Have you ever gone through a season in your marriage where things felt… quiet? Not in a peaceful, cozy way — but in a Where did we go? kind of way.

 Maybe you’re in that season right now. Conversations feel dull or distant. You’re both going through the motions. You’re wondering if the connection you once had is gone for good.

 This week on the podcast, I’m sharing a reflection that’s been stirring in my heart during Holy Week — one I believe might speak directly into that space.

 It’s about Good Friday.
The silence.
The sorrow.
The waiting.

 And how that part of the Easter story — the part most of us would rather skip — might just mirror what you're walking through in your marriage.

 But here’s the hope:
God is still working in the silence.
He is not done writing your story.
And nothing — not even the parts that feel lifeless — is beyond redemption.

 This episode is a gentle invitation to sit with the pain, listen for God’s whisper, and believe again in the possibility of resurrection… even in your marriage.

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Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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Let’s say you bought something this week—a new pair of shoes, a few Amazon “add to cart” moments—and didn’t tell your spouse. Not because it was a big secret, but because… what’s the point, right?

Guess what...
Most of us aren’t intentionally lying in our marriages.
But we’re often not fully telling the truth either.

We leave out the small stuff—spending, frustrations, unmet needs—because we’re trying to avoid conflict or protect ourselves from judgment. But those little omissions? They slowly pull us away from the very intimacy we crave.

This week on AwakenYou in Your Marriage, I’m talking about what it really means to be open and honest in your relationship—and why this kind of vulnerability is one of the most important things you can practice.

We’ll explore:

• Why we hold back (even when we think it’s “not a big deal”)
• How hiding creates cracks in the foundation of your marriage
• What it looks like to start being more honest in small, safe ways
• How to prepare your nervous system for the discomfort of truth—and the connection that follows
• A real-life example of how one couple began opening up about their spending

If you’ve ever felt like you and your spouse live beside each other more than with each other… this episode is for you.

And if you’re ready to take this deeper in your own marriage, book a Courageous Love Conversation with me. We’ll gently uncover where honesty and connection might be waiting for you.

To truth, trust, and a deeper kind of love,

Christine

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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Resentment and blame can quietly build in a marriage until one day you realize you’re not just frustrated—you’re disconnected, discouraged, and maybe even questioning whether things can ever feel good again.

In this episode, we take a gentle but honest look at how resentment starts, what it looks like in everyday marriage dynamics (even the “small” stuff), and why it leaves you feeling powerless and stuck.

You’ll learn:
🌱 What resentment really is and how it shows up in subtle ways
🌱 Why we blame our spouse—and how it keeps us from healing
🌱 Real-life examples that might sound uncomfortably familiar
🌱 Steps to start releasing resentment and shifting into a place of ownership, peace, and loving communication

If you’ve ever thought, “I do so much, and they don’t even notice…” or “If they would just change, I’d feel better…” this episode is for you!

You’ll walk away with clarity, compassion for yourself, and a roadmap for making things feel lighter and more connected—no matter where you’re starting from.

👉 Listen now and begin the healing process that leads to the marriage you actually want to be in.

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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You know that subtle ache when your spouse is right there… but still feels far away?

This week on AwakenYou in Your Marriage, I’m talking about what it really means to reconnect in your marriage—and why it so often feels harder than it should.

Because for many, it’s not that you don’t want to feel close again… it’s that you’re not sure how to bridge the growing gap—especially when your spouse doesn’t seem to feel the same urgency you do.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through:

• Why disconnection creeps in slowly—and why it’s rarely about one big thing

• What it actually looks like to reconnect (hint: it’s not just about more time together)

• Why one partner often feels the disconnection long before the other

• What to do when it feels unsafe to be vulnerable

• And how to start rebuilding closeness… even if your spouse isn’t on board yet

This episode is especially for the one in the marriage who’s starting to notice how lonely it feels—and wants to take the first steps toward something better.

You don’t have to wait for your spouse to be ready. You can lead the way.

And I’ll show you how.

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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I know the journey to a healthier, more connected marriage can feel slow. Sometimes it feels like you’re doing the work, showing up differently, choosing patience, and yet… nothing seems to change.

Maybe your spouse still reacts the same way. Maybe old patterns resurface. Maybe you wonder if all this effort is even worth it.

I want you to stop for a moment. Breathe.

And hear this: The work you are doing matters.

Even if you can’t see the full transformation yet.
Even if your spouse hasn’t changed in the way you hoped.
Even if you’ve stumbled along the way.

Healing and growth don’t happen in an instant. They happen in the quiet, unseen moments—the ones where you choose to listen instead of react, where you pause before frustration takes over, where you remind yourself that change is a process, not a destination.

And if you’ve put the work down—if you’ve felt discouraged and stopped trying—it’s not too late to pick it back up.

Because here’s the truth: Every small effort is shaping the marriage you’ll have a year from now.

Think about that for a moment.

What if, a year from now, you could look back and see that your patience, your persistence, your choice to keep going—despite the setbacks—created a deeper, more loving, more secure connection than you ever thought possible?

It’s not just possible—it’s inevitable if you commit to the process.

So today, I want to encourage you:

• Keep going, even if the change feels slow.
• Keep choosing love, even when it’s hard.
• Keep believing in the marriage you desire, because it is within reach.

And if you need support in this process—if you need someone to help you stay the course—I’d love to have a Courageous Love Conversation with you.

You don’t have to do this alone.

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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Have you ever wished your spouse would just see their part?

You try to talk about the struggles in your marriage, hoping they’ll acknowledge how their actions (or inactions) are affecting you. But instead, they dismiss it. Defend themselves. Maybe even turn it back on you. And you’re left feeling unheard, unseen, and like you’re carrying the weight of the relationship all by yourself.

I know that feeling. I lived it.

For years, I felt like I was the one always reflecting, always working, always trying to figure things out—while Jeff seemed… fine. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, but he wasn’t seeing his part in our struggles. And because of that, I stayed in a protective stance, bracing myself for disappointment.

Until something shifted.

For the first time, Jeff admitted his own brokenness in a way I had never heard before. And in that moment, something inside me changed. My body relaxed. My heart softened. And I felt a sense of safety I didn’t even realize I was craving.

So I sat down with Jeff for an open, honest conversation about what changed.

• Why was it so hard for him to admit his own struggles before?
• What was actually going on inside of him when he resisted seeing his part?
• And what finally helped him get to a place where he could take ownership?

I didn’t hold back in this conversation, and neither did he.

If you’ve ever wondered why your spouse doesn’t seem to see their own contribution to the disconnection, or if you’ve been waiting (and waiting) for them to finally get it, this episode is one you need to hear.

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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Ever feel like you’re the only one trying to improve your marriage?

It seems as though you’re constantly reflecting, adjusting, and trying to make things better—while your spouse seems unaware or unwilling to see their part? Maybe they shut down, get defensive, or act like you’re the one making a big deal out of nothing.

It’s frustrating. Exhausting. And it can make you feel completely alone in the relationship.

But why does this happen?

Why is it so hard for some people—especially men—to admit their own brokenness?

This week on the podcast, I’m diving into this question. Because when one spouse refuses to acknowledge their contribution to marital struggles, it creates a wall that keeps the relationship stuck. The other partner is left feeling unheard, unseen, and reluctant to change because why should they be the only one doing the work?

The truth is, many people—men in particular—have been conditioned to see admitting fault as a weakness rather than a strength. They’ve been taught that being a “good” spouse means providing and protecting, not necessarily self-reflecting and taking emotional responsibility.

And when they do start to see their part, it can feel overwhelming—like they’re failing or disappointing the person they love. So instead of leaning in, they push back.

In this episode, I’m unpacking:

• Why taking ownership of our flaws feels so difficult.
• How this resistance impacts the marriage dynamic.
• What creates safety for BOTH spouses to be honest about their struggles.
• And how even one person can start to shift the cycle in a healthier direction.

But that’s not all—I’m also bringing Jeff into this conversation.

Next week, I’ll be sharing a raw and honest interview with him about this very dynamic. We’ll talk about what was going on inside of him when he struggled to admit his own brokenness, what finally shifted for him, and what he would say to other spouses who feel stuck in this cycle.

This follow-up episode is going to be a powerful one—especially if you’ve ever wished your spouse could just see their part in the struggles.

So first, listen to this week’s episode to lay the foundation, and then get ready for next week’s conversation with Jeff.

Have you ever felt like your spouse just doesn’t see their part in the struggles? 

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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Have you ever brought up something important to your spouse, only to suddenly find yourself on the defensive?

Maybe you wanted to talk about feeling overwhelmed with household responsibilities, and before you know it, the conversation flips—now you’re reassuring them that they do enough. Or perhaps you ask for more quality time together, and instead of responding to your request, they fire back with, “Well, you’re always on your phone!”

That’s blame shifting—or what I like to call turning the table. It’s a subtle but powerful way conversations get derailed, leaving both partners feeling unheard, frustrated, and disconnected.

In this week’s podcast episode, I’m breaking down:
✔️ What blame shifting actually is and why it happens
✔️ 6 common ways it plays out in marriage (you might be surprised!)
✔️ How to recognize when you might be doing it
✔️ The first steps to changing this pattern and staying in healthy communication

This is one of those eye-opening dynamics that, once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And that’s a good thing—because awareness is the first step toward creating real connection in your marriage.

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend or your spouse—because the more we understand these patterns, the easier it is to break free from them.

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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Have you ever had a moment where your spouse did something small—ignored a request, seemed distracted, didn’t respond the way you hoped—and suddenly, you found yourself way more upset than you expected? Maybe you lashed out, shut down, or felt deeply hurt over something that, logically, didn’t seem that big.

It happens! And there’s a reason this happens.

In those moments, your reaction isn’t just about your spouse—it’s about something deeper. It’s about a younger part of you, a part that learned long ago how to protect itself when love or attention felt uncertain.

Maybe as a child, you had parents who were physically present but emotionally distant. Or maybe you grew up feeling like you had to fight to be seen and heard.

Fast forward to today, and your nervous system still remembers. So when your spouse seems disconnected or unresponsive, your body reacts—not just to them, but to all the times you felt unseen before.

In this week’s episode of AwakenYou in Your Marriage, I’m talking about what’s really happening when small conflicts turn into big emotional reactions—and how you can start recognizing and responding differently.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why certain interactions with your spouse feel more painful than they “should”
✅ How to recognize when your inner child is reacting instead of your adult self
✅ Simple steps to pause, reparent yourself, and shift into a response that creates connection instead of conflict

This is a powerful shift that can change the way you show up in your marriage—and help you move from frustration and resentment to deeper understanding and connection.

Here’s to seeing yourself—and your marriage—with new eyes. ❤️

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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Have you ever wanted to bring something up with your spouse but hesitated—afraid it would lead to an argument, defensiveness, or even more distance?

This is a common relational dynamic and today I want to help you break this cycle so you can break through to the relationship you desire. 

Many couples struggle with confrontation because they’ve never learned how to approach tough conversations in a way that actually strengthens their relationship.

That’s exactly what I’m tackling in this week’s podcast episode:
🎙️ The Art of Loving Confrontation

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why confrontation doesn’t have to be a fight but an act of love
✅ The hidden patterns that keep couples stuck in hurtful cycles
✅ A step-by-step process to bring up hard topics without triggering defensiveness
✅ How to pause and respond instead of react when emotions run high
✅ Why avoiding confrontation actually damages intimacy in the long run

If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting to speak up and fearing the fallout, this episode will give you the tools to approach those moments with clarity, confidence, and care.

CBS News Interview: 6 Tips For A Healthy & Loving Relationship

Unlock deeper connection in your marriage with my free guide, Daily Prompts for Deeper Connection with Your Spouse—get it now!

Start feeling more connected and loved in your marriage today with my free Reclaim More Love in Just 3 Days process. This process will have you learning how to shift your focus, in a healthy way, and nurture thoughts that build connection and transform how you feel about your marriage.

More resources and how you can start the process of Awakening(YourTrue)You and being the partner who creates your best version of what marriage looks like for you: https://christinebongiovanni.com/

Join my AwakenYou newsletter for weekly marriage tips and early announcements of upcoming offerings.

Book your free Courageous Love Conversation here.

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