Episode 201 – Golden Rules for a Happy Relationship in 2026 (Part 1)

In this first episode of our new mini-series, we’re getting you “relationship match fit” for 2026.

Talk every day – silence creates distance

Fight the problem, not each other – you’re on the same team

We chat about how silence slowly wedges its way between you, even when you’re still talking about the school run, bins and bills. We’ll walk you through what to do if you’ve stopped really talking, how to take the first step when there’s been a stand-off, and why waiting years to deal with disconnection quietly erodes the foundations of your relationship.

We also explore what it actually looks like to be on the same team when you’re tired, stressed, in perimenopause, worried about money, or carrying old hurt. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about learning how to repair, reset and come back to each other when life (and your nervous system) feel like too much.

Why silence is an alarm, not a solution

The cost of waiting too long to get help

How to take the first step when you haven’t spoken properly in days (or longer)

Finding your voice when you’ve been the “silent peacekeeper”

Fighting the problem, not each other

Seeing your partner’s intent (and your own) more clearly

Stress, midlife transitions and perimenopause

Rupture vs repair

There is always a way to take one small step back towards connection, even if you start on your own.

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

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Welcome to the podcast! Sara and Anna are back, easing into autumn with slow mornings, hot drinks, and a chat about what happens when relationships lose their spark. From conflict tools to laughter yoga, this episode is filled with practical insights and real talk about keeping connection alive through all seasons.

Love Desk:

5 minutes for one partner to speak (no interruptions)

5 minutes for the other partner to share their perspective

5 minutes to talk it through together

We unpack:

Why uninterrupted listening changes everything

How most arguments derail because we’re too focused on defending, not hearing

Why five minutes might be more than enough when real listening happens

How the final five can be used for reflection, not forced resolution

The takeaway? Conflict isn’t solved by speed, it’s soothed by being heard.

Hot Topic: Why do couples stop having fun?

We explore:

The gradual drift from laughter to logistics

How life admin, parenting, and responsibility quietly squeeze out joy

Why some couples never stop having fun, and what they do differently

The link between emotional safety and freedom to be playful

Rediscovering what fun actually means to you, not just as a couple

From laughter yoga to calzones in a messy kitchen, this chat is a reminder that joy doesn’t need grand gestures, it needs space, curiosity, and connection.

Listener Question:

We unpack both sides of the story:

When jealousy points to insecurity versus when it signals disconnection

Why trust, self-worth, and healthy boundaries all matter here

How to raise the topic without accusation or shame

When to self-reflect and when it’s time for a calm, honest chat

Takeaway:

Till Next Time

Stay Connected

Welcome to a special deep-dive episode.

Sara & Anna are back, reflecting on the everyday reality of expectations. Where they come from, how they show up, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan.

Does life ever really measure up to expectation? 

We explore:

Reflection:

Sara and Anna share stories, laughter, and a few hard truths about:

Takeaway:

Life may never fully measure up to the picture we imagined, but joy and connection often live in the imperfect moments. When we let go of rigid expectations and focus on gratitude, curiosity, and communication, we make space for something more real and far more fulfilling.

Till Next Time

Stay Connected

Sara Liddle — [email protected] | www.inflori.co.uk

Anna Stratis — [email protected] | www.coachdocanna.com

Welcome to the podcast! Sara’s wrapped up in jumpers, Anna’s still basking in the Greek sun, and between autumn showers and Mediterranean peaches, we’re diving into the realities of love, life, and expectations.

Love Desk:

Three signs your relationship might have lost its spark (from Psychology Today).

We discuss:

Sara and Anna reflect on how love can shift from lightness to heaviness, and how to tell the difference between needing rest and needing change.

Hot Topic: Are we expecting too much from our partners compared to past generations?

We explore:

Listener Question:

“I overheard my husband arguing with our child, and my child was actually in the right. What should I do?”

We unpack how to approach disagreements between your partner and your children, including:

Takeaway:

Every relationship goes through transitions. The spark doesn’t have to fade if you stay curious, communicate openly, and remember you’re on the same side.

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected

Sara Liddle — [email protected] | www.inflori.co.uk

Anna Stratis — [email protected] | www.coachdocanna.com

Welcome to the podcast!

Sara & Anna are back with a fresh dose of conversation and reflection. From the vibes of city life versus island chill, to what keeps us awake at 4 am, to how advertising quietly shapes our romantic expectations, we’re diving deep this week.

Love Desk:

Why women began shaving legs and underarms (thanks to a Gillette campaign)

How De Beers convinced the world that diamonds = love

Hallmark’s role in making Valentine’s cards feel mandatory

The hidden pressure of sexual frequency “norms”

All raising the question: how much of what we think is romantic is really just marketing?

Hot Topic: Can men and women ever just be friends?

When friendship feels natural versus when boundaries blur

The role of jealousy and trust in how couples navigate opposite-sex friendships

Why “special energy” can be risky if it crosses into intimacy

The importance of keeping your closest bond sacred within your relationship

Where they disagree (yes, it happens!) and what it says about how different couples set boundaries

Listener Question:

Why co-parenting often involves ego clashes and value differences

How gifts link to love languages and what each parent is really trying to express

Ways to reduce conflict for the kids, who often feel caught in the middle

Practical steps for reframing conversations and moving forward

Takeaway:

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected

We’re back with late-summer vibes, a Jersey date-day report, and a conversation that matters: romance scams are on the rise. Think “Tinder Swindler” playbook, love bombing, urgency, and then the ask. We talk through what to watch for, how to protect yourself, and how to support someone you suspect is being targeted.

Digital distraction is invading quality time. Phones at the table, scrolling on the sofa, autopilot disconnection.

Ideological differences (values, politics, gender roles) are getting sharper and harder to bridge.

Hectic lifestyles erode intimacy when everything becomes logistics.

Childhood wounds show up as adult conflict patterns (attachment, defensiveness, shutdown).

We unpack how sophisticated romance scams work and why everyone is vulnerable, especially when lonely, stressed, or having low self-esteem.

“My partner never wants to make plans, and I feel unimportant. How do I raise this without sounding controlling?”

Invite a future-focused plan: “Would you be open to booking dinner next Friday?”

If they resist, get curious: “What comes up for you when plans are set in advance?”

Allow time for a maybe-to-yes shift; don’t react to the first “no.”

Aim for both/and: a couple of planned anchors each month plus room for spontaneity.

Phone-free meal or walk, just to talk.

One small plan made a week ahead (reservation, tickets, picnic).

If dating online: share new connections with a trusted friend; verify identities before you invest time or trust.

Till Next Time

Stay Connected

Welcome back to the podcast! Anna & Sara are feeling the summer heat (literally!) as they chat about the bittersweet slide into August. There’s a reflection on presence, ageing, and why Pilates torture can teach us about intentional living.

Love Desk:

The overload no one talks about – how invisible stress and daily mental loads kill desire

The mother-partner identity blur – when caregiving roles seep into romance

Old generation scripts that won’t die – outdated gender norms that still shape our expectations

With a dose of humour (yes, even about towel folding and dishwashing), we remind listeners why being intentional matters more than lacy underwear or quick fixes.

Hot Topic: Finding more time in your relationship

Why “time starvation” fuels disconnection and frustration

Creative ways to buy or swap time so you can reconnect

The difference between transactional time and quality presence

Why even folding laundry together can count (if you can resist critiquing how your partner folds the towels!)

Listener Question:

This week is all about intentionality. Whether it’s making time, showing affection, or choosing how you want to show up in your relationship, small, deliberate acts build trust and connection over time.

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Connection Guide → Download today

Till next time… stay connected.

Sara Liddle · [email protected] · www.inflori.co.uk

It’s mid summer and Anna is in mid summer village politics. Sara is second guessing her wardrobe! 

We are all pretending to get our five a day with Pimm’s and the British phase of “don’t pop your cork during a serve”

Love Desk: The one news that hasn’t passed you by! We also dive into a fascinating tale from a Coldplay concert that made global headlines, leading to heated discussions on relationships, privacy, and passion.

Hot Topic: Is the cost of living crisis stopping you from making some tough decisions? 

There’s an ongoing challenges of making significant life decisions in the face of financial pressures, such as weddings, buying a house, or even divorce. We tackle the impact of the cost of living crisis on relationship choices and emphasize the importance of finding balance and making mindful decisions.

Question: “I caught my sister in law flirting with her personal trainer. I left the gym, immediately told my brother and they got divorced. Was I right to tell my brother?”

What would you do if you were in this situation?

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected

Sara Liddle

[email protected]

www.inflori.co.uk

Anna Stratis

[email protected]

www.coachdocanna.com

Welcome to the Podcast!!

Anna & Sara are celebrating the longevity and dependability. Sara is suffering from peri and migraine, but they both still show up to bring the latest relationship insights and fun,

Love Desk: Would you turn up to a first date makeupless .....

It might take a bit of prep to look naturally good, are you for or against this latest trend? 

Hot Topic: Do you need space, or are you just avoiding? 

We unpack:

How avoidance can wear clever disguises

The difference between needing quiet and running away from hard conversations

Why recognising your own patterns can be trickier than you think

What avoidant behaviour can look like (hint: it’s not always obvious)

How your childhood and past relationships play a role in your current response to conflict and closeness

Question: "My partner flirts with other people when we’re out but says it’s harmless. Am I being too sensitive, or is this a boundary issue?"

We explore both sides, how to know if you're overreacting or if your gut is telling you something real, plus the red flags to watch out for in communication and defensiveness.

Whether you’re someone who loves your independence or you've found yourself pulling away without realising why, this episode will help you reflect with more clarity and compassion, for yourself and your relationship.

Book Link>> Attached by Amir Levine & Rachel Heller

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

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Anna Stratis

Welcome to the podcast!

We can hardly believe it… 200 episodes and we’ve still never met in real life.

In this very special episode, Anna and Sara raise a glass (and maybe shed a few happy tears) as they celebrate five years of the Geordie Lass & Doc Sass podcast.

From an online friendship to 200 episodes filled with laughter, love, and honest conversations. Today is all about reflecting on the journey so far and looking ahead to what’s next.

Sara is in the thick of wedding season and still soaking up the love bubble. Which is a great starting position to take a trip down memory lane. Please tune in and listen to how it started (entirely online) and led to a podcast that’s still going strong five years later.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this milestone episode:

Whether you're a long-time listener or brand new to the show, thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means the world.

Ready to reconnect in your own relationship? Download our free guide:

Stay Connected

Anna Stratis

Till next time!