Find yourself at odds with your spouse about how to spend your hard earned money? Although no one likes to admit to being materialistic, we all are. How can we not be? Our entire society runs off one thing…money. We need it to put a roof over our head, food in our bodies and function in this world. With something like this playing such a huge role in our lives it is bound to come up in our relationships.

Jessie Sell, a marriage and family therapist with a private practice in Durham, NC believes in using an interpersonal approach with her clients, meaning the better relationship between her and the client, the better the success. Over the last 12 years Jessie has worked in a variety of settings including higher education and non-profit agencies. Now she works with couples hoping to overcome issues in their relationships. To find out more about Jessie Sell you can visit her website or call 919-225-3478 for an appointment.

Ever feel like your spouse isn’t listening? Some people think that dating and getting to know someone can be the hardest part of a relationship. It requires a great amount of effort on both parts to keep things progressing. However, the hardest part of a relationship is actually the stage that most largely encapsulates a relationship, the “comfortable phase”. We know our partner so well we could tell you their schedule without hesitation. We know all of their stories and have heard all of their jokes. It’s at this point in a relationship that a lot of people tend to tune the other spouse out and begin navigating on autopilot. This lack of effort can lead to feelings of disconnection with your spouse. Our guest today believes that mindfulness is what can will help to keep your relationship fresh and to keep you heard.

Dr. Jessica Barry of Wynns Family Psychology in Cary, NC joins us today. Jessica earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University in Washington D.C. Jessica predominantly works with children, teens, couples and families that have difficulty coping with a wide range of social, emotional and behavioral issues. Jessica’s doctoral dissertation, which will prove especially useful today, was written about the use of Mindfulness techniques. When Jessica isn’t busy working with couples she enjoys spending time hiking, drawing, and cooking with her fiancé. To find out more about Dr. Jessica Barry you can visit the Wynns Family Psychology website or call 919-467-7777 for an appointment.

Is constant interference from your in-laws killing your marriage? We’ve all seen a football game where everything went from fantastic to devastating in mere minutes. It looks like a clear win; your team is ahead, defeating all obstacles in their path. Then BOOM, out of nowhere interference by the other team turns the game around entirely. What was once an easy game turns messy and complicated very quickly. A good relationship can overcome a lot of obstacles that the world throws at it, but constant interference from an outside source can create larger rifts that are hard to overcome.

Dr. Nicole Imbraguglio is Clinical Director at Lepage Associates in Durham, NC where she provides counseling and evaluation services to individuals of all ages. She is experienced in individual, couples, and group therapy and specializes in couples issues. She holds her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Interpersonal Dynamics, as well as a Master’s degree in Community and Clinical Psychology. To find out more about Dr. Nicole Imbraguglio you can visit the Lepage Associates website or call 919-572-0000 for an appointment.

“Relationships aren’t destroyed by cataclysmic arguments. They are eroded by the little things that happen over time. We’re all excited when a relationship starts. We watch what we do. We edit our actions and mind our words. We gloss over the details because we love the dream of what could be. We sacrifice the now for what we want in the future. As our relationship grows, we get comfortable. We stop editing ourselves and return to our old habits… Respect is eroded through the forgetful actions that make you feel as if you don’t matter like you once did…. Yes, relationships usually end in cataclysmic fight, but that is not where they are torn apart”. This insider view of the deterioration of a relationship comes from author Jeff Cannon who believes that meditation is the solution to resolving this age-old dilemma.

Jeff Cannon is the author of the book The Simple Truth: Meditation and Minfulness for the Modern World. Jeff was a fast-track entrepreneur with a portfolio of successful businesses, multiple book publishings, produced documentaries and ran his own public relations agency. Then it all came to a crashing halt at the end of 2009. That day he woke up on a hospital bed recovering from a ten-hour surgery that removed six of seven brain tumors. A long time devotee of the marital arts and yoga, Jeff used meditation to reboot and retrain his brain. He learned firsthand how the brain is hard wired just as it had been 40,000 years ago. More important he learned how it could be reprogrammed through such practices as meditation and mindfulness. Jeff’s book is now available on Amazon.com. To find out more about Jeff Cannon you can visit his website online.

Are your diverse parenting styles breaking apart your marriage? Being part of a couple and getting married can be a very difficult process. You have two people from different backgrounds and lifestyles, coming together to start their life together. Their differences in opinion and lifestyle can be a relationship hot spot for conflict. Things tend to get even more complicated when children are brought into the picture. Although we love our children, all parents have different ideas for how they want to raise and discipline their children. Whether our preferences came from personal experience or gained knowledge, each parent may have a different idea for what it means to bring up their children. Dr. Kristen Wynns believes that it is not about how your raise your children, but that you do it together as a team.

Dr. Wynns is a child and adolescent psychologist who owns a specialty practice in Cary, NC called Wynns Family Psychology. She has a Ph.D. and Master’s in Clinical Psychology from UNC Greensboro. Dr. Wynns recently debuted a new parenting website called No Wimpy Parenting with services available to help parents struggling with behavior and discipline problems at home. To find out more about Dr. Kristen Wynns you can visit the Wynns Family Psychology website or call 919-467-7777 for an appointment.

Are you the outcast in your stepfamily? Dating and marriage is a process that is complicated enough on it’s own, never mind coming into a family that has already been established. Marrying someone with children from a previous relationship can be a delicate mind field that requires a certain finesse to master.

Certified Master Stepfamily Coach, Claudette Chenevert, found herself in a similar situation over twenty years ago when she, a single mom to a 6 year old boy, married her husband. She became a stepmom to two girls. After several years worth of failures and successes Claudette was able to determine what steps needed to be taken to successfully integrate oneself into an established family and make it function on its own. From the constant presence of an ex to taking on a parenting role over night, Claudette knows how to handle it all. To find out more about Claudette or her approach, you can visit her Stepmom Coach website.

Has your fairy tale marriage turned into a nightmare? Ripped from the pages of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice we’ve been made to believe that happily ever after is possible. People spend years looking for their perfect partner and come to find that all the spark and je ne sais quoi that had attracted them to their partners has now fizzled into an unhappy marriage. Family therapist, Lesli Doares, doesn’t believe in having only two choices: either remaining in a miserable marriage or getting a divorce; Lesli believe in happily ever afters.

Leslie Doares is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Cary, NC. In her practice, Balance Family Therapy, her focus is on helping couples build strong, secure relationships. It is her belief that marriage is a different kind of relationship and, with the proper tools and techniques, most couples can have a happy and successful relationship. Lesli bring both her personal experience and professional training to her work with couples. Her passionate belief in marriage has led to the development of a five step theoretical approach that Lesli detailed in her book Blueprint for a Lasting Marriage: How to Create Your Happily Ever After With More Intention, Less Work.

To find out more Lesli Doares and her practice you can visit the Balanced Family Therapy website or call for an appointment at 919-924-0463. Lesli’s book, Blueprint for a Lasting Marriage: How to Create Your Happily Ever After With More Intention, Less Work, is now available on Amazon.com.

Anxiety is reaching epidemic proportions with nearly 50% of Americans meeting the criteria for an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. We worry about money, our health, safety, car accidents, whether or not people like us, traveling, work, and more. All this worry takes a huge toll-wasting an enormous amount of time and energy that would be better spent elsewhere. An often overlooked area of concern is the impact of anxiety on our close relationships. Dr. Christine Korol is a cognitive-behavioral therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders and sees the consequences of untreated anxiety on the relationships of many of her patients.

Dr. Christine Korol is a psychologist specializing in anxiety and stress in adults and children and is currently practicing in Calgary, Alberta. She has worked for many years, in both private practice and in hospital settings, and is a former lecturer at the University of British Columbia. Christine is also a cartoonist and author of the blog Wired to Worry and is currently working on an illustrated guide on anxiety management. To find out more about Dr. Korol you can visit her site, Therapy Works.

They say that once trust is lost that it can never be regained. The ultimate betrayal of trust in a relationship is, without a doubt, an affair. People often don’t realize the consequences of their actions until after the act has been committed. Undoubtedly, the hardest part of an affair is when you come to the point where you need to tell your spouse exactly what has happened. Like anything else, there is a right and a wrong way to break this heavy news to your spouse.

Dr. Janet Savia joins us to discuss the effects that an affair can have on your relationship and how to break the news to your spouse. Janet practices in Durham, NC with Lepage Associates, where she helps couples repair marriages damaged by trust issues on a daily basis. She has a master’s and doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Savia works with helping people with general stress and life transitions, and personal growth pursuits. To find out more about Dr. Janet Savia you can visit the Lepage Associates website or call 919-570-000 for an appointment.

Is your constant bickering ruining your relationship? We’ve all been in a relationship where the fights just never seem to end. We bicker about the little things, the big things, and the things that would matter to no one but us. What does all of this constant fighting do to our relationships? Acclaimed author Laurie Puhn joins us to discuss how fighting affects your relationship, as well as how to overcome the endless fighting cycle.

Laurie has a Bachelor’s and law degree from Harvard University. Formerly a corporate attorney, she is now a recognized expert in the field of couples mediation and conflict resolution. Laurie has a private practice in couples mediation in Manhattan. Her empowering, fast and simple mediation approach for keeping relationships strong and healthy is what sets her apart from other relationship experts. She is the author of the national bestseller “Fight Less, Love More: 5-Minute Conversations to Change Your Relationship without Blowing Up or Giving In”. When Laurie isn’t busy writing books she is often featured as an expert guest on shows such as Good Morning America, The Early Show, Fox News Channel, Weekend Today, 20/20, and CNN. Her relationship communication advice has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, Redbook, Newsday, and The New York Times. Lastly, Laurie is also a syndicated columnist and Huffington Post blogger.

To find out more about Laurie or her book you can visit www.fightlesslovemore.com. Laurie’s book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for purchase.

Maybe you and your spouse started out having great sex on a regular basis. It might have been spontaneous, playful, energetic, and enjoyable. But over time, with hectic routines, kids to care for, and careers to balance, your sex life has suffered. Are you having sex less often? When you do have sex is it routine and unimaginative? Has the romance and adventure slipped away as the years have gone by? Many marriages suffer when the sex becomes rote and predictable or just doesn’t happen as often. Sexual intimacy is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy, happy marriage. Psychologist Colette Segalla joins us to teach us about how to re-vitalize your sex life and improve your satisfaction with sex and your marriage.

Colette Segalla is a psychologist with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC. Colette has extensive training and experience working with people of all ages, with special training in the field of adult relationships. She has used her integrated approach to help lots of couples on both their individual and relationship problems in order to improve their relationships. To find out more about Colette, or to book an appointment, visit www.lepageassociates.com or call 919-570-0000.

Are your actions as a parent sabotaging your child and spouse for life? Dr. Mike Daniels joins us to discuss the new phenomena of “teacup parenting”. We do our best to make sure that we raise our children to be responsible young adults. We nurture and care for them the best that we know how. However, there is a fine line between parenting and obsession. It seems that there are parents today who have too active a role in their childrens life that it is actually stunting the social, intellectual, and emotional growth of the child, not to mention sabotaging the romantic relationships in a parent’s life.

Dr. Mike Daniels completed his undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina, where he majored in English Education, as well as Psychology. Mike spent twelve years working as a high school English teacher and athletic coach. Mike left teaching to obtain his Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Mike now works for Wynns Family Psychology in Cary, NC.

To find out more about Mike you can always check out the Wynns Family Psychology website at www.wynnsfamilypsychology.com or call 919-467-7777 to book an appointment.

Should you stay married or not? Are the issues in your relationship big enough to warrant a divorce. No matter how perfect a relationship may seem to the outside observer, there are always issues within a relationship that put stress on each of the partners. Although we may love our spouse, we can find ourselves questioning the relationship. It could be the annoying habit of one spouse or a lack of communication and respect. Several problems could leave us wondering if the relationship is really worth all of the effort. Unless the problem is acknowledged and resolved, this could spell a split, or even a divorce, for some.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Robin Siebold has worked with individuals and organizations imparting the skills, insights and strategies that make life more manageable and meaningful. She specializes in divorce and relationship issues, communication skills, and codependency. Robin is a licensed mental health counselor and maintains a private practice in Florida. Robin has recently published a book called To Divorce or Not: Reflections of the Self, which is now available on Amazon. To find out more about Robin you can always check out her website at www.robinsiebold.com.

They say that hindsight is 20/20. We often never see the real problems in a relationship until after they have exploded. With couples divorcing at an alarming rate, it may be time to call on a new relationship expert- someone who deals with divorce. There is no better way to learn than from your mistakes; or even better, the mistakes of others. Judge Lynn Toler has worked with divorcing couples for years. She has seen couples at their worst and has been able to use this experience for the good of all relationships.

Judge Lynn Toler is a graduate of Harvard University and The University of Pennsylvania Law School. She has elected and served as judge on the Cleveland Heights Municipal Court. Lynn has hosted such shows as Power of Attorney, Divorce Court, and Decision House. Lynn is also a frequent guest on the NPR show News and Notes. With all of this going on, Lynn has somehow managed to write two books. Her first, My Mother’s Rules: A Practical Guide to Becoming an Emotional Genius, as well as Put It In Writing, a book that gives readers concrete, conflict-free solutions to difficult situations that arise.  To find out more about Lynn, please visit www.JudgeLynn.com. You can catch Judge Lynn in action on Divorce Court, airing weekdays in syndication nationwide. To find out where to watch, check your local listings or go to www.divorcecourt.com.

It is possible that the expression “opposites attract” could be as old as the concept of dating itself. We hear stories of good girls going for the bad guys, or a tight laced accountant falling for an outgoing actress. In these relationships there seems to be a balance between the two personalities that makes the relationship harmonious. This sensitive balance, if disturbed, could mean terrible things for a relationship. Relationship therapist Dr. Stephen Betchen joins us to discuss how keeping a balance of conflict between partners is the key to happy and healthy relationship.

Dr. Stephen Betchen is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified sex therapist with a private practice in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University’s Graduate Program in Couple and Family Therapy, and a Senior Supervisor and Lecturer in the Post-Graduate Training Program for Couple and Family Therapy at the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia. He contributes regularly to both scholarly journals and popular national magazines. Stephen has just released a book, entitled Magnetic Partners: Discover How the Hidden Conflict That Once Attracted You to Each Other is Now Driving You Apart, now available on Amazon.com. To find out more about Dr. Betchen you can visit www.magneticpartners.net.

When we watch the interaction that occurs between the sexes we are often left wondering why such a huge communication gap still exists between men and women. Popular media has made the world conscious of this idea that women speak in a code that very few men have the ability to decipher. This imbalance can prove disastrous in dating and married life. Lucky for us, we are joined this week by dating and relationship advisor Kiai Kim.

Kiai, also known by her writing alias “Wing Girl Kim”, is author of the book Alpha Dog: A Man’s Guide to Dating. This book centers on Kiai’s foundation of leadership principles and the Jungian personality type theory. When Kiai isn’t helping others via her book, Twitter, or blog- she writes for an online men’s magazine, The Rugged.

Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day? Sure, we all say this, but it seems with each passing day our plates are loaded with more and more activities that we have to try and cram in. Remember the good ole’ days where you had time to go out to a nice dinner date with your loved one? Those were the days pre-children. Once children came into the picture, time seemed to fast-forward. We no longer had time for ourselves, let alone our spouse. All too often this is an issue that plagues many couples. The romance and marital bliss seem to deteriorate once children enter the equation. However, according to Dr. Julia Jacobs, this does not have to the be the case.

Dr. Julia Jacobs has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC. Julia has experience working with individuals, couples and groups of all ages. Most importantly, she has experience with couples who have children. You can schedule an appointment by visiting www.LepageAssociates.com or calling 919.572.0000.

Have you ever felt suffocated in your relationship? Perhaps you feel like you and your spouse are always fighting. It would seem as through the fights and arguments have consumed your relationship whole! No matter what you do, you can’t seem to escape from one argument before you’re in another brawl with your spouse. When you are stuck in this seemingly endless loop, the best person to call on could be your spouse.

Dr. Tina Tessina, a licensed psychotherapist who has been practicing marriage and family therapy in California for over 30 years returns the show this week to discuss her book “How to Be a Couple and Still Be Free”. Tina has been featured on Oprah and Larry King. She has her own radio show and online blog. Tina has also authored over a dozen books, including “Money, Sex and Kids”, as well as “The Commuter Marriage” which have been featured on our site previously. You can find out more about Tina by visiting www.TinaTessina.com.

Let’s face facts, no relationship is perfect! In the “relationship road trip” there are potholes, speed bumps and road kill that all couples have to try steer clear of. More often than not, when we have stopped paying attention, we run into something we didn’t mean to hit.  The best way to protect yourself, and your spouse, is to spot the troubled areas on the road ahead, before you hit them head on.

Dr. Karen Sherman joins us to discuss how to set expectations and enjoy your relationship to the fullest.  Karen is a licensed psychologist in New York and has been in private practice for over 20 years. Karen focuses on relationship and marriage counseling and how to help people achieve their greatest potential. Karen is author of “Mindfulness and The Art of Choice: Transform Your Life” and the co-author of “Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, and Make It Last”.  Karen is a featured author on such online forums as Yahoo Personals, ThirdAge.com, and HitchedMag.com.

Karen’s books are available on Amazon.com. To find out more about Karen you can visit her websites, www.ChoiceRelationships.com or www.DrKarenSherman.com.

It takes a lot of moving pieces to make a relationship work; such as patience and compromise. However, perhaps the most important element to any relationship is trust. Without trust a relationship can become stunted from growth. When trust is taken away from a relationship, it can crumble on it’s very foundation. Trust is one of the hardest items to attain and even more difficult to earn back once it is lost.

Dr. Abigail Hirsch, an accomplished scholar of such prestigious academic institutions as Harvard, University of Colorado, and University of Massachusetts,  joins us to discuss how to put trust back into your relationship. Abigail’s background in Clinical Psychology is the driving force behind her website Power of  Two, a marriage counseling website. The results from her online counseling service, Power of Two, have been so successful that the project has received a $2.5 million federal grant dollars. You can find out more about Abigail by visiting www.poweroftwomarriage.com or by calling 877-411-4948

We often read about happy couples in romance novels and see healthy relationships in movies. This overexposure to the “ideal couple” often leaves us questioning our own relationships. We find flaws in our relationships that we often have no idea of how to overcome. Our lack of proper communication and skills can often leave couples wondering “why did I marry you anyway?”

We’re joined this week by Mrs. Barbara Bartlein. Barbara is also the author of the book Why Did I Marry You Anyway? Overcoming the Myths That Hinder a Happy Marriage. Barbara is a registered nurse and holds a master’s degree in physical and mental health. She is a licensed psychotherapist and has had a private practice for over 20 years that specializes in couples and families therapy. Barbara has worked with hundreds of couples as they have struggled to save their marriages.

Barbara’s book is avilable on Amazon.com. You can find out more about Barbara, as well as her current and future book releases at www.whydidimarryyouanyway.com.

Do you obsess over suspicions of your spouse’s infidelity (either physical or emotional)? Dr. Nicole Imbraguglio returns to the show do discuss the reasons why we harbor suspicion towards our spouses and why some people are more likely than others to be bothered by it constantly. She also illuminates the difference between a healthy amount of suspicion that can be helpful in identifying issues before they become problems, and when it crosses the line to become a problem that can hurt the marriage.

Dr. Imbraguglio practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC and helps both adults and children with a wide range of emotional issues. She has provided counseling for individuals, groups, couples, and families. You can learn more about Nicole at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling 919.572.0000

Today’s world is one of instant satisfaction and gratification. We want what we want when we want it. Before we know it our interest quickly fades and we are bored with our latest toy. In a world that teaches us out with the old and in with the new, how can anyone expect a marriage to last when it’s no longer shiny and new?

Dr. David Clarke joins us to share his experience in turning around marriages that are on the brink of divorce. David’s book, I Don’t Want a Divorce: A 90 Day Guide to Saving Your Marriage, uses his 20+ years of experience  helping couples to get beyond the old destructive habits and build brand-new habits with your spouse in only 90 days.

David has authored an additional 9 books. He has a Master’s Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, a PhD in Clinical Psychology and 25 years in private practice specializing in couple’s therapy. To find out more information about Dr. David Clarke, including seminar information, you can visit his website at www.davidclarkeseminars.com. David’s book is also available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Do your days seem to always be filled with obligations and responsibilities to others? Chores to do, errands to run, children to chauffeur? With all the havoc of a modern world it is hard to make time for oneself, let alone their spouse. This hectic lifestyle is often what leaves a couple’s relationship in a state of lackluster. The flirtation, fun, and magic all seem to have fallen to the wayside. Luckily there is an easy and quick way to restore flirtation and fun back into  any relationship.

Monica Stroebel joins us and reveals secretes from her new book The Compliment Quotient. Monica shares simple ways to introduce excitement and  flirtation back into a stale relationship with one simple technique. Monica’s book is now available through Amazon, as well as Barnes & Noble. To learn more about Monica or her book, The Compliment Quotient, visit Monica’s website at complimentquotient.com.

Ever feel like you can never say or do the right thing in your wife’s eyes? Do you aim to impress and end up only causing her stress? We have the keys to making the special woman in your life smile! From remembering the little things, like anniversaries and birthdays, to planning a romantic getaway. We have the secrets that you’ll need to make your other half happy.

Dr. Steevie Jane Parks currently runs her own private practice in Carrboro, NC and has been helping couples with issues for more than 20 years. Equipped with a degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maine, Dr. Parks shares with us the secrets of making your wife happy. You can find out more about Steevie by visiting drsteeviejaneparks.com.

Is your busy work schedule, kids, or financial issues making it hard for you and your partner to feel connected? Is trying to keep up with everything and everyone just weakening your marriage? Stephanie Ladd joins us to discuss how couples can re-ignite their marriage and overcome the lull of long term relationships.

Stephanie Ladd has been practicing Marriage and Family Therapy for 17 years. Before moving to the Chapel Hill/Carboro area she practiced  in California. For several years Ladd has run communication skill groups and parenting classes. You can find out more about Stephanie by visiting saladd.com or by calling (919) 883-9093.

Has weight become an issue in your marriage? Are obesity issues causing health, intimacy, and body image issues for you or your spouse? Dr. Paulomi Raiji joins us to discuss the prevalence of obesity problems in marriages the obesity rate in the country rises, as well covering which spouse is most to suffer from the physical and emotional issues that come with weight gain. She also covers the impact weight gain can have on intimacy in a marriage and where to draw the line between weight gain with age an serious health issues.

Paulomi practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC, where in addition to providing holistic clinical services, including cognitive behavioral therapy, guided imagery, and meditation, she specializes in body image and self esteem issues. You can find out more about Paulomi by visiting LepageAssociates.com, or by calling 919-572-0000 for an appointment.

If you or your spouse suffer from depression, you already know how hard it can be on both of you. Maybe you feel like you don’t know how to handle your partner’s depression, or on the other hand, maybe you don’t think your partner is really understanding what you’re going through. How do you continue to relate to each other when negative feelings can’t just be pushed aside?

Colette Segalla, a psychologist with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC, is here to discuss what depression feels like to partners on both sides, and what you can both do to keep your relationship strong in spite of it.

You can find out more about Colette by visiting LepageAssociates.com, or by calling 919-572-0000 for an appointment.

Does it seem like your fights with your spouse turn explosive on a regular basis? Do you often find the argument reach the “point of no return”? Kristin Wynns, Ph.D., returns to the show to talk about how to avoid the critical mass in a relationship and keep the arguments from getting explosive and hard to resolve.

Dr. Wynns has a private practice in Cary, NC and specializes in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. You can find out more about Dr. Wynns practice and services at her website,www.wynnsfamilypsychology.com, or by calling her office at 919.805.0182.

When you have a child, everything changes. But does that mean your marriage can’t be what it was before? Does it feel like you and your spouse are both connected to the kids, but not to each other?  Rhona Berens, Ph.D., joins the show to talk about how things change in a marriage after the birth of a child, and what you can do to make sure that you stay connected to each other.

Rhona is a relationship coach and the founder of Parent Alliance, which provides advice and resources to new parents who want to strengthen their relationship with each other. She keeps a blog on parenting issues at ParentAlliance.com, and also offers workshops on getting the most out of your relationship now that you’re parents.

Do you and your spouse work in the same field or business – maybe even in the same office? Do you feel like you can never really get away from work even when you’re at home, or are clashes at home bleeding into your work?  Dr. Julia Jacobs joins us on the show to discuss the things couples experience when working together, and how you and your spouse can minimize your personal conflict both in and out of the workplace.

Julia has a Doctorate and Masters in Clinical Psychology, and practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, North Carolina. She’s experienced in individual, couples, and group therapy for people of all ages. You can find out more about her online at LepageAssociates.com, or call her office at 919-572-0000 to set up an appointment.

Do you feel disappointment that your marriage isn’t the storybook romance you’d hoped for? Do you find yourself wondering if maybe your partner isn’t the one you were meant to live happily ever after with after all? Jon and Beverly Meyerson are here to talk about what “happily ever after” really means – what really happens after the fairytale wedding, and what you can do to ensure your own happy ending with your spouse.

Jon and Beverly are a married couple who have helped hundreds of other couples both together and on their own – Jon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Beverly is a Relational Coach – and are the authors of a weekly relationship newsletter and the book After the Glass Slipper: 8 Proven Steps to Lasting Love.

You can find them online at AfterTheGlassSlipper.com, where you can find out more about their book, their advice column, and more. After the Glass Slipper can be purchased from Amazon.

Does it feel like even when the fights between you and your partner are over, that things aren’t really resolved? Do you feel like you just aren’t connecting?

Dr. Nancy Dreyfus joins the show to explain why superficial resolutions don’t fix the underlying problem, and to share an approach that will give you the right words to deeply connect with your partner during even the worst argument.

Nancy is a psychotherapist and couples therapist with over twenty-five years of experience, and is the author of Talk to Me Like I’m Someone You Love, a unique book and relationship tool that can help partners in an argument express their feelings and needs in a productive way. You can find her online at NancyDreyfus.com, and can purchase her book from Amazon.

Does it seem like the most serious arguments you and your partner have are always rooted in the same few things? Are you at your wit’s end from having the same arguments over and over?

Dr. Tina Tessina returns to the show to talk about her book Money, Sex, and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage. She explains how some of those constant stresses in life can turn into big stresses on your marriage, and what you can do about it.

Tina is a licensed psychotherapist in California with over thirty years of counseling experience. She’s written over a dozen books, and hosts a radio show and a relationship blog. You can find her only at TinaTessina.com, and her book Money, Sex, and Kids can be purchased from Amazon.

Do either you or your partner have anxieties about your relationship?  Are you uncomfortable getting too close?  The way you each feel and behave in your relationship may actually be linked to your individual attachment styles.

Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Amir Levine joins us to talk about the the theory behind Attached, a new book about adult attachment theory that he co-authored with Rachel S. F. Heller.  Amir is a graduate of Columbia University with his own practice in Manhattan, and is presently working at Columbia as a Principal Investigator on a research project sponsored by the National Institute of Health.

Attached can be purchased online from Amazon or from any major bookseller.  You can find out more about the book and about Amir by visiting AttachedTheBook.com.

Does it feel like your relationship is good enough, but not all that it could be?  Is “good enough” just not good enough anymore?  Dr. Terri Orbuch joins us on the show to talk about her book – 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great.

Terri is the project director of the NIH-funded Early Years of Marriage Project, the longest-running study of married couples ever conducted, which has been ongoing since 1986.  A practicing marriage and relationship therapist for more than 20 years, she is also a popular love advisor on radio, TV, and peoplemedia.com.  She’s a research professor at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, and a professor at Oakland University.

5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great is published by Random House, and is available on Amazon.com and at all the major booksellers. You can also find her online at DrTerriTheLoveDoctor.com.

Do you think you’re letting too much pass you by when you leave things to chance? Do you want to make the most of what you have with the ones you love? Dennis Yanke returns to the show to talk about what it means to “love on purpose” and how it can improve your relationships.

Dennis is a veteran financial planner with three decades of experience who has figured out how to apply his personal-values approach to relationships as well. You can find out more about Dennis and his book — as well as ask him your own questions — at LoveYourWifeGetBetterSex.com.

Do you sometimes feel like you and your partner aren’t working toward the same goals in your relationship? Does it seem like you’re just not on the same page with each other?

Dr. Carol Ummel Lindquist, a licensed Clinical Psychologist in Laguna Beach, California, joins us to discuss how creating a “Couple Vision Statement” can help you and your partner understand what you both want and bring you closer together.  Carol has been practicing for thirty years and recently retired as Professor Emerita from California State Fullerton.

You can find out more about her and her guidebook, The Happy Couple Handbook, at DoctorCarol.com.

Do you and your partner follow different religions? Are you unsure of how to respect and appreciate your partner’s beliefs without compromising your own? Are you worried about how your children will identify, and what your families will think?

Reverend Laurie Sue Brockway, an ordained nondenominational minister, joins us today to discuss what interfaith couples face both before and after the wedding, and what they can do to achieve harmony despite the differences. Her new book is Your Interfaith Wedding: A Guide to Blending Faiths, Cultures and Personal Values into One Beautiful Wedding Ceremony, and her writing can also be found at Wedlok.com.

Are money issues making you feel like your marriage is bankrupt? Money issues pop up in every marriage at some point and when the economy is in a recession, these problems are intensified.

Many people expect their spouses to have exactly the same view of spending and finances and have difficulty accepting the differences in their spouse’s approach to the bank account. Dr. Nicole Imbraguglio joins us to discuss what factors cause issues with most couples and why they create problems regardless of how comfortable a family is financially.

Dr. Imbraguglio practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC and helps both adults and children with a wide range of emotional issues. She has provided counseling for individuals, groups, couples, and families. You can learn more about Nicole at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling 919.572.0000

Do you or your spouse have to do a lot of traveling for work? Does it feel like rather than bringing you closer together – making the heart grow fonder – your time apart is just creating tension?

Archana Aragon joins us to talk about how time away from your partner can affect your relationship, and offers ideas on ways to stay connected when you’re far apart.

Archana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in Durham and Chapel Hill with fifteen years of experience. To learn more or set up an appointment with her, you can reach her by phone at (919) 608-4821.

Are the expectations we put on our spouse to blame for the disintegration of intimacy and connectedness? Do you consider yourself a victim of your spouse’s unreasonable behavior, or are you simply bored of your spouse?

Dr. Judith Sherven and Dr. Jim Sniechowski join us to talk about why many people are so quick to abandon a relationship, what factors contribute to that behavior, and what you can change in your marriage to turn around your relationship, as well as the obvious aphrodisiac that most couples overlook.

Drs. Judith and Jim have been married for 22 years and are the authors of 5 bestselling books on marriage and relationships. Be sure to visit their website, JudithandJim.com for more relationship advice and information about their books.

If you’re a part of a blended family, you know how complicated things can be, especially when you’re starting out. Are you having trouble relating to your new stepchildren? Do you just not feel as much like a family as you expected? Barbara Keyworth joins us to discuss the things that can cause tension in a newly blended family, and shares tips for making the transition a smooth one.

Barbara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a practice in Raleigh and 23 years of experience. Her website is BKeyworth.com, where you can find out more about her counseling services and qualifications, and you can call her office at 919.783.8004 for an appointment.

Do you feel like the ways you and your partner think just don’t match up? Does it feel like it might be impossible to really understand each other? Susie Leonard Weller, author of Why Don’t You Understand?: Improve Family Communication with the 4 Thinking Styles joins us to explain how we can improve our communication through understanding these different thinking styles.

Susie is a certified Thinking Styles Consultant and a life and spiritual coach who also teaches parenting and family management at the Community Colleges of Spokane. Her website is SusieWeller.com, and her book can be purchased there or from Parenting Press or Amazon. If you order it from her website, as a special offer, she’ll send you an autographed copy and pay for shipping expenses herself.

Additionally, Susie would like to offer a free resource with 30 tips on stress management. You can contact her by email at sweller@att.net or by phone at  (509) 255-6676 and she’ll send you a copy.

Is your new spouse’s ex more of a presence in your life than you expected? Are you finding it hard to deal with? Dr. Molly Parks joins us to discuss the critical issues you need to address when dealing with your partner’s ex so you can keep the harmony in your new family.

Molly has over a decade of experience helping both adults and children deal with emotionally challenging issues ranging from social isolation and relationship issues to PTSD and trauma victims. She practices with Lepage Associates in Durham. You can schedule an appointment by calling 919.572.0000, or by visiting LepageAssociates.com.

Does it seem like no matter how hard you try to communicate and express your love to your partner, your message just isn’t getting through? Sarah DeNome joins us to discuss the different ways people express and comprehend love, and to tell us how we can better communicate those feelings to our partners in ways they understand.

Sarah is a licensed clinical social worker with her own practice, DeNome Alliances Counseling Center, which has locations both in Raleigh and Holly Springs, NC. You can contact her and find out more by visiting her website, Denome-Alliances.com.

There are a lot of stereotypes about men and what they want, and nearly everyone has heard them. But believing that men are as simple as the stereotypes say can make you miss out on more meaningful ways to make him happy and strengthen your relationship together. Do you think you know what men really want out of their relationships?

Dr. Kristen Wynns returns to the show to discuss what men are really looking for. Kristen has a private practice in Cary, NC and specializes in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. You can find out more about her practice and services at her website, WynnsFamilyPsychology.com, or by calling her office at 919.805.0182. She also has a blog called Marriage and Parenting 101 with great advice for couples and families.

We’re bombarded with advice on how to fix our relationships from almost every angle — from family, friends, and media. But how much of that advice is really good advice? Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones returns to the show to share some pieces of marriage advice she’s heard that can do a lot more harm than good.

Katrina holds a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and has been practicing for over 10 years. Katrina practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC and can be reached at 919.572.0000, or by visiting LepageAssociates.com.

Has your sex life with your spouse cooled down since you got married?  Are you not getting the same satisfaction that you used to, and do you feel like there’s nothing you can do about it?

Dr. Trina Read joins us to talk about her book, Till Sex Do Us Part: Making Your Married Sex Irresistible, which focuses on the transition couples go through from single sex to married sex, and tells you what you can do to keep things satisfying after you’ve tied the knot.

Trina is a sexologist with a successful coaching practice who’s written for a variety of publications in addition to writing her own books.  She’s given interviews and lectures both in North America and overseas. You can go to her website, TrinaRead.com, to learn more and to find plenty of resources, and to TillSexDoUsPart.com to order her book for yourself.

It’s easy to get caught up in the negative things in our lives, but are you letting the same happen in your relationship? Are you no longer able to see the good things in your marriage?

Drs. Charley and Liz Schmitz join us to discuss how to break out of the cycle of negativity and put the positivity back in your marriage, beginning with five simple things you should say to your spouse every day.

Charley and Liz are marriage experts with three decades of research and a 43-year marriage of their own. You can purchase their latest book, Building a Love That Lasts, through Amazon.com, and you can visit their website at SimpleThingsMatter.com, where you can find their blog along with a variety of relationship resources.

Do you feel like you can’t live up to what your spouse expects from you in the bedroom? Or do you feel you’re not getting everything you think you should get from your spouse?

Dr. Sara Rosenquist joins us to discuss how our culture’s emphasis on sex can give us unrealistic expectations and put a strain on relationships, and gives advice on how couples can find satisfaction with each other – even if they aren’t in a hyper-sexual Hollywood romance.

Sara is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Chapel Hill and Cary, NC, where she focuses on reproductive issues and sex therapy. You can find out more by visiting her website, DrSara.com, where she has some great articles and free resources available.

Is your marriage not all you expected it to be? Are you not sure if there’s something wrong, or if this is just the natural progression of a relationship?

Harry Harrison, author of 1001 Things Happy Couples Know About Marriage, joins us to share some of the lessons he’s compiled from talking to successful long-term couples, covering everything from money to intimacy to forgiveness.

Harry is the bestselling author of the Raising Parents book series, ten books on parenting and family life. You can order a copy of 1001 Things… at Amazon.com and be sure to check out his books on his website, RaisingParents.com.

A child who’s having difficulties in school can create a lot of unexpected stress in a relationship. Do you and your spouse have different ideas of what’s best when it comes to your child’s education? How can you communicate with each other and with your child to understand what’s happening at school, and what you can do?

Dr. Jaclyn Starritt joins us to talk about how important it is to advocate for your child and how parents can effectively deal with their child’s problems in school through cooperation.

Jaclyn earned her PhD. in the field of School Psychology, and is married with three children of her own. She’s now putting her experience to work as a new member of Wynns Family Psychology in Cary, NC. You can find out more about her services by visiting KristenWynns.com or calling her office at (919) 805-0182 to set up an appointment.

When kids start acting out, the strain on the marriage is immediate. Are the different approaches that you and your spouse take toward discipline and the examples you set making the problem worse?

Tina Lepage joins us  to discuss the three reasons why almost all children act out, as well as common mistakes couples make and what steps you can take today to better communicate with your kids and each other in order to raise better behaved children in a loving environment.

Tina is the founder of Lepage Associates, where she focuses on personal and professional relationship issues, as well as children and family therapy, and personal growth. You can find out more about Tina and her staff by visiting her website at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling her office at 919.572.0000.

When things get difficult, It’s easy to start questioning whether It’s really worth it to stay in your marriage.  Does it seem like you aren’t communicating anymore? How can you resolve your conflicts when it feels like nothing is working?

John Wilder joins us to take a look at what you can do when you’re considering giving up on your marriage, and shows us how we may able to repair our conflict solving skills.

John is a marriage coach in New Castle, Indiana, with over thirty years of counseling experience. You can get in touch with John and learn more about his coaching services by emailing him at marriagecoach1@yahoo.com.

Have you considered traditional marriage counseling, but found yourself curious about other possible options? Marriage workshops are a growing alternative to traditional counseling with a more classroom-like approach, and have been increasing in popularity both with married couples and with engaged couples who want to plan for the future.

Natasha Crawford, founder of a new marriage workshop of her own called the Marriage Academy, joins us today to tell us more about this growing trend and what to expect from it to help you decide if a workshop might be the right choice for you.

Natasha is a licensed North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and certified Prepare-Enrich premarital counselor with a private practice in Raleigh. You can find out more about Natasha at her website, NatashaCrawford.com, by following her on Twitter @NatashaCrawford, by calling her office at 919.807.1156, or by visiting her blog at NatashaCrawford.blogspot.com

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we’re all reminded just how important it is to show appreciation for the mothers in our lives. But sometimes we can forget that It’s just as important to show appreciation and support for your wife’s role as a mother throughout the rest of the year. What are some of the issues mothers deal with on a daily basis that sometimes go unnoticed, and what can husbands do to show their appreciation?

Dr. Kristen Wynns returns to discuss common complaints from mothers who feel unappreciated and what you can do to support your wife and show her how much you value what she does for your family.

Dr. Wynns has a private practice in Cary, NC and specializes in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. You can find out more about Dr. Wynns practice and services at her website, WynnsFamilyPsychology.com, or by calling her office at 919.805.0182. Kristen also has a blog called Marriage and Parenting 101 with great advice for parents.

Having a great marriage is tough work. In second marriages, factors like ex-spouses, step children, and fears and insecurities from the last marriage make things even more difficult. Are you afraid your current marriage will end up like your last one?

Tim Lewis joins us to discuss the unique pitfalls of remarriages and what steps you can take today to make sure that this marriage makes it, whether It’s your first or fifth.

Tim is a Marriage Coach and a certified Prepare-Enrich Seminar Director & Counselor with a private practice in Huntersville, NC. Tim and his wife Christina operate The Redesign Company, which combines marriage coaching and home design. You can find out more about Tim and The Redesign Company on their website, LoveComingHome.com, by visiting their Facebook page, or by calling 704.604.2687.

It’s no secret that for most problems, men like clear-cut instructions – and relationships are no different. Dennis Yanke joins us to discuss his book, Love Your Wife… Get Better Sex, and talk about his manual for not just improving your sex life, but deepening the intimacy and emotional connection as well.

Dennis is a veteran financial planner with three decades of experiences helping couples manage their finances. You can find out more about Dennis and the  book at LoveYourWifeGetBetterSex.com, where you can read an entire chapter of the book for free, as well as ask Dennis questions that he answers on the site.

We’re excited to be giving away two copies of Love Your Wife… Get Better Sex. Listen to the show, leave us a comment at StayHappilyMarried.com, and on Friday (4/30/10), we’ll pick two commenters to receive copies of the book!

Adultery leaves many spouses thinking that there will never be any trust in the relationship and that divorce is the inevitable conclusion. How likely is it that your marriage will survive infidelity, and is it possible to rebuild trust and respect?

Mary Jo Rapini joins us to explore the different reasons men and women cheat, the likelihood that a marriage will survive cheating, and a checklist that you can put into place today to repair your marriage if infidelity has damaged the relationship.

Mary Jo is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Houston, TX. She also writes a syndicated newspaper column, hosts a television show in Houston, and has appeared on CNN, Headline News, and TLC. You can find out more about Mary Jo at her website, MaryJoRapini.com, where you can get information on her services, books, and videos, as well as read her blog for couples.

The biggest hurdle to fixing a relationship plagued by conflict is acknowledging the problem, but how do you resolve the underlying disputes without falling into old habits and fighting even more? Will strategies designed for both spouses be effective when only one spouse is willing to work toward solving the problem?

Paul Shaffer returns to the show to share five tools you can start using today to disarm hostile and repetitive conflicts.

Paul has been a professional counselor for almost 25 years and currently owns his own practice, Right Choices Counseling, in Huntersville, NC. You can find out more about Paul and his practice at RightChoicescounseling.com, or by calling 704.578.2725. You can also purchase Paul’s books, Conflict Resolution for Couples, and Conflict Resolution for Christian Couples from Amazon.com, or by visiting the publisher directly, at AuthorHouse.com

Have late nights and early mornings at the office become the norm? Has your marriage lost It’s spark because your spouse seems to care more about work than the relationship?

Natasha Crawford joins us to explore the difference between hard work and neglecting your marriage, as well as examining the factors that make spouses likely to become “workaholics”, how to prevent it from happening, and what to do if you or your partner is already there.

Natasha is a licensed North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and certified Prepare-Enrich premarital counselor with a private practice in Raleigh. You can find out more about Natasha at her website, NatashaCrawford.com, by following her on Twitter @NatashaCrawford, by calling her office at 919.807.1156, or by visiting her blog at NatashaCrawford.blogspot.com

Are you tired of the dirty clothes never making their way to the washer? The nagging? Being embarrassed in public? Or just plain old nose picking? Is there a way to get your spouse to drop the bad habits without reading the riot act? Jennifer Coleman returns to the show do discuss why It’s sometimes more difficult to bring up problems to a spouse than a friend, and how you can approach your partner about his or her annoying habits in a way that doesn’t put anyone on the offensive, and will make headway in fixing the problem.

Jennifer is a licensed professional counselor and is a nationally certified counselor who practices with Eastover Psychological and Psychiatric Group in Cornelius, NC, where she works with couples, families and  individuals from young children to adults on issues ranging from depression, anxiety, relationship issues and life transitions. Jennifer is also a Life Transitions Coach with Rosen Law Firm, where she helps clients set goals and priorities to help manage their lives. You can find out more about Jennifer and her practice at EPPG.org

Have your expectations of what a “perfect” marriage should be left you to wonder whether the problems in your relationship will keep you from living “happily ever after” with your spouse? Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones returns to the show to examine what makes successful marriages last and what couples who have been married for two months or two decades can do to put their relationships on the right track.

Katrina holds a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and has been practicing for over 10 years. Katrina practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC and can be reached at 919.572.0000, or by visiting LepageAssociates.com

Are you in a last-minute panic about which flowers to buy, where to make dinner reservations, and whether or not you bought this same card for your wife last year? Are you trying to figure out how to top the Valentine’s Day gift you bought last February? Dr. Michael Hall returns to the show to share four sure-fire steps for husbands trying to make a good impression as well as discussing how to move away from focusing on the ever bigger box of candy or flower arrangement and instead paying attention to the individual needs and emotions of your wife.

Michael owns a private practice with his wife Barbara in Charlotte, NC where he not only works with individuals and couples for relationship and marriage counseling, he is a well known figure in the corporate and career counseling world as well. You can give Michael a call at 704.858.2984 to find out more.

Has the inability to conceive created problems for your personal health, relationship with your spouse, or the priorities in your marriage? Harboring guilt or resentment quickly leads to a breakdown in communication that puts your marriage in serious jeopardy. Dr. Christina Rush joins us to discuss the emotional and psychological impact of infertility on both the spouses individually and the couple as a whole, and how to approach the goal of having children and the treatments that go along with them in a way that doesn’t overshadow the needs of the marriage.

Christina is in private practice with Wynns Family Psychology in Cary, NC, where she helps get couples get through some marriage’s toughest issues, from sexual trauma to eating disorders and depression. In addition to having clinical experience helping other couples with infertility issues, she has first-hand experience dealing with them in her own life. You can find out more about Dr. Rush by visiting the Wynns Family Psychology website, or by calling her office at 919.805.0182

Do seemingly insignificant problems cause outbursts from you or your spouse? Are even the simplest problems impossible to resolve because of flaring tempers? Dr. Julia Messer joins us to discuss what differentiates normal, healthy anger from a chronic problem that impacts not just your marriage, but all your relationships, as well as some of the common root causes for anger issues and how to begin repairing a relationship at risk from unhealthy anger.

Dr. Messer is a licensed psychologist practicing with Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC, where she specializes in anger management, depression, and family issues. You can find out more about Dr. Messer at OrensteinSolutions.com, or by calling her office at 919.428.2766.

After the excitement of the birth has worn off, infants can place a lot of strain on a relationship. Do you find it hard to devote the time to your spouse and marriage that you used to? Are your children toddlers and now that you have a little more time, you feel like you hardly know your spouse? Dr. Kristen Wynns returns to the show to discuss how you can stay focused on your marriage without neglecting your responsibilities as a new parent.

Dr. Wynns has a private practice in Cary, NC and specializes in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. You can find out more about Dr. Wynns practice and services at her website, WynnsFamilyPsychology.com, or by calling her office at 919.805.0182. Kristen also has a brand new blog called Marriage and Parenting 101 with great advice for parents.

Kristen also suggests the book Babyproofing Your Marriage, as well as John Gottman’s book And Baby Makes Three, and his website, Gottman.com, for more information.

Is it possible that the one hour a week approach to marriage counseling could be doing more harm than good to your relationship? Is the marriage counseling model driven more by the counselors, or by what your insurance will cover?

John Wilder joins us to discuss the difference between the counseling and coaching models of marriage therapy and why the manner in which insurance companies reimburse clients for marriage counseling has created a system that puts your relationship in jeopardy. John is in private practice in New Castle Indiana and has just finished his upcoming book, You Can Achieve Happily Ever After and Improve Your Love Life Too.

Married life can be hectic – are you taking time to cover the nuts and bolts of your relationship on a regular basis? Cory Huff from AGoodHusband.net and HusbandsAndDads.com joins us to talk about a weekly 4 Step Relationship Review that he has implemented in his marriage and the impact it has had on his relationship.

Cory discusses how he came up with the review, how to deal with a spouse who may be hesitant to participate, and important topics to cover, including finances, priorities, and obligations. You can read Cory’s article on the review here, and read his other articles at both AGoodHusband.net and HusbandsAndDads.com

Have you yourself constantly keeping score of the things your spouse has done that upset you? Does it feel like your spouse should know when you feel that something is unfair if he or she really loves you?  Dr. B. Janet Hibbs joins us to discuss why our ideas about fairness often differ from those of our spouse and what steps you can take today to fix issues of fairness and equality in your marriage, as well as sharing advice from her book, Try To See It My Way: Being Fair In Love And Marriage.

Dr. Hibbs has 15 years of graduate teaching and has been in private practice for 25 years. For more information on Dr. Hibbs’ background and practice, visit DrBHibbs.com. You can find out more about Try To See It My Way: Being Fair In Love And Marriage at TryToSeeItMyWay.com, which offers helpful fairness tips and an online fairness quiz, or order a copy at Amazon.com

Is a separation looming on the horizon of your relationship? Ideally, a couple can recognize their problems and get help before divorce is considered an option, but all too often, couples will allow conflict and communication issues to fester until marriage counseling is seen as a last ditch effort on the way to divorce court. Liza Shaw returns to the show to take a look at what puts a couple so close to the edge and what can be done to put the marriage back on the right track.

Liza recommends using resources like MarriageFriendlyTherapists.com and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy to find a qualified professional to help you and your spouse.

Liza is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist with a private practice in Hickory, NC, where she specializes in couples counseling, family counseling, and grief therapy. You can find out more about Liza and her practice at PowerToThrive.com – or visit PowerToThriveRadio.com for interviews and podcasts. You can also call her office at 828.328.4673

Sometimes, a lack of sex can be due to unresolved issues in the marriage, but often, It’s simply that we’ve become too caught up with daily life to change the status quo. Grab a pen, because Dr. Tina Lepage joins us to share seven (actually eight!) tips you can put to work right now to start having better sex more frequently with your spouse.

Tina is the founder of Lepage Associates, where she focuses on personal and professional relationship issues, as well as children and family therapy, and personal growth. You can find out more about Tina and her staff by visiting her website at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling her office at 919.572.0000

When first dealing with infidelity, the pain and shame can make recovery seem unlikely. Too many people see an affair as a death-sentence for a marriage, but Gary and Mona Shriver are proof that recovery and forgiveness are possible and worth the effort and have created a ministry dedicated to couples whose marriages have been shaken by infidelity.

You can find out a lot more about Gary and Mona Shriver and “Unfaithful, Hope & Healing after Infidelity”, along with information about Hope and Healing ministries at HopeAndHealing.us, which features a wealth of free audio and video resources for couples dealing with infidelity. You can also order a copy of Unfaithful: Hope and Healing After Infidelity at Amazon.com

You may have heard of PAIRS workshops for improving the intimacy in your marriage, but what issues can it address in your marriage, and is it the right environment for you and your spouse? Dr. Susan Orenstein joins us to talk about the PAIRS workshops that have become increasingly popular for both happily and unhappily married couples, and explore what makes PAIRS different from traditional therapy, and why it is such a great option for individuals and couples who are uncomfortable with marriage counseling.

Dr. Orenstein is a licensed Psychologist with a private practice in Cary, NC and a newly opened location in Chapel Hill, NC.  She also conducts the Stay Happily Married seminar series in Raleigh.  You can find out more about Dr. Orenstein at OrensteinSolutions.com, or by calling her office at 919.428.2766. You can find out more about PAIRS at PAIRS.com

Why is it so much more tempting to get rid of your spouse rather than to work on the issues causing problems in your marriage? Sally Watkins joins us to discuss her new book, Change Your Mindset, Not Your Man, and explore how men and women are socialized to have certain expectations of how a marriage will work and why those lead many of us running for the hills at the first sign of conflict, as well as the pitfalls in marriage therapy that can actually make the problems worse.

Sally is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in Folsom California and has been helping couples resolve their issues for more than twenty years. You can find out more about Sally and her practice at her website, HealingWords.net and you can find out more about Change Your Mindset, Not Your Man, including the complete first chapter, at SallyWatkins.net

Whether It’s full-time, or during the evenings, a spouse in school can create a lot of tension in a marriage. It’s not just a couple’s schedules that are impacted, but everything from household chores and time with the kids to intimacy with your spouse. Dr. Nicole Imbraguglio joins us to look at what aspects of the relationship are most likely to suffer when one spouse returns to school and what steps that each partner can take to ensure that the needs of both the couple and the family are met during the process.

Dr. Imbraguglio practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC and helps both adults and children with a wide range of emotional issues. She has provided counseling for individuals, groups, couples, and families. You can learn more about Nicole at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling 919.572.0000

Are the unresolved conflicts in your marriage less about an unwillingness to compromise and more about the differences in your families of origin and how you were raised? Is the all too common reaction of assuming that our own approach is right, so our spouse must be wrong making the rift bigger? Marilyn Harding joins us to take a look at what kinds of common arguments are likely caused simply by differences in expectations of how the family should operate and how to manage these differences constructively.

Marilyn Harding has been providing counseling services to the triangle for 20 years and holds specialized training in sex therapy and crisis and trauma therapy, as well as serving on the National Response Team for the American Association of Christian Counselors. You can find out more about Marilyn on the Life Care Counseling and Coaching website at LifeCareCC.com, or by calling 919.851.1527

The demands of a high-level executive or political job can often overrun a marriage, and leave the other spouse with the option of trying to pursue a career of his or her own and risk dividing the marriage, or solely being the stay-at-home parent and feeling unfulfilled, unappreciated, and trapped. Is there any way to avoid these pitfalls and bring both spouses together and stay engaged in a common goal?

Kathi Browne joins us to discuss the concept of being a “wingspouse” and making the career and marriage one of mutual involvement for both spouses. Kathi blogs about successfully investing in your spouse’s career on her blog at Wingspouse.com and also offers seminars that examine the best practices of being a wingspouse.

Social networks like Facebook and MySpace can be a great way to get in touch with friends and classmates from your past, but also make emotional and sometimes physical relationships that harm your marriage as easy as clicking and typing. Sage Navarra joins us to explore what makes these online relationships so appealing, what causes the emotional affairs to ensue, and steps you can take in your marriage to remove the temptation without forsaking your favorite online hang-out.

Sage is a Licensed Psychotherapist with a private practice in Chapel Hill, NC, where she provides psychotherapy for both individuals and couples on issues ranging from trauma and anxiety, to body image and intimacy. You can find out more about Sage and her practice on her website, at SageNavarra.com, or by calling her office at 919.929.3717

Changing jobs, or even careers has become a common occurrence in today’s economic climate and can be one of the most disruptive events in a couple’s relationship. Dr. Tina Lepage returns to the show to take a look at what makes these transitions so stressful to a marriage and shares tips on how to keep anxiety about schedules and income from creating tension and distance between you and your spouse.

Tina is the founder of Lepage Associates, where she focuses on personal and professional relationship issues, as well as children and family therapy, and personal growth. You can find out more about Tina and her staff by visiting her website at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling her office at 919.572.0000

When an argument is brewing, do you know exactly how it will play out before the first angry word is said? Are you constantly having the same argument over and over without ever resolving the root issue? Stephen Hawthorne joins us to examine why we avoid tackling the problems that cause us to have the same argument repeatedly and how to open up to your spouse and resolve these conflicts once and for all.

Stephen has been on the faculty of Duke Medical Center since 1977 and has operated his own private practice in Durham since 1981, where he specializes in psychotherapy services for adults, and children, ranging from chronic illness and depression, to sexual dysfunction and ADHD. You can find out more about Stephen by visiting his website at StephenHawthorneLCSW.com and by visiting his blog about his unique ABCTherapy at ABCTherapy.Wordpress.com

Divorce is almost non-existent in the Amish community, but is there anything we can learn from their approach without giving up modern life? Suzanne Woods Fisher joins us to discuss her latest book, Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World. In the book, Suzanne shares stories from the time she spent researching and living with the Amish and how their unique approach to marriage and family creates relationships.

For more information about the book, as well as Suzanne’s upcoming fiction and non-fiction books about the Amish, be sure to visit her website at SuzanneWoodsFisher.com, where Suzanne also blogs regularly. You can order Amish Peace here from Amazon.com or by calling 800-877-2665.

Has an affair left you unable to trust or respect your spouse, or are you concerned that a growing emotional distance between you and your partner may lead to infidelity? Dr. Stephen Frueh returns to the show to discuss what role each spouse plays in an affair and recovery and take a look at traditional views on blame and responsibility can drive a couple farther apart.

To find out more about Stephen’s speaking and workshops and to subscribe to his podcast, be sure to visit MarriageConversation.com, where you can learn more about his upcoming book, From Marginal To Magnificent: How to Make Your Marriage Sing. You can also check out his last book, With These Rings at Amazon.com. Stephen also recommends Bruce Derman’s We’d Have A Great Relationship if It Weren’t For You for any couple that feels their marriage is marginal.

Has the need to check one more email, take one more call, or watch one more episode made family time and one-on-one communication with your spouse an impossibility? Do you feel that your partner has tuned you out in favor of constant connectivity to things outside your marriage? Dr. Colleen Hamilton returns to the show to examine what constitutes a normal level of distraction in our day to day lives and both the causes and effects of disconnecting from the relationship on both you and your spouse.

Colleen practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC, where she specializes in interpersonal relationships, depression and anxiety, children’s therapy, and parent coaching. You can find out more about Colleen by visiting the Lepage Associates website, or calling her office at 919.572.0000

Is it inevitable that as a marriage matures, satisfaction and communication suffer, or are we simply ill-equipped to manage the emotional changes that are a natural part of relationships? Dr. Bryce Kaye joins us to explore the main reasons marriages lose their verve and how understanding the reflexive nature of our emotions can help repair them, as well as discussing his new book, The Marriage First Aid Kit.

Bryce has more than 35 years of experience in therapy and marriage counseling and has a private practice in Cary, NC and Oriental, NC. You can find out more about The Marriage First Aid Kit at the book’s website, MarriageFirstAid.com, and you can order a copy from Amazon.com by clicking here. To find out more about Bryce’s practice, visit his website at CaryCounseling.com

Where is the line between a normal concern for your spouse’s well-being, and micr0-managing his or her every decision? Are problems with respect and control solely the fault of the “parent” in the relationship, or do both spouses play a part in creating this kind of dynamic? Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones joins us to look at the control issues and maturity issues that can lead to this problem and discuss what both spouses can do today to start fixing this unhealthy pattern.

Katrina holds a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and has been practicing for over 10 years. Katrina practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC and can be reached at 919.572.0000, or by visiting LepageAssociates.com

With a baby on the way, life can become even more hectic than usual and your relationship with your spouse can be one of the first things to suffer. The physical changes can be hard enough to deal with, but what impact do changes in mood, increased responsibility, and the limelight (or lack thereof for dads) of pregnancy have on the relationship? Does the length of time you’ve been married before having a child make things easier? Dr. Kristen Wynns returns tot he show to take a look at how factors like length of marriage, number of other children, and emotional preparedness can impact intimacy with your spouse.

Dr. Wynns has a newly relocated practice in Cary, NC and specializes in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. You can find out more about Dr. Wynns practice and services at her website, KristenWynns.com, or by calling her office at 919.805.0182. Kristen also has a brand new blog called Marriage and Parenting 101 with great advice for parents.

Has weight become a “big” issue in your marriage? Is it leading to intimacy problems, control issues, and health concerns that you don’t know how to address?  It’s easy for a marriage to run into trouble when one spouse puts on a significant amount of weight but can be difficult to address in a compassionate and constructive way.  Dr. Susan Orenstein joins us to discuss what factors can contribute to weight gain in a marriage, the relationship between eating and emotions, and how to approach such a touchy subject without causing conflict.

Dr. Orenstein is a licensed Psychologist with a private practice in Cary, NC and a newly opened location in Chapel Hill, NC.  She also conducts the Stay Happily Married seminar series in Raleigh.  You can find out more about Dr. Orenstein at www.orensteinsolutions.com

Have you ever asked yourself if your spouse is the right person for you? Do you find that your marriage presents challenges you didn’t expect and wonder if you aren’t as “compatible” with your spouse as you thought? Rabbi Stephen Baars joins us to discuss why we have these feelings, what our expectations of marriage can do to influence them, and how to get back to the point of certainty you had when you first fell in love.

Rabbi Baars has been counseling couples on their marriages for over 20 years.  Rabbi Baars is dedicated to helping couples get on the right track to marriage success. You can find out more about Rabbi Baars seminars and lectures, as well as his book, Bliss: The Marriage and Parenting Book, at his website, www.GetBliss.com

Why is it so easy to blame the problems in your marriage solely on your spouse, but so difficult to examine your own contributions to problems in the relationship? Is it possible to improve the situation with your spouse by changing your own behaviors? Counselor and broadcast personality Carolyn Craft joins us to discuss how to improve our marriages by focusing on our own contributions to problems we blame on our spouses.

In addition to her private practice in Durham, NC where she specializes in communication, sexual issues, addiction, and grief/loss, Carolyn is an ordained minister and hosted a popular show on Sirius Satellite radio for 10 years. You can find out more about Carolyn’s broadcasting career at CarolynCraft.com and more about her counseling practice at www.unity.vpweb.com

Do you find that personality differences between you and your spouse lead to constant arguements? Is your passive or agressive behavior fueling your spouse’s behavior as well? Liza Shaw joins us to discuss the perils of both passive and agressive behavior and how you can be assertive – voicing your opinion without being abrasive and without letting your spouse walk all over you.

Liza is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist with a private practice in Hickory, NC, where she specializes in couples counseling, family counseling, and grief therapy. You can find out more about Liza and her practice at PowerToThrive.com – or visit PowerToThriveRadio.com for interviews and podcasts. You can also call her office at 828.328.4673

Flowers may be the de facto standard for Valentine’s Day or when you’re in the dog house, but can flowers or a special gift for no reason at all really win you points with your spouse? Ben Buie and Sharon Miller of Lake Boone Florist join us to talk about how to pick the right arrangement for your spouse, how you can add a personal touch for maximum impact, and some interesting flower delivery stories.

The pair also covers what you can do to get the best bang for your buck and if you don’t know where to start, Lake Boone Florist offers a handy flower dictionary on their website. You can find out more at LakeBooneFlorist.com, or by calling them at 1-800-677-6293

Do you feel that your spouse’s lack of appreciation is a sign that he or she is no longer happy with the relationship? Or is your spouse upset with your marriage while you think things are going fine? This dynamic can lead to feelings of betrayal that quickly spiral into much larger problems like suspicion and resentment that can be toxic to your relationship. Charlotte Michie joins us to discuss what role both spouses play in this problem and how you and your spouse can improve your trust and communication to revive the compassion in your relationship.

Charlotte holds Masters degrees in both Social Psychology and Social Work, and does both individual and couples counseling in her Cary, NC practice. You can find out more about Charlotte on her website, CAMichie.com, or by calling her office at 919.467.3661

Affairs or even the suspicion of an affair can drive a huge wedge into a couple’s marriage.  Author Peggy Vaughan joins us in studio to discuss her own experience with her husband’s affair as well as discussing how a married couple can get past the affair on their way to continuing a happy and fulfilling marriage.

Peggy is one of the country’s leading experts on the subject of affairs.  She’s appeared on television shows, in multiple magazines and newspapers, and has written numerous books on affairs and infidelity.  You can find out more about Peggy by visiting her website at DearPeggy.com.  You can also buy her book The Monogamy Myth: A Personal Handbook for Recovering from Affairs at Amazon.com.

Sometimes, the hardest part of getting to marriage counseling is taking care of the cost. Not knowing how counselors bill, or how much counseling will cost can end up putting more pressure on an already strained relationship. Dr. Tina Lepage joins us to discuss what options therapists provide and how to find the therapist that is right for you without spending an arm and a leg on initial sessions with different counselors, as well as how to find out when sliding-scale and pro-bono options are available.

Tina is the founder of Lepage Associates, where she focuses on personal and professional relationship issues, as well as children and family therapy, and personal growth. You can find out more about Tina and her staff by visiting her website at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling her office at 919.572.0000

Is your spouse restless, a snorer, or a night-owl? Do you sleep in separate beds because  you can’t agree on temperature or bedtime? Tina Lepage returns to the show to look at issues that couples face when sleeping in the same bed and the importance of creating a pleasant and relaxing bedtime experience with your spouse.

Tina is the founder of Lepage Associates, where she focuses on personal and professional relationship issues, as well as children and family therapy, and personal growth. You can find out more about Tina and her staff by visiting her website at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling her office at 919.572.0000

Is your marriage lopsided? Is one spouse so emotionally dependent on the other that it is causing tension and stress between the two of you? Jennifer Coleman joins us to examine the line between a healthy and unhealthy emotional dependence on your spouse and what you can do to identify and correct dependency issues in your relationship.

Jennifer is a licensed professional counselor and is a nationally certified counselor who practices with Eastover Psychological and Psychiatric Group in Cornelius, NC, where she works with couples, families and  individuals from young children to adults on issues ranging from depression, anxiety, relationship issues and life transitions. Jennifer is also a Life Transitions Coach with Rosen Law Firm, where she helps clients set goals and priorities to help manage their lives. You can find out more about Jennifer and her practice at EPPG.org

Has physical intimacy taken a back seat to other responsibilities in your marriage?  Have you tried rekindling the spark you and your spouse had when you were first married with little success? Terry Northcutt, Director of Marriage Enrichment Programs with the Family Dynamics Institute,  joins us to discuss how to strengthen that intimate bond and bring passion back to your marriage.  He also discusses the programs and seminars available that are designed to help married couples renew their intimacy.

Terry is a former senior pastor who now serves as the Director of Marriage Enrichment Programs  at the Family Dynamics Institute.    You can find out more about the Family Dynamics Institute and the multitude of courses and workshops they offer by calling 800-650-9995, or visiting FamilyDynamics.net and SaveMyMarriage.com.

Do you ever wish you could bring back the excitement and energy you and your spouse had when dating, or have you just accepted that your relationship won’t have the sizzle it did at the beginning? Author Lindsey Rietzsch joins us to talk about why you shouldn’t stop dating your spouse just because you are married and shares her favorite tips for putting the spark back in your relationship.

Lindsey started out designing and teaching self management and relationship courses, one of which was so popular that it inspired the book “How To Date Your Spouse”. You can find out more about Lindsey and her book on her website, HowToDateYourSpouse.com, which also includes Lindsey’s blog and relationship forum. Buy How to Date Your Spouse from Amazon.com

Do you find yourself in endless fights with your spouse that never seem to resolve anything? Or perhaps you never discussing important issues and just letting them fester. Dr. Colleen Hamilton shares strategies for putting an end to destructive fighting and turning conflict into a process that is both constructive and beneficial to the marriage, as well as discussing how much fighting is too much, and whether fighting in front of the kids is always a bad idea.

Colleen practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC, where she specializes in interpersonal relationships, depression and anxiety, children’s therapy, and parent coaching. You can find out more about Colleen by visiting the Lepage Associates website, or calling her office at 919.572.0000

What’s the secret to a lifelong marriage? Sheryl Kurland, author of “Everlasting Matrimony: Pearls of Wisdom From Couples Married 50 Years Or More”, joins us to share what she learned from the 75 happily married couples she interviewed for her book, and how to put their advice to work in your relationship.

You can find out more about Sheryl and the book on her website, EverlastingMatrimony.com, which also features information about the corporate seminars and relationship workshops she offers for employers. Order Everlasting Matrimony
now at Amazon.com

It would be nice to sit down with everyone for dinner or a discussion, but with everyone’s busy lives, is rounding up the family for some time together even possible? Dr. Kristen Wynns returns to the show to share her tips on working family time into a hectic schedule and discusses the importance of regular family communication (including the kids) on your marriage.

Dr. Wynns has a private practice in Durham, NC and specializes in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. You can find out more about Dr. Wynns practice and services at her website, KristenWynns.com, or by calling her office at 919.805.0182. Kristen also has a brand new blog called Marriage and Parenting 101

Is it possible to add the romantic flare of an epic fantasy to your daily life of work, carpool, and grocery shopping? Are big, gallant gestures always required to make your spouse feel loved, or are the smaller, every-day expressions of care and commitment more important?

Romance author Sonja Foust joins us to discuss what she has learned about being married from writing romance novels, as well as what being a romance author has taught her about marriage, and covers the importance of everyday romantic gestures and pitfalls of setting unrealistic expectations for yourself and your spouse. You can find out more about Sonja and her writing at her website, SonjaFoust.com

Financial stress can take a toll on even the strongest marriages and in today’s uncertain economic climate, the differences in spending habits between spouses, lack of a family budget, and everyday money issues put us all at risk of a meltdown.

Dr. Kim Kimberling joins us to discuss the money mistakes he sees couples making on a daily basis and shares his tips for keeping your bank account in the black and your marriage on solid ground.

Dr. Kimberling has been a professional counselor for over twenty years and is the President and co-founder of Family Christian Counseling in Oklahoma City. You can learn more about Dr. Kimberling and  his popular Prep for Marriage classes at PrepForMarriage.com. While you’re there, be sure to take a look at his latest book, Living the Marriage of a Lifetime, as well.

Lee and Kim also discuss Dave Ramsey’s excellent online financial resources, available at www.DaveRamsey.com

What used to require a secret trip to a shady newsstand and the risk of being spotted by a friend or neighbor is now just keyclicks away. With pornography becoming easier to obtain and less of a social stigma, has its presence become a stumbling-block in your relationship? Dr. Nicole Imbraguglio joins us to discuss the patterns and effects of pornography use in a marriage and the impact it has on both spouses, as well as how a couple can reconcile their feelings and behavior with one another.

Dr. Imbraguglio practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC and helps both adults and children with a wide range of emotional issues. She has provided counseling for individuals, groups, couples, and families. You can learn more about Nicole at LepageAssociates.com.

Apologizing can be a lot more difficult than it seems. Dr. Kristen Wynns joins us to discuss why some of us find it so hard to apologize to our spouses, the impact of always needing to be right on a marriage, why making your spouse believe your apology is for real can be difficult, as well as her 5 steps for a sincere and constructive apology.

Dr. Wynns has a private practice in Durham, NC and specializes in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. You can find out more about Dr. Wynns practice and services at her website, KristenWynns.com, or by calling her office at 919.805.0182. Kristen also has a brand new blog called Marriage and Parenting 101

Is your bedroom so cluttered or so spartan that relaxation and romance are simply impossible? Most of us are guilty of either filling up the bedroom with junk that won’t fit anywhere else, or treating it like a cold and sterile museum. Jenna Boyd joins us to cover common mistakes in bedroom organization and to share tips and simple changes you can make today to turn your bedroom into a stress-free haven for intimacy and romance.

Jenna is a certified practitioner of Feng Shui, a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, and contributor to PINK Magazine. You can find out more about Jenna at ElementsOfHarmony.com or by calling her office at 919.757.2732

Everyone has incidents where a spouse (either husband or wife) is resistant to cooperation or compromise. What kind of factors lead to this behavior? Do parents, social norms, or other factors have a bigger impact?

Dr. Tina Lepage joins us to discuss common issues where husbands and wives have disagreements and how to assess and resolve these issues. Tina is the founder of Lepage Associates, where she focuses on personal and professional relationship issues, as well as children and family therapy, and personal growth. You can find out more about Tina and her staff by visiting her website at LepageAssociates.com, or by calling her office at 919.572.0000

Choosing a marriage counselor can be a difficult and sometimes scary task. Where do you find a qualified counselor? Will your insurance cover therapy? How can you be sure that you and your spouse are getting the most out of therapy and that the counselor you have selected is a good fit for your relationship? Amy McMillan joins us to share some tips on where to look and what to look for in a prospective counselor.

Amy is a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor. She has been in private practice since 1999 at her Cary office and recently opened up a satellite office in Raleigh. To find out more about Amy and the services she offers, visit her at CaryBehavioral.com and BelieveInTherapy.com

Whether It’s picking up the kids, checking email on the blackberry, obsessing over a conversation at work last week, or worrying about what to do for dinner tonight – we’re all trying to do 100 things at once. It’s tempting to stay busy in an effort to feel productive, but what if all of this busyness is really causing more stress and anxiety?

Dr. Suzan Wasik joins us to talk about what happens to our quality of life when our minds are cluttered with everything and nothing at the same time, the impact that has on our relationships – especially marriage, and what you can do to keep your mind clutter free while getting more done and making your relationship with your spouse a top priority.

You can find out a lot more about Suzan at the Carolina Care and Counseling website, at CarolinaCareInc.com, or by calling the office at 919.676.1497. There is also a lot of great information at the SOMA Consulting website, where she offers small group workshops, organizational consulting, and retreats - ManagingTheMonkeyMind.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

We would like to thank you for listening to our show every week and wish you all a very happy Valentine’s Day. It’s rare that we have more than a few quick minutes in a day to really communicate with our spouses, but It’s important to take every opportunity we can to communicate. It seems like our fast-paced lives often make communication more difficult, but we have far more options now that make keeping in touch throughout the day a whole lot easier. Whatever you do for Valentine’s day, make sure that you do it together and take time to communicate. Thanks again!

Sometimes, a couple can’t wait to get the kids out of the house, but in other circumstances, when the children leave, feelings of loneliness can be amplified and there aren’t other family members around to serve as a distraction from other issues that are affecting a marriage. Susan Orenstein, Ph.D. joins us to discuss the positive and negative aspects of children leaving the home.

Susan is a licensed Psychologist with offices in Cary, NC and Chapel Hill, NC and you can find out more about her practice by visiting her website at OrensteinSolutions.com or calling her office at 919.654.7311

Is your living space having a negative impact on your relationship? Many couples would not think that the home environment itself can have an effect on marital bliss, but Jenna Boyd and Susan Orenstein, Ph.D. join us to discuss how clutter, color, and emotional distractions can create stress and tension that robs your marriage of intimacy.

Susan is a licensed Psychologist with offices in Cary, NC and Chapel Hill, NC and you can find out more about her practice by visiting her website at OrensteinSolutions.com or calling her office at 919.654.7311

Jenna is a certified practitioner of Feng Shui, a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, and contributor to PINK Magazine. You can find out more about Jenna at ElementsOfHarmony.com or by calling her office at 919.757.2732

Every marriage faces issues where one or both partners feel frustrated with the level of intimacy in the relationship, but these incompatibility problems can create bigger difficulties when spouses feel like they can’t bring up the topic with their partners. Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn joins us to discuss how you can bring up issues of sexual incompatibility with your spouse without creating a sense of pressure or rejection from either partner.

Katrina holds a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and has been practicing for over 9 years. Katrina practices with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC and can be reached at 919.572.0000, or by visiting LepageAssociates.com

Do you find youself immediately jumping to the conclusion that everything your spouse does is meant to upset you? Patty Newbold joins us to discuss how assuming that your spouse is acting out of love can prevent countless marital problems and give you a healthier perspective on your relationship.

Patty also covers how prone we are to locking into a very limited number of solutions to conflicts in our marriages and what you can do to find alternatives that not only solve the problem, but do so without creating more tension between you and your spouse.

You can find out more about Patty on her blog, AssumeLove.com and you can access her podcasts, ebooks, and teleseminars by visiting EnjoyBeingMarried.com

Married life can be hectic – are you taking time to cover the nuts and bolts of your relationship on a regular basis? Cory Huff from AGoodHusband.net and HusbandsAndDads.com joins us to talk about a weekly 4 Step Relationship Review that he has implemented in his marriage and the impact it has had on his relationship.

Cory discusses how he came up with the review, how to deal with a spouse who may be hesitant to participate, and important topics to cover, including finances, priorities, and obligations. You can read Cory’s article on the review here, and read his other articles at both AGoodHusband.net and HusbandsAndDads.com

Parenting can be tough and sometimes all your hard work can come at the expense of your spouse. It’s easy to neglect each other when you’re focusing on the children – the key is to save some of the focus for both of you. Rabbi Stephen Baars has been counseling couples on their marriages for over 20 years and joins us to discuss the BLISS program he designed to help couples manage the roles of both parent and spouse.

Rabbi Baars is dedicated to helping couples get on the right track to marriage success. You can find out more about Rabbi Baars seminars and lectures, as well as his book, Bliss: The Marriage and Parenting Book, at his website, www.GetBliss.com