Richard Helen is one of those people where every time he opens his mouth, you want to grab a notepad and write everything down. We met through a men's group, and I've been trying to get him on the podcast ever since.

Richard's story isn't what you'd expect. He grew up in a small town in Texas, joined the military at 19, and discovered leadership in a way that completely changed his life. But it wasn't just about leading others—it was about learning to lead himself first. Through counseling, reflection, and a lot of hard work, Richard discovered how the way he was raised shaped the way he showed up in relationships. And once he understood that, everything changed.

This conversation is one of the most practical episodes we've ever done. If you've ever struggled in a relationship—whether it's with your spouse, your kids, or even yourself—this episode will give you real tools to work with.

Richard breaks down what a healthy relationship actually looks like, how to communicate when emotions are running high, how to rebuild trust after you've broken it, and why so many of us keep attracting the same type of person over and over again.

What We Talked About:

• How the military taught Richard about leadership and serving something bigger than himself

• The five agreements every healthy relationship needs (spiritual, emotional, financial, sexual, and parenting)

• Why emotional intelligence is the foundation of every relationship

• How to communicate during conflict without tearing each other down

• The rules Richard and his wife created to fight fair in their marriage

• How to apologize the right way (and why most apologies don't work)

• Rebuilding trust after you've broken it—and why you can't rush the process

• Why counseling isn't just for broken people—it's for anyone who wants to grow

• How to heal from your past so you don't keep bringing it into new relationships

• Why you can't expect someone else to validate what only God can

Richard has been married three times, and he's the first to tell you that his past failures made him the man he is today. He doesn't regret any of it—because without those experiences, he wouldn't be able to help the people he's helping now.

If you're locked up right now and thinking about the relationships you've damaged or the ones you want to build when you get out—this episode is for you. Start working on yourself now so you're ready when the time comes.

Connect with Richard Helen: Website: RichardHelen.com Books available on Amazon (search Richard Helen)

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And remember — you're loved, you're forgiven, and there's nothing you can do about it.