In this heartfelt episode of Monarch for Love, host Michelle Hays gets personal and real about a common but often unnoticed relationship trap—the stories we tell ourselves. Whether it’s “He doesn’t care,” or “She never listens,” these inner narratives shape how we feel and respond in our marriage—but they’re not always true. Michelle shares candid examples from her own marriage, walks you through how to pause, reflect, and reframe those stories with love, and gives you practical tools to communicate your needs without blame. If you’ve ever felt unseen, overworked, or misunderstood, this episode will offer a powerful shift in perspective—and a loving reminder that love is a decision. 🔗 Website: www.monarchforlove.com
📘 Book: www.awakenedheartsbook.com
📸 Instagram: @monarchforlove

In this empowering episode of Monarch for Love, Michelle sits down with Bradley Rausch, host of the Redefining Growth podcast, to explore what it really takes to move from emotional overwhelm to intentional change—especially in relationships. Bradley shares his signature frameworks for navigating life’s hardest moments, including the 3A’s of growth: Awareness, Acceptance, and Adaptability, and his CRAFT method for building emotional resilience. Together, they dive deep into radical responsibility, what people get wrong about the word “toxic,” and how to stop reacting from old patterns and start choosing new, more connected ways to love.Whether you’re stuck in emotional loops, struggling to speak your truth, or simply want deeper connection with your partner, this conversation is packed with insight, truth bombs, and tools you can use today. 🔗 Website: www.monarchforlove.com
📘 Book: www.awakenedheartsbook.com 
📸 Instagram: @monarchforlove

Let’s face it—talking about sex in marriage can feel awkward, vulnerable, and even risky. But avoiding the topic only creates distance.

In this heartfelt episode, Michelle Hays gets real about the fears, miscommunications, and silent stories we often carry around intimacy. She shares her own personal journey with initiating these conversations, and offers practical, compassionate ways to start safe, honest, and connecting dialogue with your spouse.

Whether you've felt rejected, unsure how to bring it up, or just want to feel closer again, this episode will give you the mindset shifts, conversation starters, and encouragement you need. Because love is a decision—and intimacy is part of that choice.

Stay connected with Michelle:
 Website: www.monarchforlove.com
Book: www.awakenedheartsbook.com
Instagram: @monarchforlove

In this lighthearted yet deeply insightful episode, Michelle Hays shares a personal story that every couple can relate to—when one partner needs to process out loud and the other retreats into silence.

Through her real-life example with her husband Brian, Michelle unpacks the differences between internal and external processors, and how those differences can either create emotional distance or deeper connection.

You’ll walk away with a new understanding of how to honor your partner’s style without taking it personally, and how to bridge the gap with curiosity instead of criticism.

Stay connected with Michelle:
 Website: www.monarchforlove.com
Book: www.awakenedheartsbook.com
Instagram: @monarchforlove

Are your thoughts heavy with resentment? Are you withholding forgiveness?

In this week's episode, Michelle Hays talks about how forgiveness lifts the weight and brings hearts back together. Hurting each other is inevitable—but forgiveness is the bridge that reconnects our hearts and releases the heavy burden of resentment.

Michelle explores how true forgiveness creates space for healing, growth, and deeper connection. She also shares the hidden dangers of holding on to unforgiveness, the myth that time alone heals, and practical steps to begin the process. You’ll also learn what forgiveness is not, so you can stop avoiding it and start using it as a tool for transformation in your relationship.

Stay connected with Michelle:
 Website: www.monarchforlove.com
Book: www.awakenedheartsbook.com
Instagram: @monarchforlove

This Week on Monarch for Love

Michelle Hays dives into one of the most misunderstood (and underused) relationship skills: validation. You'll learn what it really means to validate your partner—without surrendering your own perspective.

Michelle explores why so many people avoid validating their spouse, how validation differs from agreement, and why creating emotional space is essential for healthy communication.

If you want to feel more heard and more connected in your relationship, this episode is for you.

Stay connected with Michelle:
 Website: www.monarchforlove.com
Book: www.awakenedheartsbook.com
Instagram: @monarchforlove

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This Week on Monarch for Love

We’re packing our bags—and maybe a little patience—as we dive into the world of travel and relationships. I’m honored to be joined by luxury travel planner Shari Kavalin, founder of Elegant Escapes Travel.

Whether you’re a spontaneous adventurer or a meticulous planner, Shari shares how couples can navigate different travel styles, build stronger connections, and turn every getaway into a chance to grow together. She brings fun stories, helpful tips, and insight into how thoughtful planning (with a dash of flexibility) can make travel more meaningful and less stressful.

Follow Shari on Instagram: @vacationshari

Learn more about Monarch for Love: monarchforlove.com
Check out Michelle's bestselling book: awakenedheartsbook.com
Follow Michelle on Instagram: @monarchforlove

In this week's episode, Michelle Hays explores the six pillars of intimacy that keep love strong, connected, and enduring. From emotional safety to shared vulnerability, you'll discover how to nurture the kind of intimacy that deepens your bond and enriches your relationship. Love is a journey—and these timeless truths will help you invest in it daily, with intention and heart. 

Stay connected with Michelle:
🔗 Website: www.monarchforlove.com
📘 Book: www.awakenedheartsbook.com
📸 Instagram: @monarchforlove

🦋 In this special episode of Monarch for Love, Michelle Hays welcomes her beloved Aunt Fran Robinson—91 years young and full of timeless wisdom.

As a widow who spent decades in a devoted marriage, Aunt Fran opens up about love, loss, and what truly matters in a relationship. Her simple truths and heartfelt stories remind us that love is a decision we make every day—and that it’s never too late to learn how to love well.

Whether you’re newly married, in a long-term relationship, or navigating the pain of grief, Aunt Fran’s reflections will warm your heart and inspire your soul.

✨ Stay connected with Michelle:
🔗 Website: www.monarchforlove.com
📘 Book: www.awakenedheartsbook.com
📸 Instagram: @monarchforlove

Do you ever feel like you're doing everything for everyone—hoping for love, recognition, or simply to belong? In this heartfelt episode of Monarch for Love, Michelle Hays is joined by special guest Sanaiyah Gurnamal, a Relationship Reinvention Coach, to explore the deep emotional patterns behind people pleasing and the transformative power of self-love.Together, they unpack why so many of us seek validation outside ourselves and how that impacts not just our marriages, but our sense of identity. If you’ve ever struggled with over-giving, emotional burnout, or feeling unseen, this conversation is a loving invitation back to yourself. Because real love starts within—and when you choose yourself, you create space for deeper, healthier relationships all around you.