What a show today! I get to interview Rhonda Jolliffe, the founder of rhondanp.com.  What's so great about the show today? We have one of the most honest and frank conversations about menopause ever!  Rhonda has great insight for women who might be experiencing menopause but we also address how menopause impacts a relationship and what to do about it.

About 20 years helping women through menopause

The creator of rhondanp.com

Get a free course, just visit rhondanp.com/smalley

Understand the positives of menopause.

Does menopause help creativity for women?

What are some of the best things women can do for menopause?

Tips for husbands with wives going through menopause.

Andropause, it’s the menopause for men!

My co-host Seth takes over the show today! 

Seth wants to talk about ending well.

Every good thing sometimes comes to an end

Dating, marriage, business, etc.

How to end well

“Ending well means intentionally setting aside time for reflection and acknowledgment, time to name the cost, the enormity of the work and everything that has gone into it, and name the moments of grace and beauty that helped carry us through.” The Allender Center

Don’t dismiss it or avoid it

Embrace the awkwardness

Don’t lie

What are your favorite memories?

My co-host Seth takes over the show today! 

Seth wants to talk about ending well.

Every good thing sometimes comes to an end

Dating, marriage, business, etc.

How to end well

“Ending well means intentionally setting aside time for reflection and acknowledgment, time to name the cost, the enormity of the work and everything that has gone into it, and name the moments of grace and beauty that helped carry us through.” The Allender Center

Don’t dismiss it or avoid it

Embrace the awkwardness

Don’t lie

What are your favorite memories?

A single guy asked a question for the show that hit some serious buttons for me.  I wouldn’t say I’m angry, because I’m not, but I am definitely worked up because I feel like single Christian people get themselves into the most ridiculous situations because...well, I’ll save the rest for the show.

“My ex girlfriend and I have been in and out of a relationship for the last two years. we recently started talking again. The reason for the in and out is because she went on a missions trip and started to feel like God may be calling her to full time ministry in another country. We both want to get married but everything that she feels God has been doing in her life over the past two years doesn't allow us to grow in our relationship because of the lack of security of not knowing if she will even be around for much longer if God "calls her" to the mission field. She has been unsure of her calling and doesn't know for sure if God is calling her so she's been pursuing different opportunities and something legit seems to be in the works. I'm open to full time ministry if God were to lay it on my heart but he hasn't in the way he has for her. And I don't think it's right for me to pursue ministry just because I don't want to lose her. The way things are now is that we don't talk every day. We talk as I say, "consistently, inconsistently." It's really been a waiting game to see what God does. I guess my question is, is this something she just needs to make a decision on or keep waiting for God to open the right door? I believe she's worth the wait but I struggle if it's the wise decision. Please advise!”

A single guy asked a question for the show that hit some serious buttons for me.  I wouldn’t say I’m angry, because I’m not, but I am definitely worked up because I feel like single Christian people get themselves into the most ridiculous situations because...well, I’ll save the rest for the show.

“My ex girlfriend and I have been in and out of a relationship for the last two years. we recently started talking again. The reason for the in and out is because she went on a missions trip and started to feel like God may be calling her to full time ministry in another country. We both want to get married but everything that she feels God has been doing in her life over the past two years doesn't allow us to grow in our relationship because of the lack of security of not knowing if she will even be around for much longer if God "calls her" to the mission field. She has been unsure of her calling and doesn't know for sure if God is calling her so she's been pursuing different opportunities and something legit seems to be in the works. I'm open to full time ministry if God were to lay it on my heart but he hasn't in the way he has for her. And I don't think it's right for me to pursue ministry just because I don't want to lose her. The way things are now is that we don't talk every day. We talk as I say, "consistently, inconsistently." It's really been a waiting game to see what God does. I guess my question is, is this something she just needs to make a decision on or keep waiting for God to open the right door? I believe she's worth the wait but I struggle if it's the wise decision. Please advise!”

“You've talked about taking a timeout when things get too heated. I feel my husband uses this phrase as a way of avoiding the problems we face. Unfortunately, communication in our marriage has become so unpleasant and difficult that timeouts have become a lifestyle and we have virtually no communication. I'm talking like years and years, at least 15. At this point I feel we have no connection and no relationship, along with so many unresolved issues I don't even know where to start. We have been married for 35 yrs. I don't want to give up, but I do not want to live the rest of my life with a hostile stranger. HELP!”

If this sounds like you...then listen to the show.

“You've talked about taking a timeout when things get too heated. I feel my husband uses this phrase as a way of avoiding the problems we face. Unfortunately, communication in our marriage has become so unpleasant and difficult that timeouts have become a lifestyle and we have virtually no communication. I'm talking like years and years, at least 15. At this point I feel we have no connection and no relationship, along with so many unresolved issues I don't even know where to start. We have been married for 35 yrs. I don't want to give up, but I do not want to live the rest of my life with a hostile stranger. HELP!”

If this sounds like you...then listen to the show.

Today we take on one of the shortest, yet intense questions asked by a listener yet! I’ll just let you read it for yourself, “Is there a walking away point in marriage?”  I don’t know...is there? We’ll answer this question on today's show.

“My wife wants a divorce, I do not. She wants the four kids and I am supposed to move out. I want reconciliation, she says ‘No chance, ever!’ What do I do?”

Respect the boundary even though it seems counterproductive

Give her the space she is demanding

Let her know you would love a chance to hear what you can do to repair the relationship, but you’ll be patient till she is ready

In the meantime

Get help

Counseling, mentor, discipleship

Make changes

She needs to see and experience the change...not hear about it

Let your actions do the talking for you

Listen to our series A Hero’s Guide to Winning Back Your Wife

https://www.smalleyinstitute.com/blog?tag=hero%27s+guide+to+winning+back+your+wife

Today we take on one of the shortest, yet intense questions asked by a listener yet! I’ll just let you read it for yourself, “Is there a walking away point in marriage?”  I don’t know...is there? We’ll answer this question on today's show.

“My wife wants a divorce, I do not. She wants the four kids and I am supposed to move out. I want reconciliation, she says ‘No chance, ever!’ What do I do?”

Respect the boundary even though it seems counterproductive

Give her the space she is demanding

Let her know you would love a chance to hear what you can do to repair the relationship, but you’ll be patient till she is ready

In the meantime

Get help

Counseling, mentor, discipleship

Make changes

She needs to see and experience the change...not hear about it

Let your actions do the talking for you

Listen to our series A Hero’s Guide to Winning Back Your Wife

https://www.smalleyinstitute.com/blog?tag=hero%27s+guide+to+winning+back+your+wife

On Saturday Night Live, a character named Stuart Smalley used to say, “I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and dog gone it people like me.” I’m not sure we’ve ever had a better introduction to the show...ever! Today we discuss the benefits of talking to yourself and how it can positively impact your relationships.