Conversations with Dr. Jennifer

The ability to self-author is a crucial developmental milestone—one that many adults struggle to achieve. To self-author is to develop an inner moral compass. It is to develop the self-trust that can guide us in making principled, honest choices in the face of life’s challenges without dependency on others to tell us who to be or what is true. 

Our bodies are incredibly wise.

In this episode, Dr. Finlayson-Fife answers audience questions about the impact of sexual trauma on relationships and well-being. She explores the body’s self-protective response, the impact on our sense of self, and how those who have experienced trauma can move toward healing.

* What resentment is trying to teach us

When you or your loved ones' relationship to faith shifts, it can feel as though the world is collapsing beneath you.

Because, in a very real sense, it is. 

When we are early in our development (which most of us are) our primary concern is feeling a sense of safety and then belonging in our social groups. So when our thinking no longer aligns with our faith community (or family, or spouse), it pushes on the very question of who we are and whether or not we still belong in our group.

These are uncomfortable questions but ones that are fundamental to our moral and spiritual growth.

When we are courageous enough to sort out our own relationship with faith and God we can forge a better internal compass and a deeper relationship to our own integrity. It is in our willingness to live honestly, even when we risk disappointing others, that we can develop a faith robust enough to withstand the complexities of living and loving in an imperfect world.

Save $100 on The Art of Loving Retreat!

* Rebuilding trust after betrayal

* Understanding compulsive sexual behavior

**Join us for our 2024 Couples' Retreat! Save $200 with code JFF!**

In the presentation, Dr. Finlayson-Fife discusses how we can bridge divides with those who think differently by showing genuine care, listening with humility, and seeking to understand others' experiences, using their perspectives to broaden our own.

Dr. Finlayson-Fife emphasizes that, while we cannot make people think the way we think, we CAN care about each other despite our differences. This connection not only expands our own understanding, but strengthens our ability to work to solve our shared challenges, which is key to thriving in our families, communities, and society

**Save $100 on any of our upcoming 2024 events with code LIVE**

When we get married, most of us imagine a life full of connection and companionship. But when you feel overlooked, unchosen, or disappointed by how your spouse shows up emotionally or sexually, marriage can start to feel lonely and isolating.

In this hour-long Q&A session, Dr. Finlayson-Fife answers questions from those feeling unchosen, isolated, and disconnected in their most important relationship. 

Listen in as Dr. Finlayson-Fife answers the following:

* Is loneliness a normal part of marriage?

* What are reasonable expectations for emotional connection with a spouse?

* How can I create more connection when my spouse doesn’t make any efforts?

* Can an "okay" marriage ever become a passionate one?

* What can I do if I feel unseen, unliked, unappreciated, and unchosen in my marriage?

**JOIN US FOR OUR 2024 COUPLES' RETREAT!**

Too often, we enter marriage with expectations of what it will provide for us, without fully understanding the promise we are actually making—to love someone who is dramatically different from us.

When we first fall in love, this seems easy enough, but as we face the difficulties that come when two individuals start the real work of creating a life together, resentment, anger, and even hostility can creep in.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

In this NEW episode, Dr. Finlayson-Fife joins Rachel Nielson of the 3 in 30 podcast to discuss three actionable takeaways to help couples become better partners and strengthen their marriages. The discussion covers the important role of self-confrontation in happy relationships, the importance of staying kind and constructive when facing disappointments and differences, and the vital role that sexuality plays in a marital partnership.

**Straddling / Indecision is one of the new losing strategies introduced in the 2024 Strengthening Your Relationship course update! Learn more HERE!**