Inside of this week’s episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast I am resharing one of our favorite episodes time to welcome the new year – I’m making a case for the power of fresh starts and do-overs.

Because of my background in HR, I love to make connections between marriage culture and corporate culture. 

Living in a society where productivity and accomplishment are deified we often have both external and internal narratives where mistakes are seen as problems, not opportunities. 

Mistakes often require taking risks and trying new things, and in corporate culture it is often safer to fawn or appease and do everything possible not get caught being wrong vs to simply say, I was wrong about that, how can I do better or this is the plan I made with what I learned from this….

Doing this thousands of times at work will often make it our default go to at home.

What if instead of protection or repeating mistakes without learning from them, we create a marriage culture of do overs? 

Of course correcting any time we are off track instead of after years of building a resentment mountain.

That is what this episode is about. Creating a new way of dealing with messups that brings more closeness and connection every time we coure correct. 

This episode makes the case for do-overs as a healthy part of your marriage culture.

A do-over is exactly what it sounds like: a request to do something over again because it didn’t go quite the way you wanted it to go the first time. 

But how do you just do something over in your marriage? Isn’t it more complicated than that?

It’s a lot simpler than you think, and this episode will tell you exactly how to do it.

In the episode, I share:

• what a do-over is,

• the rules of do-overs, and 

• how and when to ask for one.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Thriving Authors Podcast Interview

• Episode 5 - Requests vs. Demands

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

Today’s episode is so epic. Do you remember growing up wanting to be the best at something? 

Then actually becoming the best at that thing and then being surrounded by people you absolutely loved because they were both the BEST and LOVED that thing the same way you did?

I know we just all have at least one story like that. 

Today you are witnessing one of mine. 

In today’s episode, I had the absolute honor of chatting with Mar Talanquer, a superstar coach in Latin America. She literally writes a column for Mexican Glamour. Yes, the magazine. 

Mar is a visionary coach and pioneer in somatic and nervous system work, and her mission is nothing short of extraordinary: to help women break free from societal “spells” that hold us back and embrace the full, unapologetic power of who we are.

Mar shared her revolutionary concept of the eight “spells” that patriarchal culture casts over women, from the pressure to always be the best to the burden of never showing vulnerability. 

She introduces antidotes for these spells—ways to transform our disempowering strategies into authentic, empowering actions that align with our true selves.

Here’s a sneak peek of 3 the archetypes we explored in our conversation so you get a feel for the depth and nuance we are having on the show today - (feel my considerable excitement!!)

• The Chingona: The high-achieving, outwardly perfect woman who carries the weight of endless expectations but feels perpetually “not enough.” Mar revealed how to step into the empowering identity of the Expander—someone who inspires others not by perfection, but by showing what’s possible.

• The Overwhelmed One: The multi-tasker extraordinaire, juggling countless ideas and responsibilities, often at the expense of her peace of mind. Mar invites this archetype to become the Multi-Creative Adventurer, embracing her creativity while simplifying and focusing on what truly matters.

• The Responsible One: The steady, reliable problem-solver who is there for everyone—but struggles to ask for help. Mar’s antidote? A reframe as the Community Creator, a grounded leader who thrives when she allows herself to be supported, too.

Mar’s wisdom is powerful for anyone feeling stuck in cycles of perfectionism, overwhelm, or self-doubt. Her stories and insights will have you nodding in recognition and, most importantly, seeing a path forward to living unapologetically.

Yes we talked about these deep themes AND we had so much doing it! I can’t wait to hear your takeaways from this one. 

Listen to our chat to hear more about:

• How to start to live as your unapologetic, empowered self

• Why achieving more doesn’t always feel fulfilling—and what you can do about it

• The first step to breaking free from the patriarchy

• The surprising antidote to overwhelm (it isn’t doing less!)

• Why showing vulnerability in your relationships is a superpower, not a weakness

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Episode 132: How To Use the Questions For Couples Journal to Get Closer to Your Honey with Sarah Kennedy

• Episode 53: Processing Negative Emotions

• Episode 129: Understanding Your Stress Cycles with Maria Victoria Albina

• Episode 76: Trauma, Resourcing, and Windows of Tolerance with Shelby Leigh

• Episode 96: Thought Work and The Self Coaching Model

• Connect with Mar on Instagram

• Visit Mar’s website

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

I’m absolutely thrilled about this episode because it’s packed with heart, wisdom, and so many nuggets of inspiration. My guest is the one and only Jackie De Crinis, a former TV executive turned life coach, who has just released her debut book, The Overthinker’s Guide to Joy. Trust me – you’ll be laughing, reflecting, and taking notes all at once.

Jackie spent decades in the high-stakes world of television, where she developed iconic shows like Suits, White Collar, Monk, and Mr. Robot. But as you’ll hear, she didn’t just curate hit series; she also navigated a deeply personal journey of listening to her intuition and creating a life of joy.

Jackie shares the behind-the-scenes magic of her career, her insights on overthinking and joy, and the transformative power of asking for help. I especially loved her story about discovering tennis, which started with her assistant insisting she get a hobby and (spoiler alert!) ultimately led to her meeting her husband of 20+ years! It’s a beautiful example of how small steps can lead to life-changing outcomes. 

We also dive into some themes from her book, like why asking for help is so challenging for many of us (especially perfectionists and people pleasers) and how to start practicing asking for help without guilt or fear. 

Tune into our conversation and hear more about:

• Why listening to your intuition matters

• How asking for help (even when it’s hard!) transforms your relationships AND health

• How saying "no" is deeply connected to saying "yes" to yourself and your well-being

• The importance of gratitude in relationships

• The power of prioritizing the easy steps over the hard ones

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Overthinker’s Guide to Joy by Jackie De Crinis

• Episode 128: Doing What Feels Right with Jackie De Crinis

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

• Visit Jackie's Website

• Listen to Jackie's Podcast, The Overthinker's Guide to Joy

• Connect with Jackie on Instagram

   

On this episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast, we’re diving into one of my favorite topics: questions—the kind that spark clarity, connection, and love. You’ll hear me nerd out a bit (okay, a lot) as I share 10 powerful questions that can transform your marriage by helping you create more ease, joy, and understanding.

We’ll chat about everything from the stories we tell ourselves to how playfulness and generosity can become your superpowers. I’ll walk you through each question, offering examples, insights, and ideas to help you apply them in your relationship right away. 

Whether you’ve been married for decades or are newly navigating life with a partner, there’s something here for everyone.

Oh, and a quick behind-the-scenes scoop! This episode was created with a little help from my AI assistant, Claude. Think of it as teamwork: my coach brain paired with tech to organize my thoughts. I always want you to know when I use tools like this to enhance your listening experience.

These 10 questions are tools to break patterns, spark connection, and make love a little easier to access, no matter the situation.

So, grab a notebook, open your heart, and let’s get started. The best part? You don’t have to do this perfectly—you just have to start.

Tune into this episode and find out:

• How you can shift the stories you tell yourself to transform your relationship

• Why generosity is such a powerful tool for deeper connection—and how you can practice it in new ways

• How playfulness can change the tone of even the most challenging moments

• Why small, incremental changes have a big impact on your marriage

• How focusing on what’s already working can help you unlock more love and joy

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:

• Episode 2: Power Questions

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

Today, I’m excited to take you on a little journey through a concept that can change the way you think about motivation, intimacy, and even the everyday tasks we all have a love-hate relationship with. We’re talking about responsive desire.

You might have heard the term in the context of intimacy and relationships, but I think that responsive desire is so much more than that—it’s a way of understanding how we relate to everything from our goals to our daily routines. And here’s the good news: just because you don’t feel motivated at the start doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it once you get going!

In this episode, we’re unpacking responsive desire and how it differs from spontaneous desire, which is often portrayed as the “norm” in our culture (thanks, TV and movies!). Real life is much more complex, and understanding this difference can be a game-changer—not just for your relationship, but for how you approach many areas of your life.

So, join me as we dive deep into why it’s perfectly okay to have a different kind of motivation that needs a little warm-up. Whether it’s starting a new habit, getting to the gym, or feeling connected in your relationship, responsive desire can show up in so many areas of life—and it’s completely normal.

You’ll learn:

• Why tuning into responsive desire can help you achieve goals without waiting for the ‘right’ motivation

• Small shifts that make tasks feel easier and more enjoyable

• How understanding responsive desire can transform your approach to motivation and intimacy

• Why accepting responsive desire can lead to a more compassionate and flexible outlook on your goals and relationships

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Episode 75: Sex, Stress & Gratitude with Emily Nagoski

• Episode 83: Sex Funnels

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

Hey friends! Welcome to today’s episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast. This one is for you if you've ever wondered, "What does a life coach actually do?" and how they can support you in your journey. 

I’m beyond thrilled to be joined by my wonderful friend and coaching colleague, Sade Curry, who wrote the most incredible explanation of life coaching back in 2020, and it’s stayed with me ever since. So, I finally thought, "Why not just bring her on the podcast to talk about it?"

Sade is not only a brilliant dating coach for divorced women, but also the host of the "Dating After Divorce" podcast. Her insights on how life coaching can guide you through challenging transitions, like divorce, are so profound. She’s certified in trauma coaching, feminist coaching, life, and relationship coaching, and we share a deep love for learning and continuing education (we even ended up taking some of the same courses!).

Today, we’ll dive deep into what life coaching really looks like, share some behind-the-scenes stories, and help you understand how a coach can support you. We’ll chat about the expertise coaches bring to the table and why it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to grow, heal, or transform any area of their life.

Plus, we’ll get personal and talk about some amazing moments from Sade’s own coaching journey—including how coaching helped her find love again after divorce. So grab a cup of tea, cozy up, and join us as we have this enlightening and fun conversation! You’ll hear all about:

• Ways that a life coach helps you see things in a new way, opening up possibilities you may have never considered

• Why life coaching isn’t just advice-giving—it’s applying proven processes to get results

• How finding love again after divorce is possible, with the right guidance and emotional healing

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Episode 152: The Most Valuable Thoughts For Your Marriage Mindset

• Episode 96: Thought Work and The Self Coaching Model

• Episode 39: Soul Centered Communication

• Dating After Divorce with Sade Curry

• Sade Curry on Instagram

• Sade Curry on Facebook

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

Today’s episode is incredibly special, and I’m so thrilled to share it with you. 

In this episode, I welcome back a former client, the amazing Jules Clancy, who was a part of my Marriage MBA program during the first round back in 2020. Jules is a food scientist turned cookbook author and certified cooking coach, teaching people to make simple, healthy meals with her app, Stone Soup, and through her podcast, Joyful Eating. 

She reached out to me recently with a beautiful update about her marriage, and her message truly felt like a rainbow after a storm. 

Today, Jules reflects on her journey through my Marriage MBA program, where she chose to focus on herself rather than traditional marriage counseling. She shares how doing this inner work changed her marriage profoundly, creating a relationship she’s proud of today. 

Jules also talks about how learning to be on the same team as her husband strengthened not only their marriage but their family life as a whole, especially in their parenting.

Just a few takeaways from our conversation include:

• How six months of coaching led to lasting changes that continue to benefit Jules's marriage years later

• Why regularly scheduled time with your honey is essential for keeping the connection strong

• The power of accepting your partner as they are and letting go of judgment

My hope with this episode is that you’ll feel really inspired and equipped with tangible tools to start creating positive change in your own relationship. Remember, it’s possible to have what you want in your marriage—you just need the right tools, mindset, and support.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Stone Soup 3 ingredient meals platform

• The Joyful Eating Podcast

• Connect with Jules on Instagram

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie Reyes

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

I was so tickled to be joined in this episode by Adrienne Dorison, an expert in operational efficiency, and co-founder of "Run Like Clockwork" with best selling author Mike Michalowicz. 

Adrienne has helped countless small business owners find ways to step back from their businesses while allowing them to continue thriving. 

I’m so excited about this conversation, because we focused on applying business efficiency principles, specifically "clockworking," to marriage and relationships. And you know I love marriage hacking! 

Together, we explore the "Four T’s" that Adrienne teaches as a guide to optimize time AND energy in both business and relationships.

We are talking about the importance of rethinking roles and tasks in relationships, and how that can create more freedom, joy, and efficiency.

As you listen, I encourage you to evaluate your own relationships and responsibilities and consider how a new perspective (along with the four Ts) can lead to healthier dynamics for you and the people you care about – whether that’s in your business, at your office, or especially with your honey. 

Listen and learn more about:

• What each of the four Ts are and how they help you evaluate, delegate, or eliminate what’s no longer serving you

• The impact of prioritizing activities that add real value to your life and relationship

• How to practice more open communication for deeper emotional connection

• Why rethinking relationship expectations can create a better fit for you and/or your partner

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Episode 32: Coaching, Therapy, and Emotional Leadership with Lacey Sites

• Episode 77: Easy vs Hard with Lacey Sites

• Run Like Clockwork website

• Connect with Adrienne on Instagram

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie Reyes

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

If there’s something in your life that you want and don’t currently have, this episode is for you. I am excited to share some ideas about how to think about goals differently.

Recently, I started working towards a goal of my own that’s felt pretty elusive, honestly. 

During this process, I noticed I had the thought, “This is just as likely as going to Mars.” Which made me feel really defeated.

To feel like one of our goals is impossible just leaves us feeling like there’s nowhere left to go.

But the next morning, I woke up and thought, 

“Okay. If NASA was going to Mars, how would they do it? What would their actual step-by-step process be to getting to Mars?” 

And of course I came up with a few ideas, like desire, budget, plan. And that led me to wondering what that would look like for me and my goal, if I distilled this big process down to the main things I would need to do…

And that’s what I want to share with you today. 

So think about something YOU want, that’s yours and yours alone (meaning, something you have control over to a certain degree) and let’s get ready to apply these four principles to what you want to accomplish.

Listen and learn more about:

• How to be very clear about what you want

• The power of committing more to the process than the outcome

• Dispelling the idea that you have to accomplish your goals alone

• Why you should also think about what’s in the way of your goals

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Episode 96: Thought Work and The Self Coaching Model

• Episode 62: Curiosity, Coaching, and Using Your Superpowers In Your Marriage with Lindsay Dotzlaf

• Episode 39: Soul Centered Communication

• Episode 76: Trauma, Resourcing, and Windows of Tolerance with Shelby Leigh

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• Private Coaching with Maggie Reyes

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover

On this special episode of The Marriage Life Coach Podcast, I’m sharing a rich, deep conversation I had with fellow coach Melissa Parsons on her podcast, Your Favorite You. This collaboration with my dear friend was so impactful that I asked permission to also share it with my audience, so that’s what you’ll be hearing today. 

It’s a sensitive topic, the urge to control. Mostly that urge comes from a desire to feel safe. Overworking, taking over responsibility – my hypothesis is that it all comes from a quest for safety. We think if we establish control, we can be more safe and feel better. 

But really, more often than not, that control leads to resentment, overworking, and burnout, which is exactly what Melissa and I unpack in this episode. 

As much as we might try to control others, we can only truly control ourselves. So what if we harness the power of influence, instead? How could we use our influence in a kinder, more compassionate way to get more of what we want without causing the harm that control does? 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Recognize the difference between trying to control others and positively influencing them. True influence comes from connection and understanding, not from imposing your will.

- Authenticity is key in relationships. It’s important to be honest about your feelings and experiences, even when it’s difficult. 

- Life is full of dualities, and it's important to hold space for seemingly contradictory truths. For example, you can be strong and still need support, or you can be independent while deeply valuing connection.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Episode 29: Releasing the Need to be Right with Dr. Melissa Parsons

• Episode 99: The Power of Going First with Melissa Parsons

• Your Favorite You Episode 98: Influence vs Control with Maggie Reyes

• The Questions for Couples Journal

• The Marriage Mindset Makeover