us exactly what she did! The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is terrible but the fact that it comes from a widely syndicated columnist makes it even worse.

While we may not like to admit it, we’ve all experienced a time or two where our anger got the best of us. But what if you have a consistent anger management issue and it’s affecting your marriage? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to stop raging for good. Feeling lonely, attacked and criticized had become the norm in my guest Shanit’s marriage, and even after she begged and pleaded for her husband to stay, he only came home to sleep. Today, he follows her around the house just to be with her and she’s going to share exactly how she created her peaceful and passionate relationship. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week starts more fights than stops them and imparts a sense of false hope.

When was the last time your husband gave you the silent treatment? Whether it was yesterday or years ago, the hurt you feel can be palpable. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about three steps to stop the silent treatment. My guest Ritu figured her husband was going through a midlife crisis when he never seemed to have time for her or their family and instead focused solely on work. She felt lost and hurt and was shocked when he said he no longer had the same feelings for her as he once did. However, Ritu made another kind of discovery that saved her marriage and she’s going to share with us exactly what she learned. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week brings to light just how important it is for us to learn from those who practice what they teach.

Does the thought of being vulnerable in your relationship make you weak in the knees? While it seems scary, it can actually help you to be more authentic and more attractive. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to be loved the way you are. It can be hard to pinpoint where things are going wrong when you’re absolutely drowning under a million responsibilities like my guest Katharine. Her husband was distant and didn’t help much, leaving her confused and tired. Today, Katharine’s marriage is full of love and support and she’s going to share with us exactly what she did. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is dispensed left and right by practically everyone you know but doesn’t really help when you get down to it.

Have you ever felt consumed by worry or anxiety in your marriage? It can be hard to make decisions when you’re unsure of what the future has in store. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to stop worrying about your relationship. My guest Holly had read practically every relationship book ever published but still found her and her husband having the same fight over and over. After 30 years of marriage, she felt betrayed by his addictive behavior. Every weekend of theirs used to be ruined, but not anymore. She’s going to share what she did to transform her marriage into one that’s playful and light. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week comes from a professional who’s trying to offer validation but instead, following their advice usually leads to more conflict.

Have you ever been told that you were controlling when all you were trying to do was help? Sometimes it can be tough to tell the difference between the two. On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about how to recognize the 15 signs you’re not controlling. My guest Ann found that fights with her angry, distant husband often landed her crying in the bathroom and left her marriage feeling like a minefield. Her husband didn’t seem to care about her and always wanted sex, resulting in Ann feeling used and unheard. Today, her marriage is filled with peace and passion, and she’s going to tell us exactly what she did to transform it. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week appears respectful on the surface but uses one small word that can spell out big trouble for your marriage.

We all love to hear praise from those we care about, but what can you do if your husband never compliments you? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re going to discuss three things you can do that will inspire your husband to compliment you more. My guest Deb was abandoned by her first husband and things were tense, lonely, and hostile in her second marriage. Together with her pastor husband, they had a blended family of 9 children, so there was a lot at stake! Deb shares how a solo road trip was the start of a healing transformation in her marriage, one that’s now a source of strength. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week means well, but there are actually several fundamental problems with it that contribute to making your marriage worse.

What would you do if you found out your husband cheated on you? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about four important steps to take once you’ve found out that your man has been unfaithful. My guest Michaela was exhausted from trying to sift through her husband’s lies and betrayal but she truly wanted to save her marriage. She found a solution and says that her relationship with her husband is now amazing! Today she’ll share with us exactly what she did. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is so frustrating to even think about that I’m not surprised it doesn’t work. In fact, it probably makes things in your marriage worse instead of better, despite so-called marriage experts claiming that it should fix things.

How can you make your relationship better without your husband even knowing what you did? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we’re talking about how to take your relationship up a few notches - and your husband won’t even realize what changed! My guest Sara was resentful that her husband was weak, didn’t take initiative, and didn’t know how to discipline their children because he didn’t have a backbone. She knew he had a lot of issues to work through, but therapy wasn’t helping. Then Sara learned something that changed everything and today her husband is masculine and attractive! She looks forward to his touch and loves the way he looks at her. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is a recipe for a standoff that could last for years! It’s a saying that many of us have heard time and time again, but instead of being helpful, it’s actually incredibly disrespectful.

What can you do when your husband says he doesn’t love you? Here are 3 secrets for turning the breakdown into a breakthrough.  My guest Becky was fighting for her marriage alone--her husband didn’t want to stay married. But now he says they’re in it for life. Here’s what she did. I promise you’ve heard The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week and if you’re anything like I was, you never even questioned it.

Learn exactly how you can work on your marriage when your husband refuses. Single-handedly create connection again.  My guest Debby’s husband shocked her when he announced that he wanted a divorce. He wouldn’t talk to her or touch her. She describes how she fixed her marriage. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week seems so logical it’s hard to even question it, but it will just leave you stuck.

Here’s the real reason your man is emotionally abusive and 3 ways to make him stop. My guest Bonnie’s husband was abusive and mean, so she filed for divorce. But now she feels safe, loved and knows he’s the best man in the world for her. A blog reader got the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week from professionals. My first question is... professional what? It’s truly terrible!

How to Get Your Husband to Listen: 4 Ways to Speak the Language Husbands Like and Understand Marriage counseling didn’t help Sue with her third marriage...until the counselor wrote something on a post-it note. Now, her marriage is loving, respectful, intimate, comfortable and optimistic. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is so popular that it’s part of the language. But it didn’t work for me and it didn’t work for the listener who sent it in either.

Is your man having a midlife crisis? So frustrating! I’ll share the real reason he’s acting that way and what you can do about it. My guest Valerie was giving her husband a year to shape up or she was done. Then he announced that HE was leaving her. She’ll share how she fixed her marriage and saved her family. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which sounds pretty good but will make you resentful unless you make a small but important tweak.

There are 5 proven ways to inspire your husband to become more prosperous if he doesn’t make enough money. My guest Shelly wanted to leave her angry, negative husband just when the kids were leaving the nest. Instead, she feels connected to him and enjoys going out on dates with him. Here’s how she got there. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week masquerades as self-respect but it’s a counterfeit that will leave you lonely.

If your husband drinks too much here are 3 ways you can get him to choose you over alcohol. Sage’s husband was an insensitive, drunken jerk. She couldn’t live like that so they separated. Today his drinking is no longer a problem and she has her dream. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is more like the voice of doom because it will doom your relationship.

How to fix your husband’s low self-esteem: 11 Ways to Give Him Swashbuckling Swagger and Self-Confidence My guest Joanna was lonely, sad and defeated because her controlling, workaholic husband was avoiding her and didn’t even want to have sex. But today the passion is back and they enjoy spending most of their time together. She’s going to tell us how she did that.  Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which is directly from a pop song that may have worked its way into your subconscious.

3 secrets that can quickly turn the breakdown of feeling like your husband doesn’t love you into a breakthrough. My guest Jo's husband never had time for her. They were like roommates. But today he takes her on romantic trips and wows her. She’s going to tell us exactly how she caused that incredible transformation. You hear The Worst Relationship Advice as the reason a couple ends their relationship. Seems like it could happen to anybody--but there’s more to the story.

On today’s episode I share:  4 powerful ways to get your man to be attentive. You shouldn’t have to be ignored!  My guest Anna’s husband was ignoring her to the point that he didn’t even look up when she walked in the door to their tiny one-room apartment. He even told her she was annoying to talk to on the phone and that he was never going to talk to her on the phone again. And this was when they were newlyweds. But her relationship has come a long way since then and now her husband gives her lots of attention and calls her on his way home from work. She’s going to tell us exactly what she did that attracted her husband’s attention. Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which just about everybody I meet heard growing up. You’ll see why it’s such a bummer if you follow it.

I’ll share 3 power moves to restore the peace after a breakdown when you want an apology. My guest Jola was in an exhausting, lonely marriage until she found something that empowered her to create connection and family hugs. She’s going to tell us what she did. The award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week comes up so quickly in conversations among girlfriends, and it seems self-respecting, but most of the time it’s just lousy advice.

What if you had a powerful one-word answer that made him think about what he had just said or done and respond with tenderness and even accountability? Darlene’s relationship with her first love fizzled shortly after they had their daughter but...life brought them back together again. She’s going to tell us how she made that relationship amazing, shiny and wonderful. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is part of some popular communication training, but it causes boatloads of hostility. That is not what anyone is trying to do!

What can you do when your husband is not attracted to you? On today’s episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we’re talking about why the problem is not what you think and how to solve the real issue. My guest Tess was devastated, heartbroken and shocked when her husband fell in love with her best friend, who was a marriage therapist. Her husband was so cold and unloving that she just wanted to leave. But then again, she didn’t really want to leave because she wanted her husband back. Then she made the best decision she ever made. She started doing something that put an end to her insecurities and had her husband declare his undying love for her and her alone. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is something that just can’t be done. It sounds good in theory, but it’s impossible. And if there’s anything you don’t need when you’re struggling in your relationship, it’s impossible advice that sets you up to fail.

Who has the most power in your relationship? I’ll  tell you how to figure that out and what you can do about it. My guest Stefanie had one failed marriage and a failed rebound relationship, and she was pretty sure that her relationship with a Latin waiter was also a big mistake because she broke up with him almost every week. But today she is happily married to that man, who likes to make her dreams come true. She’s going to tell us the secrets for how she made her high-drama romance dreamy. Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which just makes a big problem where there was NO problem before. You’ve probably tried this. I know I did!

What makes you feel safe and able to trust? We’ll talk about how you can create that even if you’ve caught your man lying about where he was, who he was with or what he was doing. I'll show you three ways to keep your husband honest. My guest Mila was ashamed to be living with fights and hostility that no one knew about. A month before her due date, her non-commital fiancee announced that he was moving out after the baby came. Now she enjoys a peaceful, loving home with the same man, who says that marrying her was the “best decision he ever made.” She’s going to tell us how she created that dramatic turnaround. You have definitely heard pop-psychology drivel that is winning The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award. It sounds convincing but it’s just ridiculous hooey that keeps so many people stuck thinking their relationship is hopeless.

"Let’s talk about How to Be Feminine and 10x More Attractive. Today I’m revealing what your mom and your grandma would have told you about what it means to be feminine...if they had known! My guest Angela’s husband was angry, controlling and distant and she was depressed and numb dreading the prospect of living the rest of her life in such an unfulfilling marriage. She decided to conduct an experiment and today her relaxed husband showers her with attention, gifts and help. She’s going to explain what she did to make that happen. Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week. This goes to a common suggestion you hear to make sure you get treated well in a relationship and it just backfires like crazy.

Discover how to be happily married to a man with Narcissistic Personality Disorder...or one who is extremely self-absorbed without having to suck it up and suffer forever. My guest Carol’s husband was diagnosed with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and anger issues. A marriage counselor told her to get a restraining order so she did, and they separated by court order. But she not only saved her marriage she made it safe and loving again. She’s sharing exactly how she did it. You have heard the winner of this Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award repeated at least 1,000 times and it's the opposite of goo advice. You probably never thought about it, but you'll see why yourself as soon as I tell you.

How to talk about sex, keep it steamy and get what you want: 3 secret cheat phrases to uplevel your sex life. My guest Christine’s husband slept in the spare bedroom, never initiated sex and rejected her often. She thought there was something very wrong with him. Even though their marriage was okay, she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life feeling starved for sex and wondered if she should outsource that part of the relationship. Instead she found a solution that brought back the passion and skyrocketed the intimacy and the laughter too. She’s going to tell us exactly what she did and how you can do the same thing. Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which you hear absolutely everywhere and sounds truish at first, but it definitely is false. Hear all that and more on The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Here's what you can do if your husband is the controlling one in the relationship and it’s getting on your very last nerve. I'll show you how to stop a controlling husband. My guest Morvana had recently escaped a destructive relationship and found the man of her dreams, but was puzzled when some of the same patterns from that previous relationship showed up in her new marriage, which seemed to be deteriorating into lots of fighting and cold wars. Had she picked the wrong man again? She made an unpleasant discovery about herself that broke open the whole mystery and started her on a journey to making her relationship safe, sweet and satisfying again. She’s going to share how she did that. So many women have tried The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week and it failed to create more connection. I tried it too. Didn’t work. Let's not all make that mistake. Hear all that and more on The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Did you know there's a great aphrodisiac for men, and it's free and works fast? If you’re experiencing a chill in the bedroom or you’re in a sexless marriage, this episode is going to be incredibly valuable for you. Julie’s husband had grown distant and taken up activities that didn’t involve her, so when he asked her for a divorce she knew he meant it. But instead of giving up on her marriage, Julie found a way to make it better than it was before. She’s going to tell us exactly how. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week award goes to a phrase that most people consider an absolute fact, but it never, ever, ever got me what I wanted in my marriage. At all. And I've never seen it work for my students either. I'll tell you all that and more on the Empowered WIfe Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Learn how to bring back that lovin' feeling even if your husband seems indifferent or even actively seems to dislike you. This is the proven method. My guest Mari spent five lonely years in her third marriage fearing that she’d made yet another mistake. But she is no longer lonely in her marriage and instead feels like the center of her husband’s universe. She’s going to tell us how she turned her relationship around and made it fun and sweet again. Then I’ll be giving out the award for The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week which you have heard so many times it seems like THE TRUTH, but actually doesn’t mean what most people think it means.

What is the Cure for the Selfish Husband? I'll show you three powerful ways to create a relationship where your guy--even a super selfish guy--becomes more giving, supportive and considerate. I am NOT exaggerating. My guest Sonya was miserable, depressed and alone with her kids because her husband emotionally abandoned her and spent all his time playing poker instead of helping with the family. This went on for years...until she made a discovery, which she’s going to tell us about, that made her husband attentive, tender, and devoted to her happiness. She’s going to tell us what she did to have that breakthrough. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week goes to something that's the marital equivalent of trying to win the lottery without buying a ticket. All that on this episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Today on The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle, you'll discover how to choose more intimacy in your relationship, and what you’re probably doing (without realizing it) that is killing your chances of that. My guest Stephanie was devastated when her husband said he wanted a divorce even though she was pregnant with their fifth child. She didn’t know how or if she could save her marriage until she discovered something that helped her create a relationship that’s even better than it was before. She’s going to tell us exactly how she did that. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award is something you hear absolutely everywhere and most people think of as a fact, but it's a big, fat lie! You'll hear about that and more on The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

This is the how to get Your husband back episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle. There are 14 things you can do for the good of you both when you’re husband leaves you emotionally or physically--even though you may shock him (in a good way) and yourself! My guest Fanny discovered her husband had been having an affair for 18 months. She was trapped because of their kids and finances, and because deep down she really wanted her marriage to work. She didn’t know how or if that could happen, until she discovered something that helped her create the marriage she’d always wanted. She’s going to tell us exactly how she did that. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is what so many people say to do if you catch your husband cheating, but is the best idea for you? Most likely not. You'll hear why not on this episode of The Empowered Wife with Laura Doyle.

Have you tried these Top 10 Ways to Control Your Husband? I have, and sadly, none of them work. My guest Dien gave up her whole life in Canada to move to the UK with her new husband, but soon found out he was a hoarder and insomniac who had lied to her. So she took her 3-month-old baby, her passport and all the money she could get her hands on. But instead of leaving her marriage, her journey led her fixing her relationship and making it magical again. She’s going to describe exactly how she did that. The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award is something that most women think you SHOULD do to be a good wife, but it actually backfires and makes you into an annoying toothache of a wife. You'll hear all that and more in this episode of The Empowered Wife with Laura Doyle.

There are 11 simple behaviors that men find irresistible in women, and not one of them has to do with hair, makeup or how you dress. None of them are manipulations. They won’t make you seem desperate. You won’t have to dumb down. In fact, they’ll help you be your best self—your real self. I'll share all 11 behaviors. Then, my guest Marissa thought there was something seriously wrong with her husband because she was getting zero help with their baby. She started doing something that inspired her husband to take initiative with the baby and housework, and also shower her with presents and special treatment. She's going to tell us what she did. And the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week Award is something you hear absolutely everywhere...but it actually makes things much, much worse. You'll hear all that and more on this episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

Welcome to the Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle where it’s all about fixing your relationship without your man’s conscious effort so you feel desired, taken care of and special--even if your relationship feels completely hopeless. Today I'm sharing about a secret that will help you skyrocket the Passion in Your Relationship, even if you’re in a sexless marriage. My guest Kathy Murray has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, First for Women Magazine and her interview with the BBC went viral on several continents. She was in a sexless second marriage, stressed out over her stepchildren and heading for second divorce. But she made a decision that changed her life forever and now has a dreamy marriage to the same man. She is going to tell us exactly what she did to single-handedly turn her marriage around and make it passionate and gratifying again. And the Worst Relationship Advice of the Week goes out to….Laura Doyle. Wait, is this a mistake?! Sadly no. It's my embarrassing mea culpa. You'll hear all about it on this episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast with Laura Doyle.

The Empowered Wife Podcast is all about fixing your relationship without your man's conscious effort even if it seems completely hopeless. Guests share how they fixed their marriages to men with anger issues, narcissism, alcohol abuse, verbal abuse, midlife crisis, affairs, physical abuse and more using the Connection Framework and the 6 Intimacy Skills. Every show highlights the worst relationship advice of the week, reveals the very common mistakes that everybody seems to be making and shows you exactly what to do instead fo have a playful, passionate relationship--like over 15,000 women who have already transformed their relationships and become Empowered Wives. Listen and subscribe to the Empowered Wife podcast with New York Times bestselling author Laura Doyle, the world's most trusted relationship expert, so you can stop feeling lonely, exhausted and unloved and start feeling desired, taken care of and special again.