Marriage & Motherhood - How To Reconnect With Your Spouse After Kids

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Trying to prove your point during conflict might actually be the thing keeping you disconnected.

In this episode, I talk about the mindset shift that helps couples stop repeating the same arguments and start functioning like true partners again.

If conversations in your marriage feel like power struggles, if you constantly feel misunderstood, or if every disagreement turns into defending yourself, this episode will help you understand why that happens and what to do instead.

In this episode I break down:
 • Why the need to “be right” creates more distance in relationships
 • The difference between protecting your ego and protecting your partnership
 • How curiosity changes the entire tone of conflict
 • Why understanding your partner matters more than winning
 • How compassion and emotional safety lead to better conversations
 • What healthy partnership actually looks like during disagreement

This episode is especially helpful for couples who feel stuck in repetitive arguments, defensiveness, resentment, or communication breakdowns after kids.

Resources Mentioned:
• Grab the Conflict to Connection Guide

For more personalized support, book a clarity call to learn how marriage coaching can help you here!

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Most parents are trying to heal what they didn’t receive growing up, but in the process, many are wondering if we’ve lost some of the resilience previous generations had.

In this episode, I'm joined by writer and creative entrepreneur Alice Park for a thoughtful conversation about parenting, resilience, emotional connection, and what modern families are navigating today.

Together, we explored:

• The difference between Tiger Mom parenting and gentle parenting
• Why many parents are trying to find a healthier middle ground
• Why modern parenting can feel emotionally exhausting
• Overcommitment, burnout, and protecting your family’s peace
• Raising kids who actually want a relationship with you later in life

Connect with Alice:
Instagram: @alicepark
The Crane Mother Substack
Her Photography Work: https://parkstudios.co/

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Just because you're talking things through with your partner, doesn't guarantee you're going resolve things.

If you and your partner keep having the same conversations on repeat, this episode will help you understand why.

So many couples think the issue is that they “just need to communicate more.” But what often happens is this:

You try to talk.
The conversation gets emotional.
Someone feels criticized.
Someone shuts down or gets defensive.
You both get exhausted.
And eventually… you stop talking about it.

Not because the issue is resolved.
But because you’re emotionally drained.

In this episode, I break down why so many conversations never actually lead to resolution and what’s truly missing underneath repetitive conflict patterns.

Tune in to hear me share:
• Why avoidance often comes from emotional exhaustion, not lack of care
• The difference between expressing feelings and actually resolving conflict
• How “me vs you” thinking keeps couples stuck in repetitive cycles
• Why emotional safety matters during difficult conversations
• The shift that helps couples move from surviving conversations to solving problems together
• Questions to ask yourself before and during conflict to create more productive conversations

If your conversations with your partner feel heavy, repetitive, or emotionally draining, this episode will help you start approaching conflict differently so you can feel more connected, supported, and like a true team again.

Resources Mentioned

• Download the Conflict to Connection Guide here!

For more personalized support, book a clarity call to learn how marriage coaching can help you here!

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Have you ever considered foster parenting?

In this episode, I am joined by Foster Parent Partner, Laura to talk about what foster parenting actually looks like behind the scenes.

Laura shares about the emotional realities of caring for children impacted by trauma, how foster parenting affects marriage and family dynamics, and the support systems that help foster families navigate the challenges that come with stepping into this role.

In this episode, we discuss:
• What foster parenting actually is and how the process works
• The emotional and behavioral challenges foster parents may encounter
• How foster parenting impacts marriage, work, and family life
• Why communication and flexibility matter so much in foster homes
• Common struggles foster families face that people rarely talk about
• The role of compassion, boundaries, and support systems

Laura also shares details about her book First Time Fostering, which helps hopeful and new foster parents feel more prepared and supported as they navigate the realities of foster care.

If you’ve ever wondered whether foster parenting might be right for your family, this episode will help you better understand both the beauty and complexity of the journey.

Connect with Laura:
https://www.youtube.com/@foster.parenting
https://youtube.com/shorts/gvU8Y4tNDD4
https://www.tiktok.com/@fosterparenting/
https://www.facebook.com/Foster.Parent.Partner

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

If it seems like your conversations with your partner always end in arguments and issues never get resolved, it's not that you need to talk more. It's that the way you two talk isn't working anymore.

In this episode, I break down why so many couples feel stuck repeating the same conflict patterns even though they communicate all the time.

The truth is, most couples are not lacking communication. They are lacking structure and emotional safety in the conversation.

Tune in to hear me share:

• Why conversations spiral even when you start with good intentions
• The communication pattern that keeps couples stuck in repetitive arguments
• Why “talking more” is not the answer
• How to stay anchored during difficult conversations
• A simple question that can completely shift the direction of conflict

Resources Mentioned:
Download the Conflict to Connection Guide here!

For more personalized support, book a clarity call to learn how marriage coaching can help you here!

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Grief changes everything. And most people were never taught how to navigate it, especially when it comes to child loss.

In this episode, I am joined by author and grief advocate, Jenny Kim, to talk about child loss, grief support, emotional capacity, and what grieving people actually need from the people around them.

Jenny shares the heartbreaking story of losing her six month old son Joey and how that experience led her to write Look to the Sky and the Grievers & Friends community.

Inside this episode, we cover:

• What grieving parents wish people understood
• Why “everything happens for a reason” can feel harmful in grief
• The difference between supporting someone vs trying to fix their pain
• How to show up when you don’t know what to say
• The “Ring Theory” concept for navigating grief support
• Why grief doesn’t go away and how capacity changes over time
• The emotional impact of child loss on parents and siblings
• How small acts of kindness can deeply support someone in grief
• Why emotional presence matters more than perfect words

Connect with Jenny:

Instagram: @whatjoeytaughtme
Instagram: @grieversandfriends
Website: www.grieversandfriends.com

Support Jenny's Kickstarter campaign at:
Grievers & Friends Official Website

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Part 2 of the mini series:  Why You Keep Having the Same Arguments and How to Actually Break the Pattern

Conflict is inevitable in marriage.

But arguing in circles, escalating every conversation, and walking away feeling more disconnected? That part is optional.

In this episode, I break down the foundational communication skill that changes everything in conflict: pausing.

If you and your partner keep having the same arguments on repeat, feel emotionally reactive during conversations, or struggle to resolve issues without defensiveness or shutdowns, this episode will help you understand why.

You’ll learn:

• Why most couples repeat the same unhealthy communication patterns
• How emotional dysregulation escalates conflict
• Why “pausing” is one of the most important relationship skills you can build
• What happens when couples learn to slow down and collaborate instead of react
• A simple practice to help you respond more intentionally during difficult conversations

If you’re tired of feeling like roommates, constantly misunderstood, or emotionally exhausted after every disagreement, this episode will help you start shifting the pattern.

Resources Mentioned:
Download the Conflict to Connection Guide here!
Book a Clarity Call here!

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Keeping your kids safe isn’t just about rules, it’s about your relationship with them.

In this conversation, I got to chat with Child Safety Strategist, Francesca Douglass Franco to talk about what actually protects kids in today’s world.

If you’ve ever worried about your child’s safety, online exposure, or how to prepare them for independence without scaring them… this episode will completely shift how you think about it.

Because the truth is…
The safest kids aren’t the most restricted.
They’re the most connected and aware.

In this episode, we cover:

•  What predators actually look for in children 
•  The surprising trait that makes kids less of a target 
•  How to build deep connection so your child feels like they can come to you about anything
•  Why self-trust and intuition are critical for safety 
•  The role of generational healing in protecting your kids 
•  How to teach situational awareness without fear 

Grab her journal here! Use code marriage&motherhood to get $5 off!
Download her Child Safety Guide here!

Attend her Humansave Quarterly Human Trafficking Training on May 21 from 11-12pm Pacific Time via Zoom here! The focus will be on parents' role in the fight against trafficking.

Connect with Francesca:
Websites: francescadf.com and humansave.org
IG: @francesca_douglassfranco and @humansave_org

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Let us know how you enjoyed this episode!

Part 1 of the mini series: Why You Keep Having the Same Arguments and How to Actually Break the Pattern

Arguments don’t fall apart at the end. They fall apart in a moment you’re not noticing.

If you’ve ever felt like your conversations go from calm to chaotic in seconds, this episode will help you understand why.

In part two of this mini series, I’m breaking down the exact moment conflict escalates in your relationship and what’s actually happening beneath the surface when things suddenly feel out of control.

Because it’s not random.
It’s not you or your partner being “too much.”
And it’s not that your relationship is broken.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to interrupt the pattern in real time so you can shift from reacting to responding and finally start having productive conversations again.

What you’ll learn:
- the exact moment conflict actually breaks down
- why arguments feel like they escalate “out of nowhere”
- what’s happening in your nervous system during conflict
- how to stop mirroring your partner’s intensity
- a simple micro shift that changes the entire trajectory of a conversation

If you’re tired of having the same fight on repeat, this is where things start to change.

Help yourself set your conversations up for success by grabbing my Conflict To Connection Guide here!

Ready to end the pattern and rewrite a healthier one for your marriage? Book a clarity call today to learn how my Connected Partnership Framework can help you!

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

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Midlife doesn’t ruin marriages. It reveals what’s been ignored.

If you’ve ever looked at your relationship and thought
“How did we get here?”
or
“Why does everything suddenly feel so hard?”

You’re not alone and your marriage isn’t broken.

In this episode, I’m joined by Somatic Life Coach Mikki Gardner to unpack why so many couples experience tension, resentment, or even separation during midlife and what’s actually happening beneath the surface.

We talk about the emotional load many women carry, how years of self-silencing lead to disconnection, and why midlife often becomes the turning point where everything that’s been buried rises to the surface.

More importantly, we walk through what you can do now to navigate this phase intentionally so your marriage can evolve instead of unravel.

What You’ll Learn:
- Why midlife changes feel sudden (but aren’t)
- The real reason resentment builds in long-term relationships
- How self-betrayal quietly erodes connection over time
- What it actually looks like to communicate needs effectively
- Why “saying something” isn’t the same as creating change
- How to start shifting your relationship without blowing it up

Connect with Mikki:

Website: https://www.mikkigardner.com/
Podcast: https://www.mikkigardner.com/podcast
Instagram: @mikkigardner

Thanks for listening!

Connect and send a message letting me know what you took away from this episode: @michellepurtacoaching

If you would like to support this show, please rate and review the show, and share it with people you know would love this show too!

Ready to put a stop to the arguments in your marriage?  Watch this free masterclass - The #1 Conversation Married Couples Need To Have (But Aren't)

Support the show