In episode 101 of the Couples Expert Podcast Stuart talks about a subject that impacts many families and relationships; prescription drug addiction. It’s not a pleasant issue, but one that Stuart feels very strongly about. He has helped many couples overcome and repair the damage to their relationships caused by addiction.  Stuart discusses this problem and some solutions.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

This quote applies to recovery, repairing your relationship (making amends in the 12 step program) , and getting through your day without using drugs. You have to do it as they say, “One day at a time” , but sometimes you have to do it one hour , one minute, and one moment at a time If you can get through this moment and the next , you will eventually have hours, days, weeks and months of success.

In today’s Podcast you’ll learn:

• It’s never too late to start over [5:45]
• Addiction to prescription is not different from any other addiction [7:08]
• How addiction begins [8:44]
• Behavior of an addict [12:15]
• Treatment is available [15:30]
• Partners need to stay involved [19:16]
• Chronic Pain Sufferers are at risk [21:23]

Stuart hosts a weekend couples workshop monthly called Two Days, Seven Conversations – based on Dr. Sue Johnson’s Book Hold Me Tight®.  Register now for March and April weekends.  These workshops always fill up fast. Click the link here to register for your spot in an upcoming weekend. http://www.thecouplesexpertscottsdale.com/hold-me-tight/

Click here to view the complete show notes.

In the 100th episode of the Couples Expert Podcast Stuart does something a little different for this milestone podcast. He has invited a guest from the listening community to interview him and share the broadcast.  

Stuart’s guest on the show is Virginia Curtis, an equine professional who works in equine- assisted psychotherapy and learning, and is also on the Board of Directors for Project Spirit Equine Rescue and Rehab, a horse rescue in southern Oregon.

What you’ll hear today: 

• How Stuart got started as a podcaster
• Where he sources his themes and topics
• Stuart’s favorite episodes from the past 100
• His most embarrassing moments
• High profile guests from past shows
• What motivates him every week to do this podcast (It might surprise you)

You Make the Difference

Stuart mentions Episodes 88 and 93 as recent shows that really stand out as important to him. He also did a series on infidelity that he feels is very important to his listeners.  

Click here to view the complete show notes online

In this three Minutes with Stuart video, Stuart talks about the last year and half experience being the host of The Couples Expert Podcast. He also shares plans for the future for the show, introduces Stuart's Daily Notes and more.

Tune in as I talk about how kindness plays a role in being a good wife. I plan on doing another video about being a good husband in the future.

Let's face it. Men make mistakes. None of us are perfect, but when you are married..and this is why I appreciate my wife Debbie so much.. kindness after we men make a mistake plays a huge rule in keeping the emotional connection.

It can be easy to become frustrated with you partner, but being kind is a big part of showing love, appreciation and that you care. It also shows that you accept your partner even though they have made a mistake. Most people don't take it too well when someone reminds them of a mistake they made in an unkind way. This can be even more unsettling and even hurtful when it's done by the one person in the world that you expect to have your back and be there for you.

Some things that you can do as a wife to be kind to your husband is be quiet. Sometimes being quiet and listening without being critical is all that is needed or desired from your husband. Try to be empathetic and understanding.

When you see that your husband didn't have the best day a random act of kindness like preparing his favorite meal, or doing a chore that is normally his will have added effect. There are so many little kind gestures that you can do, as a wife, to show love to your husband.

Episode 99 of The Couples Expert Podcast is all about love and kindness, because that’s what we’re all about here at The Couples Experts. First we have Valentine’s Day (Podcast 98), and then this episode for Random Acts of Kindness Week. 

Random Acts of Kindness Week

In This podcast Stuart talks about showing kindness to your partner, not just one week in February, but all throughout the year, and how being kind to not only your partner, but everyone you meet can absolutely change your life for the better.

It seems like our world has become harder and colder in recent times. Let’s bring some kindness back into our everyday interactions with the people we love, and those we meet along the way! Never underestimate the power of a small act of kindness when it’s given unexpectedly. Our hope is that after you listen to Stuart today, you’ll commit to being a part of this kindness movement to make everything a little bit nicer.  

“Act from kindness but don’t expect gratitude” ~ Confucius

What you’ll learn from today’s episode: 

• Kindness should be cultivated at 7:30
• Kindness to others can make your day at 9:00
• How one city “pays it forward” at 10:27
• What kind of RAOK can you do for your partner at 12:00
• Small things can end up being the big things at 15:30
• Kindness is transformative at 17:32
• A challenge from Stuart at 19:39
• RAOK you can do as a couple 21:09

View the complete show notes here

Tune in and listen as Stuart talks about Random Acts of Kindness and a recent experience that his wife Debbie had while she was purchasing coffee, and how the act of kindness from one person effected everyone that was in the cafe in such a positive way.

Being kind, even in small ways, can have a huge impact on someone's day. It will even have an impact on how you feel and your day.

Episode 98 of The Couples Expert Episode is all about love, connections and Valentine's Day. Stuart talks about having a special Valentine’s Day that sends the right message. We all want to have the most close and connected relationship and be the best partner we can be for each other. Listen as Stuart talks about ways to have the best Valentine’s Day with the one you love. 

Celebrate your love on Valentine’s Day and every single day.

Quote: All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles M. Schulz

That’s because chocolate makes you feel like you’re in love. I will never understand people who say they don’t like chocolate. Chocolate makes a perfect Valentine’s Day gift because that sweetness makes us think of our loved one even after Valentine’s Day is over. 

What you’ll learn from today’s podcast: 

• We need Valentine’s Day as an excuse to focus on celebrating our relationship. 
• Valentine’s Day is about romance. 
• Stuart has been leaving gifts for Debbie in her car throughout the week counting down to Valentine’s Day and how she has reacted. 
• Even if you’re not romantic, you can learn how to romance your partner by paying attention. 
• How kindness changes our perception of our partner and how being a kind person is one of the best things you can be.
• What makes Stuart feel like a knight in shining armor? 
• What it means to have a close connected Valentine’s Day and how to choose the right gift for your partner. 
• How you can choose gifts that have the right meaning and intention behind the giving. 
• It’s ok to be corny and romantic on Valentine’s Day. 

It’s not enough to buy just material gifts for your partner. Gifts should also be symbolic of the depth of feeling that you have for each other. You want your partner to know that their happiness matters to you and the gift you choose is representative of that feeling. 

Click here to read the complete show notes.

In this extended episode of Three Minutes with Stuart, Stuart talks about the importance of being healthy and staying fit as a couple. Besides improved overall health which leads to less stress, sleeping better, and living longer, when you're healthy you're a better you which makes you a better partner in your marriage.

You might have made a New Year’s resolutions together as a couple to be healthier this year, and maybe you've already lost momentum. That doesn't mean you can't pick back up and achieve your goals.

It feels great to get out and move, especially after this long, cold winter that many of you have experienced. With spring just around the corner, it’s a great time to make some plans around how you and your partner can find some fun ways to stay fit together.

View the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw4CfIsod_Y

In episode 97 of The Couples Expert Podcast Stuart and Risa Ganel talk about physical and emotional health and how it relates to your relationship. Risa Ganel is a marriage and family therapist who practices in Columbia, MD. Listen as she and Stuart talk about physical and psychological health and the impact on love and relationships. 

What you’ll learn from today’s broadcast:

• Having a stable family background doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t have relationship problems at 6:00
• The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society trains people to run and cycle for fundraising with “Team in Training “ at 7:35
• Depression and anxiety can be directly linked to physical fitness 9:50
• Physical activity is a great anti-depressant at 10:41
• How physical fitness affects your relationship at 18:00
• How physical work figures into couples therapy 21:21
• Your partner may decide not to participate at 22:42

It’s amazing how physical fitness, physical health and feeling fit can affect you and your partner both. While it’s wonderful if you and your partner both can participate, it’s okay if only one partner is doing the work. It may or may not motivate your partner to get involved. What’s important is that you do it for you, so that you can be healthy and feel great. Of course you love your partner and want them to look and feel at their best so that you can have a long and healthy life together. Remember, working out isn’t about how you look, although that will change for the better as you make progress, it’s about feeling good and being healthy for a long and happy lifetime together.

 Click here to view the complete show notes

In Episode 96 of the Couples Expert Podcast Stuart discusses relationship issues and a little bit of history of the evolution of same sex relationships and acceptance of them in our society. 

Today’s show is “Love is Love”. One of the things that Stuart has found in his work as a couples expert is that same sex couples struggle with many of the same relationship challenges as straight couples do. There are also some unique problems and issues that gay marriages face that don’t affect their straight counterparts. Can gay couples find true love? Can they have happy marriages? Stuart answers these questions and more today on the podcast. 

Quote: Marriage should be between a spouse and a spouse, not a gender and a gender.

—Hendrik Hertzberg

We love who we love. There’s attraction, there’s chemistry and there’s all those things that draw you to an individual. Sometimes it’s a surprise when you find that the person you’ve fallen for is the same gender as you. For some it’s understood that they’ve always and only been attracted to the same gender. For others, gender has no bearing on it. Society likes to label these people as LGBTQ and so on. Beyond all the labels you’re really just in love. It’s a person not a gender, not a label. Love is love.  

Click here to view the complete shownotes