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In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and colleague Dr. Stephen Cervantes—Doctor Marriage—to explore the vital roles of empathy, attunement, and responsiveness in relationships. We share personal stories and practical tips for husbands who want to connect more deeply with their wives. 

Dr. Cervantes explains how empathy means “practicing sadness with someone,” and we discuss how attunement and responsiveness help build emotional closeness. Whether you’re new to these skills or looking to grow, this conversation offers encouragement and real-life tools for nurturing a more compassionate, Christ-centered marriage.

To get daily insights from Stephen, visit DoctorMarriage.org.

Topics Covered in this Episode:

• Importance of empathy, attunement, and responsiveness in marriage counseling.
• Definition of empathy as "practicing sadness with someone" and its role in emotional connection.
• The significance of being present with a partner during their emotional struggles.
• Clarification of empathy in a Christian context, equating it with compassion.
• The necessity of having the right emotional tools for genuine connection in relationships.
• The concept of attunement as matching a partner's mood and emotional state.
• The role of nonverbal communication in attunement and emotional connection.
• The importance of responsiveness after attuning to a partner's emotional state.
• The impact of emotional presence on healing and deeper connection in relationships.
• The ongoing nature of learning and practicing these skills for emotional growth in marriage.

More Resources:

• Daily Thoughts from Doctor Marriage
• Building True Intimacy* by Drake and Raabsmith
• Help Her Heal* by Carol J. Sheets

Related Podcasts:

• Early Recovery Couples Empathy Model
• Emotional Insights for Men
• The Three Phases of Couples Recovery

*This is an affiliate link. Be Broken may earn referral fees on purchases through this link.

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