Most couples think their marriage is struggling because they don't know how to communicate. But what if the real issue isn’t communication at all?

In this first episode of The Marriage Essentials Podcast, Brett Nikula (licensed marriage and family therapist) shares the hard truth about why love alone isn’t enough to sustain a relationship—and what couples actually need to build connection, safety, and resilience.

You’ll learn:

Why the same arguments and patterns keep showing up

What a conflict cycle really looks like beneath the surface

How protective moves (like silence, defensiveness, or criticism) reinforce disconnection

What changed everything in Brett’s marriage

The foundational metaphor that shows how to build lasting connection

If you've ever thought “Why is this so painful?” or “Why does this keep happening?”—this episode is for you.

Links & Resources:
🎁 Free Workshop — Click here to watch The #1 Reason Marriages Struggle (and How to Fix It) 
🧠 Want to go deeper? Click here to learn more about the From Conflict to Connection course 
📲 Follow Brett on Instagram: @marriage_essentials