The Empowered Wife Podcast: Marriage Help with Laura Doyle

Let's say you get a diagnosis for your husband. So you finally know What's Wrong with Him. But what if his being passive aggressive or bipolar, exhibiting adolescent syndrome, or having ADD, OCD or NPD is not what keeps you sleeping in separate rooms or has every conversation turn into an argument? Imagine that the real issue were something completely unexpected, like it was in my lonely marriage. Today it's as if my husband never had a deficit disorder, even though he was diagnosed with and medicated for an incurable one years ago. Turns out that treating the illness is not what got me closer to feeling connected and cherished. In my experience, it's something YOU can change that will have his face light up when you come home and have him chasing you into the bedroom. On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we're talking about how to cope when he's mentally ill.

During our free Adored Wife Challenge twice a year, where we all experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills™ together for five days, I interviewed Virginia, who has had such a powerful transformation in her marriage that I knew I wanted you to hear it. I'm excited that Virginia agreed to let me share with you what she did so you can do the same things to make your marriage thrive.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week had one of my students sobbing when her marriage counselor prescribed it. No wonder since this exercise only heightens the unpleasantness and hopelessness.

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

If you're having a breakdown in your marriage, you may just be playing out a pattern you learned in your family. Whether your parents are divorced, never married or are married to this day, maybe they don't have the kind of marriage you want to emulate. There probably was no Relationships 101 at school, so where were you supposed to learn how to have a good marriage? Most of us do get our early training in relationships from our families since our first relationships were with our parents and siblings.

I unwittingly copied my parents' recipe so well that I ended up with a miserable marriage, at which point I nearly got divorced, just like my parents had. And if I hadn't found some new and better training on relationships, I'm confident my marriage wouldn't have lasted and all of my other relationships would also be suffering.

Fortunately, there have been modern advances in revitalizing relationships that weren't available to our parents, who had the TV show All in the Family with Archie Bunker to study from. On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we're talking about 3 ways to break your family patterns.

During our free Adored Wife Challenge twice a year, where we all experiment with the 6 Intimacy Skills™ together for five days, I interviewed Heather, who has such a hopeful and engaging story that I knew I wanted you to hear it. I'm excited that Heather agreed to let me share with you what she did so you can do the same things to make your marriage thrive.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from an article titled "Empowering Relationship Advice for Women," but it should be called "Exhausting Relationship Advice." If the effort in your relationship isn't 50/50, this advice is a reliable way to cause distance or an outright fight.

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

If you're anything like I was, some fights come up in your relationship more often than a hit song plays on Top 40 radio. You don't want to have the same fight over and over, but it keeps happening. You're just talking about the leftovers from dinner and next thing you know, your mother–who isn't present–is involved, and you're both yelling things you would be embarrassed to repeat. It makes you question whether this relationship is even sustainable because these blow-ups are so draining and painful. And so distracting from the things you were planning to do because the fight keeps replaying in your head. Happily, you don't have to stay stuck in wall-to-wall hostility or a week-long cold war. On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we're talking about 3 moves to restore peace after a fight.

Twice a year we host a free Adored Wife Challenge, where we all experiment with applying the 6 Intimacy Skills™ together every day for five days. As part of our Challenge, I interviewed Alison, who was so inspiring and authentic that I knew I wanted you, dear podcast listener, to hear what she did to make her marriage last. So we asked her permission, and Alison agreed to let me share it with you! She's going to reveal what she did so you can do the same things to make your marriage thrive.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is part 2 from an article on how to get your husband to take out the garbage, guaranteed to kill the romance and make you sound like a condescending, nagging kidney stone of a person.

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if marriage came with an easy-to-follow instruction manual? But since it doesn't, most women bumble along trying out relationship advice from the hair salon, well-meaning friends or even strangers at bars. There's a lot of bad relationship advice floating around disguised as "common sense." Maybe that's why so many marriages are falling apart. On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we're talking about 3 Mistakes Wives Make Trying to Get His Time and Attention. I'll share how to get the consideration you want the way you want it.

My guest Darla's marriage felt like a cold war mixed with moments of peace. The lack of intimacy was excruciating, but she didn't know how to break out of it. Then she learned about a secret affair from five years ago, back when she was a new mom. But today she feels like she's in love! The intimacy is great. Her husband flirts with her and says he feels butterflies when he kisses her. She's going to tell us exactly how she did it.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about how to get your husband to take out the garbage, but this advice should be left at the curb on trash day.

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

An affair is a betrayal that hurts like crazy and seems impossible to recover from, both personally and as a couple. It's human to want to make him hurt too, to yell and throw things. As you desperately seek relief from the sharp ache, the doorway marked "End this relationship!" will look like the fastest way to stop the hurt. Unfortunately, the hurt won't die with the end of the relationship. Fortunately, you can absolutely end your suffering and save your marriage. On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we're talking about how to get past cheating. I'm going to share 3 specific ways you can recover and make your relationship better than ever.

My guest Marybeth had been happy in her marriage for years and never dreamed anything would go wrong. But after a serious car accident and a death in the family, things started to fall apart. Her husband was so angry and detached that she didn't see how her marriage would ever get better. She was terrified. But she decided to do things she had never done before to have the relationship she'd never had before. Today her marriage is full of laughter and love, and she says it's a source of strength and confidence that she has turned it all around. She's going to tell us exactly how she did it so you can do it too.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a well-known magazine's advice columnist who advises her dear reader what to do about her husband not helping when she asks.

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Over twenty years ago I was shocked to find out that I could single-handedly make my crumbling marriage thrive using the 6 Intimacy Skills. I felt a strong desire to share this information with other women, the only way that I could get myself to stick to the new practices myself. A lot of women reached out for help, but without a team of coaches or any structure at that time, I got completely overwhelmed. So, I'm not proud to say, I ran away. I'll share why the Intimacy Skills weren't enough for me on today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, where we're talking about 3 Insights from 20 Years of Empowering Happy Wives.

My guest Milcah refused to be intimate with her husband, who was cold, critical and so tight with money he would not contribute financially except for rent. She was just waiting for her five kids to grow up so she could file for divorce and get away from him and his parents, who put her down and made fun of her. But today she says she's married to a cute, generous, loving man who brings her flowers and says wonderful, kind things. Same guy! They love to sit in the garden and talk, and she says the change is unreal. She's going to describe the steps she took so you can do the same thing.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a well-meaning PhD and professor who explains how to know if you're falling out of love. Like you need a quiz to tell you that! But wait until you hear what he says is a very bad sign. This approach guarantees more loneliness.

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we're talking about the weirdest, scariest--and probably most indispensable--ingredient for creating intimacy. I'll share how to inspire others to help and protect you, take care of you and support you--without being weak, submissive or acting like a doormat.

My guest Ch'vaun's marriage was deeply lonely and felt like a rollercoaster ride. She knew that trust and respect were missing but had no idea how to get them back. But when she discovered what respect really looked like to her husband, he went back to doing all the great things he used to do when they fell in love. Today she says she could cry because she feels so loved. She's going to tell us what she did so you can do it too!

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a well-known syndicated columnist. If you're resentful and angry because your man isn't contributing, she'll give you the map straight to the victim swamp.

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

When I started fixing my marriage, I really didn't want my husband to know! And I know I'm not alone here. It's nice to have the freedom to experiment without your husband asking about it--or being your armchair coach. The last thing you want is having an experiment go wrong and hearing "I told you so!" Especially from the very person you so want it to go right with!

If you too are experimenting behind your husband's back, should you ever come clean about it?

On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast we're talking about why so many women keep it a secret that they're fixing their marriage. I'll also share which Intimacy Skill they use when they do let the cat out of the bag.

My guest Stephanie was unhappy in her marriage and exhausted by the constant tension. Moments of physical intimacy were few and far between. Then she found out there was another woman. Fortunately, she made a discovery that gave her hope to save her marriage. Unfortunately, when she changed the way she interacted with her husband, he reacted with anger and frustration. But today, she feels light and free, and her 25-year marriage feels like a gift that keeps getting better. She's going to tell us what she did so you can do it too.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is so cringey and unpleasant it would just make everyone avoid you if you followed it.

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

In the bad old days, when my husband John and I used to fight all the time or have cold wars, there was plenty of drama. It wasn't much fun, but I was used to it. When I finally discovered The Six Intimacy Skills, along with the Connection Framework of a community and paying forward what I was learning, our house became peaceful but strangely quiet. I was uncomfortable and felt like something was missing. Often a client has the same dilemma: The relationship is going great, her husband is sweet and affectionate. But she feels restless and bored, wondering if maybe she doesn't have much in common with him after all. On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we're talking about how to fix this problem and keep drama out of your relationship.

My guest Annie's marriage was a mess. She and her husband had been separated for seven months, there was another woman, and the divorce papers had been filed. But then she started some new practices. Slowly, her husband came closer. He initiated calls and visits with her more and more, until eventually, the other woman just went away. Annie's sweet husband not only returned, their marriage is better than ever. Now they're making plans to have another baby! She's going to share what she did to get rid of that other woman and transform her marriage into the one she always dreamed she would have.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is from a syndicated advice columnist who suggests doing something that I tried many times, but it never, ever worked. Join me in rolling my eyes at this inept suggestion!

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Whenever a student tells me that she's having a lot of conflict in her relationship or feeling hopeless about it, there's one question I always ask. It's the same question I ask myself if my husband is bugging me. Then he doesn't seem so bad; in fact, he seems pretty funny and sweet. And I forget what I was irritated about. On today's episode of The Empowered Wife Podcast, we're talking about the #1 indispensable practice for a lasting marriage. I'll share what to do when your relationship feels stressful and ridden with conflict.

Within their first year of marriage, my guest Liz's husband told her he was already thinking about other women and that marrying her had been a mistake. She struggled with anger and depression for the next fourteen years while he stayed on the fence the whole time. But today things are light and easy when they're together, he spends more time at home and is quick to fulfill her desires, and they enjoy extremely passionate physical intimacy. She's going to tell us exactly what she did to cause a 180-degree change in her marriage.

The Worst Relationship Advice of the Week is about how to make sure your partner isn't "micro-cheating." I can't wait to make fun of this sensible-sounding but silly suggestion!

Download the FREE Adored Wife Roadmap now and start transforming your relationship today! Click here: lauradoyle.org/roadmap

Here's what you'll get:

• 6 SIMPLE steps to bring back playfulness, passion, and connection to your marriage.

• The 3 COMMON mistakes wives make when trying to fix things (and how to avoid them!).

• A clear, actionable plan to create the joyful, loving marriage you deserve.

Don't wait—your playful, passionate marriage is just one click away.

Get started now: lauradoyle.org/roadmap