Connecting Couples

Have you ever tried to explain something to your partner, but they just don't understand? What if you could both speak the same language? In this episode, Chad and Angela give you practical tools around how to articulate your experience to your partner in a way that will be understood. First, Chad breaks down his acrostic PERMS about how you are feeling- Physically, Emotionally, Relationally, Mentally and Spiritually, then Angela discusses how to rate your emotion or feeling on a scale of 0-10 so that your partner will understand precisely the level of urgency needed in the response. Possibly one of their most practical podcast episodes... you won't want to miss it. 

For more information about Chad and Angela, check out: www.therealimhoffs.com

Have you ever felt that you were clearly communicating yet your partner just wasn't understanding? It happens in all relationships. No matter how clear you try to articulate, sometimes the words just don't mean the same thing. In this new mini-series, Chad and Angela normalize the very common practice of misunderstanding. They not only give you examples to relate to, but they also set up the conversation for you and your partner to have about finding more clarity in the areas where you've misunderstood. Check it out. 

For more information about the Imhoffs, go to: www.therealimhoffs.com

There are clearly things that can be done to schedule, planning holidays, vacations, having budget talks, keeping a family night, going on dates... but underneath all of the events that are calendar worthy, there needs to be a secure foundation. In this final episode of their Marriage Maintenance series, Chad and Angela discuss the importance of having an understanding about some of the fundamental things. The values and principles that make the two of you who you are as a couple and as a family. They'll share practical ideas to safeguard the relationship that means the most to you. Check it out. 

To contact them or read more about Chad and Angela, go to: www.therealimhoffs.com

Its the small things we do on a daily basis that can really have an impact on how our connection feels. In this episode of their maintenance series, Chad and Angela discuss things you can do each and every day that will help you stay more in tune and in touch with your partner. From being intentional about exits and entries, to including rituals like praying or calling when you are on the way home, listen as Chad and Angela give some of the most practical and tangible ideas around making daily investments to your connection. 

Daily Bread Prayers Both Partners develop a short but crucial habit of praying 3 things every day

Step 1 is OUT LOUD- Each spouse takes a turn. 1. Together- pray protection for each other and the marriage. Every day. • This can be a serious time with intentional focus, or it can be short and mechanical (check the box for the day). • In most marriages there should be some of both. The marriage itself is something that should be prayed for by both parties every day ‘God protect my (husband/wife’s) heart and mind, and protect our marriage…’ AMEN

Step 2 and 3 are alone and don’t have to be out loud- On your own time. 2. Forgiveness- In the form of a prayer, speak forgiveness over your spouse. Every day. • This should be done during times of struggle and times of success. • If applicable, speak details of a specific offense, if not it serves as a daily re-commitment to maintaining a posture of grace toward your spouse. “I choose to forgive _____ today for letting me down, disrespecting me, etc… 3. Blessings- Pray blessings for each other about specific spiritual things. Every day. • This intercession – by its truest definition is to stand in the gap for your spouse. • Praying over their weaknesses/insecurities and struggles. • This also emphasizes the importance of each spouse letting the other party know about their current spiritual condition so it can be prayed for (text, phone calls, emails…)

(Ryan Rana, Ph.D, LPC, Marriage and Family Therapist)

Monday hits and it's already Friday. The weeks come quick and are filled with lots of opportunities to connect that we often miss. In this episode of their Marriage Maintenance series, Chad and Angela discuss the intentional ways we can connect in the midst of the business. From weekly rituals like a special night out to eat to the anticipation of connecting physically throughout the week, join them as they give cue up a conversation you and your partner can have about making your weekly run more efficiently. 

For more about Chad and Angela, check out www.therealimhoffs.com

In this episode of the Marriage Maintenance Series, Chad and Angela share the practical and necessary conversations to connect with your partner on a regular basis. Maybe its a monthly date night or sitting down with the calendar to see what this quarter holds. Either way, without these conversations events can sneak up on a couple and get them into a negative cycle. The Real Imhoffs cue up the conversation for you and your partner to have that will help these events go more smoothly. 

For more information about Chad and Angela, visit their website at: www.therealimhoffs.com

How do you and your partner ensure that yearly events in your relationship go as smoothly as possible? From the fun things, like your wedding anniversary or birthdays, the boring things, like taxes and planning, and even the sometimes hard things like life events you grieve each year or places where your negative cycle shows up around annual events. In this second episode of the Marriage Maintenance Series, Chad and Angela give examples of the importance of conversations around yearly things and cue up a topic for you and your partner to discuss. 

For more information about Chad and Angela, visit their website at: www.therealimhoffs.com

The Real Imhoffs shift gears a little in this series to cue up conversations that are preventative in nature. Just like a vehicle needs proactive care, like oil changes and tune up, marriages that take the time to 'tune up' have the best chance at running the most efficiently and connected. Join Chad and Angela in this first episode of the Marriage Maintenance Series as they share a few examples from their own relationships and also encourage you to have a conversation with your partner where together you assess areas you already do well and areas you'd like to give attention to.

For more information or to contact them, check out: www.therealimhoffs.com

When you get sick, can you let your partner know what you need or how you prefer to be cared for? When your partner gets sick, do you feel you have a good idea of how to the best caregiver? In this final episode of their series "Sick At Home", the Imhoffs cue up a conversation about sharing how you feel and what you need in times of sickness. Being sick or having a sick partner creates enough distress on its own, trying to have the conversations then can often be trying, but talking about them ahead of time and making a plan give you a chance to have less conflict when sickness happens. Check it out. 

For more information about Chad and Angela, check out www.therealimhoffs.com

Sometimes the best way to know how you will responds is to review how you have responded. In this episode of their "Sick At Home" series, Chad and Angela encourage a conversation about how you and your partner have typically responded to each other when one of you gets sick. Has it been a good experience, or is their room for improvement, not only on the part of the caregiver to show empathy and show up for the sick partner, but also for the sick partner to share what their needs are? Check out this discussion about "Tendencies While Sick."

For more information about the Imhoffs, go to their website: www.therealimhoffs.com